Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the Big Sky women's basketball tournament, you're missing the most chaotic, high-altitude drama in college hoops. People call it "Starch Madness." It’s a bit of a local joke because of the Idaho potatoes, but the basketball? That’s no joke. Every March, ten teams descend on Boise, Idaho, and basically tear each other apart for five days at the Idaho Central Arena.
The 2026 edition is already shaping up to be a total mess for bracketologists.
Why Boise Changes Everything
For years, this tournament was a "home-court advantage" nightmare. If you were the top seed, you hosted. That meant teams had to fly into Missoula or Bozeman and try to win in front of 7,000 screaming fans who had been tailgating in sub-zero temperatures.
Now, everyone goes to Boise. It's neutral—mostly.
From March 7 to March 11, 2026, the Idaho Central Arena becomes the center of the Big Sky universe. You've got 10 teams. No one is safe. In the Big Sky, the gap between the #1 seed and the #8 seed is usually about three made layups and a couple of controversial whistle blows.
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The Montana Dynasty vs. The New Guard
You can't talk about this tournament without mentioning the University of Montana. The Lady Griz are the gold standard. They’ve won over 20 conference titles. For decades, coach Robin Selvig turned Missoula into a graveyard for opposing dreams.
But things have shifted.
Montana State is the reigning 2025 champion, and they aren't looking to give up the crown. They recently pulled off a 30-win season—the first in the history of the conference. Think about that. Thirty wins in a league where you have to travel across state lines in 15-passenger vans through blizzards.
Players to Watch (The Ones Who Will Ruin Your Bracket)
If you’re watching the 2026 Big Sky women's basketball tournament, you need to know these names. These aren't just "good players." They are the kind of athletes who take over a game when their teammates are gassing out in the fourth quarter.
- Taylee Chirrick (Montana State): She is a walking stat sheet. In early 2026, she dropped 42 points in a single game. She’s also a defensive nightmare, ranking near the top of the nation in steals. If she’s on the floor, the other team’s point guard is having a bad day.
- Benthe Versteeg (Sacramento State): The Preseason MVP. She leads the league in assists by a mile. Watching her pass is like watching a magician; you know the ball is going somewhere, you just don't know how it got there.
- Naomi White (Northern Arizona): A pure scorer. She’s been averaging over 20 points a game. When NAU needs a bucket, they just give it to White and get out of the way.
- Mack Konig & Avery Waddington (Montana): The duo keeping the Lady Griz in the hunt. They both average double digits and represent that "old school" Montana toughness.
The 2026 Schedule: Survival of the Fittest
The format is a gauntlet. Pure and simple.
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- Saturday, March 7: The "Opening Act." Seeds 7 through 10 play. These are the "win or go home" games for the teams that struggled in the regular season.
- Sunday, March 8: The heavy hitters enter. The #1 and #2 seeds play the winners from Saturday. This is where the upsets usually happen. Tired legs vs. fresh legs.
- Monday, March 9: The quarterfinals continue. Seeds 3 through 6 battle it out.
- Tuesday, March 10: Semifinal Tuesday. This is usually the best day of basketball. Two games, high stakes, the arena is buzzing.
- Wednesday, March 11: The Championship. 3:00 p.m. MT. Winner gets the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The loser goes home with nothing but a "good job" and a long bus ride.
The "Elevation" Factor
People forget that the Big Sky is called the Big Sky for a reason. Most of these schools are at high altitudes. While Boise isn't as high as Flagstaff or Laramie, the style of play is still influenced by that mountain-tough mentality.
The officiating is often "let them play." It’s physical. If you're looking for soft fouls, go watch a different conference. In the Big Sky women's basketball tournament, you're going to see players diving for loose balls like it’s a rugby match.
Tickets and Travel (What You Actually Need to Know)
If you're planning to head to Boise, don't wait.
All-session passes for the women's tournament are surprisingly affordable—usually around $38 to $40 for the whole week. That’s five days of basketball for the price of a fancy steak dinner. You can get them through the individual school ticket offices or directly from the Idaho Central Arena box office.
Most fans stay at The Grove Hotel because it’s attached to the arena. You can literally walk from your room to your seat without putting on a coat, which is a big deal in Idaho in March.
Is the Tournament Really That Unpredictable?
Kinda. While Montana and Montana State usually dominate the conversation, we've seen teams like Northern Colorado and Portland State go on absolute tears.
The biggest misconception is that the regular-season champion is a lock. They aren't. Since moving to the neutral site in Boise, the "lower" seeds have found a new life. There's something about that arena that levels the playing field.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Tournament
If you want to experience the Big Sky women's basketball tournament like a pro, follow these steps:
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- Watch the early rounds on ESPN+: Every single game is streamed. If you can’t be in Boise, this is the only way to catch the morning sessions.
- Monitor the injury reports for Northern Arizona: They have the talent to win it all, but they’ve been bitten by the injury bug in the past. If they are healthy, they are the "dark horse" everyone should fear.
- Focus on the "Third-Quarter Push": Statistics show that Big Sky teams that lead at the end of the third quarter win the game over 85% of the time in the tournament.
- Book your Boise hotel by February: Once the seeds are locked in, the fans from the top schools (especially the Montana schools) will flood the city and rooms will vanish.
- Check the "Starch Madness" fan zones: The city of Boise puts on a massive festival around the tournament. It’s worth checking out the local breweries and fan events between sessions.
The Big Sky isn't just a mid-major conference. It's a collection of programs that play with a chip on their shoulder. Whether it's the 2026 championship or a random Saturday in February, these women play like their lives depend on it. That’s what makes March in Boise so special.