Tony Marcolina | Argonaut
Guard Mike McChristian, playing his senior season, throws a 3-pointer during Thursday’s game against Denver at the Cowan Spectrum.
At almost exactly the halfway point of the season, Idaho basketball may have perfected what it means to be mediocre. The Vandals’ winter break performances may have been just another representation of just that, despite going 3-2 against an array of conference, non-conference and NAIA opposition.
It started out at home against less-than-impressive Walla Walla University. A team that struggles against NAIA opponents day in and day out was at a major disadvantage when it came to the post, where the Vandals scored and rebounded with ease.
Only three Vandals scored in double figures, but with Don Verlin’s ability to rotate players in and out, 12 of 13 players who logged minutes also scored. The result — a 91-47 stomping of a Walla Walla squad that received the same treatment a few weeks later when Boise State handed them a 106-39 no-mercy loss.
The Broncos were Idaho’s next opponent, and an opponent that many have feared this season. Two-loss Boise State has yet to lose since defeating the Vandals 78-68 at a “neutral location”, CenturyLink Arena in the state capital.
Though it was Anthony Drmic who tore up the Vandals in last year’s meeting, Derrick Marks, another sophomore, was BSU’s go-to man this time around. Averaging 16.3 points-per-game as the Broncos began Mountain West play, Marks’ game-high 25 points really came into play late in the second half. With less than seven minutes to go, Marks notched 11 of his points and was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 9 of 10 attempts. Marks was 13 of 14 from the stripe on the night and Kyle Barone’s 24-point, 10-rebound effort couldn’t push Idaho past its rival in what will be the senior’s last game against Boise State.
A bitter loss to the Broncos must have triggered something for Idaho, because when the Vandals visited Key Arena and Seattle U for their WAC opener, a much-improved effort came from the visitors.
Despite dismal bench production (four points), Idaho ousted the Redhawks for the fourth consecutive meeting between the teams, beating them 71-64. It was Barone who carried Idaho again, with assistance from juniors Stephen Madison and Robert Harris Jr. Harris, who must have received the green light from Verlin, cashed in four 3-point shots, scoring 12 of his 16 points from the perimeter. Barone’s second consecutive double-double came off an 11-rebound, 25-point outing from the preseason all-WAC center.
As Idaho rolled into San Jose, Calif., so did the production of Barone. Holding just one Spartan to double figures, the Vandals held off SJSU and continued what is now a three-game win streak against the Spartans, handing them a 64-55 loss at The Event Center.
Barone was sensational in his third straight double-double with 13 boards and 16 points. Stephen Madison and Mike McChristian also reached double figures.
Idaho’s two-game WAC roll stopped in what will undoubtedly be the toughest road game they’ll play all season. Logan, Utah’s Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, heralded as one of the West coast’s most intimidating atmospheres, fields a Utah State Aggie squad that may be even more intimidating this season.
On the brink of a Top 25 ranking, Utah State, as they’ve been in so many seasons before, will likely be the team to beat in its last year as a member of the WAC.
The Vandals learned that the hard way, but played a very respectable game against Verlin’s former team. His ex-mentor, Aggie head coach Stew Morrill, coached USU to a 82-75 overtime victory against the Vandals in a game that saw Idaho lead by eight points late in the second half.
It wasn’t enough, though, and the scoring efforts of Preston Medlin (22 points) deflated Idaho. All five of the Aggie starters scored in double figures and Utah State was able to limit the Vandals despite a fourth straight double-double from Barone.
Theo Lawson can be reached at [email protected]