Snow has taken its toll on North Idaho this season

The theory goes that it is difficult for a basketball team to beat the same opponent three times in a season.

How about four?

North Idaho College, 0-3 versus Snow during the regular season, hopes for a different result when the teams square off in the Region 18 men’s tournament today at 3 PST at the College of Southern Idaho Gymnasium in Twin Falls.

The sixth-seeded Cardinals lost 89-73, 68-66 and 85-77 to the third-seeded Badgers, who feature their customary collection of talented perimeter shooters to go with swingman Daniel Henry (16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds) and center Kasey Winters (12.9, 9.1).

“We played them real tough at their place; we just didn’t come away with a ‘W,’ ” NIC interim coach Jared Phay said. “They’re just a sound team. They don’t break and they make you pay when you make mistakes.”

When last seen two weeks ago, the Cardinals were battling the flu bug while dropping their final two regular-season games to Salt Lake.

“We’re pretty healthy,” Phay said. “We just need to do what we do better.”

NIC is led by sophomore forward Harry Disy, who averages 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. Louisiana Tech has stepped up its recruiting of Disy. Freshman forward Darin Nagle checks in at 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.

CSI, ranked sixth nationally, is the clear-cut favorite. The Golden Eagles are playing on their home floor and they have a bye into the semifinals. Salt Lake, which went 1-2 against CSI, is ranked No. 12. Snow received votes in the latest poll.

No. 4 Dixie will be without non-starters Devan Evans and Stanley Copeland, who were charged with armed robbery last week, according to the Spectrum newspaper of St. George, Utah.