There’s Balance In Sky Lack Of Individual Standouts Should Bring Contenders, Pretenders Closer

The Big Sky is falling and that’s just fine with Idaho and Eastern Washington.

Marquee players in the conference are scarce. Top teams probably won’t be as talented as they’ve been in recent years. Mid-level teams probably won’t be as good as their history.

Welcome to Big Sky men’s basketball, 1995-96.

“I don’t see the teams being as athletic as 3-4 years ago,” Montana State coach Mick Durham said. “We’ve taken a hit the last couple of years on marquee players.”

Added Montana’s Blaine Taylor: “I can’t say the league is where it has been the last two years. We’ve got the makings of some good teams, but I don’t see the depth.”

No tears are falling at Idaho and EWU, teams that appear to be better than last year’s editions.

The Orlando Lightfoots, Ruben Nembhards and Jim Potters of yesteryear have been replaced by the new breed of Montana State’s Quadre Lollis, Idaho’s Harry Harrison and Weber State’s Jimmy DeGraffenried. Fine players to be sure, but not the headliners of the past.

But, warns Boise State’s Rod Jensen, who was Bobby Dye’s understudy for 12 years before moving up to head coach this season, “Our records may not be as good as they’ve been the last few years, but it’s still a heck of a conference.”

Here, here, says UI coach Joe Cravens, who seems to be relishing the fact his team has been picked by most to finish third or fourth and may be equipped for a sneak attack.

“That’s about where I’d put us,” Cravens said.

UI and EWU open conference action on the road against Boise State and Idaho State this weekend.

As it stands, there’s a gulf between the contenders (Montana State, Montana, Weber State and Idaho) and the hopefuls (the rest).

“I think ‘ole Joe has his tongue against both cheeks over there,” Montana’s Taylor said. “Everybody’s talking about Montana, Weber and Montana State and I think Joe has as good a lineup as anybody.”

“Everybody better watch out for Idaho,” suggested Weber State’s Ron Abegglen.

And Eastern Washington, too, which is showing subtle improvement after three straight lastplace finishes. “Believe it or not, Eastern, with (center) Melvin Lewis back, I think will do some damage,” said MSU’s Durham.

First-year EWU coach Steve Aggers said he thinks the league remains strong.

“Everyone’s played well in outof-conference games,” he said. “Idaho goes over to Washington State and takes them to (the wire). Boise State played well at Oregon. Montana State takes TCU to triple overtime on the road. Weber goes down and beats the heck out of Fresno.”

Weber State won 21 games last year, beat Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and then nearly knocked off Georgetown.

The Wildcats have played a challenging schedule (Utah, Indiana, Brigham Young, Michigan), so entering Big Sky play might appear more appetizing.

“They’ll win their league (the Big Sky Conference),” Utah coach Rick Majerus predicted after his 12th-ranked team blitzed Weber by 29 points a month ago.

Big Sky’s best

Montana forward Shawn Samuelson, who scored 42 points and had 16 rebounds in two games last week, was named Big Sky men’s player of the week.

Samuelson, a 6-6 senior, led the team in victories over Black Hills State and Saint Mary’s.

For the week, he was 14 of 21 from the field and the free throw line, good for 67.7 percent.

Against Black Hills, Samuelson was 6 of 8 from both the field and the free throw line, and followed that up with a matching 8-for-13 performance from the field and the line against Saint Mary’s.

He also had three assists and three steals in the two games. In Montana’s 70-63 overtime victory over Saint Mary’s, Samuelson had a career-high 24 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

He is averaging 15.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this year, and is shooting 52.6 percent.

Others nominated for the award include Adam Dean of Eastern Washington.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: BIG SKY CONFERENCE Following is staff writer Jim Meehan’s predicted order of finish and a brief summary of the men’s basketball prospects of each Big Sky school:

1. Montana State Bobcats 1995-96 record: 8-5 1994-95 record: 21-8, no postseason; 8-6, 3rd Coach: Mick Durham Years coaching:6th, all at MSU Record: 80-72 Top returnees: F Quadre Lollis (6-7, Sr.), G Mike Elliott (6-3, Sr.), G Scott Hatler (6-2, Sr.), F Nico Harrison (6-5, Sr.), F Adam Leachman (6-8, Sr.) Top newcomers: G Lance Fay (6-2, Jr.), G Danny Sprinkle (6-2, Fr.) Coach’s comments: “We’ve played some excellent basketball … and we’ve played some bad basketball.” Outlook: The Bobcats have veteran talent. Game against Weber State on Friday is huge. As Durham points out, Montana and Weber beat MSU five times last year. Those outcomes will have to be reversed for MSU to hang a championship banner.

2. Montana Grizzlies 1995-96 record: 10-3 1994-95 record: 21-9, lost in NIT first round; 11-3, tied for 1st Coach: Blaine Taylor Years coaching: 5, 5th at Montana Record: 94-36 Top returnees: F Shawn Samuelson (6-6, Sr.), C Nate Covill (6-9, Sr.), G Kirk Walker (6-0, Jr.), G Shane Belnap (6-0, Sr.), F Chris Spoja (6-5, Jr.) Top newcomers: C/F Brent Smith (6-10, Jr.) Coach’s comments: “We’re the old blue-collar Montana outfit, not overpowering, not eye-striking with talent, but we’re fairly steady.” Outlook: Like MSU, this is an experienced club that will be difficult to beat at home and is capable of winning on the road. Samuelson is one of the league’s few proven inside scoring threats. Rest of cast seems to be settling into roles.

