Northwest Notes June 25, 2024

Moreira promoted to head coach of Idaho women's basketball

MOSCOW — Arthur Moreira, associate head coach for Idaho's women's basketball team last season, has been promoted to head coach, Vandals athletic director Terry Gawlik announced on Monday.

Moreira replaces Carrie Eighmey, who left after one season at Idaho to become head coach at South Dakota. 

"Arthur's strong recruiting skills, his quest for improving our program, and relationship building within the community made it a clear choice to promote him to head coach," Gawlik said. "He brings in a great depth of international ties and connections in the northwest. He is an exemplary leader and is passionate about our student-athletes on and off the court. The team is in good hands."

Moreira becomes the 11th women's basketball coach in Idaho history. He is also the first Brazilian head coach in NCAA Division I history.

"This will be a players-first program, where our student-athletes will thrive and have a positive, enriching experience," Moreira said. "Together, we will cultivate a championship culture while providing our student-athletes with the tools and resources necessary to excel in their academic and athletic pursuits."

Since taking over the program, Moreira has recruited six athletes to Idaho, including point guard Kelbie Washington from Oklahoma, who was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. She is among the highest-ranked recruits to come through Idaho, having an overall ranking of No. 66 and No. 10 guard in the 2021 high school class per ESPN.

Idaho finished 15-16 last season. As the head recruiter, Moreira brought in Kennedy Johnson, the Vandals' leading scorer and All-Big Sky First Team selection. He was responsible for the recruitment of Hope Butera, the team leader in blocks and rebounds before her season-ending injury. 

With his move to Idaho from the University of San Francisco, Moreira brought Amalie Langer with him. Langer went on to be named to the inaugural Big Sky All-Defensive Team and started all but one game for Idaho. 

Moreira has been an assistant coach for the Brazilian Basketball Federation. He was part of the coaching staff that led the U19 National Team in the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup last summer. 

He opted out of involvement with the Brazilian teams this summer to prepare for Idaho’s upcoming season, Idaho officials said. He plans to still be involved in the future with the Brazilian Basketball Federation in some capacity, to be determined.

Prior to Idaho, Moreira spent seven seasons at San Francisco as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2016-23. 

Moreira, a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, kicked off his coaching career as a student assistant for the men's basketball program at Sonoma State for five years. 

Moreira said he is keeping UI assistant Drew Muscatell on staff, promoting him to associate head coach.

Date set for Zags-Kentucky game in 2024 Battle in Seattle

Gonzaga and Kentucky will square off in the 2024 Battle in Seattle in Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Dec. 7.

Game time and television information will be announced soon. 

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday at 10 a.m. at climatepledgearena.com. Zag Member Presales begin on Wednesday and can be purchased directly through Gonzaga's website.

A multiyear series between the programs was finalized prior to the 2022-23 season. GU won the first two meetings, 88-72 in the Spokane Arena in 2022, and 89-85 last season in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. 

The Zags and Wildcats will meet in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in 2025-26. The final two games in the series are scheduled for Rupp Arena (2026-27) and the McCarthey Athletic Center (2027-28).

Gonzaga has won two of the three all-time matchups against Kentucky. Before this series, the Wildcats beat Gonzaga in the first meeting, 80-72 in the 2002 Maui Invitational.

This is the 15th edition of the Battle in Seattle. The Bulldogs hold a 9-5 record in the event all-time. Gonzaga fell to Alabama in the last event in 2021. That game, the first college basketball matchup at Climate Pledge Arena, drew the event’s highest attendance at 18,048 fans.

Last season in Seattle, defending national champion UConn defeated No. 10 Gonzaga in the Continental Tire Seattle Tip-Off, a non-Battle in Seattle event, in Climate Pledge Arena in front of 16,405 fans.

Chiefs announce four-game preseason slate 

The Spokane Chiefs will play four preseason games, all against U.S. Division opponents, all away from home. 

The Chiefs will play Seattle on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. in Everett, play Portland on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. in Everett, Wenatchee on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. in Kennewick, and Tri-City on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Kennewick. 

The Chiefs’ home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 vs. Tri City at the Spokane Arena. 

The full 2024-25 regular season schedule will be announced Tuesday.