[2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Big Sky Conference

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The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports.

Next conference is the Big Sky Conference, yet another third-tier conference that saw no movement. This conference last saw movement in 2022, and had their last new team join the club way back in... get this... 2006. As we will see later, the Big Sky will be highly contested all throughout the season. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season.

10. Idaho
NSNN Team Grade: 314.5
NSNN Average Grade: 26.21
Team Overall Rank: 357
NSNN Offensive Rank: 257
NSNN Defensive Rank: 326
Key Player: PG Michael Perry

It seems like, for now, Idaho is at the bottom of the pack in terms of teams inside of the Big Sky Conference. It's going to be a tough test for the Vandals, not only are they last in the conference this year, but they also find themselves nearing the bottom 10 in Division I play. It seems that, at this point, Idaho must be careful. Even though their offense will be at least some help when it comes to playing this season, their defense is one of the worst in the league. The good news for them, though, is that this team is not all that of a trainwreck. The team has two freshman shooters who hope to make some ends meet, coming in the form of Micheal Perry from Estonia and PG Michael Samuelson from Hortonville High School in Hortonville, Wisconsin.

9. Weber State
NSNN Team Grade: 316.5
NSNN Average Grade: 26.38
Team Overall Rank: 350
NSNN Offensive Rank: 357
NSNN Defensive Rank: 345
Key Player: SF Octavio Medina

They may be one spot up in these rankings, but Weber State is practically no better. Just making it to the top 350, Weber State might be the worst team on paper in the conference. They rank #354 on offense and #345 on defense, which is not enough to move the needle. How this team is not the worst team in these rankings will all remain a mystery, but there are some positives to come from this team of course. Of course, this is highlighted by Octavio Medina, who can be servicable on defense. Also, they do have freshman better than 2-stars in ranking, with Ricky Maldonado from Littleton High School in Littleton, New Hampshire and Benjamin Lopez from Felix Varela High School in Miami, Florida hoping to take the load for the Wilcats.

8. Sacramento State
NSNN Team Grade: 342
NSNN Average Grade: 28.50
Team Overall Rank: 277
NSNN Offensive Rank: 326
NSNN Defensive Rank: 290
Key Player: SF Laurence Moxley

The worst team by far in the Big Sky Conference last year, the Sacramento State Hornets are looking to rebuild this year. This might not be much of an improvement on drastic levels, but this is a good start. They rank in the 200s in overalls for the first time in their history in NCAA basketball, which shows you how fast Sacramento State is improving, while just gradually. Although they are still sub-300 on offense, their defense -- ranked in the top 300 -- makes up for it. This team has some playmakers, such as James Leli -- who can dominate on the paint, and Raul Stasik -- who is a strong defender. However, the player to look out for is Laurence Moxley, who was out of Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and will help anchor the defense valor from Sacramento State.

7. Northern Arizona
NSNN Team Grade: 351
NSNN Average Grade: 29.25
Team Overall Rank: 240
NSNN Offensive Rank: 268
NSNN Defensive Rank: 301
Key Player: PF Brian Koehler

Next up, we have the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. We are starting to get out of the bottom of the basement, and this team is a prime candidate for such. They are the first team in the conference with a top 250 overall ranking, just ten spots at #240. They also have a good offense, ranking #268 overall, but the team ranks at #301, so expect that to hold them back. Nevertheless, this team has a good roster that could keep them competitive. Alejandro Estrada is expected to give them some offense along with shooters Paul Ramos and Antonio Mendez. However, look out for freshman Brian Koehler from Israel for the Lumberjacks, who will get them a short spark on defense for Northern Arizona. They have the potential to be so much more, but that would have to wait for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. 

6. Northern Colorado
NSNN Team Grade: 353
NSNN Average Grade: 27.15
Team Overall Rank: 234
NSNN Offensive Rank: 297
NSNN Defensive Rank: 182
Key Player: C Thomas Blood

Not far ahead of them are the Northern Colorado Bears. If anything, it seems as if this season should be a good one for the Bears this year. They make the second top 250 team in the conference at this point, ranking at #234. You would not think that when you look at their offense, being #297 in all of Division I -- top 300 in that regard. However, the reason why they are as far as they are is their defense, ranking in the top 200 in the with a respectable #182. Norther Colorado are anchored with a respectable freshman class, alongside them a pair of 3-stars. Andre Moore out of Falkville High School in Falkville, Alabama brings in some defense prowess, and David Woodlief out of East Greenwich High School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island will bring in that support on the paint alongside Thomas Blood.

