Vandals take shot at first win
Idaho (0-4) continues its search for its first win when Southern Utah (1-5) visits the Cowan Spectrum at 2:05 p.m. today. The Vandals are averaging just 54.8 points per game and shooting 37.9 percent from the field. UI opponents have made 47.9 percent of their shots and average 72.5 points.
Southern Utah is coming off its first win, a 68-47 rout of visiting Weber State on Tuesday. Guard Justin Allen (10.0) is the only player averaging in double figures. Brothers Nate and Rand Janes combine for 16.5 points per game. Nate Janes played in the SWAC at Snow College, as did SUU’s Steve Barnes (7.7 points). Guard Henry Uhegwu (9.3 ppg) is a Dixie College product.
The series is tied at 5. Southern Utah ripped Idaho 82-53 last year in Cedar City.
•Washington State is feeling pretty good about itself after two dominating wins on its home court to move to 3-1 on the season.
But head coach Dick Bennett has a word of warning for his team as it tries to go to 4-1 at 2 p.m. today on Friel Court – visiting Kansas State is the toughest team the Cougars have encountered thus far.
“Clearly,” said Bennett, who then proceeded to use some of his words of highest praise to describe the 4-0 Wildcats.
“I just see some real soundness, just … they run outstanding offense,” he said. “They’re tough kids. At this point, I have not detected any weakness. I think they’re clearly a better team this year than they were last year when we played them.”
Last year, these Wildcats – albeit on their home court in Kansas – defeated WSU 62-55.
•North Idaho College opens the Scenic West Athletic Conference season tonight at home against Colorado Northwestern.
The 13th-ranked Cardinals (10-0) entertain the Spartans (4-5, 0-1 SWAC) at 7:30 at Christianson Gym.
NIC’s women (6-4) face Colorado Northwestern (0-11, 0-1) at 5:30.
Colorado Northwestern was thumped by College of Southern Idaho 97-63 on Thursday. The Spartans women fell to CSI 119-55.
“We just need to keep getting better,” NIC men’s coach Jared Phay said. “We can’t get content with where we’re at.”
NIC center Tommy Craddock injured his groin during Wednesday’s win over Community Colleges of Spokane. His status wasn’t immediately known for tonight’s game.