FARMINGTON, Utah – Less than two weeks from opening the 2022-23 season, the Idaho men's basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky Conference by the media and coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Idaho received 17 points in the coaches poll and 64 points in the media poll to finish ninth. 

Montana State was picked to finish first in both polls after winning the regular season and tournament championship a season ago. Northern Colorado is slotted at No. 2, followed by Montana and Weber State. 

The Vandals, led by fourth-year head coach Zac Claus, tallied a 9-22 overall record and 6-14 mark in conference, finishing tied for eighth in Big Sky standings. 

Claus and his staff brought in 10 new players to the 2022-23 roster. Six from the transfer portal and four true freshmen join five returnees from the 2021-22 season. The Vandals are returning their number three and five scorers from last year in Rashad Smith(10.1) and Yusef Salih (6.1)

Fans will have their first opportunity to watch the 2022-23 team in an exhibition game against Evergreen State on Tuesday, Nov. 1 (6 p.m.) at ICCU Arena. 

The Silver and Gold are set to begin their season on Monday, Nov. 7 as they travel to the Mile High City to face the University of Denver for a 4 p.m. PT tip. 

Single-game tickets go on sale Nov. 1 for the upcoming 2022-23 men's basketball season. For more information, visit GoVandals.com/Tickets or call the Vandal Ticket Office at (208) 885-6466

Coaches' Poll 
Montana State – 80 Points (8 First Place Votes)
Northern Colorado – 69 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Montana – 64 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Weber State – 55 Points
Eastern Washington – 53 Points
Sacramento State – 42 Points
T7. Portland State – 27 Points
T7. Northern Arizona – 27 Points
Idaho – 17 Points
Idaho State – 16 Points

Media Poll
Montana State – 258 Points (19 First Place Votes)
Northern Colorado – 231 Points (6 First Place Votes)
Montana – 204 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Weber State – 189 Points (1 First Place Vote)
Eastern Washington – 173 Points
Sacramento State – 129 Points
Portland State – 118 Points
Northern Arizona – 78 Points
Idaho – 64 Points
Idaho State – 41 Points

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