BOISE, Idaho – The Eastern Washington University men's basketball team begins its quest for a Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship and automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Tournament on Sunday when they face Northern Arizona. NAU beat Idaho on Saturday night to move on from the first round. EWU carries the top seed into the tournament and will need to win three games to secure the title.
Game Details
The Matchup
Regular Season:Â The Eags won 79-76 in Flagstaff on Jan. 21 behind 20 points and 7 rebounds by Dane Erikstrup off the bench. The game had 13 lead changes as the Eagle bench outscored NAU's reserves 30-6. EWU followed that with a more comfortable 72-55 win in Cheney on Feb. 16. Once again the bench was the difference as Erikstrup (6), Cedric Coward (4), Deon Stroud (12; season high) and Ellis Magnuson (5) combined for 27 points. After allowing Jalen Cone to put up 25 in Flagstaff, the Eagles clamped down, holding the dynamic NAU guard to 12 in Cheney.
In the Big Sky Tournament: EWU & NAU have faced each other 6 times in the Big Sky Tournament, most recently a 78-75 EWU win in the first round last year. Of returners, Steele Venters had 19 points (6-13 FG), while Angelo Allegri scored 12 (4-11) and Ethan Price added 6 along with 9 rebounds. The Eags won the Big Sky Championship over the Jacks in 2004, 71-59. The lone NAU tournament win over EWU win came in 2000 (semifinal; 82-65).
Last Time Out
Eastern fell behind at home against Montana State, pulling back from down 17 midway through the second half to as close as 4 with four minutes remaining, but fell just short. It was the second-straight loss for the Eagles to close out the regular season with a 16-2 conference record.
Steele Venters led the way with 23 points (7-13 FG). Senior Angelo Allegri was close behind with 19 points.
The Eagles secured outright claim to the Big Sky Regular Season Championship in an 89-82 win at Weber State on Feb. 23, becoming the first team in history to start 16-0 in conference. They tied the 1979-80 Weber State squad for longest overall win streak in Big Sky history at 18 games.
Awards Season
The Big Sky Conference announced its 2023 individual awards and all-conference teams on Friday, recognizing four Eagles with prestigious accolades.
Steele Venters won league MVP honors, becoming the 5th Eagle in the last 7 years to receive the award. He was joined by Angelo Allegri on the Big Sky's first team all-conference. Forward Ethan Price earned all-conference honorable mention a year removed from being named Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2021-22. Head coach David Riley, in his second season at the helm, earned conference Coach of the Year recognition, marking the third-straight EWU coach to win the award.
Tournament History
EWU has competed in 37 BIg Sky Tournament games, earning a 21-16 overall record. The Eagles won the Championship three (3) times, in 2004, 2015 and 2021. They lost in the finals six (6) additional times, most recently in 2019.
The Eagles rank t-3rd in Big Sky Tournament Championships among active members (Montana 11, Weber State 10, Montana State 3), and 2nd in championship game appearances (Montana 20, Weber State 18). EWU has won at least one game in 7-straight Big Sky Tournaments (they did not play a game in the 2020 tournament cancelled due to COVID-19).
Path to the Title
The Eagles will need three wins to secure the Big Sky Tournament Championship and the program's 4th-ever bid to the NCAA tournament. If they win, their schedule will look like this:
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Tournament Game 3 — Sunday, March 5
5:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. PT
EWU vs. #9 NAU / #10 Idaho
TV: ESPN+ — Radio: 700 ESPN / 103.5 FM
Tournament Game 7 (semifinal) — Tuesday, March 7
6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT
EWU vs. #4 Montana / #5 Idaho State
TV: ESPNU — Radio: 700 ESPN / 103.5 FM
Tournament Game 9 (final) — Wednesday, March 8
9:30 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT
EWU vs. winner of G8Â Â
TV: ESPN2 — Radio: 700 ESPN / 103.5 FM
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