MOSCOW, Idaho – The 2024-25 Idaho men's basketball season tips off on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. when the Vandals open year two under head coach
Alex Pribble against Northwest at the ICCU Arena.
How to Follow
Idaho vs. Northwest // Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
Watch:
ESPN+
Live Stats:
SIDEARM Live Stats
Listen:
The Varsity Network or
GoVandals.com/Listen
Tickets:
GoVandals.com/Tickets
Theme:
Monday Matinee
Program:
Digital Program
Opening Night
- Since 1963-64, UI has a record of 37-24 (.607) in season openers, with a 7-3 record in the last 10 home season openers.
- Idaho lost its opening game of the 2023-24 season to NCAA Tournament contender Washington State by a score of 59-84 on November 6 at Beasley Coliseum.
The Series
- Idaho will meet Northwest for the first time in the two programs' existence.
Notables
- Second-year head coach Alex Pribble returns 10 players from last season, including a Big Sky All-Defensive Team member in Julius Mims and two starters that combined to start in 58 games. After returning only three percent of the team's scoring a season ago, Pribble and his staff retained 52 percent of the program's offensive output to couple with five impact transfers and one freshman.
- Idaho posted an 11-21 overall record and a 5-13 conference mark in 2023-24. The Vandals delivered key victories over Big Sky Tournament Champion Montana State, Idaho State, and a regular season sweep over Sacramento State. The Silver and Gold finished off the season ninth in the Big Sky.
- Senior forward Julius Mims begins his second season in Moscow after averaging 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game in 2023-24. Mims formed into one of the most efficient scorers and premiere shot blockers in the conference, leading the league with a 63 percent field goal percentage (150-237) and the second most blocks (48). The Billings, Montana native recorded double figures in 18 games and five double-doubles in his junior campaign. Mims was one of six players in the Big Sky selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
- Another vital returning piece in the front court is senior big man, Kyson Rose. The Kennewick, Wash. native started in 26 games and averaged 6.6 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from three. Rose scored 10 more points in eight games for the Vandals.
- Junior Tyler Linhardt was a key contributor in his first season at Idaho, providing an offensive spark with nine double-figure scoring efforts in 23 games. Linhardt looks to take a big step in his second season in Moscow after averaging 8.2 points per game on 45 percent from the field and 32 percent from three.
- Speaking of taking a step, Idaho will lean on second-year guard Kristian Gonzalez to continue his progression after a promising true freshman season. The Chula Vista, California native scored 124 points, knocked down 15 3-pointers and played hero in a 55-53 win against Idaho State, scoring 11 points, including seven of the team's final 12 points.
- Redshirt sophomore guard Tyler Mrus returns to the fold after suffering a season-ending injury against Cal State Northridge on Nov. 9. The Bothell, Wash. native received a medical redshirt and looks to bolster a backcourt that proves to be one of the deepest in the last seven years.
- Idaho reloaded in the transfer portal at the guard position, adding a quartet of talent in Jojo Anderson (Whitworth), Isaiah Brickner (Marist College), Kolton Mitchell (Idaho State) and Jack Payne (Colorado State).
- The Vandals also added a local product and transfer from Oregon State, Jayden Stevens.
- The freshmen class includes a single newcomer, Ewan Steele, who is from Ontario, Canada.
- Other returners include Trevon Blassingame (Jr., Auburn, Wash.), Takai Hardy (So., Fairfield, Calif.), Titus Yearout (R-So., Lapwai, Idaho), Jack Hatten (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.) and Miles Klapper (R-Fr., Hillsborough, Calif.).
- Coach Pribble brought aboard three new members to his staff in 2024-25 with the additions of assistant coach Markhuri Sanders-Frison and graduate assistants Luke Chavez and Mark Moore.
- The non-conference stretch for Idaho features 13 contests, including five games at the ICCU Arena, four in California, two against NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, one Big Sky-Summit League Challenge matchup and a trip to Corvallis, Oregon.
- The Vandals play in 18 conference games in a double round-robin format, taking on every Big Sky opponent at home and on the road. Idaho starts the new year with its conference opener against defending conference champion Montana State on Thursday, January 2.
Up Next
Idaho will face its first regular season test when they host 2024 Big West Tournament runner-up UC Davis at ICCU Arena on Thursday, Nov. 7. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
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+.
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