Idaho men’s basketball will host North Dakota on Wednesday, December 3, at ICCU Arena in Moscow, Idaho. The matchup marks the start of the third annual Big Sky-Summit Challenge, an event where teams from the Big Sky and Summit League conferences compete for a combined trophy. The Summit League has won the trophy each of the past two years.
North Dakota enters the game with a 3-6 record after facing a challenging non-conference schedule that included games against Alabama, CSUN, Creighton, Coastal Carolina, and Hawaii. Redshirt freshman guard Greyson Uelmen has been a consistent scorer for North Dakota this season, reaching double figures in his last seven games and scoring 24 points against CSUN. Senior guard Eli King was named to the Second-Team Preseason All-Conference list as North Dakota was ranked eighth out of nine teams in preseason polls.
Idaho’s roster includes five players from Idaho for the first time since the 1971-72 season. Four or more Vandals have scored in double figures in five of their first seven games this year. In Big Sky-Summit Challenge history, Idaho holds a 1-2 record in cross-league matchups and secured its first win over St. Thomas during the previous campaign.
The Vandals are celebrating their 120th season this year. Over their history, they have claimed five conference titles and made four NCAA tournament appearances. This season also marks Idaho’s highest-ever debut NET ranking at 191 since those rankings began in 2018-19.
Additionally, Idaho is honoring former head coach Don Monson throughout this season; Monson led Idaho to a Sweet Sixteen appearance and earned 100 wins during his tenure from 1978 to 1983.
“Idaho’s February 19, 2026 game at Portland State was selected to air on ESPNU as part of the Big Sky’s distribution deal with the Worldwide Leader in Sports.This will mark the first time the Vandal men have had a regular season game appear on a linear ESPN since the 2010-11 season.”
Other notes include Idaho making five or more three-pointers in each of its last 52 games—a streak tied for tenth longest nationally—and returning most minutes played among Big Sky teams with three starters back from last year’s lineup.
Following Wednesday’s contest against North Dakota, Idaho will conclude its participation in this year’s challenge by playing South Dakota State on Saturday.
Season tickets remain available through govandals.com/tickets, while fans can follow team updates via social media platforms Instagram (@vandalhoops), X (@VandalHoops), and at govandals.com.
