Big Sky

In the beginning the Wildcats battled with the Bengals of Idaho State from Pocatello Idaho for league titles but that program has taken a small step back in recent years.  Both of these programs were initial members along with former PAC-10 (it was called the Pacific Coast Conference when these two schools were there) members Idaho and Montana plus Montana’s sister school Montana State and little Gonzaga from Spokane Washington.  Yes, there were only six Universities involved and the commissioners knew they had to grow or die (something their old compatriots should have known).  They quickly added schools from Flagstaff Arizona and Boise Idaho.  Northern Arizona and Boise State jumped at the chance to join this league as they were also jumping up from the lower divisions of affiliation being an NAIA and junior college.  As the league moved more into the football world (joining 1-AA) the Bulldogs from Gonzaga jumped ship to the West Coast Conference and were replaced by Nevada-Reno.  The Wolf Pack were a huge get for this league and have brought an edge to this league it was lacking in all sports.  This year the league is expanding again to ten teams with the addition of Eastern Washington from Cheyney Washington (a return to this league’s presence in the Apple Belt) and at the last-minute Portland State from you guessed it the Rose City.  This league now has teams in all 7 of the Northwestern most states in the union but with this expansion have come some growing pains.  The Big Sky has done a great job of creating a culture of competition, diversity and opportunity in a part of the country that may be vast in area but low in population.  This league may not be located in large population bases filled with alumnus who are more than willing to give large quantities of money and support for their popular ‘brands’ in California, Washington, Oregon and now Arizona but they do have teams that compete.  And at the end of the year the boys from Westwood will be in the same tournament to determine a national champion as the boys from Ogden.  And who knows, maybe these two basketball factories might even meet in Salt Lake in March to see who advances to the next round of that wonderful madness. 

Like many programs that are dominant in the mid-majors, the Wildcats from Weber State not only become a conveyer belt of gifted players but the coaches revolve pretty quickly as well.  Those power conferences cherry pick these coaches from schools like Miami of Ohio and Western Kentucky and the Wildcats neighbor to the east, Utah State in Logan, on a routine basis.  Heck, even the Pros come a calling as they did last summer in Ogden.  Wildcat Coach Dick Motta has built quite a solid program in the greater Salt Lake area (by far the biggest metropolis the Big Sky has a program in) but as good as these Wildcats are they are still overshadowed by their neighbors from the south.  The Utes of Utah and the Cougars from BYU are national players in both major sports and suck out much of the air (and recognition) in the Mormon capitol of the world.  It doesn’t help that Weber State, though get regular invites to the Big Dance, has not done well when invited.  These one and doners are looking to take the next step and win a game or two this March.  First, they need to take care of business and win the Big Sky again and second and maybe more importantly Motta has to decide if he is going to take the offer of the Bulls from Chicago and lead that upstart team in the Windy City.  That is a long way from Motta’s start in tiny Grace, Idaho and this Salt Lake City (Midvale) kid has a heck of choice to make.  I am sure he is playing the Clash non-stop right about now but either way the Wildcats will be in good hands as his assistant (and primary recruiter), Phil Johnson, will be staying in Ogden either way.  Whoever is coaching has one heck of a roster to lead into battle.  Led by a trio of junior studs this program can get to the next level.  Willie Sojourner, Bruce Collins and Jimmie Watts come from Motta’s initial recruiting class which quite possibly is the best group coming to one program in this league’s history.  Sojourner might be the biggest game changer in this program’s and league’s history and not just because he is a superb post player who can hang with anyone down low on the Western part of this country.  You see, Sojourner was recruited from across the country in Germantown Pennsylvania (a suburb in Philly) and made it quite clear Motta and company were willing to go anywhere to bring talent to Ogden.  This conference has always relied on local (and sometimes regional) talent but to get someone from one of the basketball epicenters was a huge coup.  He has lived up to the expectations as he has brought a real presence underneath for the Wildcats.  A terrific board man, he led the league in rebounding last year, Sojourner does not score a bunch but he is the anchor in the middle for this fast-paced offense Motta has implemented.  Collins is the beneficiary of many of Sojourner’s rebounds and outlets down the court as he may be the best finisher in the conference.  This wing from Rock Springs Wyoming can flat put the ball in the hoop and will almost assuredly lead this team in scoring again this year (he finished 4th in the Big Sky).  Watts, from Menlo Park California, is a consistent forward who can score and board and though he might get the recognition of his teammates (they both made all-league teams preseason and Jimmie did not) is as solid contributor to the Wildcat way of doing business.  When Motta arrived most of this league relied on Juco players to fill in their rosters.  Motta has obviously gotten away from that but the Wildcats will still bring in the JC stud looking for a chance to shine to fill in the holes.  With these three around (and a slew of more talent including junior bigs Al DeWitt, David Johnson both from Cali and the first seven-footer in program history, Richard Smith from Green River Wyoming in that incredible class) there are not many holes to fill.  Unless, of course, there is a point guard out there somewhere who can run a team and has unlimited range on his jump shot. 

