The 1979–80 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team represented the University of Idaho during the 1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Vandals were led by second-year head coach Don Monson and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. After five consecutive seasons in last place in the Big Sky Conference, the Vandals were expected by most to stay there, but climbed up to second in the final standings and qualified for the four-team conference tournament for the first time.