Prater & The Ballgame

We address top storylines (and a few fun ones) as Boise State basketball prepares to open the Mountain West Tournament against San Jose State on Wednesday night, Bob (Bronco Focus) recaps the All-MW team announced Tuesday (three Broncos made the team), Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey on his recent Idaho Statehouse visits and what he's trying to accomplish (plus his thoughts on Boise State hoops), former Boise State basketball great Tanoka Beard on covering the Big Sky Tournament in Downtown Boise, the Vandals' hopes of winning a title and his memories of playing Idaho 10 times during his college playing days

Jeramiah Dickey joins Prater and Mallory live from the Mountain West basketball tournament in Las Vegas. Dickey touches on the impact of his recent visits to the Idaho Statehouse as he attempts to help reform college football - how is that battle going? He also talks about Tuesday's Pac-12 AD meetings in Vegas - and his thoughts on the Broncos' men's basketball team (plays San Jose State in first game Wednesday night). 

Former Boise State basketball great Tanoka Beard joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Big Sky Tournament in Downtown Boise - he's a longtime analyst who's covered the tournament for several years, he likes the Idaho Vandals and their chances to play for a title Wednesday night, and he recalls his playing days against Idaho (3-7 vs. Vandals) and the memories that that rivalry created.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his thoughts on the MW men's postseason basketball team, released Tuesday. Behler is a voter and said he placed Boise State big man Drew Fielder on his first team - Fielder actually made the second-team. Dylan Andrews and Javan Buchanan made the MW honorable mention squad. 

Boise State basketball on a roll after victory at Colorado State - can the Broncos win the Mountain West Tournament, Bob (Bronco Focus) describes how Boise State landed favorable side of the MW bracket (and previews women's semifinal against Air Force), Vandals two wins from NCAA invite - other statewide teams have made their respective national tournaments, catching up with Denver Broncos/former Boise State safety JL Skinner, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: Safeties Kyle Hall and Roman Tillmon, Raiders and Saints have good day of NFL free agency, Weekend Winners & Losers (AC Boise win its debut soccer match!!!)

Former Boise State safety JL Skinner, who just completed his third season with the Denver Broncos, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about his 2025 season, his offseason labrum surgery and his new charity cause - Project Bloom to help women and homelessness. You can contribute to Project Bloom at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jl-skinners-project-bloom?attribution_id=sl:dc72951a-4a62-44f9-9a84-811cc9064e4e&ts=1772553861&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share three basketball storylines - the Boise State men draw well going into the Mountain West, why the Broncos are playing well and why the Boise State women are two wins away from the NCAA Tournament.

Boise State basketball closes regular season with statement game at Colorado State on Saturday - does a win make the Broncos a legit contender heading into the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas next week, Bob previews the game with top storylines in Bronco Focus (priority No. 1: 3-point defense), weekend sports scene includes Big Sky basketball tournament, high school basketball state championships and AC Boise soccer, Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey and football coach Spencer Danielson speak before Idaho legislators Friday - what did they have to say, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twist

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his top four storylines as the Broncos close out their regular season Saturday afternoon with a Mountain West basketball game at Colorado State. Bob's No. 1 storyline for Boise State: 3-point defense.

We debate Leon Rice and the job he's doing this season as Boise State's basketball coach - the feelings are very much mixed, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks to Rice and junior forward Andrew Meadow as the Broncos prepare to play at Colorado State on Saturday, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: DL Mikaio Edward (Central Washington) and Andrew Rheubottom (DeAnza), Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the league tournament in Downtown Boise - and his role on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, will Shaq show up in Boise to watch his son play for Sacramento State (he has a long history with Boise and the state of Idaho), Khalil Shakir gets new teammate as Bills sign WR D.J. Moore

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share highlights of his interviews with basketball coach Leon Rice and junior forward Andrew Meadow. Both are feeling confident going into Saturday's regular-season finale at Colorado State.

Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill - also a member of the NCAA Tournament men's selection committee - joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about the Big Sky Tournament (men's and women's) in Downtown Boise on Saturday through Wednesday. Idaho and Idaho State open the men's tournament with a Saturday night doubleheader. On Tuesday, Wistrcill leaves Boise for Indianapolis, where he'll help select the NCAA's 68-team field.

