The annual ranking of Big Sky Conference men’s and women’s basketball teams, as determined by a vote of coaches and/or media representatives prior to the start of the regular season, serves as a preliminary gauge of team strength and potential conference standings. This projection is constructed before any games are played, relying on factors such as returning players, incoming recruits, coaching changes, and overall program reputation. For example, a team with a strong core of returning starters and a highly-ranked recruiting class might be positioned at the top of the ranking.
The significance of this initial forecast lies in its capacity to generate early season excitement and media coverage, influencing fan expectations and potentially affecting team morale. Historically, these predictions haven’t always accurately mirrored the final conference standings, but they offer a valuable point of reference for observing team development and the competitive landscape of the conference throughout the season. They also often contribute to early-season betting odds and national rankings considerations for individual teams.
