IDAHO BASKETBALL SECURES SPOT IN MEN AND WOMEN’S MARCH MADNESS

Ajay Allen - March 15, 2026

Both the Idaho Vandals men's basketball and Idaho Vandals women's basketball are heading to the national stage after each captured the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Tournament and Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament titles, earning automatic bids to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. For a university tucked away in Moscow, Idaho, it marks a rare and memorable moment where both sides of the basketball program will be dancing in March at the same time.

Conference tournament week is where seasons are defined. For teams in leagues like the Big Sky, winning the conference tournament is the clearest path to March Madness. The Vandals took advantage of that opportunity on both sides of the program, putting together championship runs that ended with both teams cutting down the nets and securing their place in the NCAA field.

The men’s team found its rhythm at exactly the right time. Throughout the Big Sky tournament the Vandals relied on strong defensive possessions and timely scoring when the games tightened late. Tournament basketball often comes down to composure in key moments, and Idaho showed that ability throughout its run. Each win pushed the team closer to the conference crown, and when the final buzzer sounded in the championship game, the celebration confirmed that Idaho had secured the automatic bid that comes with a Big Sky title.

The women’s team delivered a championship performance of its own. Idaho controlled games with balanced scoring and disciplined defense throughout the tournament, playing with confidence as the bracket narrowed. Their consistency across the tournament allowed the Vandals to close out the championship and lock in their automatic berth to the national tournament. When the nets came down, the moment represented both a conference championship and the realization of the program’s March Madness goal.

Having both teams win the Big Sky tournament in the same season is a rare achievement and a defining moment for Vandals basketball. It reflects the growth of the program and the work put in by players and coaches across both teams throughout the year. Instead of one team carrying the university’s banner into March, Idaho will now have two opportunities to represent the school on the sport’s biggest stage.

The road ahead will not be easy. The Idaho women are set to open their tournament run against the Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball, a program that regularly competes among the nation’s top teams. It presents an immediate test for the Vandals, but it also provides the opportunity to make a statement early in the tournament.

The men’s team will face another major challenge in the opening round when they take on the Houston Cougars men's basketball. Houston has built a national reputation for its physical defense and disciplined play, making the matchup one of the tougher draws in the bracket. Still, March Madness has long been known for unexpected runs and tournament surprises, and Idaho will enter the game with momentum after its Big Sky championship.

Back in Moscow, the excitement surrounding Vandals basketball continues to grow. Fans, students, and alumni now have the rare chance to watch both the men’s and women’s teams compete in the NCAA Tournament during the same season. It is a moment that reflects not only the success of this year’s teams but also the pride surrounding the Idaho Vandals program.

For the players who fought through the Big Sky bracket to earn their automatic bids, the next step is the stage every college basketball player dreams about. March Madness has arrived, and Idaho will be part of the national conversation twice.

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