Boise State basketball closes out home schedule with dominant, hope-raising victory over San Diego State - Bob recaps the big night in Bronco Focus, junior center Drew Fielder joins the show to talk about his career-best performance and his future in Boise (will he stay or will he go?), Idaho native/Eagle High/MLS product Blake Bodily joins us in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about AC Boise, USL League One soccer and Boise's debut match Saturday in Florida (home opener is April 4 in Boise), College of Western Idaho is working to add sports - do we need a fourth college sports program in the Treasure Valley

Boise State basketball junior center Drew Fielder joins Prater and Mallory to talk about Tuesday night - 33 points, 9 rebounds, 16-of-18 free throw shooting in a 86-77 home victory over San Diego State. It was a career-night in the biggest home win of the season, which raises the question: Any chance Boise State can keep Fielder on the roster for his senior season? He answers the question ... 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his thoughts on the Broncos' 86-77 home-finale victory over the Aztecs on Tuesday night. No. 1 storyline: Energy in the building led to the biggest home victory of the season. Boise State closes out its regular season Saturday at Colorado State.

Soccer player Blake Bodily (Eagle High, University of Washington, Portland Timbers), a veteran professional and the first signee for new franchise AC Boise, joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio to talk about Saturday's USL League One season opener in Sarasota, Florida. AC Boise makes its home debut April 4.

Boise State basketball hosts San Diego State on Tuesday night - it could be the final Mountain West event for many Bronco fans, what was your favorite moment of the Mountain West era and did you get what you wanted during a 15-year run in the league, Bob previews Boise State-San Diego State in Bronco Focus, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Akeem Wright, following top NCAA storylines - can a team from the West (Arizona?) finally win a national basketball title and what are our expectations for the Big Sky tournament in Downtown Boise, what are the Seahawks planning to do at running back (George Holani is signed, but the Super Bowl MVP is not)

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to preview the final home basketball game of the regular season. The Broncos finish at Colorado State on Saturday before diving into the Mountain West tournament in Las Vegas next week.

Former Boise State QB Taylen Green turns in record-setting performance at NFL Combine - how does that impact your feelings in Boise, recap of OL Kage Casey (Boise State) and TE Kenyon Sadiq (Idaho Falls) at the Combine, Jaguars guard Ezra Cleveland joins the show to talk about his Boise State days and his Combine memories, Bob (Bronco Focus) sets up the final week of regular season play for Mountain West basketball, Weekend Winners & Losers

Former Boise State left tackle Ezra Cleveland, now a veteran guard with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joins Prater and Mallory to share an update on his life: Established starter in the NFL, living in Arizona with two golden retrievers in the offseason and grinding hard as he dives into new contract negotiations. Cleveland also touches on Kage Casey, another Boise State left tackle who's headed to the NFL after his combine performance over the weekend. 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his thoughts on the final week of the regular season for Mountain West basketball. Boise State hosts San Diego State on Tuesday and plays at Colorado State on Saturday. What are the top storylines for the other top teams in the league?

Former Boise State LT Kage Casey is scheduled to work out Sunday at the NFL Combine (11a-3p, NFL Network) - what are his expectations, Ashton Jeanty's next QB (Fernando Mendoza) speaks about the Raiders from the Combine, Bob (Bronco Focus) and B.J. (BNN Report) preview the Boise State-Fresno State basketball game Saturday, Steelheads captain Nick Canade on mixed emotions while watching the gold-medal hockey game - and how to fix a losing streak, Friday Five - our week in review, with a twist

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his top storylines going into the Mountain West game in California on Saturday (6 p.m. at Fresno State). No. 1 storyline: The Bulldogs have a young roster with mixed results - but the group has had better success at home.

Idaho Steelheads captain Nick Canade joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about Sunday's gold-medal game: He's Canadian but appreciated what Team USA pulled off - and shares stories about playing youth hockey with top Americans Jack and Quinn Hughes. Canade also touches on the Steelheads, who are home Saturday night and hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. 

Boise State basketball is down to its final three games of the regular season - Bob talks to coach Leon Rice and senior leader RJ Keene for his Bronco Focus segment (what do they have to say about the stretch run?), Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Darren Morris (Southern), is Mountain West basketball a one (or two?) bid league, top players and storylines to watch at the NFL Combine (Taylen Green, Eric McAlister, Jeremiyah Love, Group of Five players)

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share highlights of interviews with basketball coach Leon Rice and senior RJ Keene. Rice talks about the recent growth of senior guard Dylan Andrews, and Keene talks about getting healthy after losing 15 pounds because of a nasty flu bug. The Broncos play at Fresno State on Saturday.

