BOISE, Idaho — All four teams between Montana and Montana State basketball earned a bye and will open Big Sky Conference tournament play Monday.
The No. 3 Montana men finished the regular season 12-6 in Big Sky play. Two of those wins included a sweep over the Bobcats for the sixth time in 10 years. The Grizzlies take on No. 6 Portland State, who the team has split with this season, at 8 p.m.
The No. 5 Montana State men came out of the Big Sky regular season 9-9 in head coach Matt Logie's first season at the helm. The Bobcats handed regular-season champion Eastern Washington its first conference loss of the season at Worthington Arena.
The Cats look to defend their title for a third straight year and will take on No. 4 Weber State, who they beat 76-64 in their final game of the regular season, at 5:30 p.m.
The No. 3 Montana women went 13-5 this regular season. They had a seven-game win streak from December into January, which is the longest of head coach Brian Holsinger's tenure.
The team dominated the 3-point line, ranking third in the NCAA for 3 pointers made per game and fourth in total made 3s. The Lady Griz will face No. 6 Idaho, who they swept this season, at 2:30 p.m.
The No. 4 Montana State women's motto this season was coined "United as One." The team's young core had to step up as four veterans suffered season-ending injuries. The Cats took down regular-season champion Eastern Washington on the road earlier this season.
They finished conference play 10-8 and will face No. 5 Northern Colorado, who they've split with this season, at noon.
For the full season recap, click the video reel above.
