Usually looking at the opposing conference teams at this point in the season really doesn't gauge where a team will be come conference time. However, due to the early conference games that each team had over the weekend, it allowed us to get a quick glance into what the conference season will be like, before returning and finishing the OCC schedule. Only the Bengals of Idaho State didn't compete against a conference opponent last week, every other team did.
Currently, Montana State is on top of the conference with a 2-0 mark. Many, including me, didn't give much hope to the Bobcats, since they lost their perenial inside defender, Mbunga, at the conclusion of last season. Mbunga was perhaps the best inside defender that I have seen in the conference in 10-15 years. However, with his departure, many thought that the Bobcats would struggle defensively. Mbunga would force teams to become one-dimensional. If the outside game was limited the Bobcats could slow down an opposing teams offensive output. Anyway, this post is more about where the teams are headed, rather than where the teams have been. Shockingly, yet, possible because the Bobcats have a very senior (veteran and experienced) laden team, Montana State is on top of the conference. After the Bobcats the conference standings are as followed: Portland State, Weber State, Northern Colorado, Montana, Idaho State, Sacramento State, Eastern Washington, and Northern Arizona.
Automatically, one cannot assume that there are any gimmies in this conference this season. The Sky from top to bottom is a very dangerous and improved conference and it has shown so far throughout the preseason, with a number of the conference teams getting big OCC wins (Oregon, Portland, Utah, Oregon State, among others). In my opinion, Northern Colorado, Montana, and Weber are the top three teams in the conference. Following closely behind are Montana State, Portland State, Idaho State, Sacramento State, and Northern Arizona. Right now, Eastern is perhaps the worst team in the conference, but an extremely talented team that is going to win some big games. The conference champion is going to be lucky to win 12 games this year.
Currently, Montana State is on top of the conference with a 2-0 mark. Many, including me, didn't give much hope to the Bobcats, since they lost their perenial inside defender, Mbunga, at the conclusion of last season. Mbunga was perhaps the best inside defender that I have seen in the conference in 10-15 years. However, with his departure, many thought that the Bobcats would struggle defensively. Mbunga would force teams to become one-dimensional. If the outside game was limited the Bobcats could slow down an opposing teams offensive output. Anyway, this post is more about where the teams are headed, rather than where the teams have been. Shockingly, yet, possible because the Bobcats have a very senior (veteran and experienced) laden team, Montana State is on top of the conference. After the Bobcats the conference standings are as followed: Portland State, Weber State, Northern Colorado, Montana, Idaho State, Sacramento State, Eastern Washington, and Northern Arizona.
Automatically, one cannot assume that there are any gimmies in this conference this season. The Sky from top to bottom is a very dangerous and improved conference and it has shown so far throughout the preseason, with a number of the conference teams getting big OCC wins (Oregon, Portland, Utah, Oregon State, among others). In my opinion, Northern Colorado, Montana, and Weber are the top three teams in the conference. Following closely behind are Montana State, Portland State, Idaho State, Sacramento State, and Northern Arizona. Right now, Eastern is perhaps the worst team in the conference, but an extremely talented team that is going to win some big games. The conference champion is going to be lucky to win 12 games this year.
