Boise State is heading into the 2026-27 season with a roster that looks nothing like the one that finished last year.
The Broncos open Wednesday at 7 p.m. Mountain time at home against West Coast Baptist, and they’ll do it in Year 1 of the new Pac-12 with all five starters gone. Javan Buchanan, Drew Fielder, Andrew Meadow and RJ Keene II all transferred to power conference schools, while Dylan Andrews used up his eligibility.
That leaves Boise State sorting through a brand-new rotation, and the picture is still unsettled as of Tuesday afternoon. Projected starting point guard Lamar Washington is suing for a fifth year of eligibility, but he is not currently eligible to play. The Broncos’ top transfer addition, guard Ty Rodgers, tore his patellar tendon in June and could miss the whole season.
Without Rodgers and Washington, Boise State’s projected starting group is the one that opened all three exhibition games: guards Jaden Ahrens, Alvaro Neto and Jace Wheeler-Thomas, along with Javan Bowie and Emmanuel Butka.
It’s a lineup that gives the Broncos a little of everything. Ahrens and Neto both showed two-way ability as true freshmen last season while coming off the bench.
Bowie is back after sitting out most of last season following the death of his father. Wheeler-Thomas arrives after three years as a starting point guard at North Dakota State, and Butka comes in after a strong year at Campbell, where he averaged 13.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
There’s also a clear size concern with that three-guard look. Bowie is 6-foot-3, Neto is 6-2 and Wheeler-Thomas is 6-0, which could be an issue against bigger teams. Butka doesn’t bring rim protection - he had three blocks last season - though Ahrens is a strong weak-side help defender.
If Washington is cleared to play, one of those three guards would likely move into a sixth-man role.
Behind the starters, Boise State has some pieces that could matter quickly. Alvaro Carmichael has played in 53 career games with 18 starts, but the Broncos need more from him after he’s been a negative defender and hasn’t shot it well at the college level.
The 6-foot-8 Stanback, who won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year last season, looks like Boise State’s top big off the bench. Buom, who barely played as a true freshman, gives the Broncos energy and athleticism.
If Washington remains out, Bergersen could also carve out a real role as a reserve guard.
In Other News...
Boise State Brings A Brutal Mismatch Into Colorado State
Colorado States week-to-week reality has gotten bleak enough that Jim Mora spent part of his pregame availability spelling out just how steep the challenge is. The Rams have dropped five of their last six and sit last in the FBS in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense, which is not exactly the backdrop you want when Boise State comes to town with one of the nations most punishing ground games.
Mora pointed directly to Dylan Riley as the engine of that attack, and he also noted what the Broncos have shown behind center when the depth chart gets tested. Boise States offense did not appear to lose its edge with Max Cutforth in the game, which only adds another layer to a matchup Colorado State badly needs to stabilize before it gets away from them early. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Has One Clear Edge In A Crucial Pac-12 Test
Boise State heads into its Pac-12 matchup with Colorado State carrying a clear defensive advantage, even though both teams have been productive enough on offense to sit in the top half of the league in several categories. The Broncos have been especially stout against the run, and that strength stands out against a Colorado State offense that has kept pace in some areas but will be tested in ways it has not been all season.
The bigger question for Boise State is under center, where Maddux Madsen may be unavailable for the game. If that happens, Max Cutforth would be the next man up after a strong showing in the previous game, giving the Broncos a backup plan as they try to lean on their defense and keep control of a crucial conference test. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Gets Encouraging Maddux Madsen Update Before Colorado State
Boise State got a little breathing room this week with its quarterback situation after Maddux Madsen went down with a left knee injury. The Broncos still have to wait and see how he responds, but the early signs have been encouraging enough to keep hope alive heading into the matchup with Colorado State.
Coach Spencer Danielson has sounded optimistic about Madsens recovery, and the team is treating the injury as a day-to-day situation rather than something that could linger. If Madsen is unable to go, Boise State has a ready option behind him, with Max Cutforth prepared to step in and handle the offense. [Read more 🡒]