Idaho State offers junior college quarterback

Idaho State has offered Scottsdale Community College quarterback Michael Sanders.

Sanders, a sophomore, led Scottsdale to an 8-3 record last season while throwing for 3,535 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Sanders declined a phone interview, saying that his coaches have told him to hold off from speaking to the media. But in a Twitter message, Sanders wrote, "But I am interested in the school!"

Judging from Sanders' highlights at Scottsdale — check out some highlights from Sanders here — he played in a spread offense that relied heavily on vertical passes. He could be a great fit with the Bengals and receivers Madison Mangum, Broc Malcom and Hagen Graves (not to mention KW Williams and Josh Cook).

Congrats to @M_sanders1026 on Idaho St. offer! #THROWITUP
— Tommy Ziegler (@TGunner9) January 30, 2015

Also, I'll have more on ISU commit Josh Labrador next week. Labrador is a 6-1, 215-pound safety from Eagle who said he wasn't convinced Idaho State the best fit when the Bengals offered last spring.

"All my life, I haven't heard much good about ISU until the current staff that is there now," Labrador said. "Coach (Mike) Kramer, he's been rebuilding the program."

Looks like I'm gonna be a Bengal next year! Thanks to everyone who got me to this point in life pic.twitter.com/r2o3Ch4NJg
— Josh (@younglabby) December 17, 2014

Idaho State’s 2015 football schedule solidified

The Bengals have had to make several changes in the past few months, the most prominent being the cancellation of a game at BYU.

The Cougars wanted to play Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 24, the same day as BYU’s previously scheduled game against UNLV.

UNLV agreed to shift its matchup with BYU back to either 2016 or 2017. But it left the Rebels with an open date on their schedule. That hole will be filled by Idaho State.

As part of the new agreement, BYU and Missouri split the difference in Idaho State’s guaranteed money between its contract with BYU and UNLV. BYU was going to pay Idaho State $420,000, and UNLV will dole out $325,000, according to a report by the Kansas City Star. BYU and Missouri will also pay for ISU’s charter flight to Las Vegas.
Idaho State was going to play at BYU on Oct. 24. Now the Bengals will take on Sacramento State on Oct. 24, and the 31st will be a bye week.

The Bengals will travel to UNLV on Sept. 26, a day when ISU was originally scheduled to host Portland State. The Vikings agreed to play at Idaho State on Sept. 12.

Idaho State, which will likely begin the season ranked, hosts Division II Black Hills State on Sept. 5 The Bengals’ nonconference opponents also include Boise State (Sept. 19) and UNLV.

ISU will host the Vikings, Eastern Washington (Oct. 17), Montana (Nov. 7) and Montana State (Nov. 14). The Bengals play Big Sky road games at Cal Poly (Oct. 3), North Dakota (Oct. 10), Sacramento State (Oct. 24) and Weber State (Nov. 21).

 Idaho State starts preparing in earnest for the upcoming season with spring practice this April.

Idaho State 2015 schedule
NEW
Sept. 5: vs. Black Hills State
Sept. 12: vs. Portland State
Sept. 19: at Boise State
Sept. 26: at UNLV
Oct. 3: at Cal Poly
Oct. 10: at North Dakota
Oct. 17: vs. Eastern Washington
Oct. 24: at Sacramento State
Oct. 31: BYE
Nov. 7: vs. Montana
Nov. 14: vs. Montana State
Nov. 21: at Weber State

OLD
Sept. 5: vs. Black Hills State
Sept. 12: BYE
Sept. 19: at Boise State
Sept. 26: vs. Portland State
Oct. 3: at Cal Poly
Oct. 10: at North Dakota
Oct. 17: vs. Eastern Washington
Oct. 24: at BYU
Oct. 31: at Sacramento State
Nov. 7: vs. Montana
Nov. 14: vs. Montana State
Nov. 21: at Weber State

Idaho State at Northern Colorado pregame

Idaho State at Northern Colorado
Bank of Colorado Arena, Greeley, Colorado

PREVIEW: ISU hopes to keep improving against UNC

Tip-off >> Thursday, 7 p.m.

Watch >> Watch Big Sky

Radio >> 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records >> Idaho State 5-15, 2-6; Northern Colorado 9-9, 4-3

Series history >> Idaho State leads the series 34-19

Last meeting >> Feb. 6, 2014 at Idaho State; ISU 73, UNC 70

About the Bengals >> Idaho State and Northern Colorado have split the season series the last two seasons with each team winning on its home court. ... Idaho State has not won in Greeley since Jan. 2, 2012. ... Senior guard Chris Hansen is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 17.8 points a game. ... Senior Jeffrey Solarin is second in the Big Sky with 8.1 rebounds a game.

About the Bears >> Senior guard Tim Huskisson is 62 points shy of 1,000 career points. ... Huskisson averaged 21.5 points for the Bears in two losses at Eastern Washington and Idaho last week. ... Northern Colorado erased a 17-point deficit in the final minutes against Idaho, but was unable to pull out the win, losing 83-79.

Big Sky Rankings — A clear top, fat middle and thin bottom

How much fun were Idaho State’s two home games at Reed Gym last week?

Both contests weren’t decided until the final minute and had wild swings of momentum. Reed Gym was a perfect venue. With crowds of 1,500 for Thursday’s game against Sacramento State and 1,763 Saturday for Portland State, Reed felt full and lively.

It’s cramped, intimate atmosphere and perfect for college basketball.

The committee (of one) hereby officially proposes Idaho State men’s basketball abandons cavernous, cold Holt Arena to play at Reed for all of its home games.

Without further ado.

Unranked: Eastern Washington
Record: 15-5, 6-1
Last week: No. 1
AdjO - AdjD = 4.4
With an offense that was just rolling last week, Eastern Washington defeated Northern Colorado (95-85) and North Dakota (102-80).

Unfortunately, the committee (of one) cannot rank the Eagles. It was recently uncovered that EWU star guard Tyler Harvey, blocked the committee (of one) on Twitter.

This surprising and hurtful discovery has created an overblown reaction on the committee’s part. An internal investigation has been launched. It should only take one or two days, but estimates coming in now peg the investigation lasting anywhere from two to six months.

Think deflategate — but bigger.

Sources close to the committee (of one) are reporting that if the Eagles were eligible to be ranked this week they would retain the No. 1 spot. Because when Harvey isn’t busy blocking good people on Twitter, he’s being named the co-Big Sky Player of the Week after averaging 30.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in Eastern’s two wins.

2. Sacramento State
Record: 13-6, 7-1
Last week: No. 2
AdjO - AdjD = -2.2
Sacramento State remained in first place of the Big Sky with wins at Idaho State (62-59) and Weber State (78-71).

Sac senior Mikh McKinney joins Harvey as the league’s co-player of the week. McKinney was the best player on the floor when the Hornets snuck by the Bengals, and was even better against Weber State, going off for 27 points in the second half.

McKinney averaged 28.5 points and six assists in the two games. The 6-1 guard turned the ball over once despite playing 78 total minutes.

3. Montana
Record: 10-8, 6-1
Last week: No. 3
AdjO - AdjD = -1.3
In two home games, Montana knocked off Northern Arizona 64-57 and Southern Utah 58-56.

Remember when the Grizzlies torched Idaho State’s defense for 90 points and 15 3-pointers back on Jan. 10? UM was on fire that game.

The Grizzlies were pretty much the exact opposite against Southern Utah as they went 2 for 14 from three and finished with first half with 19 points. Granted, some of the credit goes to SUU’s defense, but the Bengals have to look at that game and wonder what the heck went wrong when they played UM.

4. Northern Arizona
Record: 9-11, 4-3
Last week: No. 6
AdjO - AdjD = -4.4
The Lumberjacks lost at Montana 64-57 before rebounding to take down Montana state 71-64.

The committee (of one) watched the second half between Northern Arizona and Montana State — mainly because no one on the board has a life outside of sports.

