Boise State’s first real measuring stick of the season arrives Sunday, and it comes with a Big East badge attached.
After rolling through three exhibition games and then blasting West Coast Baptist in its opener, the Broncos will host Butler at noon Mountain time at ExtraMile Arena. Boise State is 1-0, while Butler comes in 2-0 and has already shown plenty of pop under first-year head coach Ronald Nored.
The Broncos opened the year by dismantling West Coast Baptist 132-53 on Wednesday, a game that produced several single-game program records, including points and made field goals with 51.
“Great way to kick off the season. Get our legs under us, get a 1-0 start,” Boise State head coach Leon Rice said in his postgame press conference.
“Now, a great opportunity on Sunday. … You’re going to see two really good basketball teams.”
This isn’t the first time these teams have met. Boise State beat Butler 77-68 last season at Hinkle Fieldhouse, pulling away in the second half. Both programs ultimately fell short in conference play and missed the NCAA Tournament.
Butler’s sideline looks different now. Thad Matta retired after last season, and the Bulldogs turned to Nored, a former Butler player who competed under Brad Stevens from 2008-12. He arrived after coaching stops with the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets.
The early returns have been loud. Butler has started 2-0 with a pair of blowout wins, including Wednesday’s 99-65 rout of Fairleigh Dickinson, a game in which the Bulldogs matched a single-game program record with 20 made three-pointers.
“They’ve got a new coach who is doing a great job,” Rice said. “Their team looks sharp.
A Big East team coming in here on Sunday-on national TV-we need a great crowd. It’s going to be a fantastic basketball game.
From what I see with (Butler), they’re going to go on to win a lot of games. This is a great opportunity.”
Boise State enters as an 8.5-point favorite in the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sunday’s game will air with Nate Gatter on play-by-play and Ernie Kent as analyst. After Butler, the Broncos will finish their three-game homestand Wednesday against Oakland.
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