Carroll Men's Basketball Heads to Idaho for Taco Bell Shootout

Carroll College Heads to Caldwell for Taco Bell Shootout

The Carroll College men’s basketball team is heading into the heart of Idaho this weekend, looking to extend their undefeated start to the season at the 2026 Taco Bell Shootout. Hosted by the College of Idaho in Caldwell, the tournament serves as a high-stakes proving ground for the Fighting Saints, who currently hold a 3-0 record after a strong opening stretch.

According to the official team athletics portal, Carroll Athletics, the Saints arrive in the Gem State with momentum, having already secured a notable four-point road victory against No. 20 Hope International—a team that reached the quarterfinals just last year. Their most recent outing in Helena resulted in a commanding 27-point win over Bushnell, signaling a balanced offensive attack as they prepare for the rigors of Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play.

A First-Time Meeting with Northwest

Friday night’s schedule features a historic matchup for the program as Carroll faces the Northwest Eagles for the first time ever. The Eagles enter this contest with a clean slate, having yet to record a game this season. Last year, Northwest finished with a 12-17 record, ending their campaign with a loss to LC State in the opening round of the CCC Championship. For Carroll, the challenge lies in adjusting to an opponent that has had the entire off-season to prepare specifically for this encounter.

The Measuring Stick: No. 16 College of Idaho

The intensity ramps up on Saturday night when the Saints take on the host school, the No. 16-ranked Yotes of the College of Idaho. The Yotes remain a powerhouse in the NAIA, having secured two national titles within the last four years. This series has been a difficult one for Carroll, who dropped their home-opener to the Yotes last season and are currently seeking their first win against the program since 2021.

The Yotes have shown a degree of volatility early this season. They opened with a loss to Montana Tech but quickly rebounded last weekend with a 20-point victory over Montana Western in Dillon. For Carroll, this game functions as a primary indicator of where they stand against elite national competition. The contrast in styles and the pressure of playing on the host’s home court will test whether the Saints’ early-season success is sustainable against top-tier conference rivals.

Tournament Logistics

Fans looking to follow the action can track the progress of the tournament through the official Carroll Athletics website, which will host full recaps following each game. The schedule is as follows:

Friday vs. Northwest: 5:30 p.m. MST
Saturday vs. College of Idaho: 7:30 p.m. MST

As the Fighting Saints navigate this weekend, the focus remains on maintaining the consistency that defined their 3-0 start. Whether they can overcome the historical dominance of the College of Idaho will likely dictate their trajectory as they move deeper into the 2026-2027 schedule.