EWU men picked to repeat in Big Sky

OGDEN, Utah — Eastern Washington University is favored to repeat as Big Sky Conference men’s basketball champion by both league coaches and the media, despite losing the league Most Valuable Player and a veteran coach.

EWU received five of eight first-place votes in the coaches’ poll and 47 overall points. Portland State received the other three first-place votes and came in second with 39 points. Coaches couldn’t vote for their teams.

Montana was third with 32 points, followed by Weber State, Northern Arizona, Idaho State, Sacramento State and Montana State.

In the poll of 34 Big Sky media members, EWU received 19 first-place votes and 232 points. Portland State was second, with two first-place votes and 179 points. Weber State was third and Montana fourth, followed by Northern Arizona, Idaho State, Sacramento State and Montana State. Only Northern Arizona and Sacramento State didn’t receive at least two first-place votes.

EWU, which finished at 17-13 overall and 11-3 in conference during the 2003-2004 season, lost league MVP Alvin Snow and head coach Ray Giacoletti, who took a job at Utah. The Eagles beat Northern Arizona 71-59 in the Big Sky Conference championship game and lost 75-56 to Oklahoma State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

EWU returns with two starters, including two-time, all-Big Sky player Marc Axton, a forward who averaged 12.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and sophomore center Matt Nelson, the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 2003-04.

Portland State, picked to finish second, was last in the league standings last year. The Vikings return four starters, including senior Seamus Boxley, an all-Big Sky pick and the reigning defensive player of the year. He averaged 14.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Montana, under new coach Larry Krystkowiak, will be led by forward Kamarr Davis, an all-Big Sky pick as a junior.