Big Sky Basketball power rankings: EWU, Montana among teams at top

Big Sky Basketball power rankings: EWU, Montana among teams at the top

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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TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 16: Kris Yanku #4 of the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

10. Idaho State Bengals (3-5) KenPom: 312

The Bengals are expected to be a notch above their cross-state rivals, Idaho. Idaho State has earned only one victory so far over a Division I team. That was a nice 89-79 win at Air Force (6-6) on Nov. 7. Idaho State also has a new coach with no Division I experience, Ryan Looney. The Bengals went 7-13 in the Big Sky last year and would be fortunate to reach that level in 2019-20.

Idaho State was able to take UC Santa Barbara (7-4) to overtime, before losing 74-68 at home on Dec. 16. The Bengals blew a 63-55 lead with 1:35 remaining in regulation when the Gauchos rattled off 14 straight points.

Coach Looney only returns five players from last year’s club. Two of them are seniors scoring in double figures, 6’8 forward Chier Maker (12.0) and guard Jared Stutzman (11.5). The Bengals are missing three-point shooter, 6’3 Balint Mocsan. Mocsan averaged 11.3 last year and has been out due to off-season shoulder surgery. Bengal fans are hoping to see him back in time for conference play starting Dec. 28 when hosting Idaho to help their team that is ranked #300 in offensive efficiency. Junior JUCO transfer, 6’4 Tarik Cool has been the hottest newcomer (15.1 ppg).

Defensively, the Bengals need to improve in the paint. Idaho State is ranked #336 by giving up a 57.9% inside the arc. 5-15 in the conference sounds about right for the Bengals.

9. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (6-2) KenPom: 276

Northern Arizona finished ninth in the Big Sky last year and has not improved enough to change that spot. The Lumberjacks also have a new coach in Shane Burcar. The long-time coach was just coaching in high school a couple of years ago. While NAU has six wins under their belt, only four are against Division I opponents. The latest was a 63-56 win over #243 UC Riverside.

Coach Burcar has been tinkering with his lineup since being blown at home 85-66 to #266 UC Davis on Dec 4. 6’2 sophomore Cameron Shelton has been the mainstay, leading the Lumberjacks in scoring with 14.0 ppg. Redshirt sophomore, Luke Avdalovic adds scoring from behind the arc, hitting 19 for 38 so far.

Although NAU has seen some bright spots this year, they will need to shore up their defense that is ranked #294 in efficiency. A 7-13 conference record should be a good expectation for the Jacks.

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