While the dominating Montana State women’s basketball team is picked to repeat as the Big Sky Conference regular-season champion, the UNC women were penciled in closer to the bottom of preseason polls.

UNC, 14-17 overall and 6-12 in the Big Sky, were picked seventh by coaches in the 10-team conference and ninth by media. The Big Sky Conference released men’s and women’s basketball preseason polls Wednesday.

The Montana State women received five first-place votes in the coaches’ poll and 11 from media. Montana, picked second in both polls, earned three first-place votes and seven from media. Idaho was third in both polls.

Montana State finished 30-4 overall last year with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The team’s 30 wins were a first for a Big Sky Conference team. The Bobcats were

See Full Page