OGDEN, Utah (December 9, 2016) – The Big Sky Conference has long been known an outpost for strong women’s basketball on the West Coast, but some of the Big Sky’s cities have been ranked among the toughest places to play in the nation.
According to a study conducted by NCAA Division I conference sports information directors, Missoula, Mont., and Grand Forks, N.D., have been ranked as two of the ten toughest cities to play women’s college basketball in.
Missoula’s Dahlberg Arena, which opened in 1978, has long been known as one of the West Coast’s toughest venues, with games against some of the nation’s elite being held in the building. The Montana Lady Griz are 519-69 in their home building, which is good for a winning percentage of 88.26 percent, and seventh-toughest in the nation.
Montana has hosted opponents such as Tennessee and Stanford in Missoula’s Dahlberg Arena, with a program that was built by former coach Robin Selvig. The Lady Griz also hosted countless Big Sky tournaments at home, along with a handful of NCAA tournaments, as Selvig racked up a career record of 865-286.
Missoula was rated as the third-toughest city to play in the country, as the Lady Griz have a record of 528-75 in their home city. Missoula, and the University of Montana, rank above programs like Stanford, Notre Dame, Texas and Big Sky foe North Dakota. Montana trails only Tennessee and Louisiana Tech, in winning percentage in its home city.
Grand Forks made the list, coming in at eighth place. The University of North Dakota holds a record of 482-101 in its home city, good for a winning percentage of 82.67 percent.