Hagadone Sports Network

Spring Game Standouts, Portal Moves & NFL Draft Buzz in the Big Sky

The Big Sky Conference is buzzing — and this week’s episode has it all. Daily Inter Lake's Josh Amick, Fritz Neighbor and Jon Allen break down Montana’s spring game, from standout performers to incoming players who made an early impression, and what the Griz can build on heading into fall camp.

The spring transfer portal window is open, and we’re talking about which Big Sky teams might make key additions and where the biggest needs lie. Plus, we’re on NFL Draft watch: Tommy Mellott has met with the Bengals, and his strong pro day showing could shake up his draft stock. We also highlight other Big Sky prospects on NFL radars and preview what to expect as the draft nears.

#BigSkyFootball #NFLDraft2024 #MontanaGrizzlies #TommyMellott #MontanaStateBobcats #SpringFootball #CollegeFootballPodcast #FCSFootball #TransferPortal #SacState #BengalsDraft #FCSProspects

April 18, 2025

Spring football updates, transfer portal buzz, and Sac State’s FBS ambitions

The spring football season is here, and Big Sky Now is diving deep into what it all means for your favorite programs! Daily Inter Lake's Josh Amick, Fritz Neighbor and Jon Allen return to talk Montana's spring game and what to expect from the Griz’s evolving offensive line and quarterback room. We break down the national buzz around spring games with a Deion Sanders-inspired debate: should these glorified practices turn into real matchups?

Also on deck: top transfer portal moves shaking up the Big Sky, including impact players like Jake Jensen (USC to Montana) and Cardell Williams (Tulsa to Sac State). Plus, we unpack Jackson Pressley's commitment flip from Boise State to Montana State and what it signals for the Bobcats' future under Brent Vigen.

April 9, 2025

Big Sky Basketball Shake-Up: Coaching Moves, Transfer Portal & NCAA Aftermath

The offseason is heating up in the Big Sky Conference! Sacramento State makes a splash by hiring NBA legend Mike Bibby—but is it the right move? Plus, Northern Arizona women’s coach Lori Payne departs, sparking questions about player transfers. The transfer portal is buzzing, with key players from Montana, Northern Colorado, and Idaho State on the move. And after Big Sky teams’ tough NCAA Tournament runs, what’s next for Montana, Montana State, and Northern Colorado? Tune in for expert analysis on the latest coaching hires, roster shake-ups, and the impact of NIL deals in college hoops!

March 26, 2025

Big Sky Madness: NCAA Matchups, Upset Picks & Bracket Breakdown

March Madness is here, and Josh Amick and Jon Allen diving deep into the Big Sky Conference teams heading to the big dance! Montana takes on Wisconsin in a tough first-round battle, while Montana State’s defense looks to slow down powerhouse Ohio State. Can Northern Colorado make noise in the NIT? Will NAU take down Arizona in the WBIT? Plus, we break down the men’s and women’s brackets, highlight potential upsets, and reveal our Final Four predictions.

Think you can outpick the Josh and Jon? Fill out your March Madness bracket by this Thursday at 10 am for the men's tourney and Friday for the women's!

Link to the men's bracket - https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=257&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=58375869-baed-4f42-888b-679dae2658ef
Link to the women's bracket - https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=258&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=d0a705ab-8076-49cb-a80d-43be0e398508  

Watch this episode on Hagadone Sports Network's YouTube page! Subscribe to keep up to date with all things Big Sky Conference.

March 19, 2025

Big Sky Tournament: Montana’s Big Win, Bobcats’ Heartbreaker & NCAA Bracket

The Big Sky Tournament delivered nonstop drama, and hosts Josh Amick and Jon Allen of the Daily Inter Lake break it all down for you! Montana claimed the men’s championship in dominant fashion, while the Montana State women punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a thrilling buzzer-beater win over the Lady Griz. We analyze how both teams stack up heading into March Madness, what went wrong for Portland State and Idaho, and how Northern Colorado could make noise in the NIT. Plus, we look at projected seeding, potential NCAA matchups, and what it all means for the Big Sky Conference.

