Here's how I'd rank it:
1. Weber State - Clearly the odds on favorites to be preseason #1. It would be stunning to see anybody else ranked first in the preseason. I will say though that I don't think Weber is immortal. They don't have that feel to them where they're just gonna bulldoze everyone in the conference. I think they're gonna play a lot of close games and they're gonna get everyone's best shot. The Griz were a bad inbounds play away from sweeping them last year, Eastern split with them last year, so they can be beat. If you limit Dillon Jones and make everybody else on the team beat you, then you're gonna have a chance.
2. Montana - I give us the edge over Eastern mainly because I have some questions about Eastern's backcourt after the losses of Venters and Allegri. I like the addition of Giordan Williams for the Griz backcourt, I think that's a much needed upgrade at the 2 spot over Martin. Losing Bannan definitely hurts but I think Te'Jon Sawyer has the potential to be that Jamar Akoh piece that this front court has been missing for quite some time. If that's the case, then I think the Griz are true contenders with Weber. The returning pieces with Moody, Whitney, and DT will all be great for the Griz and if Sawyer and Williams live up to the billing, then we can go toe to toe with Weber for the conference title.
3. Eastern Washington - Like usual, I think Eastern will be tough as hell and will be in the conversation for the title race. As I mentioned above, I have questions about their backcourt. Those were 2 dynamic guys and I'm sure they got 2 guys waiting in the wings that will also be very good players because that's what they do, but I don't know who those guys are, so for now I got them in the 3 spot behind Weber and the Griz.
4. Sacramento State - David Patrick has hit some home runs in the portal, and it's only a matter of time until it all starts to click, and I think this is the year you start to see that. I don't think Sac State will be a true contender this season, but I do think they have a chance to really disrupt things in the conference race, and they had their moments last year. They're close, but I still think they're a year away.
5. Montana State - This is where I think you start to see the separation. Outside the top 4, I don't think there's anyone else that's a major threat. I got the cats at 5 because although they have a completely new staff and roster, I do think they're gonna be competitive and should beat the teams they're supposed to beat. Matt Logie seemed to put a big emphasis on 3 point shooting and perimeter players, but I really don't think they have any kind of inside threat like they have had with Belo. They really only have 1 real big guy they brought in, and not much behind him. I expect the cats to be middle of the pack.
6. Portland State - I think PSU will be improved but they just kind of are what they are and I need to see more from them before I start believing.
7. Idaho State - I'm not as high on ISU as many of you are. They got crushed by graduation and I think they have a lot of unknowns. I could certainly see a scenario where they jump up and are better than PSU and the cats, but for now I'm putting ISU behind both of them.
8. Northern Arizona - Jalen Cone was the straw that stirred the drink for NAU, and now that he's gone I think NAU is really gonna struggle. I expect it to be tough sledding in Flagstaff this season.
9 - Idaho. I really like the hire of Alex Pribble, but it's gonna take some time for him to get them back on track. Long road ahead.
10 - Northern Colorado - What a fall from grace for UNC. They did absolutely nothing of value this offseason to improve their team. Is Steve Smyley in over his head? I'm thinking he might be. Good luck to them.
