What can we, the fans, expect from the Big Sky next season? Personally, I look at a number of factors: Coaching, returning players, signed recruits, redshirts/transfers, and past success. From what I can guage, since the late recruiting period hasn't happened yet, and that is primarily when SAC and ISU do most of their recruiting, I believe that the following will be the preseason rankings for the Sky next season.
1. Weber: Lillard will be back along with Bamforth, Bullinger, Mahoney, and Fulton. Weber will have an experienced group starting, but also, a number of players coming off the bench who have experience, are talented, and can instantly provide Weber with offense. Weber not only has an experience starting five, but also, the deepest bench in the Sky. Richardson, Porter, Tresnak, Mook, and Hajek could be a starting five in their own right not just coming off the bench, add in Wheelwright, Fields, and Brown...Wow!! Thats all I can say.
2. Montana: Yes UM lost the best Big/defensive player in the Sky, which will cause some serious problems for the Grizz (who can fill Qvale's spot?? Ward, Hutchinson, Reader??). Regardless, the team is returning a number of key players from this years team who have experience and can make a run at the title. Cherry, Stewart, Jamaar, Stockton, and of course Selvig (I like the kid personally, but I hate him on the floor)
3. Eastern: The Eagles lost no one from this years conference qualifying team. If new coach Hayward can keep the team together and get them playing with confidence from the start, the Eagles could end up being the conference champions. There will be a lot of teams who will have a hard time matching up with the Eagles athleticism, speed, and tenacity. Unfortunately, the team depends far to much on 3's, which might change with Hayward. I'm thinking a few players might transfer or be gone, but the nucleous will be back.
4. Northern Arizona: The Lumberjacks lost a lot. Cameron Jones, Eric Platt, and Shane Johannessen are tough players to replace, but I have a feeling that Adras has done a really good job preparing for this year. He has a great looking kid joining the Jacks this fall, who might end up with the Fresh of the Year award, and a bunch of JC/Fresh redshirts who have been with the team for the past year. NOt only does Adras have a good recruiting class and a bunch of redshirts, but he also has some good players returning in Stallion Salvidar and Gabe Rogers. If the Jacks can find a good inside presence and a wing, then I think NAU will turn some heads. The Jacks are my darkhorse again.
5. Montana State: Huse needs a center for his offense to run through. Cody Anderson, might be a hard working player, but isn't the guy needed for the job. He showed early signs of development early in the Big Sky season, but when he started to suffer then the Bobcats did too. Yes, Howard and Rusch were good players who gave their all, they, alone, couldn't bring the Bobcats wins. I'm scratching my head on this one. The only reason I have State ahead of UNCO is because Huse is brining in some decent looking players and has 3/4 really talented players on his squad. However, he has got to figure out how to get them to mesh. I think State will get to the tounry, but it might be by the skin of their teeth.
6. Northern Colorado: After an incredible year, virtually anchored by Reigning Big Sky MVP Devin Beitzel and three veteran senior starters, the Bears will experience a rebuilding year or two. Yes, the Bears have some good looking players on their bench coming back, but their experience is limited. Proctor, Elliot, Garnica, and the two bigs will need to drastically improve their games for the Bears to maintain their success that has been experienced over the past two seasons. As for their recruits...decent class at best. However, good coaches recruit based on what the team needs, not necessarily on talent. I think that the Bears have two immediate impact players joining and one coming off of a redshirt. Also the returning services of Connor Osborne will be appreciated. I could see the Bears contending to not making the tourny. They are my question mark.
7. Idaho State: OB has some talented players who showed, when they wanted to, that they could challenge the best that the Sky has to offer, but knowing that it would take an NCAA berth to save his job, I'm thinking that ISU will go through the motions and barely miss out on the tourny again.
8. Portland State: another wildcard, but I don't think Greiving can get his teams to mesh. He has had some problems getting his talent to work for the team and not for themselves. However, I wouldn't be surprised if PSU could claim a tourny spot. Are they even eligible?
9. Sacramento State: I like Katz's efforts. I think he is a Hell of a coach, but he is like Prometheous and the boulder. I don't think he will ever get that boulder up the hill. The Sky is developing quicker than he can get his teams ready for. Yes, the Hornets are improving and should have a bunch of wins next year, but unfortunatley, so is the entire sky. I'd like to see Katz get his team in the tourny. His work effort definitely deserves it.
