Vandals ready for quality time at home

The Idaho Vandals return to a place they’re not too familiar with in November and December – their home court.

The Vandals, usually displaced by the football team in November, open a rare six-game home stand against regional rival Eastern Washington at approximately 8 tonight at the Cowan Spectrum. Idaho’s women open the doubleheader against Gonzaga at 6.

Idaho (0-3) has played just three November home games against Division I foes in coach Leonard Perry’s first four years. In those years, Idaho has entertained 13 Division I foes in December, including three conference games. This season the Vandals will play host to five Division I opponents before Christmas, as well as entertaining Eastern Oregon.

“I thought it was important knowing we’d open up in the lions’ den,” said Perry, referring to Idaho’s first three games at Gonzaga, Washington and Washington State. “It was something I was diligent about because I knew we’d be young, and it’s really important to have home games with young kids.”

EWU (1-3) has its share of young kids, too. Freshman guard Rodney Stuckey is averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game. Sophomore forward Jake Beitinger checks in at 11.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, and sophomore forward Kellen Williams is averaging 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds.

“He could start anywhere at any level,” Perry said of Stuckey.

The Eagles went 0-3 at the Great Alaska Shootout but hung tough with eventual champion Marquette and Southern Illinois.

“You need to improve your strengths and try to eliminate some of your weaknesses,” second-year head coach Mike Burns said. “That’s where we are right now.”

Senior guard Tanoris Shepard, at 11.7, is the only Vandal averaging more than seven points per game.