November 11, 2026 Article by Nick Wade BOISE, Idaho. – There is something different about Boise State men’s basketball this season, and it isbecoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The pace is faster, the ball is moving with greater purpose,and the Broncos’ guards are attacking opposing d efenses with a confidence that is beginning todefine this team. Wednesday night’s 111–79 victory over Oakland was another demonstration of what new associatehead coach and offensive coordinator Will Voigt is building. Boise State improved to 3–0, reachedthe 100–point mark for the third consecutive game for the first time in program history, and showedthat its new offensive identity is taking hold much faster than anyone could have reasonablyexpected. The final score suggests a comfortable evening, but Oakland made the Broncos work for it duringthe first half. The Golden Grizzlies entered Boise at 0–4, but their early–season schedule had includedchallenging matchups against Michigan, Stanford and Alabama. This was not a team that was goingto fold simply because it walked into ExtraMile Arena. In fact, Oakland made Boise State uncomfortable for stretches, and the Broncos needed to respondbefore turning the game into the decisive victory the final score reflects. Spencer Ahrens set the tone early with the first Boise State basket, while Damari Wheeler–Thomasimmediately began attacking the defense. DWT was spectacular in the opening minutes, knockingdown perimeter shots, creating opportunities for teammates and pushing the tempo before Oaklandcould establish its defensive positioning. Wheeler–Thomas had nine points in the first four minutes and finished the first half with 18. Hisability to create offense without slowing down the possession is exactly what makes this version ofBoise State so dangerous. He can get downhill, find the open shooter, attack a mismatch or simplytake over a possession when the defense gives him an opportunity. Pearson Carmichael brought the energy, finishing a fast–break opportunity created by Wheeler–Thomas, while Dovydas Butka continued to establish himself as a force in the paint. Butka wasproductive on both ends, finishing through contact offensively and protecting the basket defensively. His presence gives the Broncos an important interior complement to a backcourt that is increasinglydifficult to contain. Oakland refused to disappear, however. After Boise State built a nine–point advantage, the GoldenGrizzlies found their rhythm from beyond the arc and took advantage of a stretch when the Broncoswent cold. With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Oakland had cut the margin to 36–35. That was a meaningful response from the visitors, but Boise State answered with the kind ofcomposure that championship–caliber teams need. Aginaldo “AG” Neto began finding his rhythm,the defensive pressure tightened, and the Broncos closed the half on a 16–7 run to take a 52–42 leadinto the locker room. The second half was where the difference in the two teams became unmistakable. Boise State opened with better ball movement, sharper decisions and a renewed commitment toattacking the basket. Butka helped establish the tone with contributions on both ends, Ahrensdelivered an emphatic dunk, and the Broncos began stretching the lead. A 13–2 run pushed themargin to 20, and Oakland never seriously threatened again. The numbers tell the story of a team playing connected basketball. Boise State shot 56.7 percentfrom the field, made 14 three–pointers, recorded 23 assists and committed just six turnovers. TheBroncos scored 36 points off Oakland’s 23 turnovers and generated 20 fast–break points. They alsorecorded eight steals and six blocked shots. Neto led the way with 25 points, tying his career high while adding five assists and two steals. Hisability to control the game, create for himself and others, and attack in transition has been one of thebiggest developments of the early season. Wheeler–Thomas finished with 23 points and six assists, shooting seven of 10 from the floor and fourof six from three–point range. Together, Neto and Wheeler–Thomas combined for 48 points and 11assists. That is an outstanding night’s work from a backcourt that is quickly becoming one of themost exciting in the conference, but most impressive was that they did not commit a single turnoverthe whole game between the two of them. Butka added 16 points and seven rebounds while making eight of his nine attempts. Ahrens andCarmichael each contributed 11 points, giving Boise State five players in double figures. Jerquarius“JQ” Stanback added nine points, five assists and two steals, continuing to provide energy anddefensive activity whenever he entered the game. The most impressive part of the performance may be how quickly the players have adapted toVoigt’s system. Voigt arrived in Boise after serving on the BYU staff, bringing a philosophy built around pace,spacing, ball movement and creating opportunities before opposing defenses can get organized. Indiscussing the approach before the season, Voigt described it as “pace and space.” That descriptionis becoming more than a coaching phrase; it is becoming the identity of this basketball team. Head coach Leon Rice has also emphasized that the new approach is personnel–driven. Speakingafter the Butler victory, Rice pointed to the ability of Neto and