BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) – Boise State men's basketball opens its season tonight at ExtraMile Arena, hosting Oakland in a highly anticipated Broncos matchup. This season opener comes with high expectations as fans and analysts alike anticipate that the Broncos could be in for a standout year.

For the first time in program history, Boise State enters the season as the Mountain West's preseason favorite, a distinction that has created excitement among the fan base. Leading the team is veteran forward Tyson Degenhart, who was named the Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year. Degenhart, already one of the program's top scorers, is within touching distance of the Boise State all-time career points record.

Under head coach Leon Rice, now in his 15th season, the Broncos have built a reputation for strong defense and rebounding. Last season, the team ranked 14th nationally in rebound margin, a statistic that helped produce three consecutive 20-win seasons and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

However, this season will not be without its challenges. Boise State will face nine teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, adding an extra layer of difficulty to their schedule.

The fans' enthusiasm led to record-breaking season ticket sales with over 8,000 tickets sold.

For those interested in taking part in the promotion, tickets are available at BroncoSports.com.