November 5, 2026

Article By Nick Wade  

BOISE, Idaho. — Boise State’s men’s basketball team could hardly have scripted a more emphatic beginning to the 2026-27 campaign. In front of 7,629 fans at ExtraMile Arena, the Broncos overwhelmed West Coast Baptist 132-53 on Wednesday night, setting multiple program records and sending an unmistakable message that this team intends to play with pace, physicality and depth.

The season opener was historic in more ways than one. Boise State’s 132 points surpassed the previous school record of 126, established against Life Pacific in 2019. The Broncos also established new program highs with 51 made field goals, 67 rebounds and a 79-point margin of victory. Eight players reached double figures, another program record, as Boise State turned its first game of the season into a showcase of offensive balance.

There was an unmistakable contrast inside the arena before tipoff. The building was not filled to capacity, and the student section had plenty of open seats, but the Chaotix supporters who were there brought their energy. The challenge now is to turn that enthusiasm into a full home-court advantage. With approximately 225 of the 500 Chaotix seats sold, another 275 seats remain to be filled. A team beginning its season with a performance like this deserves a wild student section and a full Chaotix section that makes ExtraMile Arena a difficult place for visiting opponents.

Boise State opened with Damari Wheeler-Thomas, Aginaldo Neto, Julian Bowie, Spencer Ahrens and Dovydas Butka in the starting lineup. Ty Rogers, Lamar Washington and Kaur Tomann were unavailable for the opener, creating an opportunity for others to establish themselves early.

The Broncos won the opening tip, and Ahrens wasted little time getting the season started with a basket inside. Butka quickly began making his presence felt around the rim, attacking the offensive glass and giving Boise State second chances. Ahrens also provided an early defensive highlight with a block, while the Broncos established control of the paint on both ends.

Wheeler-Thomas found his rhythm from beyond the arc, and the connection between the guards and frontcourt became a recurring theme. One of the night’s highlights came when Wheeler-Thomas delivered a beautiful assist to Bhan Buom for a powerful slam, a sequence that captured the athleticism and unselfishness Boise State displayed throughout the evening.

Butka was particularly impressive in his limited minutes. The big man finished with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, collected nine rebounds and added two assists in just over 17 minutes. His ability to establish position, finish around the basket and extend possessions gave the Broncos a consistent interior presence. He was not alone in controlling the glass, however, as Jerquarius Stanback delivered an outstanding performance off the bench.

Known affectionately as JQ, Stanback brought relentless energy and physicality to the floor. His stat line was remarkable: 15 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, including seven offensive boards. He recorded his third career double-double while setting personal bests in rebounds and assists. The hustle play of the night came when Pearson ‘Peanut’ Carmichael chased a loose ball and launched himself beyond the court in an effort to make a steal. It was the kind of effort that does not always show up in a box score, but it represents the identity coaches want from a team.

Boise State carried a commanding 69-26 advantage into halftime after shooting 55.6 percent from the field. The Broncos had already forced 12 turnovers, outrebounded West Coast Baptist 33-8 and scored 36 points in the paint. Wheeler-Thomas led the way with 15 first-half points, while Butka and Neto had 10 apiece.

The second half brought more of the same. Boise State opened by scoring 11 of the first 13 points, stretching the lead beyond 50 and eventually pushing it to 80. The Broncos finished shooting 58 percent overall, including 37.5 percent from three-point range. They dominated the interior with 76 points in the paint, generated 46 fast-break points and scored 36 points on second chances.

Wheeler-Thomas finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Buom added 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists despite appearing to be dealing with discomfort in his right foot during the game. Julian Bowie contributed 14 points, while Neto finished with 10 points and eight assists. Ahrens also reached double figures with 10 points.

The bench provided another major storyline. Stanback led the reserves, while Rayzhon Bergersen delivered a career-high 11 points and Pearson Carmichael added eight. Ethan Lathan contributed six points, six rebounds and three blocks, and freshman Brady Hennig made the most of his late opportunity, finishing with two points, a rebound and a block in just over five minutes. The Broncos received 63 points from their bench, demonstrating the depth that could become important as the schedule grows more demanding.

There will be questions about how much of the defensive dominance reflected Boise State’s quality and how much reflected the opponent’s limitations. West Coast Baptist shot just 28.3 percent from the field and 16.1 percent from three-point range, finishing with 53 points. Those numbers should not be mistaken for a complete measure of Boise State’s defense against higher-level competition, but the Broncos did what a strong team is expected to do: defend with purpose, rebound with authority and turn opportunities into points.

The season is only beginning, and tougher tests await. Still, a program-record scoring night, a record-setting rebounding performance and meaningful contributions from all across the roster provide plenty of reasons for optimism.

Boise State did more than win its opener. It made history, showcased its depth and offered a glimpse of what this group can become. Now the challenge is to carry that energy forward—and fill those Chaotix seats so the Broncos can feel the full force of home-court support.

Final: Boise State 132, West Coast Baptist 53.