Northwest Notes: Friday, November 7

Idaho men's basketball

team to take on L-C State

MOSCOW - One sure thing coach Don Verlin learned about the Idaho Vandals last weekend in their exhibition opener against Simon Fraser is they can adapt.

He doesn't expect the same level of disruption to the Vandals' normal offensive sets when Idaho takes on Lewis-Clark State College tonight. Idaho's second, and final, exhibition game tips off at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gym.

"They've got a really good, solid team," Verlin said of the Warriors, who are 4-0 in their exhibition games with an average of 105 points per game.

The Warriors have six players with double-figure averages, while the Vandals had six players score in double figures against Simon Fraser during a game that featured 36 3-point goals by the two teams. Verlin isn't expecting that tonight.

""They're a lot better and a lot more physically equipped around the basket than Simon Fraser. They've got four solid post guys. My biggest concern right now is our post defense and they have a couple of really good shooters.

"It should be a lot of fun."

Again, expect Verlin to use his entire roster as he analyzes the Vandals' progress through fall drills. Against Simon Fraser, all-time 3-point scorer Connor Hill from Post Falls High had 31 points (nine 3s) with Sekou Wiggs adding 23, Chad Sherwood 22, and Victor Sanders, Mike Scott and Ty Egbert adding 12 each. Nahshon George had 13 rebounds.

Idaho assistant AD

succumbs to cancer

MOSCOW - The University of Idaho athletic department lost one of its own Wednesday night when Mark Vaught, Assistant Athletic Director/Football Operations, succumbed to cancer.

Vaught, who joined the Vandals in 2008, touched the lives of everyone he met.

"Mark Vaught was a true professional; a great worker," Idaho head football coach Paul Petrino said. "He brought happiness to everyone who was around him in his life. He was a great friend. I love him. I'm going to miss him forever."

Vaught, 31, graduated cum laude from Oregon State University and earned his master's degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington. He is survived by his wife, Bailey, as well as his parents, siblings and in-laws.

"I wish his family and Bailey all the love in the world," Petrino said. "I know I'm a better person because I got to be around him."