The top teams in the Big Sky Conference preseason polls did a good job reinforcing that confidence, with the Eagles, picked third, keeping pace with a 65-60 win at Sacramento State.

Montana, second in the preseason polls, burnished its image with an easy win at Northern Arizona.

Now comes the biggest test of the year fof the Griz, Saturday at preseason favorite Weber State, which handled Montana State behind a 20-point effort from guard Scott Bamforth.

Damian Lilliard, a four-time conference player of the week already this week, was held to 17 points while the Wildcats shot poorly as a team. Perhaps they were looking ahead to the Griz.

All of this gives the Eagles a chance to move into a second-place tie (provided Weber beats Montana), by beating Northern Colorado tomorrow afternoon in Greeley. Last night, the Bears were lit up 86-75 by a Portland State team that was winless on the road. The Vikings shot 73 percent from the field in the first half.

Remember, tipoff has been moved forward an hour, to 3:05 p.m. Pacific time.

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