There has been a lot to discuss since last week. Let’s go down the line, team by team.
WEBER STATE
Weber State lost a crucial element to its success, but went 1-1 after Damian Lillard, whose shoulder has to be hurting, carried his team again and was named Big Sky Player of the Week for the second consecutive week (23 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.5 apg; 31 pts & personal-best 9 dimes against Southern Utah). Scott Bamforth has expressed recently through social media he’s unhappy with how he’s played the past couple weeks, though he’s still second on the team in scoring. Question is, can anybody stop Lillard and/or will he break down eventually trying to be Jordan/Kobe/the team’s superstar?
PORTLAND STATE
The Vikings have shown great improvement under Tyler Geving and stayed with Oregon most of the night before falling. Charles Odum and Chehales Tapscott have taken over as the leaders of this team and Renado Parker has come on strong after becoming eligible.
EASTERN WASHINGTON
The Eagles play at UCLA tomorrow night and have been in a little bit of tailspin against D-I teams. The 3 C’s (Collin Chiverton, Cliff Colimon and Cliff Ederaine) head the Eagles’ effort
MONTANA STATE
A very strange game played out in a loss for the Bobcats despite a team-record FTs made. Xavier Blount is emerging as a bona fide option on offense and settling into the No. 2 scorer’s role.
MONTANA
Montana lost the MWC-Big Sky crossover to fall to 5-5. Guards Will Cherry and Kareem Jamar lead the team, while Derek Selvig seems to be struggling as he returns from a foot injury.
SACRAMENTO STATE
The Hornets beat up on some non D-I school and Dylan Garrity has started to come back to earth after starting the season with 31 assists and six turnovers in four games. He’s still good, better than projected, but conference season will tell a lot about development.
NORTHERN COLORADO
The Bears host Denver tonight and are struggling relative to the competition, even in wins. Plus that lost to Westminster is an albatross.
NORTHERN ARIZONA
Yes, the Lumberjacks won in Dave Brown’s debut. No, not many think this is the start of a turnaround. NAU is still struggling.
IDAHO STATE
The Bengals lost in OT and seem to be falling apart. Melvin Morgan and Chase Grabau must feel like they’re on an island alone most nights.
**UPDATE**
The weekly Big Sky notes
