How much fun were Idaho State’s two home games at Reed Gym last week?
Both contests weren’t decided until the final minute and had wild swings of momentum. Reed Gym was a perfect venue. With crowds of 1,500 for Thursday’s game against Sacramento State and 1,763 Saturday for Portland State, Reed felt full and lively.
It’s cramped, intimate atmosphere and perfect for college basketball.
The committee (of one) hereby officially proposes Idaho State men’s basketball abandons cavernous, cold Holt Arena to play at Reed for all of its home games.
Without further ado.
Unranked: Eastern Washington
Record: 15-5, 6-1
Last week: No. 1
AdjO - AdjD = 4.4
With an offense that was just rolling last week, Eastern Washington defeated Northern Colorado (95-85) and North Dakota (102-80).
Unfortunately, the committee (of one) cannot rank the Eagles. It was recently uncovered that EWU star guard Tyler Harvey, blocked the committee (of one) on Twitter.
This surprising and hurtful discovery has created an overblown reaction on the committee’s part. An internal investigation has been launched. It should only take one or two days, but estimates coming in now peg the investigation lasting anywhere from two to six months.
Think deflategate — but bigger.
Sources close to the committee (of one) are reporting that if the Eagles were eligible to be ranked this week they would retain the No. 1 spot. Because when Harvey isn’t busy blocking good people on Twitter, he’s being named the co-Big Sky Player of the Week after averaging 30.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in Eastern’s two wins.
2. Sacramento State
Record: 13-6, 7-1
Last week: No. 2
AdjO - AdjD = -2.2
Sacramento State remained in first place of the Big Sky with wins at Idaho State (62-59) and Weber State (78-71).
Sac senior Mikh McKinney joins Harvey as the league’s co-player of the week. McKinney was the best player on the floor when the Hornets snuck by the Bengals, and was even better against Weber State, going off for 27 points in the second half.
McKinney averaged 28.5 points and six assists in the two games. The 6-1 guard turned the ball over once despite playing 78 total minutes.
3. Montana
Record: 10-8, 6-1
Last week: No. 3
AdjO - AdjD = -1.3
In two home games, Montana knocked off Northern Arizona 64-57 and Southern Utah 58-56.
Remember when the Grizzlies torched Idaho State’s defense for 90 points and 15 3-pointers back on Jan. 10? UM was on fire that game.
The Grizzlies were pretty much the exact opposite against Southern Utah as they went 2 for 14 from three and finished with first half with 19 points. Granted, some of the credit goes to SUU’s defense, but the Bengals have to look at that game and wonder what the heck went wrong when they played UM.
4. Northern Arizona
Record: 9-11, 4-3
Last week: No. 6
AdjO - AdjD = -4.4
The Lumberjacks lost at Montana 64-57 before rebounding to take down Montana state 71-64.
The committee (of one) watched the second half between Northern Arizona and Montana State — mainly because no one on the board has a life outside of sports.
The committee's main takeaway from NAU’s win is that sophomore guard Kris Yanku is a future star. Yanku always seems like he’s under control and no moment is too big for the Chatsworth, California, native. Yanku had 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds at MSU as the Lumberjacks rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half.
5. Northern Colorado
Record: 9-9, 4-3
Last week: No. 4
AdjO- AdjD = -4.8
The Bears dropped back-to-back road contests to Eastern Washington (95-85) and Idaho (83-79).
Out of 351 Division I teams, Northern Colorado is No. 341 in points allowed per defensive possession (1.14). Eastern and Idaho shot a combined 56 percent from the floor and 24 for 43 from the 3-point line against the Bears.
But at the same time, UNC is second in the Big Sky averaging 1.09 points per possession on offense and had chances to win two tough road games.
6. Idaho
Record: 8-10, 3-4
Last week: No. 8
AdjO - AdjD = -6.1
Idaho lost in Moscow to North Dakota 71-63, but the Vandals bounced back with an 83-79 win over Northern Colorado.
