I can't really disagree with the Sky's Preseason Team. The conference is full of good guards. But what differentiates championship teams from good teams are a teams bigs. Of course I'm a homer and feel that Zach Braxton and Kyndahl Hill will both have big years and that they are two of the top bigs in the conference; however, the teams that have the best chance to compete also have good bigs. I know that Sac St. isn't getting a lot of love, and neither is Northern Arizona, but both schools have strong frontcourts.
Justin Strings could be the top big in the conference this year. As a sophomore he really shocked a number of teams with his athleticism, toughness, and ability to get to the basket as a rebounder or as a scorer. Sacramento State could end up being a dark horse candidate this season due to their experience. He just needs a little more help and there is potential with Eric Stuteville and Nick Hornsby. Is Stuteville could find his freshman abilities the Hornets could end up being quite good this season.
Ako Kaluna and Jordyn Martin in Flagstaff are a duo that could really give Big Sky coaches heartburn. To guard these two, you need two guys who are equally talented and skilled. Kaluna isn't the quickest guy on the court, but he can spread offenses with his shooting and Martin is a heck of a inside scorer who is one of the top defenders in the Sky. Unlike Sacramento State who has Graves, Wu, and Ugbaja, NAU's backcourt is iffy. Yes there is talent in Flagstaff, but it isn't as evident as the backcourt talent in Sacramento. Is Sac's backcourt as good as Weber's? Idaho? Montana? Idaho State or Montana State? I don't think so, but I do think they, at times are as good. What makes them dangerous is Katz's frontcourt. Murphy's backcourt could cause issues for the frontcourt finding consistent success for the Lumberjacks. We will see.
Other bigs who aren't getting a lot of love. Kyle Ingram of ISU, Fabijan Krslovic of Montana, Drick Bernstine of UND, Braxton Tucker of PSU, Ty Egbert of Idaho, and of course Bogdan Bliznyuk who might be the best of the bunch and according to CBS is a possible POY candidate. Can't really argue with CBS's analysis, except that Eastern doesn't have much to help him out this year and most POY get the award only if their team is at the top. The last guy to get the award who wasn't part of a top three team was Eastern Alum Rodney Stuckey. So, who knows...
My newest poll:
Weber
Idaho
North Dakota
Montana
Idaho State
Sacramento State
Northern Arizona
Montana State
Portland State
Eastern Washington
Southern Utah
Northern Colorado