Boise State basketball back on track with two straight wins - what's next with three games remaining in the regular season, Bob (Bronco Focus) explains how Dylan Andrews and Drew Fielder have found their groove, new Boise State DB coach Terrence Brown will coach safeties and cornerbacks this season (a change from past seasons), Boise State football New Player Spotlight: CB JeRico Washington Jr. (Kennesaw State), former NFL head coach Chuck Pagano on his coaching career (over?), living back in Boise and the pros/cons of the NFL Combine, one Idaho senator is attempting to limit international student-athletes at the state's public universities

Longtime NFL coach/head coach Chuck Pagano - also a former Boise State assistant football coach - joins Prater and Mallory for a three-part conversation: He's done with the Ravens after spending this past season in Baltimore (will he ever coach again?), he's back living in Boise full-time (lots of golf?) and he dives into the pros and cons of the NFL Combine (happening this week in Indianapolis)

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his top theory as to why the men's basketball team is starting to play better: Guard Dylan Andrews and big man Drew Fielder have found a consistent groove - you know what you're getting from both players (not the case earlier in the season). 

Boise State basketball hosts Wyoming on Tuesday night (two teams with a combined record of 14-18 in Mountain West games) - what about this game most interests you, Bob previews the game in Bronco Focus (defense!!!), getting to know all three of Boise State's new full-time assistant football coaches (DL Frank Maile, WR Travis Whitted, DB Terrence Brown), Kenyon Sadiq (Idaho Falls) headed to NFL Combine as the state of Idaho continues to put tight ends in the NFL, sports vacations - overrated or underrated?

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his top four storylines going into Tuesday night's Mountain West game at ExtraMile Arena. No. 1 storyline: Defense.

We dedicate the show to USA Olympic hockey - biggest takeaways from Sunday's gold-medal victory over Canada, we have our thoughts and we spend the show listening to yours, will Olympic hockey gold be the No. 1 sports story in America at the end of the year (what tops it?), Bob dives into the final stretch for Boise State/Mountain West basketball in Bronco Focus, Hollywood actor/voice actor/comedian Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement, Family Guy) joins the show to talk about two shows in Boise on Friday night, how he landed the role of Puddy on Seinfeld and his sports loyalties, Weekend Winners & Losers

Longtime Hollywood actor Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement, voice actor on Family Guy - and so much more!) joins Prater and Mallory to talk about playing two shows at the Egyptian Theatre in Downtown Boise on Friday night. how he got the role of Puddy on Seinfeld, how he would convince "Elaine'' to vacation in Idaho, why David Spade once told a lie on KTIK and his priorities as a lifelong sports fan.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share what he thinks about the Broncos' basketball season with four regular season games remaining. Same applies to the entire Mountain West - what do people need to know going into the next couple of weeks?

The Boise State basketball debate continues - what are expectations for Saturday's home game against San Jose State (or are we focused more on long-term solutions?), Bob (Bronco Focus) spotlights the 1975-76 team that included coach Bus Connor and the school's first NCAA appearance, team will be honored at halftime of Saturday's game and Connor (who died in Boise last month) will be celebrated inside Bronco Gym after the game, B.J. (BNN Report) on which players could return for Boise State basketball, former Boise State offensive coordinator Tim Plough joins the show - why he was fired and how he's finding joy as head coach at UC Davis, USA-Canada will play for Olympic hockey gold Sunday morning, Friday Five - our week in review with a twist

Former Boise State offensive coordinator Tim Plough, who was fired early in the 2022 season, joins Prater and Mallory for a rare Boise media interview. Plough, who is 20-7 in two seasons as head coach at UC Davis, talks about what went wrong at Boise State. He touches on Hank Bachmeier, Andy Avalos, Spencer Danielson and Dirk Koetter. Plough says he has found his happy place and brings up two of his favorite topics: Finding joy and watching the Ted Lasso TV series. PHOTO: Courtesy of UC Davis Athletics

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share details about a 50-year basketball reunion on Saturday. The 1975-76 team, the first in Boise State history to play in the NCAA Tournament, will be honored at halftime of the Boise State-San Jose State game. Bus Connor, the head coach of that team, will be honored in Bronco Gym following the game. Connor died last month in Boise.

