After exhibition matchups against NAIA and Division II opponents, the Idaho men’s basketball team travels to San Jose State to take on a Mountain West program in the regular season opener for both teams.
The Vandals take on the Spartans at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Event Center Arena in San Jose, California. After San Jose State, Idaho plays California State-Bakersfield at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Bakersfield, California.
The Vandals kick off the start of the regular season by playing five of their next six games on the road, including the Mean Green Showcase in Denton, Texas.
“It’s really important to come out strong,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “It would be a great way to get off to a good start and really help us as far as momentum going into the season.”
Idaho (2-0 preseason) was led in exhibition play by sophomore guard Victor Sanders, who averaged 15 points per game during Idaho’s two preseason games. Senior forward Nahshon George also made an early impression by adding 13 points against Lewis-Clark State College last Friday.
The Vandals employed a dominating presence in the paint during the team’s two exhibition games. Senior forward Paulin Mpawe grabbed 11 rebounds in Friday’s matchup against the Warriors and electrified the home crowd with several commanding dunks late in the second half.
Idaho will face a San Jose State team that is looking to revitalize its program after last year’s disappointing season when the team finished with a 2-28 record.
The Spartans have five true freshmen on the roster, but what the program lacks in experience, it makes up for in height. The two starting forwards for San Jose State are 6-foot-9-inches and 6-foot-8-inches, which would create a pivotal matchup for Mpawe and George in the post as they attempt to win the physical battle for rebounds.
“Their role on Saturday will be huge,” Verlin said. “All of our posts will be very important because our next two games are against teams with some size and athletic bodies down low.”
The Spartans will also debut the program’s first ever four-star recruit. Freshman Cody Schwartz earned the prestigious rating from ESPN after averaging 20 points per game as a high school senior and Division II all-state selection in Wisconsin.
“I’ve been very impressed by what I saw from San Jose State in their exhibition game,” Verlin said. “They put together a good athletic group and got some better recruits. Obviously the team is much better than they were a year ago.”
San Jose State already mustered a surprisingly hot start in preseason play, shooting 58.9 percent from the field in a 112-59 victory over NAIA Pacific Union Saturday.
Verlin said the key for the Vandals is to protect the basketball and defend well in transition.
“We can’t allow them to go on big runs,” Verlin said. “Our transition defense has to be very good. San Jose is very athletic and we need to keep them from penetrating to the basket.”
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom