In Big Sky, there's only one path to Big Dance

[Grizbacker1]

I am not buying what NAU Coach Adras is selling in this article. NAU is still the clearcut favorite to me followed by PSU. The rest is anyone's guess. The Griz have the talen, but if they don't play as a team they will be one and done in the BSC tournament.

In Big Sky, there's only one path to Big Dance

By John Schumacher - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Wednesday, December 27, 2006

The only suspense in the Big Sky Conference on Selection Sunday is who its tournament champion will play in the NCAA Tournament.

Since forming in 1963, the Big Sky never has received more than one men's bid to the NCAA Tournament. So league coaches know the only way into March Madness is to win the postseason tournament.

With the top six teams advancing to the conference tournament and the regular-season winner hosting the all-important event, the jockeying for NCAA position begins Thursday with the opening of conference play.

Who has the inside track? The conference's coaches picked Northern Arizona first in their preseason poll, with the media selecting Montana, which has earned the Big Sky's NCAA berth the past two seasons.

But no one wants to be the team to beat.

"I don't see NAU and Montana coming out of nonconference as the favorites to win the league, to be honest with you," Northern Arizona coach Mike Adras said.

Northern Arizona's 5-6 start includes a victory at Arizona State (75-71), a triumph over USF (84-62) and losses at ninth-ranked Kansas (91-57) and No. 7 Arizona (101-79).

The Lumberjacks return four starters, including all-conference forward Ruben Boykin Jr. and guard Tyrone Bazy, the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.

Montana's 6-7 record includes a victory over Minnesota (72-65) and losses to West Virginia (73-56) and Virginia Tech (77-56).

The Grizzlies return all-conference forward-center Andrew Strait and forwards Matt Dlouhy and Jordan Hasquet from a team that beat Nevada in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Boston College. But coach Larry Krystkowiak took an assistant's job with the Milwaukee Bucks, with Grizzlies assistant Wayne Tinkle replacing him.

Eastern Washington, picked third by the league's coaches and media, is 6-6 after a victory over Idaho (85-56). The Eagles, led by guard Rodney Stuckey, have lost at Gonzaga (90-75), Washington (90-83) and Oregon (100-74).

Portland State, chosen fourth by coaches and media, owns a 9-4 record with victories over Arizona State (71-67) and UC Davis (93-61) and losses at No. 20 Oregon (116-68), Gonzaga (69-51) and No. 14 Washington (105-73).

"Whoever it is that figures out how to win on the road, that's the team that's going to win the Big Sky," said Sacramento State coach Jerome Jenkins, whose Hornets are 5-7 but just 1-6 on the road. "Hopefully, it will be us."

The Hornets own a home-court victory over Pacific (74-72) and a win at Denver (74-53), with road losses including New Mexico (92-56), No. 14 Washington (83-74) and Louisville (99-69).

Junior center Angel Alamo (9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds) has given the Hornets a much-needed inside presence. But guard Loren Leath (15.0 points), forward Alex Bausley (14.3 points) and guard Haron Hargrave (13.9) have supplied the bulk of the scoring.

"I think they're more athletic than in the past," said Northern Arizona's Adras, whose team hosts the Hornets on Thursday night. "They've added some nice pieces to their puzzle."

Randy Rahe takes over the coaching duties at Weber State, which is 7-6, Joe O'Brien is off to a 5-7 start in his first season as Idaho State's coach, and Brad Huse is 3-10 as Montana State's new coach.

Northern Colorado (2-10) joins the conference with new coach Tad Boyle. The Bears are not eligible for the regular-season title or postseason play.

"We're the new kid on the block," Boyle said. "We really don't know what we're in for."

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

Yeah, saw this on the RSS feeds this morning.
I agree with the quote saying the talent need to come together; it'd be great if it could tomorrow night.

As a student I'd love for the Griz to win the regular season and get the tourney at home. It's a shame they've played so mediocre in the preseason that it's unlikely they'll get anything higher than a 15 seed if they do end up turning this around and making the dance.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Yeah, saw this on the RSS feeds this morning.
I agree with the quote saying the talent need to come together; it'd be great if it could tomorrow night.

As a student I'd love for the Griz to win the regular season and get the tourney at home. It's a shame they've played so mediocre in the preseason that it's unlikely they'll get anything higher than a 15 seed if they do end up turning this around and making the dance.

If you compare the BSC RPI this season it is down significantly from a year ago, so it is unlikely any BSC team would get much better than a 13-14 even if they go on a tear during conference play. I think it is going to be a season of teams beating up on each other. The regular season champ may not be the BSC Rep to the NCAA, again.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

The regular season champ may not be the BSC Rep to the NCAA, again.

Sounds likely. Even so, I thought going into the BSC tourney that the Griz would best represent the conference in the dance. I think they proved that.

 

[Grizbacker1]

The regular season champ may not be the BSC Rep to the NCAA, again.

Sounds likely. Even so, I thought going into the BSC tourney that the Griz would best represent the conference in the dance. I think they proved that.

I am for the Griz all the way myself. Realistically though, NAU has to be the favorite with the firepower they return.