Boise State aims to keep Mountain West tournament hopes alive against UNLV

A win over the Rebels would put the Broncos in the mix for a top-five finish and first-round bye in the conference tournament.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Boise State men's basketball's game against UNLV on Friday night is a crucial mid-conference matchup that could have major implications for the Broncos' postseason hopes. A win would keep Boise State in the race for a top-four spot in the Mountain West standings, which would guarantee a bye through the first round of the conference tournament next month. However, a loss would put the Broncos behind UNLV in the tiebreaker, making it more difficult to secure a top-five finish and avoid playing an extra game in the tournament.

Why it matters

The top four teams in the Mountain West regular season standings earn a first-round bye in the conference tournament, while the fifth-place team faces the last-place team in the opening round. Boise State is currently tied for sixth with UNLV, so a win over the Rebels would be crucial in their pursuit of a top-five finish and an easier path to the tournament championship.

The details

Boise State (15-9, 7-6 Mountain West) hosts UNLV (12-12, 7-6) on Friday night at ExtraMile Arena. The winner will hold sole possession of sixth place in the conference standings, with the possibility of moving into a tie for fifth and sitting just one game behind fourth place. The Broncos have surged back into the top half of the conference by winning six of their last seven games, but most of those wins came against lower-tier opponents. A season sweep over both UNLV and New Mexico would put Boise State in a great position to finish in the top five.

  • Boise State and UNLV play on Friday, February 14, 2026 at 8 p.m.
  • The Mountain West Conference tournament runs from March 11-14, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Leon Rice

Boise State men's basketball head coach.

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What they’re saying

“We never dare to look beyond the game in front of us, but why does Friday's tilt against UNLV matter so much?”

— Leon Rice, Boise State men's basketball head coach (idahostatesman.com)

What’s next

If Boise State defeats UNLV on Friday, the Broncos will have a chance to move up in the Mountain West standings with games against Utah State and San Diego State still to come.

The takeaway

Friday's game against UNLV is a crucial one for Boise State's postseason aspirations, as a win would keep the Broncos in the hunt for a top-five finish and first-round bye in the Mountain West tournament, while a loss would put them behind the Rebels in the tiebreaker and make their path to the tournament championship more difficult.