Montana is the choice of coaches to win the 1996-97 Big Sky Conference basketball crown.

In the annual survey, Montana received 62 points and seven first-place votes. Idaho State, six points behind at 56 and with one first-place nod, was tabbed second.

The lone remaining first-place vote went to defending champion Montana State, picked third with 49 points.

Weber State, which lost to Montana State in the championship game last year, is picked to finish fourth this season, accumulating 46 points.

Coaches chose Eastern Washington, loser of every Big Sky game it played last season, to finish fifth.

Rounding out the last four spots are Northern Arizona at sixth, followed by the three new institutions - Cal State-Northridge, Cal State-Sacramento and Portland State.

A poll of sportswriters and broadcasters also chose the Grizzlies to win it all.