GAME NOTES - IDAHO VS MONTANA
BOISE, Idaho - For the first time since 2017, and the first time ever in Boise, Idaho Basketball is playing for a trip to the Big Sky Championship.
This would be the latest in a series of firsts for the Vandals this season. That 2017 season was the last time that they earned themselves a bye in the postseason bracket, as well as the last time that UI claimed a playoff win. These droughts all ended last night when the 2024-25 Vandals downed Portland State, 80-70.
Their reward for this is a new challenge, and potentially an even greater one than they faced the night before. However, with this challenge comes the potential for a historic achievement for the program. Idaho has an opportunity to compete for a Big Sky championship for the first time since 1993. The only thing standing in their way? #2 Montana.
LAST TIME OUT
Idaho secured their first win at the Big Sky Tournament since 2017 in a 80-70 win over Portland State. Kristian Gonzalez and Jack Payne led the Vandals on the stat sheet, with both grabbing their fourth 20-point performance of the season. Julius Mims pulled down nine rebounds and Kolton Mitchell added seven assists, as Idaho led for over 37 minutes.
Additionally, for the first time in program history, the Vandals surpassed three hundred made three-point shots on the season. This team reset the former school record (277) against Weber State on senior day and, after ten makes against Portland State, now sit at 303 this season.
SCOUTING THE GRIZ
The Grizzlies are highly efficient, shooting nearly 50% from the field this season. In both regular season matchups against the Vandals, the Griz shot above their season average from beyond the arc, converting 41.7%.
Head coach Travis Decuire was named the 2024-25 Big Sky Coach of the Year, leading Montana to a record of 23-9. Money Williams earned the title of Big Sky Top Reserve after leading all Montana scorers with 14.5 points per game and shooting 39.5% from three. Joe Pridgen earned first team all-conference honors following a season where he averaged 11.5 points on 63.5% shooting and 6.9 rebounds a game. Williams, Brandon Whitney, and Malik Moore were each named to the all-conference second team.
SERIES HISTORY WITH MONTANA
Idaho and Montana will be playing their 209th matchup against one another.
Since 1915, Idaho holds a 112-96 record against the Griz, who have secured the last six matchups in a row. The last win for Idaho was in 2022, where they took down Montana 82-76 in the ICCU Arena.
VANDALS IN BOISE
- Idaho is making it's 28th appearance in the Big Sky Tournament, holding a 18-23 overall record in the bracket dating back to 1980-81
- With a win over Montana tonight, Idaho could secure it's first trip to the Big Sky Championship since 1993.
- The Vandals are 3-10 in Big Sky Tournament games since rejoining the conference in 2014-15
- Most recent win was in the 2024-25 season, 80-70 over Portland State.
- This is the first time that the Vandals have had a bye in the tournament since the 2017-18 season.
- The Vandals have appeared in six Big Sky Tournament Championship games with a 4-2 record. Idaho's last tournament title came in 1990 when they defeated Eastern Washington 65-62 on March 10. On March 15, the Vandals faced Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Louisville earned a 78-59 victory.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and is available to stream on ESPN+. Vandal Fans are encouraged to tap in to the Varsity Network app and hear the Voice of the Vandals, Dennis Patchin, calling the action.
