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2023 Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Dates

• Saturday, March 4 (first round)
• Sunday, March 5 and Monday, March 6 (quarterfinals)
• Tuesday, March 7 (semifinals)
• Wednesday, March 8 (final)

Format

Traditional bracket, but with split quarterfinal doubleheaders aimed at giving the top two seeds a rest day before the semifinals.

Site

Boise’s Idaho Central Arena, which is not on Boise State’s campus, will host for the fifth straight season.

Participants

All 10 teams will play in this season’s event. Southern Utah left for the WAC after last season.

Downloadable Bracket

Schedule

All times are p.m. Eastern.

First Round (Sat., March 4)

Game 1: (10) Idaho (10-22, 4-14) 76, (9) Northern Arizona 87
Game 2: (8) Northern Colorado 84, (7) Portland State (12-18, 6-11) 80

Quarterfinals (Sun., March 5)

Game 3: (9) Northern Arizona 81, (1) Eastern Washington (22-10, 16-2) 80
Game 4: (8) Northern Colorado (12-20, 6-12) 73, (2) Montana State 84

Quarterfinals (Mon., March 6)

Game 5: (5) Idaho State (11-21, 8-10) 74, (4) Montana 83
Game 6: (6) Sacramento State (14-18, 7-11) 64, (3) Weber State 70

Semifinals (Tues., March 7)

Game 7: (9) Northern Arizona 83, (4) Montana (17-14, 10-7) 71
Game 8: (3) Weber State (18-15, 12-6) 58, (2) Montana State 60 (2OT)

Championship (Wed., March 8)

Game 9: (9) Northern Arizona (12-23, 5-13) 78, (2) MONTANA STATE (25-9, 15-3) 85

Mayhem Potential Since 2011

Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitter in 2020 with my own additions for the seasons beyond.

No. 1 seeds have dominated the Big Sky Tournament, winning eight of the past 11 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 (9): 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
• 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 (3): 2018, 2021, 2022
• 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, as has been the case since 2016. Eastern Washington could sneak a 13 though based on its regular-season success.

Last NCAA Tournament Appearances

Montana State: 2022 (14 seed, 1st Round)
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)
Northern Arizona: 2000 (15 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 five times since the 2009-10 season, while 2017 champ North Dakota is now in the Summit.