grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
The Montana Grizzlies are generating some pre-season buzz somewhere. In a bit of a surprise to me (not that I disagree) the Grizzlies are ranked 17th, with 221 votes in the debut College Insider Mid Major poll for 2015-16, released earlier today.
http://www.collegeinsider.com/mens-mid-major-top-25.php
Three other Big Sky teams are also ranked, though well down from Montana. Eastern Washington garnered 40, Weber State 6 and Northern Arizona 2.
Compare that to Montana's ranking in the KenPom debut poll at 142 (the initial USA Today Sagarin ranking for 2015-16 has not yet been published), which is comparatively lower. Several schools behind Montana in the CI poll are ranked measurably higher in the KenPom poll.
But this is a coaches poll, and -- considering its national scope -- means that the Griz are raising eyebrows among basketball insiders who count. Two Big Sky Conference coaches are on the CI voting panel: Tyler Geving of Portland State -- who is also the Chairman of the CI Top 25 voting panel -- and B J Hill of Northern Colorado. Compared to other national panel committees, a generous percentage of western and southwestern coaches are panel members.
It probably also reflects the remarkable recruiting success Griz coaches have notched over the past 18 months.
I like it. You can bet Griz players are aware of the ranking and are prepared to play up to expectations.
http://www.collegeinsider.com/mens-mid-major-top-25.php
Three other Big Sky teams are also ranked, though well down from Montana. Eastern Washington garnered 40, Weber State 6 and Northern Arizona 2.
Compare that to Montana's ranking in the KenPom debut poll at 142 (the initial USA Today Sagarin ranking for 2015-16 has not yet been published), which is comparatively lower. Several schools behind Montana in the CI poll are ranked measurably higher in the KenPom poll.
But this is a coaches poll, and -- considering its national scope -- means that the Griz are raising eyebrows among basketball insiders who count. Two Big Sky Conference coaches are on the CI voting panel: Tyler Geving of Portland State -- who is also the Chairman of the CI Top 25 voting panel -- and B J Hill of Northern Colorado. Compared to other national panel committees, a generous percentage of western and southwestern coaches are panel members.
It probably also reflects the remarkable recruiting success Griz coaches have notched over the past 18 months.
I like it. You can bet Griz players are aware of the ranking and are prepared to play up to expectations.
