1980–81 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 Basketball 1980–81 Idaho Vandals Idaho Vandals logo.svg 80 Big Sky Conference Big Sky 25–4 12–2 Don Monson 3rd Barry Collier Rod Snook Kibbie Dome Big Sky champions NCAA tournament First round The 1980–81 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team represented the University of Idaho during the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Don Monson and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. Idaho won its first eleven games (including road wins at Nebraska, Washington State, and Gonzaga), went 23–3 in the regular season, and won the Big Sky Conference regular season championship, their first conference title in 58 years.http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1981/85 Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook Basketball: Vandals open season with 11 wins 1981 80 The Vandals' 12–2 conference record earned them the host position for the conference tournament (top four teams of the eight), which they won.https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/9218?_ga=2.64562924.2129247309.1517587210-632479480.1517437024 Idaho Argonaut Moscow (University of Idaho) Sahlberg Bert Vandals win it all over stubborn Grizzlies March 10, 1981 9 February 3, 2018 February 16, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180203123602/https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/9218?_ga=2.64562924.2129247309.1517587210-632479480.1517437024 dead Seeded seventh in the West region of the 48-team NCAA tournament, they traveled to El Paso, Texas.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eflLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2951%2C3818606 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry NCAA: Idaho draws Pitt March 9, 1981 15 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fflLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2980%2C5107252 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Idaho vs. Pitt: a guessing game March 13, 1981 35 In the first round, Idaho lost by one point in overtime to Pittsburgh;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fvlLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5710%2C5439397 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Vandals victimized in overtime March 14, 1981 17https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/9225?_ga=2.224117464.2129247309.1517587210-632479480.1517437024 Idaho Argonaut Moscow (University of Idaho) 'Prayer shot' ends Vandal NCAA dreams March 24, 1981 6 they ended at 25 4 y, with most of the key players returning.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8YJfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4386%2C109952 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Vandal cage hopes depend on filling center spot October 16, 1981 4B Polls Idaho was ranked for the first time in school history in February, for three weeks in the UPI coaches poll. Curiously, they entered its top twenty after a road loss,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XVtOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3494%2C2012586 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Idaho is ranked in coaches' poll February 10, 1981 17 rose to 16th,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y_pLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6625%2C249645 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Idaho ranked No. 16 February 17, 1981 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lPtLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1727%2C727516 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Adaptability is the word for the five-phase Vandals February 18, 1981 C1 then exited after completing the regular season with a nine-point road win.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GAcqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1521%2C1771046 The Bulletin Bend, Oregon) UPI OSU nearly unanimous March 3, 1981 14 The Vandals received votes, but did not appear,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ar8RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1607%2C1392124 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Ticket-seeking friends feel pinch of Monson's success March 3, 1981 17 in the AP writers poll (top twenty) until January 1982; they were ranked sixth in both polls at end of that regular season,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7-pWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7290%2C276586 Spokane Chronicle Washington wire services Vandals No. 6 March 2, 1982 13 and eighth in both final polls. Attendance Prior to this season, the school attendance record for basketball was 6,449, set five years earlier at the Kibbie Dome's inaugural hoop game in January 1976 against Palouse neighbor Washington State.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_rBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4jIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4228%2C5584942 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Crowd of 6,449 sees Cougar romp in dome January 22, 1976 1B That was surpassed in 1981 with 6,800 for the conference opener with Weber State on Thursday, January 8.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Tk9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z-4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4233%2C3318691 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Vandals pass first Sky test January 9, 1981 25https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r51fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yzEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5636%2C2693713 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Good enough January 9, 1981 1B The final two home regular season games both saw new records, as title-contending Montana State and Montana visited: 7,100 on Thursday, February 19,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lvtLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6674%2C1378465 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Idaho 'Vandalizes' Bobcats February 20, 1981 23https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tJxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5037%2C1700495 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Vandals riding sky high after ripping Bobcats February 20, 1981 1B which was shattered with 9,000 two days later for Idaho's nineteenth consecutive home court win.