Wheeler–Thomas to create advantagesoff the dribble and the shooting talent surrounding them. The system is designed to put thosestrengths to work, and the early results suggest the players understand what is being asked of them. After Wednesday’s game, we had an opportunity to speak with Oakland head coach Greg Kampefollowing the postgame press conference. Having just faced Michigan and Alabama earlier in theseason, Kampe offered a meaningful evaluation of Boise State’s backcourt. He told us that BoiseState’s guards are just as good, if not better, than the guards he had seen from Michigan, Stanford,and Alabama. That is a significant compliment coming from a coach whose team has already faced that level ofcompetition. It also reinforces what Bronco Nation is beginning to see: Neto and Wheeler–Thomasare not simply producing against lesser competition. Their combination of speed, skill, confidenceand decision–making gives Boise State a backcourt capable of competing with high–major programs. There is still room for growth. Oakland scored 79 points, and its first–half shooting kept the gamecompetitive longer than Boise State would have preferred. The Broncos also have opportunities toimprove their perimeter consistency and continue developing defensive discipline. But the offensivedirection is encouraging, and the players appear increasingly comfortable with the freedom andresponsibility built into the system. The larger significance of Wednesday’s victory is the consistency of production. Boise State hasscored 132, 100 and 111 points in its first three games, becoming the first team in program history toopen a season with three consecutive 100–point performances. The Broncos are 3–0 for the first timesince 2017–18 and are averaging more than 114 points per game. One of those resume-buildingvictories over a major program, Butler of the Big East. Next comes a major early–season test against No. 25 Nebraska, the Broncos’ first road game of theseason. The environment will be different, the opponent will be more physically demanding, andBoise State will have to prove that its new offensive identity travels. For now, there is plenty to appreciate. Will Voigt has brought a refreshing approach, the guards haveembraced it, and the supporting cast is finding ways to contribute. The pace is unmistakably faster,the ball is moving, and the Broncos are playing with an offensive confidence that has been missing inrecent seasons. If Wednesday night is any indication, Boise State’s new offense is not just a promising experiment. Itis becoming a problem for opposing defenses. #BleedBlue | #BoiseState | #BroncoNation November 11, 2026 Article by Nick Wade BOISE, Idaho. – There is something different about Boise State men’s basketball this season, and it isbecoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The pace is faster, the ball is moving with greater purpose,and the Broncos’ guards are attacking opposing defenses with a confidence that is beginning todefine this team. Wednesday night’s 111–79 victory over Oakland was another demonstration of what new associatehead coach and offensive coordinator Will Voigt is building. Boise State improved to 3–0, reachedthe 100–point mark for the third consecutive game for the first time in program history, and showedthat its new offensive identity is taking hold much faster than anyone could have reasonablyexpected. The final score suggests a comfortable evening, but Oakland made the Broncos work for it duringthe first half. The Golden Grizzlies entered Boise at 0–4, but their early–season schedule had includedchallenging matchups against Michigan, Stanford and Alabama. This was not a team that was goingto fold simply because it walked into ExtraMile Arena. In fact, Oakland made Boise State uncomfortable for stretches, and the Broncos needed to respondbefore turning the game into the decisive victory the final score reflects. Spencer Ahrens set the tone early with the first Boise State basket, while Damari Wheeler–Thomasimmediately began attacking the defense. DWT was spectacular in the opening minutes, knockingdown perimeter shots, creating opportunities for teammates and pushing the tempo before Oaklandcould establish its defensive positioning. Wheeler–Thomas had nine points in the first four minutes and finished the first half with 18. Hisability to create offense without slowing down the possession is exactly what makes this version ofBoise State so dangerous. He can get downhill, find the open shooter, attack a mismatch or simplytake over a possession when the defense gives him an opportunity. Pearson Carmichael brought the energy, finishing a fast–break opportunity created by Wheeler–Thomas, while Dovydas Butka continued to establish himself as a force in the paint. Butka wasproductive on both ends, finishing through contact offensively and protecting the basket defensively. His presence gives the Broncos an important interior complement to a backcourt that is increasinglydifficult to contain. Oakland refused to disappear, however. After Boise State built a nine–point advantage, the GoldenGrizzlies found their rhythm from beyond the arc and took advantage of a stretch when the Broncoswent cold. With just over five minutes remaining in the first half, Oakland had cut the margin to 36–35. That was a meaningful response from the visitors, but Boise State answered with