LUKE’S BEAT: BIG SKY TOURNAMENT BREAKDOWN

Opinion – The Bengal
Lucas Gebhart
Sports Editor
It’s a possibility that by the time this article prints, both Idaho State teams will already be eliminated from the Big Sky Tournament in Reno.
Because of this possibility and the fact that this story has to be written no later than Saturday because of deadlines, here is a breakdown heading into the conference tournament even though the first round has already concluded.
The top four seeds get first round buys and do not play until the quarterfinals, meaning that the Bengals could pick up a win in the opening round before having to play a conference juggernaut.
The Bengals grabbed the 6th seed on the women’s side. The women’s team will have already played Montana, and despite losing to the Grizzlies on Friday night, will hopefully be playing Northern Colorado Wednesday night.
The men finished the regular season in 11th place after being picked to finish 5th in the preseason polls and will have already played Sacramento State Tuesday night with the winner playing Eastern Washington.
WHO WILL WIN?
Northern Colorado and Weber State.
The key to winning in March is defense and free throw shooting. As of Feb. 28., the Idaho State women make up the best defensive scoring team in the tournament. The Bengals are giving up an average of 60.9 points per game, but injuries make me hesitant to pick the Bengals.
I think ISU will beat Montana on Monday but I don’t think they can get past Northern Colorado on Wednesday.
The Bengals split with the Bears during the regular season, but injuries have plagued the Bengals this season and I think that will play a factor in the tournament.
I like Northern Colorado because it has the second highest scoring defense in the conference heading into the tournament.
The Bears started out hot but have simmered down coming ...


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