The Bengals from Idaho State and those Wildcats are located just 129 miles from each other.  In all of this vast area in this league to know that the two dominant teams in this league are less a couple of hours from each other (on 1-15) is quite remarkable even if it is two different states.  This program won the 1st league title but have slid back a bit since then as Motta brought in his incredible class of studs.  Pocatello Idaho does not have the luxuries (or population base) of the Salt Lake region so it is a much harder sell to bring kids into this railroad town.  Coach Jim Killingsworth has no choice but to rely on JC kids looking for a second chance and are willing to relocate to this town of less then 50,000 people.  This town is not exactly growing either but Killingsworth did get a break two years when an Idaho kid decided to stay home.  Junior Steve Hayes is a 7’0 235 stud from tiny Aberdeen Idaho.  Hayes got offers from many bigger schools but would rather be a big fish in a small pond.  And Hayes is the biggest fish these fly fishing fanatics have ever seen.  And he might just be the best basketball player this state and perhaps even this conference has ever seen.  Hayes can score, board and defend the rim and though he might be the athlete of let’s say a Russell down in San Fran, he is as important to his team’s success as anyone in the country.  Really!  The Bengals finished a strong second last year but Hayes was 1st team all-league and deservedly so.  The Bengals are not a one-man team as senior guard Ron Boone is one heck of a player.  Somehow, Boone got convinced that Pocatello was his destiny and this barely recruited 6’2 combo guard moved west from Omaha Nebraska.  Boone will do whatever it takes to win and is a complete player.  Depending on what recruits come in (JC or regular) Boone will start in the backcourt and will continue to be one heck of a player.  Speaking of Juco’s, the Bengals rely on these kids and Kilingsworth has several 2nd year seniors who came to Pokey last year.  Dave Wagnon (from up the road in Boise JC) has the biggest impact leading the team in scoring from his wing spot.  Charley Parks, O’Neill Simmons and Ed Wilson are also back for more after effective years for the Bengals and loved their experience.  Simmons loved it so much he went back to his JC and recruited his sidekick in the back court in Willie Humes.  Humes is the brother of Evansville stud Larry Humes from back in Indiana and was a huge stud at Vincennes back in Indiana.  These Bengals are loaded on the wings as 4 year star Les Roh has one year left so it looks like Boone will be manning the point.  Fellow senior Art Crump has one year left and this 6’5 stud was once the main man here.  He has acclimated to his role next to Hayes up front but is not really a four so watch out for junior Jeff Cook to get more minutes up front as he goes 6’10 and would give the Bengals a heck of a twin towers.  He is a project, though, who does not score but with all of these high-flying wings and Hayes down low this team does not need too much more offense.  They do need to defend better and just like the Wildcats they could sure use a cat quick point guard who can distribute and hit threes.  This season (and the league) might really come down to how well Boone runs these ‘Cats’ and if their feline friends to the south can find someone anywhere near as good.  One thing is for sure, Boone and Hayes are the best combo this league and I would not bet against these Bengals regaining their throne. 

