Sacramento State (19-8, 13-3)
If the Hornets can hold on for the last two games of the season, the Big Sky Conference Tournament might be held in Reno, Nevada. Sacramento State controls its own destiny now in the race for the top seed and hosting rights for the Big Sky Tournament. Since the Hornet’s Nest in Sacramento is too small of a venue to host the tournament, the Biggest Little City in the World will be the likely host city for the championship.
Montana (17-11, 13-4)
The Grizzlies bounced back from a double-overtime loss to Idaho to beat another team vying for the top seed in the conference tournament — Eastern Washington. Twenty-four points from the conference’s best big man, Martin Breunig propelled Montana to a one-point win over the Eagles, but it might not be enough to overcome Sacramento State in the standings. Montana lost to Sacramento State 70-69 earlier in the season.
Eastern Washington (21-8, 12-4)
Losing three of their last five games bumped the Eagles out of first place in the conference and down to third. The nation’s leading scorer Tyler Harvey and the Eagles better find their groove again by the conference tournament if they want to play in the NCAA Tournament later in March.
Northern Arizona (16-13, 11-5)
NAU couldn’t ask for a better position at this point in the season. After a losing record in nonconference play, the Lumberjacks are No. 4 in the Big Sky and have secured a spot in the conference tournament heading into the final week of the regular season. They should have a winnable game as a No. 4 or 5 seed in the first round of tournament play.
Northern Colorado (14-14, 9-8)
The Bears are one of the most accurate teams in the nation. They rank No. 20 in the nation in field goal percentage at 48.1 percent. The team’s accuracy propelled them into a guaranteed spot in the Big Sky Tournament with one last game to play against North Dakota.
Portland State (14-12, 8-8)
Despite sitting in a respectable sixth place in the Big Sky, the Pilots have yet to secure a spot in the postseason tournament. A Saturday loss against Sacramento State didn’t help their case either. PSU plays its last two games on the road, so some of the teams behind them will be hoping the Pilots choke this week.
Idaho (13-14, 8-8)
The Vandals knocked off the top two teams in the conference in the month of February, but they also lost some games they should have won. If Idaho can overcome its road struggles this week at Weber State and Idaho State, the team could do some damage in the Big Sky Tournament, but first they have to get there.
Weber State (12-15, 7-9)
The Big Sky’s most athletic player Joel Bolomboy and the Weber State Wildcats might be headed to postseason play despite sporting a losing record. Weber State currently holds the eighth and final spot in postseason play, but they will need every one of Bolomboy’s 12.8 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game to beat Idaho and Eastern Washington this week and keep the final spot.
Southern Utah (9-18, 6-10)
The Thunderbirds shocked some teams this year, but postseason play is likely out of the picture at this point with a 6-10 conference record and conference leader Sacramento State next up on the schedule.
North Dakota (8-20, 4-13)
Conference tournament play is out of the question for North Dakota, but the team will try to snap a seven-game losing streak in a nonconference matchup against Nebraska-Omaha Tuesday. UND coach Brian Jones would be more comfortable going into the offseason with a win or two instead of a nearly double-digit losing streak.
Montana State (7-22, 4-13)
The Bobcats round out the season with a final game against instate-rival Montana. The heated MSU versus Montana game is a championship game of sorts for the Bobcats as the team has no hopes for any real postseason play.
Idaho State (6-22, 3-13)
A season finale against instate foe Idaho is all the Bengals have to look forward to as the season comes to a close. ISU, who sits in last place in the conference, lost to the Vandals 77-54 Jan. 1.