Tuesday night in Boise delivered the kind of college basketball drama that sticks with you - the kind fans will be talking about long after the final buzzer. Boise State and Nevada went toe-to-toe in a game that had everything: momentum swings, clutch plays, and a finish that needed overtime to settle. When the dust finally cleared, it was the Broncos who came out on top, 91-87, in a game that felt like a turning point - not just for the team, but for one player in particular.
That player? Dylan Andrews.
The former UCLA guard has had a rollercoaster of a season since transferring to Boise State. There have been flashes of brilliance - moments where he looks like the most dynamic player on the floor - but those highs have been countered by stretches of inconsistency.
Whether it’s been cold shooting nights, untimely turnovers, or stretches of tunnel-vision offense, Andrews has struggled to find his rhythm in Leon Rice’s system. Even Rice himself hasn’t shied away from calling out what he’s seen as “selfish basketball” in past games.
But Tuesday night? That was a different Dylan Andrews.
In a game where Boise State needed someone to step up and take control, Andrews delivered. He was aggressive but under control, confident but not careless.
This wasn’t just a bounce-back performance - it was a statement. The kind of performance that reminds you why Andrews was such a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and why Boise State brought him in from UCLA in the first place.
To put it in context, let’s talk about value - not just in the box score, but in terms of impact. One of the more insightful metrics out there for evaluating a player's contribution is BPR - Bayesian Performance Rating.
Developed by Evan Miyakawa, it’s designed to measure a player's overall value to his team while on the floor. A BPR of 0.00 is considered average, while Boise State’s starters typically hover around 2.00 or better.
It’s not the end-all-be-all, but it’s a solid tool for cutting through the noise and seeing who’s really moving the needle.
By that measure, Andrews has had a down year. His BPR has lagged behind the rest of the starting unit - a reflection of the inconsistency that’s plagued his season.
But Tuesday night felt like a recalibration. Not just for the numbers, but for the narrative.
Andrews didn’t just help Boise State win - he helped them believe. In a game filled with wild runs and emotional swings, he was the steadying force when it mattered most. That kind of performance can’t be captured by a single stat, but it can change the trajectory of a season.
For Boise State, this win over Nevada was more than just a notch in the win column. It was a gutsy, grind-it-out victory against a strong conference opponent.
But for Dylan Andrews, it might be something even bigger: a turning point. The kind of game that reminds everyone - including himself - of just how good he can be when everything clicks.