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) /

4 of 6

FULLERTON, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Chibueze Jacobs #1 of the Sacramento State Hornets (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

6. Portland State Vikings (6-6) KenPom: 211

Barret Peery is in his third year at the helm of the Vikings ship that finished 11-9 in conference play last year. The Viks return arguably the best player in the Big Sky. 6’1 junior Holland “Boo Boo” Woods is averaging 17.5 ppg to go with 5.3 apg for Portland State.

Shooting guard, senior transfer Matt Hauser, is chipping in 16.1 ppg while hitting 34 for 94 beyond the arc. Fellow senior, 6’6 Alonzo Walker has been scoring 9.6 ppg in only 23.4 minutes per game. Walker, a transfer from Idaho State, has been working his way back slowly from a heel injury.

The Vikings best win has been 76-66 at #201 Loyola Marymount on Dec. 19. Their worst loss was 82-75 at home to Portland on Nov. 20.

Portland State’s fast-paced offense could do some damage in the Big Sky and the Vikings are #5 in the country in offensive rebounding percentage. Finishing 11-9 and in the middle of the pack is expected.

5. Sacramento State Hornets (7-2) KenPom: 208

Sac State has got off to a good start this season. The Hornets were picked to finish ninth in the league, but a 77-72 win on Nov. 23 at #135 Pepperdine raised expectations for the club. Their worst loss (not a bad one) was 60-58 at #153 Santa Clara on Dec. 14.

Coach Brian Katz’ experienced frontcourt is leading the team. 6’8 senior center Joshua Patton is scoring 13.0 ppg and bringing down 4.9 rpg. 6’7 junior forward Ethan Esposito adds 9.6 ppg and 6.1.

The offense can stagnate, as the Hornets are ranked #297 in offensive efficiency but the defense makes up for it with a defensive effective field goal percentage ranked #9. They probably don’t have the firepower to do much better than 11-9.

Home/Mid Major Conferences