BIG SKY RELEASE

FARMINGTON, Utah – Idaho women's basketball was picked to finish second by the coaches and the media in the annual Big Sky Preseason Polls.

"What it is is respect for our program and what we've done here," said Jon Newlee, head coach.  "We're able to graduate great players, even in the past with the Fords and the Salvatores, the Wilsons of the World, and come back and win the league.  Even before with Stacey Barr, Alyssa Charlston.  Now to lose those two (Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce) and still be picked where we are, it's a sign of great respect for our program, which is just fantastic.
 
"And it goes to tell you that the league is really wide open.  With 14-of-15 all-league players not returning, the league's wide open.  I think Montana State clearly has the most talent in the league.  The rest of us are all trying to climb that mountain."
 
Montana State earned the sweep and is the favorite in both polls.  Idaho was close in both, however, and finished one point behind the Bobcats in the coaches' poll.  The Vandals received one first-place vote in the media poll and three in the coaches' poll.
 
Last year's Vandals won the regular season crown at 16-4 in conference play.  The Vandals would go on to advance to the semifinals of the Big Sky Tournament and earn a bid to the WNIT.  There, Idaho picked up a pair of wins before falling to eventual champion, Arizona, in the round of 16.
 
The Vandals are led by a talented group of returners, including preseason All-Big Sky selection and 2018-19 Freshman of the Year, Gina Marxen.
 
Head coach Jon Newlee and his staff have done a great job of reloading after losing two of the best players in program history.  The Vandals added three freshman to the roster, and will get Arizona transfer, Shalyse Smith, back after the semester.

"We're really going to have to spread the ball around and make up for the scoring loss," said Newlee.  "Everyone is going to have to contribute, whether it's one minute or 40.  They're going to have to be ready for their role and to step in.  Just play hard, stay focused all year long and continue to get better and hopefully we peak in March."
 
Season tickets are on sale now at GoVandals.com/tickets for just $49.  Single game tickets go on sale next week.
 
Idaho will open the season with an exhibition on Fri., Nov. 1, against Lewis-Clark State at 6 p.m.  The regular season gets started on the road at Oklahoma State on Nov. 5.
 
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2019-20 Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason Media Poll                                                                       

	School	Points
1.	Montana State (7)	155
2.	Idaho (1)	148
3.	Portland State (3)	147
4.	Idaho State (3)	140
5.	Northern Colorado (4)	131
6.	Eastern Washington (1)	126
7.	Montana (2)	116
8.	Northern Arizona	83
9.	Sacramento State	62
10.	Southern Utah	52
11.	Weber State	28

() Denotes first-place votes
 
 2019-20 Big Sky Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

	School	Points
1.	Montana State (5)	89
2.	Idaho (3)	88
3.	Portland State (2)	73
4.	Idaho State	70
5.	Montana (1)	63
6.	Northern Colorado	57
7.	Eastern Washington	52
8.	Northern Arizona	48
9.	Southern Utah	32
10.	Sacramento State	19
11.	Weber State	14