1. Weber: Lillard will be back along with Bamforth, Bullinger, Mahoney, and Fulton. Weber will have an experienced group starting, but also, a number of players coming off the bench who have experience, are talented, and can instantly provide Weber with offense. Weber not only has an experience starting five, but also, the deepest bench in the Sky. Richardson, Porter, Tresnak, Mook, and Hajek could be a starting five in their own right not just coming off the bench, add in Wheelwright, Fields, and Brown...Wow!! Thats all I can say.
2. Montana: Yes UM lost the best Big/defensive player in the Sky, which will cause some serious problems for the Grizz (who can fill Qvale's spot?? Ward, Hutchinson, Reader??). Regardless, the team is returning a number of key players from this years team who have experience and can make a run at the title. Cherry, Stewart, Jamaar, Stockton, and of course Selvig (I like the kid personally, but I hate him on the floor)
3. Eastern: The Eagles lost no one from this years conference qualifying team. If new coach Hayward can keep the team together and get them playing with confidence from the start, the Eagles could end up being the conference champions. There will be a lot of teams who will have a hard time matching up with the Eagles athleticism, speed, and tenacity. Unfortunately, the team depends far to much on 3's, which might change with Hayward. I'm thinking a few players might transfer or be gone, but the nucleous will be back.
4. Northern Arizona: The Lumberjacks lost a lot. Cameron Jones, Eric Platt, and Shane Johannessen are tough players to replace, but I have a feeling that Adras has done a really good job preparing for this year. He has a great looking kid joining the Jacks this fall, who might end up with the Fresh of the Year award, and a bunch of JC/Fresh redshirts who have been with the team for the past year. NOt only does Adras have a good recruiting class and a bunch of redshirts, but he also has some good players returning in Stallion Salvidar and Gabe Rogers. If the Jacks can find a good inside presence and a wing, then I think NAU will turn some heads. The Jacks are my darkhorse again.
5. Montana State: Huse needs a center for his offense to run through. Cody Anderson, might be a hard working player, but isn't the guy needed for the job. He showed early signs of development early in the Big Sky season, but when he started to suffer then the Bobcats did too. Yes, Howard and Rusch were good players who gave their all, they, alone, couldn't bring the Bobcats wins. I'm scratching my head on this one. The only reason I have State ahead of UNCO is because Huse is brining in some decent looking players and has 3/4 really talented players on his squad. However, he has got to figure out how to get them to mesh. I think State will get to the tounry, but it might be by the skin of their teeth.
6. Northern Colorado: After an incredible year, virtually anchored by Reigning Big Sky MVP Devin Beitzel and three veteran senior starters, the Bears will experience a rebuilding year or two. Yes, the Bears have some good looking players on their bench coming back, but their experience is limited. Proctor, Elliot, Garnica, and the two bigs will need to drastically improve their games for the Bears to maintain their success that has been experienced over the past two seasons. As for their recruits...decent class at best. However, good coaches recruit based on what the team needs, not necessarily on talent. I think that the Bears have two immediate impact players joining and one coming off of a redshirt. Also the returning services of Connor Osborne will be appreciated. I could see the Bears contending to not making the tourny. They are my question mark.
7. Idaho State: OB has some talented players who showed, when they wanted to, that they could challenge the best that the Sky has to offer, but knowing that it would take an NCAA berth to save his job, I'm thinking that ISU will go through the motions and barely miss out on the tourny again.
8. Portland State: another wildcard, but I don't think Greiving can get his teams to mesh. He has had some problems getting his talent to work for the team and not for themselves. However, I wouldn't be surprised if PSU could claim a tourny spot. Are they even eligible?
9. Sacramento State: I like Katz's efforts. I think he is a Hell of a coach, but he is like Prometheous and the boulder. I don't think he will ever get that boulder up the hill. The Sky is developing quicker than he can get his teams ready for. Yes, the Hornets are improving and should have a bunch of wins next year, but unfortunatley, so is the entire sky. I'd like to see Katz get his team in the tourny. His work effort definitely deserves it.
