Offense
Inconsistent is the first word that comes to mind. It is certainly not a lack of talent that has prevented the Vandals from consistently putting up 70-plus points per game.
Don Verlin’s shooters have as much potential as anyone in the WAC but the failure to click at the same time prevents Deremy Geiger, Matt Borton, Connor Hill and Stephen Madison from being the league’s most lethal 3-point shooters.
Down low Kyle Barone has proven he has tremendous finesse despite his giant frame. Djim Bandoumel has the strength Barone lacks, but has yet to emerge as a prolific scorer.
Fans must be excited about the potential of Madison, a sophomore who may be the team’s most improved scorer. Averaging almost 7.1 points per game, Idaho ranks third in the WAC and has put up 90 points twice this season. Turnovers remain a major issue.
Grade: B-
Defense
Despite having the conference’s best rebounding defense and its second most blocked shots, Idaho has had issues guarding the perimeter, which became apparent in pre-season match-ups with NAIA opponents who lacked height.
It is not a surprise that the Vandals’ 3-point defense ranks second to last in the WAC. This is a continuous head-scratcher because Geiger, Landon Tatum and Madison certainly have the athleticism to reach the opposition’s shooters, but Verlin’s defensive schemes may need some work. The combination of Barone and Bandoumel down low gives any opponent a nightmare, and if Wendell Faines can stay out of foul trouble, Idaho will be more competitive against bigger opponents, New Mexico State to name one.
Grade: C-
Bench
Dazmond Starke’s transfer will impact the team’s depth and neither Faines nor Joe Kammerer have been very reliable thus far. The bright spot on the bench may be transfer Mansa Habeeb. The junior plays aggressive defense and has adapted to the speed of the Division I competition well.
There is room for improvement on the offensive front, especially when substituting for Deremy Geiger or Stephen Madison. Borton and Hill have been relied upon on numerous occasions for their 3-point shooting and have impressed at times. Defensively though, the two are almost non-existent and provide a major glitch that needs fixing. Mike McChristian is a Habeeb-type player and while consistent, he has not done anything to make fans jump out of their seats.
Grade: D+
Coaching
Just about anyone who has seen the talent Don Verlin has brought to what was a struggling program understands it is only a matter of time before the potential transforms into a WAC championship or tourney berth.
Verlin’s teams continue to spotlight almost every aspect of a great basketball team, from powerful bigs (Marvin Jefferson) to lights-out shooters (Jeff Ledbetter). This season though, something isn’t quite there and team chemistry may be one issue. Considering Starke’s transfer, Bandoumel’s inconsistent work ethic and Habeeb missing his flight home for the Boise State game — Verlin has …?. Verlin’s defensive tactics raise questions but this seems to be a team that could go on a run at any time, like most he has coached.
Grade: C
Overall
At 9-9, 2-2 it’s hard to give anything else. The talent is there, but the execution is not. Expect the unexpected from this team. At one point the Vandals went on a remarkable run that almost saw them upset Washington State, take down Oregon State and superstar Jared Cunningham, then complete the road sweep handily at Seattle U. A four-game drought began shortly after and this streaky Vandal team lost three consecutive games by seven combined points.
It is a team that feeds off fan support and continues to gain Division I experience each and every game. There is potential for Idaho to go 3-0 during the upcoming home stand, and if all of the pieces come together very soon, New Mexico State and Nevada may be the only two WAC teams talented enough to beat the Vandals.
Grade: C