Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Montana State
Best Overall Player: Trent McLaughlin, NAU
Best Shooter: Miguel Tomley, Weber State
Best Defenseman: Carson Basham, NAU
Sleeper Team (Conference): Portland State
Sleeper Team (March): NAU
Montana State forward Brian Goracke; Brian Gorake via Instagram
1. Montana State Bobcats*
2023 Record: 17-18
The Bobcats’ elite three-point defense and turnover percentage were amongst the best in the Big Sky last season, a stat which should be improved with the return of playmaking guard Brandon Walker. MSU’s offense was mediocre but shot the three at a very adept 39.7% last season, and with three returnees in the backcourt, expect the Bobcats to revolve around a run-and-gun, fast paced style behind coach Matt Logie.
2. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
2023 Record: 14-19
Returning four starters spawns immediate optimism for the Lumberjacks, a group which includes all-leaguers Trent McLaughlin and Carson Basham. Improving the offensive struggles of poor three point shooting and even poorer offensive rebounding will be paramount for Lumberjack success this season. 6-10 big man Leigh Rickwood-Pitt should offer some stability out of the portal, and with a cohesive group (especially in the backcourt) returning for NAU, expectations are high in Flagstaff.
3. Weber State Bobcats
2023 Record: 20-12
Losing generational guard Dillon Jones will cause growing pains early for the Wildcats, but with a bevy of returning production and plug-and-play portal pulls, Weber State will be in immediate Big Sky contention. Idaho State transfer Miguel Tomley is one of the west coast’s best shooters, and Big Sky returnee Nigel Burns will play a large role early after sitting on the bench for Utah State last season.
4. Montana Grizzlies
2023 Record: 24-12
The Grizzlies’ second ranked offense in conference play earned them a top two seed in the Big Sky Tournament last season. A bitter championship game loss to rival Montana State will sting for the rest of the off season, but with the return of dynamic guard Brandon Whitney, the Griz should be primed for another run at the conference title. The defense will need to improve in Missoula, as the Griz allowed nearly 37% of three-pointers to go in and rarely created turnovers.
5. Idaho Vandals
2023 Record: 11-21
Rebounding will be the key to unlock the riches of the Idaho backcourt this season, with dynamic talents returning at all three positions in Kristian Gonzalez, Takai Hardy and Kolton Mitchell. The frontcourt was bolstered with the transfer of forward Jayden Stevens from Oregon State. Expect a change in tempo from last year’s slow burning style (which ranked the Vandals dead last in offensive efficiency in the conference) to a more upbeat pace with an experienced backcourt.
6. Northern Colorado Bears
2023 Record: 19-14
Replacing over 35 points per game from two players alone will be a tall task for the Bears, but post returnee Brock Wisne offers a bedrock of consistency for an otherwise inexperienced team in Greeley. In search of a backcourt, the Bears will look to transfer Quinn Denker and returnee Zach Bloch to produce early. Northern Colorado’s offense was among the conference’s best in 2023 but defensive struggles (particularly in the turnover department) eventually led to an early exit in the Big Sky Tournament.
7. Portland State Vikings
2023 Record: 17-15
With lone returning starter Ismail Habib accounting for just 9 points per game last season, Portland State will be looking towards newcomers to produce for an offense which ranked near the bottom of the Big Sky in 2023. Luckily for the Vikings, Habib is a likely breakout selection and four newcomers offer immediate help either in the starting lineup or off the bench.
8. Idaho State Bengals
2023 Record: 14-20
The Bengals were stripped of most of the team’s assets in the portal, returning one starter and bringing in eight newcomers for coach Ryan Looney’s sixth season. Idaho State ranked fifth in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season, and with some inevitable trial and error with such a newly put together roster, expect those numbers to fluctuate in 2024.
9. Eastern Washington Eagles
2023 Record: 21-11
Perhaps one of the hardest predicted faller teams in all of college basketball this season, Eastern Washington will look to re-tool following. first round blanking at the hands of bottom-seeded Sacramento State in the Big Sky Tournament last season. Luckily for the Eagles, coach Dan Monson (formerly of Long Beach State) harnessed magic last season by bringing the Beach to the NCAA Tournament in his final season. The Eagles lost its top six scorers from a year ago but bring in multiple newcomers such as lengthy guard Tyler Powell.
10. Sacramento State Hornets
2023 Record: 10-24
Four starters departed Sacramento this off season following a 10-win season under coach David Patrick. Perhaps a good thing? The Hornets upset EWU in the Big Sky Tournament — the cologne that covered up the stink of an otherwise forgettable 2023. Leaning on the playmaking ability of Jalen Pitre will be the way to go for the Hornets in 2024.