Win, and the 'Cats are In
2/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The possibilities have been narrowed considerably, but the picture isn't much clearer as Big Sky Conference teams head into the final four games of the regular season.
Eastern Washington clinched the Big Sky regular season title two weeks ago, but the league's other seven teams can each finish either in or out of the conference tournament picture. Each team has one remaining game.
For MSU, the picture is fairly clear. If Eastern beats Idaho State on Saturday, the Bobcats are in the tournament. Win Sunday, and the Bobcats will host a first-round game on Saturday, March 6, no matter what else happens this weekend.
The Bobcats can no longer clinch the tournament's second seed. If Montana beats NAU Saturday night, the Grizzlies will finish second.
BIG SKY SCENARIOS
Eastern Washington - Regular season champion and No. 1 seed
Idaho State - They are in with a win over Eastern Washington. If they lose, they are in with a Portland State win at Weber State. Can still finish 3rd, 4th, 5th or 7th.
Montana - Secures the second seed with a win over Northern Arizona. They also get in if they lose and Weber State wins. Montana is eliminated if they lose, Portland State wins and either Idaho State wins or Eastern Washington and Montana State win. Can still finish 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
Montana State - They are in and they host a first round game with a win on Sunday. They are also in with either an Eastern Washington or Portland State win. Montana State can only miss the tournament if they lose while Idaho State and Weber State win on Saturday. Can still finish 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th.
Northern Arizona - They are in with a win over Montana. NAU can clinch the second seed with a win and an Idaho State win over Eastern Washington. NAU can also finish second with a victory along with Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana State wins. They are out if they lose and Idaho State and Portland State win or they lose and Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana State win. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
Portland State - They are in with a win and a Montana State win. PSU will either be the fifth seed or not qualify for the tournament. Can still finish 5th, 7th or 8th.
Sacramento State - They are in and host a first round game with a win. They can finish as the second seed with a win and wins by Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Portland State. They are also in if they lose and Eastern Washington wins. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th or 7th.
Weber State - They are in with a win or an Idaho State victory. They are the second seed if they win and Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington win. WSU is out if they lose and Eastern Washington wins. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
Eastern Washington clinched the Big Sky regular season title two weeks ago, but the league's other seven teams can each finish either in or out of the conference tournament picture. Each team has one remaining game.
For MSU, the picture is fairly clear. If Eastern beats Idaho State on Saturday, the Bobcats are in the tournament. Win Sunday, and the Bobcats will host a first-round game on Saturday, March 6, no matter what else happens this weekend.
The Bobcats can no longer clinch the tournament's second seed. If Montana beats NAU Saturday night, the Grizzlies will finish second.
BIG SKY SCENARIOS
Eastern Washington - Regular season champion and No. 1 seed
Idaho State - They are in with a win over Eastern Washington. If they lose, they are in with a Portland State win at Weber State. Can still finish 3rd, 4th, 5th or 7th.
Montana - Secures the second seed with a win over Northern Arizona. They also get in if they lose and Weber State wins. Montana is eliminated if they lose, Portland State wins and either Idaho State wins or Eastern Washington and Montana State win. Can still finish 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
Montana State - They are in and they host a first round game with a win on Sunday. They are also in with either an Eastern Washington or Portland State win. Montana State can only miss the tournament if they lose while Idaho State and Weber State win on Saturday. Can still finish 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th.
Northern Arizona - They are in with a win over Montana. NAU can clinch the second seed with a win and an Idaho State win over Eastern Washington. NAU can also finish second with a victory along with Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana State wins. They are out if they lose and Idaho State and Portland State win or they lose and Eastern Washington, Portland State and Montana State win. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
Portland State - They are in with a win and a Montana State win. PSU will either be the fifth seed or not qualify for the tournament. Can still finish 5th, 7th or 8th.
Sacramento State - They are in and host a first round game with a win. They can finish as the second seed with a win and wins by Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Portland State. They are also in if they lose and Eastern Washington wins. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th or 7th.
Weber State - They are in with a win or an Idaho State victory. They are the second seed if they win and Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington win. WSU is out if they lose and Eastern Washington wins. Can still finish 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th.
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