A Balanced Non‑Conference Slate
Idaho’s men’s basketball team has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule, a 12‑game lineup that spreads its contests evenly between the familiar confines of ICCU Arena and challenging road environments. The slate is designed to test the Vandals early, giving them a series of competitive experiences before they enter Big Sky play.
Key opponents include Washington State, which will meet Idaho on Black Friday in a highly anticipated homecoming, and Colorado State, a program that finished the previous season with 21 wins and a postseason berth. Arizona State awaits on a December road trip, adding another layer of early‑season adversity.
The schedule also features a return engagement with North Dakota State, a team that captured 27 victories last year, at ICCU Arena, alongside matchups against Big West rivals Cal Poly and CSU Bakersfield later in November. These home games provide the Vandals with a stable platform to build momentum.
Road games are equally strategic. Idaho will travel to Reno to face Nevada, a recent NIT quarterfinalist, and will embark on a series of trips across Colorado and other Big Sky venues, testing the squad’s depth and adaptability in unfamiliar settings.
Coach Alex Pribble emphasized that the early‑season challenges are intentional, aiming to sharpen the team’s competitive edge and position it for a strong finish in February and March. By confronting a mix of conference and non‑conference opponents, the Vandals hope to translate these experiences into improved performance when the Big Sky schedule ramps up.