At a glance: Idaho Vandals

RECORD: 8-8 overall, 2-1 WAC

COMING UP: Today at New Mexico State, 6 p.m.; Saturday at Louisiana Tech, noon

OUTLOOK: Off to its best start since 1998-99, the Vandals embark on what coach Don Verlin called “a huge road trip for us.” Idaho has been the biggest surprise in the WAC, and a win or two would cement its status as a legitimate top-tier club in the conference. High-powered New Mexico State has lost three straight at Lac Cruces, but it has four big-time scoring threats – including guards Jahmar Young (17.2 ppg) and Jonathan Gibson (14.4 ppg). Louisiana Tech is “absolutely huge on their backline so we will probably see a lot of zone and some other things that play to their advantage,” Verlin said.