Big Sky Preview
In projected order of finish
BOISE STATE (9-2)
Last year: 17-13 overall, 7-7 Big Sky (5th). Coach: Bobby Dye, 12th year at BSU, 205-125; 19th overall, 365-213.
Returning starters: G Damon Archibald, F Steve Shephard, C John Coker, F Sherman Morris (from 1992-93), G Darnell Woods (1992-93).
Strengths:Coker gives the Broncos a powerful inside player like no other in the league. He’s a good scorer, shot blocker and rebounder who doesn’t often get into foul trouble.
Question marks: BSU’s depth has been challenged by recent injuries and the Broncos are fairly weak perimeter shooters - 26.5 percent on 3-pointers. If opponents can take away Coker, BSU is susceptible.
Comment: Per usual, expect the Broncos to be a factor in the tournament. BSU’s patient, inside-oriented offense and suffocating defense (league-leading 61.9 points allowed per game) are tournament-tested attributes.
IDAHO STATE (9-2)
Last year: 18-9 overall, 10-4 Big Sky (T-1st).
Coach: Herb Williams, 5th season at ISU, 5th overall, 48-65.
Returning starters: F/C Jim Potter, F Donell Morgan, G Lorenzo Watkins, C Nathan Green.
Strengths: Potter, Morgan and Watkins are capable of dominating. Morgan is healthy after a dislocated shoulder marred part of his Big Sky season a year ago. Thirty-four percent of Potter’s and Morgan’s points come on freebies.
Question marks: Newcomer Shabaka Lands has replaced the graduated Terance Fleming at point guard and is growing into the position. Watkins is off to a slow start, but he’s been asked to pass the ball down low.
Comment: ISU has no apparent weakness, particularly if sophomore center Nathan Green continues to progress. Most likely to take title if BSU stumbles.
MONTANA STATE (12-1)
Last year: 16-11 overall, 8-6 Big Sky (4th).
Coach: Mick Durham, 5th year at MSU, 5th overall, 63-60.
Returning starters: C Dwayne Michaels, G Eric Talley, F Greg Taylor, F Nico Harrison.
Strengths: MSU’s 8-man rotation that can only be matched by a healthy BSU. Two JC transfers Quadre Lollis and Mike Elliot - have been key. Elliot leads MSU in assists (6.2), Lollis in rebounding (7.6) and Kwesi Coleman in points (15.5). None of the three start.
Question marks: Who’s the go-to guy? It’s nice to have well-rounded talent, but it’s also nice to have one guy to rely on for the clutch baskets that often decide road games in the Sky.
Comment: The Big Sky race may boil down to senior center Dwayne Michaels’ (6-10, 250) ability to match up with BSU big man John Coker (7-0, 245). MSU could find itself gasping for air with five of its first seven league games on the road.
WEBER STATE (7-5)
Last year: 20-10 overall, 10-4 Big Sky (T-1st).
Coach: Ron Abegglen, 4th year at Weber, 63-26; 9th overall, 172-81.
Returning starters: G Ruben Nembhard, F/C Kirk Smith.
Strengths: Nembhard gives the Wildcats a creative scorer, which could come in handy on the road, and Smith presents an awkward matchup for opponents.
Question marks: Leadership is a concern without point guard Robbie Johnson, who averaged 15.8 points and 4.7 assists as a senior. In each of its five losses this season, Weber State has led by at least 10 points.
Comment: Weber State has the talent to contend - Nembhard, Jimmy DeGraffenried and Lewis Lofton comprise one of the Big Sky’s most dynamic perimeters. Like Montana State, WSU’s interior matchups could keep the Wildcats from repeating.
MONTANA (9-4)
Last year: 19-9 overall, 6-8 Big Sky (T-6th).
Coach: Blaine Taylor, fourth year at UM, fourth overall, 72-28.
Returning starters: F/C Matt Kempfert, G Jeremy Lake, F Shawn Samuelson, G/F Chris Spoja.
Strengths: The Grizzlies’ ability to strike from 3-point range makes them dangerous when they’re behind. Lake made 6 of 9 in a double-overtime loss to Oregon.
Question marks: Montana has seen fast starts before - 13-0 last year - only to fade late in the season, especially on the road. Will this team be any different?
Comment: Always tough at home, the Grizzlies need to steal a few on the road to avoid a fourth- or fifth-place finish. The continued emergence of point guard Shane Belnap won’t hurt.
IDAHO (5-6)
Last year: 18-10 overall, 9-5 Big Sky (3rd).
Coach: Joe Cravens, 2nd year at UI, 2nd overall, 23-16.
Returning starters: G Mark Leslie, G Ben Johnson.
Strengths: JC transfer Harry Harrison is a warrior on the glass and has proven to be a consistent scorer. UI appears to have another strong rebounding team.
Question marks: Can UI shoot straight? When the Vandals are hitting, they’ll play with anybody. When they’re misfiring, they can lose to anybody. Guards Mark Leslie and Ben Johnson have been a barometer as well - if they’re on, success usually follows.
Comment: Idaho figures to be tough at home again, but the Vandals have been woeful on the road. UI may be in jeopardy of missing postseason tournament for the first time since 1978-79 - Don Monson’s first season.
NORTHERN ARIZONA (3-8)
Last year: 13-13 overall, 6-8 Big Sky (T-6th).
Coach: Ben Howland, 1st year at NAU, 1st overall, 3-8.
Returning starters: G John Rondeno, F Brad Snyder.
Strengths: Rondeno and swingman Snyder give the Lumberjacks something to build on.
Question marks: NAU won’t be able to stop anybody inside, having lost an all-conference forward and its starting center.
Comment: The decision of talented point guard Chancellor Davis to transfer to Dixie will hurt the Lumberjacks, who could have trouble holding off Eastern Washington for seventh place.
EASTERN WASHINGTON (3-7)
Last year: 5-21 overall, 0-14 Big Sky (8th).
Coach: John Wade, 5th season at EWU, 5th overall, 30-85.
Returning starters: none.
Strengths: Kevin Groves gives Eastern at least one player who goes all-out, all the time.
Question marks: The Eagles are consistently inconsistent. Lose to Whitworth by 12, beat Cal Poly by 52. Can Wade motivate his team to play with intensity every night?
Comment: Mark Feb. 16 and Feb. 25 on your calendar; Idaho and NAU visit Reese Court on those dates, giving the Eagles their best opportunities to break a 21-game Big Sky losing streak. As for Eastern’s 40-game road skid, a Feb. 28 date at Sacramento State can’t come fast enough.