Writing the introduction to the weekly Big Sky rankings is our favorite part of the week. It sets the tone for the column and hints at the treasures to come in the following paragraphs.
But try as the committee (of one) did, a proper introduction to this week’s rankings never materialized. So let’s stop wasting time. Without further ado. ...
1. Northern Colorado 6-2
Last week: No. 1
Behind 24 points and 10 rebounds from Tate Unruh, the Bears knocked off UC Riverside 63-60 Monday night in Greeley, Colo.
UNC head coach B.J. Hill called it an ugly win afterward, but it’s their third straight against Division I opponents. The Bears are the lone team in the Big Sky with a winning record (4-2) against fellow D1 teams.
(But the committee (of one) recognizes that those four wins largely consist of Prairie View A&M, Bethune-Cookman and UC Riverside, teams with a combined 7-25 record. UNC has the easiest strength of schedule in the conference to this point.)
2. Montana 3-4
Last week: No. 5
With both games in Missoula, Montana beat Idaho 69-58 last Wednesday and St. Martin’s 73-57 Monday night.
The Grizzlies are still having their issues rebounding the ball, but no team in the Big Sky Conference is shooting a better offensive field-goal percentage. They’ve been particularly deadly from the 3-point line where four different players have hit 10 or more 3s.
With the dynamic Kareem Jamar as their floor leader, the Grizzlies have the offense to contend for a league title.
3. Eastern Washington 5-4
Last week: No. 4
In its only game, Eastern dropped a 70-61 decision to UC Irvine with a whopping 911 fans in attendance at home on Reese Court in Cheney, Wash.
The Eagles have the Big Sky’s No. 1 RPI (using ESPN’s system) and third-toughest strength of schedule. They struggled shooting against UC Irvine — hitting 33 percent from the field — and it only gets tougher from here. Over the Christmas break, EWU is headed east to play at Seton Hall and at No. 10 Connecticut.
4. Idaho State 3-4
Last week: No. 3
Idaho State squandered a 15-point lead and lost to Utah 74-66 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Bengals Pac-12 road trip ended in Seattle with a 85-66 loss to Washington Saturday.
I saw the Utah game in person and watched the UW matchup on TV. One major point that stood out: ISU’s depth is a concern in the second half against talented basketball teams. Both the Utes and Huskies wore down the Bengals and pulled away late.
Ajak Magot, the junior center who hurt his foot to start the season, should be back at least by the start of conference play when ISU hosts Portland State Jan. 2. A healthy Magot will make a difference.
Before that, though, the committee (of one) is interested to see Idaho State test its roster depth against Idaho Friday in Boise and Cal State Bakersfield Dec. 28 in Holt.
5. North Dakota 3-6
Last week: No. 6
Last Sunday, mascot-less North Dakota smashed Presentation College 78-32 in frigid Grand Forks, N.D.
The Saints, a member of the NAIA, didn’t score until almost eight minutes into the game. By that time North Dakota already led 18-3. So, yeah, UND inhaled a big cupcake last week.
But consider it a well-earned break from a grinding schedule that’s ranked as the third-toughest in the country.
6. Montana State 3-6
Last week: No. 8
In its best win of the season, Montana State upset Portland on the road 72-69.
The Pilots, out of the West Coast Conference, had already beaten Idaho (88-84), Southern Utah (86-57) and Portland State (92-76) and they led the ’Cats by 11 in the first half.
But with 19 points from Flavien Davis off the bench, the Bobcats recovered by the break and led throughout the final 20 minutes. MSU’s bench outscored Portland’s 34-8.
7. Portland State 4-4
Last week: No. 7
In their third straight loss, the Vikings fell at home to Idaho 76-75. Not a bad loss for PSU, which has accumulated a .500 record to this point of the year by playing the ninth rated toughest schedule in the Big Sky.
Portland State’s RPI, also ranked ninth in the conference, is 295th in the country. That’s what happens when the meat of your schedule includes games against SIU-Edwardsville, UC Davis and Loyola (IL).
8. Weber State 2-4
Last week: No. 2
Weber State lost at Utah Valley 62-59 and whalloped Saint Katherine College 107-36.
The only thing of interest with Saint Katherine is that its the first opportunity this season for the Wildcats to beat up on a lower-level division team.
These standings aren’t about forecasting the best team next week or in a month. They’re meant to reflect who is playing well today. And today, Weber State isn’t very good. Only Southern Utah has a lower RPI than the ’Cats.
WSU is in the bottom third of the league in scoring offense, scoring defense and rebounding margin. It’s systematic of a tough schedule with Utah State, BYU and Colorado State. But we overrated them last week.
The Wildcats have (by far) the most talented roster in the Big Sky, but they’ve earned this week’s No. 8 ranking.
9. Sacramento State 3-4
Last week: No. 9
Sacramento State upended William Jessup 85-54 at home.
From this point forward, the committee (of one) is watching the Hornets very closely. Their last two non-conference games are at Cal State Fullerton and in Sacramento against UC Riverside. Then Sac State plays its first four Big Sky Conference games on the road.
By the time the Hornets host Portland State Jan. 16 they could easily sit at 3-10 or 4-9 overall with three or four Big Sky losses hung on their record.
10. Northern Arizona 3-7
Last week: No. 10
Northern Arizona knocked off Grand Canyon 63-61 last Saturday in beautiful Flagstaff, Ariz.
The Grand Canyon Antelopes, part of the Western Athletic Conference, are the first win for the ’Jacks against a fellow Division I opponent since Nov. 9, and they needed to rebound from a 11-point second-half deficit at home to do it.
Up next for the Lumberjacks, a date with No. 1 Arizona Monday night. Good luck, NAU.
11. Southern Utah 1-6
Last week: No. 11
Listen, Southern Utah isn’t very good. The Thunderbirds are like Tony Romo during the fourth quarter of a football game in December, except they’re that bad all the time.
Now who knows, maybe SUU will get better, you know? Until then, though, let’s use this space to list some reasons why the Thunderbird is the worst mascot in the Big Sky Conference (and possibly the entire country).
This week, we’ll start with the most obvious reason: There is no such thing as a Thunderbird. They could just as easily be the Rainbirds, Tornadobirds or Really-high-windbirds ... wait, let’s not give anyone an idea for a better mascot.
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