The reminders of the University of Idaho’s past success in men’s basketball are plentiful. 

Especially this week. 

The office area at the ICCU Arena, where the Vandals play basketball now, is named in honor of Don Monson, who guided Idaho to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1982. 

The Kibbie Dome, the Vandals’ rollicking home arena in those days, sits right next door. 

And this Saturday’s opponent is not only Idaho’s closest rival, Eastern Washington. But the Eagles are also coached by Dan Monson, Don’s son, in his first season in Cheney. 

“I think in one of coach (Dan) Monson’s press conferences he said, ‘I’ve always been a Vandal,’” second-year Idaho coach Alex Pribble said earlier this week. “His family are Vandals ... any time I talk to the Vandal community, coach Monson (Don) is the first name that gets brought up.  

“I remember when I first got the job, seeing coach Monson at a football game, supporting the football team. What a great person; means so much to this university.” 

IDAHO AND EWU have done this doubleheader thing in basketball for several years now — one in Moscow, one in Cheney, women’s game followed by men’s clash. 

On Saturday, the women’s game at the ICCU Arena is at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 4. 

In recent years, on the men’s side at least, Eastern’s men have usually gotten the better of Idaho. 

This year, both are 2-2 in the Big Sky Conference. Idaho is 7-10 overall, EWU 6-11. 

Last year under Pribble, the Vandals finished 11-21. This year, with newcomers Kolton Mitchell (Lake City High; Idaho State) and Jack Payne (Owyhee, Colorado State) joining former North Idaho College standout Julius Mims on the roster, excitement is high. 

"We talked about this game as a separation game for us,” Pribble said. “Both 2-2 in conference, sitting in a tie for fourth in the conference, we’re at the time of year where the season could go one of two ways ... we’re going to have to protect home court ... big opportunity on Saturday, and we’re excited for it.” 

MIMS MISSED last weekend’s road trip to Sacramento State and Portland State with a neck issue, Pribble said. Fellow big Kyson Rose is in concussion protocol. Pribble said the Vandals hope to get one or both players back this weekend. 

“Vandal fans know what Julius means to us,” Pribble said. “It’s not just about the points he's putting up; it’s more about the rim protection and the way he defends.” 

Mims was named to the all-conference defensive team last year. 

Mitchell has started all 17 games at point guard, and is averaging 10.3 points and 3.4 assists per game, with a high of 32 points at Pacific. 

Payne has started 16 of 17 games, and is averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds, including a 23-point effort in a win at Sac State. 

“Jack’s a great player,” Pribble said. “He can do whatever the team needs. If we need him to score, he can score ... top-10 scorer in league.. You saw earlier in the year how he can defend, how he can rebound, how he can pass the basketball. He’s like a five-tool baseball guy.” 

IDAHO’S WOMEN, under first-year head coach Arthur Moreira, are off to an 11-4 start, 3-1 in the Big Sky, tied for second in league behind Montana State (14-2, 4-0).  

Eastern’s women are 6-10, 2-2. 

Moreira said he doesn’t mind his game being the “prelim” to the men’s game, rather than a standalone contest. 

“I like these doubleheaders for a few different reasons,” Moreira said. “One, it gives me a chance to watch coach Pribble’s team, because they’re really fun to watch and I don’t get the chance to do it in conference because we have opposite schedules.  

“But I do think it’s a chance to feed off their crowd a little bit. Some people come early, so they catch (our) second half. It just gives us a good atmosphere. I think coach Pribble does a good job of bringing people into the gym. ... plus, it’s a rivalry game; you’re playing a local team. Both teams can bring fans; I think it’s fun to do it doubleheader-style.”   

Both Vandal coaches are pushing for a sellout of the 4,000-seat ICCU Arena on Saturday. 

“It’s time for this program to start turning the corner,” Pribble said. “If we can get a win against Eastern Washington at home, against a rival, in a great atmosphere, it shows we’re taking steps in the right direction.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.