Here’S To Forgetting The Past

It’s not as if the season is on the line. After all, it’s just the conference opener.

However, for those who forget history, we remind you of University of Idaho’s 1998-99 men’s basketball season.

Idaho opened its Big West Conference schedule with a loss to Long Beach State in the Kibbie Dome and a road setback to UC Santa Barbara.

The Vandals were 0-2 before winning 11 of their next 13 conference games. The slow start, though, left UI one game behind New Mexico State and Boise State in the chase for the East Division title.

So guess who’s coming to Moscow for the Big West opener Thursday at 7? Long Beach State, of course.

“We need to try to avoid that again,” UI coach Dave Farrar said. “Playing at home, you have to win ‘em.”

In hopes of doing so, Farrar is putting the burden on seniors Devon Ford, Gordon Scott and Clifford Gray. A pleasant surprise recently has been improved point guard play from Adam Miller, Lance Buoncristiani and Justin Logan.

“I’ve sat down twice with our seniors the last week and they’re adamant that the point guards are playing better than they are,” Farrar said. “Our point guards have played well enough for us to win. Now with Long Beach, it’s going to be a concern because they’re going to trap out of the 1-3-1.”

Idaho’s point guard, by the way, is playing quite well for Arizona State. Alton Mason signed a letter-of-intent with Idaho two years ago, but it never arrived in the return mail. That, or his mother wouldn’t sign.

Whatever the case, Mason is averaging 5.4 points and 2.5 assists as ASU’s starting point guard.

Panhandling

North Idaho College lists six featured wrestling recruits in the school media guide. Alain Djoumessi isn’t one of them, but he should be.

The Cameroon native has emerged at heavyweight, though he checks in at only 195 pounds. He’s lost just once since entering the starting lineup last month.

“He picked up a 270-pound Clackamas kid and throws him,” NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. “He’s stronger than heck.”

NIC was set at 184 with Ry Stone and 197 with David Sandberg, so Whitcomb inserted Djoumessi at heavy. “We knew he was an athlete, you see that when you watch him run or do anything,” Whitcomb said. “He’s come from nowhere.”

Former Vandals running back Joel Thomas dropped off his possessions at his mom’s house this week. Must mean it’s back to school again.

Thomas has a standing offer to join Louisville’s staff as a graduate assistant. He’ll soon visit Purdue - with his suitcase in tow. If Purdue offers a GA position, he’ll become a Boilermaker.

Thomas had a chance to become a fundraiser in Seattle for UI’s athletic department, but he chose coaching. “I just don’t want to have any regrets,” he said.

NIC’s women’s basketball team might be without talented freshman center Heather Cox for the rest of the year. She’s academically ineligible.

Cox is taking a correspondence class and there’s a slim chance she could regain her eligibility, coach Greg Crimp said. Cox is NIC’s second leading scorer (11.9) and top rebounder (6.4).

In case you’re scoring at home, that’s operation No. 26 and counting for former Vandal Mark Schlereth, the Denver Broncos’ ironman offensive lineman.

In case you’re wondering, the basketball defections of North Texas and New Mexico State to the Sun Belt next season doesn’t do much damage to the Big West. Next year, nine Big West teams will play each other twice. That’s 16 games, same as the current total.

The following year, look for UC Riverside and Cal State Northridge to join the Big West.

Front row

Some weeks this list is skimpy. This week, we give whole-hearted recommendations.

In addition to the aforementioned UI-Long Beach State game, NIC entertains Snow for a double dip Thursday - women at 5:30, men at 7:30. Snow’s women are ranked No. 22. Snow’s men are 15-2 and the defending SWAC champs.

Moscow’s and Coeur d’Alene’s girls, who played five times last year battling for league and regional supremacy, tangle at CdA Thursday at 7:45.

Friday’s offering: The Fight for the Fish, the second annual spirit/basketball competition between Coeur d’Alene and Lake City. The girls play at 6, boys at 7:45 at LC. About 2,700 will jam the gym and scream until they’re hoarse. Ear plugs are optional.

Saturday’s menu: NIC stages a women’s/men’s doubleheader with Dixie at 5:30 and 7:30, respectively.

Idaho’s men face Pacific on Saturday at 2:30 in the Dome.

Grad school

Former Idaho punter Mike O’Neal worked out five times for NFL teams last year, including twice with St. Louis. He apparently opened some eyes. He has signed a free-agent contract with the Rams and reports in March for mini camp.

The Rams started the season with former Seahawks punter Rick Tuten. When Tuten was injured, the Rams signed veteran Mike Horan.

“They’re giving me a shot,” O’Neal said.

Rumor du jour

Idaho is negotiating to extend its football series with Washington State beyond 2004. This, of course, gives Idaho athletic director Mike Bohn the unique opportunity of negotiating the preliminaries for Idaho and potentially signing the contract for WSU.

Or not.

Bohn still hasn’t said if he’s interested in the Cougars’ A.D. job, and WSU hasn’t named candidates.