Former Idaho high school stars help launch College of Idaho to No. 1, record streak

The College of Idaho men’s basketball team is breaking records this season that have stood since the 1954-1955 season, when future Los Angeles Laker and NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor was a part of the team.

The Coyotes are the No. 1 team in the country and have won 21 straight games, a school record. They also finished the regular season undefeated in conference play (20-0), something that only the ‘54-’55 team accomplished.

The success has come from a roster composed heavily of players from Idaho. Twelve players on the team come from Idaho and six were members of All-Idaho teams during high school. Whether from Cottonwood, Idaho Falls, or Boise, this shared background has created a chemistry driving College of Idaho’s success.

“We are The College of Idaho,” coach Colby Blaine said. “Our Idaho guys take a lot of pride in playing for the college. When you’re a hometown guy, that’s special. The way our guys play for their home crowd is special.”

Two players inextricably linked are senior guard Talon Pinckney and junior forward Connor Desaulniers, who graduated from Centennial in 2016. That year, Pinckney was selected to the All-Idaho team, while Desaulniers was an honorable-mention pick on the all-conference team.

“We were battle-tested,” Desaulniers said. “We were able to get to know each other a little bit better and, when I came here, we already had that chemistry built.”

Coming out of high school, Desaulniers chose to play for Lewis-Clark State. After spending two seasons there, he returned to Boise to go to school, minus any basketball. Blaine and Pinckney knew they had a chance to recruit another skilled Idaho player to the team.

After a few conversations with his old teammate, Desaulniers moved to Caldwell to play for the Coyotes.

This season, he has started 28 of the 30 games and averaged 7.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

With that relationship already established, Desaulniers and Pinckney can go to each other for anything. Pinckney said it’s easy to talk to his friend from high school. They aren’t afraid to tell the other when they need to step it up or change something in their game.

Desaulniers looked at Pinckney and the other upperclassman as ambassadors of the College of Idaho.

“They set the standard for everything,” Desaulniers said. “Whenever I needed guidance I looked at them and just followed their lead. They know this program more than anyone and I just think that there’s no better representatives.”

Pinckney has been one of College of Idaho’s key players over the past four years. He was a first-team NAIA All-American and named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Year last year.

This year, he finished his last regular season with the Yotes averaging 10 points, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Having two players play so well together has allowed Blaine to step back and let them do what they do best.

“I don’t have to coach a lot,” Blaine said. “I look busy on the sideline, but the chemistry between these guys and their understanding of how to play together is second to none. That’s why we’re having all this success.”

Another player who represents College of Idaho’s commitment to local recruiting is senior forward Jake Bruner. Bruner graduated from Prairie High, where he was named the 1A Football Player of the Year in 2014 and 1A Division I Basketball Player of the Year in 2015.

“Jake has taught us what it means to be tough,” Blaine said. “He’s taken our program to another level.”

On College of Idaho’s senior night, 40 people took a bus from Bruner’s hometown of Cottonwood to see him play his last regular-season home game. That’s 4.4 percent of the city’s population. Bruner recorded seven points and three assists in the 87-66 victory.

“(These four years) have been a special, special time for me,” Bruner said. “I’ve made so many friends and so many great relationships. Being here was definitely the right choice for me. I’ll cherish the memories I’ve made here forever.”

A key factor behind choosing to play for College of Idaho was the same for every one of the local players: Blaine.

“Coach Blaine believed in me,” Desaulnier said. “He was really genuine and sincere on the phone and, when I came on my visit, I could tell it was all true.”

“He’s so smart and passionate about the game,” Bruner said. “That’s what makes him such a special coach, his love for the game.”

Blaine is an Idaho guy himself. He graduated from Boise High in 2005 and earned a master’s degree from Idaho State. He was an assistant coach at the College of Southern Idaho for five years and was involved with the College of Idaho for the past six years, including the last two as head coach.

Blaine also has coached for the Idaho Select AAU team for the past nine years, bringing him in contact with a lot of Idaho’s best players, including Bruner, senior Nate Bruneel and junior Ivory Miles-WIlliams. In his time coaching in Idaho, Blaine noticed what sets these players apart.

“There’s a genuine toughness about them, and a grit,” Blaine said. “They’re super skilled. Idaho basketball players know how to play the game.”

College of Idaho starts its Cascade Collegiate Conference title defense at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Caldwell when it takes on Corban in the opening game of the conference tournament.