College Basketball Notebook: Boise State Mourns a Legend; Spanish Imports Navigate Mid-Season Grinds
The college basketball community is reflecting on the legacy of a foundational figure in the Mountain West this week following the death of former Boise State head men’s basketball coach Bus Connor. Connor, who passed away last weekend at the age of 93, is remembered as the architect of the Broncos’ first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I tournament.
His career, which spanned over four decades before his retirement in 2008, was defined by versatility and longevity. Connor’s tenure at Boise State began long before he took the reins of the varsity basketball program; he arrived in 1966, back when the institution was known as Boise College. Over more than 20 years with the school, he wore many hats, serving as the head tennis coach, an assistant football coach, and head coach of the freshman basketball team before taking over the men’s varsity squad midway through the 1972-73 campaign.
A Historic Run in Idaho
Connor, the second head coach in program history, is most revered for the magic of the 1975-76 season. Under his leadership, the Broncos secured an 18-11 overall record—marking only the second time the team finished above .500 as a Division I school—and captured the Big Sky Conference title. That championship run, which culminated in the program’s inaugural NCAA Tournament berth, earned Connor Big Sky Conference Basketball Coach of the Year honors.
The connection to the program remains a family affair. During his seven-plus seasons at the helm, where he collected 93 wins, Connor coached his son, Steve. Playing for his father from 1974 to 1978, Steve Connor averaged nearly 18 points per game and was eventually inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 1987. Today, the lineage continues at ExtraMile Arena, where Bus’s other son, Bret, serves as the primary public address announcer for home games.
The university has announced that the celebrated 1975-76 team will hold a 50-year reunion on February 21 to commemorate the program’s first conference championship, a timely celebration of Connor’s enduring impact.
The “Córdoba Legion” Faces Mixed Results in Division I
While Boise State honors its history, the current NCAA season has crossed the halfway point, offering a stark reality check for the latest wave of international talent. Specifically, the contingent of players from Córdoba, Spain, is experiencing the volatile nature of American college basketball. Seven players from the region are currently scattered across North America, but for the four competing at the Division I level, the season has been a mix of breakout performances and growing pains.
Tamba Anchors the LSU Tigers
The standout of the group is undoubtedly Pablo Tamba. Now in his senior year, the forward from Puente Genil has solidified his role as a key starter for the LSU Tigers. With the team holding a winning 14-9 record, Tamba has become indispensable to head coach Matt McMahon’s rotation. Averaging 27 minutes and 7.2 points per game, he has elevated his play in recent weeks. During a stretch of grueling conference matchups, Tamba has boosted his production to nearly 10 points and 10 rebounds per contest, providing the consistency LSU needs to stay competitive down the stretch.
Freshman Struggles at Maryland
In the Big Ten, the transition has been more turbulent for freshman point guard Guille del Pino. The MVP of the Under-16 European Championship is navigating a difficult season with the Maryland Terrapins, who are struggling with a 9-14 record. Del Pino’s season has been defined by irregularity; he has oscillated between playing significant minutes and seeing brief court time.
Despite the inconsistency, the talent is undeniable. His potential was on full display during a tournament in Las Vegas in late November, where he scored 10 points in 20 minutes against Alabama. However, a shoulder injury in December and January disrupted his rhythm. While he has since returned to the floor, he is still working to stabilize his role in a year largely dedicated to adaptation and physical development.
Finding a Niche at UMBC
Elsewhere, José Roberto Tanchyn seems to have found a comfortable home with the UMBC Retrievers. After previous stints at Lincoln and Palm Beach, the center is thriving in a reserve role for a squad sitting at 14-8. Tanchyn has gradually earned the trust of the coaching staff, averaging over 25 minutes in recent outings. He has been efficient in the paint, stringing together several games where he neared double-digit scoring, providing crucial energy off the bench for a team eyeing a strong finish in the standings.
Lara’s Adjustment Period
On the women’s side, Lucía Lara is in the midst of a challenging transition year with the New Mexico State Aggies. The team is currently under .500 with an 8-15 record, mirroring Lara’s own battle for playing time. The season began with promise—she logged four consecutive starts and played up to 32 minutes a game early on, nearly reaching 10 points on occasion. However, her minutes have since dwindled, with more sporadic appearances and several scoreless outings. For Lara, the remainder of the schedule will likely focus on building physical toughness and regaining the coaching staff’s confidence ahead of her sophomore campaign.
