ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The full schedule isn't out yet, but a handful of games are officially on the record for Idaho men's basketball in 2017-18 with the announcement of the GCI Great Alaska Shootout bracket.
 
The Vandals open up against Santa Clara on Wednesday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.  The winner will face the winner of the CSU Bakersfield-Alaska Anchorage contest that tips off at 9 that evening.
 
The Broncos finished last season at 17-16, including a 10-8 mark in West Coast Conference play.  Santa Clara took down San Francisco in the opening round of the WCC Tournament before falling to eventual national runner-up Gonzaga.  The Broncos return a lot of talent from last year's squad, but did lose two of their top three scorers to graduation.
 
Idaho returns a lot from a team that went 19-14 and advanced to the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament in 2017.  Idaho's top seven scorers, as well as Perrion Callandret, are back and poised for an outstanding season.  Head coach Don Verlin has also brought in an excellent freshman class that is sure to compete for playing time immediately.
 
The Big Sky Conference schedule is also out, with Idaho beginning on the road at defending champion North Dakota on December 29 and Northern Colorado on December 31.  The Vandals return home to take on Sacramento State and Portland State on January 4 and 6.
 
Check back with GoVandals.com in the coming weeks for the full Idaho men's basketball schedule as it is released.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalHoops.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.