MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho men's basketball (7-9, 1-2 BSC) begins a road stretch that consists of six of the next eight games away from Moscow, as the team travels to take on Idaho State (6-11, 1-3 BSC) and Weber State (11-6, 2-2 BSC).

The Vandals open the trip against in-state rival Idaho State on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. PST before heading to face Weber State on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. PST.

How to Follow 
Idaho vs. Idaho State // Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. PST
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Listen: The Varsity Network or GoVandals.com/Listen

Idaho vs. Weber State // Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. PST
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Listen: The Varsity Network or GoVandals.com/Listen

Last Time Out
The Vandals were on the wrong side of a 58-79 loss to Eastern Washington at home this past Saturday. 

Idaho was within two possessions (27-31) at the half before the Eagles took advantage of cold shooting in the second frame to come out on top with a 21-point win. Idaho was unable to find a rhythm on the offensive end, shooting 16-of-57 (28%) from the field and 18-of-28 (64%) from the foul line. 

Two Vandals scored in double-figures, including a team-high 16 points from Quinn Denker. The junior guard also recorded four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Julius Mims totaled double-digit scoring for the ninth time this year, posting 13 points.  

About Idaho  
The Vandals average the seventh most points per game in the Big Sky at 70.6 points while allowing the fourth fewest at 70.1. The Vandals have scored at least 80 points in four games this season and held opponents to below 70 points six times.
  
The Idaho offense is led by junior guard Quinn Denker, who is the top scorer at 12.2 points per game and sits tied for first in assists at 46. After scoring in double figures in his first three conference contests, Denker ranks tied for fourth in the league in scoring at 18 ppg. He has scored in double figures in 11 of 16 games and leads the team with 28 made threes and 195 total points. 

Julius Mims is another key contributor who has delivered on both ends of the floor for Idaho, leading the team in five different stat categories and ranking second in scoring at 11.1 points per game. He ranks first in field goals made (71), total rebounds (120), rebounds per game (7.5), steals (17) and blocks (25). Amongst Big Sky players, Mims is rated in the top 10 in rebounding (T-5th), blocks (1st), offensive rebounding (2.31, 4th), defensive rebounding (5.19, 5th) and double-doubles (4, T-4th). Mims has been one of Idaho's go-to scorers over the last five games, averaging 15 points and scoring 18 or more points in three games.   
 
D'Angelo Minnis is one of three players on the Vandals roster to average 10-plus points per game, as he scores the third most points on the team at 10.1 per contest. He has scored in double figures in eight of 14 games. Not only has Minnis been a focal point scoring the basketball, but he's also Idaho's best passer with 46 assists. He ranks seventh in the league in assists per game (3.5).

After posting 3.3 points per game over the first seven games, Tyler Linhardt has taken his game to a new level averaging 11 ppg over his last nine. The Washington transfer has posted 10 or more points in five games off the bench for Idaho, including a career-high 18 points against Portland State (12/30). The success as of late has climbed Linhardt up the scoring list for the Vandals, boosting his per-game average to 7.6 - fourth best on the team.   

Scouting the Bengals
Idaho State is 6-11 overall with a 1-3 conference record. The Bengals are coming off a split week with a win over Portland State (69-63) and a 64-66 loss to Sacramento State.

The Bengals are scoring 68.4 points per game while allowing the second-lowest points in the Big Sky at 68.5. Idaho State is one of the top teams in the conference at limiting three-point makes, protecting the rim and recording steals. They are holding opponents to the lowest three-point percentage in the conference at 32.1, while ranking second in blocks (3.6) and steals (7.2).

Three Bengals average in double figures, including a team-high 13.6 points per game from Preseason All-Big Sky recipient Brayden Parker. Kiree Huie adds 11.9 per game while Miguel Tomley posts 11.4 per contest.

Series History  
The Vandals hold the edge in the all-time series with a 65-53 overall record over Idaho State. Lately, the Bengals have been dominant, winning six straight and nine of the last 10. The Vandals fell in both meetings last season - 91-95 in Moscow and 55-65 on the road in Pocatello. 

Scouting the Wildcats
Weber State holds an 11-6 overall record and a 2-2 start to Big Sky play. Last week saw the Wildcats fall on the road at Portland State (69-71) and Sacramento State (66-69). They hold a 7-0 home win streak on the season, including their latest wins over Montana, Montana State and South Dakota State. 

Weber ranks as one of the top teams in the conference and in the nation in scoring defense, sitting first and 13th nationally at 62.8 points allowed. As a team, Weber State also commits the fewest fouls (13.8), makes the most free throws a game (14.9) and issues the fewest turnovers (9.8). 

Weber State is led by the 2023 Big Sky MVP Dillon Jones. The junior forward is second in the conference in scoring at 19.3 points per game while ranking first in rebounds(9.8) and assists per game (4.9). He averages 9.1 defensive rebounds and has recorded 10 double-doubles on the year - both marks rank fourth in the country. 

Three other Wildcats post 10 or more points per game. Guard Steven Verplancken scores 12.1, while Dyson Koehler (10.2) and Blaise Threatt (10.1) follow.

Series History 
Idaho trails in the all-time series, 26-63. The Vandals are in search of their first win in Ogden since 2018 and look to bounce back from a 53-67 defeat on the road last year on Feb. 25 on the road.

Up Next
The Vandals return to Moscow to compete in a pair of home contests against Northern Arizona (Jan. 25) and Northern Colorado (Jan. 27)

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