If you’ve been a fan of the Mountain West Conference, you’ve got to check out the Big Sky Conference. It’s the same region of the country that features a lot of fun, high-energy teams that play smart basketball, and the games are typically on late. Sound familiar? The Big Sky Conference tournament has one clear favorite and about five teams that could go on a run this year. Let’s dive into it my 2024 Big Sky tournament preview, picks, and best bets!
The Big Sky Conference tips off its conference tournament on Saturday, March 9th, and it runs through March 13th. This year, the Big Sky tournament will be played at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, ID. Two of the teams in the conference are from Idaho, but neither is based out of Boise.
2024 Big Sky Tournament Preview, Picks, and Best Bets
Is Eastern Washington going to wreck everyone and leave? Is Northern Colorado here to spoil the party? Or will a true dark horse come out of the Big Sky conference?
The Favorite: Eastern Washington +200
Eastern Washington is an ESPN+ favorite. If it’s 9 PM Eastern time on a Thursday in the winter, EWU should have been on one of your screens. The Eagles went 21-10 overall, but 15-3 in conference.
The Eastern Washington Eagles have the best offense in the conference. They have a quintet of capable forwards who can rebound, shoot the three, and shoot their free throws. Their offense is quarterbacked by point guard Ellis Magnuson. He doesn’t care if he scores a point. His job is to distribute
The Eagles will get either Idaho or Sacramento State in the second round. They should cruise into the quarterfinals, where they’ll get the winner of Montana State and Weber State. They split the season series with both teams.
EWU is the favorite to win the conference, and they’re at plus odds, but their quarterfinal matchup could get them bounced. A plus odds favorite is worth a sprinkle, but the Eagles are far from a sure winner in a very competitive Big Sky Conference tournament.
Other Contenders
Northern Colorado is at +500 and is the two-seed in the Big Sky Conference. They’ll get Northern Arizona or Idaho State in the second round. They should get through either team easily. The Bears have beaten Montana twice and split with Portland State. Their quarterfinal match-up appears to be an easier path to the final than Eastern Washington does.
Weber State is the four-seed at +300 odds. The concern here is their path is among the toughest in the conference. They could have to face the five-seed, the one-seed, and the two-seed if they make it to the final. That’s too many potential landmines to make Wildcats a viable bet.
Montana has +310 odds and the three-seed. The Grizzlies match up well with Northern Colorado, but they’ve already lost twice to the Bears and twice to EWU. Again, there are too many potential landmines here.
Northern Colorado at +500 is the best play outside of the favorite.
Dark Horse: Portland State +1700
Portland State has wins over Montana and Northern Colorado this year, and both teams are on their path on a neutral site. The Vikings did get drilled twice by Eastern Washington, but they also have wins over Montana State and Weber State.
If the Eagles get tripped up in the early rounds, the Portland State Vikings have winnable matchups in almost every round. The Vikings finished 17-14 in the regular season and only went 8-10 in the conference, but they have many quality conference wins, and they won’t be an easy out in any round.
At 17-1 odds, Portland State is one of the more attractive sprinkles in the Big Sky conference tournament.
Even More College Basketball Content
SGPN has you covered with all the best college basketball content. Our team of degens, experts, and handicappers have been diving deep to know all the teams in advance of March Madness.
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