Bengals seek fast start

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krobinett@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- The prospect of starting the season with a win truly excites Matt Stucki.

During his career at Idaho State, the senior guard has never been on a team that began a season 1-0.

"It would be really nice to start a season strong," he said. "We've never had early season momentum before. That would help a lot going into our next few games."

If Stucki only knew how many other Idaho State men's basketball players have said the same thing over the years.

There isn't a player in recent memory who can say he was part of a Bengals team that started the season 1-0. For that, one would have to go back to the senior class of 1998, when Idaho State began its season with a 90-81 victory over Montana Tech.

The Bengals have lost nine season openers since.

Some have come against good opponents -- Oregon State, Utah, Boise State, Oregon, Kansas, Marquette and Iowa -- and some have come against not-so-good opponents -- Loyola Marymount, Rice, Texas-San Antonio -- but just about all have come by wide margins.

Today, though, Idaho State will get a chance to end that streak. At 7:05 p.m. it takes on NAIA Eastern Oregon, of La Grande, Ore., at Reed Gym. It is by far the Bengals' most winnable opening game since Montana Tech 11 years ago.

Coming off road losses against Marquette and Iowa in his first two season openers with Idaho State, third-year coach Joe O'Brien scheduled this game with that in mind.

"This is a game in which we will be expected to win," O'Brien said. "That's the way we want it. Now, Eastern Oregon is a very good team, and it's going to take a strong effort to win. But, at home, it's a whole lot easier than opening up at Marquette or at Iowa where no one expects you to win."

No one expects Idaho State to win more than the players and coaches within its own program. All through preseason, they have dealt with high expectations and hope to live up to them.

Beating Eastern Oregon would be a good start.

But as O'Brien alluded, the Mountaineers are no pushover. Last season, Eastern Oregon went 26-6 and began this season as the No. 6-ranked NAIA team in the country. It already boasts a 4-0 record.

Junior guard Austin Kilpatrick, who will play in his first game of the season today after serving a two-game suspension during the exhibition season, said he has a high respect for Eastern Oregon. Growing up in Puyallup, Wash., he said he played against a handful of Mountaineers players in high school and praised their abilities.

"They're a really good team," Kilpatrick said. "One of the best NAIA teams out there, I think. I've played against a lot of their players, and they all are Division I-caliber players."

For that reason, Stucki insists there is no way Idaho State will take this game for granted. After nine straight opening-game losses, it can't afford to.

By Kellis Robinett

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