College Basketball Conference Preview #9 - Big Sky Conference

The 2023-24 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Big Sky Conference. Look for Weber State to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. Weber State returns all five starters from their 2022-23 team including junior forward Dillon Jones who is the favorite to be Big Sky Conference Player of the Year. The Wildcats will also rely on senior guard Steven Verplancken Jr., junior center Alex Tew, and junior forward Dyson Koehler - all returning starters - to remain at the top of the Big Sky Conference this season. Expect contributions from senior guard KJ Cunningham and freshman forward Chris Dockery as well. Montana will challenge Weber State, Eastern Washington, and Portland State for the Big Sky Conference Title and will need a huge season from senior guard Aanen Moody - a returning starter - to win the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Moody could be the Big Sky Player of the Year this season and will get assistance from senior guard Brandon Whitney and senior forward Dischon Thomas - the other returning starters. Head Coach Travis DeCuire did well in the Transfer Portal as the Grizzlies also added senior guard Giordan Williams (Santa Clara transfer) and sophomore forward Blake Jones (George Mason transfer). I predict Montana to finish in 2nd place in the final Conference Standings. Eastern Washington brings back a ridiculously talented pair of returning starters in junior forwards Ethan Price and Casey Jones. Both players could be All Big Sky Conference Players this season. They will get help from junior forwards Cedric Coward and Dane Erikstrup. Look for senior guard Jake Kyman (Wyoming transfer) to provide additional scoring as well for the Eagles this season. I predict Eastern Washington to finish in 3rd place in the final Conference Standings. Portland State hopes to climb the Conference Standings after a 7th place finish in 2022-23. The Vikings only return two starters in senior guard Jorell Saterfield and senior forward Hunter Woods. Look for several transfers to play important roles - most notably senior forward KJ Allen (Texas Tech transfer) and junior center Tre-Vaughn Minott (South Carolina transfer). Senior guard Bobby Harvey and junior forward Isaiah Johnson - both returning reserves - will have to have big seasons if the Vikings hope to finish in the top half of the final Big Sky Conference Standings. I predict Portland State to finish in 4th place this season. Sacramento State looks to pick up where they left off in 2022-23. The Hornets return two starters in senior forward Akol Mawein and junior guard Austin Patterson. They will get assistance from several transfers including senior guard Brandon Betson (Tulsa transfer), sophomore forward Duncan Powell (North Carolina AT&T transfer), and junior guard Zee Hamoda (Utah State transfer). Head Coach David Patrick will have Sacramento State back at the top of the League very soon but their fans may need to remain somewhat patient this season. I predict Sacramento State to finish in 5th place in the final Conference Standings.

Montana State last made the NCAA Tournament in 1996 before qualifying for the Big Dance the last two seasons. The Bobcats are hoping to three-peat in 2023-24 as the Big Sky Tournament Champions. Montana State only brings back one starter in junior guard Tyler Patterson. The Bobcats have several returnees that should play bigger roles - most notably senior guard Robert Ford III and junior guard Patrick McMahon. Look for a pair of transfers in junior forward Chika Nduka (Portland transfer) and sophomore forward Brandon Walker ( UT Arlington transfer) to make an immediate impact. I predict Montana State to finish in 6th place in the final Conference Standings. Idaho State looks to continue their rebuild as the Bengals won eight Conference games last season. The Bengals return two starters in senior center Brayden Parker and junior guard Miguel Tomley. Look for junior forward Kiree Huie (Junior College transfer) and junior center Gavin Gilstrap (Junior College transfer) to have huge seasons for the Bengals as they look to climb the Big Sky Conference Standings. Junior guard AJ Burgin and sophomore guard Maleek Arrington - two returning reserves - will help the cause as well. I predict Idaho State to finish in 7th place this season. Northern Colorado looks to cause problems in the Big Sky in 2023-24 but it won't be easy. The Bears welcome back two starters in senior forward Riley Abercrombie and senior center Theo Hughes. Look for several experienced returnees including sophomore forward Brock Wisne along with junior guards Connor Creech and Zach Bloch to provide the Bears with additional scoring. Head Coach Steve Smiley has the team headed in the right direction as he enters his 4th season at the helm. I predict Northern Colorado to finish in 8th place this season. Northern Arizona returns two starters in junior forward Carson Towt and junior guard Liam Lloyd. Towt has a great chance to become a 1st Team All Big Sky Player this season. The Lumberjacks will need sophomore guard Oakland Fort - another returnee - along with junior forward Carson Basham (Pepperdine transfer) and freshman guard Arman Madi - to propel them to new heights this season. The Lumberjacks will take a slight step forward this season after a 10th place finish in the Big Sky Conference in 2021-22. I predict Northern Arizona to finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. Idaho hopes to remain competitive this season after a lackluster 10-22 record in 2022-23. The Vandals don't return any starters and will lean on two returning reserves in senior forward Terren Frank and junior guard Jack Hatten. A pair of incoming transfers will also play key roles as the Vandals added junior forward Julius Mims (Junior College transfer) and junior forward Kyson Rose (Junior College transfer). I predict Idaho to finish in 10th place this season. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Big Sky Conference. Enjoy all of the games!

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