MOSCOW, Idaho – Official practices are up and running for Idaho women's basketball, as the Vandals look to defend their 2018-19 Big Sky Regular Season title.
 
"It feels great," head coach Jon Newlee said.  "It's an earlier start than we've ever had, as far as official practice.  I feel like it came up kind of quick, with the end of summer and the start of school and starting official practices, but we're ready to go."
 
The season gets started officially on Nov. 5, at Oklahoma State, but fans can get their first look at the squad in Memorial Gym on Friday, Nov. 1, against Lewis-Clark State.  The regular season home opener will be on Nov. 13, with Colorado State coming to town.  Ticket packages are just $49 and are available today by calling the Idaho Ticket Office at 208-885-6466.


 
The Vandals return nine student-athletes that saw action a year ago, including Big Sky Freshman of the Year Gina Marxen.  Newlee has also retooled his roster with three highly-touted freshmen and Shalyse Smith, who joined the program in January as a transfer from Arizona.
 
"I'd like to be able to play a lot of kids early, that's my plan," Newlee added.  "Kind of give everybody that chance, everybody their shot, and see what happens.  A lot will depend on this first month of practice, and who progresses and who doesn't, going into that first exhibition game.  I would love to be able to get everybody in there and really see what they can do when the lights come on."
 
-