Idaho men picked fifth in hoops polls

The Idaho Vandals were pegged to finish fifth in the WAC preseason coaches and media men’s basketball polls, released this morning. Last year UI went 18-14 and finished third in the conference, despite being voted eighth in the preseason. “I think it kind of proves what we’ve done over the last three years,” coach Don Verlin said. “We’re building a solid, stable program here, and I think that’s why we were picked as high as we were, despite returning only one full-time starter and losing as many guys as we did.”

Center Kyle Barone, a reserve for most of last year, was a preseason second-team selection by the coaches. The Vandals’ lone returning starter is senior point guard Deremy Geiger. Guard Landon Tatum also returns, as does wing Stephen Madison, and posts Joe Kammerer and Djim Bandoumel (who was ruled ineligibile after eight games last year).

Among the Vandals’ many newcomers is 6-foot-6, 255-pound Dazmond Starke, who originally signed with UTEP and played at Eastern Arizona College. UTEP released Starke from his letter of intent in April.

More here from the WAC.