Idaho State (5-6) at North Dakota (4-8) preview

Idaho State at North Dakota

Thursday, 6 p.m. (MST
The Betty, Grand Forks, N.D.

Radio — 930 CBS Sports or Rock 102.5
Web — isubengals.com (live stats)
Video — http://www.americaonesports.com/bigsky.asp (free live video)
Records — Idaho State is 5-6. North Dakota is 4-8.
Last outing — Idaho State outscored Eastern Washington 83-72. North Dakota beat Southern Utah 65-61.
Up next — Idaho State continues its two-game road trip in Greeley, Colo., Saturday against Northern Colorado.


Game notes: Idaho State, North Dakota

Check out the Grand Forks Herald preview story for North Dakota here


And here's the Idaho State Journal's preview

I received a couple questions via an email from a reader. Check out the questions and my (brief) answers down below.


Q: How much is too much to expect this season from the Bengals?

Before conference play began, I thought the Bengals should expect to make the conference tournament. Anything better than a No. 6 seed would have been a surprise, though.

After the first week, I'm not so sure. Portland State was a real disappointment and Eastern Washington's (lack of) depth is a big issue for the Eagles.

But, gosh, it's so early in the conference season. How much can we read into two games?

There's a few things — I think — I know for sure. 1) Northern Colorado is good ... 2) Weber State is going to finish in the top two ... 3) Montana is going to get better

But things look wide open after UNC and Weber.

Is there any reason for concern heading on the road to go to two tough environments? It's a long trip up to North Dakota, and I know we've struggled on the road in the past.

Is there reason for concern on the road for Idaho State? Absolutely.

North Dakota is going to use its athletic guards to apply a heavy defensive pressure. If the Bengals can't avoid turnovers— like the PSU game when they had 21 giveaways —then UND is going to run them out of the gym (like last year).

And can ISU shoot as well on the road as it did at home? Seems unlikely.

And, yeah, the road trip to Grand Forks, N.D., is tough. ISU left Pocatello Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. They bussed to Salt Lake, flew to Minneapolis and then flew to Grand Forks — not an easy road trip.

Everybody has to do it at some point, but it's still and advantage for UND and UNC.

Idaho State and head coach Bill Evans have full intentions to win Thursday and Saturday, but coming back to Pocatello with a split would be a success, too.