Idaho (5-3, 0-0) vs. South Dakota State (5-4, 0-0)

MOSCOW, idaho – Following a 32-point victory over north Dakota, IdahoS largest over a DI team in four years, the Vandals embark on a two-game Midwest road trip, opening with a Saturday matinee against South Dakota state.

Idaho last faced SDSU in 2021, winning 98-84 at ICCU Arena. The two teams have evenly split their 10 previous games, with the Vandals entering saturday’s matchup in Brookings having lost on each of their last three trips to the city.

The 11th meeting between UI and the Jackrabbits is part of the Big Sky-summit League Challenge. The Big Sky won 12 of the 22 games between the two leagues on Wednesday, giving the BSC a slight edge heading into the weekend’s competition.

Played annually for a combined trophy, the Challenge features competitions between member schools of the Big Sky and summit League Conferences, with the league that wins the most games between men’s and women’s institutions taking home the trophy. The Summit League has retained possession of the hardware each of the first two years.

south Dakota State enters Saturday’s contest after beating Northern Arizona 75-62 on Wednesday. The Jacks have started their season with a 5-4 record, going a perfect 3-0 at home in November, after being picked third in the Summit League Preseason Poll. SDSU returned three of its five primary starters from last season for head coach Bryan Petersen’s maiden campaign. Petersen spent the previous six years on staff in Brookings, helping to lead the Jackrabbits to two NCAA Tournament bids and four Summit League regular season titles.

Idaho Basketball: Key Stats and Program Milestones

The Idaho Vandals are making waves this season, and the numbers tell a compelling story. Here’s a look at some key stats and program milestones you should know.

Shooting Prowess

Idaho’s offense is firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc. The team has hit five or more three-pointers in an impressive 54 consecutive games, currently ranking tenth-longest streak in the nation. That’s consistent scoring, game after game.

NET Ranking

The Vandals are climbing the ranks in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET). As of December 4th, Idaho sits at 166th – the highest NET ranking in program history since the system’s debut in the 2018-19 season. This is a notable indicator of the program’s progress and potential for postseason play.

Scoring Depth

Idaho isn’t relying on just one or two players to put points on the board. After Kolton Mitchell’s 14-point outing against Eastern Oregon, a total of five Vandals have now surpassed 500 career points: Mitchell, Kristian Gonzalez, Brody Rowbury, Biko Johnson, and Isaiah Brickner. This scoring depth makes Idaho a tough matchup for any opponent.

Preseason Expectations

idaho entered the season with high expectations within the Big Sky Conference. The Vandals were ranked fourth in the Big Sky preseason poll, signaling a belief in their potential to contend for a conference championship.