Eastern Washington (19-6, 10-2)
After their loss to Portland State last Saturday, the Eagles were in jeopardy of losing their top spot in the conference standings. Thanks to Idaho’s victory over Sacramento State, Eastern kept its No. 1 seed. We wonder if Don Verlin got a valentine from EWU coach Jim Hayford.
Sacramento State (16-8, 10-3)
The Inland Northwest wasn’t too kind to the Hornets last week. After winning their last seven games, they lost two in a row to Eastern Washington and Idaho, which bumped them out of first place. Next, they play a Northern Colorado team that has already beat them once this season, then North Dakota, who only lost to them by two points. This could be the fall of Sacramento State.
Montana (14-10, 10-3)
Don’t count out the Grizzlies just yet for the No. 1 seed and hosting rights for the Big Sky Tournament. They won nine out of their last 11 games, but the two losses came from the two teams above them in the standings. A Feb. 28 matchup against Eastern Washington might decide a lot of hotel reservations and which city to book them to.
Northern Arizona (13-12, 8-4)
The Lumberjacks were chopped down by Idaho State last Thursday, but were able to rebound with a win over Weber State. They continue to lurk in the No. 4 spot though, but will host EWU and Idaho this week, so things could change.
Northern Colorado (12-12, 7-6)
The Bears lost three of their last four games. While most teams have six games left, they have five, which could be huge by the last week of the season as far as tournament seeding goes.
Idaho (11-12, 6-6)
Whoa. The Vandals are in sixth place and could, with a little bit of luck, jump to fourth in the standings with two wins this week. This team was in eighth place this time last week. Watch out Big Sky, here come the Vandals.
Portland State (12-11, 6-7)
The Vikings avenged their loss to Idaho with an upset victory over Eastern Washington, which was the Eagles’ first home loss of the season. Props to Portland State.
Weber State (10-14, 5-8)
After winning the Big Sky last season, the Wildcats are barley holding onto the last seed for the conference tournament. It’s not looking good for them either. They’ve lost six of their last eight games and have games against Idaho, Eastern Washington and Montana still on their schedule.
Southern Utah (7-16, 4-8)
The Thunderbirds put an end to a five-game losing streak with two–straight wins over Weber State and Idaho State. The team only has one player, A.J. Hess, averaging in double figures in points, and with Eastern Washington and Idaho next up on their schedule, it might be tough for them to build on their winning streak.
North Dakota (8-16, 4-9)
Now on a three game losing streak, the team formally known as the Fighting Sioux has a lot of work to do if they want to earn a conference tournament bid. A two-point loss to last place Montana State doesn’t bode well for the team’s confidence either.
Idaho State (6-19, 3-10)
The Bengals are still mathematically in the hunt to make the conference tournament. Let’s be honest though — they probably won’t make it. Games against Montana, Eastern Washington and Idaho will make it tough for them to stay in the 11th spot in the standings.
Montana State (3-10, 6-19)
The rest of the Big Sky should take notice because here come the red-hot Bobcats. Back-to-back wins over Northern Colorado and North Dakota have MSU fans buzzing. Could you imagine this team winning out, making a run in the conference tournament and marching their way to the Final Four? Yeah, I can’t either.
Korbin McDonald can be [email protected]