All top three teams had pleasant, surprising wins. These wins should help the conference RPI and hopefully the eventual champion will be seeded higher than 15/16 in the tournament this year. Only the top 3 and Eastern Washington, however, have more than one win. So it was difficult to rank 4 through 9. I suspect that someone else will rank them completely different. The season is still young.
1. Northern Colorado (5-0)
Traveled down to Clune Arena in Colorado Springs and beat Air Force. Not a lot of MWC schools will do that this year. Never figured the Bears would be the last unbeaten team in the Big Sky. Now they travel to Grand Forks to take on the Bison of North Dakota. They have a good shot at being 6-0.
2. Montana (4-1)
Lost to the Pioneers in Denver and then went on to win at Oregon. A disappointing loss followed by an impressive win. The Grizzlies have another chance to impress, but it is an almost impossible game: taking on Washington in Seattle on Sunday.
3. Sacramento State (3-3)
Beat Oregon State in Corvallis this weekend. Another pleasant surprise. However, getting past Idaho in Moscow is another matter. It was only a six point loss. Perhaps the Beavers were just looking past the Hornets. Next: Monday at home against UC Riverside. They get to enjoy their turkey.
4. Weber State (1-3)
I was down on them after they lost on the road to Seattle. But then the RedHawks go to Salt Lake and beat the Utes. Well, Weber lost a game against a team that is better than we thought that they would be. Then won their first game against who we thought they were. It does not get any easier for the Wildcats this week. They play BYU in Provo. Weber State has never beaten BYU in Provo.
5. Idaho State (1-4)
There is a challenging schedule to begin the season, and then there is unrealistic and impossible. The Bengals schedule borders on unrealistic. Too difficult will cost the team confidence heading into conference play. This week, ISU won the only home game they have scheduled so far this year...against Colorado Christian followed by a loss against Utah State in Logan. Looking ahead is their only win able road game until conference play at UMKC on Saturday.
6. Portland State (1-3)
Got their first win against the Mustangs from Cal Poly. Only have one game this week, against Stanford in Palo Alto.
7. Eastern Washington (2-3)
Picked up a win against UT-Arlington on the road and then lost at home against Boise State. They take a short road trip to Moscow to take on the Vandals at the Kibbie Dome on Saturday. Then they play at home next Tuesday against Walla Walla College.
8. Northern Arizona (1-2)
The Lumberjacks were playing a home game against Pacific on Sunday but then a blackout hit just into the second half. The Jacks had a two point lead at the time. It was not just the Walkup Skydome, but a good percentage of Flagstaff. No word on if or when the game will be finished. NAU has a two game California trip for Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, it is the South Bay and Santa Clara. On Saturday, the Lumberjacks visit San Diego State.
9. Montana State (1-2)
MSU lost to USM--Southern Mississippi at home last weekend. Next is a visit to San Francisco on Wednesday and Oregon on Saturday.
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