EWU men picked to finish fifth, Idaho ninth in Big Sky

FARMINGTON, Utah – Less than two weeks from opening the 2022-23 season, Eastern Washington was picked to finish fifth, Idaho ninth in Big Sky Conference men’s basketball by the media and coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Montana State was picked to finish first in both polls after winning the regular season and tournament championship a season ago. Northern Colorado is slotted at No. 2, followed by Montana and Weber State.

EWU, led by second-year coach David Riley, was 18-16 last year, 11-9 in the Big Sky. The Eagles return six players, including Steele Venters, named second-team all-Big Sky, and Ethan Price, the conference Freshman of the Year. EWU has nine newcomers, including two true freshmen and seven transfers.

The Eagles open the season on Nov. 7 at Santa Clara.

The Vandals, led by fourth-year head coach Zac Claus, was 9-22 last year, 6-14 and tied for eighth in the Big Sky.

Claus and his staff brought in 10 new players to the 2022-23 roster. Six from the transfer portal and four true freshmen join five returnees from the 2021-22 season. The Vandals are returning their No. 3 and 5 scorers from last year in Rashad Smith (10.1) and Yusef Salih (6.1).

Idaho plays an exhibition game against Evergreen State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at ICCU Arena.

The Vandals begin the regular season Nov. 7 at the University of Denver for a 4 p.m. PT tip.

COACHES POLL

1, Montana State, 80 points (8 first-place votes). 2, Northern Colorado, 69 (1). 3, Montana, 64 (1). 4 Weber State, 55. 5, Eastern Washington, 53. 6, Sacramento State, 42. 7 (tie), Portland State, Northern Arizona, 27. 9, Idaho, 17. 10, Idaho State. 16.

MEDIA POLL

1, Montana State, 258 points (19 first-place votes). 2, Northern Colorado, 231 (6). 3, Montana, 204 (1). 4, Weber State, 189 (1). 5, Eastern Washington, 173. 6, Sacramento State, 129. 7, Portland State, 118. 8, Northern Arizona, 78. 9, Idaho, 64. 10, Idaho State, 41.

Idaho women picked to finish third by coaches, fourth by media in Big Sky

FARMINGTON, Utah – The Idaho women's basketball team was picked to finish third by the coaches and fourth by the media, Eastern Washington sixth by the coaches and eighth by the media, in the Big Sky preseason polls announced by the conference on Wednesday.

Under head coach Jon Newlee, the Vandals return seven letterwinners from a season ago, including two-time All-Big Sky First Team selection Beyonce Bea and fifth-year forward Tiana Johnson.

Joining the Vandals for the 2022-23 campaign are six newcomers, that include four freshmen and two transfers.

Defending Big Sky champion Montana State was voted as the preseason favorite in both the coaches and media poll.

Idaho opens the season at Utah on Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. PT.

The Vandals will compete in a home exhibition game at home against Seattle Pacific on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

EWU finished 9-21, 7-13 and ninth in the Big Sky last season under first-year coach Joddie Gleason. The Eagles return eight players, including all five starters. Among the returners are Big Sky Freshman of the Year Jaydia Martin and All-Big Sky third-team selection Jacinta Buckley.

EWU plays host to Eastern Oregon in an exhibition Sunday at 2 p.m. at Reese Court. Admission is free.

The Eagles open the regular season at home vs. Corban University on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.

COACHES POLL

1, Montana State, 81 points (9 first-place votes). 2, Montana, 65. 3, Idaho, 62. 4, Northern Arizona, 60. 5, Sacramento State, 46. 6, Eastern Washington, 37. 7, Weber State, 31. 8, Idaho State, 30. 9, Northern Colorado, 28. 10, Portland State, 10.

MEDIA POLL

1, Montana State, 257 points (24 first-place votes). 2, Montana, 204 (1). 3, Northern Arizona, 189. 4, Idaho, 187. 5, Sacramento State, 146. 6, Idaho State, 132. 7, Northern Colorado, 102. 8, Eastern Washington, 98. 9, Weber State, 87. 10, Portland State, 28.