Big Sky 2013-14 Predictions

[bincitysioux]

I've never heard of this website, but they pick North Dakota to win the Big Sky, and say Huff has a shot at the NBA............................

32 In 32: Big Sky Conference

 

[Wildcat_Fan]

Huff is a great player, no doubt about it. But one thing we learned is one player cannot take you all the way. We had the NBA ROY on our team and the best we did was the CIT 2nd round. Im not as familiar with North Dakota so i dont know who the supporting cast is around Huff but once Lillard was shut down, our team struggled, especially against Montana hno: So yes huff is good but i dont think he can carry the team to a big sky championship.

 

[bincitysioux]

You will get no arugement from me. Honestly, I was shocked to see somebody pick North Dakota to win the conference. I think we have a good team, that is capable of challenging Weber and Montana, but all the pieces will have to fall into place for that to happen. Personally, I like Weber to win it this year (always a safe bet), but I think Montana may be vulnerable with the losses of Cherry and Ward. I like the Sioux to finish 2nd, but with a senior laden lineup and some much needed additions in frontcourt, we could challenge for the title if everyone stays healthy and eligible and all things fall into place. I think it will be a fun year for us. Expectations are high in North Dakota. Best team we've had in 20 years, and we were pretty darn good 20 years ago...................

 

[WILDCAT]

You will get no arugement from me. Honestly, I was shocked to see somebody pick North Dakota to win the conference. I think we have a good team, that is capable of challenging Weber and Montana, but all the pieces will have to fall into place for that to happen. Personally, I like Weber to win it this year (always a safe bet), but I think Montana may be vulnerable with the losses of Cherry and Ward. I like the Sioux to finish 2nd, but with a senior laden lineup and some much needed additions in frontcourt, we could challenge for the title if everyone stays healthy and eligible and all things fall into place. I think it will be a fun year for us. Expectations are high in North Dakota. Best team we've had in 20 years, and we were pretty darn good 20 years ago...................

I think North Dakota can be very dangerous, I dont think it is unreasonable to think UND could win the Sky. I remember that one Big Sky semi final game this last season, If North Dakota plays like that more often look out.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I think, as long as Huff learns how to play team ball, that UND has a great shot at winning the conference. They played team ball against the Cats in the conference semifinal game and almost pulled off the W. UND has a solid supporting cast, and in my opinion, the most depth after Weber. A couple of late additions and transfers for the Sioux have given them some more depth, especially in the middle, that really gives them more weapons and makes them a bit more dangerous. Weber, has a lot of talent, and I believe that Berry is as good or better than Huff. But, personally, I think UND is a fine team and will really contend for the top spot.

Montana, I'm not sold on them. I don't think Mario Dunn is as amazing as the Grizz are hoping he will be. I might end up eating crow for that statement, but that doesn't help the Grizz in the area they are hurting the most in, the middle. Martin ended up being a decent Fresh, but he isn't anywhere near as good as the other bigs in the conference. Jamar is going to have to put the Grizz on his back next year, and hope for more. Personally, I think MSU and UNCO could both end up being better than the Grizz. Also, Eastern seems to have more talent and were starting to play really well at the end of last season. The Grizz might be a world of hurt next season.

1. Weber State: experienced, talented, and proven team
2. UND: veteran team, senior laden, and Huff is a POY candidate with pro potential
3. MSU: Huse has assembled what might be his most experienced, talented, and group that will mesh
4. UM: Dangerous but nothing like they were
5. UNCO: Up and coming. Lots of experience and new faces should help change direction of the cubbies
6. EWU: Hayford's internationals should start proving themselves and with Harvey running the point hmm.
7. NAU: Good mix of talented newbs and veterans with some skill. Two more years.
8. SAC: Loss of Veteto is HUGE, next year might be the Hornets best chance.
9. PSU: Geiving can get recruits, but they don't mesh. Team isn't a concept in Portland.
10. ISU: Evans has a defensive monster that can't score. Score 55 against the Bengals you'll probably win.
11. SUU: Robinson is in FULL rebuild mode. All Freshman newbs. Gotta admire his direction.

 

[weberwildcat]

Lindy's & Sporting News both pick wsu, um, und as 1,2,3. lindy's has berry as mvp and sporting has jamar. sporting also has und getting newcomer of the yr player. both publications have huff, jamar, unc's barden and berry as first team. haven't looked at athlon yet.

big sky coaches and media will be out mid october. i enjoy all the predictions but the coaches is the one i like the most.

 

[oldrunner]

I also think that the coaches have a good handle on what is happening around the league. However, they are quite predictable about one thing. They will always pick last years champion as the number 1 team at the beginning of the season. I think that is because they all feel that, until they are beaten, last years champ is the best team. The coaches will pick Montana to repeat. That's just how it is. When the coaches are all done with their picks, I expect that it will look about the same as last years finish, with one or two exceptions. I'm just hoping that the league is much improved over last year. :nod:

 

[n.ogdencat]

Lindy's & Sporting News both pick wsu, um, und as 1,2,3. lindy's has berry as mvp and sporting has jamar. sporting also has und getting newcomer of the yr player. both publications have huff, jamar, unc's barden and berry as first team. haven't looked at athlon yet.

big sky coaches and media will be out mid october. i enjoy all the predictions but the coaches is the one i like the most.

