SEATTLE—The 2016 Big Sky Champion Idaho Vandals are set to begin the 20-16-17 season on Friday. The Vandals will take on old Western Athletic Conference rival Seattle U (5 p.m. PT) at the Connelly Complex.
Quotable: "It is hard to prepare for a new coaching staff. We are not sure what they are going to be running or what they are going to be doing. We know a lot of their players. We have had a great rivalry with Seattle U the last few years. We are looking forward to getting things going again."
About Idaho: Idaho begins the season coming off its third NCAA Tournament appearance in four seasons. The Vandals were picked to win the Big Sky in the preseason coaches' poll, with eight returning letterwinners.
About the Opponent: Seattle U struggled a bit last season, finishing 9-21. The Redhawks have a new coaching staff this year in Suzy Barcomb, coming over from Cal State East Bay.
The Match-Up: The Vandals have won the last six meetings against the Redhawks. The former WAC rivals have played 10 times since the 2011-12 season. Idaho trailed the entire game last year, until
Geri McCorkell hit a go ahead 3 with 16.2 seconds to play.
Exhibition: Idaho defeated Multhomah, 83-45, in its only preseason warmup.
Mikayla Ferenz led the Vandals with 15 points.
Preseason Poll: The Vandals were voted to 1st in the coaches poll and second by the Big Sky media poll.
Newlee Openers: Idaho is 3-5 in season openers under Coach Newlee. Last year the team defeated UCSB, 64-42, to ope the season.
Steven Fennelly Hired: Fennelly hired as first-year assistant: http://bit.ly/1rc7ocU
RPI: Idaho's 123 RPI closed 2016 second in the Big Sky. UND finished with an RPI of 94.
Make it Rain: The Vandals finished third in the NCAA with 10.3 3FGM per game. They also were third in the nation with a school record 350 3's.
Boarding: Idaho finished 16th in the NCAA with 29 defensive rebounds per game.
Long Ball: Idaho made 350 3-pointers last season, marking the fifth consecutive season with 200+. The Vandals were just one of nine teams in the NCAA to make 300+.
Can Only Hope to Contain: Idaho out-scored opponents by 10.3 ppg last season, the best mark in the Big Sky (34th NCAA).
Cleaning the Glass: The Vandals ranked 22nd in the NCAA with a Big Sky best 1,438 rebounds.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho women's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalsWBB.
