Idaho men’s basketball is officially halfway through conference play.
And halfway through, the Vandal squad has yet to find its second conference win, hoping to end its current six-game skid as the team heads to Big Sky country for rematches against Montana and Montana State.
The current losing streak is tied for Idaho’s longest during head coach Don Verlin’s 10 seasons with the Vandals. Prior to this season, the programs worst year came in the 2009-2010 season when the team began the season 3-7 in WAC play.
While Idaho (4-17, BSC 1-9) cannot erase that stat from the record books, there is still time to at least change the trajectory of the season in the second half of Big Sky play.
Idaho looks to start that shift in Missoula with a rematch against top-ranked Montana (15-6, BSC 8-2). Last time out against the Griz, the Vandals sparked hope of an upset at several points throughout the contest, coming within reach of the lead and the ensuing win before Montana did what it seems to do best and ramped up its scoring, bulldozing past the team in the final minutes to seal the 69-51 win.
Montana is led by Preseason Big Sky Conference MVP pick Ahmaad Rorie, but he is far from the only weapon in the Grizzlies armory. In the prior matchup, Rorie led the Griz with 20 points, but was one of four Montana athletes to score in double figures.
Freshman forward Jared Rodriguez fights to the basket against NAU Saturday in Cowan Spectrum.
Idaho’s junior guard Trevon Allen led all scorers on the night with 24 points, but only freshman forward Jared Rodriguez managed to join Allen in double figures with 10 points.
Montana knows how to score and it has the manpower to do so.
The solution then is simple — if Idaho cannot score, the team cannot let Montana score much more.
If the Vandals cannot figure out a way to get their offense rolling, they will have to figure out a way to stop Montana and their sharp shooters from scoring. Idaho showed glimpses of the intensity necessary to close out games like these, but it was unable to maintain and took another loss in turn.
The Vandals Saturday contest at Montana State presents a very similar challenge.
Montana State has one of the stronger offenses in the conference, averaging nearly 77 points per game. Idaho falls dead last in conference averaging less than 70 points per game.
Not unlike the contest against Montana, the Vandals showed glimmers of game-winning intensity early on, but let up in the second half and handed the Bobcats the win.
While Idaho has a handful of guys who know how to put up points, the offensive firepower just is not there. If the Vandals want to get back on track, it starts with the defense.
Montana and Montana State combined make up half of the preseason All-Conference team in Rorie (Montana), Tyler Hall (MSU) and Michael Oguine (Montana).
In order to find that second conference win, Idaho has to figure out a way to at least hold them, giving themselves enough room to pull away with the victory.
If the Vandals follow the trajectory of squads before them, the simple change in months may be the boost they need. Under Verlin, Idaho has an outstanding record in February, notching a 21-10 record during the month over the past four seasons. Outside of February, the Vandals have a 26-25 record.
The solution seems simple, whether it is just the change in month or an increased intensity. Either way it’s spun, Idaho needs to make a change and fast if it hopes to win again before the season’s close.
Meredith Spelbring can be reached at [email protected]