Not forgetting Boise State, I've seen them live, I've been to Taco Bell Arena, and they are fine. If UK were going to the high desert to play the game, it may be interesting, but they are being paid to come to Rupp Arena for one reason and one reason only: they are a high (potential) RPI team who will come and not expect a return trip. Also, they were a 13 seed that had to go to Dayton for the First Four, just to clarify.

 

The Mountain West is an entertaining brand of basketball, but let's not forget that they perpetually under-achieve in the tournament, as evidenced by their 2-5 record last year in the tournament (despite being seeded 3, 5, 7, 8, and your Boise State team that lost to La Salle in the play-in game for the 13 seed). In fact, as you may recall, both their 3 and 5 seeds were beat in round 1 by, wait for it, Harvard and Cal.

 

But you are acknowledging the fact that they are a high RPI team. Their 44 RPI last year wasn't very bad, and should improve this year.

 

I know they lost in the "First Four", but that doesn't change the fact that they were an NCAA tournament team. The LaSalle team they lost to also advanced fairly far in this year's tournament.

 

Point is, I know you can pick at them and validly point at some weaknesses, but I think you could do the same for plenty of other teams in that range.

Check it out: SEC nonconference schedule analysis - ESPN