The committee's main takeaway from NAU’s win is that sophomore guard Kris Yanku is a future star. Yanku always seems like he’s under control and no moment is too big for the Chatsworth, California, native. Yanku had 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds at MSU as the Lumberjacks rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half.

5. Northern Colorado
Record: 9-9, 4-3
Last week: No. 4
AdjO- AdjD = -4.8
The Bears dropped back-to-back road contests to Eastern Washington (95-85) and Idaho (83-79).

Out of 351 Division I teams, Northern Colorado is No. 341 in points allowed per defensive possession (1.14). Eastern and Idaho shot a combined 56 percent from the floor and 24 for 43 from the 3-point line against the Bears.

But at the same time, UNC is second in the Big Sky averaging 1.09 points per possession on offense and had chances to win two tough road games.

6. Idaho
Record: 8-10, 3-4
Last week: No. 8
AdjO - AdjD = -6.1
Idaho lost in Moscow to North Dakota 71-63, but the Vandals bounced back with an 83-79 win over Northern Colorado.

The Vandals perplex the committee (of one). They started Big Sky play with good wins against Idaho State and Weber State and hung with Eastern Washington in a close defeat. Losing at Sacramento State and Portland State is understandable, but getting beat by North Dakota at home is inexcusable if Idaho wants to make a push for a high seed in the postseason tournament.

The committee (of one) can no longer assume Idaho is even going to reach the postseason. The Vandals wrap up Big Sky play with eight of their final 11 games on the road.

7. Portland State
Record: 10-8, 4-4
Last week: No. 7
ADjO - AdjD = -7.8
Portland State beat Weber State 69-63 in Ogden, Utah, and lost at Idaho State 80-76.

The committee (of one) couldn’t have been more impressed with PSU’s offense Saturday night, but the Vikings were exposed in the paint where Idaho State grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored 34 points.

Anyone outside of Pocatello will undoubtedly view Portland State’s loss to ISU as an upset and a missed opportunity for the Vikings. But Idaho State looks like an improving ball club and PSU still managed to get a split on the road.

8. Weber State
Record: 8-11, 3-5
Last week: No. 5
AdjO - AdjD = -7.3
For the first time in head coach Randy Rahe’s tenure, Weber State lost two straight games at home.

Portland State knocked off the Wildcats 69-63 and Sac State won in Ogden 78-71.

Weber is 10th in Big Sky play in field goal percentage offense (42.5 percent) and defense (48 percent). Only Eastern Washington has attempted more 3-pointers than WSU (171 vs. 170), but the Eagles make them at a much higher clip (43 percent compared to 37 percent for the ’Cats).

In other words, Weber State hasn’t been great defensively, while jacking up a high rate of long-distance shots even though that’s not its strength.

The fact is, Rahe and the Wildcats are experiencing the pains of a young team. None of WSU’s top seven scorers are seniors. The future is as bright as ever at Weber. This developing team might still have a shot to figure things out this season.

9. North Dakota
Record: 6-12, 2-5
Last week: No. 11
AdjO - AdjD = -11
The mascot-less upset Idaho 71-63 and lost to Eastern Washington 102-80.

North Dakota had lost four in a row — the last three in frigid Grand Forks — before beating the Vandals, and UND led by six at half against the Eagles. If nothing else, the team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux flashed 60 minutes of serious potential.

10. Southern Utah
Record: 5-13, 2-5
Last week: No. 9
AdjO - AdjD = -12.9
The Thunderbirds lost at Montana State 79-65 and Montana 58-56.

Southern Utah’s next three games (all of them at home) could determine SUU’s ultimate fate this season. The T-birds host Northern Arizona, North Dakota and Northern Colorado. Win two of those games and they’d position themselves to make a run at the postseason, which would be a feat in its own right after SUU went 1-19 in the Big Sky last season.

11. Idaho State
Record: 5-15, 2-6
Last week: No. 10
AdjO - AdjD = -12.7
In the tight and wonderful confines of Reed Gym, ISU lost to Sacramento State 62-59 and beat Portland State 80-76.

PSU was absolutely a must-win game for the Bengals, and they responded with one of their better offensive performances of the season.

Idaho State is 2-6 in the Big Sky but a mere game behind eighth-place Weber State. If the Bengals can get a split this week at Northern Colorado and North Dakota, they return for a three-game homestand and a very real chance to start climbing the Big Sky standings.

12. Montana State
Record: 4-15, 1-6
Last week: No. 12
AdjO - AdjD = -13.2

Montana State won its first conference game of the season against Southern Utah (76-65), but the Bobcats couldn’t string together consecutive wins with a 71-64 loss to Northern Arizona.

The ’Cats play at Sac State and Portland State this week, and then host Idaho and Eastern Washington. MSU is the first team the committee (of one) is comfortable scratching off the list of postseason contenders.

Bengals snag Rigby defensive lineman

Rigby High School senior Tristan Cano committed Wednesday to play football for Idaho State.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end said ISU assistant coach Matt Troxel visited Rigby High to offer the scholarship. Cano chose the Bengals over full-ride offers from NAIA schools Montana Tech and Montana Western. He had also spoken to coaches from Weber State and Montana.

“I really love the program,” Cano said of ISU. “I like (Idaho State coach Mike) Kramer a lot. I like what he's done.”

Cano was a three-year starter along the defensive line for the Trojans and also anchored the offensive line at right tackle for two years as Rigby experienced a football renaissance.

The Trojans reached the state semifinals in 2014 for the first time since 1999. Cano was right in the middle of everything.

“For me, I love being physical,” Cano said. “The offensive line is fun and you get to hit people. But it's different along the D-line. You get to be the aggressor.”

Cano’s older brother is former BYU defensive lineman JonRyheem Peoples, who Cano says will also play for Idaho State in 2015. Peoples signed with BYU out of high school in 2013 but decided to transfer to ISU after spending his redshirt freshman season with the Cougars.

Cano can already envision getting back on the field with his brother.

“It was fun to play football in high school with him, and it's going to be great to play together in college,” Cano said. “But it wasn't my main focus.”

Instead, Cano wanted to pick the best spot for him. ISU fit the bill.

“Who doesn’t want to go and play Division I football?” Cano said. “Not to take anything away from the (NAIA) Montana schools but it's always been my dream to play Division I football.”

Idaho State-Portland State postgame

Chris Hansen bucket in the post #BigSkyMBB #goisu Bengals by 10 https://t.co/9UfaoEpYj9
— Kyle Franko (@ByKyleFranko) January 25, 2015

BENGAL BITS

Idaho State 80, Portland State 76

Crowd: 1,763

Records: Idaho State is 5-15 and 2-6 in the Big Sky. Portland State is 10-8 and 4-4.

Key stat: Idaho State’s bench, comprised of Erik Nakken (eight points), Marcus Bradley (six), Evann Hall (three) and Geno Luzcando (four), outscored PSU’s bench 21-13.

Key player(s): ISU senior Jeffrey Solarin scored all 15 of his points in the first half. Senior Chris Hansen had 11 of his 17 points in the second half.

Quotable: “Portland State is a very, very good offensive basketball team, very good. You look at our stats, we shot 70 percent from the line, we shot 53 percent from the 3-point line, almost 50 percent from the floor and we win by four.” — Idaho State coach Bill Evans

Idaho State 80, Portland State 76

PORTLAND STATE (10-8, 4-4)WIGGINS, DaShaun 4-9 6-7 16; WINSTON, Gary 5-14 2-2 15; BAMBA, Tiegbe 5-6 2-2 12; TUCKER, Braxton 4-8 3-3 11; GENGLER, Zach 4-8 0-1 9; SPICKERMAN, Collin 4-6 0-0 8; DOUGLAS, Tim 1-4 0-0 3; SWEENEY, Iziahiah 1-2 0-0 2; SUAREZ, Sebastian 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-57 13-15 76.

