A new chapter in the long history of the Boise State-Idaho men’s basketball rivalry will be written Saturday when the Broncos and Vandals play at the Idaho Center.
The 86th meeting between the schools will mark the first time they have met on a neutral court during the regular season. It’s the only game scheduled between the schools this season. Tipoff is at noon.
“I don’t know if it’s really neutral because we’re closer to Nampa,” Boise State guard Jeff Elorriaga said. “I’m just glad we are playing the Vandals — it’s a good rivalry to have.”
Boise State coach Leon Rice and his counterpart at Idaho, Don Verlin, agreed to a one-year trial for a neutral-site game. With the Broncos returning to the WAC in 2013-14, the teams will return to their traditional home-and-home series that had been played annually since 1971.
That leaves next year still up in the air. Rice said the schools will discuss that in the future.
“I think it’s a great game for both programs,” Verlin said. “I hope we’re able to do it again at the (Idaho) Center or CenturyLink Arena. I’m an old-school guy and think rivalries should be played year-in and year-out.
“I think it’s good for the state of Idaho and for basketball in our state. I’m speaking from the Idaho standpoint, but it’s important for the alumni. It’s gone on for how many years? It’s tradition, like the Lions and Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving Day. It should happen.”
Both teams are eager for this year’s game. The Broncos are 9-4, with all nine wins coming at Taco Bell Arena and the four losses on the road. Idaho is 7-6 with three two-point losses, and all of its setbacks have been by eight points or fewer.
Each team has eight players that will be participating in the Gem State rivalry for the first time.
“They’re going to see how intense this rivalry really is,” Boise State point guard Wes Perryman said.
“I just know to our fans that it is a big game and we’re going to try to win it for them and for us,” Bronco freshman guard Derrick Marks said.
The Broncos won both games last season by single digits and own a 50-35 lead in the overall series.
And with only one meeting this season, it takes on added importance.
“We just have to make the most of this opportunity,” Idaho guard Deremy Geiger said.
The coaches expect a battle and had nothing but praise to heap on their rival.
The Vandals have made 49.5 percent of their shots and are limiting foes to 38.7 percent shooting.
“His teams execute,” Rice said. “Only a few teams really execute, and year in, year out, Idaho is one of them. Other teams can score and other teams can run offenses, but coach Verlin does one of the best jobs in the country of teaching his teams how to really execute both offensively and defensively.”
Boise State is shooting 46.8 percent and is scoring 77.9 points per game. Opponents have managed just 64.2 points per game.
“Obviously, the way they shoot the basketball is a real concern,” Verlin said. “I think we’re a good 3-point shooting team and hit a pretty good percentage (42.3 percent), and they’ve made 30 more 3-pointers than we have on the year. I think they do a great job of sharing the ball and they play hard.”
Each school received 5,000 tickets to sell, and if fans step up, they could create a unique setting for the historic rivalry.
“It’ll be good atmosphere for both teams,” BSU forward Thomas Bropleh said. “Both fan bases will be loud and energetic.”
Nick Jezierny: 377-6420
