Prater & The Ballgame

Utah State beats Villanova on the second day of the NCAA Tournament - what does that mean for the Mountain West (or the Pac-12 next season?), we rehash our Thursday conversation with Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice (do you like it or hate it?), Bob (Bronco Focus) and B.J. (BNN Report) dive into Boise State football with a preview of spring camp that starts next week, Vandals start strong but run out of steam against Houston, 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 thoughts on the Broncos and spring camp. Coach Spencer Danielson kicks off the week Monday with his press conference - will anyone miss spring camp this year? Bob then dives into four position groups to follow: WR, DB, DL, OL. 

Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio for a 35-minute conversation - what went wrong/right this season and what's next, veteran forward Jade Miller joins the show in studio to talk about the Idaho Steelheads and why they're playing as the Boise Bigfoot this week, news, updates and analysis of the NCAA Tournament throughout the show, Bob (Bronco Focus) talks about Nebraska's opening victory and how it impacts Boise State, new rules coming to college football - major changes to the targeting penalty

Leon Rice joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio for a candid 35-minute conversation about the mixed results of this past season - and what kind of changes are expected this offseason. Rice shares what went wrong/what went right, his role this season, his offseason priorities and what he's doing to improve the roster going into the new Pac-12. 

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory to share random thoughts on the opening day of the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska won its opening game - its first NCAA win after eight straight losses. The Big Ten program is no longer on the 0-fer list - Boise State remains on the list with an 0-10 record in the tournament. 

Two-time NCAA Frozen Four champion Jade Miller (Minnesota Duluth), now in his fourth season with the Steelheads, joins Prater and Mallory in the KTIK Lithia Ford of Boise Studio. Does he believe in Bigfoot? Does he think Bigfoot can break out of a mini-slump and finish the regular season strong? This week, the ECHL hockey team is hosting the Tulsa Oilers for three games in Downtown Boise - it has changed its identity to the Boise Bigfoot. Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off after Saturday's game.

Indiana won a national championship in college football and Sam Darnold won a Super Bowl - can the craziness continue in the NCAA Tournament, we identify our surprise picks to win the Big Dance (football school, for a change?), Boise State football New Player Spotlight: WR Rasean Jones, can the Vandals become the next No. 2 seed to pull of NCAA upset (or a win for the Big Sky for the first time since 2006), Idaho Steelheads hosting three hockey games in Downtown Boise this week - and they've change the name of the team to Boise Bigfoot, what would you serve at a champions dinner if you won the Masters

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 only Mountain West program in the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies open Friday afternoon against Villanova.

We celebrate one of our favorite days - St. Patrick's Day - with a hearty conversation about food, drinking and patron saints, where does corned beef and cabbage rank on your holidays food list, who's the patron saint of your sports world, how is Boise State AD Jeramiah Dickey going to sell men's basketball this offseason, Vandals basketball standout and Big Sky Freshman of the Year Jackson Rasmussen (Owyhee High) joins the show from Oklahoma City to talk about Thursday night's game against Houston, we play a word association game with the 10 western teams in the NCAA Tournament

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 research on a college basketball stat that doesn't sit well in Boise: The Broncos are 0-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament - the longest drought (most losses without a win) in NCAA history. There are a few teams in this year's tournament who have never won a tournament game - who are they and how close are they to Boise State's 0-10 streak?

Idaho basketball player Jackson Rasmussen joins the show from Oklahoma City, where the Vandals have arrived for their NCAA Tournament game against Houston on Thursday night. Rasmussen talks about his journey from Oregon to Idaho to Utah - and now his first college basketball stop at Idaho.

