Fargo's Big Sky Conference Tournament Preview

Anyway, back to the Big Sky. Northern Arizona won the regular season title with an impressive 12-2 record and the Lumberjacks get the first round bye along with the home court advantage. They started conference action by winning their first eight games and never looked back. A loss at Eastern Washington ended the streak while a season ending loss at Montana, which meant nothing, was their final defeat. All three of Northern Arizona's losses in 2006 were on the road as it went 12-1 at home, losing only to Tulsa.

The other bye went to Montana, who held off Eastern Washington with a 10-4 conference mark for the second seed. The Grizzlies are a very dangerous team and they certainly have some confidence heading into the tournament following the rout of the Lumberjacks. In the first meeting at Northern Arizona, Montana lost by just three points after blowing a 13-point halftime lead. The Grizzlies have the distinction of being the only team in the conference that finished the season with a winning road record.

Eastern Washington grabbed the third seed and plays host to Portland St. in the first round game on Saturday. The Eagles went 9-2 at home, losing only one conference home game against Montana. Things did not begin well for Eastern Washington as it got off to a 5-10 start but finished strong with a 9-4 record. The Eagles won both meetings against Portland St. this year, the second at home that was decided in overtime. This is a tough offense to defend as they topped 70 points in 11 of their final 15 games.

The Vikings, last season?s top seed at the host of the tournament, will be looking for a better result as they lost in the semis against Weber St. in a huge upset. This team was left for dead after starting 1-9 in Big Sky action. Portland St. hung tough and won its final four games to hold off Weber St. and Idaho St. for the sixth and final spot. This team was very competitive on the road, going 6-10 with losses against Gonzaga, Arkansas, Iona and Iowa St. The Vikings will not be an easy out.

Montana St., the preseason pick to win the conference, had a disappointing season at 7-7 but it was good enough the secure the 4th seed and a first round home game. The Bobcats went 12-3 at home with two conference defeats coming against the two top teams in the Big Sky. Montana St. lost five of its last seven games so it is not coming into the postseason with a lot of momentum. A first round home game is huge since the Bobcats dropped their final four road games, the last two by a combined 57 points.

Sacramento St. made a run last year by winning seven of its final nine games before bowing out at home in the first round of the tournament. This year is the total opposite scenario as the Hornets lost nine of their last 10 games after sitting atop the conference with a 4-0 start. However, only two of those nine losses were by double digits with six of those coming by five points or less. This is one of the most athletic teams in the Big Sky and with the offense as powerful as it is, the Hornets could make some noise.

The bottom two teams do not make it to the tournament with Weber St. and Idaho St. holding that distinction this year. The six-team format makes it more evenly matched than most and this year is no exception. While having first round byes is nice, it does not always equate to winning as last year showed with Portland St. exiting in the semifinal round. Montana won the tournament and the automatic bid without a bye so as always, it's anyone?s tournament.



Related Articles:
- Baseball Handicapping - The Bullpen
- Fargo's Players Championship Free Preview
- NCAA Tournament Preview!
- Fargo's Free Honda Classic Preview
- Matt Fargo's Latest Look At College Basketball
- Matt Fargo Posts His NCAA Weekly Dish
- Colorado Rockies Betting Preview
- Florida Marlins Betting Preview