West Coast Baptist vs Boise State prediction: Boise State opens its Pac-12 era with five new starters to sort out
West Coast Baptist is the first opponent, but the real story is which Broncos are actually on the floor while two marquee guards wait.
- Boise State should control a first-ever meeting with an NAIA-level opponent; the interest lies in rotations, not the result.
- Watch the Broncos' backcourt without Ty Rodgers and Lamar Washington, and who absorbs their minutes.
A new team in a new league
Leon Rice is entering his 17th season at Boise State, and he has rarely started one with this much to learn. The Broncos are replacing all five starters as they begin life in the Pac-12, and Wednesday, Nov. 4 is the first game that counts. ExtraMile Arena lists a 7 p.m. local start, though the official tip time is still to be announced.
The opponent is West Coast Baptist of the Pacific Christian Athletic Conference, a school Boise State has never played. Nothing is known about this season's Eagles roster, so this is a night to judge the Broncos against themselves.
The guards who aren't there
The two biggest portal additions won't be in the lineup soon. Ty Rodgers, the former Illinois guard, hurt his knee in offseason workouts and remains sidelined; he missed exhibitions against Idaho and Washington. Lamar Washington, a fifth-year guard, is pursuing another year of eligibility in court. He can practice but is not eligible to play in games.
Freshman forward Kaur Tomann has been listed with an Achilles issue, and Boise State hasn't detailed his status. That pushes minutes toward transfers such as Damari Wheeler-Thomas (North Dakota State), Dovydas Butka (Campbell) and Jerquarius Stanback (Alabama State). One more exhibition, against Bismarck State on Oct. 29, comes first.
What last season can and can't say
Last season's Broncos went 20-12 and finished 53rd nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents). With every starter gone, those team numbers are a loose guide at best.
Rice's habits are steadier. His team played slowly, 279th of 365 in pace, ended possessions on the glass with the 3rd-best defensive rebound rate, and shot 78.6% at the line, 10th in the country. It also forced turnovers rarely, ranking 356th in steal rate. Expect a deliberate, half-court opener, and look for whether the new roster keeps the rebounding identity.
Numbers that matter
| Adjusted net efficiency (last season) | 56th | Last season's final rating, earned by a roster whose five starters are all gone. |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive rebound % (last season) | 77.1% | Third nationally, the clearest marker of Rice's style to test against the new group. |
| Pace (last season) | 65.8 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 279th of 365, pointing to a slow, controlled opener. |
| Free throw % (last season) | 78.6% | Tenth in the country, a trait worth watching as new shooters take over. |
West Coast Baptist vs Boise State: quick answers
When is West Coast Baptist vs Boise State?
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.