New members of the Big West Conference, the Vandals were led by first-year head coach Kermit Davis (third overall) and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho.

The Vandals were 13–17 in the regular season and 5–9 in conference play, fifth in the East division standings, but failed to qualify for the Big West tournament.

It was the first time Idaho had missed the postseason in eighteen years.

An assistant at Idaho for two seasons under Tim Floyd, Davis was promoted to head coach in April 1988.

After consecutive conference titles and NCAA appearances, he left in March 1990 for Texas A&M, but lasted only one season there.