Conference

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Defending regular-season champion Weber State has been selected by the coaches and media as the favorite to win the 2009-2010 Big Sky Conference men’s basketball title.

The media and coaches’ preseason polls were released on Wednesday by the league. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Randy Rahe’s Weber State Wildcats earned four first-place votes from the coaches and 60 total points. In the media poll, the Wildcats received 23 of 28 first-place votes and 251 total points.

The Montana Grizzlies were selected second in the coaches’ poll, earning three first-place votes and 57 total points. The media tabbed Montana third with two first-place votes and 194 total points.

The media selected two-time Big Sky Conference postseason champion Portland State second. The Vikings earned three first-place votes from the media and 202 total points. Portland State was selected fourth in the coaches’ poll, behind Idaho State. Both Idaho State and Portland State received on first-place vote from the coaches. ISU received 47 total points, three more than Portland State.

Montana State, which made a surprising run to the 2009 Big Sky championship game, was selected fifth in both polls. In fact, the polls mirrored each other from the fifth spot to the ninth spot. Northern Colorado was selected sixth, followed by Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State.

Weber State returns three starters from last year’s squad, which rolled to a 15-1 conference record and 23-10 overall mark. The Wildcats became the first team in league history to finish 8-0 in conference road games. The Wildcats must replace 20008-09 Big Sky MVP Kellen McCoy, and league Defensive Player of the Year Daviin Davis.

Damian Lillard, the 2008-09 Freshman of the Year, leads this year’s crop of Wildcats. Lillard, a 6-foot-2 guard from Oakland, Calif., averaged 11.5 points per game and became the first true freshman in league history to be named First Team All-Conference. The Wildcats also return sophomore forward Kyle Bullinger, and senior center Steve Panos.

Weber State was upset in the Big Sky Conference semifinals on their home floor by Montana State. The Wildcats’ season ended with a loss to San Diego State in the NIT.

Montana, coached by Wayne Tinkle, finished tied for second in the conference last season at 11-5. The Grizzlies return the league’s leading scorer and Newcomer of the Year in guard Anthony Johnson. The senior from Tacoma, Wash., averaged 17.3 points per game and made .871 percent of his free throws. Johnson is one of eight returning letterwinners. Senior guard Ryan Staudacher an senior forward Jack McGillis also return to the starting lineup.

Portland State is on a quest to become the first team since Weber State (1978-80) to win the postseason tournament three consecutive seasons. The Vikings are under the direction of new coach Tyler Geving, and must replace 2007-09 league MVP Jeremiah Dominguez. Senior guard Dominic Waters, junior forward Phil Nelson and senior forwards Julius Thomas and Jamie Jones are the key returners from last year’s 23-10 squad.

Joe O’Brien’s Idaho State squad returns the most experienced squad with eight seniors on the roster. Among those seniors are guard Amorrow Morgan, a First Team All-Conference pick, forwards Demetrius Monroe and Chron Tatum. The Bengals finished 9-7 in conference play in 2008-09, and has advanced to the conference semifinals each of the last two seasons.

Media Poll