George Fox vs Idaho prediction: Idaho's nearly new roster opens against Division III George Fox
The Big Sky tournament champions bring back almost none of last season's minutes, so the opener is a first look at who the Vandals are now.
- Idaho, a Big Sky team, should control a Division III visitor; the real interest is how a reshuffled rotation fits together.
- Watch Idaho's defensive glass: last season's Vandals ranked 4th nationally in defensive rebound rate, and they out-rebounded Boise State in an exhibition.
- No spread or total has been posted yet; the number that matters most is Idaho's 13.8% of returning minutes.
Champions in name only
Idaho won the 2026 Big Sky tournament and went 21-15 last season. Almost none of that team is back. Players on this season's roster logged just 13.8% of last season's minutes and 11.4% of its points, so last season's numbers say more about Alex Pribble's system than his personnel.
The top four departures were all regular starters, led by Kolton Mitchell at 13.7 points per game and Jackson Rasmussen at 13.5. Pribble said the program returns four players from its title team. The coaches and media picked Idaho sixth in the Big Sky this preseason, with one first-place coaches vote. Pribble signed a three-year extension in September, and the whole staff returns.
The system that stays
If the style carries over, expect Idaho to finish possessions on the defensive glass and fire from deep. Last season's Vandals grabbed 76.5% of available defensive rebounds, 4th of 365 Division I teams. They also took 47.0% of their shots from three, 34th nationally.
The early signs on the boards are good. Idaho out-rebounded Boise State 36-29 in an Oct. 10 exhibition.
Who carries the load
Seth Joba is the most experienced returner, a reserve forward who made 36.2% of his threes on 94 attempts last season. Miles Klapper hit 42.9% from deep in a smaller role. Hudson Ward arrives from Western Michigan, and Pribble said in May that Ward's wrist injury had healed. Kase Wynott missed most of last season with a hip injury, and Idaho hasn't given a current update. No injuries have been confirmed for either team.
The visitor
George Fox is a Division III program. Last season's team started 1-7 and sat last in the Northwest Conference in December 2025. The two programs have met before, and Idaho won one earlier meeting 95-85. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. in Moscow on Nov. 2, the season opener for both teams.
Key players
- Seth Joba (Idaho): He came off the bench in all 36 games last season and shot 36.2% from three.
- Miles Klapper (Idaho): He made 42.9% of his threes last season in 11.9 minutes per game.
- Hudson Ward (Idaho): He averaged 4.5 points in 13 games for Western Michigan last season, and his wrist injury has healed.
- Kristian Gonzalez (Idaho): He played one game last season and scored 18 points.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 13.8% | Idaho brings back very little of its title team, so last season's team stats are a weak guide. |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive rebound % (last season) | 76.5% | That ranked 4th in Division I and is the clearest identity marker of Pribble's system. |
| 3-point attempt rate (last season) | 47.0% | Idaho ranked 34th in share of shots from deep, a style the new roster may inherit. |
| Exhibition rebounding | 36-29 | Idaho out-rebounded Boise State on Oct. 10, an early sign the glass work survived the turnover. |
George Fox vs Idaho: quick answers
When is George Fox vs Idaho?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.