Big Sky Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: The NCAA March Madness logo is seen on the basket stanchion before the game between the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and the Florida Gators in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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Dec 14, 2020; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Northern Colorado Bears guard Bodie Hume (13) pass the ball inbounds in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Key players to watch in the Big Sky Conference Tournament

SR Xavier Bishop – Montana State

2021-22 stats: 13.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.3 apg

Montana State won its first regular-season title in the Big Sky since 2002 and senior guard Xavier Bishop was a big reason why. The diminutive guard at 5’8 was the team’s 13.7 leading scorer who led the team with 4.3 assists and a theft per game. In fact, he led them in assists in 23 of their 31 games prior to the Big Sky Tournament.

SO Josh Bannan – Montana

2021-22 stats: 15.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 50.4% fg%

The Montana Grizzlies owns 11 conference tournament titles and if they hope to make it 12, then Josh Bannan will likely lead them. The sophomore forward has been the Grizzlies’ biggest offensive weapon this season leading the team in points and rebounds, but one of the biggest improvements he has made over his freshman year was his ability to knock down the three-point shot, upping his percentage nearly 14 points to 36.8% this year.

FR Dillon Jones – Weber State

2021-22 stats: 12.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.5 apg

The Weber State Wildcats, who finished in fourth place in the conference have a budding superstar on their hands with freshman Dillon Jones. The 6’6 swingman is averaging a double-double with 12 points and 10.6 rebounds. He is also second on the team in assists and leads the team with 1.7 steals per game. Jones may not be the leading scorer, but he is the oil that makes the Wildcats’ engine go.

SR John Knight III – Southern Utah

2021-22 stats: 14.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg

Todd Simon has done a fantastic job at Southern Utah, from winning six games in his first season to now having back-to-back 20-win campaigns. Senior guard John Knight III is sort of a rare breed for guards in today’s game. The 6’3 Mississippi native who averages 14 points per game and shoots 52.5% from the field, spends almost all of his time inside the three-point line, having only attempted 54 in his four-year career.

SR Daylen Kountz – Northern Colorado

2021-22 stats: 20.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 apg

Senior Daylen Kountz has led the Northern Colorado Bears to an 18-14 record and a third-place finish in the Big Sky. He is averaging over 20 points per game and four rebounds, but the 6’4 Kountz can score at all three levels, shooting 50% from the field, 39.5% from beyond the arc, and 82% from the charity stripe. With wins, this season over Eastern Washington, Southern Utah, Weber State, and Montana State this season, the Bears are capable of a run in Boise.

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