FARMINGTON, Utah – The Idaho women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll and fourth in the Media poll as announced by the conference on Wednesday.
This is the fifth consecutive season the Vandals have been voted on to finish in the top three of the Big Sky. Idaho tallied 62 points in the coaches poll and 187 points in the media poll.
Under the direction of head coach
Jon Newlee, the Vandals return seven letterwinners from a season ago, including two-time All-Big Sky First Team selection
Beyonce Bea and fifth-year forward
Tiana Johnson.
Bea finished the 2021-22 season with an average of 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while totaling 58 assists, 38 blocks and 28 steals.
Johnson returns for one more run at a Big Sky title after averaging 9.9 points, six rebounds and a team-high 38 percent from three in her first season as a Vandal in 2021-22.
Joining the Vandals for the 2022-23 campaign are six newcomers, that include four freshmen and two transfers.
Defending Big Sky champion Montana State was voted as the preseason favorite in both the coaches and media poll, receiving nine first-place votes in the coaches poll and 24 first-place votes in the media poll.
Idaho opens the season in Salt Lake City with a matchup against the University of Utah on Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. PT.
The Vandals will compete in a home exhibition game this week against Seattle Pacific, Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 pm. Admission is free to the public.
Fans can purchase single-game tickets starting Nov. 1 for the upcoming 2022-23 women's basketball season. For more information, visit GoVandals.com/Tickets or call the Vandal Ticket Office at (208) 885-6466
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Coaches' Poll
Montana State – 81 Points (9 First Place Votes)
Montana – 65 Points
Idaho – 62 Points
Northern Arizona – 60 Points
Sacramento State – 46 Points
Eastern Washington – 37 Points
Weber State – 31 Points
Idaho State – 30 Points
Northern Colorado – 28 Points
Portland State – 10 Points
Media Poll
Montana State – 257 Points (24 First Place Votes)
Montana – 204 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Northern Arizona – 189 Points
Idaho – 187 Points
Sacramento State – 146 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Idaho State – 132 Points
Northern Colorado – 102 Points
Eastern Washington – 98 Points
Weber State – 87 Points
Portland State – 28 Points
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