Idaho Vandals Men's Basketball Advances to First Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship

Kolton Mitchell leads Vandals to historic tournament run after recovering from injury.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Idaho Vandals men's basketball team has advanced to the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game for the first time in program history. The team's star player, Kolton Mitchell, has been a driving force behind the Vandals' success after recovering from an injury earlier in the season.

Why it matters

This is a major milestone for the Idaho Vandals men's basketball program, which has struggled to find success in the Big Sky Conference in recent years. The team's tournament run has generated excitement among fans and could help raise the profile of the program nationally.

The details

The Vandals secured their spot in the championship game with a hard-fought victory over one of the conference's top teams. Mitchell, who missed significant time earlier in the season due to injury, has been instrumental in the team's tournament success, providing scoring, rebounding, and leadership on the court.

  • The Big Sky Conference tournament is taking place from March 9-12, 2026.
  • The Vandals' championship game is scheduled for March 11, 2026.

The players

Kolton Mitchell

A key player for the Idaho Vandals men's basketball team who has led the team's tournament run after recovering from an injury earlier in the season.

Idaho Vandals

The men's basketball team from the University of Idaho, which has advanced to the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game for the first time in program history.

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What they’re saying

“This team has worked so hard all season, and I'm so proud of the way they've come together and fought through adversity to get to this point.”

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

What’s next

The Vandals will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship game on March 11, 2026.

The takeaway

The Idaho Vandals' historic tournament run is a testament to the team's resilience and the leadership of star player Kolton Mitchell. This success could help raise the profile of the program and inspire the next generation of Vandals basketball players.