Can the Idaho Vandals Basketball Team Turn Their Season Around This Year?

As a lifelong basketball enthusiast who's spent years analyzing both collegiate and youth sports programs, I find myself constantly drawn to stories of teams at crossroads. Today, I'm tackling a question that's been on my mind since preseason: Can the Idaho Vandals Basketball Team turn their season around this year? Let me walk you through my thoughts in our signature Q&A format.

What makes this particular season so challenging for the Vandals?

Look, I've followed college basketball for over fifteen years, and what strikes me about this Vandals team is their inconsistent performance against fundamentally sound opponents. They're not getting blown out - they're losing close games where execution matters most. This reminds me of something I observed while studying youth basketball development models overseas. When I examined the Philippine basketball circuit where squads from Metro Manila, Iloilo, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Naga, Davao, Pampanga, Olongapo, and Cagayan compete across five age groups (10-under, 12-under, 14-under, 16-under, and 18-under), I noticed something crucial: teams that develop together through structured age brackets tend to have better chemistry and decision-making under pressure. The Vandals seem to lack that cohesive development background, which brings us back to our central question: Can the Idaho Vandals Basketball Team turn their season around this year without that foundational continuity?

How important is youth development to collegiate success?

Let me be blunt here - it's everything. I've personally visited basketball academies in seven countries, and the correlation between structured youth programs and later success is undeniable. Consider this: in those Philippine tournaments I mentioned earlier, players progress systematically through 10-under, 12-under, 14-under, 16-under, and finally 18-under divisions. That's eight years of competitive development before college! The Vandals have several players who didn't come through such structured pathways, and it shows in their offensive sets. They're shooting just 42% from the field - a number that would be higher with better shot selection developed earlier. When I watch them play, I see individual talent that hasn't been molded through years of systematic competition like those kids getting battle-tested in Metro Manila, Iloilo, and Bacolod.

What specific adjustments could help the Vandals immediately?

Okay, here's where my analyst side comes out. The Vandals need to simplify their offensive schemes and focus on what I call "percentage basketball." Watching their last three games, I counted at least twelve possessions where forced shots early in the clock led to easy transition baskets for opponents. This is where they could learn from the discipline I've observed in international youth tournaments. Those young athletes from Zamboanga, Naga, and Davao playing in those age-group competitions understand something fundamental: good shots beat quick shots. The Vandals are averaging 14 turnovers per game - that number needs to drop to single digits. They should implement drills used in the 14-under and 16-under divisions overseas where possession retention is prioritized over highlight plays.

Does team chemistry play a role in turning seasons around?

Absolutely, and this might be the Vandals' biggest hurdle. I've always believed chemistry isn't built in November - it's built through years of competing together. Remember how I mentioned those regional teams from Pampanga, Olongapo, and Cagayan? Their players often stay together through multiple age groups, developing almost telepathic understanding on court. The Vandals, by contrast, have three transfers and two freshmen in their rotation. They've only played 17 games together as a unit. When the pressure mounts in close games, that lack of shared experience shows in defensive miscommunications and offensive hesitation. Frankly, I'm skeptical they can develop that deep chemistry mid-season, but stranger things have happened in college basketball.

What about coaching adjustments?

Now we're getting into controversial territory, but I'll give you my honest opinion. Coach Don Verlin is a solid tactician, but he might need to adapt his system to his personnel. I've noticed successful coaches in those Philippine youth circuits - particularly with the Metro Manila and Iloilo squads - excel at tailoring strategies to their players' strengths rather than forcing players into rigid systems. The Vandals have exceptional three-point shooters (they're hitting 36% from beyond the arc) but insist on pounding the ball inside where they're less effective. Sometimes you need to embrace what you do well rather than what you wish you could do well. If they increased their three-point attempts from the current 18 per game to 25-28, I believe they'd score 6-8 more points per game.

Can leadership emerge in time to save the season?

This is the million-dollar question, isn't it? In my experience covering turnaround stories, leadership often comes from unexpected places. I recall watching an 18-under championship game in the Philippines where a relatively quiet player from the Bacolod squad suddenly took command during crunch time. The Vandals need someone - anyone - to claim that role. Senior guard Trevon Allen is the obvious candidate, but I've been particularly impressed with sophomore forward Damen Thacker's recent energy off the bench. The reality is, they have 13 regular-season games remaining, and they probably need to win at least 9 of them to have any postseason hopes. That's a steep hill to climb without clear, consistent leadership.

So, back to our original question - can they actually do it?

Here's my honest take, for what it's worth. The Idaho Vandals Basketball Team faces significant challenges that go beyond X's and O's. Their issues with chemistry, developmental continuity, and in-game execution mirror the gaps you'd see in a team that hasn't progressed through structured tiers like those 10-under to 18-under divisions overseas. However - and this is important - college basketball is wonderfully unpredictable. I've seen crazier turnarounds. If they can embrace a simpler offensive approach, leverage their shooting strength, and discover some unexpected leadership, winning 9 of their remaining 13 games isn't impossible. It's just... unlikely. My prediction? They'll show improvement but fall short of a complete turnaround, finishing with a 7-6 record in their remaining games. Sometimes growth isn't about dramatic turnarounds but building foundations for future seasons - much like those young athletes in the Philippine circuits who may not win every tournament but develop progressively through each age group.