CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho has built one of the more dominant home court advantages in the entire NAIA, ranking among the national leaders in attendance – averaging over 1,400 fans per game over the last seven seasons.
This has fueled the Coyotes to five Cascade Conference tournament titles during the stretch, with the team going a combined 40-2 in their last 42 regular-season conference games.
However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and spectator limitations in place across the Northwest, it will be a completely different atmosphere for C of I and other teams this season.
"It's something we've mentioned and I think it's something the guys have prepared for," said head coach
Colby Blaine. "One thing we've always had is a very energetic bench and what I think will happen is we will hear that bench more than we ever have because it gets drowned out by our crowd. Hopefully that bench noise will replace the crowd noise and we will benefit from having a really engaged team – which will be an advantage for us."
A lot of the excitement will come from the forward positions for the Yotes, as the team has a great mix of returners and recruits to set to replace a pair of starters from the record-setting 2019-20 team.
All-America wing
Nate Bruneel graduated after three outstanding seasons, finishing his career with over 1,300 points and 185 made 3-pointers – averaging over 13 points per game as a senior. Also gone is forward
Jake Bruner, who played in a school-record 134 career games, averaging a career-best seven points and five rebounds per game last year.
Senior
Ivory Miles-Williams had a breakout season last year and is poised for a huge final campaign. The 6-foot-4 All-CCC wing averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game off the bench, making over 50-percent of his field goals – including a monster 29-point effort in a home win over Northwest Christian.
Also back is
Jalen Galloway, who will play primarily a forward position this year after serving as the back-up post last year. The junior averaged nine points and five rebounds a game, while connecting on 36-percent of his 3-point shots. The 6-foot-7 Galloway was instrumental down the stretch in CCC play, averaging 15 points per game over C of I's final six league contests.
"We lost two of our forwards in
Nate Bruneel and
Jake Bruner, so it is a big spot where guys are coming to fill in," Blaine commented. "I feel great about the bodies and the athleticism – starting with senior
Ivory Miles-Williams, who is arguably one of the best players in the league.
Jalen Galloway, who's coming back for his third year, looks as strong and confident as he's ever been."
Also returning is 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore wing,
Nathan Burman, who saw action in 14 games off the bench.
"Nathan has done a tremendous job with his body during the off season and is also showing great comfort with our concepts and system," Blaine said.
Two Division I transfers are also in the mix at the forward slots in
Elijah Jackson and
Jake O'Neil. Jackson, an athletic 6-foot-4 junior, spent two seasons at Eastern Washington, where he saw action in 31 career games for a talented Eagles club. O'Neil, a 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman, returns to the hardwood after spending last year with Boise State's golf program. The Fruitland product was a 3A All-Idaho selection as a senior and Snake River Valley Conference Player of the Year.
"We also have a couple transfers in those spots, including
Elijah Jackson, who might be the most athletic guy in the conference," Blaine said. "He is super quick laterally and can get on the rim easily and has great size.
Jake O'Neil is getting acclimated back into the basketball world and has great length at that wing position."
The Coyotes are also excited for their line-up in the post position, as a veteran and two talented young players, look to handle the paint.
Connor Desaulniers took over the starting post role last season and ran with it, averaging eight points and a team-high seven rebounds per game, including a 17-point, 16-rebound effort in a road win at Oregon Tech. The 6-foot-9 senior was key in the Coyotes zone defense that limited opponents to just 65 points per game, ranking among the Top-10 in the CCC with 42 blocked shots.
Redshirt freshman
Paul Wilson will make an impact, as the 7-foot post added 40 pounds to his frame and will be key on both ends of the floor. As a senior in high school, Wilson led Idaho Falls to the 4A state title and was named 4A Defensive Player of the Year.
"I am really excited for the line-up at our Bigs spot," Blaine stated. "We have great experience with Connor coming back, it's his third year and is as confident as he's ever been. He knows our system.
Paul Wilson comes in after a great redshirt season and has fallen in love with the weight room and has great coordination and his confidence is coming along because he's been with us for a year."
True freshman, 6-foot-7
Tyler Robinett, has also impressed in preseason workouts. The 4A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year and All-Idaho pick, averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game last season at Middleton High.
"We have had the opportunity to watch Tyler play competitively since ninth grade," Blaine said. His growth through high school was impressive and it definitely showed during his senior year. We are eager to see where Tyler can take his game as he continues to build strength and are excited to continue our long tradition of winning with Idaho's best players."
The depth at every position will be key for the Coyotes success this season, as the 15-man squad will be traversing the uncharted waters that is the 2020-21 season.
"This team will have great depth – we have potentially, the most talented team from top to bottom we've had in my seven years," Blaine remarked. "We know that talent doesn't always equal wins, but, we are very, very deep and I don't expect our fans to see any kind of a drop off as we continue to sub – we will play nine or 10 guys. It will be a team that will play super hard and constantly wear out the other team, one possession at a time."
