The debut of the Big Sky rankings

We’re six days into the new year and the committee (of one) can’t think of a better time to bring back the weekly Big Sky Rankings — the most powerful rankings in the Sky.

We’re taking a different tactic from years past, too. No longer are we going to rank the teams by throwing spaghetti on a wall or trying to read the heavenly signs. No longer will we pull names from a hat while blindfolded to determine these all-so-important rankings.

No. We’re going to heavily rely on numbers, analytics and just the facts when formulating these rankings. Don’t expect any TCU vs. Baylor vs. Ohio State controversy here. Our decisions will be clear cut and transparent.
Except when they’re not.

Without further ado.

[Quick explanation of one key factor the committee (of one) will consider heavily. We’re using Ken Pomeroy’s AdjO and AdjD from kenpom.com. AdjO is an estimate of the offensive efficiency (points score per 100 possessions) a team would score against the average DI defense. AdjD is the same thing, but it’s about how many points a team gives up per 100 possessions.]

1. Eastern Washington
Record: 11-4, 2-0
Preseason pick: 3rd media/2nd coaches
AdjO - AdjD = 5.4
The Eagles opened the conference season at home and beat Weber State (84-78) and Idaho State (65-57).
It’s almost easy for Eastern Washington to score. The Eagles led Idaho State 55-53 late in the game, and in about two minutes EWU had an eight-point lead after two 3-pointers.
It was game over.
Between Tyler Harvey, the nation’s leading scorer at 23.4 points per game, Venky Jois (19.1 ppg), Ognjen Miljkovic (10.3 ppg) and Drew Brandon (4.5 assists per game), the Eagles are loaded with talent.

2. Idaho
Record: 7-6, 2-0
Preseason pick: 8th media/7th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.8
In their return to the Big Sky, the Vandals started 2-0 with a 77-54 whipping of Idaho State and a dramatic 86-84 win over Weber State.
Both were great wins for the Vandals, who were especially good on offense. Weber State and Idaho State are two of the better defensive teams in the Big Sky, but Idaho shredded them, averaging 163 points while shooting 48 percent from the field and 46 percent from three.

3. Weber State
Record: 5-8, 0-2
Preseason pick: 1st media/1st coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.3
It was a frustrating week for the Wildcats. They led by four late against Eastern Washington before losing 84-78, and Idaho’s Mike Scott hit a game-winning jumper with three seconds left to take down the Wildcats 86-84.
It’s a rough start for the preseason favorites, but don’t expect Weber State to fade away. The ’Cats are still one of the deeper, more athletic teams in the league. The committee (of one) doesn’t believe any other squad in the Big Sky can match the Wildcats’ ability to both score and defend at a high level.

4. Montana
Record: 5-7, 2-0
Preseason pick: 5th media/8th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.5
Montana defended its home court with wins over Northern Colorado (66-48) and North Dakota (74-63).
First-year coach Travis Decuire got quite a gift from Wayne Tinkle, who left Montana this past offseason to take over at Oregon State. The gift is in the form of Martin Breunig, a junior foward who sat out last season after transferring from Washington.
Breunig is averaging 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds a game. At 6-foot-8, Breunig is a brute and his ability to score inside is invaluable in a league dominated by guards.

5. Sacramento State
Record: 8-5, 2-0
Preseason pick: 4th media/4th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -4.6
The Hornets improved to 6-1 at home with wins over Northern Arizona (78-73) and Southern Utah 90-75.
Sac State is an easy team to love with senior guard Mikh McKinney and Dylan Garrity.
McKinney is lightning quick and gets anywhere he wants on the floor and Garrity is shooting 46 percent from three. Together, they average 31.9 points a game. The Hornets go as they go.

6. Northern Arizona
Record: 6-9, 1-1
Preseason pick: 2nd media/3rd coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -3.9
Northern Arizona lost at Sacramento State 78-73 before knocking off Portland State 73-60.
The Lumberjacks are the league’s No. 1 defensive team right now, holding opponents to 1.028 points per possession. If they can keep up that kind of defensive effort, they’ll give themselves a shot to win every game.
On the negative side, Northern Arizona guard Jaleni Neely has been ruled academically ineligible for the rest of the season, per the Arizona Daily Sun. It’s left the ’Jacks dealing with a seven-man rotation, which could become a major storyline if NAU can’t avoid injuries. Plus, third-year head coach Jack Murphy has to be concerned about his guys wearing down.

7. Northern Colorado
Record: 6-7, 1-1
Preseason pick: 6th media/6th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -6.8
Northern Colorado had its lowest offensive output of the season in a 66-48 loss at Montana. The Bears bounced back nicely, though, taking down Montana State 61-54.
Two useless fun facts of the week: UNC is 6-0 when it outrebounds opponents and 0-7 when it doesn’t. The Bears haven’t played in a game decided by five points or less this season.

8. Portland State
Record: 7-5, 1-1
Preseason pick: 7th media/5th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11
Portland State held off Southern Utah 71-68 and lost to Northern Arizona 73-30 at home in the Stott Center.
Losing to NAU isn’t a disaster. The Lumberjacks are a good basketball team and a dark horse championship contender who will win a number of road games this season.
But protecting home court is crucial. Now PSU heads to Northern Colorado and North Dakota, a brutally long road trip before returning home to host Eastern Washington and Idaho. The Vikings could easily start Big Sky action on a 1-5 or 2-4 slide if they’re not sharp.

9. North Dakota
Record: 5-8, 1-1
Preseason pick: 9th media/9th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11
The mascot-less beat Montana State 67-60 and lost to Montana 74-63 on the road.
Can you believe North Dakota has had two home games the entire season? UND played at home on Nov. 18 and Dec. 19. In between, it’s been trips to Salt Lake City, Des Moines, Iowa, Miwaukee and Montana.
The committee (of one) proposes the mascot-less simply wanted to get out of frigid Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the expected low today is 21 below zero.

10. Idaho State
Record: 3-11, 0-2
Preseason pick: 10th media/10th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -11.5
Idaho State might have played its worst game of the season in a 77-54 loss at Idaho. The Bengals played much better at Eastern Washington, but still lost 65-57.
The good news for the Bengals is that they’re currently the No. 2 team in the conference on defense, giving up 1.032 points per possession. The bad news is that ISU is scoring .917 points per possession. It’s the lowest mark in the Big Sky and 321st (out of 351) in the nation.
More good news, though: Senior Chris Hansen played some of his best basketball in the loss to EWU, hitting 7 of his 11 shots and scoring a game-high 23 points.

11. Montana State
Record: 3-11, 0-2
Preseason pick: 11th media/11th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -13.9
It was bad news for the Bobcats to begin the conference season with two losses at home to North Dakota (67-60) and Northern Colorado (62-54).
Six teams opened Big Sky play on their home court. Montana State was the lone squad to not win at least a game. In the race for the postseason, it’s a miserable, miserable start.

12. Southern Utah
Record: 3-10, 0-2
Preseason pick: 12th media/12th coaches
AdjO - AdjD = -17.1
The Thunderbirds lost at Portland State (71-68) and Sacramento State (90-75), which means SUU is 1-25 in its last 26 conference games dating back to the 2012-13 season.
It can only get better from here — we think.