Idaho continued its late-season slump as they dropped two post-season games and finished the tournaments by
Taking it on the chin ven in a gambling town such as Reno. Nevada, very few people were seen placing bets on the Big Sky Tournament as the four top teams in the conference prepared for first-round play. For all practical purposes,
E
Idaho, Montana, Weber State and host Nevada-Reno were equally matched - there were no favorites. The Vandals, however, didn't slick around long enough to enjoy the town of
bright lights and casinos as the hometown Wallpack knocked off Idaho 18-73 and put to lest the defending champion Vandals' hopes for a third consecutive Big Sky Championship and trip to the prestigious NCAA tournament. Despite being cheered on by a loyal group of supporters from all over Idaho, the Vandals could not overcome the early-tournament jitters or the Nevada-Reno defense.
Reno controlled the tempo most of the game. They ran to a 42-38 half-time advantage, increased the lead to as many as 11 points in the second half, and held off three strong Idaho rallies in the game's final minutes to claim a spot in the championship game. Brian Kellerman, the Vandals' 6-foot-5-inch senior guard, who spent much of the game in the forward position, was brilliant in defeat. Kellerman hit 13 of 25 from the field and finished with 27 points, second only to the Wolfpack's offensive scoring machine, Ken Green, who pumped in 33 points. Because of the loss in the first round, Idaho's chances for a birth in the National Invitation Tournament seemed to be slim. However, based on the VandaIs' tough schedule and their strong reputation, the NIT selection committee picked
the Vandals as one of the 32-team field. And their first round opponent was none other than Oregon State. As Don Monson and his players headed to Corvalis, Oregon for the first-round match-up, a feeling of dejavous hung in the air. It was Oregon State who, after losing to the Vandals in the Far West Classic the year before, had ended Idaho's season by beating them in the NCAA Western Regionals. And it happened once again. The Beavers, who trailed the Vandals 35-32 at halftime, exploded in the second half to shoot 68 percent from the field as they pulled away from Idaho to a 77-59 victory. The loss ended the Vandals' season at 20-9 and made the Big Sky's first ever entry into the NIT tournament a brief one. Kellerman ended his career at Idaho with 21 points as he
lied the Beavers' Charlie Sitton for high scoring honors. Forward Pete Prigge paced the Vandals on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds. Despite their disappointing showing in post-season play, Idaho once again turned in a memorable year on the hardwood courts. The Vandals posted their third consecutive 20-win season, their first-ever regular-season national television appearance, their fourth straight trip to the Big Sky playoffs, and the conference's very first entry in the NIT postseason tournament. Still, as coach Don Monson and his four seniors bade farewell to Idaho and moved on to continue their respective basketball careers, an air of uncertainty hung in Moscow. Would this be the end of Idaho's reign as one of college basketball's elite?
Clint Kendrick 0
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