Poll: Winner winner, chicken dinner.

[SDHornet]

The winner of the UM/EWU game on Saturday should win the conference...

I don't see Sac winning all 3 on the road considering all 3 teams they play are really playing well right now.

Griz/EWU game should decide the regular season contest as long as the Griz don't slip up in Moscow on Thursday. Idaho is sneaky good at home...

I agree with this. I think EWU has the inside track for home court for BSCT.

 

[UMGriz75]

Boy, this last two weeks of the season really does have the feeling that it might be a "photofinish." The Griz have certainly come on strong lately and if they can hold up on the road ....

 

[marceagfan5]

The winner of the UM/EWU game on Saturday should win the conference...

I don't see Sac winning all 3 on the road considering all 3 teams they play are really playing well right now.

Griz/EWU game should decide the regular season contest as long as the Griz don't slip up in Moscow on Thursday. Idaho is sneaky good at home...

I agree with this. I think EWU has the inside track for home court for BSCT.

Sac has a tough stretch ahead, but if they win out, they will be more than deserving of the title this year. Impressive year, regardless of what happens down the stretch.

McKinney is a stud, conference player of the year is going to be him or Harvey.

 

[mtgrizrule]

This is a tough one to pick. The top 4 teams are all playing solid winning basketball. EWU and Sac State have been the best through out the season. GRIZ and NAU are playing the best basketball over the last 3 weeks.

I feel too much needs to happen for NAU to host. Sac State has a difficult remaining schedule with road games at NAU, SUU, and PSU. I have a feeling NAU will beat them. PSU and SUU are by no mean easy either. Both those games are slip up games, and would not be a major upset.

The GRIZ also have 3 road games, and absolutely have to win out. Beating EWU would be of huge help. I feel the GRIZ should beat MSU. A loss to MSU would be considered an upset. Idaho is the possible stumble game.

I like the GRIZ remaining schedule slightly better than Sac State's. The winner of the GRIZ/EWU game this week is in the driver's seat to host. Even then, EWU, still has to close their season at Weber State. I'd hate be playing at Weber State, if they have anything on the line at all. That is a dangerous game for anyone in the league. I can honestly see EWU losing 2 of their final 4 games. EWU has the remaining toughest schedule, in my opinion. Hard to believe Weber State can be playing the role of spoiler in the last game of the season.

It will be interesting to see play out. No matter what, I feel the GRIZ have to win out. Right now, no matter what, the GRIZ will need some help from either NAU, SUU, or PSU.

Hard to believe, despite 3 road games to end the season, the GRIZ actually have the more favorable schedule to close out the season.

Anyone with updates on the player statuses for EWU and Weber State? Will either team be getting back injured players?

Right now, I like the odds of the GRIZ hosting the tournament. GO GRIZ!!!!!

 

[EverettGriz]

This is why the neutral site idea sucks.

Next year, we won't be having these fun conversations. Why? Because winning the regular season will be about as useful as the Sac gym is for tournaments.

If I'm a BSC coach next year, I rest my starters the final 3 or 4 weeks of the year. What's the point of running them hard.

Dumb. Like 99.6% of everything associated with this conference.

 

[marceagfan5]

This is why the neutral site idea sucks.

Next year, we won't be having these fun conversations. Why? Because winning the regular season will be about as useful as the Sac gym is for tournaments.

If I'm a BSC coach next year, I rest my starters the final 3 or 4 weeks of the year. What's the point of running them hard.

Dumb. Like 99.6% of everything associated with this conference.

This exactly!

A neutral site for the Big Sky Tourney is ridiculous. The Big Sky won't draw well anywhere, unless UM or Weber are in the finals, and even then it may be a dud depending on where its at. The conference needs to set it up for the best team in the conference to have the best shot at making it to the Big Dance, giving the Big Sky its best chance at a little March Madness success...

 

[marceagfan5]

This is a tough one to pick. The top 4 teams are all playing solid winning basketball. EWU and Sac State have been the best through out the season. GRIZ and NAU are playing the best basketball over the last 3 weeks.

