FARMINGTON, Utah (Feb. 24, 2026) – Just one weekend of Big Sky Conference men’s basketball remains, as only 14 games separate all 10 programs from Starch Madness.
There is a lot to be decided this week, including Portland State looking to secure the conference title outright with another victory.
#BigSkyMBB Notes (Feb. 24, 2026)
Below are the latest news and notes from around the Big Sky.
ISU’s Etchison Named Big Sky & National Player of the Week
Coming off the bench, Idaho State’s Gus Etchison averaged 32.5 points per game against Montana and Montana State this past weekend to earn Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors. Heading into the weekend the Bengals were on a nine-game losing skid, and Etchison was averaging just 6.4 ppg on the year. After 80 minutes of basketball, the Bengals had defeated the Grizzlies and Bobcats in the same weekend for the first time since 2007-08. Etchison also averaged four rebounds per game and dished out 10 assists.
Yesterday, he was named National Player of the Week by CollegeInsider.com, becoming the fourth Big Sky player this season to earn that recognition. Etchison is a transfer from Marian University and is the first Bengal to earn weekly honors from the Big Sky so far this season.
Vikings Clinch a Big Sky Share
On Saturday, the Portland State Vikings clinched a share of the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball regular season championship for the first time since 2008. With one more victory, the Vikings will be outright Big Sky Conference champions and secure the No. 1 overall seed for Starch Madness. The Vikings will play at Montana State (Thursday) and at Montana (Saturday) before wrapping up their regular season at home against Weber State (Monday).
Both Eastern Washington and Montana State are still able to also clinch a share of the regular season title, but this is only possible if Portland State loses its three remaining games and each program wins its final three contests.
Both Eastern Washington and Montana State are still able to also clinch a share of the regular season title, but this is only possible if Portland State loses its three remaining games and each program wins its final three contests.
Stat Leaders
Montana’s Money Williams will enter the final week of the regular season as the Big Sky’s leading scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game for the Grizzlies. He is trailed by Portland State’s Terri Miller Jr. (19.2 ppg) and Sacramento State’s Prophet Johnson (18.8 ppg).
Portland State’s Tre-Vaughn Minott remains the Big Sky’s top rebounder, averaging 8.8 per contest for the Vikings. He has 134 defensive rebounds and 94 offensive rebounds so far this season.
Northern Colorado’s Quinn Denker is the conference leader for assists, with a total of 188 through 26 contests for an average of 7.2 per game.
Sac State’s Johnson is the league leader in steals, with a total of 72 for an average of 2.8 per contest.
Idaho State’s Evan Otten is the Big Sky leader in blocked shots with 51 total for an average of 1.8 per game.
Northern Colorado leads the Big Sky in total team offense, averaging 82.8 points per game through 28 contests. On the flip side, the Vikings of Portland State lead the league in total team defense with an average of 69.5 ppg.
Starch Madness
The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships in Boise, Idaho will take place from March 7-11 inside Idaho Central Arena. Visit
StarchMadness.com for more details.
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Upcoming Big Sky Men’s Basketball Games (MT)
Thursday, February 26
Portland State at Montana State | ESPN+/SWX | 7:00 p.m.
Sacramento State at Montana | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Northern Arizona at Idaho | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Northern Colorado at Eastern Washington | ESPN+ | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 28
Sacramento State at Montana State | ESPN+ | 1:00 p.m.
Portland State at Montana | ESPN+/SWX | 2:00 p.m.
Northern Colorado at Idaho | ESPN+ | 2:00 p.m.
Northern Arizona at Eastern Washington | ESPN+ | 2:00 p.m.
Weber State at Idaho State | ESPN+ | 4:00 p.m.
Monday, March 2
Montana State at Northern Arizona | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.
Montana at Northern Colorado | ESPN+ | 6:00 p.m.
Idaho at Eastern Washington | ESPN+/SWX | 7:00 p.m.
Weber State at Portland State | ESPN+ | 8:00 p.m.
Idaho State at Sacramento State | ESPN+/KMAX | 8:00 p.m.