Northwest Notes Sept. 17, 2025
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 11 months AGO
Idaho men's basketball team to play multi-team event in Boise.
The University of Idaho announced the Holiday Hoops Classic men's basketball event at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
The multi-team event will see Idaho play a game against the CSUN Highlanders of the Big West Conference and the Sam Houston State Bearkats of Conference USA. Idaho State is the fourth team to play in the event.
The Vandals will face off against CSUN on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and are slated to play Sam Houston State on Friday, Nov. 28. Both games are set to tip off at 6 p.m. PST.
Ticket presale is underway through the Idaho Central Arena box office. Fans can access the page for Wednesday’s game by using the code HOLHOP, and secure their seats for Friday’s matchup with the code HOPHOL.
The games will also be streamed on ESPN+.
"We have some terrific Vandal support in the Treasure Valley, and three of our current players are from that area. With the combination of competition and student-athlete experience, this event really checks a lot of boxes for us," Idaho men's basketball coach Alex Pribble said. "This is a great opportunity for us to play against very good mid-major competition, and do it in the same arena that we will play our conference tournament."
This will mark the first regular-season games the Vandals have played in Boise since the 2018-19 season, when Idaho hosted the same event at Idaho Central Arena. Last season, Idaho broke a 10-game losing streak in Boise with a Big Sky Tournament quarterfinal victory over Portland State.
Idaho will open its 2025-26 campaign at Idaho Central Arena with an exhibition contest against Boise State on Friday, Oct. 17, squaring off against the Broncos for the first time in 11 years. The Vandals kick off the regular season on Nov. 3, with the 280th Battle of the Palouse at Washington State. Idaho’s home slate begins with Whitman on Friday, Nov. 7.