Weber State Wildcats
Coach: Joe Cravens, 77-41, 5th season; 132-93 overall, 9th season
Players to watch: Slobodan Ocokoljic, sr., f; Nic Sparrow, sr. f; John Hamilton, sr., g; Lance Allred, jr., f/c; Patrick Danley, sr., f/c
Outlook: The Wildcats lost one of the Big Sky's best all-time players in Jermaine Boyette, but they are more than capable of repeating. Jamaal Jenkins and/or College of Southern Idaho transfer Ryan Davis replace Boyette, but neither will be asked to score or take over games as Boyette did last season. The Wildcats' front line of Slobodan Ocokoljic, Utah transfer Lance Allred and Patrick Danley will pose matchup problems for foes. Wings Nic Sparrow, John Hamilton and Troy Goodell are capable on the perimeter. WSU won't run the Big Sky table as it did last season, but it has the inside track to the title.
Eastern Washington Eagles
Coach: Ray Giacoletti, 52-37, 4th season; 100-70 overall, 7th season
Players to watch: Alvin Snow, sr., g; Brendon Merritt, sr., g; Marc Axton, jr., f; Josh Barnard, sr., f
Outlook: The Eagles have another talented, experienced team that should be in the hunt for the Big Sky title. The scoring should be balanced and the defense appears capable. Backcourt ranks among best, if not the best, in the conference. Pieces are in place for EWU to pursue its first Big Sky Tournament title, especially if it can get production out of center position.
Montana Grizzlies
Coach: Pat Kennedy, 13-17, 2nd season; 403-293 overall, 24th season
Players to watch: Kevin Criswell, soph., g; Brent Cummings, sr., f; Steve Horne, sr., f; John Seyfert, soph., f/c; Kamarr Davis, jr., f; Roy Booker, jr., g
Outlook: JC transfers Kamarr Davis and Roy Booker, and center John Seyfert, a transfer from Saint Louis who was recruited as a Montana prepster by EWU, add to a solid group of holdovers. Guard Kevin Criswell was conference freshman of the year and Pullman High grad Brent Cummings has returned from a back injury. Former Lake City High standout Matt Dlouhy played well in two intrasquad scrimmages and should see time as reserve wing. If Grizzlies can blend it all together, they might be the most talented team in the Big Sky.
Portland State Vikings
Coach: Heath Schroyer, 5-22, 2nd season, 2nd overall
Players to watch: Marshal Hartman, soph., f; Seamus Boxley, jr., f; Seth Scott, sr., f/c; Antone Jarrell, jr., f; Blake Walker, jr., f
Outlook: This Vikings' team won't look anything like last year's. Schroyer has assembled an interesting outfit that is loaded with quality forwards. Antone Jarrell sat out last season after transferring from UTEP. Seth Scott can fill it up and Seamus Boxley does everything well inside. Will Funn, a JC transfer, is an upgrade at point guard over Jeb Ivey, who was playing out of position last year. Like Montana, the issue will be cohesion. PSU must develop confidence after a five-win season in Schroyer's first season.
Sacramento State Hornets
Coach: Jerome Jenkins, 26-58, 4th season, 4th overall
Players to watch: Cedric Thompkins, sr., f; Joseth Dawson, sr., g; Joel Jones, sr. g/f; Jameel Pugh, jr., g/f; DaShawn Freeman, soph., g
Outlook: The Hornets made the Big Sky Tournament last season for the first time since joining the conference in 1996. On paper, they look capable of cracking the
top 5 under ex-Eastern Washington assistant Jerome Jenkins, who has improved the Hornets' record every season. Joseth Dawson and Joel Jones, both of whom redshirted last season, were Sac State's top two scorers in 2001-02. UMass transfer Jameel Pugh, a big-time leaper, joins an already athletic team that includes Washington State transfer E.J. Harris. Perimeter shooting and dealing with high expectations are probably Sac State's biggest concerns.Idaho State Bengals
Coach: Doug Oliver, 53-84, 6th season; 6th overall
Players to watch: Marquis Poole, sr., g; Scott Henry, sr., f; Che' Jordan, jr., f; Jesse Smith, jr., c
Outlook: ISU's season started ominously when wing David Schroeder suffered a torn ACL during Midnight Madness practice. He's out for the season. The Bengals are thin -- nine scholarship players and one walk-on. ISU has only one player taller than 6-7, but they have a number of good shooters and passers. If they stay healthy, Bengals should make Big Sky Tournament field.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Coach: Mike Adras, 64-52, 5th season, 5th overall
Players to watch: Kelly Golob, soph., g; Kyle Feuerbach, jr., g; Kodiak Yazzie, sr., f; Aaron Bond, sr., f; Stephen Garnett, jr., f
Outlook: The Lumberjacks boast another fine shooting team, but they will struggle to replace Ryan McDade, one of the Big Sky's top posts last year. Two 7-footers, Joakim Kjellbom and Paul Meynen, need to develop quickly. Guard Chris Ferguson, who missed most of last season with an injury, is back and Stephen Garnett recently returned from a stress fracture in his foot. NAU hopes to play more uptempo but likely will struggle rebounding.
Montana State Bobcats
Coach: Mick Durham, 203-171, 13th season, 13th overall
Players to watch: Jason Erickson, sr., g; Frank Brown, soph., g; Danny Faaborg, sr., f; Calvin Ento, sr., f; Nick Dissly, fr., f
Outlook: The Bobcats had a rough offseason. Shea Washington, a forward with All-Big Sky potential, transferred to Southern Oregon, and center Bo Segeberg quit because of chronic back problems. Jason Erickson, the conference MVP two years ago, and Frank Brown form a strong backcourt and there is some talent at forward, but Bobcats will battle inexperience all season. MSU will struggle with interior scoring and rebounding.