IDAHO STATE (5-15, 2-6)
EZENWA, Nnamdi 4-9 6-8 17; HANSEN, Chris 5-11 5-8 17; SOLARIN, Jeffrey 7-15 1-1 15; NAKKEN, Erik 2-3 2-2 8; MAGOT, Ajak 3-7 0-0 6; BRADLEY, Marcus 3-6 0-0 6; LUZCANDO, Geno 2-3 0-1 4; WILSON, Ben 2-7 0-0 4; HALL, Evann 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 29-62 14-20 80.

Portland State        41   35  -   76
Idaho State           45   35  -   80

3-point goals--Portland State 7-20 (WINSTON, Gary 3-7; WIGGINS, DaShaun 2-7; DOUGLAS, Tim 1-1; GENGLER, Zach 1-3; SWEENEY, Iziahiah 0-1; TUCKER, Braxto  0-1), Idaho State 8-15 (EZENWA, Nnamdi 3-6; HANSEN, Chris 2-5; NAKKEN, Erik 2-3; HALL, Evann 1-1). Fouled out--Portland State-WIGGINS, DaShaun, Idaho State-None. Rebounds--Portland State 33 (BAMBA, Tiegbe 10), Idaho State 36 (EZENWA, Nnamdi 8; WILSON, Ben 8). Assists--Portland State 14 (WIGGINS, DaShaun 3), Idaho State 15 (LUZCANDO, Geno 6). Total fouls--Portland State 23, Idaho State 14. Technical fouls--Portland State-WIGGINS, DaShaun, Idaho State-LUZCANDO, Geno. A-1763

2 ISU recruits from Skyview talk about commitments to the Bengals

Chance Salutregui knew he wanted an opportunity to play college football.

He wanted it bad and was willing to do just about anything to catch the eye of college recruiters.

Salutregui was even ready to get rid of his 1997 Ford Power Stroke. The 6-foot-5 defensive end sold his pickup to help pay for rent in a townhouse in the Skyview High School district in Nampa.

He moved from Ontario, Oregon, to Skyview for his senior season because he thought competing in Idaho 4A high school football would help convince colleges he was good enough for the next level.

The gamble paid off. Salutregui committed to Idaho State the week after the Bengals knocked off Cal Poly at home.

“I fell in love with Pocatello,” Salutregui said. “I loved (defensive line coach) Steve Fifita. His d-line is amazing to me.”

Salutregui likes Fifita’s intensity and how he values using the weight room to bulk up his players. Salutregui says he’s up to 240 pounds today after missing all but four games of last season with a torn meniscus.

Even after sitting out a solid chunk of 2014, Salutregui was still named to the 4A All-Idaho Second Team.

As a junior, Salutregui was the defensive player of the year in the Greater Oregon League for Ontario High School. Leaving Ontario wasn’t easy but Salutregui believed in the value of an athletic scholarship.

“I realized I needed a change,” Salutregui said. “The coaching staff wasn’t right for me in Ontario. The staff wasn’t really into sending kids to college.”

 Salutregui surveyed his options and got into contact with Kody Graves, who grew up in Fruitland, which is minutes away from Ontario. Graves and Salutregui had competed against one another their entire lives.
Both admit they were rivals.

“We had similar friends,” Graves said. “But we didn’t really like each other. Our families were good friends. We talked more as he was wanting to transfer.”

Graves himself moved from Fruitland to Skyview for his junior season, so Salutregui went to him for advice.

“He’s one of the main reasons I ended up at Skyview,” Salutregui said. “He was telling me how amazing it was. I had a chance to play at Rocky Mountain (High School) but I chose Skyview for coaching reasons.”

 Today, Salutregui and Graves, a linebacker, are verbally committed to ISU and plan to sign with the Bengals on National Signing Day on Feb. 4.

KODY GRAVES
The first time Idaho State called Kody Graves, it was to offer a scholarship.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior linebacker says the Bengals were honest with him from the very beginning, and it’s a major reason why he committed to play football for Idaho State.

“They offered me early and they stuck with me through it,” Graves said. “They were loyal and an up-and-coming program and had a great coaching staff.”

Graves’ two older brothers both play for the Bengals. Tyler, a junior tight end, hauled in 20 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown last season. Hagen, a freshman wideout, caught 21 passes for 360 yards and five touchdowns.

But Kody didn’t choose ISU over Ivy League schools and a walk-on offer from Boise State just so he could play with his brothers. He tabbed the Bengals because it felt like the best opportunity.

As a senior, Kody was the 4A SIC’s co-defensive player of the year after racking up 92 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and two sacks. Skyview went 6-5 and lost to eventual-state champion Bishop Kelly in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Kody transferred to Skyview from Fruitland for his junior season. The decision, Kody believes, helped convince Idaho State to offer a full-ride scholarship last May after the Hawks won 10 games and reached the state championship.

 His commitment is non-binding until National Signing Day on Feb. 4.

Idaho State-Portland State pregame

Portland State at Idaho State
Reed Gym

PREVIEW: Can the Bengals bounce back after their slump?

Tip-off >> Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
Watch >> Watch Big Sky

Radio >> 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records >> Portland State (10-7, 4-3); Idaho State (4-15, 1-6)

Series history >> Portland State leads the series 28-18

Last meeting >> March 8, 2014 at Portland State; PSU 78, ISU 74

About the Vikings >> Portland State averages the fourth-most points per game in the Big Sky (73.0) but is last in rebounds given up per game (36.1). ... The Vikings are second in the conference in turnover margin at +2.47 and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). ... Leading scorer DaShaun Wiggins (15.4 ppg) ranks eighth in the Big Sky in scoring, third in steals with 28 (1.6 per game) and sixth in 3-point percentage (45.1). ... Collin Spickerman is second in the BSC with 32 blocks (1.9 per game). ... Tiegbe Bamba is 10th in the conference in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and 10th in field goal shooting (52.8 pct).

About the Bengals >> Senior Chris Hansen is 16th on ISU’s all-time scoring list and needs four points to surpass Nate Green (1993-97). ... Hansen is also second in career 3-pointers made (198) and first in threes attempted (522) in program history. ... The Bengals score the fewest points per game (61.4) and give up the second-fewest (66.7) in the Big Sky. ... Similarly, ISU owns the worst 3-point percentage (30.2) but defends well beyond the arc to the tune of a 34.3 3-point percentage defense. ... Hansen is sixth in the conference in scoring (16.6 ppg) and Jeffrey Solarin is the second-leading rebounder in the Big Sky (8.7 rpg). ... Solarin also ranks sixth in the BSC in field goal percentage (57.5).

Idaho State-Sac State postgame

Play that decided Idaho State-Sac State game. Block or charge? #goisu #BigSkyMBB https://t.co/0lQEwmRIwm

— Kyle Franko (@ByKyleFranko) January 23, 2015

Hansen 3 to put Idaho State up by one with 27.0 to go #BigSkyMBB #goisu https://t.co/gieJtr0kxM

— Kyle Franko (@ByKyleFranko) January 23, 2015

BENGAL BITS

Sacramento State 62, Idaho State 59

Crowd: 1,500
 
Records: Idaho State is 4-15 and 1-6 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State is 12-6 and 6-1.
 
Key stat: Idaho State went 11 for 20 from the free throw line. Seniors Jeffrey Solarin and Nnamdi Ezenwa went 8 for 10 from the line but the rest of the Bengals were 3 for 10.
 
Key player: Sacramento State’s Mikh McKinney poured in 24 points and handed out five assists in 38 minutes of action.
 
Quotable: “We have our backs against the wall even more now and we have to pick up one at home on Saturday. So that’s what we’re going to focus on right now.” —Forward Jeffrey Solarin on ISU’s game Saturday against Portland State

Idaho State-Sac State preview

Sacramento State at Idaho State

Reed Gym

Tip-off » Thursday, 7:05 p.m.

