Online Release: https://bigskyconf.com/news/2020/11/24/mens-basketball-bigskymbb-weekly-notebook-nov-24.aspx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE TIP-OFF
> The 58th season of Big Sky men’s basketball tips off Wednesday with 16 games slated for the opening week of the 2020-21 campaign.
> The 11 Big Sky teams embark on an unprecedented season that will include a condensed non-conference slate while also playing consecutive conference games against the same opponent as part of the usual 20-game league slate.
> Sacramento State, Southern Utah and Weber State will host opening week games, airing on each school’s respective Pluto TV channel.
> Reigning regular season champion Eastern Washington topped the Big Sky Preseason Coaches’ and Media Polls as a heavy favorite.
> The Eagles return four starters and 10 letterwinners off last year’s 23-8 squad. Senior guard Jacob Davison was tabbed the Big Sky Preseason MVP after averaging 18.4 points per game last season to earn All-Big Sky Second Team honors. Davison was joined by junior teammate Kim Aiken Jr. on the preseason team after Aiken Jr. was named to the league’s third team a season ago.
> Montana was picked second in both preseason polls. The Griz have finished in the top three of the Big Sky standings each of the last three seasons including back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019. Montana boasts reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year Derrick Carter-Hollinger and welcome in senior Michael Steadman who was named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team.
> Fans will get an early taste of Big Sky Conference play as six teams will tip-off conference action Thursday, Dec. 3. The 20-game schedule will conclude Saturday, March 6.
> The Big Sky Men’s Basketball Championship will return to Boise for the third-straight year at the newly-renamed Idaho Central Arena. Action is set to tip-off Wednesday, March 10.
> Follow the Big Sky Conference on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat at @BigSkyConf – and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated. Fans can also follow Big Sky men’s basketball on Twitter at @BigSkyMBB.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Idaho vs. Seattle – 2 p.m. PT
Idaho State at Santa Clara – 2 p.m. PT
Adams State at Weber State – 7:05 p.m. MT
Montana State at UNLV – 7:30 p.m. MT
Southern Utah at Loyola Marymount – 7 p.m. PT
Bethesda at Sacramento State – 7:05 p.m. PT
Friday, November 27, 2020
Northern Colorado vs. Southeast Missouri State – 4 p.m. CT
Idaho at Portland – 4 p.m. PT
Idaho State vs. Nicholls State – 4:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Idaho vs. William Jessup – 12 p.m. PT
Saint Katherine at Southern Utah – 1:05 p.m. MT
Idaho State vs. UC Davis – 1 p.m. PT
Weber State at Dixie State – 2 p.m. MT
Montana at USC – 2 p.m. PT
Eastern Washington at Washington State – 8:05 p.m. PT
Northern Colorado at UMKC/Avila – TBA
BLAKE BARINGTON
Director of Communications
(MBB, WSOC, SB, TEN) | Big Sky Conference
Office: (801) 392-1978 ext. 6001
Cell: (325) 423-2512
Email: bbarington@bigskyconf.com