Coach Barret Peery's Portland State Vikings men's basketball team has been picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky Conference for the 2018-19 season by the league's coaches, while the media predict the Vikings will finish seventh.
The Montana Grizzlies are the coaches' and media's preseason pick to repeat as Big Sky champions. They garnered 10 of 11 first-place votes from the coaches, and 33 of 35 first-place votes from the media.
Portland State returns two starters and seven players overall from a team that went 20-14 (9-9 Big Sky) last season to tie for sixth place in the conference.
The Vikings will face Multnomah University in an exhibition game at the new Viking Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 2, then open the regular season against Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene on Tuesday, Nov. 6. PSU's home opener is Saturday, Nov. 10, against UC Riverside.
The Big Sky now has 11 teams with North Dakota's departure to the Summit League. Each team will play every other Big Sky team twice, both home and away. The season culminates with the Big Sky Conference tournament, set for March 13-16 in Boise.
2018-19 Big Sky Conference preseason coaches poll
Team, Points, last season's record
1. Montana, 100 (10) - 26-8, 16-2
2. Weber State, 90 (1) - 20-11, 13-5
3. Northern Colorado, 70 - 23-12, 11-7
4. Eastern Washington, 63 - 20-15, 13-5
5. Portland State, 55 - 20-14, 9-9
t6. Montana State, 53 - 13-19, 6-12
t6. Southern Utah, 53 - 13-19, 5-13
8. Idaho State, 50 - 14-16, 9-9
9. Idaho, 34 - 22-9, 14-4
10. Sacramento State, 27 - 7-25, 4-14
11. Northern Arizona, 10 - 5-27, 2-16
2018-19 Big Sky Conference preseason media poll
Team, Points
1. Montana, 383 (33)
2. Weber State, 346 (2)
3. Northern Colorado, 280
4. Eastern Washington, 261
5. Montana State, 194
6. Idaho, 192
7. Portland State, 189
8. Idaho State, 176
9. Southern Utah, 128
10. Sacramento State, 115
11. Northern Arizona, 46