MOSCOW, Idaho -- Idaho Men's basketball (2-5) returns home for a matchup with UC Riverside (4-3) on Saturday, Nov. 30. Tip off at ICCU Arena is slated for 2 p.m. PST.  

How to Follow
Idaho vs. UC Riverside // Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ 
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats 
Listen: The Varsity Network or GoVandals.com/Listen
Tickets: GoVandals.com/Tickets

Notables
After seven games, Juice Mims' name continues to litter the stats sheet, as the senior ranks top 10 in the Big Sky in rebounding, shot stopping, and made baskets. Mims is fourth in the conference in rebounds per game, averaging 6.7, eighth in blocks with five, and ninth in total field goals made with 33.  
 
Tyler Mrus remains a force from behind the arc, placing second in the Big Sky in three-point percentage, converting 44.7%, and in three pointers made per game at 2.83. Mrus also ranks 89th nationally in total made threes, with 17 in six games played.  
 
The Vandals continue to power their attack through the long ball. Idaho has knocked down a minimum of five threes in 20 consecutive games, dating back to last season. This is the longest active streak in the Big Sky.  
 
With a win on Saturday, Idaho would improve to 3-1 at home this season. This would be their best start within four games since the 2017-18 season, where the Vandals won five straight in Moscow to open the year.  
 
Last Time Out 
The Vandals traveled to San Diego for a multi-team event against Southern Utah and San Diego.  
 
UI suffered a 67-82 defeat to the Thunderbirds to begin the weekend. Idaho allowed SUU to go on a 16-5 run to close out the opening half and build a lead the Vandals could not overcome.  
 
The Vandals continued to be driven by points off the bench, as the second unit scored over 25 for the fifth time in six games. From the bench, Kyson Rose, lead Idaho in scoring with a season-high 14 points, as three other reserve players contributed at least seven a piece. This effort was not enough to stop Southern Utah from shooting 56.6% from the field and 57.9% from beyond the arc. These are both season highs for the Idaho opponent.  
 
On Sunday, the Vandals suffered a tight seven-point loss to San Diego, 61-68. Idaho went into the locker room down one but could not grab more than a single-point lead in the second period. Idaho's hustle carried them within two as the game entered its final 30 seconds, before the Toreros finished it off on a 5-0 run.  
 
Idaho was ice cold from three-point land, converting only 24% of shots taken. After giving up only four turnovers to SUU, the Vandals committed a season high 21 against San Diego, their highest count since March 2022. The Toreros converted Idaho's misuse of the ball into 20 of their 68 points.  Kolton Mitchell led Idaho in scoring for the first time this season, with a season high 13 points.  
 
Scouting the Highlanders 
UC Riverside comes to Moscow carrying a 4-3 record after winning two in a row. The Highlanders have faced a tough early schedule, only playing two home games to date. They have won four of their last five games after two losses to open the year. 
 
Similar to Idaho, UC Riverside has faced off against BYU, meeting the Cougars on Nov. 8, losing in Provo 80-86.  
 
The Highlander offense is run through standout guard Barrington Hargress, who ranks 10th in the nation in total field goals attempted (114). The reigning Big West Freshman of the Year averages 19.7 points a game through seven games, a notable uptick of the 12.6 points per game he averaged last season. Hargress scored a career high 31 in a 77-75 overtime victory over Colorado State on Nov. 22.  
 
The UC Riverside offensive attack is based off the three ball, as the Highlanders rank 23rd in the nation in three-point attempts, averaging 30 per game. These attempts have been converted into 9.7 made threes a game on 32.4% shooting. The defense has been hit or miss, allowing a 50% or better field goal percentage on three occasions, but holding opponents below their season scoring average five times.  
 
In the preseason, the Highlanders were voted fourth in the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving one first place vote. They return eight from a 16-18 season in 2023-24, where they won a game at the Big West Tournament, before falling to eventual champions Long Beach State in the quarterfinals.  

Up Next
Idaho will embark on a two-game road trip, beginning Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Kansas City, followed by a matchup with Oregon State on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Tickets
Single-game and season tickets are available now. For more information, call the Vandal ticket office at (208) 885-6466 or visit GoVandals.com/tickets. 

Follow
Fans can follow the Vandals all season long on X, Facebook and Instagram, @VandalHoops, and with the Voice of the Vandals, Dennis Patchin, at GoVandals.com/Listen. All home and conference contests will be streamed live through ESPN+.