One weekend of women’s Big Sky action is more than enough of a sample size needed to rank all 11 teams, right?
What’s better than jumping to conclusions just to be proven wrong?
Nine of the 11 have played two games in conference and the other two just one. Already, though, we have some early surprises beyond Eastern Washington’s upset of the Bengals last Saturday.
And don’t fret over a ranking you deem too low or high. The list is fluid and, as of now, we’ve worked our way through 10 percent of the conference season. Oh, and this list is largely based on what teams have done in conference play. I’m not too concerned with overall win-loss records.
Without further ado.
1. Eastern Washington 5-5, 2-0
The Eagles traveled to Weber State and won 88-60 and then beat Idaho State 61-55.
The Bengals were the preseason pick to win the Big Sky for good reason. The ISU women are legitimately good, and it’s quite the statement for the Eagles to enter Reed Gym and leave with a victory for the first time since 2003.
Add in another road win over hapless Weber State in Ogden and Eastern is worthy of the top spot — for now.
2. Montana 8-3, 2-0
The Grizzlies beat Northern Arizona 79-71 in overtime and Sacramento State 82-55.
At 8-3 overall and 2-0 in conference, the Grizzlies have been ultra impressive. Eastern comes in at No. 1 because it beat the assumed best team on the road and Montana won both its Big Sky games at home — where the Griz are averaging a league-high 2,586 fans per game.
3. Idaho State 6-4, 1-1
Beat Portland State 63-50 and then lost to Eastern 61-55.
Idaho State losing to Eastern at home was the surprise result of the opening weekend’s games. Last year, the Bengals responded to their first home loss of the season by winning nine straight.
But with 7-4 Arizona State on deck Sunday, a winning streak may have to wait until ISU picks up Big Sky play again Jan. 3 in Grand Forks, N.D., against mascot-less North Dakota.
4. Sacramento State 5-5, 1-1
The Hornets beat Montana State 69-65 in Bozeman, an impressive win, and they promptly followed that by losing 82-55 at Montana.
Is Sacramento State the fourth-best team in the Big Sky? I have no idea. Intuition tells me all three of the next teams are better, but the Hornets have the best win of the four.
5. Northern Colorado 3-6, 1-0
The Bears beat North Dakota 53-41 in their only conference game of the week.
And in the process, we’ve found the — I know, I know it’s early — leader for Big Sky player of the year. D’shara Strange put up 27 points — accounting for 51 percent of the Bears’ points — along with nine steals, five rebounds and three assists. She’s reason enough to put them one spot ahead of No. 6.
Why not higher? Because the Bears beat my No. 9 team and all the teams ahead of them have better or more wins in conference.
6. Montana State 7-3, 1-1
Lost to Sacramento State 69-65 and then beat Northern Arizona 69-52.
The Bobcats were without leading scorer Kalli Durham, who averages 13.8 points a game, but MSU’s Latisha Adams stepped into the starting role and put up 29 points in her absence, including a career-high 16 in the win over Northern Arizona.
Is Montana State better than Northern Colorado and Portland State? Who knows but we’ll give the Bobcats the nod over both for now because of the better overall record.
7. Portland State 6-4, 1-1
The Vikings lost to ISU 63-50 and then beat Weber State 74-60.
Personally, I came away really impressed with the Vikings. The fact they’re at No. 7 is a sign of the Big Sky's depth this season. It looks like we’re in for a wild ride.
Oh, and I should mention that the Vikings Angela Misa followed up her 10-point, 11-rebound effort against the Bengals with 24 points and 10 rebounds at Weber State.
8. Southern Utah 6-4, 1-0
Beat North Dakota 60-54 on the road.
Technically, the Thunderbirds sit in third place of the conference. Perhaps I’m skeptical, maybe I’m stubborn, but it’s hard to imagine Southern Utah will stay that high as the season progresses.
But even I can’t deny the T-Birds’ this: After winning their first ever Big Sky game, Southern Utah has the highest winning percentage in conference history, ever. So there’s that.
9. North Dakota 4-6, 0-2
Lost to Southern Utah 60-54 at home and 53-41 to Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.
North Dakota entered its first weekend in the Big Sky on a four-game winning streak, but after 33 turnovers in a 12-point loss to Northern Colorado, UND limped into Christmas break losers of two straight.
Adding insult to injury, after the loss to Southern Utah Dec. 20, North Dakota head coach Travis Brewster was suspended one game for criticizing the officials during a postgame radio interview.
10. Northern Arizona 1-10, 0-2
Lost 79-71 in overtime to Montana and then fell to Montana State 69-52.
The Lumberjacks are 1-10 so let’s focus on the positive. The Montana road trip each Big Sky team has to make — playing first in Missoula and then traveling to Bozeman or vice versa — is arguably the toughest in the league.
For example, Northern Arizona’s first game at Montana was an eight-point loss in overtime. Then the Lumberjacks traveled to Montana State and lost by 17. Sacramento State beat MSU by six and followed that up in Missoula losing by 27.
So what’s that good news? At least the Lumberjacks don’t have to do it again.
11. Weber State 0-11, 0-2
Lost by 28 to Eastern Washington and 14 to Portland State. Both games were in Ogden. It’s going to be a long season for the Wildcats.
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