Big Sky Basketball Tournament: Montana, Northern Colorado favored

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire speaks with Ahmaad Rorie #14, Sayeed Pridgett #4 and Fabijan Krslovic #20 of the Montana Grizzlies during a stopage against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Ahmaad Rorie #14 of the Montana Grizzlies attempts a lay up past Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Players to watch in the Big Sky Tournament

SR Ahmaad Rorie – Montana

2018-19 stats: 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4 assists

With Jamar Akoh out, the senior guard becomes the focal point of opposing defenses, despite being third on the team in scoring with 14.7 per game. He has stepped up of late, having averaged 13 points, four rebounds, and over six assists in the team’s last six games. If Montana hopes to repeat without Akoh, Rorie will have to step up in a big way.

SR Jordan Davis-Northern Colorado

2018-19 stats: 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists

The 6-foot-2 Davis is the probable Big Sky Player of the Year. His 23.8 points per game are the ninth-highest number in college basketball. He also pulls down 4.6 rebounds and dishes out the same number of assists. He has been consistent all season long for the Bears, so much so that his lowest scoring output of the season was 14 points against Northern Arizona. He has failed to lead Northern Colorado just four times this season and he has had games where he’s also pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out nine assists. If there is a guy in the conference that can put a team on his back, it’s Davis.

JR Jerrick Harding-Weber State

2018-19 stats: 21.9 points, 3.4 rebounds

Harding is second in the conference in scoring, averaging 21.9 per game, and while he has attempted the most three-pointers on the team, he is making that shot at a 38% clip. Where Harding excels is his ability to create contact and get to the free throw line. On the year, he has made more free throws than the next highest-ranking Wildcats has attempted. Over a one-month stretch from Jan. 24-Feb. 16, Harding was a real force, averaging 24 points per game. Unfortunately, Weber State went just 4-4 in that time.

SR Brekkott Chapman-Weber State

2018-19 stats: 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2 assists

The 6-foot-9 big man who transferred from Utah has become a rebounding machine for Weber State. He pulls down 8.6 per game while netting 12.5 points per game. He has registered 10 double-doubles on the year, including a stretch where he had eight over the course of nine games. He is a big man that likes to play on the outside as well as crashing the glass. He’s attempted the second-most three-pointers on the team, making 42% of them.

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