OKLAHOMA CITY — The improbable journey of the Idaho Vandals continues Thursday night, as they face a daunting challenge against the No. 2 seed Houston Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Few outside the program give Idaho much of a chance, but inside the Vandals’ locker room, a “nothing to lose” mentality is taking hold as they prepare for what many see as a significant uphill battle. This underdog spirit is fueling their approach to the tournament, particularly against a Houston team coming off a national runner-up finish last season.
The Vandals, representing the Big Sky Conference, enter the matchup as a substantial 23.5-point underdog, according to ESPN pregame analysis. Houston, boasting a 28-6 record, is widely considered one of the top teams in the country. Despite the odds, Idaho players are embracing the opportunity and the freedom that comes with being largely overlooked.
From Bottom Seed to Tournament Bound
Idaho’s path to the NCAA Tournament was anything but predictable. Picked near the bottom of the Big Sky standings, the Vandals entered the conference tournament as the No. 7 seed. What followed was a remarkable run, as they won four consecutive games in Boise to claim the Big Sky Championship and secure their first tournament berth since 1990, as reported by GoVandals.com. That unexpected success has instilled a belief within the team that they can defy expectations again.
“All of us at this point, it’s like we got nothing to lose,” redshirt junior guard Jake Payne said. “Might as well just leave it all out there, play as hard as you possibly can and hope the outcome comes to what we want.”
Embracing the Underdog Role
The Vandals aren’t shying away from their status as heavy underdogs. Redshirt sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell articulated the team’s mindset: “Coming into this game, we’re 23.5-point underdogs, so we’re going to be excited to go out there. We got nothing to lose, really, is our mentality. We’re going to go out there and let it rip with full confidence. So, we’ll see what happens.” This approach, honed throughout the season, allows them to play with a sense of liberation and focus.
Idaho’s confidence isn’t solely based on their recent tournament run. The team also benefits from the experience of several transfers who have tasted postseason basketball before. Redshirt junior guard Trevon Blassingame, who was part of Fairleigh Dickinson’s stunning upset of Purdue in 2023, believes that experience is invaluable.
Experience and Preparation
“So, luckily for me, this is my second appearance at the NCAA tournament,” Blassingame said. “I was on the team at FDU that upset Purdue. So, we kind of understand about big games. I feel like we’ve been in a lot of close games this year. We were in a close game in the championship game. These guys are prepared for it. We’ve been here before. At the conclude of the day it’s just basketball. So, we just got to go out there and do what we do.”
Blassingame and Payne are among those transfers bringing valuable postseason experience to Idaho’s roster. They believe this experience can help them navigate the pressure and intensity of facing a Houston team known for its discipline and strong defense. Houston averages 77.1 points per game, while Idaho allows 72.6, according to ESPN’s preview. Yet, Idaho excels at three-point shooting, averaging 10.0 made three-pointers per game, compared to Houston’s allowance of 6.9.
Houston’s Strengths and Idaho’s Game Plan
The Cougars are 16-5 against Big 12 opponents and 12-1 in non-conference play, demonstrating their consistent performance throughout the season. They are particularly adept at limiting turnovers, averaging only 7.9 per game, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. Idaho, however, has shown resilience in close games, going 5-2 in one-possession contests.
Idaho’s recent form has been strong, going 8-2 in their last 10 games, averaging 78.6 points while shooting 45.4% from the field. Houston, in comparison, has gone 6-4 in their last 10, averaging 74.4 points with a 43.6% field goal percentage. The Vandals will need to replicate this offensive efficiency and capitalize on any opportunities against Houston’s typically stingy defense.
The Vandals and Cougars will tip off at 7:10 p.m. PT Thursday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Fans can follow the game’s progress through live updates on ESPN here.
As Idaho prepares for this challenging matchup, their focus remains on embracing the underdog role and playing with the confidence that carried them through a remarkable conference tournament run. The team understands the magnitude of the task ahead, but they are determined to leave everything on the court and see if they can add another surprising chapter to their story.
Share your thoughts on Idaho’s tournament journey and predictions for their game against Houston in the comments below.
