The Big Sky Conference Championship game delivered a matchup that few could have predicted at the start of the tournament: the Idaho Vandals, seeded seventh, facing off against the fourth-seeded Montana Grizzlies at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. With a coveted NCAA Tournament bid hanging in the balance, both squads entered Wednesday night’s showdown with momentum and a hunger to rewrite their respective histories.
Idaho’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. The Vandals, who finished the regular season with a 20-14 overall record and a 9-9 mark in conference play, had not reached the Big Sky title game since 2014. Under the guidance of head coach Alex Pribble, Idaho strung together four consecutive victories, including three in the Big Sky Tournament, to earn their shot at conference glory. The team’s resurgence has been marked by a renewed emphasis on physicality, particularly in the paint, where they’ve posted a +4.0 rebounding margin and won the battle on the glass in 21 of 34 games this season—a stark improvement from last year’s -1.9 margin.
Montana, meanwhile, arrived in Boise with an 18-15 record (10-8 Big Sky) and a reputation for postseason grit. The Grizzlies were making their third consecutive appearance in the conference title game and came in hot, having knocked off two tournament favorites—Northern Colorado and Portland State—en route to the final. Junior guard Money Williams has been the story of the tournament, pouring in a staggering 72 points across two games and fueling Montana’s offense with his aggressive drives and clutch shot-making. In the semifinal win over Portland State, Williams erupted for 32 points, while Brooklyn Hicks added 12, Tyler Isaak chipped in 10 off the bench, and Te’Jon Sawyer pulled down nine rebounds.
For Idaho, the path to the championship included a gritty win over Sacramento State, where the Vandals’ defense stifled their opponents, holding them to just 45 points. In the next round, Idaho staged a dramatic comeback against Montana State, erasing a 21-point first-half deficit to win 92-89 at the buzzer—marking the program’s largest comeback win of the 21st century. The Vandals then dispatched third-seeded Eastern Washington 81-68, with Kolton Mitchell leading the way with 26 points and seven boards, Jackson Rasmussen contributing 16 points, and Biko Johnson adding 11.
The regular-season meetings between Idaho and Montana were both nail-biters, each decided by two possessions in the closing moments. In Moscow, Idaho rallied from 18 points down to briefly take the lead, only for the Grizzlies to reclaim control. In Missoula, Idaho’s defense held Montana to just 19 first-half points, but the Grizzlies again found a way to prevail. Montana has dominated the head-to-head series in recent years, winning the last nine meetings before this championship clash. However, the Vandals entered the final on a 6-1 SU/ATS run, playing their best basketball of the season and displaying a newfound confidence.
Both teams brought distinct strengths and storylines into the championship. Idaho’s offense, buoyed by a school-record 312 made three-pointers this season, features a balanced attack. Over half their games saw four or more players reach double figures, and six different Vandals have scored 10-plus points against Division I opponents on two occasions. Senior forward Brody Rowbury has surpassed 1,000 career points, while freshman sensation Jackson Rasmussen set the program’s all-time freshman scoring record with 468 points following his semifinal outing. Five Idaho natives dot the Vandals’ roster, the most since the 1971-72 season, further fueling the team’s connection to the local crowd in Boise.
Montana, for its part, has relied on the superstar play of Money Williams, who averages 20.6 points per game, and the steady contributions of Te’Jon Sawyer (11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds per game). The Grizzlies’ run to the final was especially impressive given their ability to rebound from a crushing 29-point defeat in the regular-season finale. Veteran head coach Travis DeCuire has his squad playing with renewed confidence, as evidenced by their sizeable halftime leads and resilience in close games. The Grizzlies have also found success from beyond the arc, shooting 40% from three-point range in their two regular-season meetings against Idaho.
Oddsmakers set Idaho as a 3.5-point favorite for the championship, with the over/under pegged at 146.5 points. Many analysts predicted a high-scoring affair, citing both teams’ offensive firepower and the likelihood of a barrage of three-pointers. "Williams has completely taken over this tournament, and Montana is operating at an extremely efficient rate," one preview noted, highlighting the Grizzlies’ aggressive approach and frequent trips to the free-throw line. However, Idaho’s defense had shown the ability to frustrate opponents, as seen in their tournament run, and the Vandals’ offensive depth—anchored by Kolton Mitchell (13.8 points per game) and Jackson Rasmussen (14.2 points per game)—suggested they were well-equipped to keep pace.
Rebounding was another key storyline. Montana entered the championship ranked just 259th nationally in rebound rate, while Idaho hovered just outside the top 100. The Vandals’ dominance on the boards, coupled with Montana’s struggles, was expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. "Idaho should be able to take advantage on the glass," experts predicted, especially with the Vandals’ emphasis on physical play inside.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. For Idaho, a win would secure their fifth conference title and the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 1990—a drought spanning nearly four decades. The 2025-26 campaign also marked the 120th year of Idaho men’s basketball, adding historical weight to the occasion. For Montana, a victory would mean a second consecutive NCAA berth and another chapter in their storied postseason tradition.
As the teams took the floor in front of a raucous crowd at Idaho Central Arena, the energy was palpable. The Vandals, buoyed by their local fan base and playing just a short drive from their campus, hoped to finally break Montana’s stranglehold on the rivalry. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies—battle-tested and brimming with confidence—looked to continue their postseason magic behind the red-hot Money Williams.
With both teams boasting playmakers, deep shooting threats, and a history of dramatic finishes, fans were treated to a championship game worthy of March’s reputation for unpredictability and excitement. The NCAA Tournament bid remained up for grabs as the action unfolded, and with so much on the line, every possession felt like it could tip the balance.
As of press time, the Big Sky Championship was still underway, with neither side able to claim victory just yet. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Idaho and Montana have delivered a title game for the ages, and college basketball fans everywhere are watching with bated breath to see which team will punch its ticket to March Madness.