Here comes Boise, putting the bit between its teeth down the stretch, winning six of seven and ten of twelve to approach the Big Dance cut-line. The Broncos out-gutted gnarly San Diego State in Thursday's quarterfinals, outscoring the Aztecs 17-5 across the last nine minutes en route to winning the second half, 34-19. Though the Broncos only shot 34% from the floor, they won the rebound battle 40-28, and ex-San Jose State PG Alvaro Cardenas kept his cool down the stretch to lead Boise with 16 points. The Lobos are in better shape for a Big Dance at-large but looked vulnerable on Thursday vs. San Jose in a difficult 63-52 win. Play Boise State (Mountain West at Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas).

Always some rock fights in the MW Tourney, such as Thursday when all four games landing well under, while Utah State was the only side to score as many as 70. New Mexico is used to this sort of pace in the tourney, as it won this event last March while landing under in all four of its games. No scoreline has gotten above 142, including Thursday vs. San Jose in a labored 63-52 win that would have been even lower-scoring had UNM G Donovan Dent not come to the rescue with 25 points. Tourney trends and Boise's grinder over the Aztecs on Thursday suggests this will be another Mountain West rock fight tonight. Play Boise State-New Mexico Under.