OGDEN, Utah - For not the first time in history, and assuredly not the last, there is discrepancy between the women's basketball coaches and media in the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky office announced the 2009-10 preseason coaches and media polls on Thursday morning.

The two groups agreed on the top three picks and the ninth selection, but had the middle of the pack in different orders.

Northern Colorado is selected sixth among the coaches with 28 points but eighth in the coaches poll with 66 points.

"With the way we ended the season last year it's no big surprise we're picked where we are," said Head Coach Jaime White. "The good thing is they mean very little to us as far as how we think we will end up."

Portland State, Montana and Montana State were tabbed by both groups as the top three, respectively, while Northern Arizona rounded out both polls in ninth. The coaches have Weber State fourth and Idaho State fifth ahead of the Bears, then Eastern Washington and Sacramento State in seventh and eighth, respectively. The media ranked Idaho State fourth, Sacramento State fifth, Weber State sixth and Eastern Washington seventh.

Montana won the Big Sky title a year ago, advancing to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Pitt. Portland State, this year's choice to win the league, made it to the second round of the WNIT falling to instate rival Oregon State.

The Bears narrowly missed the 2009 Big Sky Tournament and return seven players who started in at least one game on last year's 12-18 squad, including Big Sky Second-Team All-Conference selection Courtney Stoermer and seniors Lizzie Cooper and Whitley Cox.

"We've been very excited by what we've seen thus far in practice," said White. "We return almost everyone from a year ago, so having a more experienced team is something we haven't worked with in the past here and we are looking forward to getting things going."

Northern Colorado begins the exhibition season on Nov. 2 against Regis and the regular season at New Mexico in the first round of the WNIT on Nov. 13.

Coaches Poll	Pts. (1st Place)
1. Portland State	63 (7)
2. Montana	56 (2)
3. Montana State	50
4. Weber State	30
5. Idaho State	29
6. Northern Colorado	28
7. Eastern Washington	25
8. Sacramento State	22
9. Northern Arizona	21

 

Media Poll	Pts. (1st Place)
1. Portland State	204 (15)
2. Montana	201 (9)
3. Montana State	162
4. Idaho State	111
5. Sacramento State	108
6. Weber State	90
7. Eastern Washington	75
8. Northern Colorado	66
9. Northern Arizona	63