Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Women Ranked #1 in Big Sky Conference Preseason Media Poll
10/18/2016 2:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The defending Big Sky Conference regular-season champion Montana State women’s basketball team has been picked to finish first, according to the 2016 Big Sky Conference Media poll released on Tuesday afternoon.
The defending Big Sky Conference regular-season champion Montana State women's basketball team has been picked to finish first, according to the 2016 Big Sky Conference Media poll released on Tuesday afternoon.
MSU was tabbed third in the league's coach's poll behind Idaho and North Dakota.
Voted on by Big Sky media and sports information directors, the Bobcats earned 156 points in the media poll, including six first-place votes. MSU received 98 points, including three first-place votes in the coach's poll. Idaho, the defending BSC tournament champion, garnered 110 points (4) followed by UND with 107 points (4).
"When you look at both polls you can see the parity of the conference," said MSU 12th-year head coach Tricia Binford. "The Big Sky is getting a lot of respect. We have a lot of great coaches and a lot of great players."
Montana State, who went 21-10 overall and 14-4 in Big Sky play, advanced to the WNIT last season. The Bobcats return six letterwinners, including two starters. In addition, two-time Big Sky Top Reserve of the Year, Peyton Ferris; 2016 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, Riley Nordgaard; and the league's top assists leader from last winter, Hannah Caudill, return to Binford's squad.
"Polls are just everyone's guess heading into the season," Binford said. "For us, it's all about getting better and proving ourselves every day.
"It's nice for our fans to see the respect other people have for our program," Binford continued. "We went undefeated in league play on our home-court, thanks in part to our fans. We want them to be excited heading into the season so that we can continue to build our base."
The 2016 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls:
Media:
1. Montana State (6).............................. 156
2. Idaho (2)............................................... 153
3. Montana (3)......................................... 143
4. Eastern Washington (3).................. 140
5. North Dakota (1)................................ 132
6. Idaho State .......................................... 89
7. Sacramento State .............................. 86
8. Weber State.......................................... 76
9. Northern Colorado............................. 70
10. Portland State..................................... 53
11. Southern Utah...................................... 28
12. Northern Arizona............................... 24
Coaches
1. Idaho (4)................................................. 110
2. North Dakota (4)............................... 107
3. Montana State (3) ............................. 98
4. Montana (1) .......................................... 92
5. Eastern Washington........................... 83
6. Idaho State........................................... 64
T7. Sacramento State ........................... 60
T7. Weber State ...................................... 60
9. Northern Colorado ............................ 53
10. Portland State ................................... 30
11. Northern Arizona ................................ 18
12. Southern Utah ..................................... 17
MSU was tabbed third in the league's coach's poll behind Idaho and North Dakota.
Voted on by Big Sky media and sports information directors, the Bobcats earned 156 points in the media poll, including six first-place votes. MSU received 98 points, including three first-place votes in the coach's poll. Idaho, the defending BSC tournament champion, garnered 110 points (4) followed by UND with 107 points (4).
"When you look at both polls you can see the parity of the conference," said MSU 12th-year head coach Tricia Binford. "The Big Sky is getting a lot of respect. We have a lot of great coaches and a lot of great players."
Montana State, who went 21-10 overall and 14-4 in Big Sky play, advanced to the WNIT last season. The Bobcats return six letterwinners, including two starters. In addition, two-time Big Sky Top Reserve of the Year, Peyton Ferris; 2016 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, Riley Nordgaard; and the league's top assists leader from last winter, Hannah Caudill, return to Binford's squad.
"Polls are just everyone's guess heading into the season," Binford said. "For us, it's all about getting better and proving ourselves every day.
"It's nice for our fans to see the respect other people have for our program," Binford continued. "We went undefeated in league play on our home-court, thanks in part to our fans. We want them to be excited heading into the season so that we can continue to build our base."
The 2016 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls:
Media:
1. Montana State (6).............................. 156
2. Idaho (2)............................................... 153
3. Montana (3)......................................... 143
4. Eastern Washington (3).................. 140
5. North Dakota (1)................................ 132
6. Idaho State .......................................... 89
7. Sacramento State .............................. 86
8. Weber State.......................................... 76
9. Northern Colorado............................. 70
10. Portland State..................................... 53
11. Southern Utah...................................... 28
12. Northern Arizona............................... 24
Coaches
1. Idaho (4)................................................. 110
2. North Dakota (4)............................... 107
3. Montana State (3) ............................. 98
4. Montana (1) .......................................... 92
5. Eastern Washington........................... 83
6. Idaho State........................................... 64
T7. Sacramento State ........................... 60
T7. Weber State ...................................... 60
9. Northern Colorado ............................ 53
10. Portland State ................................... 30
11. Northern Arizona ................................ 18
12. Southern Utah ..................................... 17
Players Mentioned
G
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