I feel too much needs to happen for NAU to host. Sac State has a difficult remaining schedule with road games at NAU, SUU, and PSU. I have a feeling NAU will beat them. PSU and SUU are by no mean easy either. Both those games are slip up games, and would not be a major upset.

The GRIZ also have 3 road games, and absolutely have to win out. Beating EWU would be of huge help. I feel the GRIZ should beat MSU. A loss to MSU would be considered an upset. Idaho is the possible stumble game.

I like the GRIZ remaining schedule slightly better than Sac State's. The winner of the GRIZ/EWU game this week is in the driver's seat to host. Even then, EWU, still has to close their season at Weber State. I'd hate be playing at Weber State, if they have anything on the line at all. That is a dangerous game for anyone in the league. I can honestly see EWU losing 2 of their final 4 games. EWU has the remaining toughest schedule, in my opinion. Hard to believe Weber State can be playing the role of spoiler in the last game of the season.

It will be interesting to see play out. No matter what, I feel the GRIZ have to win out. Right now, no matter what, the GRIZ will need some help from either NAU, SUU, or PSU.

Hard to believe, despite 3 road games to end the season, the GRIZ actually have the more favorable schedule to close out the season.

Anyone with updates on the player statuses for EWU and Weber State? Will either team be getting back injured players?

Right now, I like the odds of the GRIZ hosting the tournament. GO GRIZ!!!!!

Good Post.

I actually don't think there is an easier or tougher schedule down the stretch for the top 3. Sac and UM have all of their games on the road, Eastern has to play one more game than both of those teams, but get 2 at home and one of their road games is ISU.

All of Sac's games will be tough, but NAU and PSU will be really tough, although SUU has been playing better of late.

UM has a really difficult weekend. Idaho is better than people think and its not easy to play in Moscow. UM is a much better team than MSU but throw out the records in a rivalry game, especially in Bozeman.

EWU - two really tough games left with UM at home and at Weber to finish the season. Winner of the UM/EWU game is in the drivers seat.

NAU - I don't think they have a shot right now with 3 teams ahead of them and two weeks left but you never know.


As far as injuries - Not sure about Weber, but EWU is back to full strength. Jois returned this weekend and Harvey has been back the last couple of games. Harvey hasn't been the same since his injury, hopefully he can take the padding off his leg this weekend and get back to himself. Eastern's coach basically said they will play through injuries rather than rest from here on out. I think they err'd on the cautious side a bit too much with Jois earlier.

Will be a great stretch run in the conference...

 

[mtgrizrule]

This is a tough one to pick. The top 4 teams are all playing solid winning basketball. EWU and Sac State have been the best through out the season. GRIZ and NAU are playing the best basketball over the last 3 weeks.

I feel too much needs to happen for NAU to host. Sac State has a difficult remaining schedule with road games at NAU, SUU, and PSU. I have a feeling NAU will beat them. PSU and SUU are by no mean easy either. Both those games are slip up games, and would not be a major upset.

The GRIZ also have 3 road games, and absolutely have to win out. Beating EWU would be of huge help. I feel the GRIZ should beat MSU. A loss to MSU would be considered an upset. Idaho is the possible stumble game.

I like the GRIZ remaining schedule slightly better than Sac State's. The winner of the GRIZ/EWU game this week is in the driver's seat to host. Even then, EWU, still has to close their season at Weber State. I'd hate be playing at Weber State, if they have anything on the line at all. That is a dangerous game for anyone in the league. I can honestly see EWU losing 2 of their final 4 games. EWU has the remaining toughest schedule, in my opinion. Hard to believe Weber State can be playing the role of spoiler in the last game of the season.

It will be interesting to see play out. No matter what, I feel the GRIZ have to win out. Right now, no matter what, the GRIZ will need some help from either NAU, SUU, or PSU.

Hard to believe, despite 3 road games to end the season, the GRIZ actually have the more favorable schedule to close out the season.

Anyone with updates on the player statuses for EWU and Weber State? Will either team be getting back injured players?

Right now, I like the odds of the GRIZ hosting the tournament. GO GRIZ!!!!!

Good Post.

