BOISE — Boise State basketball coach Gordy Presnell has been named as the Mountain West Conference coach of the year, the second time Coach Presnell has earned that honor.
Two Boise State juniors, Riley Lupfer and Riley Hodgins were also named to the all-conference team as Boise State earned the number one seed heading into the Mountain West Tournament.
Both juniors remember their freshman year when they didn't know what to expect as tournament time arrived, the Broncos upset number one seed Colorado State on their way to a championship.
Two years later the juniors have a different mindset as they are part of a deep Boise State team that is trying to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year and they know they will have a target on their back.
“Definitely that is the case now, but I feel like we enjoy being the team to beat," said Lupfer.
Presnell praised both players saying they aren't afraid of the big moment and both want the ball in crunch time, however, Presnell said he always gets butterflies as tournament time draws near.
“I’m a stress blinker so I break out the glasses if the anxiety is getting too much so I’m not blinking in front of the team," said Presnell. "They know that is a stressful way I handle things.”
The Broncos duo told us they wouldn't want to play for another coach and they are excited for another opportunity to win the Mountain West Conference.
Boise State plays their first game on Monday at 1:00 p.m. against the winner of Nevada and San Jose State.
