A big hand to Idaho

Compared to its current 2010-2011 team, Idaho had a more talented roster last season which concluded with a 15-16, 6-10 records and featured seniors Mac Hopson, Steffan Johnson and Marvin Jefferson. Each is probably playing for pay at different locations around the world.

The higher capability level and greater accolade potential for last season's collective are indisputable.

So is not being better.

For the sake of comparison, here's that complete roster:

Mac Hopson G 6-2    
Jeff Ledbetter G 6-3
Shawn Henderson G 6-3
Steffan Johnson G 6-1
Landon Tatum G 5-11
Justin Stewart G 6-1
Kashif Watson G 6-4

Corey Stern F 6-7   
Brandon Wiley F 6-6
Luciano de Souza F 6-7      
Luiz Toledo F 6-8 225
Travis Blackstock F 6-5     
    
Kyle Barone C 6-10 
Joe Kammerer C 6-9
Marvin Jefferson C 6-9      

Here is the current Vandal roster:

(two players have departed since the beginning of the school year -- forward Renado Parker and guard Gary Winston both leaving for Portland State)

Matt Borton G 6-5
Deremy Geiger G 5-11
Shawn Henderson G 6-3
Jeff Ledbetter G 6-2
Shayne Sheridan G 6-0 
Landon Tatum G 5-11

Brandon Wiley F 6-5
Paul Jorg F 6-8 200
Stephen Madison F 6-5
Luiz Toledo F 6-8

Kyle Barone C 6-10
Joe Kammerer c 6-9

In a way, it's simple -- Coach Don Verlin has a better t-e-a-m this season.

But how are they really doing it?

Let's take a look at some of the numbers

Last Season                                                       This Season (so far)

averaged 71.2, allowed 70.6                                  66.9 to 66.4

shot 46%, allowed 44% overall                              45% to 42%

shot 38%, allowed 35% on treys                           39% to 33%

earned 71 more free throws                                  have 53 more free throws

34.6 rebounds, to 33.4 boards                             34.7 to 31.0

earned 92 more assists                                        have 20 more assists

committed 34 more TOs                                       have 34 more TOs           

nabbed 42 less steals                                           have 25 less steals

The comparative numbers aren't remarkably different -- even the trends are fairly close.

*** Also injecting some individual numbers, Jeff Ledbetter shot 32% and 34% respectively while averaging 2.9 ppg. in 2009-2010. But this season, he is at 45% and 44% and 8.8 ppg.

Matters could have gone way south after the November 22 meltdown in Missoula, an embarrassing 75-33 loss to Montana.

But character prevailed.

And a three game winning streak ensued.

In league play, Idaho currently owns a 5-1 record, plus with a win over Bakersfield mixed in and four of those matchups were on the road.

We repeat: how are they doing it?

At this point, Verlin has to be the favorite for WAC Coach of the Year. Yet it's likely that none of his players will earn All-WAC honors.

Crediting all involved, this is a whole being greater than the sum of the parts -- a monumental achievement in any endeavor.

Sure, the Vandals could nosedive in the remaining conference games. Maybe an injury will curtail the momentum but the absence of Luiz Toledo in the last two games has been overcome.

All basketball fans should be acknowledging this achievement-to-date -- yes even the Boise Staters. Creating a group dynamic that results in success is always a monumental task and Idaho is over-achieving (the latter term is not to be considered anything close to a backhanded compliment).

So hats off to this bunch of true teammates.