I actually don't think there is an easier or tougher schedule down the stretch for the top 3. Sac and UM have all of their games on the road, Eastern has to play one more game than both of those teams, but get 2 at home and one of their road games is ISU.

All of Sac's games will be tough, but NAU and PSU will be really tough, although SUU has been playing better of late.

UM has a really difficult weekend. Idaho is better than people think and its not easy to play in Moscow. UM is a much better team than MSU but throw out the records in a rivalry game, especially in Bozeman.

EWU - two really tough games left with UM at home and at Weber to finish the season. Winner of the UM/EWU game is in the drivers seat.

NAU - I don't think they have a shot right now with 3 teams ahead of them and two weeks left but you never know.


As far as injuries - Not sure about Weber, but EWU is back to full strength. Jois returned this weekend and Harvey has been back the last couple of games. Harvey hasn't been the same since his injury, hopefully he can take the padding off his leg this weekend and get back to himself. Eastern's coach basically said they will play through injuries rather than rest from here on out. I think they err'd on the cautious side a bit too much with Jois earlier.

Will be a great stretch run in the conference...

This year it will come down to the final weekend. Having 4 teams this close to the top sure makes for interesting fan discussion. It also minimizes the extensive trash talking. I can think of 1 EWU poster and 1 Weber State poster who thankfully are impacted by this. :thumb:

 

[marceagfan5]

I can think of 1 EWU poster and 1 Weber State poster who thankfully are impacted by this. :thumb:

The Baskeball forum is much more respectful around here, from all fans....

 

[mtgrizrule]

I can think of 1 EWU poster and 1 Weber State poster who thankfully are impacted by this. :thumb:

The Baskeball forum is much more respectful around here, from all fans....

:thumb: Hard to argue that.

 

[MT Jack]

The Baskeball forum is much more respectful around here, from all fans....

I concur with marceagfan5. It is much easier to engage in reasonable conversation here on the egriz hoops forum than it is on the egriz football forum.

I appreciate coming here and to Weber's page (also happy to see signs of life on EWU's and Sac State's hoops forums as well) to read about and discuss Big Sky hoops because heaven knows it isn't happening on NAU's fan forum.

 

[EverettGriz]

The Baskeball forum is much more respectful around here, from all fans....

I concur with marceagfan5. It is much easier to engage in reasonable conversation here on the egriz hoops forum than it is on the egriz football forum.

I appreciate coming here and to Weber's page (also happy to see signs of life on EWU's and Sac State's hoops forums as well) to read about and discuss Big Sky hoops because heaven knows it isn't happening on NAU's fan forum.

No doubt.

The reality is, there is a TON of reasonable conversation on the FB as well. It's just sad that you have to muddle through a whole lot of crap to find it.

 

[BelierPeaux]

The Baskeball forum is much more respectful around here, from all fans....

I concur with marceagfan5. It is much easier to engage in reasonable conversation here on the egriz hoops forum than it is on the egriz football forum.

I appreciate coming here and to Weber's page (also happy to see signs of life on EWU's and Sac State's hoops forums as well) to read about and discuss Big Sky hoops because heaven knows it isn't happening on NAU's fan forum.

No doubt.

The reality is, there is a TON of reasonable conversation on the FB as well. It's just sad that you have to muddle through a whole lot of crap to find it.

Seems just about every football thread is derailed by the second page. I usually can't read farther than that.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

This is why the neutral site idea sucks.

Next year, we won't be having these fun conversations. Why? Because winning the regular season will be about as useful as the Sac gym is for tournaments.

If I'm a BSC coach next year, I rest my starters the final 3 or 4 weeks of the year. What's the point of running them hard.

Dumb. Like 99.6% of everything associated with this conference.

With 8 teams in the tournament at a neutral site, you could reward regular season performance with byes instead of hosting:

First round:
Game 1: 5 (seed) v. 8
Game 2: 6 v. 7

Quarters:
Game 3: 4 v. winner of Game 1
Game 4: 3 v. winner of Game 2

Semis:
Game 5: 1 v. winner of Game 3
Game 6: 2 v. winner of Game 4

Final:
Winner of Game 5 v. winner of Game 6


Or something like that.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

The eGriz hoops forums this year have been my "first read," every day. Excellent contributions, from a wide variety of perspectives all around. Very enlightening to me.

