Bobcats Tabbed for Top Spot
11/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
What a difference a year makes.
A season after being picked to finish last by the coaches and media, Montana State is favored by both to capture the 2005-06 Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball championship. The 'Cats received six of the eight first-place votes in the coaches’ poll, and 22 of the 31 first-place votes in the media poll.
For Mick Durham, the high expectations are no problem. "This feels a lot better than last year," he said. "There's a lot of work to do. They don't hand out any kind of trophy the first week or two in November. But when people pick you high, it's usually because you have good players. Now we have to work hard to show we are deserving."
Montana State finished tied for second in conference last season, with a 9-5 record. The Bobcats return all five starters from a squad that finished 14-14. Among the returning starters for Mick Durham’s club include All-Conference performers Marvin Moss and Ja’Ron Jefferson.
Coaches’ Poll
School (First-place votes)......................... Points
1. Montana State (6).................................. 48
2. Montana (2)........................................ 42
3. Sacramento State................................... 36
4. Northern Arizona................................... 33
5. Weber State........................................ 22
6. Eastern Washington................................ 15
7. Portland State..................................... 13
8. Idaho State......................................... 10
Media Poll
School (First-place votes)......................... Points
1. Montana State (22)................................ 234
2. Montana (8)..................................... 211
3. Sacramento State................................... 165
4. Weber State.........................................145
5. Northern Arizona.................................... 110
6 Portland State (1)................................... 101
7. Eastern Washington................................ 87
8. Idaho State 63
A season after being picked to finish last by the coaches and media, Montana State is favored by both to capture the 2005-06 Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball championship. The 'Cats received six of the eight first-place votes in the coaches’ poll, and 22 of the 31 first-place votes in the media poll.
For Mick Durham, the high expectations are no problem. "This feels a lot better than last year," he said. "There's a lot of work to do. They don't hand out any kind of trophy the first week or two in November. But when people pick you high, it's usually because you have good players. Now we have to work hard to show we are deserving."
Montana State finished tied for second in conference last season, with a 9-5 record. The Bobcats return all five starters from a squad that finished 14-14. Among the returning starters for Mick Durham’s club include All-Conference performers Marvin Moss and Ja’Ron Jefferson.
Coaches’ Poll
School (First-place votes)......................... Points
1. Montana State (6).................................. 48
2. Montana (2)........................................ 42
3. Sacramento State................................... 36
4. Northern Arizona................................... 33
5. Weber State........................................ 22
6. Eastern Washington................................ 15
7. Portland State..................................... 13
8. Idaho State......................................... 10
Media Poll
School (First-place votes)......................... Points
1. Montana State (22)................................ 234
2. Montana (8)..................................... 211
3. Sacramento State................................... 165
4. Weber State.........................................145
5. Northern Arizona.................................... 110
6 Portland State (1)................................... 101
7. Eastern Washington................................ 87
8. Idaho State 63
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