I'm excited for conference play but not a fan of it starting so early. With this set-up, NAU has four home games before the students return. Not cool, Big Sky schedule makers. Move those two out of place non-conference games vs. Colorado and BYU earlier, eliminate the ESPN Bracket Buster weekend game (which ESPN said is no more as of next season) and then at least two of those games are played in front of the students...as they should be.
MSU sits at 2-5 and has played a pretty competitive non-conference schedule with games vs. Air Force, Oregon State, Pepperdine and San Jose State. That's no cup cake schedule for a Big Sky team. Their fanbase seems to be generally unhappy with the mens hoops results/direction the last few seasons. They seem to be lacking in size and run a guard heavy offense just like NAU. I'd have to say that this is NAU's best chance of a win in the first two conference games.
Pre-season favorite, U of Montana, sits at 4-4 and has played Colorado State, Idaho, U of San Diego, BYU, San Fransisco and South Dakota State. A challenging non-conference schedule as well. Their big gun, guard Will Cherry, is just returning from injury and is the straw that stirs the Griz. Very quick and creates havoc on the defensive end. They're lacking the post presence they've had in the past. Whichever teams guards play the best should determine who wins.
Twelve days off between games is a long break. Now the Jacks get three games in five days. Gotta wear the rust off quickly. Fox Sports AZ Plus and Fox College Sports is covering the two conference games and the Pac 12 Network is covering the game vs. Colorado. Hooray for tv time.
Go Jacks!
MSU sits at 2-5 and has played a pretty competitive non-conference schedule with games vs. Air Force, Oregon State, Pepperdine and San Jose State. That's no cup cake schedule for a Big Sky team. Their fanbase seems to be generally unhappy with the mens hoops results/direction the last few seasons. They seem to be lacking in size and run a guard heavy offense just like NAU. I'd have to say that this is NAU's best chance of a win in the first two conference games.
Pre-season favorite, U of Montana, sits at 4-4 and has played Colorado State, Idaho, U of San Diego, BYU, San Fransisco and South Dakota State. A challenging non-conference schedule as well. Their big gun, guard Will Cherry, is just returning from injury and is the straw that stirs the Griz. Very quick and creates havoc on the defensive end. They're lacking the post presence they've had in the past. Whichever teams guards play the best should determine who wins.
Twelve days off between games is a long break. Now the Jacks get three games in five days. Gotta wear the rust off quickly. Fox Sports AZ Plus and Fox College Sports is covering the two conference games and the Pac 12 Network is covering the game vs. Colorado. Hooray for tv time.
Go Jacks!
