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2022 Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Dates

Wednesday, March 9 (first round); Thursday, March 10 (quarterfinals); Friday, March 11 (semifinals); Saturday, March 12 (championship)

Format

Traditional

Site

For the fourth year in a row, the Big Sky will play at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho, which is not to be confused with Extra Mile Arena, the home of Mountain West member Boise State.

TV/Streaming Info

ESPNU will air has the final on Selection Saturday night with ESPN+ streaming the first three rounds in their entirety.

Participants

All 11 Big Sky members will participate, including Southern Utah, which heads to the WAC after this season.

Downloadable Bracket

Schedule

First Round (Wed., March 9)

Game 1: (9) Idaho (9-22, 6-14) 54, (8) Sacramento State 57
Game 2: (10) Idaho State (7-23, 5-15) 52, (7) Portland State 66
Game 3: (11) Northern Arizona (9-23, 5-15) 75, (6) Eastern Washington 78

Quarterfinals (Thurs., March 10)

Game 4: (8) Sacramento State (11-18, 6-14) 61, (1) Montana State 83
Game 5: (5) Montana (18-14, 11-9) 56, (4) Weber State 68
Game 6: (7) Portland State 77, (2) Southern Utah (20-11, 14-6) 65
Game 7: (6) Eastern Washington (18-15, 11-9) 67, (3) Northern Colorado 68

Semifinals (Fri., March 11)

Game 8: (4) Weber State (21-12, 13-7) 66, (1) Montana State 69
Game 9: (7) Portland State (14-17, 10-10) 79, (3) Northern Colorado 86

Championship (Sat., March 12)

Game 10: (3) Northern Colorado (20-15, 13-7) 66, (1) MONTANA STATE (27-7, 16-4) 87

Mayhem Potential

Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitter in 2020 with my own additions for 2021 and 2022.

No. 1 seeds have dominated the Big Sky Tournament, winning eight of the past 10 titles. The No. 2 seed has won the other two, including Eastern Washington in 2021. Note that the last time a team outside of the top two represented the league in the NCAA was in 2010, when fourth-seeded Montana claimed the title and earned a 14 seed for its trouble.

Note that the conference limited its tournament field up until the move to a neutral-site in Reno back in 2016.

• 1 seed (8): 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
• 2 seed (2): 2015, 2021

NCAA Seeding Record Since 2011

Years with an NCAA win are in bold.

• 13 seed (3); 2012, 2013, 2015
• 14 seed (2): 2018, 2021
• 15 seed (4): 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019
• 16 seed (1): 2014

The Big Sky last recorded an NCAA win in 2006, Montana’s 12-over-five upset of Boston College.

This season’s winner is likely to earn a 14 or 15 seed.

Last NCAA Tournament Appearances

Eastern Washington: 2021 (14 seed, 1st Round)
Montana: 2019 (15 seed, 1st Round)
Weber State: 2016 (15 seed, 1st Round)
Northern Colorado: 2011 (15 seed, Round of 64)
Portland State: 2009 (13 seed, 1st Round)
Southern Utah: 2001 (14 seed, 1st Round, Mid-Continent (Summit) member)
Northern Arizona: 2000 (15 seed, 1st Round)
Montana State: 1996 (13 seed, 1st Round)
Idaho: 1990 (13 seed, 1st Round)
Idaho State: 1987 (16 seed, 1st Round)

Sacramento State is the lone Big Sky member that’s waiting to make its first NCAA appearance. Montana has represented the Big Sky In five times since the 2009-10 season, while 2017 champ North Dakota is now in the Summit.