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The Boise State basketball team had the least excited reaction to landing an NCAA Tournament bid you’ll ever see. The Broncos were named one of the last four teams into the field, meaning they slipped into the event by the skin of their teeth.
Most programs would be over the moon to learn their season would be continuing in the Big Dance, especially considering the slim margin in which they were included. That wasn’t the case for Boise State.
Instead, a feeling of shock followed the March Madness announcement as players and coaches sat in silence upon learning their postseason fates.
Take a look.
Shock and silence in the room as Boise State finds out it’s headed to the First Four in Dayton. Didn’t see that coming. Broncos will face Colorado. pic.twitter.com/uLFhwv3OA1
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) March 17, 2024
The Broncos finished the year at 22-10 and tied for second in a very competitive Mountain West Conference race.
Boise State ended their basketball season with in impressive six wins versus Quad 1 foes, a number greater than more highly rated league rivals San Diego State and New Mexico
An opening loss in the MW Conference Tournament was a hit to the resume, but most assumed the team to be safely in the NCAA Tournament field.
Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, for example, had the Broncos listed as an eight-seed in his final projection, and nowhere near the bubble.
The selection committee, however, didn’t view the Broncos in the same light.
When the bracket was revealed, Boise State was a 10-seed playing in the “First Four” round in Dayton. Head coach Leon Rice broke down his initial state of shock to seeing the team’s NCAA Tournament fate.
Leon Rice with his initial thoughts on Boise State getting sent to the First Four in Dayton to play Colorado: pic.twitter.com/UnV0wbtfgY
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) March 17, 2024
“I’m a little surprised, to be honest,” he said while speaking to the media. “I don’t think anyone had us projected there. I thought that we’d be a higher seed because two things that were emphasized were the schedule that you put together, and then winning games on the road, and we did both of those.
“But hey, we’re grateful.”
Rice is far from the only college basketball coach confused by the selection committee’s process. NET rankings have been a popular talking point for teams like St. John’s and Indiana State, who were rated among the nation’s top 35 teams but were left out of the tournament field.
Rice’s befuddlement is based on what the committee weighs most heavily.
Is it wins on the road? Strength of schedule? Margin of victory? Who knows at this point?
Most believed Boise to be a shoo-in for the field as opposed to team fighting for a spot on the bubble. The only ones who didn’t were apparently at the selection table!
The Broncos will face Colorado in the March Madness precursor.