It's NCAA Tournament week - and we have you covered with all the local/regional angles including an attractive bracket in Portland on Thursday-Saturday (Gonzaga, BYU, John Calipari), Boise State turns down NIT invite and dives into a new offseason - how do we feel about that, Vandals coach Alex Pribble on drawing No. 2 Houston/coach Kelvin Sampson, Boise State football New Player Spotlight: LB Zyhaire Lewis (Chaffey College), Weekend Winners & Losers

Idaho basketball coach Alex Pribble joins the show to talk about winning a Big Sky Tournament title in Downtown Boise - and picking up a No. 15 seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Vandals, with several Treasure Valley/state of Idaho players on the roster, will play No. 2 Houston on Thursday night in Oklahoma City. 

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 local/regional perspective on college basketball brackets released Sunday. There are several former Boise State opponents and Mountain West programs still playing this postseason - Bob breaks it all down. 

Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice, following the season-ending loss to San Jose State, said he wants to build his new roster with "Dawgs'' - what exactly does that mean and what kind of player is Rice chasing, Bob (Bronco Focus) adds four things he wants to see in Rice's new roster, B.J. (BNN Report) on potential coaching/staff changes this offseason, longtime college basketball coach Kermit Davis (now a member of the NIT selection committee) joins the show to share memories of his 1990 Idaho team (last one to play in an NCAA Tournament game), Friday Five - our week in review, with a twist 

Longtime college basketball coach Kermit Davis, now retired but still involved in the sport as a member of the NIT selection committee, joins Prater and Mallory from Indianapolis. He shares memories of the Vandals' 1990 team, which won a Big Sky title and played in the NCAA Tournament. Until this week, it's the last Idaho team to make the NCAA field.

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 where the men's basketball team needs to get better this offseason: A new point guard, "exciting'' wing, replacing Javan Buchanan and finding a "dynamic'' bench player.

Boise State's basketball season is over after embarrassing opening-night loss to San Jose State in the Mountain West Tournament, what went wrong this season and how can it be fixed, what changes need to be made - including the future of coach Leon Rice, Bob breaks down what went wrong against San Jose State in Bronco Focus, the Idaho Vandals are headed to the NCAAs for the first time since 1990 after winning Big Sky Tournament in Downtown Boise - how did it happen and what were the top sports headlines in 1990, Seahawks/former Boise State RB George Holani on what it's like to win a Super Bowl - and what he's doing in Boise next week

Seahawks running back George Holani, a former Boise State standout, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation that we've wanted to have since the Super Bowl: How does it feel to win a ring? Holani talks about his role in the Super Bowl, his post-game celebration and why he's headed to Boise next week (Gridiron Dreams Football Academy and autograph session at The Blue & Orange Store)

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory from Las Vegas to share his thoughts on Wednesday night's season-ending loss in the Mountain West Tournament. Bob says the loss fit the profile of all losses this season - and the season in general.

Boise State and Idaho have a chance to do something that's never been done before - qualify for the same NCAA Tournament, how do college basketball fans in Idaho process that possibility, Bob (Bronco Focus) previews first-round game between Boise State-San Jose State, B.J. (BNN Report) previews entire Mountain West Tournament (who's going to win?), former Boise State RB Alexander Mattison joins the show to share why he's headed to Boise and why he's thinking about Ashton Jeanty, NFL thinking about adding a game on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (lost opportunity for the Pac-12?)

Former Boise State running back Alexander Mattison, now a free agent in the NFL after a neck injury with the Dolphins last preseason, joins Prater and Mallory for a conversation about his return to the NFL. He said he's healthy and hopeful - and would love to join Ashton Jeanty in Vegas (where Mattison lives). He's in Boise next week for an autograph party at The Blue & Orange Store (March 18) and the Gridiron Dreams football camp (March 17-19, gridirondreams.net).

BRONCO FOCUS EVERY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 3:45 P.M.: Bob Behler, the voice of Boise State athletics, joins Prater and Mallory from Las Vegas to share his thoughts on Wednesday night's tournament opener at the Thomas & Mack Center. In order to win a Mountain West title, the Broncos need to win four games in four nights. Bob's No. 1 storyline: Manage players and their minutes played against the Spartans, who are 14.5-point underdogs.

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