Vandal basketball looks to get back on track during the Red Wolves Classic this upcoming week.
Idaho will travel to Arkansas to play the next three upcoming games.
This will be the first true road test for this newly constructed team, with hopes of coming away with a win streak before returning home to Memorial Gym.
Staying even: The Vandals have gotten off to a rocky start this season, but interim head coach Zac Claus will try to push this team in the right direction throughout non- conference play.
After claiming their home opener 88-82 win over Evergreen State College, the Vandals dropped their first road game this season in a 58-51 loss to UC Riverside.
Throughout the first few games of the season, Idaho is averaging 69.5 points per game and shooting nearly 42% from the field.
The Vandals have struggled shooting the ball from beyond the arc, shooting only 25% from 3-point range making 10-40 3-pointers on the season so far.
The chemistry will continue to build within the new team, but cutting down turnovers early can help elevate the Vandals as a whole.
Idaho is averaging ten turnovers per game and if it wants to win these next few games on the road, not turning the ball over will be key.
UC Davis: Idaho will first play the UC Davis Aggies Thursday, who also enter this game with a win and a loss.
The Aggies average nearly 79 points per game this season, and allow nearly 73 points against opponents.
UC Davis has four players averaging points within double figures. The Vandal defense will need to step up with each member of the Aggies posing a potential
scoring threat.
VMI Keydets: On Friday, the Vandals
will play Virginia Military Institute in their first back-to-back this season.
The Keydets are currently 0-3 on the season and average 67 points per game.
While this could be a trap game for Idaho after what could be a tough outing against UC Davis, the Vandals should have enough in their arsenal to pull off the win against VMI Friday.
Arkansas State: After a day of rest the Vandals will play Arkansas State, the hosts of the Red Wolves Classic, Sunday.
The Red Wolves average 54 points per game and hold their opponents to 60.
As a team the Red Wolves shoot nearly 33% from 3-point range and if the Vandals aren’t careful they could run into a three- point barrage against Arkansas State.
Arkansas State averages 17.5 turnovers per game so far this season, which could provide as an opportunity for the Vandal defense to step up on Sunday.
Players to watch: Senior guard Trevon Allen has led the way so far this season for Idaho, averaging 19 points per game on 35% shooting.
Junior guard Ja’Vary Christmas, sophomore guard BJ Simmons, junior forward Scott Blakney and Allen all average in the double figures for Idahothis season.
If the Vandals want to gain momentum early, Allen and Blakney need to play efficient.
With the lack of height on the
roster this season, Blakney will need to
be reliable on the boards to give Idaho possession to allow Allen to push the pace.
Like last season, this team will go as far as Allen will lead them, and will be a key contributor to the team this weekend.
When/Where: The Vandals will
first play the UC Davis Aggies 3 p.m. Thursday in Jonesboro, Ark. to tipoff the Red Wolves Classic.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER