2026-27 Big Sky Preview

2026-10-06

The Big Sky enters 2026-27 looking deeper, more unpredictable and a little different.

Portland State won the 2025-26 regular-season title. Idaho then ripped through the conference tournament and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1990. Montana reached another championship game. Montana State finished second in the league. Eastern Washington closed the regular season on a surge.

Now Southern Utah is back in the conference, Utah Tech arrives from the WAC and the league expands to 11 teams playing a full 20-game double round robin.

The offseason added another twist.

Several players who looked as if they might be finished with college basketball received additional eligibility, changing the top of the league late in the preseason. Jed Miller is back at Montana State. Langston Reynolds returned to Northern Colorado. Andrew Cook, who missed all of last season with an injury, was cleared to return at Eastern Washington.

That makes the Big Sky one of the more difficult mid-major conferences to project.

MMH is going with Eastern Washington at the top — narrowly.

MMH Projected Order

This is not a ranking of last year's teams.

The projection attempts to translate returning production, roster turnover, transfers, injuries, late eligibility decisions and program stability into expectations for 2026-27.

Other preseason picks

The official Big Sky preseason poll can be added once it is released.

1. Eastern Washington

The late addition that changes the top of the league

Eastern Washington was already positioned to contend.

Then Andrew Cook came back.

Cook missed the entire 2025-26 season with an injury, but he was cleared in September to compete in 2026-27. The last time he played for Eastern, he averaged 15.8 points and shot better than 54 percent from the floor.

That is not a minor roster update.

It gives Dan Monson another proven scorer alongside Alton Hamilton IV, one of the league's best returning forwards, and Jalen Griffith, a transfer guard who brings scoring and playmaking. Tavi Jackson adds another experienced perimeter option.

Eastern finished 11-7 in the Big Sky last season despite a slow start and won eight straight league games in February before the conference tournament.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 14-19
Big Sky Record: 11-7
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 1
Blue Ribbon Rank: 3

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Jalen Griffith, Tavi Jackson, Andrew Cook, Alton Hamilton IV, Emmett Marquardt
Next group: Cole Scherer, Jamil Miller, Isak Homelius, Shaumba Ngoyi
Best player: Alton Hamilton IV
X-factor: Andrew Cook's health and immediate form

The Question

Can Eastern defend and rebound well enough against the league's bigger frontcourts?

The offensive pieces are there. The concern is whether a roster without overwhelming size can control the paint against teams such as Montana State, Northern Colorado, Montana and Utah Tech.

MMH Outlook

Eastern has the highest offensive ceiling in the conference.

Cook's return is enough for MMH to move the Eagles from contender to preseason favorite — but only slightly. There is almost no separation between Eastern Washington, Montana State and Northern Colorado.

2. Montana State

The safest roster in the Big Sky

If Eastern Washington has the highest offensive ceiling, Montana State has the highest floor.

The Bobcats return rare continuity in the transfer-portal era, and the late return of Jed Miller makes that continuity matter even more.

Miller averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season while shooting better than 40 percent from three. He gives Matt Logie an experienced lead guard, late-clock shot creator and proven All-Big Sky performer.

Christian King, Jeremiah Davis and Jaden Steppe give Montana State additional experienced pieces, while Waka Mbatch and the rest of the frontcourt provide size.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 18-14
Big Sky Record: 12-6
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 3
Blue Ribbon Rank: 1

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Jed Miller, Jeremiah Davis, Christian King, Jaden Steppe, Waka Mbatch
Next group: Darnez Slater, Isaiah Crane, Seth Amunrud, London Praytor, Calum Rutherfurd
Best player: Jed Miller
Biggest advantage: Continuity

The Question

Can the Bobcats turn continuity into a better postseason finish?

Montana State was good enough to finish second last season but went out in the Big Sky quarterfinals. The roster is built to avoid that kind of inconsistency.

MMH Outlook

The safest pick in the conference.

If Eastern's upside does not fully materialize, Montana State is the team most likely to take advantage.

3. Northern Colorado

Langston Reynolds changes everything

Northern Colorado lost all five starters from last season.

