I love rankings like Alabama football likes to kick 57-yard field goals with one second on the clock to preserve a chance for a third straight national championship.
Wait.
Reverse that.
I love rankings like Auburn football fans love to watch a last-second, 57-yard field goal attempts come up one yard short and then have a guy return the ball 109 yards straight into history.
Yeah, that’s how much I love rankings.
So know how difficult it’s been to hold off releasing my inaugural Big Sky men’s basketball rankings since the 2013-14 season began back in November. But after a few weeks and some surprising results, the committee (of one) has seen enough to form some early-season opinions.
Finally, it’s time. Without further ado. ...
1. Northern Colorado 4-2
Preseason ranking: No. 4
UNC’s Derrick Barden averaged 13.4 points and 10 rebounds in November, and those numbers pale when compared to the 16-point, 17-rebound performance he put on when the Bears upset Kansas State 60-58 in its season opener.
Since that win Northern Colorado has gobbled up cupcakes for its other three victories, but it’s two quality losses — a 67-63 defeat at New Mexico State and a 72-65 loss at Colorado State — have put them at the top of this list.
2. Eastern Washington 5-2
Preseason ranking: No. 6 (media)
The Eagles stumbled in a 23-point loss to UC Irvine a couple weeks ago, but under third-year head coach Jim Hayford they’ve been pretty darn good scoring at least 80 points in every other game.
Sophomore guard Tyler Harvey is the Big Sky player of the week after pouring on 30 points, including six 3-pointers, on 15 shots in Eastern’s 82-75 victory over Seattle.
Eastern Washington hasn’t beaten anyone particularly good, but the Eagles’ No. 1 scoring offense (81.6 points a game) in the league is enough to plant them squarely behind the Bears to start.
3. Weber State 1-3
Preseason ranking: No. 1
Savor this moment if you dislike the Wildcats because the committee (of one) doubts Weber State will fall any lower than this in the rankings the rest of the season.
Weber is good. Its three losses are to BYU, Colorado State and Utah State, programs with a combined record of 17-5, and the Wildcats kept within striking distance of the Cougars and Aggies.
4. Idaho State 2-2
Preseason ranking: Dead stinking last (in the media poll)
Yes, I’m feeling fine. And, no, I’m not a Pocatello homer with this pick. Idaho State is worth of a top-five ranking at this point of the year.
Arizona State mugged the Bengals in a 28-point loss in Tempe in the middle of November, but ISU — particularly its offense — has looked great in a three-point overtime victory at San Francisco and a two-point loss at Cal State Bakersfield.
For some perspective, USF rebounded from its loss to the Bengals by beating Montana in Missoula four days later. San Francisco doesn’t stink and, hey, breaking news here, neither does Idaho State.
With a zone defense averaging 10.8 steals a game (No. 1 in the conference), ISU is playing fast and aggressive. Head coach Bill Evans has sped up the tempo and a team that averaged 57 points a night last year has surpassed that number every time it’s played in 2013
For Bengal fans there are still concerns (depth being at the top of the list), but they can beat anyone in the league with Andre Hatchett, Tomas Sanchez and Chris Hansen ISU as a legit “Big 3” when they’re playing well. So far, they’ve been playing really well.
5. North Dakota 2-4
Preseason ranking: No. 3 (media)
Do yourself a favor and Google video search Troy Huff. Do it now and thank me later.
(Waiting.)
Sorry, should have warned you the video where he flies in the air to throw down an alley-opp dunk was against Idaho State. But it was worth watching anyway, right? Huff is a stud. The guy averages 23 points a game and the 6-foot-5 senior is cleaning up a team-leading eight rebounds a night, too.
Mascot-less North Dakota had a poor showing last week in the Global Sports Hardwood Classic dropping games to Cal Poly, Oregon and Pacific, all by at least 15 points.
6. Montana 1-4
Preseason ranking: No. 2 (media)
Ignore the poor record, Montana’s cupcakes come later in the schedule. So far the Griz have lost to Minnesota (84-58), San Francisco (75-74), Washington (83-79) and Hawai'i (72-61).
But the committee (of one) can’t discount UM’s lack of production in the frontcourt. Montana’s three contributors down low (Michael Weisner, Eric Hutchison and Chris Kemp) are averaging 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.
The Grizzlies are last in the Big Sky for rebounding margin at -11.4 boards a game. That’s 344th out of 345 teams in the nation.
7. Portland State 4-2
Preseason ranking: No. 9
No team has played more home games than the Vikings. Amazingly, Portland State’s next road game is in Pocatello Jan. 2 when Big Sky Conference play starts.
PSU has taken advantage of the friendly early-season schedule. Give them credit for that, but raise your hand if you’re impressed with wins against Pacific Lutheran, Loyola (IL), SIU-Edwardsville and UC Davis.
The Vikings credit, however, do look like a much better defense team than a year ago.
8. Sacramento State 2-3
Preseason ranking: No. 8 (media)
The committee (of one) is taking a flyer on the Hornets in the inaugural Big Sky rankings. They’ve beaten the teams they’re supposed to beat and lost to those they’re supposed to lose to.
We do know this. The high for Sacramento today is 54 degrees, a whopping 36 degrees warmer than Pocatello’s forecasted high.
9. Montana State 2-5
Preseason ranking: No. 5 (media)
The ’Cats have a middling offense and an average-to-below average defense. Under head coach Brad Huse, MSU has always loved the 3-point shot. This season — the committee (of one) does recognize it’s not yet mid-December — the Bobcats are shooting a league-worst 31 percent from beyond the arc.
Yet, Montana State still manages to find a way to jack nearly 15 3-pointers a game. We have no idea why.
10. Northern Arizona 2-6
Preseason ranking: No. 7 (media)
Problems started for the Lumberjacks when DeWayne Russell, a guy who averaged 14.4 points and 3.2 assists as a freshman for NAU last season, left the program days before the season opener.
Northern Arizona doesn’t have a quality win on its schedule yet, but the Jacks did play USC (67-63) and Fresno State (71-67 overtime) tough on the road.
11. Southern Utah 1-4
Preseason ranking: No. 10 (media)
The committee (of one) fully expects all these rankings to shuffle around. No way do we think Weber State is the third-best team in the Big Sky. But we do feel really good about our bottom.
Southern Utah is losing games by nearly 20 points on average. The Thunderbirds have the league’s lowest-scoring offense and second-to-last scoring defense.
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