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MEDIA DAY PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL:
- Southern Utah
- Weber State
- Montana State
- Montana
- Northern Colorado
- Idaho State
- Portland State
- Eastern Washington
- Northern Arizona
- Sacramento State
- Idaho
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON MEDIA POLL:
- Southern Utah
- Weber State
- Montana State
- Montana
- Northern Colorado
- Idaho State
- Eastern Washington
- Portland State
- Sacramento State
- Northern Arizona
- Idaho
COMMENTS FROM DAVID:
-It has been a lot of fun watching Southern Utah’s program improve over the years. This is a team that won the Centenary Award back in 2014. Last year they won 20 games and finished in first place in the conference before losing in the semis of the conference tourney. With four starters back, look for them to once again end up at or near the top of the league.
-Weber State did lose their top scorer and perhaps their best player in Isiah Brown, but the other four starters are back along with some impressive looking transfers. Weber is usually a league frontrunner and that should once again be the case this year.
-Montana State hit a major skid in the middle of last season but did finish strong, managing to finish 4th in the league and make it to the Big Sky Championship game. With four starters back this should be one of the conference favorites if they are able to stay healthy.
-We are used to seeing Montana at or near the top of the Big Sky standings, but last year they failed to put together a winning record in conference, which is an extreme rarity. Four starters are back and that experience should help them this year. It feels strange seeing them projected to finish as low as 5th, but based on the year they had last year it kind of makes sense.
-All five starters are back for Idaho State, and after going 8-6 in league play last year they are undoubtedly hoping that their experience can help them build on that this year. They did struggle down the stretch last year losing four out of their last five, but the majority of them were close games so there is reason to be somewhat optimistic.
-Northern Colorado is another team that has a lot of experience coming back, including their leading scorer in Bodie Hume. After three straight 20+ win seasons they managed to just go 11-11 last year and return some others who averaged in double digits as well.
-Eastern Washington had a fantastic year last year where they posted a 12-3 record in league play, won the conference tournament, and then gave Kansas all they could handle in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately they seem to be in complete reset mode this year with just one starter back. I think the long term health of the program is in good shape but this year will most likely be a building year.
It’s a bit of a drop off after that. Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, and Portland State might have some promise to compete with the teams in the middle of the pack. Idaho is just a hot mess. They won just one game a year ago, and while they may not be quite as bad this year I don’t see them finishing all that much higher than the very bottom.