Yeah, Lindy's is a pretty sweet publication. They do a fairly decent job figuring out who in the Sky has talent, ability, and are on the upswing. Weber is definitely on the up and up. Losing Bam and Mook are big. And the sudden departure of Wheels hurts, but only hurts because of the level of experience Wheels had accumulated during his time here. I'm thinking Royce can make up for most of the experience we lose from Wheels. His speed will be very hard to duplicate, but looking at Royce's number, he did a good job when he was in the game and really ended up being quite the defensive expert for last years team. UND didn't really lose anyone, that is what makes them soooo dangerous. Actually, they got better. They added a couple of bigs who can really help them out and give them much needed depth. UM, lost a lot. Jamar is still around, but DeSheilds is not Will Cherry, and the Grizz are still suffering from a lack of bigs. Yes, Kemp is a good addition, but he doesn't bring that inside out presence the Grizz have been living on the past couple of years. They were able to get it done last year at the end without Ward and Cherry, so I could definitely be wrong about the Grizz. Maybe it is hopeful thinking on my part, but...I just don't think the Grizz have improved.

Like Olds' hope, I also hope, believe???, the Sky overall has improved. :roll:

 

[Webergrad02]

I think the coaches are going to buck the trend and pick Weber #1 this year.

 

[weberwildcat]

well regardless griz need to be near the top if not the top. look how consistent wayne has them. its all bout rahe and wayne these past yrs. i dont see that changing. no one is beating weber or griz at home the past 2-3 season. i really like what wayne is doing in missoula, its just hard to imagine them keeping it going another yr with cherry and so many other stars now gone. add up griz and weber's past 2 seasons win totals in big sky play, its insane, i am sure its unprecedented in the conf history.

i like what i am hearing about this new und team. if the supporting cast can compliment huff to contend it will be fun to see. a 20 ppg type of player are few and far betweeen. so i will look forwar to seeing him play and how we manager to try to slow him down. my only issue with und is travel. they will have the toughest time on the road of any big sky school. if they can succeed on the road then we will know they are a team who can have a big chance to host. the road can be brutal. its along winter marathon and we are lucky to have rahe for that!

 

[n.ogdencat]

Catcat...do you have a link to Lindy's?

 

[SWWeatherCat]

Huff is a great player, no doubt about it. But one thing we learned is one player cannot take you all the way. We had the NBA ROY on our team and the best we did was the CIT 2nd round. Im not as familiar with North Dakota so i dont know who the supporting cast is around Huff but once Lillard was shut down, our team struggled, especially against Montana hno: So yes huff is good but i dont think he can carry the team to a big sky championship.

If memory serves, Lillard was never "shutdown," least of all by UM. Dame is a model of consistency and Cherry had a game or two where he nearly offset Lillard but I sure don't remember him being shutdown-- the closest to that description that I remember might have been at Ybu or Cal.

Again, if memory serves, Huff struggled against Weber in both regular-season games as he didn't seem to have much help. UND did a great job adjusting for the tournament match-up but it also seems like Weber was in a bit of a funk right at that time, too. It's hard for me to judge Huff/UND because it seems it's been Huff vs, not UND vs and I have no idea how their team has changed over the Summer. I'm not sure if I think Huff is an NBA player, he's definitely close but it's hard to tell.

I could care less about the predictions but I'm excited to see if Weber and the BSC has improved as we all hope they have. The BSC needs more respect and Weber needs to be challenged more throughout the BSC season so they are ready to win the damn thing for a change, even though the CIT was far more enjoyable and exciting than a one-and-done March Madness visit, especially al la the Grizz hno:

 

[Kiltman]

I think, as long as Huff learns how to play team ball, that UND has a great shot at winning the conference. They played team ball against the Cats in the conference semifinal game and almost pulled off the W. UND has a solid supporting cast, and in my opinion, the most depth after Weber. A couple of late additions and transfers for the Sioux have given them some more depth, especially in the middle, that really gives them more weapons and makes them a bit more dangerous. Weber, has a lot of talent, and I believe that Berry is as good or better than Huff. But, personally, I think UND is a fine team and will really contend for the top spot.

Montana, I'm not sold on them. I don't think Mario Dunn is as amazing as the Grizz are hoping he will be. I might end up eating crow for that statement, but that doesn't help the Grizz in the area they are hurting the most in, the middle. Martin ended up being a decent Fresh, but he isn't anywhere near as good as the other bigs in the conference. Jamar is going to have to put the Grizz on his back next year, and hope for more. Personally, I think MSU and UNCO could both end up being better than the Grizz. Also, Eastern seems to have more talent and were starting to play really well at the end of last season. The Grizz might be a world of hurt next season.

1. Weber State: experienced, talented, and proven team
2. UND: veteran team, senior laden, and Huff is a POY candidate with pro potential
3. MSU: Huse has assembled what might be his most experienced, talented, and group that will mesh
4. UM: Dangerous but nothing like they were
5. UNCO: Up and coming. Lots of experience and new faces should help change direction of the cubbies
6. EWU: Hayford's internationals should start proving themselves and with Harvey running the point hmm.
7. NAU: Good mix of talented newbs and veterans with some skill. Two more years.
8. SAC: Loss of Veteto is HUGE, next year might be the Hornets best chance.
9. PSU: Geiving can get recruits, but they don't mesh. Team isn't a concept in Portland.
10. ISU: Evans has a defensive monster that can't score. Score 55 against the Bengals you'll probably win.
11. SUU: Robinson is in FULL rebuild mode. All Freshman newbs. Gotta admire his direction.

Not bad picks, but missed big time on the 3 seed. Nailed it on 1, 2, 4, 10, & 11. I can't comment on the rest yet. 3 games to go...

 

[n.ogdencat]

Maddawg totally had SUU winning the conference. NICE JOB!! Guess you blew that one huh? LOOOOL Catcat thought the Vandals were going to win...he/she doesn't even know who is in our conference.