March 14, 2025

Big Sky Tournament Preview: Top Contenders, Bracket Predictions & Sleeper Teams

The Big Sky Tournament is here, and teams are fighting for their shot at March Madness! This week on Big Sky Now, Daily Inter Lake reporters Josh Amick and Jon Allen analyze Montana and Northern Colorado’s regular-season title share, Portland State and Idaho State’s late-season surge, and Montana State women’s surprising loss to Sacramento State. Can the Bobcats bounce back, or did the Hornets expose a winning formula? Plus, we break down the key first-round matchups, including Weber vs. Sac State and NAU vs. Eastern, and predict which teams will advance in both the men’s and women’s brackets. Don’t miss our in-depth breakdown of every game as the road to the Big Dance begins!

March 6, 2025

Big Sky Basketball Playoff Race Heats Up: Brawl of the Wild, Top Seeds & Tournament Predictions

This week on Big Sky Now, hosts Josh Amick and Jon Allen from the Daily Inter Lake break down Montana’s thrilling 89-85 win over Montana State in the Brawl of the Wild and what it means for the conference standings. With the playoffs looming, we analyze the battle for the No. 1 seed, the intense fight for seeding in the middle of the pack, and which teams could be poised for a deep tournament run. Plus, we dive into the women’s side, where Montana State is riding a 15-game win streak and looks unstoppable.

February 27, 2025

Big Sky Basketball Shake-Up: Coaching Moves, Transfer Portal & NCAA Aftermath

The offseason is heating up in the Big Sky Conference! Sacramento State makes a splash by hiring NBA legend Mike Bibby—but is it the right move? Plus, Northern Arizona women’s coach Lori Payne departs, sparking questions about player transfers. The transfer portal is buzzing, with key players from Montana, Northern Colorado, and Idaho State on the move. And after Big Sky teams’ tough NCAA Tournament runs, what’s next for Montana, Montana State, and Northern Colorado? Tune in for expert analysis on the latest coaching hires, roster shake-ups, and the impact of NIL deals in college hoops!

February 26, 2025

Big Sky Basketball HEATS UP: Montana State’s Streak, Playoff Races & Conference Chaos!

The Big Sky Conference is heating up as the race for the Big Sky Tournament and March Madness tightens. Hosts Josh Amick and Jon Allen from the Daily Inter Lake break down the latest standings, key matchups, and bracketology implications with Selection Sunday on the horizon. With Montana State’s women’s team extending their winning streak to 15 games and the Lady Griz finding their stride under new leadership, the conference title picture is coming into focus.

On the men’s side, Montana made a statement with a dominant win over Northern Colorado to move into first place, while Montana State stumbled with two close losses. Meanwhile, Portland State, Idaho State, and Eastern Washington are locked in a battle for top seeding, making every game crucial. Can the Bobcats bounce back? Will the Vandals or Bengals prove they’re contenders? Tune in for bold predictions, hot takes, and everything you need to know as the Big Sky Tournament approaches!

February 12, 2025

Diving into Big Sky Basketball Midseason: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling & What’s Next?

We're back! Join co-hosts Josh Amick and Jon Allen as they break down who’s exceeding expectations and who’s struggling to find their rhythm in Big Sky Conference basketball. Montana and Montana State were favored to dominate, but Northern Colorado and Portland State are making waves in the standings. Meanwhile, MSU and Weber State are underperforming—what’s going wrong? We dive into key players, standout performances, and shifting power dynamics across the league. Plus, Montana State’s women’s team is on fire with a 13-game winning streak, and the top-ranked teams are gearing up for major showdowns this week. With playoff implications on the line, every game matters. Tune in for an in-depth look at the teams, players, and matchups shaping the Big Sky this season. 

February 6, 2025