The Idaho Vandals stare at their final peak while the journey to greatness prowls in the foothills. The Big Sky Tournament calls and this team that has defied their odds all season and shattered expectations inch closer to the glory they have worked toward all season.
The season has been a rollercoaster, but now the Vandals are just three wins away from bringing a trophy back to Moscow, a feat that would mark the culmination of the climb they embarked on mid-summer.
Idaho, under first-year Head Coach Arthur Moreira, finished the regular season 18-11 (10-8) and are now the third-seed in the Big Sky Tournament. This earned them a rematch with the six-seed Montana, which eliminated the Vandals 73-61 in the quarterfinal last season.
Since that date, the names on the roster and the coaches have changed, but the rivalry and emotion between Montana and Idaho will never fade. Now, in the biggest game of their season, the lights will be shining brightly as they face off.
The Vandals have been the top team in the conference for most of the season led by a dynamic backcourt duo who put the league on notice.
Graduate guard Olivia Nelson has been special for the Vandals all season, earning conference honors as she unanimously took home Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-Big Sky team honors.
Nelson, a transfer from Division II Central Missouri, came to the Vandals and has been one of the league’s best players, averaging 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and has been a significant factor in the Vandals’ success this season.
“We are very lucky to have Olivia in our program this year,” Moreira said in a press release of his senior superstar. “She is the ultimate competitor and knows what it takes to win.”
Alongside Nelson in the electric duo is sophomore Hope Hassmann who was given an honorable mention by Big Sky. She has used her elite passing and scoring ability to help the Vandals’ offense thrive.
Hassmann has averaged 12 points, four assists and two rebounds per game. She is also an incredibly underrated defender and has helped the Vandals’ defense be one of the best in the Big Sky.
“Hope is a very special player and individual,” Moreira said in the press release. “Even though she is only a sophomore, she has already played a lot of minutes in her career and had to take big shots for us. She has grown a lot as a leader this year, and I am really excited for her future with our program.”
In addition to the backcourt, the Vandals have an excellent front court in graduate forwards Rosie Schweizer and Jennifer Aadland.
Schweizer, a transfer from the University of Pacific, has averaged eight points and seven rebounds and has been a consistent safety net for the Vandals in tough situations all season.
Aadland, who nearly averages a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, has been a rebounding machine and has stretched the floor, knocking down big shots all season.
Idaho has been an extremely consistent team all season, starting the same starting lineup in all 29 games. They will be looking for consistency, continuity and great bench play as they work to bring home a trophy.
The Grizzlies have not had a typical season to say the least. Longtime Head Coach Brian Holsinger was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 15, and Assistant Coach Nate Harris has overseen the program in the interim. The Grizzlies ended their season 12-17 (8-10), including two losses to the Vandals.
The Grizzlies, led by all-conference junior guard Mack Konig, may not have had a typical Montana season, but they still pose a threat to the Vandals.
“Montana is a team that we beat twice. It’s hard to beat a team three times. They’re going to come fired up,” Moreira said. “We can expect them to be ready to fight for their coach and fight for each other with the adversity they faced.”
The Vandals and Grizzlies will tip-off from Idaho Central Arena on Monday, March 10, at 2:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the semifinal against either Northern Arizona or the winner of the Sacramento State and Eastern Washington game on Tuesday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m.
If the Vandals win those two, they will compete for the Big Sky championship on Wednesday, March 12 at 3 p.m.