Yikes: Boise State Basketball ‘Outcheered’ at Home This Weekend

Insult was indeed added to injury as Utah State's men's basketball program marched into Boise and did what no team has done to the Broncos at home in the 16-year tenure of head coach Leon Rice: won by 25-points.

The narrative behind the basketball team continues to be all over the map as the team works to iron out their own kinks--and the fans can't help but point at everyone but themselves. It's a dysfunctional relationship that, if allowed to continue, will only leave Boise State sitting back in a corner while March and the eventual Pac-12 merger take place.

After losing to Grand Canyon University at home earlier in the week--some real friction (more than the annual gripes) seemed to show itself among the fan base.  Fans were upset that Boise didn't get it done against a Mountain West newcomer -- but few understand that for years, GCU has been a basketball powerhouse.

In a post-game press conference, head coach Leon Rice shared frustration that the arena didn't feel like it offered much home court advantage. The tipoff was LATE -- 9:00pm--on a weeknight.

Line up the excuses, Boise State basketball simply couldn't figure it out and lost.

Going into this weekend, the Broncos and their leadership attempted to inject some energy into the arena. A Saturday night game, at a reasonable 7:00p.m. tipoff time, and FREE tickets to 'any and all students'.

'Pack the X', athletic administrators like to say.

Free student tickets? Any and all?

That offer echoed all the way to Logan, Utah, where Utah State students and members of 'The Hurd'--the school's student section--began organizing their four and a half hour road trip to Boise. The basketball coaching staff even chipped in money from their own wallets to help cover travel.

While Boise State caught wind and quickly tried to reel in the offer to any 'Idaho' students--it didn't matter. A can of worms had been opened and The Hurd was on the way.

Any Boise State fans in the arena were hard-pressed not to feel the energy from the Aggie faithful. Utah State fans were outnumbered-- but they were louder, stood the entire time, and more energetic. Their team won by 25-points.

Grumpy Boise State fans near us were shouting poor attempts at religious insults, implying the fans had church in the morning and what not.

Aside from a few loud cheers in Boise among the blue and orange 'faithful' -- fans primarily remained seated the entire time, left at halftime, or just blamed the officiating crew.

At the end of the game, Utah State's assistant coach posted this stunning photo of the traveling student section which did nothing shy of plant their flag on Boise State's 'field':

The response from Boise State? Crickets. The team simply didn't have the fans and the student section, once again this season, is proving less than engaged. While fans rip into the team and the coaching staff, who are working their tails off to get things in line for the Broncos-- they themselves may need to take a look in the mirror? How are fans best supporting the team? Calling for Leon's job or better officiating isn't the answer.

One Utah sportswriter exposed just how bad the student section was:    

March Madness for the Broncos this year feels like a long shot. On the horizon? The Pac-12 -- which will introduce a monster that nobody in Boise is ready for.

Gonzaga University, a college basketball blue-blood, will indeed 'Pack The X' in a way Utah State only flirted with. Their fans are loud, they travel, and a skip down to Boise is nothing for the base to see the Zags in action.

It's time to get it together, Boise. Get on your feet & compete in the stands-- or, cross your arms, plug your ears, and make some more church jokes--the Zags aren't far out.