Vandals’ Bid For Division Starts Asap Contenders Long Beach, Slo Head Early Conference Schedule 49Ers At Vandals

Idaho is coming off its best week of the men’s basketball season - without having played a game.

The Vandals, idle since Dec. 22, finally strung together some quality practices.

It might not come as earth-shattering news, but coach Dave Farrar saw it as a sign his Vandals might be taking steps forward instead of backward.

“I like our team, I haven’t (in the past), but this last week, we really put in some quality time,” said Farrar, whose Vandals (4-5) open Big West Conference play against Long Beach State tonight at 7 in Moscow.

Farrar believes success stems from practice habits. Most UI practices haven’t been sharp.

The Vandals, who were a popular preseason pick to win the Big West’s Eastern Division, have seen Boise State inherit the favorite’s role. Outstanding forward Roberto Bergersen, granted a rare sixth year of eligibility, is scoring 25 points per game.

Utah State, Nevada and New Mexico State appear capable. So do the Vandals, if they can rediscover last season’s passion.

“To our good fortune, I still think it’s very equal,” said Farrar, whose team has lost three straight. “If anybody had a good preseason compared to the rest, it’s Utah State and Boise State (in the Eastern), and Cal Poly on the other side (Western).

The balance is a reflection of key graduations - none bigger than Pacific center Michael Olowokandi, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Utah State lost guard Marcus Saxton and forward Kevin Rice. Long Beach State’s Andrew Betts was drafted in the second round, but opted to play in Europe.

Farrar dismissed starting forward Mike Jackson and reserve guard Tyrwone Still, but the team should get a boost when Falemao Tosi returns for the bulk of the conference season after playing football for the Vandals.

“Like most groups that are new to each other, it gets easier to play harder and pull together,” Farrar said. “But it’s going to be real hard in our first three games to have success.”

Following Long Beach State, Idaho visits UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. ESPN2 will televise the Cal Poly game next Saturday.