MOSCOW, Idaho – Alongside ESPN, the Big Sky Conference today announced the selection of Idaho's February 19, 2026, game at Portland State for linear distribution on ESPNU. What could feasibly be a contest between two highly touted teams by that point in the year will now be broadcasted nationwide from the Viking Pavilion in Portland.

The matchup, slated to tip-off at 6 p.m. PT in the Rose City, features two of the top four teams in both of the Big Sky preseason polls, and four of the six players on the Preseason All-Conference team. It is set to be the lone league regular-season contest on a linear network in the 25-26 season. Last year featured Eastern Washington at Montana just before Starch Madness tipped off, and the year before included Weber State traveling to Montana State, both on ESPN2.

These two teams last met at last season's conference tournament, where the Vandals defeated the Vikings, 80-70, to move onto the semifinals for the first time since 2017. 

The selection marks a return to the national spotlight for UI, as February's game will be the first regular season appearance for the Vandals on a linear ESPN network since the 2010-11 season. 

LOOKING AHEAD
The Vandals kick off the regular season on November 3, with the 280th Battle of the Palouse at Washington State at 6:30 PM PT. Idaho's home slate begins with Whitman on Friday, November 7. 

TICKETS
Tickets are available for Idaho's Holiday Hoops Classic on November 26 and 28. Watch the Vandals and Idaho State take on CSUN and Sam Houston State in downtown Boise. Tickets can be purchased through the Idaho Central Arena box office today!

Season tickets are on sale now! For more information, call the Vandal ticket office at (208) 885-6466 or visit govandals.com/tickets. 

Idaho Athletics has announced that student tickets for all home football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer home games are completely free of charge. To claim yours, visit govandals.com/tickets. 

FOLLOW THE VANDALS
To stay up to date with Vandal Hoops, follow the team on Instagram (vandalhoops), X (VandalHoops), and by visiting govandals.com.