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tpxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3069%2C2562677 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Vandals keep winning February 22, 1981 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0PpLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4950%2C1561519 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Van Sickel Charlie Victorious Vandals still need final win February 23, 1981 19 (Two years later, the record increased to 11,800.)https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R5xfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ojEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4823%2C3714993 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Killen John SNAP! Montana breaks it all to stop Idaho February 13, 1983 1B All-conference Sophomore guard Brian Kellerman was the Big Sky's player of the year and a first team all-conference selection. Vandals on the second team were sophomore forward Phil Hopson, senior center Ron Maben, and junior point guard Ken Owens, the MVP of the conference tournament.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fPlLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4606%2C4819214 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Guards head league's list March 12, 1981 22https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v1ZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QPkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6886%2C2911507 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Briefs: Kellerman honored March 12, 1981 52https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vEpTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XYMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4989%2C3239248 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah UPI Harper is all-Big Sky March 12, 1981 D6 Notes Center Jeff Brudie earned a degree in civil engineering, graduated from the UI law school, and is a district judge in Lewiston. Roster 1980 Idaho Vandals m y yes Mike Maben 4 G 6 3 185 JR Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Tech HS Jeff Brudie 11 C 6 11 SR Idaho Falls, Idaho Bonneville HS Brian Kellerman y 12 G 6 5 190 SO Richland, WA Richland HS Ken Owens basketball y 14 G 6 0 180 JR New York, NY Treasure Valley (OR) Gordon Herbert y 20 F 6 6 205 SR yes y Penticton, BC N.Idaho, Penticton HS Al Williams 22 G Chicago, IL North Idaho Pete Prigge 24 F 6 7 190 FR Vancouver, WA Fort Vancouver HS Zane Frazier y 30 F 6 5 205 FR Los Angeles, CA Fairfax HS Dan Forge 31 F 6 5 SR Lewiston, ID Lewiston HS Ben Ross 32 G 6 4 180 SO Coeur d'Alene, ID Coeur d'Alene HS Mike Dow 35 C 6 11 SR Freeman Watkins 42 G 6 4 187 FR Utica, MI Eisenhower HS Phil Hopson 44 F 6 6 190 SO Portland, OR Jefferson HS Ron Maben 52 C 6 6 SR Milwaukee, WI Spokane CC,West Division HS Don Monson (Idaho) Barry Collier (Butler) Rod Snook (Whittier) http://www.tomandrodna.com/Iowa_Basketball_1982.htm Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4kFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7030%2C2717123 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Vandals return nine vets October 25, 1980 12 Schedule and results yes yes Fri, Nov 14 8:00 pm yes Athletes in Action (Canada) Memorial Gymnasium Moscow, Idaho (Exhibition) 65–63 — 2,500 Sat, Nov 29 6 pm yes yes Nebraska Bob Devaney Center Lincoln, Nebraska 64–53 1–0 7,750 Mon, Dec 1 7:30 pm yes yes Washington State Spokane Coliseum Spokane, Washington Battle of the Palouse 65–51 2–0 3,186 Fri, Dec 5 8:00 pm yes Simon Fraser (BC) Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 79–69 3–0 3,200 Sat, Dec 6 7:30 pm yes yes Gonzaga Kennedy Pavilion Spokane, Washington Rivalry 73–69 4–0 4,242 Mon, Dec 8 8:00 pm yes U.S. International (CA) Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 78–56 5–0 3,000 Thu, Dec 11 8:00 pm yes San Jose State Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 69–55 6–0 4,200 Sat, Dec 13 8:00 pm yes St. Martin's (WA) Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 90–46 7–0 4,200 Thu, Dec 18 8:00 pm yes Wisconsin–Oshkosh Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 113–67 8–0 3,700 Sat, Dec 20 8:00 pm yes Northwest Nazarene (ID) Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 94–55 9–0 2,750 Sat, Dec 27 7:00 pm yes yes Oklahoma City Myriad Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma All-College tournament 74–61 10–0 2,857 Mon, Dec 29 7:00 pm yes yes Long Island Myriad Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma All-College Tournament 90–68 11–0 4,009 Tue, Dec 30 7:00 pm yes yes Oklahoma State Myriad Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma All-College Tournament (final) 83–94 11–1 8,012 Thu, Jan 8 8:00 pm Weber State Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 57–46 12–1 1–0 6,800 Sat, Jan 10 8:00 pm Idaho State Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 75–60 13–1 2–0 5,200 Thu, Jan 15 8:00 pm yes Nevada-Reno Centennial Coliseum Reno, Nevada 63–59 14–1 3–0 3,997 Sat, Jan 17 6:30 pm yes Boise State Bronco Gymnasium Boise, Idaho 57–45 15–1 4–0 3,682 Fri, Jan 23 7:00 pm yes Montana Dahlberg Arena Missoula, Montana 47–44 16–1 5–0 9,323 Sat, Jan 24 7:00 pm yes Montana State Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Bozeman, Montana 59–68 16–2 5–1 6,467 Thu, Jan 29 8:00 pm Nevada-Reno Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 81–76 17–2 6–1 6,000 Sat, Jan 31 8:00 pm Northern Arizona Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 72–61 18–2 7–1 6,400 Fri, Feb 6 7:00 pm yes Idaho State ISU Minidome Pocatello, Idaho 59–58 19–2 8–1 7,500 Sat, Feb 7 6:30 pm yes Weber State Dee Events Center Ogden, Utah 49–53 19–3 8–2 6,374 Sat, Feb 14 8:00 pm 20 Boise State Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 70–64 20–3 9–2 5,900 Thu, Feb 19 8:00 pm 16 Montana State Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 73–55 21–3 10–2 7,100 Sat, Feb 21 8:00 pm 16 Montana Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho 87–78 22–3 11–2 9,000 Thu, Feb 26 6:30 pm yes 17 Northern Arizona Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, Arizona 74–65 23–3 12–2 3,465 |- !colspan=9 style=Idaho Vandals| Big Sky tournament Fri, Mar 6 7:00 pm 1 Idaho State 4 Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho Semifinal 69–45 24–3 8,250 Sat, Mar 7 7:30 pm 1 Montana 2 Kibbie Dome Moscow, Idaho Final 70–54 25–3 8,300 |- !colspan=9 style=Idaho Vandals| NCAA Tournament Fri, Mar 13 6:00 pm yes yes 7W Pittsburgh 10W Special Events Center El Paso, Texas First round 69–70 OT 25–4 7,109 UPI coaches poll Pacific Time References 2 External links Sports Reference – Idaho Vandals: 1980–81 basketball season Gem of the Mountains: 1981 University of Idaho yearbook – 1980–81 basketball season Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1981 editions Team photo – 1980–81 Idaho Vandals Category:Idaho Vandals men's basketball seasons Idaho Idaho Idaho Idaho