Boise State Opens Season With New Starting Five

Boise State’s men’s basketball team is set to open its season at 7 p.m. Mountain time on November 4 against West Coast Baptist. The Broncos enter their first season in the new Pac-12 with all five starters from last year gone: four transferred to power-conference programs, while Dylan Andrews used up his eligibility.

The projected starting group, which began each of Boise State’s three exhibition games, is Julian Bowie, Aginaldo Neto and Damari Wheeler-Thomas in the backcourt, with Spencer Ahrens at forward and Dovydas Butka at center. The lineup blends returning players with transfers, but its three guards are each six-foot-three or shorter, a potential size disadvantage against some teams.

Two expected contributors have uncertain availability. Lamar Washington, projected as the starting point guard, is petitioning for one more season of eligibility, though he presently cannot play. Ty Rodgers, the Broncos’ leading transfer addition, suffered a patellar tendon tear in June and might be sidelined for the season. If Washington is cleared, one of the projected starting guards could move to the bench.

Boise State’s reserve options include guard Rayzhon Bergersen and forwards Bhan Buom, Pearson Carmichael and Jerquarius Stanback. Stanback, who is six-foot-eight, was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year last season and is expected to provide frontcourt depth. Butka averaged 13.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Campbell last season. The team will also look for Carmichael to improve his shooting and defense.