“The program has not had a ton of success over the last four or five seasons. This year was about building a foundation and a culture,” said Alex Pribble, Head Coach of the Idaho men’s basketball team.
The first-year Vandal coach explained that he feels good about his start at the University of Idaho. His team’s 11-21 record was their best since the 2017-18 season, when they ended 22-9 under Don Verlin.
Pribble compared the process to building a house, saying that it must be done brick by brick.
“We knew that year one, we were looking for incremental steps. We just want to continue taking small steps forward,” he said.
One small step in the right direction came in the form of a 6-4 start to the season. Another happened on Feb. 17, when the Vandals beat their in-state rival, the Idaho State Bengals, for the first time since 2020. The biggest leap, according to Pribble, is that 11 players have decided to stay at Idaho next season. The coaching staff will stay, providing stability for the program.
“The beauty is that this spring, instead of learning each other’s names and the terminology of the program, we’re picking up right where we left off,” Pribble said.
Three players decided to enter the transfer portal after the end of the 23-24 season, juniors Quinn Denker and EJ Neal, along with redshirt junior Terren Frank. Additionally, the team lost D’Angelo Minnis, a 5-foot-10 senior guard who finished his last eligible season.
The coaching staff has wasted no time finding replacements, as two players have already signed to the team. The Vandals signed Jayden Stevens, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Spokane who appeared in 18 games for the Oregon State Beavers. They also signed Kolton Mitchell, a 6-foot-1 freshman from Coeur d’ Alene who played 10 games for Idaho State this season.
Mitchell, the Bengal’s backup point guard, was unable to play most of the season due to a finger injury that required surgery. He averaged 7.3 points per game on 48% shooting. Idaho junior Julius Mims praised the recruit.
“In my Juco (junior college) years, Mitchell played at Lake City. He was a good little hooper for sure. He can facilitate and score,” he said.
Mims is one of the team’s returning starters, who stated that he’s excited to stay at Idaho for his senior year. He was the only Vandal to receive Big Sky honors, being named to the all-defensive team.
“Next year, my main goal is defensive player of the year. I’m not tripping about scoring,” he said. “I don’t care too much about putting the round thing in the round thing.”
Mims goal to play solid defense will be compounded by the return of sophomore forward Tyler Mrus, who sustained a season-ending ankle injury at the start of the season. Despite the hardship, he stayed positive and is back to practicing full time with the team.
“I’m excited,” said Mrus. “I’ve been waiting for my time. I’ve gotten stronger. I’m a better shooter. I’m ready to take the Big Sky by surprise.”
Mims and Mrus aren’t the only players ready to get back in front of the crowd. Pribble finished his thoughts by saying that this team is made up of players who want to be Idaho Vandals.
“We intentionally brought in a young team with the goal of retaining the core,” said Pribble.
With 11 returning players and exciting new talent, the squad is ready to face the tests of their second year.
Willie Gibbs can be reached at [email protected]