Playoffs? Playoffs?

[Pounder]

So here comes the stretch...

Sac 12-3
Montana 12-3
EWU 11-3
NAU 10-4
PSU 8-7
UNC 7-8
Idaho 6-8
Weber 6-9
S Utah 5-9
UND 4-11
MSU 4-11
ISU 3-12

Is Idaho State even eliminated?

Does a Friday March 13 roadtrip to Sacramento, Missoula, or Cheney seem like it would feature some interesting basketball?

Thursday:
Montana @ Idaho
Montana State @ Eastern Washington
Southern Utah @ Northern Colorado
Northern Arizona @ North Dakota

Saturday:
Southern Utah @ North Dakota
Northern Arizona @ Northern Colorado
Montana State @ Idaho
Montana @ Eastern Washington
Sacramento State @ Portland State
Idaho State @ Weber State

I think about the one guy on eGriz who thinks Montana's form isn't good enough to survive Cheney. Which makes Idaho a real trap game for Montana. Hmmm.

NAU gets the worst road trip this coming weekend.

The game here seems VERY interesting.

Thursday March 5

Portland State @ Northern Arizona
Sacramento State @ Southern Utah
Idaho @ Weber State
Eastern Washington @ Idaho State

Saturday March 7

Portland State @ Southern Utah
Sacramento State @ Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington @ Weber State
Idaho @ Idaho State
North Dakota @ Northern Colorado
Montana @ Montana State

Let's just say that the tiebreaker format is on page 12 of this: http://www.bigskyconf.com/documents/2015/2/16/2-16-15notes.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[martymoose]

My guess would be the tourney being in Cheney with UM and EWU being tied, but EWU taking the tie-breaker. Followed by SS and NAU both being 13-5, but SS getting the #3 with the tie-breaker. I think we'll get the #5 spot followed by who knows.

 

[pdxfan]

Didn'tI see on the Big Sky page that Sac will be the tournament location?

 

[SDHornet]

Didn'tI see on the Big Sky page that Sac will be the tournament location?

That was just an announcement stating we have an on-campus venue to host the BSCT if we finish 1st.

 

[Pounder]

Didn'tI see on the Big Sky page that Sac will be the tournament location?

This year, top seed still hosts, especially as Sacramento found a place the cameras can handle. On campus, no less.

NEXT YEAR... Ogden? Reno? Billings? Spokane?

 

[Pounder]

So Montana lost tonight. EWU crushed Montana State. NAU did a number in Grand Forks. UNC beat SUU

Sac 12-3
EWU 12-3
Montana 12-4
NAU 11-4
PSU 8-7
UNC 8-8
Idaho 7-8
Weber 6-9
SUU 5-10
UND 4-12
MSU 4-12
ISU 3-12

Still too close to call.

 

[Pounder]

Things in this conference just refuse to get anything but curiouser and curiouser. Montana wins at Eastern. Northern Arizona's road trip did trip them up once.

Sac 13-3
Montana 13-4
EWU 12-4
NAU 11-5
UNC 9-8
PSU 8-8
Idaho 8-8
Weber 7-9
SUU 6-10
UND 4-13
MSU 4-13
ISU 3-13

Thursday March 5

Portland State @ Northern Arizona
Sacramento State @ Southern Utah
Idaho @ Weber State
Eastern Washington @ Idaho State

Saturday March 7

Portland State @ Southern Utah
Sacramento State @ Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington @ Weber State
Idaho @ Idaho State
North Dakota @ Northern Colorado
Montana @ Montana State

So let's say I generally play the odds and assume Portland State loses on Thursday, Sac wins in Cedar City, EWU wins in Pocatello, and Weber beats Idaho. I guess that still means Southern Utah (who won at North Dakota) is finally out and Portland State doesn't have to worry too much about Saturday... except it's become evident that Portland State doesn't want to have to face Sac State in the bracket if at all possible. Meanwhile, it's still all too exciting among that top 4 for next Saturday. Sac at NAU. EWU at Weber. It's not easy to say that both road teams are the favorites in those games.

So PSU really should be looking at winning two. Even then, odds are that'll leave them in a tie with Northern Colorado, and UNC has a tiebreaker advantage if Sac is the higher seeded team. Portland State's only advantage is if EWU is somehow seeded higher than Sac.

More likely, a split weekend means being tied with Idaho (I don't really think Weber will beat EWU). Of course, at that point, you're playing with fire anyway... and yes, while math is generally my strong suit, I want to actually enjoy my Sunday.

 

[Pounder]

What happened last night was pretty much the worst case scenario. Southern Utah pulled off the surprise. Idaho didn't beat Weber. PSU lost.

PSU needs to win, or needs Weber to lose, or OUT.

As for the top/host:

Sacramento could have finished out last night... now the Hornets have to win in Flagstaff. If they don't, they still host if both Montana and EWU lose.

Sac loses and Montana wins, Montana hosts. Both lose and EWU wins, EWU hosts. NAU can't win any tiebreakers, apparently.

A glorious mess.

 

[martymoose]

A glorious mess indeed.

Considering that we're down two guys, being down by three last night with over a minute to go at NAU seemed like we could steal a road win. Not to be. On to what seems to be a "win or out" situation tomorrow...

 

[mvem]

What happened last night was pretty much the worst case scenario. Southern Utah pulled off the surprise. Idaho didn't beat Weber. PSU lost.

PSU needs to win, or needs Weber to lose, or OUT.

As for the top/host:

Sacramento could have finished out last night... now the Hornets have to win in Flagstaff. If they don't, they still host if both Montana and EWU lose.

Sac loses and Montana wins, Montana hosts. Both lose and EWU wins, EWU hosts. NAU can't win any tiebreakers, apparently.

A glorious mess.

Idaho losing would also be sufficient. The 3-way tie with PSU, Idaho, and SUU would leave Idaho out.