Men's basketball #3 in Big Sky preseason polls
11/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Weber State Favored to Win 2003-04 Big Sky Men's Basketball Title
Weber State is favored to repeat as league champion in the 2003-04 Big Sky Conference men's basketball preseason poll. The Wildcats were picked to finish first in both the coaches and media polls.
Weber State received seven of the eight first-place votes in the coaches poll, as coaches did not vote for their own teams, and the Wildcats had 49 total points. Eastern Washington received the other first-place vote and came in second with 43 points while Montana was third with 36 points. The coaches poll was rounded out by Portland State (26 points), Idaho State (24), Sacramento State (20), Northern Arizona (16) and Montana State (10).
In the poll of 22 Big Sky media members Weber State garnered 15 first-place votes and had 160 points total. As in the coaches poll Eastern Washington was second and Montana was third. The Eagles had 153 points with six first-place votes and Montana had 127 points with one first-place vote. Idaho State came in fourth with 84 points and Sacramento State was fifth with 78 points. Montana State came in sixth (67), Northern Arizona was seventh (61) and Portland State was eighth (54).
Weber State returns three starters from last year's 26-6 team that went 14-0 in the Big Sky and won the conference's postseason tournament. The Wildcats return two players that were named First Team All-Big Sky last year in forwards Slobodan Ocokoljic and Nic Sparrow. Eastern Washington, which has made it to the league title game three years in a row, returns three starters from last season. Last year the Eagles went 18-13 overall and played in the NIT for the first time. Montana, under second-year head coach Pat Kennedy, returns three starters including last year's Big Sky Freshman of the Year in guard Kevin Criswell.
Portland State should be bolstered by the return of three key players who redshirted last season and an influx of talented newcomers. The Vikings, led by second-year head coach Heath Schroyer, also return three starters off of last year's team. All-Big Sky forward Scott Henry will
lead the way for Idaho State. The Bengals will also feature returning guard Marquis Poole and three other returning lettermen. Sacramento State, coming off its first Big Sky Championship appearance, returns a league-high 10 letterwinners. This season the Hornets will have the services of four players who redshirted in 2002-03. Northern Arizona will have to replace last year's Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in forward Ryan McDade. The Lumberjacks do return four starters from last year including Kelly Golob, one of the top freshman in the conference last year. Montana State will be led by guard Jason Erickson. Erickson, a senior, was the Big Sky Most Valuable Player during the 2001-02 season.
Results of the coaches and media polls are below. In the coaches poll a first-place vote was worth seven points, a second-place vote was worth six points, etc. Coaches did not vote for their own teams. In the media poll a first-place vote was worth eight points, a second-place
vote was worth seven points, etc.
Weber State is favored to repeat as league champion in the 2003-04 Big Sky Conference men's basketball preseason poll. The Wildcats were picked to finish first in both the coaches and media polls.
Weber State received seven of the eight first-place votes in the coaches poll, as coaches did not vote for their own teams, and the Wildcats had 49 total points. Eastern Washington received the other first-place vote and came in second with 43 points while Montana was third with 36 points. The coaches poll was rounded out by Portland State (26 points), Idaho State (24), Sacramento State (20), Northern Arizona (16) and Montana State (10).
In the poll of 22 Big Sky media members Weber State garnered 15 first-place votes and had 160 points total. As in the coaches poll Eastern Washington was second and Montana was third. The Eagles had 153 points with six first-place votes and Montana had 127 points with one first-place vote. Idaho State came in fourth with 84 points and Sacramento State was fifth with 78 points. Montana State came in sixth (67), Northern Arizona was seventh (61) and Portland State was eighth (54).
Weber State returns three starters from last year's 26-6 team that went 14-0 in the Big Sky and won the conference's postseason tournament. The Wildcats return two players that were named First Team All-Big Sky last year in forwards Slobodan Ocokoljic and Nic Sparrow. Eastern Washington, which has made it to the league title game three years in a row, returns three starters from last season. Last year the Eagles went 18-13 overall and played in the NIT for the first time. Montana, under second-year head coach Pat Kennedy, returns three starters including last year's Big Sky Freshman of the Year in guard Kevin Criswell.
Portland State should be bolstered by the return of three key players who redshirted last season and an influx of talented newcomers. The Vikings, led by second-year head coach Heath Schroyer, also return three starters off of last year's team. All-Big Sky forward Scott Henry will
lead the way for Idaho State. The Bengals will also feature returning guard Marquis Poole and three other returning lettermen. Sacramento State, coming off its first Big Sky Championship appearance, returns a league-high 10 letterwinners. This season the Hornets will have the services of four players who redshirted in 2002-03. Northern Arizona will have to replace last year's Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in forward Ryan McDade. The Lumberjacks do return four starters from last year including Kelly Golob, one of the top freshman in the conference last year. Montana State will be led by guard Jason Erickson. Erickson, a senior, was the Big Sky Most Valuable Player during the 2001-02 season.
Results of the coaches and media polls are below. In the coaches poll a first-place vote was worth seven points, a second-place vote was worth six points, etc. Coaches did not vote for their own teams. In the media poll a first-place vote was worth eight points, a second-place
vote was worth seven points, etc.
Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Points
Weber State (7) 49
Eastern Washington (1) 43
Montana 36
Portland State 26
Idaho State 24
Sacramento State 20
Northern Arizona 16
Montana State 10
Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Points
Weber State (15) 168
Eastern Washington (6) 153
Montana (1) 127
Idaho State 84
Sacramento State 78
Montana State 67
Northern Arizona 61
Portland State 54
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