That ordinarily would push a team down the preseason board.

Then Langston Reynolds came home.

Reynolds starred for the Bears in 2024-25, averaging 16.0 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 59.3 percent from the field. He spent last season at Minnesota, where he averaged 11.6 points and led the Gophers in assists.

He immediately gives Northern Colorado a legitimate Big Sky Player of the Year candidate.

The Bears also return Egan Shields, an efficient 6-10 center, and added a group of intriguing newcomers that includes Andrew Crawford, Kaidon Rayfield, Chiante Tramble and Campbell Blogg.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 20-12
Big Sky Record: 10-8
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 2
Blue Ribbon Rank: 2

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Chiante Tramble, Langston Reynolds, Campbell Blogg, Kaidon Rayfield, Egan Shields
Next group: Andrew Crawford, Vincent Delano, Ariik Mawien, Hunter Caldwell
Best player: Langston Reynolds
X-factor: How quickly the new pieces establish roles around Reynolds

The Question

Does the roster mature quickly enough?

Northern Colorado has a very high ceiling, but nearly every important role outside Reynolds and Shields is being reshuffled.

MMH Outlook

A championship roster if the pieces fit.

MMH has the Bears third because Eastern Washington and Montana State enter with a little more continuity, not because Northern Colorado lacks talent.

4. Portland State

Defending champion, almost completely rebuilt

Portland State won the Big Sky regular-season title at 13-5.

Almost that entire team is gone.

The Vikings return no starters and have rebuilt around a large transfer class. The headliner is Koren Johnson, a former Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year at Washington who has also spent time at Louisville and Ole Miss.

If Johnson looks like his Washington version again, Portland State has one of the best guards in the league.

Emil Skyttä, Nehemiah Pollard and Luke Kearney give the Vikings additional experience. KC Ibekwe and Jaquay Randolph give Jase Coburn options at center.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 20-11
Big Sky Record: 13-5
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 6
Blue Ribbon Rank: 4

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Koren Johnson, Emil Skyttä, Nehemiah Pollard, Luke Kearney, KC Ibekwe
Next group: Trevor Frank, Jaquay Randolph, Charles Chukwu, Gantas Križanauskas
Best player: Koren Johnson
Biggest challenge: Replacing an entire starting lineup

The Question

Can a team this new defend and rebound at a championship level immediately?

MMH Outlook

Fourth is a compromise between talent and uncertainty.

The Vikings could finish first. They could also need two months just to figure out who they are.

5. Montana

Never count out Travis DeCuire

Montana has been one of the most stable programs in the Big Sky for more than a decade.

The Grizzlies finished 18-16 last season, reached the Big Sky championship game and again showed why they are rarely an easy out in March.

The roster does not have the same obvious star power as the three teams at the top, but there is useful returning size and another experienced transfer class.

Kenyon Aguino is a player MMH expects to make a significant jump. Tyler Thompson gives Montana size on the wing, while Jalen Brown and LoLo Rudolph should handle much of the perimeter creation. Josiah Sanders adds another versatile frontcourt piece.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 18-16
Big Sky Record: 10-8
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 4
Blue Ribbon Rank: 5

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Jalen Brown, LoLo Rudolph, Tyler Thompson, Kenyon Aguino, Josiah Sanders
Next group: Jordan Clark, Courtney Anderson Jr., Amari Jedkins, Clayton Mpiana
Breakout candidate: Kenyon Aguino
Biggest advantage: Program stability

The Question

Who becomes the reliable late-game creator?

MMH Outlook

Montana's ceiling may be higher than fifth.

The problem is that the Big Sky has three teams with established stars and another defending champion with a high-end transfer class. The Grizzlies remain dangerous enough to beat any of them.

6. Idaho

MMH Sleeper territory

Idaho is the defending Big Sky tournament champion.

It also lost all five starters.

Those facts normally would make the Vandals a difficult team to call a sleeper. But the gap between perception and possibility is exactly why MMH likes them.

Blue Ribbon has Idaho seventh. Torvik has the Vandals fifth. MMH lands in the middle at sixth, but the range of outcomes extends much higher.