3. Idaho Vandals 1995-96 record: 5-5 1994-95 record: 12-15, no postseason; 6-8, 6th Coach: Joe Cravens Years coaching: 3rd, all at Idaho Record: 35-30 Top returnees: F Harry Harrison (6-7, Sr.), F James Jones (6-6, Sr.), G Shawn Dirden (6-3, Sr.), C Nate Gardner (6-8, Jr.). Top newcomers: G Eddie Turner (6-3, Jr.), G Reggie Rose (6-0, Jr.), Jason Jackman (6-9, Jr.) Coach’s comments: “We have a talented enough team to contend for the title. It will come down to how many close games we can win.” Outlook: Who knows? Idaho has been fairly non-descript, beating the teams it should beat and losing when an underdog. JC transfers Rose, Jackman and Turner have been huge pickups and could help move Idaho back into Sky elite. For that to happen, UI must find consistency in offense and effort.

4. Weber State Wildcats 1995-96 record: 8-5 1994-95 record: 21-9 overall, second round NCAA Tournament; 11-3 in Big Sky, tied for 1st place Coach: Ron Abegglen Years coaching: 5th at Weber State Record: 194-90, 85-45 at Weber State Top returnees: F Jimmy DeGraffenried (6-6, Sr.), G Justyn Tebbs (6-4, Sr.), C Andy Smith (6-8, Sr.), G Brian Emery (5-10, Sr.) Top newcomers: G/F Ryan Cuff (6-5, Sr.), G Jermaine “Squirt” Hicks (5-5, Fr.), G Damien Baskerville (6-4, Fr.) Coach’s comments: “Our guys think we’re dangerous. We’ll be OK.” Outlook: This is not the Weber State of last year or even recent seasons. This group launches 3-pointers and is trying to get by with a suspect inside game. Previous Weber clubs have had rebounders and physical inside players. However, Cuff and DeGraffenried could carry Wildcats a long way, despite DeGraffenried playing out of position at power forward. And Abegglen is probably Sky’s top coach.

5. Idaho State Bengals 1995-96 record: 3-7 1994-95 record: 18-10, no postseason; 7-7, tied for 4th Coach: Herb Williams Years coaching: 6th, all at ISU Record: 69-83 Top returnees: C Nate Green (6-8, Jr.), G Kahn Cotton (5-10, So.), G Shabaka Lands (5-10, Sr.), F Rob Preston (6-8, Jr.) Top newcomers: F Donovan Brown (6-6, Jr.), F Barry MacArthur (6-6, Jr.) Coach’s comments: “I like being picked fifth or sixth. Those teams usually play better. People don’t know about our new players.” Outlook: Williams’ season seems to be following that of ISU football under Brian McNeely. Four basketball players already have been suspended and the team has lost six straight, twice to traditional weakling Sacramento State. Green, however, has considerable potential. Guards are quick, but mistake-prone.

6. Boise State Broncos 1995-96 record: 4-8 1994-95 record: 17-10, no postseason; 7-7, tied for 4th Coach: Rod Jensen Years coaching: 1st year Record: 4-8 Top returnees: F Phil Rodman (6-6, Sr.), J.D. Huleen (6-8, Jr.) Top newcomers: G Joe Wyatt (6-2, Jr.), F Mike Tolman (6-6, Soph.), G Shane Flanagan (6-1, Soph.), G Gerry Washington (6-1, Fr.) Coach’s comments: “We’re trying to play without a true point guard. On top of that, (point guard) Shane Flanagan has a bad wrist and he’s questionable.” Outlook: Wyatt is a streaky shooter on a team that has had shooting woes. Loss of Steve Shephard (knee) to injury for second straight year and guards Damon Archibald (transfered) and Josh Folsom (quit) sapped BSU’s experience. The good: BSU won at Pepperdine. The bad: Broncos lost at home to NAIA Lewis-Clark State College.

7. Eastern Washington Eagles 1995-96 record: 2-8 1994-95 record: 6-20, no postseason; 2-12, 8th Coach: Steve Aggers Years coaching: 1st year Record: 2-8 Top returnees: C Melvin Lewis (6-8, Sr.), G D’mitri Rideout (6-3, Sr.), G Curtis Porter (6-4, Sr.), C Adam Dean (6-8, Sr.), F Kevin Groves (6-5, Sr.) Top newcomers: G Travis King (5-11, Jr.), F Mike Sims (6-8, Fr.), G Bryant Carter (6-2, Jr.) Coach’s comments: “We’re certainly improved and much better than Dec. 1. We’ve played a pretty good schedule and have learned a great deal in that time. Having Melvin back certainly has helped give us a presence in the middle.” Outlook: Until Eagles prove otherwise, inability to handle pressing defenses will be what keeps them from passing ISU and BSU. Ballhandlers King, Carter and Brett Thompson - with 73 turnovers and 52 assists through 10 games this year - must improve. With first conference games in Boise and Pocatello, EWU can make early statement.

8. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 1995-96 record: 3-8 1994-95 record: 8-18, no postseason; 4-10, 7th Coach: Ben Howland Years coaching: 2nd, all at NAU Record: 11-26 Top returnees: G Jerome Riley (6-0, Soph.), F Brent Bowden (6-7, Sr.) Top newcomers: F Mike Chapman (6-7, Jr.), F Scott Taylor (6-8, Jr.), G Charles Thomas (6-0, Jr.) Coach’s comments: “Last year we started out with eight wins. I hope that we can improve upon that.” Outlook: Eight wins might be a stretch this season. NAU has some talented newcomers and a decent backcourt, but there is no go-to player. That was to have been Brad Snyder, who died last year in an auto accident. NAU will be doing well to make top six.