Eastern Washington University is predicted to finish third and Idaho in the middle of the pack, according to the Big Sky Conference preseason men’s basketball poll released Thursday.

It was a split decision at the top of the poll. The media picked defending regular-season champ Montana over Weber State, while the coaches had the top two picks reversed.

Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona were picked third and fourth, respectively, in both polls. NAU tied with Sacramento State for the fourth slot in the media poll.

Rounding out the coaches’ poll, Southern Utah was picked fifth, Portland State sixth, Northern Colorado seventh, Idaho and North Dakota tied at eighth, Sacramento State 10th, and Montana State and Idaho State at the bottom.

Sacramento State was tied with NAU in the media poll while Northern Colorado earned sixth.

Idaho and Portland State were tied for seventh, Southern Utah was ninth, North Dakota was No. 10 and Montana State and Idaho State rounded out the media poll.

The 2016 Big Sky Conference basketball championships will take place March 7-12 at the Reno (Nevada) Events Center.

All 12 Big Sky teams will qualify for the tournament this season.

Jim Allen