Big Sky Conference Standings as of Meow

Greetings! We're nearing the end of the Year 2009 and so far, the conference race is heating up already! Already one team (Montana State if you can believe it) has 2 Conference wins! It's incredible, I know! These are your Big Sky Conference standings as of meow!

Montana State 2-0 (7-5) Losing streak at 1

Stuff: MSU is the surprise of the conference right now standing with 2 conference wins and the lead over a surprisingly 7-6 Weber State. Perhaps the black magic that the Bobcats used last year in the Conference Tournament of Wooden Trophy Glory was only a sign of things to come. More likely, MSU will hopefully falter and order will be restored in the conference when Weber steps up to the plate. Key Wins: Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, UC Santa-Barbara

Weber State 1-0 (7-6) Losing Streak at 1

Stuff: Weber State is aiming to roll through the conference after a surprising 7-6 start to the season. The Wildcats are hoping to establish hegemony once more over the Big Sky Conference and erase the memory of an OOC slump (losing to BYU and USU...gahhhh...). An OOC slump that has also seen some inconsistency, like winning by a mere 3 points over Montana Tech while beating Utah by 7, all the while losing to the same UC Santa Barbara team that lost big to Montana State. And adding insult to injury, lost to the Aggies of Utah State twice, once in Ogden by 6 and then again in the Gossner Foods Classic (seriously? That's a tournament?) by 8. And having to endure the ridicule of Utahns of the more angry type. Key Wins: Utah, Sacramento State

Portland State 1-0 (5-7) Losing Streak at 3

Stuff: Portland State, the reigning Champion of the Big Sky Trophy God Tournament and current holder of two awe-inspiring Wooden Trophies, is hoping to snap a 3-game losing streak. The Vikings are dealing with the loss of Ken Bone *swoon* and are coping better than many thought, with wins over Pepperdine and Eastern Washington. They did, however, suffer a pancing by U-DUB!!!, 111-55 (ouch). The Vikings look to enter January on a positive note and hope to continue their quest for a three-peat (although that is unlikely to happen).

Northern Colorado 1-1 (10-3) Win Streak at 1

Stuff: The surprise team and technically the best team in the conference right now, the Bears are on a roll. After enduring a few down years after transitioning into the Big Sky Conference, the Bears are looking to capitalize on a 10-3 season (thus far). Northern Colorado is hoping to finish the OOC schedule strong, and it is likely they will enter January with a 12-3 record. Out of all the teams, the Bears are looking the most legit after taking Oklahoma (yes, the Sooners) all the way to the final seconds, losing 80-79 (you read that right...not even kidding you). The only blemish is a loss to Montana State, a loss UNC will be sure to avenge in their January 31st matchup in Greeley. Look for the Bears to assert domination early and often starting the January. Key Wins: Impressive resume at the moment for the Bears, so this isn't really necessary.

Montana 1-1 (10-4) Win Streak at 4

Stuff: The Grizzlies, by merit of their 10-4 OOC record (second only to Northern Colorado), rank as second best overall. They are on a hot streak right now with a 4-game win streak. The Grizzlies are looking to roll right on into January with an 11-3 record complete with another conference win over Idaho State on New Year's Eve Day. Montana has also beaten Oregon convincingly, the same Ducks team that beat Idaho State a few nights ago. The Griz, in fact, have played a few good teams in Oregon, Boise State, and Fresno State...and have won all those matchups. Montana has not lost by disgusting margins and was a point away from beating Colorado State in Fort Collins. A very dangerous team that will enter January demanding the same respect/hate/adoration/we-hate-your-damn-guts-leave-now that the football team garners on a weekly/yearly basis. Montana must watch out for Idaho State, even if that seems silly because ISU has had Montana's number for the past 2 seasons, in Pocatello AND in Missoula. Like the ISU-Montana football game, never count it as an automatic win for the Boys in Maroon and Silver. Key Wins: Boise State, Fresno State, Oregon (2 of those teams have beaten ISU; BSU and Fresno State)

Sacramento State 1-1 (6-8) Losing Streak at 1

Stuff: The Hornets are 6-8 overall and it looks like it will be another disappointing but fun-filled, parodied season with Brian Katz in Sacramento, while they adjust to all his playcalling penchants (such as writing them on in big black letters on white glossy paperboard...the tool of champions). The Hornets have one conference win, and it was against *dramatic pause*...Idaho State! (64-63). The Hornets may or may not improve, but outside of Sacramento, Cheney and Pocatello, nobody's watching. Key Wins: Idaho State, Oregon State

Eastern Washington 0-1 (4-9) Losing Streak at 4

Stuff: The Eagles are struggling and are hoping to snap a 4-game skid before the month ends, and Sacramento State is their only chance. The Eags have lost to just about every big team they have played; however it is only Coach Kirk Earlywine's third year (barely) so more time will be needed. The Eagles will probably be confined to a Snuggie at season's end. Key Wins: Whitman, Walla Walla (giggle)

Northern Arizona 0-2 (4-7) Losing Streak at 1

Stuff: NAU is entering what appears to be a depressing season with our good friend Mike Adras once more. What was once a mighty physical, imposing team is now...well, not Lumberjacks, that's for sure. NAU has two conference losses and hopes to rebound in January when conference starts up fo' reals. Don't expect much from the boys over in Flagstaff this year, except a navy blue and yellow Snuggie. Key Wins: UC-Riverside, Air Force (really?!)

Idaho State 0-1 (2-10) Losing Streak at 6

Stuff: For a team with 7 seniors and gobs of expectations and a slightly lighter schedule, ISU figured to be where Northern Colorado and the Montanas are right now: exercising dominance over the Big Sky. Instead, the Bengals are on a 6-game losing streak and lost to Sacramento State on the road where they were heavily favored to win (again). ISU MUST win against Montana Tech, a team that took Weber State to the brink and lost by 3. Then after that it's the Griz coming to Pocatello. ISU has history and O'Brien on their side, as the Bengals have remained that one team that has more or less owned the Grizzlies the past 3 seasons. ISU can hopefully rebound from this offseason and make a run for, dare I say, hosting the tournament (only 1 conference loss thus far). And if not, this will be the de facto anthem of Idaho State University for the year:
Key Wins: The only wins they have on the schedule. Hahaha

So this is what the season is at so far, updates to come later before the school year starts. Let the quest for Wooden Trophy Glory continue in earnest!

And READY THE SNUGGIES FOR THE LOSERS!!!