MOSCOW, Idaho – The Vandals continue a three-game homestand when Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona make the trip to the Palouse. Idaho opens the week against the Bears on Thursday, Feb. 16 (6 p.m.) before hosting the Lumberjacks on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 12 p.m.
How to Follow
Idaho vs. Northern Colorado // Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.
Watch:
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Live Stats:
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Listen:
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GoVandals.com/Listen
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Promotion: Marvel in Moscow
Idaho vs. Northern Arizona // Feb. 18 at 12 p.m.
Watch:
ESPN+
Live Stats:
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Listen:
The Varsity Network or
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Tickets:
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Promotion: Sunny & 75
Last Time Out
The Vandals (9-17, 3-10 BSC) battled in a tightly contested matchup against undefeated Eastern Washington (19-7, 13-0 BSC) in front of a record setting 3,310 people in attendance at the ICCU Arena. The game saw 11 ties, six lead changes and one of Idaho's best defensive performances, but it was ultimately EWU holding on down the stretch with a crucial 8-0 run to help secure a 73-66 win.
Idaho held Eastern Washington to its lowest shooting percentage in conference play, holding the Big Sky's best shooting team to 39 percent (23-59) from the field.
Two Vandals finished the day in double figures. Forward
Isaac Jones ultimately led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds, while guard
Divant'e Moffitt followed with 14.
About Idaho
Two-time Big Sky Player of the Week
Isaac Jones continues to find his name at the top of the list of multiple stat categories in the Big Sky, ranking second in scoring (19.8), field goal percentage (64.8), field goals made (188), blocks (29) and blocks per game (1.16). He maintains the second-highest points per-game average in Big Sky play at 20.5 and has been dominant over his last four games, averaging 25 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He leads the team and ranks fifth in the league in rebounding with an average of 7.7.
Fifth-year guard
Divant'e Moffitt has also been one of the league's hottest scorers in conference play, averaging the third-highest mark at 20.3 points per game on 48 percent (96-of-202) shooting from the field. Not only has Moffitt been a top contributor scoring the basketball, but he's also been the Vandals' top passer, ranking second in the Big Sky and 24th nationally in total assists with 135. The fifth-year guard also ranks second in assists per game (5.2) and free throw makes (125), third in field goal makes (171), and fourth in field percentage (48.9) in the Big Sky.
Through 26 games, Jones and Moffitt enter Thursday's matchup listed as two of the top three scorers in the conference. Jones ranks second at 19.8 points per game while Moffitt sits third at 18.6 points a game. The two Spanaway, Washington natives have combined to lead the team in scoring in 22 of 26 games and posted 20 or more points in a combined 22 outings.
Idaho is one of the most efficient teams in the conference, shooting the second-highest field goal percentage in the Big Sky at 48.3 percent from the field. Idaho has shot over 50 percent in 12 games this season while recording a season-high 64 percent (33-52) from the field against Sacramento State (2/4). The Vandals are averaging the third most points per game in the conference at 75.5 points per game this season while allowing 72.7 ppg. Guarding without fouling and taking care of the basketball has been an emphasis for the Vandals, as they average the second-lowest amount of fouls per game in the Big Sky at 17.3 and the third-least amount of turnovers at 11.4.
True freshman
Nigel Burris is third on the team in scoring with eight points per game - the highest scoring average by a Big Sky freshman this season. The forward from San Francisco is knocking down shots at a high rate, shooting 51 percent (72-of-142) from the field, 41 percent (29-of-71) from three and 85 percent (35-of-41) from the foul line. His five rebounds per game are the second most on the Vandals and also a Big Sky best for a freshman.
Second-year guard
Yusef Salih leads the team in three-point shooting, making 44 shots from behind the arc. He's made two or more threes in 12 games this season. The Gainesville, Virginia native is also getting it done on the defensive end, leading Idaho with 26 offensive fouls drawn. He has recorded at least one in 19 of Idaho's 26 games.
Scouting the Bears
Northern Colorado is 10-16 on the season with a 5-9 conference record. After starting Big Sky play 2-9, the Bears have recently turned it around with three consecutive wins. Last time out, UNC took care of business against Sac State with a 70-54 victory.
The Bears are led by a trio of double-figure scorers in Dalton Knecht, Daylen Kountz and Matt Johnson ll. Knecht holds a slight edge in scoring over fellow Idaho junior forward
Isaac Jones, as Knecht averages 19.8. He leads the Big Sky in points scored (514) and ranks second in three-point shooting with 66 made shots from behind the arc on a 40 percent clip. Former first-team All-Big Sky performer Kountz is averaging 16.4 points and Johnson ll is scoring 12.1 per game.
Northern Colorado is scoring 71.9 points per game while allowing 76.4. The Bears have been one the best teams in the conference at making shots from three, ranking first in three-point makes (8.6) and second in three-point percentage (36.3).
Series History
The Bears own a 11-4 overall record over Idaho. The Vandals look to snap a 11-game losing streak on Thursday.
Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona is 7-20 overall and 3-11 in Big Sky Conference play. The Lumberjacks have lost four of their last five games and hold a 1-12 road record. They are coming off a 77-55 win over Sacramento State and a 88-87 loss to Portland State at the buzzer.
NAU ranks as one of the top teams in the conference in taking care of the basketball and making the extra pass. They are first in assist/turnover ratio (1.29), second in assists per game (14.4) and turnovers per game (11.2). Offensively, the Lumberjacks score 72.3 per game while allowing 74.4.
Two Lumberjacks average in double figures this season, including a team-high 17.1 points per game by guard Jalen Cone. He has scored 20 or more points in nine contests, including a conference-high 45 points against Southern Utah. His backcourt teammate Xavier Fuller is NAU's second-leading scorer with 12.7 points per game. Fuller has scored in double-figures in 10 of his last 11 games for the Lumberjacks. Carson Towt also provides an offensive spark with 9.7 ppg and a team-high eight boards a game.
Series History
Idaho and Northern Arizona will meet for the 71st time come Saturday, while the Vandals lead the all-time series 43-27. Earlier in the season, Idaho earned its first win in Flagstaff since 2018 with a 88-83 decision on Jan. 19.
Up Next
The Vandals make their final regular season road trip next week, when the squad heads south for a pair of matchups at Idaho State and Weber State. Idaho opens the week against the Bengals on Thursday, Feb. 23 before making the short drive to play the Wildcats in Ogden on Saturday, Feb. 25.
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