Vandal Hoops faces UC Riverside in Saturday’s showdown

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho men’s basketball (2-5) returns home for a matchup against UC Riverside (4-3) on Saturday, November 30th. Kickoff at ICCU Arena is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PST.

Here’s how to follow
Idaho vs. UC Riverside // November 30 at 2 p.m
Regard: ESPN+
Live Statistics: SIDEARM Live Statistics
Listen: The Varsity Network or GoVandals.com/Listen
Tickets: GoVandals.com/Tickets

Notables

Even after seven games, Juice Mims’ name continues to appear in the stats as the senior ranks among the top 10 in the Big Sky in rebounding, shot stopping and basket shooting. Mims is fourth in the conference with an average of 6.7 rebounds per game, eighth with five blocks and ninth with 33 total field goals made.

Tyler Mr remains a force behind the arc, ranking second in the Big Sky in three-point percentage, a 44.7% conversion rate and 2.83 in three-pointers made per game. Mrus also ranks 89th nationally in total three-pointers made, including 17 in six games played.

The Vandals continue to force their attack with the long ball. Idaho has hit at least five three-pointers in 20 consecutive games since last season. This is the longest active streak in the Big Sky.

With a win on Saturday, Idaho would improve to 3-1 at home this season. This would be their best four-game start since the 2017-18 season, when the Vandals won five straight games in Moscow to start the year.

Out last time

The Vandals traveled to San Diego for a multi-team event against Southern Utah and San Diego.

UI suffered a 67-82 loss to the Thunderbirds to start the weekend. Idaho allowed SUU to go on a 16-5 run to end the first half and build a lead that the Vandals couldn’t overcome.

The Vandals continued to be powered by points off the bench as the second unit scored over 25 points for the fifth time in six games. From the bank, Kyson Roseled Idaho with a season-high 14 points, while three other reserves contributed at least seven apiece. That effort wasn’t enough to stop Southern Utah from shooting 56.6% from the field and 57.9% from beyond the arc. These are both season highs for the Idaho opponent.

On Sunday, the Vandals suffered a narrow seven-point loss to San Diego (61-68). Idaho went into the locker room trailing by one but was unable to gain more than a one-point lead in the second period. Idaho’s hustle got them within two as the game entered the final 30 seconds before the Toreros closed it out with a 5-0 run.

Idaho was ice cold from three-point range, converting just 24% of the shots taken. After conceding just four turnovers to SUU, the Vandals posted a season-high 21 turnovers against San Diego, their most turnovers since March 2022. The Toreros turned Idaho’s ball abuse into 20 of their 68 points. Kolton Mitchell led Idaho in scoring for the first time this season with a season-high 13 points.

Exploring the Highlanders

UC Riverside comes to Moscow with a record of 4-3, having won two straight. The Highlanders have had a difficult early schedule and have only played two home games so far. They have won four of their last five games after suffering two defeats earlier in the year.

Similar to Idaho, UC Riverside took on BYU, met the Cougars on Nov. 8 and lost 80-86 in Provo.

The Highlanders’ offense is led by standout guard Barrington Hargress, who ranks 10th nationally in total field goals attempted (114). The reigning Big West Freshman of the Year is averaging 19.7 points per game through seven games, a significant increase from the 12.6 points per game he averaged last season. Hargress scored a career-high 31 in a 77-75 overtime win over Colorado State on Nov. 22.

UC Riverside’s offensive attack is based on the three-ball, as the Highlanders rank 23rd nationally in three-point attempts, averaging 30 per game. Those attempts translated into 9.7 made three-pointers per game while shooting 32.4%. The defense was hit-or-miss, allowing a field goal percentage of 50% or better three times, but five times kept opponents below their season average.

In the preseason, the Highlanders were voted fourth in the Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll and received one first-place vote. In the 2023-24 season, in which they won a game in the Big West Tournament, they are eight players back from a 16-18 season before falling to eventual champion Long Beach State in the quarterfinals.

Next
Idaho will embark on a two-game road trip beginning on Wednesday, December 4th against Kansas City, followed by a match against Oregon State on Saturday, December 7th.

Tickets
Single game and season tickets are available now. For more information, call the Vandal ticket office at (208) 885-6466 or visit GoVandals.com/tickets.

Follow
Fans can follow the Vandals all season long on X, Facebook and Instagram, @VandalHoops and with the voice of the Vandals, Dennis Patchin, at GoVandals.com/Listen. All home and conference contests will be broadcast live on ESPN+.