BOISE, Idaho — Boise State men's basketball has been picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2024-2025 Mountain West regular-season title, the conference announced Thursday morning.
The media day announcement marks the first time in program history the Broncos have been tabbed first in the predicted order of finish. Tyson Degenhart was also named preseason player of the year, landing on the all-conference team with O'Mar Stanley and Alvaro Cardenas.
Boise State received 19 first-place votes – 17 more than any other team – and tallied 276 points, ahead of New Mexico (233), Nevada (219) and San Diego State (213).
Six different squads earned a first-place vote, including the top four, UNLV and Utah State. The Rebels and Aggies collected 178 and 169 points respectively, while Colorado State appeared at No. 7 in the predicted order of finish with 160 points.
The Broncos have been selected as high as second five different times in the preseason poll, which is voted on by select media. Boise State has finished at or higher than its preseason position eight times across 13 years in the Mountain West.
MOUNTAIN WEST PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
- Boise State (19) – 276 points
- New Mexico (1) – 233 points
- Nevada (1) – 219 points
- San Diego State (2) – 213 points
- UNLV (2) – 178 points
- Utah State (1) – 169 points
- Colorado State – 160 points
- San Jose State – 88 points
- Wyoming – 67 points
- Fresno State – 62 points
- Air Force – 51 points
Head coach Leon Rice enters his 15th year guiding the Broncos with a career record of 268-155. Boise State looks to put together its fourth straight 20-win season and fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid during the 2024-2025 campaign.
The Broncos are set to play a pair of contests on CBS and 13 conference games on national television this season. Boise State hoops tips off on Wednesday, Nov. 6, with Oakland visiting ExtraMile Arena.
Degenhart is the third Bronco in program history to earn the award, joining Derrick Alston Jr. (2020-21) and Chandler Hutchison (2017-18). Boise State led the league with three preseason all-conference selections Thursday.