Big Sky Conference Notebook
Player of the Week: David Patten, Weber State
Conference standings
1. y-Weber State (18-10 overall, 11-4 conference)
2. x-Northern Arizona (14-11, 8-5)
3. Montana (14-13, 8-5)
4. Idaho State (12-13, 7-5)
5. Montana State (10-16, 7-6)
6. Portland State (16-12, 7-7)
7. Eastern Washington (13-14, 6-8)
8. Sacramento State (9-17, 4-9)
9. z-Northern Colorado (4-21, 2-11)
x-clinched a spot in Big Sky tournament
y-clinched at least a share of Big Sky regular season title
z-Not eligible for postseason tournament because of NCAA reclassification requirements
Tournament host scenarios
Weber State is in the driver’s seat. If the Wildcats beat Sacramento State on Feb. 26, the Wildcats will be the host for the Men’s Big Sky Conference tournament March 6 and 7.
But if the Wildcats lose, Weber State’s situation still looks good to host. The tournament will be hosted either by Weber State, Montana or Idaho State.
The Wildcats are guaranteed at least a first-round bye as they cannot finish any worse than second place in the standings.
In order for Idaho State to host, the Bengals must finish 11-5, as must Weber State. In addition, Montana must finish ahead of Northern Arizona. ISU and Weber State split the regular season meetings this season. But the Bengals, if they finish 11-5, will have swept Montana, while Weber split with the Grizzlies. Weber would host if NAU finishes ahead of Montana because the Wildcats swept the ‘Jacks and ISU was swept.
For Montana to host the tournament, the Grizzlies must also finish 11-5 if Weber loses to Sacramento State. But in addition, Montana State must finish ahead of Portland State as Montana went 2-0 against the Bobcats, and Weber State was 1-1. If Portland State finishes ahead of MSU, the Wildcats get the tiebreaker, having beaten PSU twice.
Eastern Washington Eagles (13-14 overall, 6-8 conference)
Last week’s result
At Santa Barbara, Calif., Feb. 17: Eastern Washington 71, UC-Santa Barbara 70 (ESPN BracketBusters)
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 vs. Idaho State
Feb. 24 vs. Sacramento State
Against UC-Santa Barbara, Kellen Williams hit two free-throws with four seconds remaining that gave EWU a 71-67 lead. Rodney Stuckey scored 30 points with five assists and two rebounds. Paul Butorac scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots.
Idaho State Bengals (12-13, 7-5)
Last week’s results
No games played
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 at Eastern Washington
Feb. 24 at Portland State
Feb. 26 vs. Montana
Feb. 27 vs. Montana State
Idaho State can still host the Big Sky tournament, but the Bengals must win out and get help from Sacramento State, and hope Montana beats Northern Arizona on Feb. 22. If ISU wins at least two of the next four games, the Bengals will just about wrap up their spot in the Big Sky tournament, a first since 2004.
Montana Grizzlies (14-13, 8-5)
Last week’s results
At Ogden, Utah, Feb. 14: Weber State 73, Montana 67
At Missoula, Mont., Feb. 17: Pacific 78, Montana 77 (ESPN BracketBusters)
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 vs. Northern Arizona
Feb. 24 vs. Northern Colorado
Feb. 26 at Idaho State
Bryan Ellis scored a team-high 17 points against the Wildcats as the Grizzlies fell out of first place in the conference. Andrew Strait was held to just five points and five rebounds. Against the Tigers, freshman Cameron Rundles scored a collegiate-high 20 points. Strait scored 15 points.
Montana State Bobcats (10-16, 7-6)
Last week’s result
At Sacramento, Calif., Feb. 14: Sacramento State 90, Montana State 82
Upcoming games
Feb. 21 vs. Northern Colorado
Feb. 25 vs. Northern Arizona
Feb. 27 at Idaho State
Against the Hornets, a 23-point, six-rebound and four-assist effort from Nick Dissly was not enough. MSU shot a blazing 64 percent from the field in the second half, and 56 percent for the game. But the Bobcats committed 26 turnovers, and Sacramento State scored 29 points off those turnovers.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (14-11, 8-5)
Last week’s result
At Flagstaff, Ariz., Feb. 17: Northern Arizona 78, San Jose State 67 (ESPN BracketBusters)
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 at Montana
Feb. 25 at Montana State
Feb. 27 at Northern Colorado
Northern Arizona’s Ruben Boykin Jr. recorded his 13th double-double of the season against the Spartans, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead the way.
Northern Colorado Bears (4-21, 2-11)
Last week’s results
No games played
Upcoming games
Feb. 21 at Montana State
Feb. 24 at Montana
Feb. 27 vs. Northern Arizona
Portland State Vikings (16-12, 7-7)
Last week’s result
At San Luis Obispo, Calif., Feb. 17: Cal Poly 92, Portland State 87 (ESPN BracketBusters)
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 vs. Sacramento State
Feb. 24 vs. Idaho State
Against Cal Poly, the Vikings shot 62.5 percent in the second half, but still fell short. Paul Hafford scored 23 points to lead the way, hitting seven 3-pointers in the loss. Dupree Lucas scored 18 points and had eight assists. Cal Poly made 14-of-35 3-pointers for the game and hit 8-of-10 free-throws in the final 33 seconds.
Sacramento State Hornets (9-17, 4-9)
Last week’s result
At Sacramento, Calif., Feb. 14: Sacramento State 90, Montana State 82
Upcoming games
Feb. 22 at Portland State
Feb. 24 at Eastern Washington
Feb. 26 at Weber State
Sacramento State snapped a four-game losing streak against the Bobcats, forcing 26 turnovers, including 18 steals. Kris Groce scored a team-high 21 points. Haron Hargrave and Angel Alamo each scored 18.
Weber State Wildcats (18-10, 11-4)
At Ogden, Utah, Feb. 14: Weber State 73, Montana 67
Upcoming games
Feb. 26 vs. Sacramento State
Against the Grizzlies, Weber State clinched at least a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season championship with the victory. David Patten scored 21 points and grabbed a collegiate-high 11 rebounds. Montana shot 40.6 percent from the field. Weber State improved to 14-0 when holding its opponent to under 45 percent shooting. J.P. Silveira scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