Of course, we all know who the trash talkers are. Best to simply ignore them...

Thanks to all to make this THE best forum for Big Sky basketball (with apologies to Jon's BigskyBBall.com).

 

[Grizbeer]

Honestly I wouldn't mind Reno as a neutral site. I could probably plan an annual vacation there in mid-March.

 

[EverettGriz]

This is why the neutral site idea sucks.

Next year, we won't be having these fun conversations. Why? Because winning the regular season will be about as useful as the Sac gym is for tournaments.

If I'm a BSC coach next year, I rest my starters the final 3 or 4 weeks of the year. What's the point of running them hard.

Dumb. Like 99.6% of everything associated with this conference.

With 8 teams in the tournament at a neutral site, you could reward regular season performance with byes instead of hosting:

First round:
Game 1: 5 (seed) v. 8
Game 2: 6 v. 7

Quarters:
Game 3: 4 v. winner of Game 1
Game 4: 3 v. winner of Game 2

Semis:
Game 5: 1 v. winner of Game 3
Game 6: 2 v. winner of Game 4

Final:
Winner of Game 5 v. winner of Game 6


Or something like that.

Except I believe the plan is for every team to qualify once they go to a neutral site. No byes. Otherwise, your plan makes sense. Far too much sense, in fact, for the bsc.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

This is why the neutral site idea sucks.

Next year, we won't be having these fun conversations. Why? Because winning the regular season will be about as useful as the Sac gym is for tournaments.

If I'm a BSC coach next year, I rest my starters the final 3 or 4 weeks of the year. What's the point of running them hard.

Dumb. Like 99.6% of everything associated with this conference.

With 8 teams in the tournament at a neutral site, you could reward regular season performance with byes instead of hosting:

First round:
Game 1: 5 (seed) v. 8
Game 2: 6 v. 7

Quarters:
Game 3: 4 v. winner of Game 1
Game 4: 3 v. winner of Game 2

Semis:
Game 5: 1 v. winner of Game 3
Game 6: 2 v. winner of Game 4

Final:
Winner of Game 5 v. winner of Game 6


Or something like that.

Except I believe the plan is for every team to qualify once they go to a neutral site. No byes. Otherwise, your plan makes sense. Far too much sense, in fact, for the bsc.

Well, shit.

 

[Grizbeer]

With 8 teams in the tournament at a neutral site, you could reward regular season performance with byes instead of hosting:

First round:
Game 1: 5 (seed) v. 8
Game 2: 6 v. 7

Quarters:
Game 3: 4 v. winner of Game 1
Game 4: 3 v. winner of Game 2

Semis:
Game 5: 1 v. winner of Game 3
Game 6: 2 v. winner of Game 4

Final:
Winner of Game 5 v. winner of Game 6


Or something like that.

Except I believe the plan is for every team to qualify once they go to a neutral site. No byes. Otherwise, your plan makes sense. Far too much sense, in fact, for the bsc.

Well, shit.

while EG is technically correct that the plan is to include all 12 teams in a neutral site tournament, this is truly a technicality. It takes 12 teams to book enough hotel rooms to get the free night stays and upgraded breakfast buffet. In reality the beauty of this plan is stage III in the enlarged and upgraded Big Sky Conference that will push membership to 16 -18 teams, with only 12 making the tournament. Even as we speak Fullerton is putting the full court press on UVSU, Seattle U and Bakersfield. Once he gets this wrapped up he intends to get the Summitt Orphans in Dakota to switch their Olympic sports to the Big Sky, knowing that, like Idaho, once they see the glorious Beauty that is the Big Sky conference they will abandon the MVC for greener pasture. You guys just need to have more vision.

 

[EverettGriz]

Great post, GB. But try as I may, I simply cannot keep up with the great Mr. Fullerton and his visions of true leadership. When a guy has that level of vision, that kind of foward-thinking, a guy who is always looking to improve even when things are as great as they are in his conference, you cannot help but be impressed. I just try to stand back out of his way and allow him to work his magic.