The Vandals perplex the committee (of one). They started Big Sky play with good wins against Idaho State and Weber State and hung with Eastern Washington in a close defeat. Losing at Sacramento State and Portland State is understandable, but getting beat by North Dakota at home is inexcusable if Idaho wants to make a push for a high seed in the postseason tournament.
The committee (of one) can no longer assume Idaho is even going to reach the postseason. The Vandals wrap up Big Sky play with eight of their final 11 games on the road.
7. Portland State
Record: 10-8, 4-4
Last week: No. 7
ADjO - AdjD = -7.8
Portland State beat Weber State 69-63 in Ogden, Utah, and lost at Idaho State 80-76.
The committee (of one) couldn’t have been more impressed with PSU’s offense Saturday night, but the Vikings were exposed in the paint where Idaho State grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored 34 points.
Anyone outside of Pocatello will undoubtedly view Portland State’s loss to ISU as an upset and a missed opportunity for the Vikings. But Idaho State looks like an improving ball club and PSU still managed to get a split on the road.
8. Weber State
Record: 8-11, 3-5
Last week: No. 5
AdjO - AdjD = -7.3
For the first time in head coach Randy Rahe’s tenure, Weber State lost two straight games at home.
Portland State knocked off the Wildcats 69-63 and Sac State won in Ogden 78-71.
Weber is 10th in Big Sky play in field goal percentage offense (42.5 percent) and defense (48 percent). Only Eastern Washington has attempted more 3-pointers than WSU (171 vs. 170), but the Eagles make them at a much higher clip (43 percent compared to 37 percent for the ’Cats).
In other words, Weber State hasn’t been great defensively, while jacking up a high rate of long-distance shots even though that’s not its strength.
The fact is, Rahe and the Wildcats are experiencing the pains of a young team. None of WSU’s top seven scorers are seniors. The future is as bright as ever at Weber. This developing team might still have a shot to figure things out this season.
9. North Dakota
Record: 6-12, 2-5
Last week: No. 11
AdjO - AdjD = -11
The mascot-less upset Idaho 71-63 and lost to Eastern Washington 102-80.
North Dakota had lost four in a row — the last three in frigid Grand Forks — before beating the Vandals, and UND led by six at half against the Eagles. If nothing else, the team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux flashed 60 minutes of serious potential.
10. Southern Utah
Record: 5-13, 2-5
Last week: No. 9
AdjO - AdjD = -12.9
The Thunderbirds lost at Montana State 79-65 and Montana 58-56.
Southern Utah’s next three games (all of them at home) could determine SUU’s ultimate fate this season. The T-birds host Northern Arizona, North Dakota and Northern Colorado. Win two of those games and they’d position themselves to make a run at the postseason, which would be a feat in its own right after SUU went 1-19 in the Big Sky last season.
11. Idaho State
Record: 5-15, 2-6
Last week: No. 10
AdjO - AdjD = -12.7
In the tight and wonderful confines of Reed Gym, ISU lost to Sacramento State 62-59 and beat Portland State 80-76.
PSU was absolutely a must-win game for the Bengals, and they responded with one of their better offensive performances of the season.
Idaho State is 2-6 in the Big Sky but a mere game behind eighth-place Weber State. If the Bengals can get a split this week at Northern Colorado and North Dakota, they return for a three-game homestand and a very real chance to start climbing the Big Sky standings.
12. Montana State
Record: 4-15, 1-6
Last week: No. 12
AdjO - AdjD = -13.2
Montana State won its first conference game of the season against Southern Utah (76-65), but the Bobcats couldn’t string together consecutive wins with a 71-64 loss to Northern Arizona.
The ’Cats play at Sac State and Portland State this week, and then host Idaho and Eastern Washington. MSU is the first team the committee (of one) is comfortable scratching off the list of postseason contenders.
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