Idaho Vandal Basketball Teams Sweep Big Sky Tournament Titles

Both the men's and women's teams are headed to the NCAA National Tournaments after championship wins.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:55pm

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The University of Idaho men's and women's basketball teams both claimed Big Sky Conference Tournament titles in Boise, earning automatic bids to the upcoming NCAA National Tournaments. The Vandal women defeated Montana State 60-57 in the championship game, while the men's team pulled off a 77-66 upset over Montana.

Why it matters

This marks the first time in over 30 years that both Idaho basketball programs have qualified for the NCAA Tournaments in the same season, a significant accomplishment for the university's athletics department and a source of pride for the local community.

The details

The Idaho women's team, led by a 12-point performance from Ana Beatriz Alves da Silva, won their 18th consecutive game to finish the season 29-5 and claim the Big Sky women's title. On the men's side, the #7 seed Vandals continued their Cinderella run through the tournament, upsetting the #4 seed Montana behind a double-double from Isaiah Brickner (23 points, 10 rebounds).

  • The Big Sky Conference Tournament championship games were played on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
  • The Idaho women's team won their title game on Wednesday evening.
  • The Idaho men's team won their title game later that night.

The players

Ana Beatriz Alves da Silva

A key player on the University of Idaho women's basketball team, scoring a team-high 12 points in the Big Sky championship game.

Isaiah Brickner

The standout performer for the University of Idaho men's basketball team, recording a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Big Sky title game upset.

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What they’re saying

“This marks an incredible accomplishment for our basketball programs and the entire University of Idaho community. We're thrilled to be representing the state in the NCAA Tournaments.”

— Bert Louthian, University of Idaho Athletic Director

What’s next

The University of Idaho men's and women's basketball teams will now await their seedings and first-round matchups for the upcoming NCAA National Tournaments.

The takeaway

The University of Idaho's sweep of the Big Sky Conference basketball titles is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both programs, and represents an exciting moment for the school and its fans as they prepare to compete on the national stage.