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 an impressive 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 in the Big Sky Conference. The Vandals have shown remarkable improvement, winning at least four consecutive games for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Kolton Mitchell led the charge in the semifinal game, scoring 26 points and expressing gratitude towards the fans, stating, “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.”
Historically, the Big Sky Tournament has not favored the Vandals, who have only secured 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, making this year’s performance particularly noteworthy.
Idaho’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1990, and the team is eager to change that narrative. Remarkably, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have advanced to the Big Sky Championship in the same year for the first time since the 1989-90 season, showcasing a resurgence in Idaho basketball.
Coach Alex Pribble celebrated the team’s achievement, saying, “What a great day to be a Vandal.” He also reflected on the legacy of past teams, emphasizing the importance of the program’s history.
Idaho will face the Montana Grizzlies in the Big Sky Championship game on March 11, 2026, at 9:30 PM MT. As the Vandals prepare for this critical matchup, observers are keen to see if they can secure their first conference title in over three decades. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the team’s strategy and lineup for the championship game.
