Big Sky Released Preseason Men's Basketball Polls

Montana State led the conference rankings, while Portland State secured a preseason spot in the top five.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball

Big Sky Released Preseason Men's Basketball Polls

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The Big Sky Conference announced its preseason coaches and media polls on Wednesday. Montana State topped both rankings, while the Portland State Vikings earned a top-five position heading into the upcoming season.

Why it matters

These preseason rankings offer a benchmark for competitive expectations across the conference. They follow Portland State's successful 2025-26 season, where the team captured the Big Sky regular-season title.

Koren Johnson, who averaged 11.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during the 2023-24 season, was named to the preseason all-conference team. The coaches poll placed Portland State in a tie for fourth, 17 points ahead of Idaho.

The players

Koren Johnson

He is a standout guard who was previously ranked as the No. 1 recruit from Washington state and a top-25 national point guard prospect.

Portland State Vikings

This is the men's basketball team representing Portland State University that competes in the Big Sky Conference.

Langston Reynolds

He is a college basketball player who received preseason MVP honors from the Big Sky Conference.

The details

Coaches and media members voted on league placements and the seven-member all-conference team. Langston Reynolds was selected for preseason MVP honors, and Portland State intends to remain a top contender for the 2026-27 Big Sky Conference title.

Koren Johnson played for Washington during the 2023-24 season.
Portland State won the Big Sky regular-season title in 2025-26.
The Big Sky announced its preseason polls on October 14, 2026.
Portland State plays an exhibition game at Nevada on October 25, 2026.
The Portland State season opener against Lewis & Clark is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This preseason ranking establishes the competitive baseline for the conference as teams prepare for the 2026-27 campaign. It highlights how Portland State is positioned to maintain its status as a league power following its 2025-26 Big Sky Conference regular-season title.

Portland State prepares for an exhibition match at Nevada on October 25 before officially beginning their season. These polls indicate the Vikings are viewed as a top-five team heading into their November 3 season opener against Lewis & Clark.

The takeaway

Preseason rankings provide an early look at how conference coaches and media view the upcoming competitive balance. Fans can track the accuracy of these predictions as the Vikings begin their exhibition schedule in late October.