© Coach Wendy Schuller will have to shape a team without two returning All-Big Sky selections on the roster this season (Photo: EWU Athletics)CHENEY, Wash. -
The good news is Eastern Washington isn't expected to finish last in the Big Sky this upcoming season. The troubling news is, they aren't expected to win it either. Or come close for that matter.
Coaches in the Big Sky predict the Eagles will finish eighth out of 11 teams this season, right behind Sacramento State and just ahead of Northern Arizona, Weber State and newcomer Southern Utah. The preseason poll was released by the conference on Thursday.
Idaho State was picked No. 1 by both coaches and the media. Both polls had Northern Colorado second, followed by Montana and Montana State. Coaches said Portland State would finish fifth, while the media picked North Dakota No. 5.
Eastern returns three starters and six letterwinners from its 2011-12 squad, as well as three redshirts. But for the first time in three years, the Eagles will not have a returning All-Big Sky player on the roster. Gone from the lineup are 2012 MVP Brianne Ryan and second-team honoree Chene Cooper.
Eastern Washington kicks off the season Nov. 4 with an exhibition game against Carroll College. The first regular season game is Nov. 11 against Pacific at Reese Court in Cheney.
COACHES POLL
|
Team
|
Points (First-Place Votes)
|
|
1. Idaho State
|
97 (8)
|
|
2. Northern Colorado
|
88 (1)
|
|
3. Montana
|
77 (2)
|
|
4. Montana State
|
72
|
|
5. Portland State
|
63
|
|
6. North Dakota
|
53
|
|
7. Sacramento State
|
50
|
|
8. Eastern Washington
|
40
|
|
9. Northern Arizona
|
28
|
|
10. Weber State
|
17
|
|
11. Southern Utah
|
13
|
MEDIA POLL
|
Team
|
Points (First-Place Votes)
|
|
1. Idaho State
|
154 (8)
|
|
2. Northern Colorado
|
146 (4)
|
|
3. Montana
|
135 (3)
|
|
4. Montana State
|
127
|
|
5. North Dakota
|
95
|
|
6. Sacramento State
|
83
|
|
7. Portland State
|
78
|
|
8. Eastern Washington
|
65
|
|
9. Northern Arizona
|
53
|
|
10. Southern Utah
|
26
|
|
11. Weber State
|
25
|