If for some reason either one of these Cat teams falter it will probably be because a bear mauled them to death.  The Grizzlies from Missoula Montana might not have the overall talent of the Wildcats or Bengals but are not far behind and are coming hard.  This program has been second fiddle for years in their own state and have for far too long relied on only local talent to try and compete in their beloved Big Sky.  Coach Jud Heathcote swung down to Denver and brought in a pair of similarly named brothers in an attempt to change this culture (and keep up with the Cats).  Juniors Michael Ray and Michael J Richardson have had more impact in Missoula then John and Beth Dutton on a war path.  As a matter of fact, Michael Ray is the most talented guard this league has ever seen.  This 6’5 point guard can do it all on the court.  If he can keep it that way the ‘sky’ is the limit for this individual talent.  Richardson can score and is adept at setting up teammates but is best at locking down other guards.  With his size he dominates smaller guys and is too quick for wings.  He averaged over 2 steals a game and his game will only get better.  He will be tested early on as the Grizz have been invited to Madison Square Garden to compete in a tourney with the likes of St. John’s, Georgia Tech and Michigan State.  Yes, if all things work out, Richardson will get to go toe to toe with 6’9 point guard from East Lansing they have dubbed Magic.  Michael Ray needs a nickname or something but what he could really use is a sidekick down low to take some of the heat off and catch some of his passes for buckets.  Sophomore Larry Krystkowiak might be that guy.  Heathcote did not have to go far to find this kid as this 6’9 220 pounder was born and raised in Missoula.  He earned rookie of the year honors last year in the Big Sky primarily due to his rugged defense and board work but can score some.  His development on the offensive end (and Richardson’s outside shooting) will be the key to this team’s chances of leapfrogging the favorites.  There is solid support on this roster for these two studs with senior Bob Cope and sophomore Derrick Pope being a solid pair of offensive forwards and junior Ken McKenzie being a solid low post option on the blocks.  He is only 6’9 but McKenzie can score and board though Krysko is already a better defender and neither is exactly a rim protector.  MR’s brother Michael J gave up his starting role to the Missoula kid but he accepted his role off the bench though Michael Ray was not too happy about it.  He adds to a fine group of role players who have size up front and there is depth at the point as well.  The big key is Heathcote finding some shooters on the wings as the biggest difference in these three programs is how athletic (and deep) the feline teams are compared to the Grizz. 

The Wolfpack from Nevada are going through some changes.  They have dropped the Reno from their name (ala a divorcee) to make it clear to their fans (and the talking heads) that they are the land grant school from the Silver State.  And more importantly that they are not to be confused with ‘pretenders’ from down south in Sin City.  This school actually was founded in Elko Nevada but have become as much of a part of the biggest little city in the world as one-armed bandits.  The Wolfpack toiled in D-2 for years before getting the call-up to D-1 a few years back.  A member of the West Coast Conference for a year, the Wolfpack were basically traded for the Bulldogs from Gonzaga and matriculated to the Big Sky.  Football was the motivator, of course, as well as trying to separate from the Rebels (yes, UNLV was in the WCC for a minute) as this University wants to become a fully loaded University and the WCC does not do football.  Oh, and the Wolfpack is not a private Christian school.  Since they have arrived the Wolfpack have made quite an impression in this league but like most of these schools rely too much on Juco transfers to compete.  This can sure help short term and it has but new coach Trent Johnson wants to change all of that.  Johnson, who played at hated rival Boise State, has bounced around as an assistant but gets his shot after being the primary recruiter just up the road for the Stanford Cardinal and new coach Mike Montgomery who actually coached in the Big Sky before getting his big chance in Silicon Valley.  Johnson is looking to move up the food chain as well but for now has his sights set on making Nevada a contender in the Big Sky.  He has a good chance as Johnson can recruit and Reno is a little better draw to kids then Ogden or Pocatello or Missoula.  It’s not Vegas but if it is good enough for the Corleone’s, it is good enough for these kids looking to play some major college basketball.  Johnson has his base to build around in junior big man Edgar Jones.  The 6’10 225 pound stud from Newark New Jersey (yes, this team can recruit nationally) is almost as good as Hayes or Sojourner in the paint.  At least he is getting there offensively but where he stands out is his defense.  Easily the best shot blocker in the Big Sky, Jones is the perfect guy to build around and the only reason he was not picked 1st team preseason is because he is not on a primary contender or is not a senior.  Fellow junior Pete Padgett is a rebounding machine who decided to forego Cali schools offers (he is from San Jose) when his father, Jim, got the job here.  That did not work out but Padgett, who is also a nifty passer for 6’8 220 pounder decided to not enter the portal when his Dad was let go after two losing seasons.  Johnson knows what he has in Jones and Padgett but knows he has to get better everywhere else to jump into contention in this league.  A couple of senior carryovers from the D-2 days will battle for the other front court spot as Napoleon Montgomery and Alex Boyd compete for time but they are vastly undersized at this level.  Johnson has a great recruiting class of freshmen coming in but will rely on junior college teams to try and quickly move up the totem pole.  He is willing to take anyone (with any indiscretions) as long as they can play and to be honest Reno is kind of dog whistle for the wayward kids who want a second chance.  At least Reno has a night life that does not shut down when they turn off the mechanical bull. 

