Idaho Basketball Reaches Big Sky Championship
Idaho men’s basketball has achieved a significant milestone by reaching the Big Sky Tournament championship game for the first time since 1993, following an impressive 81-68 victory over the Eastern Washington Eagles. This win marks a pivotal moment for the Vandals, who have steadily increased their win total in each of head coach Alex Pribble’s three seasons.
With a current season record of 20-14, including a 9-9 mark in the Big Sky Conference, Idaho has demonstrated considerable improvement. Kolton Mitchell led the charge in the semifinal game, scoring 26 points and showcasing his skills on the court.
This season has been particularly noteworthy for the Vandals, as they have won at least four straight games for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Historically, the Big Sky Tournament has not favored Idaho, with only two conference tournament wins since rejoining the Big Sky in the 2014-15 season.
Idaho’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1990, and this year’s success in the conference tournament is a hopeful sign for the program. Notably, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the Big Sky Championship in the same year for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
Coach Alex Pribble expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “What a great day to be a Vandal.” He emphasized the legacy of past teams, noting, “What he represents and the special teams in ‘80 and ‘82 and the legacy that he left here, we talk about it.”
As the Vandals prepare for the championship game against the Montana Grizzlies on March 11, 2026, at 9:30 PM MT, the excitement among fans is palpable. Kolton Mitchell highlighted the importance of their supporters, saying, “We have the best fans… It’s really special to be able to do it for them and hopefully we’re able to get it done tomorrow.”
Idaho has not won multiple games in a conference tournament since the 2013-14 season, making this run even more significant. The Vandals’ performance in the upcoming game will be closely watched as they aim for their first championship title in decades.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the team’s strategy and lineup for the championship game, but the anticipation is building as Idaho basketball seeks to make history once again.