MOSCOW, Idaho - For the second straight season, Idaho men's basketball will raise the curtain on its season with an exhibition game against in-state rival Boise State in the state's capital on Saturday, October 10. 

"As we build our schedule, we look for a good combination of challenges at home and on the road that will prepare us for Big Sky play," Idaho's head coach Alex Pribble said when the Vandals announced their full 2026-27 schedule. "Much like last year, we want to be playing our best basketball in February and March, so it's important that we learn the right lessons early in the year."

The rivalry was renewed for the first time since November 2014 with last year's exhibition game in Boise, which drew over 4,000. This year's meeting, set for 5 p.m. MT/4 p.m. PT on October 10, will see two teams that reached the 20-win mark in 2025-26. Boise State is one of Idaho's most played opponents, with the two sides facing off in 91 competitive games between 1933 and 2014 and on a yearly basis as members of the WAC, Big West, and Big Sky.

The Broncos posted their fifth straight 20-win season in six years during the 2025-26 campaign, their final in the Mountain West and 16th under head coach Leon Rice. Rice has led BSU to nine postseason appearances during his tenure, including five berths in the NCAA Tournament.

Like 2025, the game is set to be held at Idaho Central Arena, the site of the Big Sky Conference Tournament. In addition to the October exhibition, Idaho played six games in downtown Boise during the 2025-26 season, racking up a 5-1 record in the building across the Holiday Hoops Classic and Starch Madness, on their way to winning the 2026 Big Sky Conference title. 

Tickets for the exhibition match up go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, September 10, through the Idaho Central Arena box office at idahocentralarena.com.