Watch » Watch Big Sky

Radio » 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records » Sacramento State (11-6, 5-1); Idaho State (4-14, 1-5)

Series history » Idaho State leads the series 27-16

Last meeting » March 1, 2014 at Idaho State; ISU 80, Sac State 67

About the Hornets » Senior guard Mikh McKinney was selected among the best mid-major basketball players in the country and named to the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List this week. McKinney is one of 40 players across the country, and one of two from the Big Sky Conference to make the list. ... McKinney is averaging 17.6 points and 5.2 assists per game. ... The Hornets are currently ranked No. 25 in the nation in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major top-25 poll, the first ranking in the school’s history.

About the Bengals » Idaho State has lost nine of its last 10 games, but six of those losses were by single digits. ... Idaho State has beaten Sac State three of the last four games in Pocatello. ... Senior forward Jeffrey Solarin leads the Big Sky Conference with six double-doubles this season. Solarin had 12 points and 12 rebounds in ISU’s 72-69 loss at Northern Arizona last Saturday. ... Senior guard Chris Hansen is third in the Big Sky in scoring at 19.5 points per game.

Two more commitments for Idaho State football

Washington LB Braiden Beckman committed to Idaho State after taking an official visit last weekend.

Read more about Beckman here (and check out his tweet announcing the decision here).

Just committed to Idaho State. Excited to continue my career in Pocatello!!! #GoBengals pic.twitter.com/8NPPRR2TCf
— Braiden Beckman (@BraidenBeckman) January 21, 2015

 Idaho State also picked up a verbal commit from Rigby defensive lineman Tristan Cano, according to the Post Register's Victor Flores.

S/O to the brodie for commiting to ISU today. 🐯🏈 @tcano18 pic.twitter.com/PA8Ie1sao4
— Master (@_bateson) January 21, 2015

Idaho State picks up verbals from Chris "Scooby" Reynolds and Ty Flanagan

Officially going to be an ISU Bengal!🐅🐯 pic.twitter.com/L96W50xIbg
— Scooby Reynolds (@ScoobyReynolds9) January 20, 2015

Read more about Reynolds, who took his official visit to Idaho State this past weekend, here. 

And from this past weekend, Idaho State also picked up a running back from Nevada, Mojave High's Ty Flanagan.

Read about Flanagan's commitment here.

Here's a pic of Reynolds (left) and Flanagan from this past weekend.

Idaho state visit day 2🙌 with my homie @tshowtime33

A photo posted by Chris Scooby Reynolds (@chrisreynolds1018) on Jan 17, 2015 at 3:34pm PST

Bengals add another quarterback to the mix

With senior Justin Arias’ career now over, Idaho State’s future at quarterback is wide open.

Set to return next season for the Bengals at quarterback is redshirt freshman-to-be Tanner Gueller and sophomores James Delacenserie and Trae Pilster.

Add another one to the mix.

Peninsula High School’s Robert Kvinsland verbally committed to Idaho State after taking his official visit in the middle of December.

“It’s a small town feel, which I liked,” Kvinsland said of Pocatello. “I like the school. I loved the football side of things. I really liked all the staff members.”

Kvinsland is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-handed quarterback from Gig Harbor, Washington. He was a two-year starter for the Seahawks and led Peninsula High to a district championship and a 10-2 overall record last season.

As a senior, Kvinsland threw for 2,640 yards and 28 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

“I'm a pocket passer. I like to stand in the pocket and read the defense, make the right reads,” Kvinsland said. “I'd like to say I’m a smart player. I like to take what the defense gives me.”

And that’s one reason Kvinsland believes he’s a perfect fit for Idaho State, which runs a spread offense that works best with a quarterback who makes calls at the line of scrimmage and decides quickly between run and pass options.

Idaho State offered Kvinsland a full scholarship. He also had spoken with Portland State and Central Washington.

After committing to the Bengals, though, Kvinsland says he shut down his recruitment. He was happy with ISU, especially now that head coach Mike Kramer and his staff have the program on the upturn following an 8-4 record in 2014.

“It's a better team now. Idaho state is about to become the best team in the Big Sky in my opinion,” Kvinsland said. “The program is great. It’s something I want to be a part of. I want to be a part of this whole turnaround.”

A major reason Kvinsland says he committed to the Bengals is Kramer, whose new three-year extension with Idaho State was approved by the State Board of Education in December.

“I really like him,” Kvinsland said. “He made a big emphasis that he has no plans to leave. It's where he wants to be.”

Bengals going hard after Washington LB

Braiden Beckman, a 2015 linebacker recruit from Kent, Washington, took an unofficial visit to Idaho State when the Bengals played Cal Poly.

The Dome was buzzing with a season-high crowd of 9,323 fans, and the Bengals knocked off the Mustangs in an emotional 30-28 victory. Beckman loved what he saw, and the 6-foot-2, 227-pound linebacker will make his official visit to Idaho State on Jan. 30, just a little less than a week before National Signing Day.

“I really liked the facilities. The Dome was sold out and it was rocking,” Beckman said. “It surprised me how friendly the players were when I went down on the field before the game. They were all family. It wasn’t like the offense was over here and the defense was over there.”

Beckman also enjoyed seeing a few guys he knew, like freshman wide receiver Michael Tate, freshman tight end Tate Razor and sophomore receiver KW Williams. Idaho State had 16 players from the state of Washington on its roster last season.

After compiling a school-record 165 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, Beckman was a member of the 2014 Associated Press Washington All-State football team. Beckman’s senior year followed a productive junior season when he piled up 148 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

As of now, Idaho State is Beckman’s lone Division I offer. He says he has been talking to other programs in the Big Sky such as Eastern Washington, Montana and Montana State.

“When I went down there, I was really comfortable,” Beckman said. “I want to see what the day in the life of an Idaho State football player is. I already know they’re a great team, and I’m going to have a great offense to backup my defense.”

Drawing comparisons — young Bengals remind me, and others, of great ISU teams in the past

During the most important moment of the game, and possibly the defining seconds of the season for Idaho State women’s basketball, Megan Hochstein wasn’t watching.

She was turned away from the action, praying and hoping Idaho State’s slim one-point lead over Northern Arizona would hold.

The Bengals worked hard for 39 minutes and 57 seconds to go up 69-68, only their second lead of the entire afternoon.

As NAU’s Monique Mulder banked in a shot and the clock struck zero, Hochstein’s eyes turned back toward the court. All she saw was chaos.

The Lumberjacks bench had exploded in joy. But then the referees’ whistles blew and waived the shot off. The play went to review. Hochstein and the Bengals had to wait in breathless anticipation.

Would the jumper be good? Would Grace Kenyon’s floater in the lane not be enough to win the game?

Hochstein’s prayer was answered.

Idaho State held on for a 69-68 win in Reed Gym, and there was a big sigh of relief. ISU avoided a fifth loss at home and falling below .500 in conference play.

It was a gutsy, gritty effort from the Bengals. Northern Arizona was good on offense and shot 48 percent form the field. But Idaho State, which trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, never went away.

ISU’s roster of 16 players is lined with 11 underclassmen, and there are times when the Bengals play as young as they are.

When Hochstein first entered the game in the first half, she posted up deep underneath the basket. Using flawless post technique, she sealed her defender, and senior guard Jasmine Lemon fed Hochstein a pass that allowed the freshman forward from Meridian to finish a layup right at the rim.

Hochstein dribbled off her foot the next time she touched the ball.

"I just try to focus and move on and try to forget the play if it’s bad,” Hochstein said. “If it’s good, just try to stay as even as possible.”

The up-and-down nature of Hochstein’s game is endemic and universal for all freshmen. They’re unfinished products still finding their way on the basketball floor. Growing pains are expected.

But they’re not condoned.

“I don’t think we ever think that we’re young,” said Bengals sophomore Katrina Bacovcin. “We don’t ever use the excuse that we’re young. And I think that’s why we’re able to compete with some teams. It might be easier in the future, but right now we’re just focusing in the present.”

And the present isn’t too bad. With a 3-3 Big Sky record, Idaho State is right in the middle of the conference standings and in great shape to make the postseason tournament.