the kind ofcomposure that championship–caliber teams need. Aginaldo “AG” Neto began finding his rhythm,the defensive pressure tightened, and the Broncos closed the half on a 16–7 run to take a 52–42 leadinto the locker room. The second half was where the difference in the two teams became unmistakable. Boise State opened with better ball movement, sharper decisions and a renewed commitment toattacking the basket. Butka helped establish the tone with contributions on both ends, Ahrensdelivered an emphatic dunk, and the Broncos began stretching the lead. A 13–2 run pushed themargin to 20, and Oakland never seriously threatened again. The numbers tell the story of a team playing connected basketball. Boise State shot 56.7 percentfrom the field, made 14 three–pointers, recorded 23 assists and committed just six turnovers. TheBroncos scored 36 points off Oakland’s 23 turnovers and generated 20 fast–break points. They alsorecorded eight steals and six blocked shots. Neto led the way with 25 points, tying his career high while adding five assists and two steals. Hisability to control the game, create for himself and others, and attack in transition has been one of thebiggest developments of the early season. Wheeler–Thomas finished with 23 points and six assists, shooting seven of 10 from the floor and fourof six from three–point range. Together, Neto and Wheeler–Thomas combined for 48 points and 11assists. That is an outstanding night’s work from a backcourt that is quickly becoming one of themost exciting in the conference, but most impressive was that they did not commit a single turnoverthe whole game between the two of them. Butka added 16 points and seven rebounds while making eight of his nine attempts. Ahrens andCarmichael each contributed 11 points, giving Boise State five players in double figures. Jerquarius“JQ” Stanback added nine points, five assists and two steals, continuing to provide energy anddefensive activity whenever he entered the game. The most impressive part of the performance may be how quickly the players have adapted toVoigt’s system. Voigt arrived in Boise after serving on the BYU staff, bringing a philosophy built around pace,spacing, ball movement and creating opportunities before opposing defenses can get organized. Indiscussing the approach before the season, Voigt described it as “pace and space.” That descriptionis becoming more than a coaching phrase; it is becoming the identity of this basketball team. Head coach Leon Rice has also emphasized that the new approach is personnel–driven. Speakingafter the Butler victory, Rice pointed to the ability of Neto and Wheeler–Thomas to create advantagesoff the dribble and the shooting talent surrounding them. The system is designed to put thosestrengths to work, and the early results suggest the players understand what is being asked of them. After Wednesday’s game, we had an opportunity to speak with Oakland head coach Greg Kampefollowing the postgame press conference. Having just faced Michigan and Alabama earlier in theseason, Kampe offered a meaningful evaluation of Boise State’s backcourt. He told us that BoiseState’s guards are just as good, if not better, than the guards he had seen from Michigan, Stanford,and Alabama. That is a significant compliment coming from a coach whose team has already faced that level ofcompetition. It also reinforces what Bronco Nation is beginning to see: Neto and Wheeler–Thomasare not simply producing against lesser competition. Their combination of speed, skill, confidenceand decision–making gives Boise State a backcourt capable of competing with high–major programs. There is still room for growth. Oakland scored 79 points, and its first–half shooting kept the gamecompetitive longer than Boise State would have preferred. The Broncos also have opportunities toimprove their perimeter consistency and continue developing defensive discipline. But the offensivedirection is encouraging, and the players appear increasingly comfortable with the freedom andresponsibility built into the system. The larger significance of Wednesday’s victory is the consistency of production. Boise State hasscored 132, 100 and 111 points in its first three games, becoming the first team in program history toopen a season with three consecutive 100–point performances. The Broncos are 3–0 for the first timesince 2017–18 and are averaging more than 114 points per game. One of those resume-buildingvictories over a major program, Butler of the Big East. Next comes a major early–season test against No. 25 Nebraska, the Broncos’ first road game of theseason. The environment will be different, the opponent will be more physically demanding, andBoise State will have to prove that its new offensive identity travels. For now, there is plenty to appreciate. Will Voigt has brought a refreshing approach, the guards haveembraced it, and the supporting cast is finding ways to contribute. The pace is unmistakably faster,the ball is moving, and the Broncos are playing with an offensive confidence that has been missing inrecent seasons. If Wednesday night is any indication, Boise State’s new offense is not just a promising experiment. Itis becoming a problem for opposing defenses. #BleedBlue | #BoiseState | #BroncoNation Boise State Men’s Basketball 2026 Game vs Oakland at Extra Mile Arena. Photo by Kenna Harbison ...read more read less