WSU, UI Have Much In Common Area Colleges

These basketball neighbors were made for each other.

Idaho has been sidetracked by injuries, suspensions, legal woes and losses. Ditto for Washington State, though its losses mostly have come on enemy courts.

But, hey, somebody’s gotta win tonight’s 7:05 non-conference contest in the Kibbie Dome.

To each team’s credit, they’ve played close to their potential - admittedly with a few exceptions - with marginal reward.

“There’s no lack of effort with this team whatsoever,” said WSU’s Isaac Fontaine. “If we just keep playing hard, I’m sure it will pay off.”

The matchup isn’t quite as positive from UI’s viewpoint. WSU spanked it 69-57 in Pullman in mid-December.

The Vandals (10-13) were drilled twice on a California road swing last week and reside in last place in the Big West’s East Division.

“You’ve never seen a group struggle to score in two games like our group did,” UI coach Kermit Davis said of the losses.

WSU is 11-11 and eighth in the Pac-10 after losing six of its last seven games. The Cougars had a perplexing trip last week, losing to lowly Oregon State by a dozen before playing well in an 11-point setback to Oregon. Center Tavares Mack, suspended in December, was permanently dismissed before the Oregon game.

UI notes

Davis is worried about guard Kris Baumann’s health. Baumann’s energy level has been noticeably low for several games.

“We’re running some tests on him,” Davis said. “He looks pale.”

Idaho is making progress on regionalizing next year’s schedule. The Vandals will play WSU once, Gonzaga twice and possibly Montana, Portland and San Diego. Southwest Missouri State will visit Moscow on ESPN.

UI wants to play Idaho State at the new Idaho Center in Nampa, but ISU coach Herb Williams isn’t warming to the idea.

Idaho will have at least one “money game” - possibly against Oklahoma or Memphis.

A new Big West rule allows only two non-Division I games. Idaho played and defeated five non-Division I schools this season.

Quiet, please

WSU’s Fontaine remains one of the Pac-10’s most interactive players, seldom missing an opportunity for some friendly jawing with an opponent’s home crowd.

Saturday night’s visit to Oregon’s McArthur Court was no exception.

When Fontaine misfired from the right baseline, many of the 10,024 in attendance waited eagerly for WSU’s next possession - ready to chant “airball” every time Fontaine touched the ball.

But they barely had time to inhale before Fontaine hit the mute button, quickly releasing a 3-pointer that stretched WSU’s lead to 26-19.

Fontaine hit 8 of 15 field goals and scored 25 points, but Oregon fans had the last word - their Ducks won.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jim Meehan Staff writer Staff writer Mike Sando contributed to this report.