Big West Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
June 9, 2000

No matter how you look at it, it was a disappointing season from start to finish for the Vandals. Idaho was a model in mediocrity, never losing more than four consecutive games (once, early in the season) but never winning more than three straight.

There never was much of a sense of urgency in Moscow, where it seemed it was expected the Vandals would eventually turn it around by the end of the season, much the same way they did in coach Dave Farrar's first two seasons.

It never happened, and uncharacteristically Farrar's Vandals seemed to get worse as the season wore on, losing seven of their last 10 games.

Idaho had three solid seniors in Gordon Scott, Devon Ford and Clifford Gray, but the three never gelled with the rest of the lineup that was young and inexperienced. Farrar also openly talked about the poor team chemistry that started with the seniors.

A major problem all season was at point guard, where freshmen Justin Logan and Lance Buoncristiani struggled to pick up Farrar's system.

Buoncristiani, who Farrar tabbed as the best bet to run the team, was slowed by illness and eventually underwent an emergency appendectomy late in the season. Farrar still has high hopes for Buoncristiani, but it didn't happen this season.

A glance at 2001

Farrar will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to avoid back-to-back losing seasons. The Vandals return just one starter -- Buoncristiani. Kaniel Dickens, the wildly athletic forward who averaged about 12 points and 6.6 rebounds, stunned a lot of people when he declared for the NBA Draft.

Junior-to-be Matt Gerschefske displayed a soft shooting touch, hitting nearly 40 percent of his attempts from 3-point range. He should move into the starting lineup and could emerge as a steady scoring threat.

Six-foot-8 prep recruit Bret Wise will add some immediate size to the Vandals' lineup and shooting guard Roland Coppage is considered one of the top players in the Kansas City (Kan.) area. Both could help immediately, but may be a year or two away from making a major impact.

The Coach

Fresh off his first losing season at Idaho, Farrar remains optimistic about the future of the Vandals. He called Wise and Coppage the two best players in Kansas and also is hitting the JC ranks looking for some immediate help. Farrar has traditionally been a strong JC recruiter, and he may need to work some magic again this year to avoid another long winter.

Who'll Be Back?

The only starter returning is Buoncristiani. Gerschefske is a safe bet to crack the starting lineup, but the other two spots are up for grabs. Farrar likes the potential of freshman center Chris Monroe, but the 6-8 Monroe did little this season to suggest he's ready for a starting role.

Anthony Lewis showed flashes of being a contributor and should make a case for more minutes, as should forward William Gates. Logan came on near the end of the season at point guard, but if Buoncristiani continues to be Farrar's pick as the team's point guard of the future, its hard to say where Logan will fit in.

Who's Gone?

No matter how poor the chemistry was, Idaho will miss Gray, Ford, and Scott, who combined to average about 40 points a game.

The loss of Dickens is also a huge blow, as he had a chance to develop into one of the best players in the Big West.