Big Sky Basketball Tonight

NORTHERN ARIZONA AT IDAHO

The Vandals (4-6 Big Sky, 10-12), chased from the Kibbie Dome by the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, entertain Northern Arizona (4-7, 7-15) at 4:30 p.m. in 1,800-seat Memorial Gym.

Idaho is 13-0 in Memorial since 1985, but hasn’t played a Big Sky game in the ancient facility since 1976.

At a glance

NAU brings heavy emotional baggage following the death of star wing Brad Snyder, the Lumberjacks’ top scorer, who died Sunday morning in a one-car accident. Today’s winner takes a major step toward securing a top-six finish and a berth in the Big Sky Tournament. Idaho has the added advantage of having defeated NAU earlier this season.

The Lumberjacks’ top player is do-everything guard John Rondeno, who rates among Sky leaders in scoring, rebounding and 3-pointers. The ‘Jacks have been susceptible inside and rate last in field-goal percentage (41.7).

Reserve guard Todd Spike, who missed two weeks with an ankle injury, should return for Idaho. Forward Harry Harrison missed the Jan. 28 game against NAU for precautionary medical reasons.

Idaho: Harry Harrison, 12.8 ppg, 11 rpg; Mark Leslie, 14.5 ppg. Northern Arizona: John Rondeno, 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg.

Radio: KVNI (1080 AM) Coeur d’Alene; KRPL (1400 AM) Moscow, and other stations on the Vandal network.

WEBER STATE AT EWU

The Wildcats (9-2 Big Sky, 16-7) visit Reese Court for a 7:05 p.m. conference game against the Eagles (1-9, 4-17).

At a glance

With junior center Melvin Lewis continuing his strong inside play, outside shooting has been the pivotal factor for Eastern Washington. Most recently, it was the difference between a 72-66 win at Boise State and a 61-54 home loss to Idaho. Lewis was 10 of 15 from the field in each game. His teammates connected on 49 percent to beat the Broncos, then hit just 24 percent in falling to the Vandals. Guards D’mitri Rideout and Carl Crider, hitting just 35 and 31 percent on the season, must improve their shooting for EWU to beat the first-place Wildcats tonight. Weber forward Kirk Smith has a pulled groin but is expected to play.

Eastern: Melvin Lewis, 11.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game; Kevin Groves, 11.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg; Josh Lewis, 11.0 ppg. Weber State: Ruben Nembhard, Sky-leading 19.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.9 assists; Jimmy DeGraffenried, 16.5 ppg; Kirk Smith, 11.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg; Lewis Lofton, 11.2 ppg.

Radio: KSBN (1230 AM).