Idaho Basketball Makes History
The Idaho Vandals men’s basketball team has reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game for the first time since 1993, following a decisive 81-68 victory over the Eastern Washington Eagles. This marks a significant achievement for the program, which has seen a steady increase in its win total during head coach Alex Pribble’s tenure.
Idaho’s current season record stands at 20-14, with a balanced 9-9 performance in the Big Sky Conference. The Vandals have demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning at least four consecutive games for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Kolton Mitchell led the charge against Eastern Washington, scoring 26 points in the semifinal matchup.
Historically, the Big Sky Tournament has posed challenges for the Vandals, with only two conference tournament wins since rejoining the Big Sky in the 2014-15 season. Prior to this year, Idaho had not won multiple games in a conference tournament since the 2013-14 season. The last time the Vandals appeared in the NCAA Tournament was in 1990.
In a notable achievement, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Idaho advanced to the Big Sky Championship in the same year for the first time since the 1989-90 season. Coach Alex Pribble expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “What a great day to be a Vandal.”
Mitchell also emphasized the importance of their fan base, saying, “We have the best fans… It’s really special to be able to do it for them and hopefully we’re able to get it done tomorrow.” This sentiment reflects the growing support for the program as they aim for their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over three decades.
The Vandals will face the Montana Grizzlies in the Big Sky Championship game on March 11, 2026, at 9:30 PM MT. Observers are eager to see if Idaho can capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential impact of this victory on the program’s future, but the excitement surrounding Idaho basketball is palpable as they prepare for this pivotal matchup.
