Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Big Sky Conference Announces Results of Men’s Basketball Preseason Polls
10/22/2025 11:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State ranked fifth in coaches’ poll, sixth in media poll ahead of 2025-26 season
FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference released the results of its men's basketball preseason coaches' and media polls on Wednesday as the 2025-26 season approaches.
The Bobcat men's basketball team earned a share of fifth place (40 points) in the coaches' poll and finished sixth in the media poll (165). Montana emerged at the top of both polls, receiving 78 points in the coaches' poll and 323 points in the media poll, while Portland State, Northern Colorado, and Idaho were picked to round out the top-four Big Sky teams by both the coaches and media. Eastern Washington matched Montana State's points tally in the coaches' poll for fifth place while Idaho State was picked fifth by the media.
Full results of the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls are listed below:
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Montana (6) – 78
2: Portland State (3) – 72
3: Northern Colorado – 63
4: Idaho (1) – 59
T5: Eastern Washington – 40
T5: Montana State – 40
7: Sacramento State – 35
8: Idaho State – 31
9: Weber State – 22
10: Northern Arizona – 10
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1: Montana (21) – 323
2: Portland State (9) – 302
3: Northern Colorado (2) – 245
4: Idaho (2) – 231
5: Idaho State – 202
6: Montana State – 165
7: Sacramento State (1) – 143
8: Eastern Washington – 136
9: Weber State – 113
10: Northern Arizona – 61
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
Montana State, which finished fifth in the Big Sky in 2024-25 and advanced to the semifinals of the Big Sky Championship last March, will have a new-look roster this season as it features five returners, seven transfers, and three freshmen. The Bobcats return regular rotation players Patrick McMahon and Jed Miller from the 2024-25 squad while also welcoming back Jeremiah Davis, who missed most of last season with an injury, along with Grayson Gaddis and Calum Rutherfurd.
Seven transfers will make their Bobcat debuts this season as graduate students Davian Brown (Biola) and Chris Hodges (Wisconsin); juniors Seth Amunrud (Dawson CC) and Cavin Holden (Central Washington); redshirt sophomores Christian King (Washington) and Waka Mbatch (Florida State); and sophomore Jaden Steppe (Colorado State) join the Cats for 2025-26.
Three freshmen – Howie Keene (The Woodlands, Texas), CJ Purdie (Davidson, N.C.), and James Steward (Tempe, Ariz.) – are set to round out the Montana State roster.
Fans can get to know the Bobcats at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse next Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Bobcat Men's Basketball Tip-Off Event, which is open to the 6th Man Club at 5 p.m. and the general public starting at 6 p.m. The event will feature live player appearances, auctions for Assistant Coach of the Game experiences, and more. More information on the event can be found here.
MSU is set to open the 2025-26 season at Colorado on Monday, Nov. 3. The game will take place at the CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo. at 7 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+. The Bobcats' first home contest will follow on Wednesday, Nov. 5, when MSU takes on Northwest Indian College in Worthington Arena at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State men's basketball team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsMBB and on Facebook at Montana State Men's Basketball. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
The Bobcat men's basketball team earned a share of fifth place (40 points) in the coaches' poll and finished sixth in the media poll (165). Montana emerged at the top of both polls, receiving 78 points in the coaches' poll and 323 points in the media poll, while Portland State, Northern Colorado, and Idaho were picked to round out the top-four Big Sky teams by both the coaches and media. Eastern Washington matched Montana State's points tally in the coaches' poll for fifth place while Idaho State was picked fifth by the media.
Full results of the Big Sky Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls are listed below:
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Montana (6) – 78
2: Portland State (3) – 72
3: Northern Colorado – 63
4: Idaho (1) – 59
T5: Eastern Washington – 40
T5: Montana State – 40
7: Sacramento State – 35
8: Idaho State – 31
9: Weber State – 22
10: Northern Arizona – 10
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1: Montana (21) – 323
2: Portland State (9) – 302
3: Northern Colorado (2) – 245
4: Idaho (2) – 231
5: Idaho State – 202
6: Montana State – 165
7: Sacramento State (1) – 143
8: Eastern Washington – 136
9: Weber State – 113
10: Northern Arizona – 61
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
Montana State, which finished fifth in the Big Sky in 2024-25 and advanced to the semifinals of the Big Sky Championship last March, will have a new-look roster this season as it features five returners, seven transfers, and three freshmen. The Bobcats return regular rotation players Patrick McMahon and Jed Miller from the 2024-25 squad while also welcoming back Jeremiah Davis, who missed most of last season with an injury, along with Grayson Gaddis and Calum Rutherfurd.
Seven transfers will make their Bobcat debuts this season as graduate students Davian Brown (Biola) and Chris Hodges (Wisconsin); juniors Seth Amunrud (Dawson CC) and Cavin Holden (Central Washington); redshirt sophomores Christian King (Washington) and Waka Mbatch (Florida State); and sophomore Jaden Steppe (Colorado State) join the Cats for 2025-26.
Three freshmen – Howie Keene (The Woodlands, Texas), CJ Purdie (Davidson, N.C.), and James Steward (Tempe, Ariz.) – are set to round out the Montana State roster.
Fans can get to know the Bobcats at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse next Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Bobcat Men's Basketball Tip-Off Event, which is open to the 6th Man Club at 5 p.m. and the general public starting at 6 p.m. The event will feature live player appearances, auctions for Assistant Coach of the Game experiences, and more. More information on the event can be found here.
MSU is set to open the 2025-26 season at Colorado on Monday, Nov. 3. The game will take place at the CU Events Center in Boulder, Colo. at 7 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+. The Bobcats' first home contest will follow on Wednesday, Nov. 5, when MSU takes on Northwest Indian College in Worthington Arena at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State men's basketball team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsMBB and on Facebook at Montana State Men's Basketball. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballBobcat Insider TV Show
Thursday, March 03
Inside The Brick (Amin Adamu)
Friday, November 05
Inside The Brick (Nick Gazelas)
Monday, November 01
Inside The Brick (Abdul Mohamed)
Sunday, October 31