It’s hard to not draw parallels between the 2014-15 Bengals and the 2009-10 team. Back in 2009, Idaho State and coach Seton Sobolewski went 15-15 overall and 10-6 in the Big Sky.

That squad was led by Oana Iacovita, Chelsea Pickering and Andrea Videbeck, who is an assistant coach for the Bengals this season. All three of those players were upperclassmen, but that team also had freshmen Ashleigh Vella and Kaela Oakes contributing major minutes.

Vella and Oakes developed into all-Big Sky players and were central cogs in Idaho State’s 2011-12 championship team as juniors.

After Saturday’s game, Sobolewski compared Kenyon to Vella, who also had a game-winning shot when she was a freshman.

“Vella is kind of a do-it-all, great defender,” Sobolewski said. “And Grace will get there. But I think Grace is probably a little better scorer than her.”

That’s high praise. Vella went on to score 1,341 points, sixth most in ISU history. If Kenyon can take her game to that level, Idaho State really might be able to build toward another Big Sky title.

But Kenyon, Hochstein, Bacovcin and ISU’s other underclassmen aren’t worried about next year. They want to win now. And right now, they’ve got key road games coming up at Sacramento State and Portland State before returning home to face Northern Colorado and preseason favorite North Dakota.

Can the Bengals, with all their youth, talent and inexperience, harness the lessons they’ve learned from the first 17 games of the season and apply them to the last 12?

“We’re at the point of the season where with this win (against Northern Arizona), we are going to have momentum from it,” Bacovcin said. “We’ve been a little inconsistent in the past and this win really signifies us moving forward and being more consistent."

Pair of football recruits visit Idaho State

KETNER KUPP

Ketner Kupp, a 2015 high school football recruit, is on an official visit to Idaho State this weekend.

Kupp, a tight end and wide receiver on offense and an inside linebacker on defense, is from Davis High School in Yakima, Washington.

Idaho State is Kupp’s third offer along with Eastern Washington and Central Washington.

Kupp’s older brother is Eastern Washington two-time All-American wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

Ketner says the biggest questions college coaches have asked is whether the opportunity to play with Cooper is important enough to override all the other factors to consider. Ketner insists that while the idea of playing with his brother is exciting, it’s only one factor he’ll weigh.

“It’s more about what’s best for me than playing with (Cooper),” Ketner said. “He’s just got two years left at the most, and I’m choosing where to be for the next for or five years.”

Last season, Davis High went 9-2 and Ketner was named his conference’s defensive player of the year. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound senior played on both sides of the football for Davis, but Idaho State is recruiting him as a linebacker.

“I want to be the hardest worker on the field and make plays most people don’t even try to make,” Ketner said. “I feel like I can do just about everything.”

Two seasons ago, Idaho State reinvented itself defensively and introduced an aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme modeled closely after Utah State.

“I definitely feel like I would fit into that defense,” Ketner said.

 On his visit, Ketner isn’t concerned about seeing more of Idaho State’s football program. For him, Eastern Washington and Idaho State are the equivalents of one another on the football field. Ketner wants to pick the university where he feels most comfortable on campus and in the community.

“It’s definitely really cool just to see how coach (Mike) Kramer has built up their program,” Ketner said. “Both teams are really good. Really, I feel like football wise, they’re about equals. Going to either school would be really cool. This is about the school first and then about football.”

CHRIS "SCOOBY' REYNOLDS

Chris “Scooby” Reynolds, a 2015 high school football recruit, took his official visit to Idaho State this weekend.

Reynolds is from Foss High School in Tacoma, Washington, and the Bengals are recruiting the 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete as a wide receiver.

 Reynolds has offers from Idaho State, Navy, Simon Fraser and Montana Tech. He’s also been in contact with Washington, Washington State, Boise State and Portland State, he said.

Unlike Idaho State, some schools are recruiting Reynolds for defense. He played all over the field in high school — including wide receiver, running back, corner and safety.

“I’ll make plays when they need to be made,” Reynolds said. “If the game is on the line, my high school coach would get me the ball.”

Reynolds is familiar with the Gem State. He lived in Boise and went to Rocky Mountain High School until moving to Washington after his freshman year. But before his visit to ISU, Reynolds said he did not know much about Pocatello.

“I’m hoping it’s a college town,” he said. “You want a good atmosphere. I want to see myself being there for four or five years.”

As a university, Idaho State is a fit academically for Reynolds, because he wants to study physical therapy.
And, of course, the fact Idaho State’s spread offense is fueling a football renaissance has intrigued Reynolds.

 “They’re going to start winning even more,” Reynolds said. “I can be a part of that, the beginning of Idaho State starting to be dominant.”

Idaho State-Southern Utah pregame

Idaho State at Southern Utah 

Centrum Arena

Cedar City, Utah

GAME PREVIEW: Looking for positive momentum, Bengals play at Southern Utah

Tip-off » Today, 7:05 p.m.

Watch » Watch Big Sky

Radio » 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records » Idaho State (4-12, 1-3); Southern Utah (3-11, 0-3)

Series history » Southern Utah leads the series 13-9

Last meeting » Feb. 15, 2014 at Southern Utah; ISU 75, SUU 65

About the Bengals » Idaho State has won four in a row against the Thunderbirds, including sweeping the series a season ago. ... Senior Chris Hansen is second all-time at Idaho State for career 3-pointers attempted. Hansen has jacked up 504 threes, and is seven attempts behind Austin Kilpatrick for the school record. ... Hansen is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 17.8 points. ... Senior Jeffrey Solarin is fourth in the league with 7.5 rebounds per game.

About the Thunderbirds » Idaho State’s Bill Evans coached the Thunderbirds from 1991-2007 and led SUU to its lone NCAA Tournament appearance. ... On his return to Cedar City, Evans said, “Enough time has passed that it doesn’t bother me to go back there. Maybe the first year I got a little emotional. This is a game on our schedule that we need to win.” ... Junior guard A.J. Hess leads SUU in scoring at 12.1 points per game. No one else averages double figures, but the T-Birds rely on a rotation of up to 13 players.

Idaho State football notes

Idaho State concluded a football season ranked for the first time in over a decade after coming in at No. 25 in the final Sports Network FCS Top 25 poll that was released Monday.

The Bengals wrapped up the 2003 season at No. 22 in the Sports Network and ESPN/USA Today Poll. In 2002, ISU finished the year ranked No. 18 in the Sports Network and 17th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.

Before last season, those were the last two years Idaho State fielded a winning football team. In 2014, ISU went 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference and 8-4 overall.

ISU coach Mike Kramer was named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year and the College Sporting News tabbed Kramer the Roy Kidd FCS National Coach of the Year.

Idaho State led the nation with an average of 348.1 passing yards per game, and finished second in total offense with an average of 562 yards per game.

The Bengals had 16 players earn all-conference honors and Justin Arias was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award where he finished third in the voting and earned third-team All-American honors by the Sports Network. Arias led the nation in passing yards (4,076) and passing touchdowns (38) during the regular season.

Junior running back Xavier Finney, who was a first-team all-conference selection, rushed for single-season school record 1,495 yards. Junior wide receiver Madison Mangum caught 83 passes for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns. Idaho State’s offensive line allowed 15 sacks despite 535 passing attempts.

Idaho State’s defensive unit led the Big Sky in interceptions with 19, and linebacker Mario Jenkins was named the Freshman of the Year after tallying 120 total tackles.

The Bengals return nine starters on offense and five starters on defense for the 2015 season.

ATTENTION FROM THE SPORTS NETWORK

The Sports Network's Craig Haley ranked the top 17 teams for the 2015 season, and placed Idaho State at No. 16.

Haley, who does a great job covering FCS football, had Montana State at No. 11 and Eastern Washington at No. 3 overall. Interestingly enough, Haley left out Montana.

Haley's reasons for ranking Idaho State were all the good ones: lots of returning starters on offense (9) and a defense with some young stars (Mario Jenkins, yes, but safeties Taison Manu and Cody Sorensen and nose guard Tyler Kuder are going to have great senior seasons).

