1977–78 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team

The 1977–78 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team represented the University of Idaho during the 1977–78 NCAA Division I basketball season. Members of the Big Sky Conference, the Vandals were led by fourth-year head coach Jim Jarvis and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. They were 4–22 overall and 1–13 in conference play.[1][2]

1977–78 Idaho Vandals men's basketball
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
Record4–22 (1–13 Big Sky)
Head coach
Assistant coachWes Sodorff
MVPReed Jaussi
Home arenaKibbie Dome
Seasons
1977–78 Big Sky men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Montana 12 2   .857 20 8   .714
Idaho State 11 3   .786 16 10   .615
Weber State 9 5   .643 19 10   .655
Boise State 8 6   .571 13 14   .481
Gonzaga 7 7   .500 14 15   .483
Northern Arizona 5 9   .357 11 14   .440
Montana State 3 11   .214 9 17   .346
Idaho 1 13   .071 4 22   .154
Conference tournament winner

No Vandals were named to the all-conference team; sophomore forward Reed Jaussi was honorable mention.[3][4]

After four seasons with last place finishes in the conference, Jarvis resigned in June 1978 under recurring allegations[5][6] of illegal recruiting.[7][8][9] The program had been placed on probation for one year in late January, resulting in a reprimand for Jarvis and assistant coach Wes Sodorff by the university.[6][10][11]

Jarvis was succeeded in August by alumnus Don Monson, an assistant at Michigan State,[8] who had significantly greater success; he led the Vandals to a conference title in 1981 and the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1982.

References edit

  1. ^ "College basketball standings". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). February 27, 1978. p. 4B.
  2. ^ "College cage standings". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). March 7, 1978. p. 17.
  3. ^ "Montana's Richardson all-conference for third year". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. March 7, 1978. p. 1B.
  4. ^ "Grizzlies' 'M.R.R.' 3-timer". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 8, 1978. p. 17.
  5. ^ Missildine, Harry (January 24, 1978). "Idaho will stand by Jarvis". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 15.
  6. ^ a b Drosendahl, Glenn (January 28, 1978). "Penalties harsher than necessary – Belknap". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  7. ^ Payne, Bob (June 28, 1978). "Jim Jarvis resigns as new probe looms". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 20.
  8. ^ a b "Monson named UI basketball coach". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 23, 1978. p. 1B.
  9. ^ "Vandals avoid further penalties". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). November 11, 1978. p. 2B.
  10. ^ "Vandals dealt one-year rap". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. January 27, 1978. p. 26.
  11. ^ Drosendahl, Glenn (January 27, 1978). "Idaho basketball on NCAA probation". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.

External links edit