As Joey Scarbury sings one team in the Big Sky were actually a powerhouse nationally not too long ago.  The Montana State Bobcats behind the play of national player of the year Cat Thompson and Coach Ott Romney (yes, that clan) were in contention for the mythical national title a couple of years back.  Those two legends are long gone now and the Bobcats have never recovered.  As a matter of fact the team from Missoula has never been in the upper half of the Big Sky since they joined this league as an original member.  Yes, one player can make that much of a difference in a five-man sport.  Coach Mick Durham will rely on a gifted, if undersized, front line to try and get this program back into respectability.  Seniors Jack Gillispie and Larry Chanay might not be big but they can hang with anyone in this league.  Well, almost.  Gillispie is the center who scores and boards but will be giving up some inches to his fellow preseason 1st team big men Hayes and Sojourner as well as Jones.  He can play and will be continue to the primary offensive threat with Chanay in Missoula.  These two will not determine the Bobcats’ year, however, as the front court is fine.  The back court for Durham will define this season as he rotated several last year trying to find some answers.  Junior Craig Finberg is the best bet as this 6’1 kid from Columbia Falls can score and can really pass the ball though he had way too many games his turnovers outnumbered his assists last year.  Seniors Fred Ingaldson and Don Rae will compete for the starting role at the shooting guard with the shooting being the primary need.  Ingaldson played on the Canadian national team last summer and is the favorite but Rae is the better gunner.  Fellow seniors Kermit Young, Tom Storm and Bill Gillespie are also in the mix for wing minutes as the former two try to adjust new roles.  Durham has made it clear this team needs to get bigger and more athletic and these guys are not that. 

Arguably the best player in the conference resides in the program located in Oregon.  As a matter of fact, many think that the reason the Vikings from got the late invite to join is because of LA transplant Freeman Williams.  Williams averaged over 23 points a game last year and can flat let it fly.  A true volume shooter, Williams has the perfect size , 6’4, for a wing and has an even better disposition for the shooting guard position.  He will be a huge drawing card for the league and Vikings get their wish of playing D-1 sports.  Well, Williams and QB Neil Lomax who might have the best arm on the West Coast.  Williams’ sidekick in the back court is from a legendary Portland family.  Point guard Willie Stoudamire gives the Vikings the best pair of guards in the Western US not located in the PAC-10.  Stoudamire can score and has learned to share playing next to Williams.  Now if new coach Ken Bone can find a few big guys to hang in the paint while these two score 50 a game between them, who knows how far up the totem pole these Portland kids can jump. 

Speaking of great players, the vanguard of this league is waiting for the powers to be to decide if their super recruit is eligible.  The Idaho Vandals are located in Moscow Idaho and if any University needs a lift after a horrendous year, it is this one.  After being dumped by the Pac-10, the Vandals decided to form their own league but it has not gone well.  After all, who the heck wants to play in a cold town with little fan support in a city that doubles in size when the kids come back from summer break?  Coach Don Monson has got some building blocks but knows, as many big sky schools do, that he has to go the JC route to compete.  Enter Gus Johnson.  This 6’6 stud from Akron Ohio via Boise Junior College is the real deal.  Monson entered a small gym a few years back in Caldwell Idaho and saw one of the greatest matchups in basketball history.  Johnson’s team faced up against the College of Idaho who featured another 6’6 stud in one Elgin Baylor.  These two threw down more poster dunks then the Hawk and the Doctor did in their infamous Rucker showdown.  Baylor decided to go Seattle U and the rest is history wile Monson got his man in Johnson.  Johnson barely played last year but when he did the Vandals did not lose.  He is without question the most talented player in this league as scores like a wing and defends like a center and boards like a God.  Problem is the powers that be have decided that he is not eligible for this season (he bounced around a bit in Ohio before coming west and is 25 years old) and the ball is in the wrong court now.  The Vandals season will no doubt be decided by a judge in Seattle which is ironic as that same judge already decided that for Seattle U to keep Baylor on their roster they would have to drop down to D-2.  Bullshit!  Similar judges are deciding the future of Hawkins and Roger Brown (ironically back in Ohio) and we have only one thing to say.  Let them Play!!!!  Monson does have carryover talent but as good as he is senior Gary Simmons, from Twin Falls Idaho, is not going to fly as a 5’11 shooting guard no matter how good of a shooter he is.  Monson did recruit a heck of a class in his first year here with sophomores Brian Kellerman, Phil Hopson and Kenny Luckett showing signs last year that they can play at this level. 

