McChristian plays big

Idaho lost 78-73 to the visitors from Texas State last night but former Yuba College guard Mike McChristian finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Vandals.

McChristian piles up the assists

Mike (Yuba College) McChristian didn't score last night but did pass for eight assists versus one turnover in Idaho's loss at New Mexico. He started at the point and played 29 minutes.

McChristian produces

Idaho fell to Montana 66-63 but former Yuba College backcourter Mike McChristian, now a senior, produced 10 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot in 35 minutes of play for the Vandals.

A Mike McChristian update

Idaho's Mike McChristian played just over 10 minutes a game last season after transferring over from Coach Doug Cornelius' program at Yuba College. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds a game.

But what stood out is that he shot 60% (30-50) overall, had a 25/15 assist-to-turnover ratio (not bad for off the bench, in a new program and system) and 21 steals (the team leader had 29).

With such numbers and with Idaho's starting guards having graduated, it's not difficult to see McChristian in line for major playing time and a starting position.

Plus, here's a note from the Vandals basketball site:

"... after starting the season slowly, he played in each of Idaho’s final nine games and averaged 4.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists with just three total turnovers during that span … he also shot 16-of-23 (.696) from the floor and 2-of-3 (.667) from 3-point range during that time ..."

Coach Don Verlin did bring in three community college backcourters in his latest recruiting haul but watch for McChristian, who prepped at Will C. Wood High, to surprise.