Idaho and EWU hoops switching to doubleheaders

Idaho and Eastern Washington basketball are moving the yearly meetings to doubleheaders for the 2017-18 season.

The first such meeting will take place on Friday, Jan. 12, in Cheney, with the women’s game tipping off at 5 p.m. and the men following at 7:30. The series will make its way south to Moscow on Friday, Feb. 9.

“I think it is great,” Idaho women’s basketball coach Jon Newlee said. “It is something that we have been wanting to do. It is great that all the programs could get together and come to an agreement that is in the best interest for all of our fans. Having all of us in one venue, twice a year, will be fantastic for our fans and boosters. It will really help enhance the atmosphere in this series.”

“It’s a great move for the communities and for the fans of the programs,” Idaho men’s coach Don Verlin said. “We got the ball moving last year by switching the men’s game to Friday nights and we saw the impact right away. To now have all four teams playing in the same venue on the same night is just the right move for everyone involved.”

All four teams advanced to postseason tournaments last year, with Idaho’s women knocking out EWU in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Basketball Invitational.

“I want to thank all of the head coaches from Eastern and Idaho for making this happen,” Eastern athletic director Bill Chaves said. “I think that this could become a great tradition in the future.”