Vandals, Bison share similarities on rosters
For one of the rare times this season, Idaho shouldn’t be outsized or less experienced than a rival when it faces North Dakota State at 7:05 tonight at the Cowan Spectrum.
NDSU, like Idaho, has two starters who could play in a 6-foot-and-under league. The Bison (5-6), like the Vandals, have just one senior in their playing rotation. NDSU’s redshirt freshman trio of Ben Woodside, Lucas Moormann and Brett Winkelman combines to average 37.3 points and 15.3 rebounds. The Bison have the youngest roster in Division I, according to a survey of sports information directors.
The Bison are in the third season of a five-year reclassification process from NCAA Division II to D-I. NDSU split two games with Idaho State, which defeated Idaho 78-71 at the Cowan Spectrum two weeks ago.
The Vandals (2-6) are 2-3 entering the final game of a six-game homestand. Senior Tanoris Shepard has scored in double figures in every game this season.
Livi leaves Eagles
Reserve freshman guard Nick Livi has left Eastern Washington’s team, at least temporarily.
“He’s had some real tough family issues, so he went home to attend to his family once he completed his course work,” Eagles coach Mike Burns said. “He is eligible. He left the team for now to attend to his family at home.”
Livi, who is from Sammamish, Wash., and went to Eastlake High School, sat out last season because of NCAA eligibility requirements.
He missed last Friday’s game at Washington and Monday’s game with Gonzaga.
Burns said the decision to return when winter quarter begins the first week in January “will be up to him and his family.”
The 6-foot-1 Livi played in five of seven games before he left, averaging 5 minutes and 2.6 points.
The Eagles (4-5) play Cal Poly at Reese Court Friday night.
Harrison garners TSN honors
Washington State senior running back Jerome Harrison was named to The Sporting News All-America first team, his seventh All-America first-team selection.
He has also been selected as second team on two lists.