POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball hits the road for another two road games, opening the weekend at Wyoming on Friday, Nov. 6th, before traveling to Colorado Springs to face Air Force on Sunday, Nov. 8th. The Bengals look to earn their first win of the 2026-27 season after opening the year with a 58-94 loss at Utah State on Monday, Nov. 2nd.
Idaho State enters the weekend with a 0-1 record, while Wyoming and Air Force also enter their respective matchups at 1-0 and 0-1. The Bengals will face two opponents coming off season-opening games as they continue their early-season schedule.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Friday, Nov. 6, at Wyoming
Tipoff: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Laramie, Wyoming
Watch: MW+
Listen: KISU
Live Stats: isubengals.com
Sunday, Nov. 8, at Air Force
Tipoff: 1 p.m.
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Watch: MW+
Listen: KISU
Live Stats: isubengals.com
IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW
Idaho State enters its 100th season of men's basketball with a new-look roster, returning just two players from last season, Quin Patterson and Landen Birley. The Bengals return 1.67 percent of their scoring, 1.6 percent of their rebounding, 1.27 percent of their assists and 3.67 percent of their minutes played from a season ago. Idaho State is one of just nine NCAA Division I programs returning those percentages or fewer in all four categories.
The Bengals opened the season at Utah State on Nov. 2nd, falling 58-94. Idaho State shot 35.1 percent from the field and 12.0 percent from three-point range, while collecting 25 rebounds and recording eight assists. The Bengals also finished with six blocks and eight steals.
Idaho State ranks fourth in the Big Sky in blocks per game at 6.0, ranking 57th nationally. The Bengals also rank fourth in the conference in steals per game at 8.0. Idaho State has shown an early ability to get to the free-throw line, ranking third in the Big Sky in free-throw attempts per game at 24.0 and fifth in free throws made per game at 15.0.
Individually, Macarhy Morris leads the Bengals in scoring at 15.0 points per game and ranks fourth in the Big Sky in assists per game at 5.0. Morris also played a team-high 32:53 in the season opener and finished with five assists against Utah State.
Kenyon DeMuynck is averaging 14.0 points per game and leads the Big Sky in blocks per game at 4.0, ranking 15th nationally. DeMuynck also ranks fourth in the conference in steals per game at 3.0. He recorded four blocks and three steals against Utah State.
Ike Palmer is averaging 10.0 points per game after scoring 10 points against the Aggies. Palmer went 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free-throw line in his season debut. He currently ranks among the conference leaders in free-throw percentage at 100 percent.
SCOUTING WYOMING
Wyoming enters Friday's matchup with a 1-0 record after opening the season with a 95-48 victory over Regis on Nov. 3. The Cowboys shot 55.2 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three-point range, making 32 of 58 field-goal attempts and seven of 16 attempts from beyond the arc.
Wyoming controlled the glass against Regis, finishing with a 41-23 rebounding advantage. The Cowboys collected 12 offensive rebounds, recorded 19 assists and forced 19 turnovers while committing just nine. Wyoming also finished with 12 steals and shot 75.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Khaden Bennett led the Cowboys with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Parker Gerrits added 12 points, while Nasir Meyer finished with 11. Michael Mora, Gavin Gores and Linus Ruf each scored 10 points, giving Wyoming six players in double figures. Madden Smiley led the team with eight rebounds.
Wyoming's early statistical profile is highlighted by its rebounding and defensive pressure. The Cowboys will look to carry that production into Friday's matchup, while Idaho State will need to limit turnovers and finish defensive possessions with rebounds. Wyoming's balanced scoring also presents a challenge for the Bengal defense, with six players reaching double figures in the season opener.
SCOUTING AIR FORCE
Air Force enters Sunday's matchup with an 0-1 record after opening the season with a 102-71 loss at Wright State on Nov. 2. The Falcons shot 32.4 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from three-point range, making 22 of 68 field-goal attempts and seven of 26 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Falcons collected 36 rebounds against Wright State, including 23 offensive boards. Air Force ranks fifth nationally and first in the Mountain West in offensive rebounds per game at 23.0. The Falcons also rank second in the conference in free-throw attempts per game at 32.0 and fifth in free throws made per game at 20.0.
Kam Sanders and Grant Best lead Air Force in scoring at 17.0 points per game. Sanders finished with 17 points and five rebounds against Wright State, while Best also scored 17 points and recorded four steals. AJ Patterson added 12 points, and Caleb Walker contributed 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Walker ranks first in the Mountain West and fourth nationally in offensive rebounds per game at 7.0. Best ranks second in the conference and 24th nationally in steals per game at 4.0. Air Force's ability to create second-chance opportunities and get to the free-throw line will be important factors for Idaho State to account for on Sunday.
The Bengals will look to control the defensive glass and limit Air Force's additional possessions. Idaho State's early production in blocks and steals could also be important against a Falcons team that recorded nine steals in its season opener.
SERIES HISTORY
Wyoming leads the all-time series 14-8. Idaho State holds a 6-5 record at home, 1-8 on the road, and 1-1 in neutral-site meetings.
Recent Results:
11/5/2019 – A – L, 40-54
1/9/2012 – A – L, 49-73
12/22/2011 – H – L, 56-80
Idaho State is tied with Air Force in the all-time series 2-2. Idaho State holds a 1-0 record at home, and 1-2 record on the road.
Recent Results:
11/27/2021 – A – L, 48-59
1/9/2012 – A – W, 89-79
12/22/2011 – A – L, 57-71
BENGAL BITES
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Idaho State is in its 100th season of men's basketball during the 2026-27 campaign.
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The Bengals return just two players from last season, Quin Patterson and Landen Birley.
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Idaho State is one of nine NCAA Division I programs returning 1.67 percent or less of its scoring, 1.6 percent or less of its rebounding, 1.27 percent or less of its assists and 3.67 percent or less of its minutes played.
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Idaho State ranks fourth in the Big Sky in blocks per game at 6.0, ranking 57th nationally.
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Kenyon DeMuynck leads the Big Sky in blocks per game at 4.0, ranking 15th nationally.
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DeMuynck also ranks fourth in the Big Sky in steals per game at 3.0.
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Macarhy Morris ranks fourth in the Big Sky in assists per game at 5.0 and is averaging 15.0 points per game.
NEXT UP
Following their trips to Wyoming and Air Force, the Bengals will have their eyes set on the final game of their season-opening 4-game roadtrip. As Idaho State heads to Seattle U to go up against the Redhawks, and former Idaho State guard, Maleek Arington. The Bengals and Redhawks are set for an 8:00 p.m. MT tipoff on Saturday, Nov. 14th.