5. Idaho State
NSNN Team Grade: 356
NSNN Average Grade: 29.67
Team Overall Rank: 228
NSNN Offensive Rank: 296
NSNN Defensive Rank: 208
Key Player: C Jason King

This conference is tightly contested, as we can see. Idaho State lands here with a low rating. Somehow, on paper, the Bengals aren't as good as advertised, which is honestly a shame.  They rank #228 in the nation, but that is brought in with a #296 rank in offense. Their defense is a whole lot better, but in retrospect they are not all that better, as they rank #208. Not even in the top 200. What's more, this team is mostly comprised of 1-stars, with Craig Woods being the only 2-star. Thankfully, Idaho State put up a freshman class of 3-stars, lead by the tandum of Richard Garrett from Nashua North High School in Nashua, New Hampshire and Jason King out of Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington with both, for sure, on tap to be on the starting lineup for the Idaho State Bengals.

4. Portland State
NSNN Team Grade: 367.5
NSNN Average Grade: 30.63
Team Overall Rank: 206
NSNN Offensive Rank: 251
NSNN Defensive Rank: 248
Key Player: C John Hassin

We are going by increments. Next up are the Portland State Vikings. In retrospect, this looks like a middle of pack in the conference -- at least in terms of conference play -- for the Vikings. They rank #206 overall with rankings on offense and defense close to the top 250, #251 and #248 respectively. And this team has some players to watch out for on all ends which help to their high rank in this conference. Christopher Brown is a volume shooter on the perimeter and out of the paint, Jose Garcia is a key defender for the team, with Adam Wilson being a lockdown defender outside the perimeter. And then there is John Hassin out of Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee, who is looking to be Portland State's star player -- at least for this year. 

3. Montana
NSNN Team Grade: 373
NSNN Average Grade: 31.08
Team Overall Rank: 199
NSNN Offensive Rank: 293
NSNN Defensive Rank: 207
Key Player: SG Michael Watkins

It might be hard to believe, but the Montana Grizzlies are starting to be scary this year. Out of the blue, the Grizzlies got 1st place in the Big Sky last year and hope to replicate this success this year. And they are on track to do so this year. They are the first team in the conference to rank in the top 200 this year, and that is despite having sub-200 rankings in both offense and defense. And even more impressive, this team is #293 on offense while being #207 on defense. One of the players that are helping the Grizzlies get over the top is Michael Watkins, who has a stellar 3-point game. Another player to watch out for is Ruben Armijo from Mexico, who looks to be the best defensive choice for the Grizzlies. They might not make it to the top again this year, but look for the Grizzlies to make it interesting. 

2. Eastern Washington
NSNN Team Grade: 384
NSNN Average Grade: 32.00
Team Overall Rank: 191
NSNN Offensive Rank: 197
NSNN Defensive Rank: 203
Key Player: SG Oscar Shah

Eastern Washington was second in the conference last year at this point, and it seems like Eastern Washington is going to be second in the conference this year. In terms of rankings, that seems to be the case. They seem to be the case this year, as the Eagles are currently so. They are top-200 in both overall and offense, #191 and #197 respectively, and close by on defense with a ranking of #203. There are a couple of players that help the Eagles' case this year. Joseph Ball is the best rebounder on the team, if not the conference. Marc Folker is a volume two-point shooter on that end, and Randy Montgomery is an good all-around prospect for Eastern Washington. However, take a look at newcomer Oscar Shah from Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia to be the workhorse with his stellar ballwork for the Eagles. 

1. Montana State
NSNN Team Grade: 386.5
NSNN Average Grade: 29.73
Team Overall Rank: 188
NSNN Offensive Rank: 202
NSNN Defensive Rank: 170
Key Player: PG Curtis Mann

We finalize possible one of the closest conferences races with a team not that far from Eastern Washington. The Montana State Bobcats, at this point, are contenders for the crown of the Big Sky Conference. They rank only #188 in the conference, but that surprisingly is enough to put them over to 1st in the conference. Even though they are only #202 in Division I on offense, the Bobcats are 170th in the nation in terms of defense, which is enough to propel them to this lead in the conference. This might be due to the incoming freshmen that the Bobcats picked up, with one person standing out from all of the rest. This team actually ended up nabbing themselves a 4-star in the form of Curtis Mann out of Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, who looks to be the captain for the Bobcats in his freshmen year.

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Edited September 8 by nemolee.exe