2012-13 Big Sky Conference Basketball Countdown: Montana State

Moving ahead with the countdown, it's time to take a look at the Montana State Bobcats.  Both teams experienced very different campaigns last season, as the women's team recorded a 19-11 record and an appearance in the conference semifinals against conference runner-up Northern Colorado.  The men's team, on the other hand, struggled during their season, which included an eight-game losing streak in the middle of conference play, and an offseason that included two players having a brush with the law.

WBB: Ever since Tricia Binford took over the women's basketball program prior to the 2005-06 season, the Lady Bobcats have gone from conference bottom-feeder to regular conference contender.  They just haven't won a conference tournament under Binford--yet.  But with four starters coming back from last year, their chances of finally getting over the hump look promising, despite losing top scorer Katie Bussey to graduation.  The Bobcats' top returning scorer is senior forward Rachel Semansky (right), who was second on last season's team at 13.8 points/game and led the team in rebounding at 8.8/game.  Another starter coming back for Montana State is junior forward Ashley (Albert) Brumwell, who is the only other top scorer to average double figures per game.  Senior guard Latisha Adams and junior center Chelsea Banis round out the returning starters for the Bobcats.

VERDICT: Tricia Binford enters her eighth season as the winningest head coach in program history.  Her teams have gotten progressively better throughout her tenure in Bozeman, and with the talent she's assembled this year, the Bobcats will definitely be in the mix with Idaho State, Montana, and Northern Colorado for the conference crown.  If the Bobcats win the Big Sky championship, it will only be their second in program history (1993 was their only conference championship).

MBB: The 2011-12 season was a disappointment for the men's basketball squad, as they finished the season 12-16 overall (7-9 in conference) and failed to make the conference tournament.  Then their offseason was marred by turmoil, as forwards Tre Johnson and Jeff Budinich were both arrested & charged with two counts of criminal trespass to vehicles and theft, respectively.  Head coach Brad Huse (left) dismissed Johnson (who started 20 of the Bobcats' 26 games last season and led the team in rebounding) from the team while Budinich, who was mostly used off of the bench, was suspended.  Outside of the turmoil, Huse brings in four junior college transfers (Paul Egwuonwu, Antonio Biglow, Flavien Davis, and Calen Coleman) and five freshmen (one redshirt), but does bring back leading scorer from last season in senior guard Xavier Blount (11.7 ppg).  Other key players returning for Montana State include senior guards Jamie Stewart and Christian Moon, who both made spot starts in the Bobcats' starting five.

VERDICT: While they're no where close to being a top-tier team like Montana or Weber State, making the tournament shouldn't be a big surprise as long as the Bobcats play well in league play.

UP NEXT: Montana

Photo credits: Bozeman Daily Chronicle