The main takeaway from Haley's article (for me) is that Idaho State will start the 2015 season with some clout. It took nearly the entire 2014 season for the Bengals to break into any rankings, which hurt Justin Arias' shot at the Walter Payton and the team's chance to make the 24-team playoff.

Check out Haley's rankings for yourself here.

Big Sky Rankings — A bottom four hoping for more

We’re two weeks into the conference season and with a combined 2-13 league record, Idaho State, Southern Utah, Montana State and North Dakota are in trouble.

Each team has its flaws and all of them are off to miserable starts in the Big Sky Conference. If those are indeed the league’s bottom four teams, then we already have the postseason field set (eight teams qualify for the Big Sky tournament).

Is it too early to declare someone’s season over?

North Dakota just needs to rebound a little better and the mascot-less could push to break into the top eight. Idaho State — until this past weekend — has been good defensively. Southern Utah hasn’t won a conference game yet, but two of its losses are by three points, and the Thunderbirds have yet to play a game at home in the Big Sky. Montana State blew a big lead in Pocatello before nearly upsetting Weber State.

So who knows? Maybe someone will surprise the committee (of one) and turn their season around.

If Tony Romo can almost win a road playoff game, anything is possible.

Without further ado.

1. Eastern Washington
Record: 12-4, 3-0
Last week: No. 1
AdjO - AdjD = 5.5 (5.4 last week)

The Eagles beat Idaho in Moscow 89-86 and drove home the point that they’re the team to beat this season.

After two weeks, Eastern is the last undefeated team in the conference, and they might stay that way for a while. Tyler Harvey, the nation’s leading scorer (23.4 points per game), is terrific, but so too are junior forward Venky Jois (18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game) and senior guard Drew Brandon (7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game).

The Eagles are easily the best offensive team in the Big Sky. If there is hope for the rest of the league, it’s EWU’s 1.06 points per possession allowed on defense, the sixth-best mark in the conference.

2. Montana
Record: 6-8, 3-1
Last week: No. 4
AdjO - AdjD = -1.9

Montana lost to Weber State (68-60) and beat Idaho State (90-64) on the road.

It’s a one-game sample, but the committee (of one) could not have been more impressed with the Grizzlies after they whipped Idaho State on Saturday. They were crisp on offense and organized on defense. First-year coach Travis Decuire looked like he was in total command.

3. Idaho
Record: 7-7, 2-1
Last week: No. 2
AdjO - AdjD = -3.7

Idaho lost its second home game of the season to Eastern Washington, 89-86, after Mike Scott’s 3-pointer missed its mark in the waning seconds.

Idaho let Eastern shoot 53 percent from the field and five different Eagles scored in double figures. But the Vandals still nearly won the game, even after star senior guard Mike Scott shot 4 for 12 from the field and had four turnovers (Scott leads the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio).

4. Weber State
Record: 7-8, 2-2
Last week: No. 3
AdjO - AdjD = -3.8

Weber State beat Montana (68-60) and Montana State (65-62) at home.

Weber wasn’t particularly impressive in a three-point win over the Bobcats, but disaster was still avoided for coach Randy Rahe and Weber State.

The committee (of one) believes the Wildcats still have a shot to win the Big Sky regular season. The more time sophomores Jeremy Senglin (15.1 points per game) and Richaud Gittens (10.3 ppg) have on the floor playing crunch-time minutes, the better they’ll be.

5. Sacramento State
Record: 9-6, 3-1
Last week: No. 5
AdjO - AdjD = -5.1

Sacramento State beat North Dakota 63-61 to move into first place of the Big Sky standings, and then immediately lost its next game at Northern Colorado 87-73.

The loss to UNC snapped the Hornets’ four-game winning streak, something the program has done five times since joining Division I back in 1991.

The committee (of one) has bragged about Sac State’s backcourt of senior guards Mikh McKinney and Dylan Garrity. Both have to be great for the Hornets to contend for a conference title.

McKinney wasn’t great this weekend, committing nine combined turnovers in two games. We’re curious to see how he plays at home against Idaho on Thursday and Eastern Washington on Saturday.

6. Northern Arizona
Record: 7-9, 2-1
Last week: No. 6
AdjO-AdjD = -3.7

Northern Arizona managed to hold off Southern Utah 70-67.

The Lumberjacks nearly gagged away a 19-point lead to the Thunderbids, but managed to hold on thanks to a 12-point advantage from the free throw line.

NAU’s shooting woes continue to be a concern. The ’Jacks have shot 45 percent from the field in their seven wins and 37 percent in nine losses. Senior guard Quinton Upshur, who tore up Idaho State in one game last season for eight 3-pointers, is hitting a disappointing 34 percent of his threes this season.

7. Northern Colorado
Record: 8-7, 3-1
Last week: No. 7
AdjO - AdjD = -6.7

Tevin Svihovec was named the Big Sky’s player of the week after Northern Colorado beat Portland State 90-85 and Sacramento State 84-73.

Svihovec averaged 21 points, 5.5 assists and three rebounds in the two wins. UNC is one of the better offensive teams in the league, but the committee (of one) has them at No. 7 because they’re concerned about their league-worst 1.13 points per possession on defense.

8. Portland State
Record: 8-6, 2-2
Last week: No. 8
AdjO - AdjD = -9.6

Portland State lost at Northern Colorado (90-85) and knocked off North Dakota (82-75).

The Vikings have beaten the teams they should (Southern Utah and North Dakota) and lost to the teams they should (Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado).

It seems like PSU is destined to finish the season seventh or eighth in the conference standings. The Vikings, led by senior guard DaShaun Wiggins’ 15.7 points a game, have the firepower to beat the league’s bad teams, but they’re not good enough defensively (1.10 points per possession, ninth in the Big Sky) or on the glass to consistently take on squads like Eastern Washington and Weber State.

PSU has a chance to prove that wrong this week. EWU goes to the Rose City on Thursday.

9. North Dakota
Record: 5-10, 1-3
Last week: No. 9
AdjO - AdjD = -12

The mascot-less dropped two competitive games at home to Sacramento State (63-61) and Portland State (82-75).

Winning on your home floor is absolutely essential in the Big Sky Conference. The fact North Dakota couldn’t beat either Portland State or Sacramento State is a devastating blow.

UND’s next four games are brutal, too. On Saturday, the mascot-less host Northern Colorado in frigid Grand Forks, and then there’s a three-game slate with games at Idaho and Eastern Washington before Weber State visits UND.

On another note, the projected high in Grand Forks today is a cozy 13 degrees with a 20 percent chance of snow. That’s actually kind of nice considering it was 10 below zero Monday night.

10. Idaho State
Record: 4-12, 1-3
Last week: No. 10
AdjO - AdjD = -13.5 (-11.5 last week)

Idaho State faced two 19-point deficit at home last week. In the first, the Bengals rallied to upend Montana State 70-61. In the second, Montana walloped ISU 90-64.

Idaho State’s offense, apart from a couple stretches, hasn’t been good all season. The Bengals’ defense, though, has always been a constant beacon of hope, something that kept ISU in games.

But Idaho State’s defense was inconsistent against Montana State and downright bad against the Grizzlies. The Bengals dropped from second to fifth in the Big Sky for points allowed per possession.

11. Montana State
Record: 3-13, 0-4
Last week: No. 11
AdjO - AdjD = -13.6 (-13.9 last week)

Montana State blew a big lead in a 70-61 loss at Idaho State, and couldn’t pull out a major upset in a 65-62 defeat to Weber State.

The Bobcats looked great against ISU for 20 minutes, but MSU struggled to score once Idaho State took guard Marcus Colbert out of the game.

At 0-4 in the Big Sky, the Bobcats have already reached a point of the season where their postseason lives are on life support.

12. Southern Utah
Record: 3-11, 0-3
Last week: No. 12
AdjO - AdjD = -15.6 (-17.1 last week)

The Thunderbids lost at Northern Arizona 70-67 in their lone game last week.