Speaking of Boise Junior College, the Broncos have made a heck of a splash in the Big Sky.   Too bad it is on the football field.  Actually, it is the football field as the Broncos have gone all in (and the ducks mean that literally) by painting their playing surface blue.  The exposure has been good and though most of the things are jokes you know what they say about publicity.  As for basketball blue turf innovator and Bronco AD Gene Blaymeier went a hunting for a basketball coach and found one in Fullerton.  He poached former Titan coach Bobby Dye who is bringing his vaunted in your face defense to the City of Trees (that really is Boise’s moniker).  Dye will find a cupboard pretty bare except for a potentially superb back court.  Boise native Steve Connor has decided to stay in town even after his Dad, Bus, was fired from coaching the Broncos.  This 6’3 lefty can shoot and can also pass and will share the point guard spot with sophomore Chris Childs.  This Buck Owens kid comes from the Streets of Bakersfield and fits Dye’s system and attitude perfectly as he is a defense first player.  He is another 6’3 kid who will flat get in your face defensively but has some room to grow on the offensive end.  As for the front line, Dye will go the Juco route to try and find some studs as there is no one on the returning roster bigger than 6’9.  Dye supposedly has a pair of studs down low coming in so there is hope for the future in Boise but that is aways down the road.  Until then the Broncos will have a hard time competing in this league but don’t be surprised if the basketball court is painted blue next year. 

The program to the southern most of the Big Sky (and also the highest elevation) has struggled to survive since they left the ranks of NAIA basketball.  You think it is hard to recruit to Moscow, try getting a kid to come to Flagstaff Arizona which sits at 7000 plus elevation and has the night life of the ‘old west’ town that it is.  Sure, there might have been a gunfight or two back in the day but nobody is standing on a corner in Flagstaff Arizona with seven women on their mind.  Well, nobody who can shoot and dribble.  The aptly named Northern Arizona Lumberjacks did have some success in the NAIA days and do have some carryover players but the only one of those kids who is close to D-1 level is senior Wayne See.  See is a leader on the court and a solid guard but him matching up with Michael Ray or Ron Boone is not a good thing for his confidence or the success of this program.  Junior Walt Mannon is a wing who can score some but is also out of his depth athletically in the Big Sky air.  If you think the Broncos are small up front then the Lumberjacks will come off as refugees from Oz.  Coach Ben Howland does have a 6’10 guy is senior Art Henricksen but he can barely walk and chew gum and there is nobody else on the roster above 6’7.  Howland has some work to do but this defensive minded coach (seems to be a trend in the Big Sky for coaches) and like his fellow coaches in the mountain air will have to depend on some juco kids.  This program is a few years away unless there is a Gus Johnson waiting in the wings.  And who wants to play in Flagstaff. 

Speaking of the Eagles, Eastern Washington is ready to fly into the Big Sky.  The Eagles have worked their way methodically up the ranks but on the verge of going big time got a shock to the system.  Legendary Coach Red Reese was all set to lead the program into D-1 but rumors started to swell that he did not have a masters certification.  Or worse, he got awarded a masters certification through intimidation.  The father of this school’s sports programs (they do wear red for a reason) as he coached football and basketball tried to survive the onslaught of negative attention but in this day of the internet, it was too big to ignore and he was replaced.  New Coach Jerry Krause (not that Jerry Krause) took the job at the last minute as is set to transition this program into the Big Sky.  Problem is this weirdness scared off some of the new recruits as well as the Reese faithful so this program does not have much talent to build on.  The Eagles could, like their Big Sky compatriots, go the JC route but have decided to take the Long Run and Krause and company are going to build with four year players.  As for this season, if the Eagles take it to the limit and they somehow bring in the most talented first year player in league history, this team will still finish in the bottom half of the league.  The only returning player of influence is undersized junior post Ron Cox.  This 6’7 athletic big man can play and will be the focal point of this team on both ends of the court but one Eagle does not make a five-man acoustical band.  Or in other words this Desperado needs some help if these Eagles are going to fly. 

The Big Sky Conference is not the PAC-10.  Heck, they are not even the WAC or WCC or Big West in the college basketball hierarchy.  But like all of these western based leagues the winner here will get a chance to compete for the national title in March.  Like all of the one representative leagues, the programs in this conference understand how important every game in the regular season is.  But that being said even the mighty Wildcats of Weber State would have to go nearly undefeated to get an at-large berth for the Big Dance.  That is not going to happen so no matter how good these teams are this season will come down to 4 days in March in Salt Lake City.  Sure, the Wildcats are the favorites to repeat but strange things have happened in this league’s conference tourney so don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.  But I would bet on some sort of Feline representing this league in the Big Dance.