GAME NOTES - IDAHO AT MONTANA

Moscow, ID - The Big Sky slate is only five games old for the Idaho Vandals, and yet the first conference rematch of the year is already on tap with number six. Not only that, these two games are just the latest in one of the Vandals' most storied rivalries in school history, as Idaho and Montana are meeting on the court for the 207th time since the 1915-16 season. 

LAST TIME OUT
In the opening weekend of conference play, the Montana Grizzlies came to Moscow looking to build off the momentum of defeating the reigning regular season champion Eastern Washington Eagles. In a matchup that was neck-and-neck until the final horn, Idaho's game-tying shot didn't connect and the visitors left with a narrow 73-71 victory. 

The Vandals didn't sit in it for long, however, as they would march out to a decisive 80-67 win over Sac State in the coming days and go toe-to-toe with a Portland State squad that is emerging near the top of the league. Add to that an 83-76 win over Eastern Washington, and it's clear that Idaho is taking it one game at a time. 

SCOUTING THE GRIZ
When you play a team from Montana, you know you're getting a challenge, and the Griz offer that in spades. Currently sitting at second place in conference, UM was responsible for Idaho's first conference loss and have put up some explosive numbers to start the year. Malik Moore (13.9) and Money Williams (13.3) are among the most consistent scorers in the Big Sky, with Williams dropping 30 on Tennessee on the road during the non-conference slate. 

Senior Joe Pridgen has earned the hearts of Griz fans with his highlight-reel dunks and relentless physicality, as evidenced by his 7.7 RPG, third-best in the conference. Even more impressive for Pridgen is his .631 FG%, which leads the league and makes him one of only two players above .600 this season.

Montana is led by longtime head coach Travis DeCuire, going into his 11th season after taking the helm in 2014. Well on his way to becoming the winningest coach in school history, DeCuire is on pace to notch his sixth 20-win season in eleven years, and presents a challenge to everyone across from him.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS MONTANA
The Vandals and Grizzlies are set to renew a storied rivalry for the 207th time since 1915. Idaho currently holds the lead in the series, 110-69, in the second oldest matchup in school history. The only other opponent that has seen the black and gold more times than the Griz is Washington State.

The game can be streamed on ESPN+, and Vandal fans are encouraged to tap in to The Varsity Network, where Dennis Patchin will provide radio coverage of the action.

Links: ESPN+ // Listen