Alex Pribble has rebuilt the roster around length, shooting and positional versatility.

Kase Wynott arrives from Washington State after injuries limited him last season. Kristian Gonzalez returns after a broken foot ended his 2025-26 season in the opener. Brady Kennison was one of the country's most productive junior-college three-point shooters. Diego Trejo-Delgado produced at a high level in Division II. Hudson Ward adds another versatile forward. Seth Joba and Miles Klapper provide continuity from last season's NCAA Tournament team.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 21-15
Big Sky Record: 9-9
2025-26 Finish: Big Sky tournament champion
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 5
Blue Ribbon Rank: 7

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Brady Kennison, Kristian Gonzalez, Kase Wynott, Diego Trejo-Delgado, Seth Joba
Next group: Ryan Lafferty, Hudson Ward, Mo Diao, Miles Klapper
Breakout candidate: Kase Wynott
Biggest advantage: Lineup versatility

The Question

Where does the go-to offense come from?

Idaho has a lot of useful pieces, but very few proven high-volume Division I scorers.

MMH Outlook

This is the team MMH expects to beat its preseason slot.

Sixth is the projection. Top four is the upside.

That is why Idaho is the official MMH Big Sky Sleeper.

7. Utah Tech

Ethan Potter gives the newcomer a real foundation

Utah Tech enters the Big Sky after a 19-win season and an 11-7 finish in its final WAC campaign.

The roster revolves around Ethan Potter.

Potter averaged 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds last season while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. He is one of the few players in the league capable of carrying an offense from the frontcourt.

The disagreement around Utah Tech is significant.

Blue Ribbon has the Trailblazers sixth. Torvik has them 11th. MMH is splitting the difference.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 19-15
WAC Record: 11-7
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 11
Blue Ribbon Rank: 6

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Mark Brown Jr., Rex Sunderland, Alex Dupre, Dallin Grant, Ethan Potter
Next group: Petros Ragkos, Tobi Ariyibi, Kyle Lemke, Aris Rodriguez
Best player: Ethan Potter
Biggest advantage: Proven interior production

The Question

Can Utah Tech create enough offense around Potter against a new set of opponents?

MMH Outlook

The Trailblazers have one of the widest ranges in the conference.

If the perimeter pieces click, seventh will look too low.

8. Southern Utah

A better fit around Jaiden Feroah

Southern Utah returns to the Big Sky with a legitimate all-conference centerpiece.

Jaiden Feroah averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds last season, blocked 52 shots and shot better than 55 percent from the field and 40 percent from three.

That combination of rim protection and shooting gives Rob Jeter a player who can fit almost any lineup.

The Thunderbirds also added more size and shooting around him. Dylan Sanders brings proven scoring from the Division II level, while Jajuan Nicholls gives Southern Utah another big body in the paint.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 10-22
WAC Record: 6-12
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 7
Blue Ribbon Rank: 9

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Brayden Johnson, Dylan Sanders, Zeplin Kidd, Jaiden Feroah, Jajuan Nicholls
Next group: Rashaad Davis, DeZhon Hall, Juok Riak, Cale Barclay
Best player: Jaiden Feroah
Biggest advantage: Frontcourt versatility

The Question

Can Southern Utah get enough dependable point-guard play?

MMH Outlook

The Thunderbirds should be better than last season.

The question is whether better means the middle of the Big Sky or simply a more competitive bottom-half team.

9. Idaho State

Almost a complete reset

Idaho State returns essentially none of last season's major production.

The Bengals lost all five starters and rebuilt through transfers, junior-college additions and younger players.

Jeremiah Dorsey is one of the most interesting newcomers in the league after producing at a high level in Division II. MaCarhy Morris brings another experienced guard. Eyal Harel gives the Bengals size on the perimeter, while Quin Patterson, Ike Palmer and Malachi Johnson provide different frontcourt looks.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 13-20
Big Sky Record: 5-13
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 10
Blue Ribbon Rank: 8

MMH Projected Core

Projected core: Jeremiah Dorsey, MaCarhy Morris, Eyal Harel, Quin Patterson, Ike Palmer / Malachi Johnson
Next group: Kenyon DeMuynck, Ty Virgil, Malik Johnson
Transfer to watch: Jeremiah Dorsey
Biggest challenge: Continuity

The Question

How quickly can a roster this new become a functioning team?

