Big Sky Power Rankings Week 9

[weberwildcat]

http://www.pocatelloshops.com/new_blogs/kellis/?p=4581

Idaho State Journal

Big Sky Power Rankings: Week 9Categories: Big Sky posts, Featured
Written By: krobinett
I could use this space to talk about what it will take for someone to knock off Weber State in the Big Sky tournament, but I’ve got all week to speculate on that topic.

But there are only two days remaining before the league’s coaches join each other on a conference call to decide the Big Sky’s all-star team. So I will use this week’s Big Sky Power Rankings column to preview it with my own all-league team.

Here it is …

Most Valuable Player: Kellen McCoy, Weber State
Newcomer of the Year: Anthony Johnson, Montana
Freshman of the Year: Damian Lillard, Weber State
Coach of the Year: Randy Rahe, Weber State

First Team:
Kellen McCoy, Weber State
Anthony Johnson, Montana
Amorrow Morgan, Idaho State
Jabril Banks, Northern Colorado
Damian Lillard, Weber State

Second Team:
Matt Stucki, Idaho State
Jeremiah Dominguez, Portland State
Kyle Bullinger, Weber State
Divaldo Mbunga, Montana State
Loren Leath, Sacramento State

Others considered (I hate the term honorable mention):
Cameron Jones, NAU; Benny Valentine, EWU; Brandon Moore, EWU; Chron Tatum, Idaho State; Phil Nelson, PSU; Will Figures, UNC.

I’m guessing the coaches find a way to squeeze Jordan Hasquet, Dominic Waters, Will Bynum and another Weber State starter on there. That’s just the way they are.

And not that you really need them, because the league standings are already over, but on to the rankings …

1. Weber State (15-1, 21-8)
Everyone in the league thinks the Wildcats can be had. Even someone from Sac. St. was trying to tell me the other day that Weber State was no good. Well all you haters, now is your chance to prove it.

2. Idaho State (9-7, 12-18)
The Power Rankings aren’t a life-time achievement award, they’re about who is playing the best right now. And right now, it’s hard to say anyone other than Weber State is playing better than the Bengals. Wow, what a great semifinal matchup that could be in Ogden.

3. Portland State (11-5, 21-9)
The Vikings are still the scariest team around. If they can put it all together for two games in Ogden, it’s tough to see anyone beating them.

4. Montana (11-5, 17-11)
Stop Anthony Johnson and you stop Montana. Problem is, Johnson is the second best player in the conference.

5. Northern Colorado (8-8, 14-17)
What a way to the end the season by smashing both Montana schools at home. Too bad the Bears now have to go on the road.

6. Eastern Washington (6-10, 12-17)
Nice choke job, Eagles. You had a spot in the Big Sky tourney and absolutely blew it.

7. Montana State (6-10, 12-17)
Can anyone explain to me how these guys beat Weber State once upon a time?

8. Northern Arizona (5-11, 8-19)
Poor Mike Adras. I hope the dean of Big Sky coaches keeps enough resources after Arizona’s state-wide budget cuts to field a good team next year.

9. Sacramento State (1-15, 2-27)
Hey, at least they didn’t go winless.

 

[weberwildcat]

No mention of Davis who could end up on the first team and defensive player of the year. Being the champ will help but since he is a bench player I think that would be the only reason if he ends up on the 2nd team.

 

[pattenjr]

this guy is defenitly from idaho. He put ISU #2!? ISU is pretty good but they should be third or maybe even 4th behind both PSU and Montana.
oh and not mentioning Davis?! Just plain disrespectful!

 

[weberwildcat]

this guy is defenitly from idaho. He put ISU #2!? ISU is pretty good but they should be third or maybe even 4th behind both PSU and Montana.
oh and not mentioning Davis?! Just plain disrespectful!

If you look through each week he has been pretty negative about the Bengals and has been ranking them a lot lower. But they have won 5 of their last 6 after losing 4 straight.

Do you think UM is better than ISU? I don't.

 

[pattenjr]

hard to say. i defenitely think psu is better than isu though. UM does have a better record, but like the isu guy says, ISU has been playing pretty well lately. I guess we'll find out who is better in a few short days.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I agree with his power-rankings... ISU is playing great right now (I'm not going to pull an FCS board Peeking conversation). I think PURPLEFOGDO and I are going to travel north on Sat to watch the Bengals. Whatever happens this weekend, I believe next weeks semifinal games are going to be amazing. However, this weekends game between UNC and ISU may be one of the best games this season, not involving Weber State. UNC is playing, in my opinion, as well as ISU... I really kinda hope that MSU beats UM this weekend.

 

[WILDCAT]

Im not so sure I would put ISU that high, I still think PSU and UM are better than they are, ISU has won 5 of the last 6, but the wins were against teams like SAC, NAU, EWU, and MSU. They did beat PSU, but so did UM, MSU, and us twice. and 4 of the 6 were at home. They lost by 15 at Montana.

Wins over SAC, NAU, EWU, and MSU ( no offense Old School ) dont qualify as "peaking"

They are good, but not good enough to be #2

 

[wildfan]

Right now ISU is definately the second-hottest team in the league behind our Wildcats. I do think they are peaking right now, specifically because of how badly they beat Sac and NAU. They didn't just win those games, they destroyed the Hornets and the Jacks.