Preseason all-league team

[Colter_Nuanez56]

UND's Hooker named preseason MVP; Weber's Senglin on preseason team
http://skylinesportsmt.com/unds-hooker-is-preseason-mvp-hall-wright-named-to-preseason-team/

 

[n.ogdencat]

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

 

[oldrunner]

The BSC is guard heavy, and those six guards may be the best players, who knows. However, when the final voting is done, I believe there will be one or two bigs on the list. Usually the first place team garners two players on the first team. If the first place team turns out to be WSU, as predicted, you can bet that Jeremy and Zack will be on that list.

If the MVP goes to someone not on the first place team, then I would think that Hall of MSU would have to be heavily considered. Overall, he may be the best talent in our league.

 

[oldrunner]

You heard it from me first!

Zack is primed to be an absolute monster in the BSC. The only thing that can stop it is some sort of freakish injury. Add into that, he is just a sophomore. His redshirt year and hard work has lifted him into this position.

 

[sacstateman]

I think, up to this point, it is no contest who should be BSC POY....Bogdan Bliznyuk has been the best player on any team in the BSC in OOC games so far and his team has the best record of any team too....I don't particularly like EWU, but Hayford is a hell of a coach and has done a great job having his team ready night in night out....I will not be surprised to see them win this conference and the post season tournament...

 

[SWeberCat02]

I think, up to this point, it is no contest who should be BSC POY....Bogdan Bliznyuk has been the best player on any team in the BSC in OOC games so far and his team has the best record of any team too....I don't particularly like EWU, but Hayford is a hell of a coach and has done a great job having his team ready night in night out....I will not be surprised to see them win this conference and the post season tournament...

Thus far it looks like EWU is the team to beat. Just got a road win and sits at 5-2 vs D-1 (only team over .500). I agree on Bliznyuk. Tyler Hall has looked impressive as well and is a big reason why MSU looks much improved, as has Jordan Davis of UNC.

Bliznyuk averages 21.9 pts, 7.4 rbs, 4.6 ast
Hall averages 22.6 (1st in the conference), 5.9, 3.0
Davis averages 22.0, 5.3, 6.0 (1st in the conference)

 

[thescout]

bliz averages 40 mpg for a high scoring offense ....they have played a ton of home games ....have been lucky so far 3-0 in ot games . Kinda lucky to shoot 20-22 from line vs Seattle while Seattle hits only 21-34. Hayford did underachieve last season EW has only 5 guys averaging over 4ppg , on a team that scores 79...not big on their depth and they are weak at the point guard. Kudos for them winning all their close games so far but luck often changes and the lack of defense , depth,and point guard play will likely prevent them from contending for BSC title