MMH Outlook

There is enough talent to beat this projection.

There is not enough proven Big Sky production to rank the Bengals higher yet.

10. Weber State

A new coach, a new roster and almost no certainty

Few teams in college basketball are harder to forecast than Weber State.

Kaleb Canales takes over as head coach. Damian Lillard is involved as general manager. The Wildcats have talent, length and several players with high-major backgrounds.

They also have almost no established Division I production together.

Brock Felder is the safest known quantity. Aaron Powell, Alvin Jackson III, Dylan Warlick, Dyllan Thompson and Chamberlain Burgess are all intriguing, but much of the roster either redshirted, dealt with injuries or played limited minutes last season.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 16-16
Big Sky Record: 10-8
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 8
Blue Ribbon Rank: 10

MMH Projected Core

Projected starters/core: Aaron Powell, Alvin Jackson III, Dylan Warlick, Dyllan Thompson, Brock Felder
Next group: ArDarius Grayson, Chamberlain Burgess, Declan Cutler, Augustine Ewke
Best known commodity: Brock Felder
Biggest variable: Almost everything

The Question

How quickly can talent turn into actual Division I production?

MMH Outlook

Weber could make this projection look foolish.

Until the Wildcats prove it on the floor, MMH is keeping them in the bottom third.

11. Northern Arizona

Bigger, deeper — but dealing with another setback

Northern Arizona has more size and physical upside than last season.

The Lumberjacks added 7-foot Dylan Anderson, 6-10 and 275-pound Tamiel Green, 6-8 freshman Lucas Toukam and several other frontcourt options.

Ryan Abelman returns after averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Then starting point guard Brennan Peterson tore his ACL in September.

That injury puts even more responsibility on Mason Dorsey, Cade Bennett and the rest of the new perimeter group.

MMH Snapshot

2025-26 Record: 10-22
Big Sky Record: 4-14
Torvik Big Sky Rank: 9
Blue Ribbon Rank: 11

MMH Projected Core

Projected core: Mason Dorsey, Ryan Abelman, Luke Wieskamp, Lucas Toukam, Dylan Anderson / Tamiel Green
Next group: Cade Bennett, Nana Keutcha, Max Majerle
Biggest advantage: Size
Biggest concern: Point guard after Peterson's injury

The Question

Can Northern Arizona create efficient offense without its expected lead guard?

MMH Outlook

The frontcourt makes this team interesting.

The backcourt uncertainty keeps the Lumberjacks 11th entering the season.

MMH Top 10 Players

1. Langston Reynolds — Northern Colorado

The preseason MMH Player of the Year.

Reynolds was already one of the Big Sky's best players before spending a season in the Big Ten. He returns to Northern Colorado more experienced and with an offense that can run through him.

2. Jed Miller — Montana State

Miller's unexpected return changes Montana State's ceiling.

He can score, create, shoot and defend — and he already knows exactly what Matt Logie wants from the position.

3. Ethan Potter — Utah Tech

The most proven interior scorer in the league.

Utah Tech's entire Big Sky debut becomes easier because it has a player who can command touches on the block and finish efficiently.

4. Andrew Cook — Eastern Washington

If Cook returns to his 2024-25 level, this ranking may be too low.

A healthy Cook gives Eastern another primary scorer and is the biggest reason MMH moved the Eagles to No. 1.

5. Alton Hamilton IV — Eastern Washington

Hamilton gives Eastern efficient frontcourt scoring and rebounding.

With Cook and Griffith drawing perimeter attention, Hamilton may get even better opportunities.

6. Koren Johnson — Portland State

The biggest wildcard among the league's stars.

At his best, Johnson has high-major shot creation and enough experience to become the engine of an entirely rebuilt Portland State roster.

7. Jaiden Feroah — Southern Utah

Efficient scoring, rebounding, three-point range and legitimate rim protection.

