MBBALL Big Sky Progress (Jan 22,24)

[IdaGriz01]

Could be some big swings in the standings with the games tonight and on Saturday. All the conference teams with winning records play each other at least once.

Portland State (5-0) … @ EWU … @ Idaho
Montana State (5-1) … ISU … WSU
Montana (4-2) … WSU … ISU
Weber State (4-2) … @ UM … @MSU
Idaho (3-2) … Sac State … PSU
Idaho State (3-3) … @ MSU … @ UM

Except for being on the road, Portland State has the easier stretch. Having to visit the Montana teams, Weber and Idaho State have the toughest.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Two smallish surprises in Thursday’s results: EWU stayed closer to PSU than I really expected, and the Griz won more decisively than I expected over Weber.

Portland State (6-0) … @ Idaho
Montana State (6-1) … WSU
Montana (5-2) … ISU
Idaho (4-2) … PSU
Weber State (4-3) … @MSU
Idaho State (3-4) … @ UM
Sac State (2-4) …@ EWU (2-4)
No Colorado (1-6) … @ NAU (0-7)

Thoughts on where we might see upsets or unexpected close games tomorrow?

 

[IdaGriz01]

Portland State keeps on rolling. Close (+3) against Idaho, but another road win.

 

[MissoulaGriz2000]

Northern CO is dropping fast

 

[IdaGriz01]

Northern CO is dropping fast

Looking ugly for them. Get Idaho next (Thurs). The Spuds are no powerhouse, but a win will be tough for the Bears. EWU next and the Eags are on a bit of a run.

 

[Griz til I die]

Another team to pay attention to moving forward is the cats. To their credit they’re playing really well. I could argue they have the best backcourt in the Big Sky in Miller and McMahon. That being said, they find themselves in a difficult position.

On Thursday night against Idaho State in the opening minute of the game, Jeremiah Davis went down with a supposed arm/shoulder injury. Was seen yesterday in a sling. Then yesterday against Weber in the final seconds of the first half, Davian Brown slipped on the court underneath the hoop and went down with what appeared to be a very nasty knee injury. He was unable to put any weight at all on it and needed to be carried off the court. Reports after the game made it sound like it’s not good and that he may be out for the rest of the year. Both Davis and Brown had big games against the Griz last week.

With Davis and Brown both out for an extended period of time, this means the cats are now down to just 7 healthy non-redshirt players. Matt Logie has no choice now but to start burning redshirts. You can’t even hold a practice with just 7 guys. I do think as long as the cats have both Miller and McMahon they’ll continue to be competitive, but be prepared for them to play all 40 minutes now. It’s a very precarious spot to be in.