I posted this at BobcatNation, but I think it applies here. Enjoy.
All teams have played 7 conference games as of tonight, making this the halfway point of the season. I'll break it down team-by-team.
Northern Arizona (7-0) This one is really hard to believe. NAU has clicked and right now have the inside track to host the tournament. However, 5 of these 7 wins have come at home. Road trips to MSU, UM, and Sac await. NAU also has to travel to Eastern and Portland State. My prediction: 11-3.
Montana (6-1) The Grizzlies are good, no question about it. They play 4 out of the last 7 on the road, but the three home games are against the top half teams (MSU, Sac, and NAU at the end.) and the four road games are against the bottom half of the conference. They've been playing well all year. My prediction: 11-3.
Montana State (5-2) After a seemingly tumultuous off-season, the Cats are right in the thick of the race at 5-2. However, we face the same problem as NAU: 5 out of our last 7 conference games are on the road. But the only top half road game is at Montana. Having NAU and Sac at home is a good advantage. My prediction: Cats continue to play well, 11-3.
Sacramento State (4-3) The ship is taking on water having lost the last 3 games. 4 out of the last 7 are on the road for them, including at Montana and finishing up at MSU on Feb. 28. Trip to Eastern and Portland State is tough. My prediction: 8-6.
Eastern Washington (3-4) Very clearly, this is the best of the so-called "bottom half" teams. They have 5 out of 7 at home and could challenge for a 3-4 seed, especially with Rodney Stucky. Only road trip goes to NAU and Sac St. My prediction: 6-8
Portland State (1-6) They may be the best of the 1-6 conference teams right now. They have 4 out of 7 at home in their box, all of them the top half teams. This team could be very dangerous. They might steal a couple of wins here and there. My prediction: 4-10.
Idaho State (1-6) The promising start to the season is gone and Doug Oliver was probably smart to bail out at the end of the season. They also have 5 out of 7 at home and Reed Gym is a tough place to play. It might not be enough, however. My prediction: 3-11.
Weber State (1-6) Right now, Weber fans have memories of Arceneaux and Boyette led teams running through their heads. That's the only positive. This is really weird to say: Weber State will not be in the Big Sky tournament this year. Joe Cravens will most likely be seeking new employment after this season. My prediction: 2-12
Here's my prediction-a logjam at the top. I won't determine tie-breakers yet, it would be too hard based on the fact all of this is just speculation.
MSU 11-3
NAU 11-3
UM 11-3
Sac 8-6
E. Wash. 6-8
Portland St. 4-10
Idaho St. 3-11
Weber St. 2-12
All teams have played 7 conference games as of tonight, making this the halfway point of the season. I'll break it down team-by-team.
Northern Arizona (7-0) This one is really hard to believe. NAU has clicked and right now have the inside track to host the tournament. However, 5 of these 7 wins have come at home. Road trips to MSU, UM, and Sac await. NAU also has to travel to Eastern and Portland State. My prediction: 11-3.
Montana (6-1) The Grizzlies are good, no question about it. They play 4 out of the last 7 on the road, but the three home games are against the top half teams (MSU, Sac, and NAU at the end.) and the four road games are against the bottom half of the conference. They've been playing well all year. My prediction: 11-3.
Montana State (5-2) After a seemingly tumultuous off-season, the Cats are right in the thick of the race at 5-2. However, we face the same problem as NAU: 5 out of our last 7 conference games are on the road. But the only top half road game is at Montana. Having NAU and Sac at home is a good advantage. My prediction: Cats continue to play well, 11-3.
Sacramento State (4-3) The ship is taking on water having lost the last 3 games. 4 out of the last 7 are on the road for them, including at Montana and finishing up at MSU on Feb. 28. Trip to Eastern and Portland State is tough. My prediction: 8-6.
Eastern Washington (3-4) Very clearly, this is the best of the so-called "bottom half" teams. They have 5 out of 7 at home and could challenge for a 3-4 seed, especially with Rodney Stucky. Only road trip goes to NAU and Sac St. My prediction: 6-8
Portland State (1-6) They may be the best of the 1-6 conference teams right now. They have 4 out of 7 at home in their box, all of them the top half teams. This team could be very dangerous. They might steal a couple of wins here and there. My prediction: 4-10.
Idaho State (1-6) The promising start to the season is gone and Doug Oliver was probably smart to bail out at the end of the season. They also have 5 out of 7 at home and Reed Gym is a tough place to play. It might not be enough, however. My prediction: 3-11.
Weber State (1-6) Right now, Weber fans have memories of Arceneaux and Boyette led teams running through their heads. That's the only positive. This is really weird to say: Weber State will not be in the Big Sky tournament this year. Joe Cravens will most likely be seeking new employment after this season. My prediction: 2-12
Here's my prediction-a logjam at the top. I won't determine tie-breakers yet, it would be too hard based on the fact all of this is just speculation.
MSU 11-3
NAU 11-3
UM 11-3
Sac 8-6
E. Wash. 6-8
Portland St. 4-10
Idaho St. 3-11
Weber St. 2-12
arty:
