Idaho Vandals and Eastern Washington Eagles Face Off for Big Sky Championship Berth

The two teams will square off in a primetime matchup on ESPN2 for a spot in the Big Sky Conference finals.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Idaho Vandals men's basketball team will take on the Eastern Washington Eagles in a Big Sky Conference semifinal matchup on Tuesday night at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. This is the second straight year that Idaho has reached the conference semifinals, looking to advance to the championship game for the first time since 1994.

Why it matters

This game represents a high-stakes clash between two of the top teams in the Big Sky Conference, with the winner earning a spot in the conference championship game and moving one step closer to an NCAA Tournament berth. Both teams have had strong seasons, making this a highly anticipated matchup for fans and college basketball enthusiasts.

The details

Idaho enters the game with a 19-14 overall record and a 9-9 conference mark, while Eastern Washington is 14-18 overall and 11-7 in Big Sky play. The game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. MT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

  • The game will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
  • Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. MT.

The players

Idaho Vandals

The Idaho Vandals are the men's basketball team representing the University of Idaho, a public research university located in Moscow, Idaho.

Eastern Washington Eagles

The Eastern Washington Eagles are the athletic teams of Eastern Washington University, a public university located in Cheney, Washington.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge opportunity for our team to make it back to the Big Sky Championship game. We're excited for the challenge of facing a tough Eastern Washington squad in front of what I'm sure will be a great crowd in Boise.”

— Zac Claus, Head Coach, Idaho Vandals (Idaho Statesman)

“We know Idaho is a tough opponent, but our team is ready for the challenge. This is the kind of game you live for as a competitor, and we're looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans on ESPN2.”

— Steele Venters, Senior Guard, Eastern Washington Eagles (The Spokesman-Review)

What’s next

The winner of Tuesday's semifinal matchup will advance to the Big Sky Conference championship game, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated semifinal clash between the Idaho Vandals and Eastern Washington Eagles represents a high-stakes battle for a spot in the Big Sky Conference championship game and a chance to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Both teams have had strong seasons and will be looking to put on a show for a national audience on ESPN2.