Vandals will take another shot at Boise State tonight

Several Boise State Broncos that have tormented the University of Idaho men’s basketball program over the years have graduated.

“I thought about that when I started watching tape from last year,” Vandals coach Leonard Perry said, “and then I saw what (Jermaine Blackburn) and (Coby) Karl did to us last year. You go right back into depression mode.”

Idaho, which has dropped all six games to BSU in Perry’s first three years, takes another shot at the Broncos at 7:15 PST tonight to open the season and begin a three-day stay at the Boise State Invitational at Taco Bell Arena. The Vandals face Southeastern Louisiana (20-9 last year) Saturday at 5 p.m. and NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College (21-9 last year) Sunday at 1.

BSU is coming off a 23-10 season and a pair of NIT wins, but Bryan Defares (11 points per game), Aaron Haynes (14.8 ppg) and steady point guard Joe Skiffer have moved on. The Broncos split two home exhibition games, losing 87-66 to Albertson College and defeating Northwest Nazarene 73-67. BSU was picked seventh in the WAC preseason coaches’ poll. Forward Kareem Lloyd was the lone player to reach double figures in both exhibition games.

“They pose so many problems, it’s like a dam and you’re trying to stop the leaks,” Perry said. “No one plays harder than (Jason) Ellis.”

Perry likes the tournament format and the opportunity to play in front of some friendly faces.

“This does give us a scenario of what the postseason (Big West) tournament is like, if we’re fortunate enough to make the tournament it could be a three-game season,” Perry said. “Our test is going to be playing three 20-win teams. It’s good for our kids and it’s good for our boosters and alumni to see our kids play three in a row.”

Other than the recent outcomes, Perry also enjoys the BSU rivalry, which should pick up intensity when Idaho joins the Broncos in the WAC next season.

“It’s Michigan-Michigan State, Iowa-Iowa State, Washington-Washington State, that’s exactly what it is for me,” Perry said. “I was a player in it and it was fun.”