March in Boise is cold. But inside the Idaho Central Arena last year, things got heated fast. The Big Sky Conference basketball tournament 2025 wasn't just another mid-major bracket; it was a total offensive clinic that basically rewrote the record books for the league.
People call it "Starch Madness" because of the Idaho connection, but honestly, it felt more like a heavyweight fight. You had 10 teams descending on downtown Boise from March 8 to March 12, all chasing that one golden ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The story of the week? The Montana Grizzlies.
The Griz Reclaimed the Throne
Montana hadn't been to the Big Dance since 2019. For a program with that much history, that felt like an eternity. Coach Travis DeCuire finally got his third tournament title, and he did it with a squad that simply refused to miss a shot when it mattered most.
The championship game against Northern Colorado was an absolute track meet. We’re talking about two of the most efficient offenses in the country going bucket-for-bucket on national TV. Montana walked away with a 91-83 win, but the stats from that night are actually kind of hard to believe.
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Get this: from about mid-way through the first half until several minutes into the second, Montana went perfect from the floor. They didn't miss a single shot for over 13 minutes of game time. That’s not just "getting hot." That’s a glitch in the Matrix.
How the Bracket Shook Out
The tournament structure gave the top six seeds a bye, which is a massive advantage in a five-day sprint. Northern Colorado came in as the #1 seed after winning a tiebreaker over Montana, while Sacramento State and Weber State had to fight through the opening round just to see Sunday.
- Northern Colorado (15-3)
- Montana (15-3)
- Portland State (11-7)
- Idaho State (10-8)
- Montana State (9-9)
- Idaho (8-10)
The early rounds saw some vintage Big Sky chaos. Weber State handled Sac State in the 9/10 game, and Northern Arizona squeezed past Eastern Washington. But the real shocker came in the quarterfinals when #6 Idaho knocked off #3 Portland State 80-70. It basically blew up everyone's bracket before the work week even started.
The Semifinal Dominance
By Tuesday, the "Big Two" had separated themselves. Northern Colorado absolutely dismantled Montana State 72-45. It was a nightmare for the Bobcats, who shot a miserable 23.6% for the game. Meanwhile, Montana cruised past Idaho 78-55.
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It set up the dream final: #1 vs. #2. The two best teams in the league, tied at 15-3 in the regular season, playing for everything.
The Stars of Starch Madness
You can't talk about the Big Sky Conference basketball tournament 2025 without mentioning Brandon Whitney. The Grizzly veteran was named Tournament MVP after averaging 16.3 points and shooting a ridiculous 72% over the three games. He was the steady hand Montana needed when the pressure ramped up.
- Money Williams (Montana): A force in the backcourt who kept defenders on skates all week.
- Kai Johnson (Montana): Surpassed the 1,500-career point mark during the title game. He was the "closer" who iced the game at the free-throw line.
- Jaron Rillie (Northern Colorado): He dropped 24 points in the final on 75% shooting. If Montana hadn't been historically perfect, we’d be talking about Rillie as the hero.
Honestly, the level of guard play in the Big Sky right now is probably better than some Power 4 conferences. These guys can flat-out hoop, and they do it in a high-altitude, fast-paced style that's a blast to watch.
Why Boise Still Works
There was some chatter a few years back about moving the tournament around, but Boise has really embraced the Big Sky. The Idaho Central Arena is right in the heart of the city. You’ve got fans from Missoula, Greeley, and Pocatello all mingling in the "Fan Zones" at places like 10 Barrel Brewing or White Dog Brewing. It’s got a real community vibe that you don't get in the bigger, more corporate tournaments.
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Scripps Sports and ESPN+ handled the broadcasting, but if you weren't there in person, you missed the energy of the Grizzly fans taking over the downtown blocks. It’s become a legitimate destination for mid-major hoops junkies.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Cycle
The 2025 tournament is in the books, but the ripple effects are already shaping what happens next. If you're planning to follow the Big Sky or head to Boise for 2026, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Book Your Hotel Early: The Hampton Inn and The Grove fill up months in advance because they serve as the official team hotels. If you want to stay where the action is, January is usually the "last call" for decent rates.
- Watch the Transfers: Montana’s success was built on a mix of veterans and smart portal additions. Keep an eye on the Big Sky's "Preseason All-Conference" lists that drop in October—that's usually where you'll find the guys who will be dominating the floor in March.
- The "Bye" Factor: Pay attention to the regular-season standings in February. Finishing in that top six is the difference between having fresh legs or playing four games in five days. In 2025, the tired teams got bounced early.
- Follow the Shooting Percentages: The Big Sky is an offensive-heavy league. Teams that lead the conference in "Effective Field Goal Percentage" (eFG%) almost always make deep runs in Boise. Montana proved that by essentially not missing for half a game.
The road to the 2026 tournament starts the second the final whistle blows. If the 2025 edition taught us anything, it's that you can never count out a Travis DeCuire team when the stakes are highest. Keep your eyes on the standings as the 2025-26 season progresses—the Griz are the hunted now.