ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When you think of Boise State athletics, the blue turf at its football stadium and the remarkable success of its football team are most likely the first things that come to the mind.
Lobo fans might not think of Broncos basketball as its peer, even.
But the Lobos went and won on that blue turf last November. And Boise State has been a hoops nemesis, winning not only both meetings on the court in the 2014-15 season, but also snatching a bid to host NCAA Tournament play that UNM really wanted.
“To me, Boise is the surprising one,” said Mike Haggerty, UNM’s assistant athletic director of events, who says he understands why many other major venues were chosen as the Pit has been shut out in recent bidding.