MOSCOW, Idaho—The Vandal women's basketball team hits the road for its first true road test this week. Idaho will open play on Wednesday against Texas Tech (3:30 p.m. PT), before traveling to Corvallis, Ore., to take on No. 7 Oregon State. The Vandals are 2-1 away from Moscow this season, playing three neutral site games in Cancun, Mexico.
About Idaho: Idaho, at 7-1, continues to receive votes in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. The last time the Vandals were ranked was in 1986. The Vandals went 2-0 last week with wins over Northwest Christian and Wyoming. This week marks the first true road test for the Vandals playing at Texas Tech and No. 7 Oregon State.
About Texas Tech: The Lady Raiders fended off Abilene Christian on Dec. 2, 71-65. Ivonne CookTaylor put in a game-high 17 points. Zuri Sanders recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Match-Up: The Vandals and Lady Raiders will meet for the just the second time. Texas Tech one the initial meeting, 90-55, in 2008.
Hot Start: Idaho's 7-1 record is its best start since starting 7-1 to start the 2003-04 season. The '03-'04 Vandals opened 12-1.
Charity: Idaho made a season-high 15 free-throws against Wyoming. The Vandals hit five key freebies in the final 33 seconds to close out the win.
Boarding: Idaho's 50 rebounds against Wyoming marked a season-high. The Vandals totaled 50+ rebounds 10 times last season.
Rejected: Idaho swatted a season-high 10 shots against Wyoming. The most since blocking 10 against Seattle U on March 1, 2014. The Vandals lead the Big Sky with 5.4 blocks per game and 43 on the season.
Make it Rain: The Vandals are third in the NCAA with 11.1 3FGM per game. As a team they have hit a combined 89 3-pointers, second-best in the NCAA.
Hard to Stop: Opponents have been unable to slow the Idaho offense. Idaho is averaging 78.5 ppg (2nd BSC) and is outscoring opponents by 19.4 ppg, the 28th best mark in the NCAA.
First 10: Idaho shot a season-high 52.25 (12-23) in the first quarter against CSUN. The Vandals are out-scoring teams 127-85 in the first quarter, shooting 37.1 percent from the field.
In Relief: Idaho has scored 198 points off the bench in its eight games. The bench has averaged 24.8 points per game, out-scoring opponents by an average of 8.3 ppg.
Thievery: Idaho scored a season-high 37 points off turnovers against CSUN. The Vandals scored have scored 20+ points off turnovers five times this season, three games better than last season.
Down Low: The Vandals posted 224 points in the paint in eight games, averaging 28.0 per game (40 vs CSUN season high). Idaho averaged 27.3 points in the paint last season.
Helpers: Idaho has averaged 16.5 assist per game this season. The Vandals rank third in the Big Sky and 44th in the NCAA.
Tough D: Opponents are shooting just 35.0 percent, ranking second in the Big Sky in Field-Goal Percentage Defense, 46th in the NCAA.
200: Idaho made 219 3-pointers last season, the fourth year in a row hitting 200+. Currently the Vandals are on pace for more than 300 3FGM this season, averaging 11.1 per game.
Halftime: The Vandals are 6-0 when leading at the half. The Vandals have trailed twice this season at the break (Seattle U & Duke). Idaho is 1-1 when trailing at the half. Last season Idaho was 0-12 when starting the second half behind on the scoreboard.
I Love the 90s: Idaho hit the 90-point mark just once last season (104 pts vs Multhomah). They have done it twice this season. In 2013-14 team put up 90+ points in four games, the most since the 1984-85 season (6x).
50/50: Idaho held opponents to 50 points or less three times this season. Idaho is 3-0 in those games. Last season the Vandals held opponents under 50 points in nine games.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also follow Idaho women's basketball on Twitter, @VandalsWBB.
