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The Montana Grizzlies won the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament in 2025, beating Northern Colorado 91-83. This was their first conference tournament title since 2019. The Grizzlies won two individual awards, earned four all-conference accolades, and placed one player on the all-defensive team. The win gave the Montana men's basketball team an NCAA tournament berth for the first time since 2019. The Big Sky Conference includes 10 full members, and the tournament has been held at a predetermined site since 2016. No. 1 seeds have dominated the tournament, winning nine of the past 13 titles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | Montana Grizzlies |
| Runner-up | Northern Colorado |
| Score | 91-83 |
| Location | Idaho Central Arena, Boise, Idaho |
| Previous year's winner | Montana State |
| Number of past titles | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
Montana Grizzlies win the 2025 Big Sky tournament
The Montana Grizzlies have won the 2025 Big Sky men's basketball tournament, topping Northern Colorado to claim the title. This is the second time Montana has won the tournament, with their first win coming in 2016. The Grizzlies' win prevented Montana State from claiming its fourth consecutive title.
The Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament is an annual event, with 2025 marking the sixth consecutive season that Boise, Idaho's Idaho Central Arena has hosted the tournament. The tournament has a long history, dating back to 1970, and has featured many competitive teams over the years.
Montana's win in the 2025 tournament was hard-fought, as they faced tough competition from the other top seeds. The Grizzlies' success can be attributed to their strong offensive and defensive strategies, as well as the dedication and talent of their players. The team's victory has earned them a spot in the NCAA tournament, where they will represent the Big Sky Conference.
The Grizzlies' victory is a testament to their hard work and determination throughout the season, and it will be exciting to see how they perform in the upcoming NCAA tournament. The team's success has brought pride to the University of Montana and its supporters, with fans celebrating the Grizzlies' achievement.
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Tournament once again showcased the talent and competitiveness of the participating teams, and the Montana Grizzlies' win has added another exciting chapter to the tournament's history. With the conclusion of the tournament, attention now turns to the upcoming NCAA tournament, where the Grizzlies will look to continue their winning streak.
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Northern Colorado misses out on the 2025 title
The Northern Colorado men's basketball team missed out on the 2025 Big Sky Conference Tournament title, losing to the Montana Grizzlies 91-83. The game took place on March 12, 2025, at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
The second-seeded Grizzlies put on a strong shooting performance to win their first conference tournament title since 2019. They rallied together and never gave up their lead, despite Northern Colorado cutting their 14-point advantage to just one point with 3:35 remaining in the game. The win earned the Grizzlies their fourth Big Sky title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Northern Colorado, on the other hand, was left disappointed, having to settle for the runner-up position. While they entered the game as the top seed, they were unable to overcome the determined Grizzlies. This loss marked the second time in recent years that Northern Colorado faced setbacks in the Big Sky Conference Tournament, as they were also forced to sit out the 2017 tournament due to self-imposed postseason bans.
The 2025 Big Sky Conference Tournament featured all ten full conference members, with the semifinals and final taking place at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho. The tournament has been held at this predetermined site since 2019, with the initial contract running through 2021. The neutral-site format was introduced in 2016, when games were played in Reno, Nevada.
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Sacramento State awaits its first NCAA appearance
California State University, Sacramento, commonly known as Sacramento State, is the only school from California in the Big Sky Conference. The university has approximately 31,500 students enrolled annually and offers 21 intercollegiate sports, with teams participating in NCAA Division I. Sacramento State's colours are green and gold, its nickname is Hornets, and its mascot is Herky the Hornet.
Sacramento State's men's basketball team has yet to make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. However, the university has shown a commitment to investing in its basketball program. In December 2024, the Hornets hired former Sacramento Kings star Mike Bibby as head coach. Sacramento State has also been aggressive in hiring coaches for other sports and has a top-20 media market.
The university has experience hosting NCAA championship events, having hosted the NCAA Track and Field Championship at Hornet Stadium in 2003 and from 2005 to 2007. Sacramento State has also demonstrated a commitment to expanding its athletics department, adding its 21st intercollegiate sport, women's beach volleyball, in the spring of 2013.
While Sacramento State has yet to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in men's basketball, the university's efforts to bolster its athletics department and basketball program specifically indicate a strong desire to compete at the highest level. The Hornets are positioning themselves to join an FBS conference in the future, further highlighting their ambition and potential to make their first NCAA appearance in men's basketball.
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The 2016 tournament had all full conference members
The 2016 Big Sky Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments were groundbreaking in several ways. This was the first year that all full conference members—12 teams in total—competed in the tournament. The men's tournament took place from March 7–12, with all games held at a neutral site for the first time: the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada. The women's tournament also took place on the same dates and at the same location.
The inclusion of all conference members in the men's tournament meant that the tournament format expanded to accommodate 12 teams. The top four teams received a first-round bye, while the remaining eight teams competed in the first round. Teams were seeded based on their conference season record, with a tiebreaker system used for teams with identical records.
The men's tournament final featured the top two seeds, with regular-season champion Weber State defeating Montana 62–59. This victory earned Weber State an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the Big Sky Conference representative. However, their NCAA tournament run was short-lived, as they lost 71–53 to Xavier in the first round.
The women's tournament also saw competitive games, with Idaho emerging as the champion after defeating Idaho State. This victory secured Idaho's second Big Sky tournament title and their first since 1985. With this win, Idaho earned an automatic berth to the NCAA women's tournament, continuing their successful return to the Big Sky Conference in 2014.
The 2016 tournaments marked a significant shift in the Big Sky Conference basketball landscape, with the expanded format providing an opportunity for all full conference members to participate and showcase their talent. The tournaments also highlighted the competitive balance within the conference, as evidenced by the close final scores in both the men's and women's tournaments.
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Montana State wins in 1963-64
The Big Sky Conference was founded on July 1, 1963, with six members in four states. The name "Big Sky" was inspired by a popular 1947 western novel of the same name by A. B. Guthrie Jr. and was proposed by sports columnist Harry Missildine. Initially conceived for basketball, the conference has since expanded to include championships in 15 other sports for men and women.
During its inaugural season in 1963-64, Montana State emerged as the regular-season champion in men's basketball. However, there was no postseason tournament held during that period. The achievement of Montana State set the tone for a competitive and exciting basketball scene within the conference.
Montana State's triumph in the 1963-64 season laid the foundation for the team's basketball legacy within the Big Sky Conference. Over the years, Montana State has continued to foster a strong basketball program, consistently producing talented players and competitive teams. The university takes pride in its basketball tradition, and the 1963-64 championship remains a significant milestone in its athletic history.
This win by Montana State also helped establish the competitive spirit of the newly formed conference. With members across four states, the Big Sky Conference provided a platform for talented athletes to showcase their skills and represent their institutions. The conference has since grown and evolved, expanding its reach and influence in collegiate athletics.
The 1963-64 season holds historical significance as it marked the beginning of what would become a prestigious and highly anticipated tournament. While the early years of the conference were focused primarily on basketball, the expansion to include other sports allowed for a more diverse athletic program. The conference has since established itself as a prominent fixture in collegiate sports, fostering competition, sportsmanship, and excellence among its members.
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Frequently asked questions
The Montana Grizzlies won the 2025 Big Sky Conference basketball tournament.
The Montana Grizzlies beat Northern Colorado 91-83 to win the 2025 Big Sky Conference basketball tournament.
The 2025 Big Sky Conference basketball tournament was held at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.
The coach of the Montana Grizzlies was Travis DeCuire, who won his third Big Sky Conference championship in six title game appearances.
Montana State won the 1963-64 Big Sky Conference basketball tournament.
