Good morning from Missoula, where it's warm enough for an over-the-hill sportswriter to go for a short morning jog. It's also warm enough for the University of Montana football team to start spring ball. (I know this because dozens of Grizzly players almost invaded our media hospitality room at the Big Sky Conference basketball tournaments.) But I digress: this is basketball season, and 16 teams and their fans have descended on Missoula. Make that 12, as four women's teams were eliminated on Wednesday, including Northern Arizona, which was dispatched last night by Eastern Washington. Next up for the Eagles is a semifinal on Friday against top-seeded Montana, which last night struggled to beat Idaho State....I caught those games, but missed the early session, which included an appearance by John Stockton. On tap today are four men's games, including the breakfast-time opener between Eastern and Idaho. Here's my preview, along with a look at host Montana, courtesy of the Missoulian.

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