A conference expanded and a schedule released
The Big Sky Conference has added Southern Utah and Utah Tech, bringing the league to eleven members for the 2026‑27 season. With the new roster, the conference released a full slate of games that will test each team’s depth and resilience throughout the year.
Idaho’s men’s basketball program, fresh off a championship, is slated to play twenty conference contests, facing every opponent both at home and on the road. The Vandals will open their Big Sky campaign on December 3 with a pair of road games at Northern Colorado and Portland State, then retreat for a multi‑week stretch of non‑conference play before returning to action.
Key matchups and home‑court moments
Idaho’s first home test arrives on December 31, when Utah Tech visits the ICCU Arena. The schedule also features a much‑anticipated rematch with Montana, first in Missoula on January 14 and then at home on February 13. A rivalry known as the Battle for the King Spud will pit the Vandals against Idaho State in Moscow on January 25, adding another layer of intrigue to the season.
Beyond regular‑season play, the Big Sky Tournament is set to return to Idaho Central Arena in Boise from March 5 through March 10, 2027. The event will showcase the conference’s top teams and provide a home‑court advantage for the host, while also highlighting intra‑state rivalries that have become a staple of the league’s narrative.
Game times and the full non‑conference slate will be announced later, but the outlined framework already promises a packed schedule, travel challenges, and several high‑stakes matchups that could shape the conference standings and NCAA tournament bids.