Prater and Greg dive into a serious question - what's the future of Boise State basketball, how are fans feeling after Wednesday night's loss at Utah State, can this team rebound from a tired look and can this team finish strong under coach Leon Rice, Bob takes a look at the state of Boise State basketball in Bronco Focus - and what Rice has to say, we replay highlights from our 35-minute interview with football coach Spencer Danielson, USA women beat Canada for Olympic gold and now our attention turns to USA-Canada in the men's tournament, the 2026 sports calendar includes the Winter Olympics, World Baseball Classic and World Cup in North America - how much does patriotism play into your sports fandom

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Greg to share his thoughts on the state of Broncos' basketball. Boise State lost at Utah State on Wednesday night - what's left with this team going into the final five games of the regular season? What is coach Leon Rice thinking these days?

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson joins the show - 35 minutes in our KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio - to talk about his changing roster, the offseason QB competition and to answer a few personal questions (Can he cook? What type of music does he listen to?), Bob previews Boise State-Utah State basketball in Bronco Focus, Boise State football New Player Spotlight - transfer linebacker Logan Brantley (Kansas), Boise State Hall of Famer Pete Kwiatkowski lands his first NFL coaching gig as the Broncos' NFL coaching tree continues to grow, are you watching any Olympic hockey ... and do you miss the snow/want it to snow?

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson joins Prater and Mallory in the Lithia Ford of Boise Studio - his debut appearance in our studio. Danielson talks about how his team has changed since Jan. 1, how he's handling the offseason QB competition and thoughts on playing the Vandals. We also get to know Danielson a little more ... Can he cook? Does he follow sports outside of football? How did he celebrate the George Holani Super Bowl? What kind of music does he listen to?

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his preview of the Mountain West game in Logan. Bob takes a close look at Utah State's basketball program (and home venue) - and compares both to Boise State football.

Boise State still struggling to win basketball games - where did this team go sideways and what's left with six games remaining in the regular season, Bob searches for answers - talks to senior leader RJ Keene in Bronco Focus, how do we feel about Pac-12 and Mountain West football teams scheduling each other, Boise State softball is playing Ole Miss, Arizona, Texas, Stanford, Kansas and Arkansas - what does coach Justin Shults say about his scheduling strategy, it was good to see Michael Jordan smiling after winning the Daytona 500 as a car owner, Weekend Winners & Losers

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share a status report on the Broncos (fell to 15-10, 7-7 MW) following last Friday's loss to UNLV). Bob talks to senior leader RJ Keene, hoping to find some answers with six games remaining in the regular season.

LIVE from the annual Valentine's weekend Diamond Dig at Pastry Perfection, we have some fun with two of Boise's most loved athletes - Kellen Moore and Ashton Jeanty (if you had to pick, which one winning a Super Bowl would give you the most joy?), Bob previews Boise State-UNLV basketball in Bronco Focus, B.J. breaks down the 2026 football schedule and the Boise State-Idaho football game in his weekly BNN Report, what sport/sports event is best for a first date, what are you loving about these Winter Olympics (DRONES!!!!), Friday Five - our week in review with a twist!

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his top four storylines going into Friday night's Mountain West game at ExtraMile Arena. His No. 1 storyline: How much will Boise State and UNLV play each other in the future, in basketball and football?

The Boise State-Idaho football series/rivalry returns to Boise in 2031 - we hear from fans of both teams and athletic directors Jeramiah Dickey (Boise State) and Terry Gawlik (Idaho), we debate the pros and cons of a game that hasn't been played since 2010, Bob (Bronco Focus) breaks down Boise State's football schedule for 2026 - released by the Pac-12 on Wednesday night, Raiders insider Jesse Merrick on the Ashton Jeanty-Klint Kubiak relationship in Las Vegas

Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey and Idaho AD Terry Gawlik join Prater and Mallory for separate interviews from the Idaho Statehouse, where Gov. Brad Little held a press conference Thursday morning to announce the return of the BSU-Idaho football series/rivalry. Dickey said he doesn't consider this game a rivalry; Gawlik said it's good for the state and she wants the game played with a backdrop of sportsmanship.

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share his thoughts on the new 2026 football schedule that the Pac-12 released Wednesday night. Bob takes a look at the pros and cons of the Broncos' schedule, including the "flex game'' on Week 13. What does it all mean?

Raiders reporter Jesse Merrick, founder of the Silver & Black Sports Network, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders have a new coach - former Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. How does the coaching change impact Jeanty and his second year in the NFL?