BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE
After finishing third and going 14-4 in conference play a season ago, Northern Colorado was picked No. 1 in both the preseason coaches’ and preseason media polls.
The Bears received 115 points and nine first-place votes in the coaches’ poll, while they recorded 176 points and eight-first place votes in the media poll. Northern Colorado was the best in the Big Sky last season in several key categories including, scoring margin (8.3), 3-point percentage (.350) and assists (556). More importantly, Northern Colorado returns all five of its starters from last season. One of those starters, junior guard Savannah Smith, was named to the preseason all-Big Sky team as she returns from a sophomore season where she averaged 15.9 points per game. The Bears also return sharp-shooting senior Savannah Scott, who led the league in 3-point percentage (45.0).
North Dakota was picked second in both the coaches’ and media polls, earning 100 points and a first-place vote in the coaches’ poll and 156 points along with two first-place votes in the media poll. The Fighting Hawks return to the court after posting a 15-3 conference record and a share of the 2017 Big Sky regular-season title. In 2017, UND topped the league in total blocks (167) and blocks per game (5.4) returning forward Lexi KIabo looks to continue that trend as she individually averaged 2.6 blocks per game.
UM forward Alicia Sims boxes out MSU guard Delany Junkermier
Montana was tabbed third with 89 points and two first-place votes in the coaches’ poll, while they came in fifth with 120 points and two first-place votes in the media poll. Montana was ranked fifth in scoring defense (65.8 points per game) and 3-point FG percentage allowed (.317) as they return defensive scrapper Alycia (Sims) Harris.
Montana State picked up its highest rank of third-place, 144 points and three first-place votes in the media poll. The Bobcats were slotted fourth in the coaches’ poll, earning 83 points. The defending Big Sky champions remain in the heart of the Big Sky title discussion as they return senior guard and floor general Hannah Caudill.
The Vandals of Idaho were picked fifth in the coaches’ poll with 82 points and fourth in the media poll with 127 points. Idaho is happy to return the 2016-17 Big Sky scoring leader in junior Mikayla Ferenz. The guard averaged 18.5 points per game last season along with a free-throw percentage that ranked second in the league and 10th in the NCAA (88.8).
Portland State was tabbed sixth in the coaches’ poll (75 points) and eighth in the media poll (110 points) with one first-place vote. The Vikings are led by Preseason All-Big Sky selection Ashley Bolston who ranked fifth in the conference last season with 15.8 points per game.
Eastern Washington was selected seventh in the coaches’ poll (73 points) and sixth in the media poll (118 points) as they return All-Big Sky honoree Delaney Hodgins.
Idaho State was slotted eighth in the coaches’ poll (63 points) and seventh in the in the media poll (116 points). The Bengals nabbed an upset victory in last year’s Big Sky tournament as they topped No. 3 Seed Northern Colorado and eventually made it to the championship game.
Rounding out the remainder of the coaches’ poll, was Sacramento State (9th), Weber State (10th), Northern Arizona (11th) and Southern Utah (12th).
Filling out the media poll was Weber State (9th), Sacramento State (10th), Northern Arizona (11th) and Southern Utah (12th)
The regular season starts on Nov. 10 with the Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament set to take place in Reno, Nev. from March 5-10, 2018.
2017 Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1 Northern Colorado 115 (9)
2 North Dakota 100 (1)
3 Montana 89 (2)
4 Montana State 83
5 Idaho 82
6 Portland State 75
7 Eastern Washington 73
8 Idaho State 63
9 Sacramento State 37
10 Weber State 34
11 Northern Arizona 24
12 Southern Utah 17
2017 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
1 Northern Colorado 176 (8)
2 North Dakota 156 (2)
3 Montana State 144 (3)
4 Idaho 127
5 Montana 120 (2)
6 Eastern Washington 118
7 Idaho State 116
8 Portland State 110 (1)
9 Weber State 66
10 Sacramento State 61
11 Northern Arizona 34
12 Southern Utah 20
