OGDEN, Utah – The annual Big Sky preseason basketball polls are out, and the league has taken notice of the Vandals, with the coaches' poll projecting Idaho to finish second and the media poll projecting Idaho third.
 
Idaho took second in the coaches' poll with 104 points and one first place vote.  Weber State took first with 114 points (seven first), while North Dakota was extremely close in third with 103 points (three first).  The media poll went slightly differently.  Weber State still took first (181 points, 10 first), but Montana took second (167 points, three first).  Idaho earned third in the vote (158 points, two first), while North Dakota finished fourth (137 points, one first).

For the full poll, check the link on the right.
 
Idaho went 21-13 last year, marking the first 20-plus win season since 1992-93.  The Vandals advanced to the Big Sky semifinals and earned a bid to the 2016 College Basketball Invitational.  The Vandals earned third in the Big Sky regular season standings at 12-6, the most conference wins since 1989-90.  Idaho was also victorious in the Battle of the Palouse, taking down Washington State for the second straight season.
 
The Vandals return their top-six scorers from a season ago, including Second Team All-Big Sky honoree Victor Sanders.  Sanders led the Vandals with 15.9 points per game on the year, and increased his output in Big Sky games to 17.9 points per contest.  Perrion Callandret will also be back, returning for his senior season with the Silver and Gold.  Callandret averaged 14.0 points per game a year ago to go along with 4.0 boards per game.
 
The season begins with a pair of exhibitions, against Carroll College on October 25 and LCSC on November 4.  The regular season begins at home on November 12 against Corban University.
 
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.