Lady Griz picked 2nd in preseason polls

The Montana women's basketball team, coming off a season that ended with a run to the Big Sky Conference title game, has been picked second in this year's preseason polls, the league office announced on Wednesday morning.

The Lady Griz collected three of 10 first-place votes in the coaches' poll, seven of 25 first-place votes in the media poll.

Montana came in behind Montana State in both polls, the teams that played in a dramatic title game in Boise in March projected to be two of the teams battling for a championship once again.

The Bobcats, who went 30-4 overall last season, 17-1 in league and had two one-point victories over the Lady Griz, earned five first-place votes in the coaches' poll, 11 in the media poll.

Idaho and Idaho State, selected third and fourth, picked up the remaining first-place votes in the coaches' poll. Idaho and Sacramento State joined Montana State and Montana in getting first-place votes in the media poll.

With only three of last season's 13 All-Big Sky performers back – Sacramento State's Benthe Versteeg, Idaho State's Tasia Jordan and Montana's Mack Konig – voters applied the Selvig Rule to the polls and went with the program that's been proving it on the court in recent seasons.

Montana State has finished in the top three in the Big Sky in five of the last six seasons and advanced to the NCAA tournament in both 2022 and last year. But the Bobcats lost four of their top five scorers off last season's 30-win team, including Big Sky MVP Esmeralda Morales.

Montana returns its top two scorers from a season ago, Konig and sophomore Avery Waddington, as the Lady Griz play under first-year coach Nate Harris, the program's acting, then interim head coach for the final 17 games of the 2024-25 season.

Montana's second-place standing in the coaches' poll matches the program's highest projected finish since the Lady Griz topped the poll in 2015-16. Montana was picked second behind Montana State in the 2022-23 preseason poll as well.

Idaho, Idaho State and Sacramento State filled out the spots behind the Montana programs in both polls, all five of the teams getting at least one first-place vote.

The Vandals were one of last season's surprise teams, getting picked seventh but tying for third under a first-year coach, while the Bengals have the Big Sky's most experienced group of returners. Longtime coach Seton Sobolewski has his top five scorers from a season ago back.

Versteeg, of Sacramento State, is the only first-team All-Big Sky selection from a year ago who is back in 2025-26. The redshirt senior averaged 12.3 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds last season. She had a 17-point, 11-assist game when the Hornets handed Montana State its only loss to a Big Sky opponent.

The bottom half of the poll is highlighted by two programs under new coaches.

Former Lumberjack Laura Dinkins takes over at Northern Arizona, replacing Loree Payne, who grabbed Sophie Glancey on her way out of town and headed off to Santa Clara. NAU also lost Taylor Feldman to Purdue. Both were first-team All-Big Sky selections.

Karlie Burris, formerly on staff at UNLV and player at the University of Portland, takes over at Portland State, a program that went 12-62 in Big Sky games the last four seasons.

Burris's departure from the Rebels opened the door for Joslyn Tinkle to join the staff of her former teammate at Stanford, Lindy La Rocque. Tinkle had previously been on staff at Pepperdine under former Lady Griz Katie (Baker) Faulkner. Before that she was on staff at Montana.

Eastern Washington, under coach Joddie Gleason and with last year's Big Sky Freshman of the Year Kourtney Grossman back, was picked sixth in both polls.

Northern Colorado has its top four scorers back from a season ago. Weber State, picked last in the 2024-25 preseason poll before going 10-8 in league and tying for third, lost its top two scorers, Taylor Smith to Gonzaga, Kendra Parra to graduation.

The season opens on Monday, Nov. 3, with four Big Sky teams in action, highlighted by Idaho facing Washington State and Northern Arizona playing at New Mexico.

Montana opens its season on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the Lady Griz host Seattle Pacific, a Division II entry to the season before a five-game stretch against Oregon, Washington, South Dakota State, BYU and Utah.

2025-26 Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
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
t9. Northern Arizona … 15
t9. Portland State … 15

2025-26 Big Sky Conference Preseason Media Poll
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

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Mack Konig

Avery Waddington

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