Hard to believe, but it is time for College Basketball season to begin. The Big Sky Conference is usually only a one bid NCAA conference. That may change in the near future, but that future is not today. The conference race this year is more likely a four team race this year...last year it was two.
Power Rankings and this week's opponents
1. Weber State
This week, the Wildcats only have one game, but it is a tall order. It is in-state rival and WAC favorite Utah State. Stu Morrill is Randy Rahe's protege. Randy was an assistant in Logan before landing in Ogden. The rivalry is more even now than it ever has been. In recent years, the Aggies have dominated the series, but there was a time when the Wildcats did. This year, the Aggies have a size advantage in the Low Post, but it is with Sophmore Niang Modu from Tokyo, who is coming off a redshirt year. But the other four starters return from last year's team. Weber returns five starters from last year's team. So if the Wildcats are to get a split (the Wildcats play the Aggies in Logan on December 23) they will need the experience of Senior Steve Panos taking advantage of the taller but younger Modu in the low post. Weber State should win a close one. On Tuesday, they travel to the coast to take on UC-Santa Barbara. Cats should begin 2-0.
2. Montana
Montana hosts a trio of back to back to back games this weekend in a mini round robin tourney in Missoula. First, they play the Bison of North Dakota on Friday. On Saturday, the Boise State Broncos play the Grizzlies. And on Sunday, it is Loyola Marymount. It should be a fun event to open the season and a good opportunity for the Grizzlies to start 3-0 against teams that have some name power.
3. Portland State
The Vikings travel to Seattle to play in the Athletes in Action round robin tournament. On Friday, the Vikings play Belmont College. On Saturday, it is Wright State. On Sunday, it is the host school Washington. I expect the Vikings will begin 2-1 for their new coach.
4. Idaho State
Broderick Ghilcrest and company open the season with three games away from Reed Gym/Holt Arena. The first two are this weekend. But it is a tall order for the Bengals. First, they take on Iowa State in Ames on Friday. Then they travel to Peoria to take on Bradley on Sunday. The trip finishes in Provo against BYU on Tuesday. Nothing against the Bengals, it is a tough trip for anyone in the country. It is likely that the Bengals will begin 0-3. But it should build some character.
5. Montana State
The Bobcats only have one game this weekend. It is to open the season in Reno against the Wolfpack. Conventional wisdom is that UNR has a pair of good sophomores, but is not deep enough to win a lot of games. Perhaps the Bobcats can steal one on the road, but the Lawlor Events Center is not an easy place to pick up a win. On Tuesday, the Bobcats host Colorado Christian in their home opener. I say they go 1-1 to open.
6. Northern Colorado
The Bears have a Friday at home, Sunday on the road split this weekend. Friday's game is against McNeese State. Sunday, it is a short trip to Cedar City and the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah. The results should also be a home win road loss split.
7. Northern Arizona
The Lumberjacks open the season in similar fashion to the NCU bears. At home against little known Southwestern on Friday. Then on Sunday, they get the Arizona Wildcats in Tuscon. It should also be a home win, road loss split.
8. Eastern Washington
The Eagles begin at home on Saturday against the Portland University Pilots. Then they play Monday on the road, down the road, against the WSU Cougars. Portland is one of the favorites in the WCC, other than Gonzaga. So it looks like EWU will likely begin 0-2. Then Tuesday, they get a break with Whitman College in Cheney.
9. Sacramento State
The Hornets get a 3 game trip to Bayou Country to begin the season in another four team round robin tournament. They play host Rice on Friday, Houston Baptist on Saturday and South Alabama on Sunday. If the Hornets are lucky, they may be able to win one of the three.
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