In a title race befitting the Big Sky, expect the Montana schools to do battle for the league crown.
For three consecutive seasons, the Big Sky has been represented in the NCAA Tournament by the same school: the Bobcats of Montana State. As they look to make it four in a row, however, their bitter rivals from across the state are aiming to play spoiler. Montana has a great chance to do it, too, with preseason all-league first-teamer Brandon Whitney leading the charge. That said, Montana State has its own first-teamers in Brian Goracke and Brandon Walker, who get top billing among the returning cast from last year’s Big Dance squad.
Not far behind the Montana schools, Northern Colorado, Weber State and Northern Arizona are all coming into 2024-25 with strong rosters and feel like relative locks to round out the league’s top five. Two of the league’s top transfers, Weber’s Miguel Tomley and UNC’s Taeshaud Jackson, could be major difference-makers, while NAU’s Trent McLoughlin was voted as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, Idaho could be the surprise of the league if defensive dynamo Julius Mims and breakout candidate Tyler Mrus both hit. Further down the conference standings, Portland State, Idaho State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State will all battle to avoid the opening day of the Big Sky Tournament. The Vikings look to be the strongest of that foursome, but it will be a hard road for any of these programs to break into the top half of the league.
More from Heat Check CBB
- Heat Check CBB ’24-25 season preview coverage
- Subscribe to HC+ today for exclusive content
- Follow @HeatCheckCBB on X
Projected Order of Finish
1. Montana Grizzlies
The Grizzlies made the NCAA Tournament twice in the first five seasons under head coach Travis DeCuire, but they haven’t gone dancing since 2019. However, the drought could end this year as Montana trots out the potential Big Sky Player of the Year, a few more key returners, and what should be an impactful group of transfers.
After making the Big Sky All-Tournament team last season, 6-1 graduate Brandon Whitney looks to leave an even bigger mark in 2024-25. Whitney (10.3 ppg, 4.1 apg) will run the show for Montana, and there is plenty of talent flanking him on the perimeter. That group includes 6-4 sophomore Money Williams (13.4 ppg, 3.3 apg in 12 games) and D-I transfers Malik Moore (8.8 ppg, 36.2 3P%, 46 3PM at Pepperdine), Austin Patterson (9.5 ppg, 39.9 3P%, 63 3PM at Sacramento State) and Joe Pridgen (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg at Northeastern). However, don’t be surprised if D-II stat-stuffer Kai Johnson (21.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg at Western Washington) makes a big splash in Missoula.
While the backcourt projects to be Montana’s biggest strength, 6-8 Te’Jon Sawyer should be a solid anchor up front. Sawyer (8.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 63.2 2P%) is the heir apparent to the 5 spot, while Green Bay transfer Amari Jedkins (4.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and JUCO forward Jalen Foy (14.1 ppg, 8.2 ppg at Northeastern JC) will likely battle for a starting role next to him. Meanwhile, two redshirt freshmen — 6-10 Jensen Bradtke and 6-8 Zack Davidson — will also see time given the lack of depth in the post.
If the Grizzlies can get a full-season breakout from any or all of Williams, Moore, Patterson and Johnson, along with a POY-level performance out of Whitney, Montana will be the Big Sky’s best bet to go dancing.
Log in to your HC+ account or sign up now to view this content.
You must be logged in to post a comment.