Vandals to face Mountaineers in season opener
Two exhibition games later, the Idaho men’s basketball team is ready for its regular season opener against NAIA opponent Eastern Oregon. The 6-2 Mountaineers come to town to open the 2014 regular season at 7 p.m. Friday in Memorial Gym.
File photo by Nathan Romans | Argonaut
Milt Palacio, director of player development, shoots over senior guard Mike Scott in practice Nov. 5 at PEB gym. The Vandals open the regular season Friday in Memorial Gym against Eastern Oregon.
Idaho may rely on many of their 10 underclassmen on the roster this year early in the season as the rotation outside of the starting five is still in flux going into the opener, Idaho coach Don Verlin said.
“The first exhibition game, it wasn’t very good for evaluating because of the way they played us. But the second one was very good as an evaluation tool,” he said. “I thought we did a lot of really good things in the second exhibition game, especially after the first 10 minutes of that basketball game. We played very well offensively and defensively and I was happy with that.”
The Vandals are largely unfamiliar with Eastern Oregon, but based on the track record of EOU coach Jared Barrett, Verlin said he expects them to come out shooting, which could prove troublesome for the team if they are not prepared.
Despite the massive youth movement on the team this year, the Vandals do not lack in upperclassmen talent and leadership, starting with senior guard and all-time leader in 3-pointers, Connor Hill.
The 3-point specialist averaged more than 14 points per game last year and he should become an even more vital part of Idaho offense during his senior year.
“Connor has done a great job this season, especially in getting himself in very good physical condition,” Verlin said. “He’s worked really hard on his jump shot — I think he’s increased his range a little bit. I know he’s looking forward to this year, as all guys do during their senior year.”
The Post Falls native has been a four-year player for Verlin after breifly wearing a redshirt his freshman year before entering the lineup after three games. He hit five 3s in his first game as a Vandal and the rest is history, Verlin said.
He said next year he may wish he had redshirted Hill, but this year he’s glad he’s ready to go.
Shooting is what Hill is good at, and although he has spent some time in the offseason becoming more well-rounded, beyond the arc is where he is at his best and will be able to help the team the most.
He will be relied on heavily as the focal point of the Vandals offense, Verlin said.
Along with Hill, Sekou Wiggs and Perrion Callandret have been among the players to really stand out in the two exhibition games, Verin said. The sophomore duo could help provide a veteran spark on the largely young team.
Hill, Wiggs and Callandret are all guards and that position shined through the exhibition games, but the post play on the other hand isn’t quite so solidified.
“(Bira) Seck had been hurt and didn’t play in the first exhibition game, (Ty) Egbert didn’t play in the last game,” Verlin said. “I don’t know if anybody has took the positon and has broken out, but we’ve got five or six guys that will contribute there.”
Joshua Gamez can be reached at [email protected]