Bobcat women tabbed to win Big Sky

Who can stop the Bobcat women?

Montana State led the way in both preseason Big Sky basketball polls released Wednesday, ahead of defending conference tournament winner Idaho. 

The Bobcats took nine first-place votes in the coaches' poll, with Idaho claiming the final two. Northern Colorado was third in the poll, while Montana was sixth. 

In the media poll, the top three remained the same with Montana State claiming 23 first place votes and Idaho getting three. The Lady Griz were seventh in the rankings. 

Also released Wednesday were the All-Big Sky Conference awards, with two Bobcats and one Lady Griz making the all-conference team. 

Leading the way is Montana State's Taylee Chirrick, who garnered Preseason MVP honors along with a spot on the all-conference squad. Chirrick won the conference MVP award last spring after Montana State came up just short to Idaho in the Big Sky Tournament final. 

Bobcat teammate Addison Harris joins Chirrick with Preseason All-Big Sky honors. Harris, like Chirrick, was an all-conference first-team selection last season. 

Montana is represented with Avery Waddington. The junior was second-team All-Big Sky last year. 

Also named to the preseason All-Big Sky team are Idaho's Hope Hassmann, Eastern Washington's Kourtney Grossman and Elyn Bowers and Southern Utah's Ava Ulrich. 

Montana State opens the regular season with an 11 a.m. tip against Black Hills State on Nov. 2. Montana opens the following day with a 7 p.m. start against Montana Western. 

2026-27 Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team

Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (Preseason MVP) 

Hope Hassmann, Idaho 

Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington 

Addison Harris, Montana State 

Ava Uhrich, Southern Utah 

Avery Waddington, Montana 

Elyn Bowers, Eastern Washington 

2026-27 Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Montana State (9) – 99 

2. Idaho (2) – 90 

3. Northern Colorado – 76 

4. Eastern Washington – 71 

5. Southern Utah – 67 

6. Montana – 54 

7. Idaho State – 49 

8. Weber State – 32 

9. Portland State – 30 

10. Northern Arizona – 27 

11. Utah Tech – 10 

2026-27 Big Sky Conference Preseason Media Poll

1. Montana State (23) – 283 

2. Idaho (3) – 254 

3. Northern Colorado – 214 

4. Eastern Washington – 197 

5. Southern Utah – 173 

6. Idaho State – 157 

7. Montana – 149  

8. Northern Arizona – 110 

9. Weber State – 70 

10. Portland State – 63 

11. Utah Tech – 46