Bobcats unanimous pick for Big Sky women's hoops
bigskyconf.com | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 2 months AGO
FARMINGTON, Utah — After a 30-win campaign a season ago, the Bobcats begin their title defense as preseason favorites of both the Coaches’ Poll and Media Poll leading up to the 2025-26 Women’s Basketball season, the conference office announced Wednesday.
The Bobcats received five first-place votes in the coaches’ poll and 11 in the media poll compared to Montana three first-place votes in the coaches’ poll and seven in the media poll. Idaho and Idaho State gathered the final two first place votes in the coaches poll.
Montana State finished its last campaign with a 30-4 overall record, the first Big Sky team to reach the 30-win mark, and a 17-1 mark in Big Sky action. The Bobcats swept the Big Sky titles, earning their eighth regular season crown and fourth tournament title. The Bobcats then fell to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Montana has been projected as this season’s runner-up by both coaches and media, as the Lady Griz return a strong core that includes a Second Team All-Conference player in Mack Konig. Head Coach Nate Harris is entering his first full season at the helm of the Lady Griz program after leading the team to a championship appearance last season.
Idaho is No. 3 in both polls after a record-setting season under first-year head coach Arthur Moreira. The Vandals went 18-12 and have strong offensive production returning in Sarah Brans and Hope Hassmann.
The preseason All-Big Sky team and MVP will be announced Thursday.
The 2026 Big Sky Tournament is March 7-11 at Boise’s Idaho Central Arena.
The polls:
Coaches
Team (1st-place votes) Pts
1. Montana State (5) 74
2. Montana (3) 72
3. Idaho (1) 65
4. Idaho State (1) 57
5. Sacramento State 50
6. Eastern Washington 38
7. Northern Colorado 36
8. Weber State 28
9 (tie). Northern Arizona 15
and Portland State 15
Media
Team (1st-place votes) Pts
1. Montana State (11) 238
2. Montana (7) 224
3. Idaho (7) 220
4. Sacramento State (2) 177
5. Idaho State 161
6. Eastern Washington 123
7. Weber State 120
8. Northern Arizona 102
9. Northern Colorado 86
10. Portland State 34