William Paterson vs Rider prediction: Rider's all-new roster gets a home look against Division III William Paterson
With none of last season's minutes back, the Broncs' November 11 date with an NJAC visitor matters more for who earns roles than for the scoreboard.
- Rider should control a Division III visitor, with the evening serving as an early read on a rotation built entirely from new players.
- Lafayette transfer Mark Butler running Rider's offense, after averaging 4.2 assists in 32 starts last season.
- No spread or total is posted. Last season's 357th-ranked adjusted net efficiency belongs to a roster that is entirely gone.
A program starting from zero
Rider went 4-25 last season. The Broncs answered by replacing everyone. This season's roster returns 0.0% of last season's minutes. The program calls it the first all-new team in its history, with 14 fresh names.
That makes last season's numbers nearly useless as a guide. Rider finished 365th of 365 in effective field goal percentage (a shooting measure where threes count 1.5 times) at 43.3%. It also ranked 357th in adjusted net efficiency, which measures points per 100 possessions adjusted for opponents. Every player behind those figures has left. Flash Burton, last season's leading scorer at 15.1 points per game, is now at UMBC.
The transfers who set the tone
The backcourt is the clearest part of the rebuild. Mark Butler started all 32 games at Lafayette last season, playing 33.9 minutes a night. He brings the steadiest résumé on the roster: an offensive rating of 111.6 on modest usage.
The captains are senior guard Khalil Farmer and graduate student Bryce Baker. Farmer came off the bench at UMass Lowell last season and hit 32.1% from three. Baker played eight games at Charleston. A freshman group including guard Richie Rosa adds to the mix. Junior college arrivals Nasir Washington Jr. and Segun Ezekiel Obe add more new faces. No starting lineup has been announced.
What kind of night this is
The game's status is unsettled. William Paterson's schedule lists a 7:00 PM date at Rider on Nov. 11, labeled an exhibition. Rider's own posted schedule shows games on Nov. 8 and Nov. 14 but nothing on Nov. 11. Until that is resolved, treat it as a likely exhibition.
William Paterson is a Division III program from the NJAC. Brian Chapman was in his 11th season as head coach in 2025-26. By the time the Pioneers arrive in Lawrenceville, Rider will have opened at Pitt on Monday, Nov. 2. That game will offer the first real look at how this group fits together.
Key players
- Mark Butler (Rider): Started all 32 games at Lafayette last season, averaging 10.7 points and 4.2 assists.
- Khalil Farmer (Rider): Shot 32.1% from three in a bench role at UMass Lowell last season.
- Bryce Baker (Rider): Appeared in 8 games at Charleston last season, averaging 13.2 minutes.
Numbers that matter
| Rider returning minutes | 0.0% | No player from last season's roster returns, so last season's team stats describe a different team. |
|---|---|---|
| Rider record last season | 4-25 | The season that triggered a full roster rebuild. |
| Rider adjusted net efficiency rank, last season | 357th | Last season's final rating, earned entirely by players who have since left. |
| Butler offensive rating, last season | 111.6 | The most efficient line among Rider's Division I transfers, posted at Lafayette. |
William Paterson vs Rider: quick answers
When is William Paterson vs Rider?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.