With two weeks remaining until the start of Big Sky conference play, Idaho basketball looks to get back on track this weekend.
After stumbling through a three-game losing week, with the most recent loss being against the Cougars last Wednesday, the Vandals hope to pick up their third home win of the season.
The fresh-faced Idaho squad has experienced a number of up and downs to begin the season.
With a number of injuries plaguing the Vandals, resources have been limited when it comes to personnel.
But despite the struggles, this Idaho team has never given up against it’s competition.
This was apparent a week ago, with the Vandals battling late in the second half to only fall to Washington State by 13.
CSU Bakersfield visits this Saturday and over the years the Roadrunners have proven to be a tough non-conference opponent for the Vandals.
The Roadrunners enter Saturday’s contest with a two-game skid to UC Santa Barbara and Ole Miss University.
With both teams desperate to find their first wins in December, the intensity should be at an all-time high inside Memorial Gym.
If the Vandals want to come away with a win, the energy will have to be apparent from start to finish.
The intensity will have to start with junior forward Scott Blakney.
Getting the ball inside to Blakney can help open up the rest of the perimeter offense that the Vandal shooters can provide.
If Blakney can get out to a hot start, the Roadrunner defense will have to bring a better interior effort to the defense, giving guards like sophomore BJ Simmons and senior Trevon Allen opportunities to find shots from around the perimeter.
Putting CSU Bakersfield on high alert by keeping them on its toes on the defensive side of the game can possibly tire out the Roadrunners during their offensive possessions.
If Allen is able to suit up for the Vandals this weekend, Idaho will rely heavily on the senior guard.
Allen has scored in double figures in six of the last seven games, and while it may have not always been pretty, the relentless scoring Allen provides is always crucial in a Vandal victory.
Graduate forward Quinton Forrest will be another valuable asset if the Vandals want to get a win at home on Saturday. Forrest has finished three games this season producing a double-double through scoring and rebounding.
With this year’s team being smaller compared to Idaho teams of the past, Forrest’s tenacity around the glass will be greatly needed if Idaho wants to control this game.
Playing strong around the rim and finding ways to come up with defensive rebounds early to not give CSU Bakersfield any second chance scoring opportunities might be the main key for a Vandal win.
This can provide fast break chances for the Vandal offense, something that Allen thrives at on the offensive side of the ball.
Despite the struggles, Vandal basketball is on the right trajectory. It will be interesting to see how this newly put together team will continue to build with Big Sky play right around the corner.
If Idaho can be competitive throughout Big Sky play this season, I think that can put many Vandal fans at ease.
But for now, the goal is a win over CSU Bakersfield on Saturday.
Idaho plays CSU Bakersfield 4 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Gym.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER