One of college basketball’s oldest rivalries takes place in the Palouse.
Idaho and Washington State men’s basketball teams faced each other for the 110th consecutive year Thursday night at the Cowan Spectrum. The Vandals emerged with a 78-74 victory in the 271st matchup in the rivalry.
Idaho coach Don Verlin said he treated Thursday’s game like any other game on the schedule but with an urgency to defend the Spectrum.
“We don’t really prepare any differently for a rivalry game,” Verlin said. “Defending your own court is very important. Not only in nonconference season but obviously in conference season, you always have to defend your home court.”
The Vandals don’t play Boise State this season. Last year, Boise State defeated Idaho 86-75 in Boise.
“It’s big,” said Idaho junior guard Perrion Callandret. “The past two years we got to play Boise State which is a team we want to beat. This year we don’t get that chance. So Thursday is our one chance to beat somebody that’s really considered our rival. We don’t get too many opportunities like we did in the past. This is really our chance to go out and compete against a really good team and get our first win at the Spectrum this season.”
Throughout its 10-year run, the Cougars have won 162 times, including the first game in 1906 when they defeated Idaho 28-12 in Pullman.
Idaho defeated the Cougars 77-71 Dec. 3, 2014, at Beasley Coliseum. As a result, the Vandals ended their 25-year winless streak at Pullman and won their first Battle of the Palouse since 2002.
In addition to both droughts ending, it was Verlin’s first Battle of the Palouse win and 100th win as the Idaho head coach.
Verlin said last year’s win was a good feeling and looked forward to beating a tougher Cougars Thursday.
“I don’t think you can ever calm a team down,” Verlin said. “It’s one of those things we will talk about a little bit. But it’s the reason why we play college basketball is to play a rivalry game. I’m going to let them handle it themselves accordingly. My guys know what it’s like to play the game because a lot of them played Washington State last year.”
Despite being rivals, both Verlin and Washington State coach Ernie Kent have been on the same page and hope to continue the series.
“I have a great relationship with Ernie as well as their assistant coaches,” Verlin said. “Washington State runs a really good program and have good people that stands for all the right things. I hope it continues because I heard nothing that (the rivalry) wouldn’t continue so hopefully this series will continue and play them for many years to come.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles