POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball is set to take the court for the first time in the 2026-27 season as the Bengals welcome Montana Western to Reed Gym on Friday, October 23. Tip-off between the Bengals and Bulldogs is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
Friday's exhibition will give Bengal fans their first look at a significantly revamped Idaho State roster, as Head Coach Ryan Looney enters his eighth season leading the program. With just two returning players from last year's squad, the Bengals will look to establish chemistry and build momentum ahead of the regular season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Friday, Oct. 23 – vs. Montana Western
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Reed Gym – Pocatello, Idaho
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: ISUBengals.com
IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW
Idaho State enters the 2026-27 season with one of the most revamped rosters in NCAA Division I basketball, returning just two players from last season's squad, Quin Patterson and Landen Birley. The Bengals return only 1.67% of their scoring, 1.6% of their rebounding, 1.27% of their assists, and 3.67% of their minutes played from the 2025-26 campaign, making Idaho State one of just nine NCAA Division I programs returning those percentages or less.
The Bengals' roster features 10 underclassmen and six upperclassmen, marking the program's fewest upperclassmen on a roster since at least 2010. Idaho State also enters the season with its fewest seniors since the 2021-22 campaign.
Despite the significant turnover, Idaho State welcomes a collection of newcomers with experience at the NCAA Division II, junior college, international, and high school levels.
Among the newcomers is Ike Palmer who joins the Bengals after averaging 16.1 points per game at Utah State Eastern, while Malachi Johnson arrives after earning CCAA Freshman of the Year honors at Stanislaus State.
Head Coach Ryan Looney enters his eighth season leading Idaho State after guiding the Bengals to a 13-20 overall record and a 5-13 mark in Big Sky Conference play last season. Under Looney, Idaho State has compiled an 81-131 overall record, including a 47-79 mark in Big Sky play and a 4-6 record at the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
The Bengals were selected to finish ninth in the 2026-27 Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 26 points. Montana State was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 97 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Northern Colorado (81) and Eastern Washington (79).
Friday's exhibition will provide Idaho State with its first opportunity to evaluate its new-look roster in game action before officially opening the regular season on November 2 at Utah State.
SCOUTING MONTANA WESTERN
Montana Western enters the 2026-27 season following a successful 2025-26 campaign in which the Bulldogs finished 20-9 overall and 15-7 in Frontier Conference play. The Bulldogs' season was highlighted by a victory over defending NAIA national champion and then-No. 1 College of Idaho before advancing to the Frontier Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs were selected to finish seventh in the 2026-27 Frontier Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 58 points.
Like Idaho State, Montana Western enters the season with a significantly revamped roster, returning just three players from last year's squad while welcoming 16 newcomers, including 12 transfers and four freshmen.
Among the returners is Billy Carlson, who tied for the team lead with 4.4 rebounds per game last season while ranking second on the team with 1.9 assists per contest. Joshua Whiteside also returns after averaging 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while River Hurley shot 34.8% from beyond the arc last season.
Montana Western will also feature a new face on the sideline as J.C. Isakson enters his first season as head coach. The Bulldogs' coaching staff last season included Tim Nolan, who served as an assistant coach during the 2025-26 campaign.
Friday's matchup will serve as Montana Western's first exhibition contest of the season before the Bulldogs officially open their 2026-27 campaign against Park Gilbert on October 30.
SERIES HISTORY – MONTANA WESTERN
Idaho State holds a commanding 61-3 all-time record against Montana Western, including a 37-1 record at home, 20-2 on the road, and 4-0 at neutral sites.
The Bengals have won 44 in a row against the Bulldogs, including an 80-64 victory on December 18, 2025, in Pocatello. Idaho State also earned a 61-53 win in 2022 and an 80-48 victory in 2019, with all three contests taking place on the Bengals' home court.
Recent Results vs. Montana Western
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12/18/2025 – H – W, 80-64
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12/6/2022 – H – W, 61-53
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11/14/2019 – H – W, 80-48
BENGAL BITES
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Idaho State returns just two players from its 2025-26 roster, Quin Patterson and Landen Birley.
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The Bengals return just 1.67% of their scoring, 1.6% of their rebounding, 1.27% of their assists, and 3.67% of their minutes played from last season.
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Idaho State is one of just nine NCAA Division I programs returning those percentages or less across all four categories.
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The Bengals' roster features 10 underclassmen and six upperclassmen, marking the program's fewest upperclassmen since at least 2010.
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Idaho State enters the season with its fewest seniors since 2021-22.
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Idaho State holds a 61-3 all-time record against Montana Western, including a 37-1 mark at home.
NEXT UP
Following Friday's exhibition, Idaho State will officially open the 2026-27 regular season on Monday, November 2, when the Bengals travel to Logan, Utah, to take on Utah State.
The matchup will begin a four-game road trip for Idaho State, with the Bengals also traveling to Wyoming on November 6, Air Force on November 8, and Seattle U on November 14.
Idaho State will return to Reed Gym for its regular-season home opener on Friday, November 20, when the Bengals welcome South Dakota State to Pocatello for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
