Bobcats Picked First in Preseason Polls; Chirrick Named Preseason All-Big Sky
10/23/2025 12:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
“It’s always fun to see where we’ve been picked in the preseason polls,” Binford said. “However, our main priority is getting better tomorrow and making sure we move the needle, and we’re playing our best when we hit March. We know we’re going to get everybody’s best game, so we have a responsibility of making sure we get better every day.”
Montana State, the reigning Big Sky Conference regular season and tournament champions, have been tabbed to finish first in both the Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches and Media polls, released this week by the league office.
In addition, sophomore Taylee Chirrick was named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Team.
Montana State head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 21st season with the Bobcats, welcomes back seven letterwinners and welcomes six newcomers to the squad. Last season, MSU recorded a school record 30-4 mark, winning the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles en route to making the program's fourth NCAA appearance with a first-round contest at Ohio State.
"It's always fun to see where we've been picked in the preseason polls," Binford said. "However, our main priority is getting better tomorrow and making sure we move the needle, and we're playing our best when we hit March. We know we're going to get everybody's best game, so we have a responsibility of making sure we get better every day."
Chirrick, a 5-11 guard from Roberts, was the 2024-25 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, she finished sixth in the nation averaging 3.32 steals per game, while her 113 total steals were the second highest ever recorded in Bobcat history. Chirrick, who played in all 34 games coming off the bench, averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per outing.
"Taylee is an impactful player on both ends of the floor," Binford said. "We are excited to see what she's going to do in her sophomore year."
The Bobcats host Northwest Nazarene, Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., in exhibition action in Worthington Arena.
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State (Preseason MVP)
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Mack Konig, Montana
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Avery Waddington, Montana
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Montana State (5) – 74
2: Montana (3) – 72
3: Idaho (1) – 65
4: Idaho State (1) – 57
5: Sacramento State – 50
6: Eastern Washington – 38
7: Northern Colorado – 36
8: Weber State – 28
T9: Northern Arizona – 15
T9: Portland State – 15
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
1: Montana State (11) – 238
2: Montana (7) – 224
3: Idaho (7) – 220
4: Sacramento State (2) – 177
5: Idaho State – 161
6: Eastern Washington – 123
7: Weber State – 120
8: Northern Arizona – 102
9: Northern Colorado – 86
10: Portland State – 34
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
In addition, sophomore Taylee Chirrick was named to the All-Big Sky Conference Preseason Team.
Montana State head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 21st season with the Bobcats, welcomes back seven letterwinners and welcomes six newcomers to the squad. Last season, MSU recorded a school record 30-4 mark, winning the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles en route to making the program's fourth NCAA appearance with a first-round contest at Ohio State.
"It's always fun to see where we've been picked in the preseason polls," Binford said. "However, our main priority is getting better tomorrow and making sure we move the needle, and we're playing our best when we hit March. We know we're going to get everybody's best game, so we have a responsibility of making sure we get better every day."
Chirrick, a 5-11 guard from Roberts, was the 2024-25 Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, she finished sixth in the nation averaging 3.32 steals per game, while her 113 total steals were the second highest ever recorded in Bobcat history. Chirrick, who played in all 34 games coming off the bench, averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per outing.
"Taylee is an impactful player on both ends of the floor," Binford said. "We are excited to see what she's going to do in her sophomore year."
The Bobcats host Northwest Nazarene, Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., in exhibition action in Worthington Arena.
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State (Preseason MVP)
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Mack Konig, Montana
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Avery Waddington, Montana
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Montana State (5) – 74
2: Montana (3) – 72
3: Idaho (1) – 65
4: Idaho State (1) – 57
5: Sacramento State – 50
6: Eastern Washington – 38
7: Northern Colorado – 36
8: Weber State – 28
T9: Northern Arizona – 15
T9: Portland State – 15
2025-26 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
1: Montana State (11) – 238
2: Montana (7) – 224
3: Idaho (7) – 220
4: Sacramento State (2) – 177
5: Idaho State – 161
6: Eastern Washington – 123
7: Weber State – 120
8: Northern Arizona – 102
9: Northern Colorado – 86
10: Portland State – 34
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballBobcat Insider TV Show
Wednesday, January 26
vs. Seattle (Live Stream Video)
Saturday, December 18
Inside The Brick (Lexi Deden)
Thursday, November 04
Inside The Brick (Leia Beattie)
Tuesday, November 02