The close score with NAU is somewhat deceiving. Southern Utah trailed 56-40 with 6:10 remaining in the game. It was a great comeback, but the T-birds never had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. And an SUU 3-pointer with three seconds left trimmed the final margin.

One thing cannot be denied, though, Southern Utah is a much better team than last season, particularly on offense where they’re putting up .965 points per possession, ninth best in the Big Sky.

Useless fun fact of the week: Southern Utah hasn’t played at home since Dec. 6.

Idaho State-Montana postgame

TOUGH GOING — Bengals unable to muster much in loss to Montana
 

BENGAL BITS  

Montana 90, Idaho State 64

Crowd: 1, 577

Records: Idaho State falls to 4-12 and 1-3. Montana is 6-8 and 3-1.

Key stat: The Grizzlies missed more free throws (four) than 3-pointers (three) in the first half — despite shooting 14 threes and 11 free throws.

Key player: Sophomore Brandon Gfeller set a career high in points with 23. Gfeller, who has made two 2-point field goals this season, finished 7 for 12 from the perimeter against Idaho State.

Quotable: “We just weren’t focused on defense, and I feel like it’s how we usually are when it comes out to the beginning of the game. We’ll let them go on a little run, and they’ll seem unconscious. That only gives them confidence. So if they get going like that, we really have to get a stop. Our focus tonight coming out just wasn’t good at all.” — ISU junior Marcus Bradley.

MONTANA 90, IDAHO ST. 64

 MONTANA (6-8)
Breunig 5-11 3-5 13, Krslovic 3-3 1-2 7, Dunn 5-6 0-1 11, Gregory 4-7 9-12 20, Gfeller 7-12 2-3 23, Bradshaw 2-4 2-2 8, Nwosu 0-0 0-0 0, Lopez 2-3 0-0 5, Weisner 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 29-52 17-25 90.<</p>

IDAHO ST. (4-12)
Solarin 5-8 0-2 10, Ezenwa 4-7 2-4 11, Magot 0-1 0-0 0, Wilson 2-7 0-0 4, Hansen 3-12 0-0 8, Luzcando 0-3 1-2 1, Hall 5-8 0-1 10, Slavik 0-0 1-3 1, Bradley 8-9 3-5 19, Nakken 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-57 7-17 64.<</p>

Halftime_Montana 56-36. 3-Point Goals_Montana 15-27 (Gfeller 7-12, Gregory 3-5, Bradshaw 2-3, Dunn 1-1, Lopez 1-2, Weisner 1-4), Idaho St. 3-14 (Hansen 2-7, Ezenwa 1-2, Bradley 0-1, Luzcando 0-2, Nakken 0-2). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Montana 34 (Breunig 9), Idaho St. 31 (Ezenwa 9). Assists_Montana 21 (Dunn 7), Idaho St. 12 (Ezenwa, Luzcando, Wilson 3). Total Fouls_Montana 19, Idaho St. 20. A_1,577.

Idaho State-Montana pregame

Montana at Idaho State
Holt Arena

Bengals look to break 5-year losing streak to Montana

Tip-off » Today, 7:05 p.m.

Watch » Watch Big Sky

Radio » 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records » Idaho State (4-11, 1-2); Montana (5-8, 2-1)

Series history » Montana leads the series 97-46

Last meeting » Feb. 22, 2014 at Montana; UM 62, ISU 61

About the Grizzlies » Travis Decuire is Montana’s first-year coach after replacing Wayne Tinkle last June. Decuire played for the Grizzlies from 1992-94 and was All-Big Sky Conference as a junior and senior. ... The Grizzlies are 4-2 this season when they shoot at least 45 percent from the field. ... Sophomore point guard Mario Dunn averages 4.2 assists per game.

About the Bengals » Idaho State’s win over Montana State was the first time ISU has won a game this season after trailing at halftime and being outrebounded by an opponent. ... The Bengals entered Thursday as a 63 percent free throw shooting team, the lowest mark in the Big Sky Conference. Idaho State made 24 of 27 (89 percent) free throws against MSU.

Idaho State-Montana State postgame

BENGAL BITS

Idaho State 70, Montana State 61

FROM THE ASHES — Idaho State rallies from a 19-point deficit to defeat Montana St

Crowd: 1,426

Records: Idaho State moved to 4-11 overall and 1-2 in the Big Sky. Montana State is 3-12, 0-3.

Key stat: Idaho State made 24 of 27 free throw attempts. Montana State was 3 for 8 from the foul line.

Key player: Chris Hansen led the way for Idaho State with 26 points, including a 17-for-17 effort from the charity stripe. In four of Hansen’s five games against Montana State, the senior has scored 26, 28, 20 and 27 points.

Quotable: “I would have been really disappointed if we had lost. I’m always disappointed, but I would have been really disappointed for (my players), because their effort and their camaraderie and their desire to win and all those other adjectives you can use to describe those guys, they were really terrific.” — Idaho State coach Bill Evans.

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME HERE

Idaho State vs Montana State pregame

Montana State at Idaho State
Holt Arena

Tip-off » Today, 7:05 p.m.

Watch » Watch Big Sky

Radio » 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records » Idaho State (3-11, 0-2); Montana State (3-11, 0-2)

Series history » Montana State leads the series 105-83

Last meeting » Feb. 20, 2014 at Montana State; MSU 66, ISU 60

About the Bobcats » Montana State is dead last in the Big Sky Conference in scoring margin at -9.4 points a game. ... The Bobcats are the lone squad in the Big Sky shooting a lower field goal percentage than Idaho State (.402 percent vs. .383 percent). ... Senior guard and Post Falls-native Marcus Colbert is second on MSU in scoring at 11.7 points per game and first in assists at 5.1 per game. 

About the Bengals » Idaho State has beaten MSU in three of the last four meetings in Pocatello, including last season’s 69-64 win in Reed Gym. ... Senior guard Chris Hansen has moved up to No. 17 on ISU’s all-time scoring list with 1,050 points. ... Since the start of the 2013-14 season, 22 of Idaho State’s 29 losses have been by nine points or less.

GAME STORY

Close to must-win game for Idaho State

The debut of the Big Sky rankings

We’re six days into the new year and the committee (of one) can’t think of a better time to bring back the weekly Big Sky Rankings — the most powerful rankings in the Sky.

We’re taking a different tactic from years past, too. No longer are we going to rank the teams by throwing spaghetti on a wall or trying to read the heavenly signs. No longer will we pull names from a hat while blindfolded to determine these all-so-important rankings.

No. We’re going to heavily rely on numbers, analytics and just the facts when formulating these rankings. Don’t expect any TCU vs. Baylor vs. Ohio State controversy here. Our decisions will be clear cut and transparent.
Except when they’re not.

Without further ado.

[Quick explanation of one key factor the committee (of one) will consider heavily. We’re using Ken Pomeroy’s AdjO and AdjD from kenpom.com. AdjO is an estimate of the offensive efficiency (points score per 100 possessions) a team would score against the average DI defense. AdjD is the same thing, but it’s about how many points a team gives up per 100 possessions.]

1. Eastern Washington
Record: 11-4, 2-0
Preseason pick: 3rd media/2nd coaches
AdjO - AdjD = 5.4
The Eagles opened the conference season at home and beat Weber State (84-78) and Idaho State (65-57).
It’s almost easy for Eastern Washington to score. The Eagles led Idaho State 55-53 late in the game, and in about two minutes EWU had an eight-point lead after two 3-pointers.
It was game over.
Between Tyler Harvey, the nation’s leading scorer at 23.4 points per game, Venky Jois (19.1 ppg), Ognjen Miljkovic (10.3 ppg) and Drew Brandon (4.5 assists per game), the Eagles are loaded with talent.

