Coming Up This Weekend:
Idaho renews its in-state rivalry this weekend and takes the fight to Boise, where the Vandals won last season to complete a season sweep of the Broncos. Boise State's 77-67 overtime win at the Cowan Spectrum on Jan. 25 left a bitter taste in Idaho's mouth after the Vandals let a seven-point lead slip away in regulation. Saturday's game tips off at 6:05 p.m. (PST) at Taco Bell Arena.
Boise State
The Series:
Idaho and Boise State meet for the 88th time on Saturday. The Broncos hold a 48-39 overall edge in the series. Idaho swept last season's series, but the Broncos took this year's first matchup by a 77-67 score in overtime at the Cowan Spectrum.
The Broncos:
Boise State is coached by Greg Graham, who is in his eighth season at the helm with a 138-106 record at BSU. The Broncos are 11-11 overall and 2-7 in Western Athletic Conference play. They have won back-to-back games after starting the conference season on a seven-game losing streak.
The Broncos average 73.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting. They hit 31.5 percent of their 3-point attempts and 69.1 percent of their free throws. The allow 72.3 points per game on 44.7 percent opponent shooting and give up a 36.0 clip from 3-point range. BSU out-rebounds opponents at a +1.6 margin, with 36.8 rebounds per game, compared to 35.1 for opponents. BSU ranks 55th nationally with 15.0 assists per game.
Ike Okoye leads three Broncos in double-digit scoring. He averages 13.1 points on 52.6 percent shooting and also grabs a team-high 8.8 rebounds per game. Robert Arnold and LaShard Anderson average 11.2 and 11.0 points, respectively. Anderson also leads the team in assists (85) and steals (55) and ranks 17th nationally in steals per game. Paul Noonan leads the team with 1.75 per game from 3-point range.
Fun Fact:
Idaho senior Marvin Jefferson needs just one block to become the third Vandal to reach 100 career blocked shots. He swatted six last time Idaho played BSU on Jan. 25.
Coverage:
Fans can tune into live radio coverage of the game with Evan Ellis calling the play-by-play on the Vandal Radio Network. For fans outside radio broadcast range, the live online radio streaming is available through VandalXtra.