He is exactly the kind of frontcourt player who can swing games in a league with very different styles.

8. Christian King — Montana State

King's size and offensive skill make him an ideal complement to Miller.

Montana State does not need him to force offense, which may allow his efficiency to improve.

9. Kenyon Aguino — Montana

A breakout projection rather than a career-achievement ranking.

Montana needs a new frontcourt star. MMH expects Aguino to become one.

10. Kase Wynott — Idaho

Another upside pick.

Wynott barely had a chance to establish himself last season because of injury, but his size and scoring background give Idaho a potential difference-maker on the wing.

Newcomers Worth Watching

Koren Johnson, Portland State — The most accomplished newcomer in the conference and the centerpiece of Portland State's rebuild.

Jalen Griffith, Eastern Washington — Gives the Eagles another proven ball-handler and perimeter scorer.

Brady Kennison, Idaho — Elite junior-college three-point production could translate immediately.

Diego Trejo-Delgado, Idaho — Productive Division II forward with the size and versatility to play multiple spots.

Jalen Brown, Montana — Experienced scoring guard who should have a major role immediately.

Dylan Sanders, Southern Utah — A high-level Division II shooter who fits well around Feroah.

Jeremiah Dorsey, Idaho State — Could become Idaho State's primary creator from day one.

Kaidon Rayfield, Northern Colorado — Productive young forward with the physical tools to become an important two-way piece.

Dyllan Thompson, Weber State — High-upside forward whose role could grow quickly on a completely reworked roster.

Tamiel Green, Northern Arizona — At 6-10 and 275 pounds, he gives NAU a physical profile few Big Sky teams can match.

MMH Sleeper: Idaho

Idaho is the defending tournament champion.

It is also somehow easy to overlook.

The Vandals lost every starter from last season's NCAA Tournament team, so skepticism is understandable. But that ignores the roster Alex Pribble built.

There is shooting. There is length. There are multiple 6-5 to 6-9 players capable of moving around the lineup. There are two returning seniors in Kristian Gonzalez and Miles Klapper who have spent their entire careers in the program, plus Seth Joba from last season's rotation.

The biggest reason for optimism is that Idaho does not need every newcomer to become a star.

Kennison can shoot.

Wynott can score.

Trejo-Delgado and Ward can defend multiple positions.

Joba and Mo Diao can give Idaho different looks at center.

If two of those pieces become more than role players, the Vandals can move from the middle of the preseason board directly into the top four.

MMH projects Idaho sixth.

MMH also thinks sixth may be the team's floor more than its ceiling.

MMH Breakout Candidate: Kase Wynott

The numbers from last season will not draw much attention.

The context matters more.

Wynott's first season at Washington State was derailed by injury, limiting him to only a handful of games. Before college, he was one of the most productive high school players in Idaho history.

At 6-6, he gives the Vandals a bigger perimeter scorer than they have had in recent years.

If the jumper translates and he stays healthy, Wynott has a chance to become one of the most important players on a sleeper team.

Game to Circle First

Eastern Washington at Montana State — January 14

MMH's No. 1 and No. 2 teams meet in Bozeman less than two weeks into the full January conference schedule.

By then we should know whether Andrew Cook looks like his old self, whether Eastern's guard depth has translated into an elite offense and whether Montana State's continuity really gives the Bobcats the league's highest floor.

The rematch comes February 13 in Cheney.

The MMH View

There is no dominant favorite in this Big Sky.

That is what makes it interesting.

Eastern Washington has the scoring ceiling. Montana State has the continuity. Northern Colorado may have the best player. Portland State has enough transfer talent to defend its regular-season title. Montana is never far from the championship conversation.

Then there is Idaho — a defending tournament champion that lost every starter but may still have assembled one of the league's most versatile rosters.

The Big Sky also has two new members, a new head coach at Weber State and late eligibility rulings that reshaped the race after many preseason publications had already formed their opinions.

MMH is taking Eastern Washington.

But the more important prediction may be this:

The gap between first and sixth is much smaller than the rankings make it look.

That's exactly the kind of league Mid-Major Hoops was built to follow.