2. Idaho
Record: 7-6, 2-0
Preseason pick: 8th media/7th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.8
In their return to the Big Sky, the Vandals started 2-0 with a 77-54 whipping of Idaho State and a dramatic 86-84 win over Weber State.
Both were great wins for the Vandals, who were especially good on offense. Weber State and Idaho State are two of the better defensive teams in the Big Sky, but Idaho shredded them, averaging 163 points while shooting 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from three.

3. Weber State
Record: 5-8, 0-2
Preseason pick: 1st media/1st coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.3
It was a frustrating week for the Wildcats. They led by four late against Eastern Washington before losing 84-78, and Idaho’s Mike Scott hit a game-winning jumper with three seconds left to take down the Wildcats 86-84.
It’s a rough start for the preseason favorites, but don’t expect Weber State to fade away. The ’Cats are still one of the deeper, more athletic teams in the league. The committee (of one) doesn’t believe any other squad in the Big Sky can match the Wildcats’ ability to both score and defend at a high level.

4. Montana
Record: 5-7, 2-0
Preseason pick: 5th media/8th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.5
Montana defended its home court with wins over Northern Colorado (66-48) and North Dakota (74-63).
First-year coach Travis Decuire got quite a gift from Wayne Tinkle, who left Montana this past offseason to take over at Oregon State. The gift is in the form of Martin Breunig, a junior foward who sat out last season after transferring from Washington.
Breunig is averaging 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds a game. At 6-foot-8, Breunig is a brute and his ability to score inside is invaluable in a league dominated by guards.

5. Sacramento State
Record: 8-5, 2-0
Preseason pick: 4th media/4th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -4.6
The Hornets improved to 6-1 at home with wins over Northern Arizona (78-73) and Southern Utah 90-75.
Sac State is an easy team to love with senior guard Mikh McKinney and Dylan Garrity.
McKinney is lightning quick and gets anywhere he wants on the floor and Garrity is shooting 46 percent from three. Together, they average 31.9 points a game. The Hornets go as they go.

6. Northern Arizona
Record: 6-9, 1-1
Preseason pick: 2nd media/3rd coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.9
Northern Arizona lost at Sacramento State 78-73 before knocking off Portland State 73-60.
The Lumberjacks are the league’s No. 1 defensive team right now, holding opponents to 1.028 points per possession. If they can keep up that kind of defensive effort, they’ll give themselves a shot to win every game.
On the negative side, Northern Arizona guard Jaleni Neely has been ruled academically ineligible for the rest of the season, per the Arizona Daily Sun. It’s left the ’Jacks dealing with a seven-man rotation, which could become a major storyline if NAU can’t avoid injuries. Plus, third-year head coach Jack Murphy has to be concerned about his guys wearing down.

7. Northern Colorado
Record: 6-7, 1-1
Preseason pick: 6th media/6th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -6.8
Northern Colorado had its lowest offensive output of the season in a 66-48 loss at Montana. The Bears bounced back nicely, though, taking down Montana State 61-54.
Two useless fun facts of the week: UNC is 6-0 when it outrebounds opponents and 0-7 when it doesn’t. The Bears haven’t played in a game decided by five points or less this season.

8. Portland State
Record: 7-5, 1-1
Preseason pick: 7th media/5th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11
Portland State held off Southern Utah 71-68 and lost to Northern Arizona 73-30 at home in the Stott Center.
Losing to NAU isn’t a disaster. The Lumberjacks are a good basketball team and a dark horse championship contender who will win a number of road games this season.
But protecting home court is crucial. Now PSU heads to Northern Colorado and North Dakota, a brutally long road trip before returning home to host Eastern Washington and Idaho. The Vikings could easily start Big Sky action on a 1-5 or 2-4 slide if they’re not sharp.

9. North Dakota
Record: 5-8, 1-1
Preseason pick: 9th media/9th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11
The mascot-less beat Montana State 67-60 and lost to Montana 74-63 on the road.
Can you believe North Dakota has had two home games the entire season? UND played at home on Nov. 18 and Dec. 19. In between, it’s been trips to Salt Lake City, Des Moines, Iowa, Miwaukee and Montana.
The committee (of one) proposes the mascot-less simply wanted to get out of frigid Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the expected low today is 21 below zero.

10. Idaho State
Record: 3-11, 0-2
Preseason pick: 10th media/10th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11.5
Idaho State might have played its worst game of the season in a 77-54 loss at Idaho. The Bengals played much better at Eastern Washington, but still lost 65-57.
The good news for the Bengals is that they’re currently the No. 2 team in the conference on defense, giving up 1.032 points per possession. The bad news is that ISU is scoring .917 points per possession. It’s the lowest mark in the Big Sky and 321st (out of 351) in the nation.
More good news, though: Senior Chris Hansen played some of his best basketball in the loss to EWU, hitting 7 of his 11 shots and scoring a game-high 23 points.

11. Montana State
Record: 3-11, 0-2
Preseason pick: 11th media/11th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -13.9
It was bad news for the Bobcats to begin the conference season with two losses at home to North Dakota (67-60) and Northern Colorado (62-54).
Six teams opened Big Sky play on their home court. Montana State was the lone squad to not win at least a game. In the race for the postseason, it’s a miserable, miserable start.

12. Southern Utah
Record: 3-10, 0-2
Preseason pick: 12th media/12th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -17.1
The Thunderbirds lost at Portland State (71-68) and Sacramento State (90-75), which means SUU is 1-25 in its last 26 conference games dating back to the 2012-13 season.
It can only get better from here — we think.

Idaho State at Eastern Washington pregame

Idaho State at Eastern Washington
Reese Court - Cheney, Washington

Tip-off » Saturday, 3:05 p.m. MST

Watch » Watch Big Sky

Radio » 102.5 FM or 930 AM

Records » Idaho State (3-10, 0-1); Eastern Washington (10-4, 1-0)

Series history » Eastern Washington leads 41-28

Last meeting » March 6, 2014 at Eastern Washington; EWU 77, ISU 69

About the Bengals » Jeffrey Solarin, who leads the Bengals in rebounding at 8.9 per game, has grabbed at least eight rebounds in 22 of the 41 games he’s played as a Bengal. ... Idaho State’s 23-point loss at Idaho is the largest losing deficit for the Bengals in Big Sky play since a 70-51 defeat at Montana on Jan. 24, 2013. ... For the season, Idaho State has held opponents to 32.6 percent shooting from three. Eastern Washington is second in the Big Sky in 3-point shooting at 41.4 percent.

About the Eagles » Eastern Washington’s plus-9.4 scoring margin leads the Big Sky. ... The Eagles have reached 10 wins faster than any Eastern squad since 1945-46. ... EWU is 9-0 when it has a better shooting percentage than its opponent.

Game preview: Idaho State looks to rebound at Eastern Washington

Mike Ferriter leaving Idaho State for Montana

Idaho State football coach Mike Ferriter has been hired to coach inside wide receivers at the University of Montana, according to the website FootballScoop.

Ferriter joined the Bengals coaching staff for the 2013 season and headed up the inside wide receivers the past two years. Ferriter is just the latest addition to join new Grizzlies coach Bob Stitt’s staff. UM hired Stitt this offseason to replace the retired Mick Delaney.

Ferriter was a wide receiver at Montana from 2005-08 and a team captain for the 2008 squad that reached the national championship game.

In 2014, Ferriter was part of an ISU staff that helped the Bengals go 8-4 and finish ranked No. 24 in the nation.
Under Ferriter, Idaho State inside wide receivers and tight ends had 132 catches for 1,857 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

BAILEY NAMED COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR

Idaho State associated head coach and offensive coordinator Don Bailey has been named the FCS coordinator of the year by FootballScoop.

Bailey engineered a Bengals offensive attack that averaged 562 yards and 40.3 points per game. With senior quarterback Justin Arias at the helm, ISU led the nation in passing yards per game (339.7) and touchdown passes (38).

A Portland State graduate, Bailey arrived at Idaho State in 2011 to work with Bengals head coach Mike Kramer. The two also coached together at Montana State from 2001-2006.

Bailey will receive his coordinator of the year award at the American Football Coaches Association later this month.