Big Sky Conference pollsters have a consensus, at least in terms of the top four teams in the league, and the Portland State Vikings are vital among them. PSU was picked to finish second in both the Big Sky Coaches and Media Polls today as released by the league. The Vikings trail Montana, the defending Big Sky Champion, in both polls.
 
PSU's placement in the polls is its best since being picked to win the league back in 2009 (and the Vikings did so by winning the Big Sky Tournament that year). Certainly, that prediction is based on Portland State's strong 2024-25 season (19-13 overall, 11-7 and third place in the Big Sky) and its strong returning core of players as fifth-year Head Coach Jase Coburn figures to have his best team yet.
 
In the Coaches Poll, Montana received six first-place votes, Portland State got three first-place votes, and Idaho had one first-place vote. The Griz had 78 polling points to 72 for the Vikings.
 
In the Media Poll, Montana received 21 of 35 first-place votes. The Vikings had nine top votes, while Northern Colorado and Idaho received two each and Sacramento State had one. PSU and Montana were clear favorites with the Griz getting 323 polling points to 302 for the Vikings.
 
In each poll, Northern Colorado placed third and Idaho placed fourth.
 
The Vikings high ranking is boosted by a returning team that includes three starters and a strong group of transfers. The Vikings will feature three league honorees from the 2024-25 season: senior forward Terri Miller Jr. (second team All-Big Sky Conference, 12.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 52% FG); senior guard Jaylin Henderson (honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference, 13.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 56 3-pt FG); and senior center Tre-Vaughn Minott (Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, 7.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 54 blocked shots, 67% FG%).
 
Portland State also led the Big Sky in scoring defense (65.8), field goal percentage defense (.419), three-point defense (.274), turnovers forced (13.1), steals (7.4) and blocked shots (4.4) in league games.
 
The Vikings will open their season on Nov. 4 at Stanford. A first home game comes on Nov. 7 against Northwest Indian College.
 
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2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Montana (6) – 78
2: Portland State (3) – 72
3: Northern Colorado – 63
4: Idaho (1) – 59
T5: Eastern Washington – 40
T5: Montana State – 40
7: Sacramento State – 35
8: Idaho State – 31
9: Weber State – 22
10: Northern Arizona – 10
 
() – Denotes First-Place Votes
 
 
2025-26 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1: Montana (21) – 323
2: Portland State (9) – 302
3: Northern Colorado (2) – 245
4: Idaho (2) – 231
5: Idaho State – 202
6: Montana State – 165
7: Sacramento State (1) – 143
8: Eastern Washington – 136
9: Weber State – 113
10: Northern Arizona – 61
 
() – Denotes First-Place Votes