Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobcats Tabbed Big Sky Preseason Favorites by Blue Ribbon Yearbook
10/1/2026 3:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jed Miller adds preseason all-conference nod
BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Montana State men's basketball team was selected by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook as the preseason favorite to top the Big Sky Conference standings during the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. Fifth-year Jed Miller was also recognized individually as a member of the publication's preseason All-Big Sky team.
The Blue Ribbon Yearbook is a 400-page comprehensive college basketball guide that features all 351 NCAA Division I schools. First published in 1981, the publication is used by coaches, NCAA tournament selection committee members, television commentators, radio play-by-play announcers, print media, and NBA scouts as an informational and scouting tool throughout the season.
The Bobcats finished second in the Big Sky regular-season standings during the 2025-26 season after compiling an 18-14 overall record and finishing 12-6 in Big Sky play Four players – Jed Miller (First Team), Patrick McMahon (Second Team), Christian King (Honorable Mention), and Jeremiah Davis (All-Defense) – earning All-Big Sky honors following successful seasons.
Miller enjoyed a breakout senior campaign in 2025-26, leading the Bobcats in points (14.9), rebounds (5.7), assists (2.9), steals (1.6), and minutes (34.5) per game en route to earning unanimous First-Team All-Big Sky honors. The Agoura Hills, Calif., native was one of two Bobcats to play in and start all 32 games last season and compiled 26 double-digit scoring efforts, including seven 20-point performances, and led the team in scoring 10 times.
Montana State is set to return 11 players from last year's team, including fifth-years Davis and Miller; seniors Seth Amunrud, Cavin Holden, King, Waka Mbatch, and Calum Rutherfurd; junior Jaden Steppe; and sophomores Howie Keene, CJ Purdie, and James Steward. The Bobcats welcome transfers Isaiah Crane, London Praytor, and Darnez Slater, along with freshmen Hale Hansen and DJ Johnson, to the team this fall as the Cats seek to make a run at the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles.
Behind the Bobcats, Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Portland State, and Montana rounded out the top five teams in the Blue Ribbon Forecast. Ethan Potter (Utah Tech), Alton Hamilton IV (Eastern Washington), Koren Johnson (Portland State), and Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado) joined Miller in earning preseason all-conference honors, with Reynolds taking home Player of the Year honors and Johnson earning the Newcomer of the Year award.
Montana State's preseason schedule includes a home exhibition game against Denver on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m., followed a road contest at Kansas City on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Bobcats will open the regular season at Colorado State on Monday, Nov. 2, with their first home game to follow against Long Beach State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. Season ticket information is available here, with single-game tickets set to go on sale on Oct. 17.
Blue Ribbon Forecast – Big Sky Conference
1. Montana State
2. Northern Colorado
3. Eastern Washington
4. Portland State
5. Montana
6. Utah Tech
7. Idaho
8. Idaho State
9. Southern Utah
10. Weber State
11. Northern Arizona
All-Conference Team
F - Ethan Potter, Fifth-Year, Utah Tech
F - Alton Hamilton IV, Sr., Eastern Washington
G - Jed Miller, Fifth-Year, Montana State
G - Koren Johnson, Fifth-Year, Portland State
G - Langston Reynolds, Fifth-Year, Northern Colorado
Player of the Year
Langston Reynolds, Fifth-Year, Northern Colorado
Newcomer of the Year
Koren Johnson, Fifth-Year, Portland State
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State men's basketball team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsMBB and on Facebook at Montana State Men's Basketball. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
The Blue Ribbon Yearbook is a 400-page comprehensive college basketball guide that features all 351 NCAA Division I schools. First published in 1981, the publication is used by coaches, NCAA tournament selection committee members, television commentators, radio play-by-play announcers, print media, and NBA scouts as an informational and scouting tool throughout the season.
The Bobcats finished second in the Big Sky regular-season standings during the 2025-26 season after compiling an 18-14 overall record and finishing 12-6 in Big Sky play Four players – Jed Miller (First Team), Patrick McMahon (Second Team), Christian King (Honorable Mention), and Jeremiah Davis (All-Defense) – earning All-Big Sky honors following successful seasons.
Miller enjoyed a breakout senior campaign in 2025-26, leading the Bobcats in points (14.9), rebounds (5.7), assists (2.9), steals (1.6), and minutes (34.5) per game en route to earning unanimous First-Team All-Big Sky honors. The Agoura Hills, Calif., native was one of two Bobcats to play in and start all 32 games last season and compiled 26 double-digit scoring efforts, including seven 20-point performances, and led the team in scoring 10 times.
Montana State is set to return 11 players from last year's team, including fifth-years Davis and Miller; seniors Seth Amunrud, Cavin Holden, King, Waka Mbatch, and Calum Rutherfurd; junior Jaden Steppe; and sophomores Howie Keene, CJ Purdie, and James Steward. The Bobcats welcome transfers Isaiah Crane, London Praytor, and Darnez Slater, along with freshmen Hale Hansen and DJ Johnson, to the team this fall as the Cats seek to make a run at the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles.
Behind the Bobcats, Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington, Portland State, and Montana rounded out the top five teams in the Blue Ribbon Forecast. Ethan Potter (Utah Tech), Alton Hamilton IV (Eastern Washington), Koren Johnson (Portland State), and Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado) joined Miller in earning preseason all-conference honors, with Reynolds taking home Player of the Year honors and Johnson earning the Newcomer of the Year award.
Montana State's preseason schedule includes a home exhibition game against Denver on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m., followed a road contest at Kansas City on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Bobcats will open the regular season at Colorado State on Monday, Nov. 2, with their first home game to follow against Long Beach State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. Season ticket information is available here, with single-game tickets set to go on sale on Oct. 17.
Blue Ribbon Forecast – Big Sky Conference
1. Montana State
2. Northern Colorado
3. Eastern Washington
4. Portland State
5. Montana
6. Utah Tech
7. Idaho
8. Idaho State
9. Southern Utah
10. Weber State
11. Northern Arizona
All-Conference Team
F - Ethan Potter, Fifth-Year, Utah Tech
F - Alton Hamilton IV, Sr., Eastern Washington
G - Jed Miller, Fifth-Year, Montana State
G - Koren Johnson, Fifth-Year, Portland State
G - Langston Reynolds, Fifth-Year, Northern Colorado
Player of the Year
Langston Reynolds, Fifth-Year, Northern Colorado
Newcomer of the Year
Koren Johnson, Fifth-Year, Portland State
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State men's basketball team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsMBB and on Facebook at Montana State Men's Basketball. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballThursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
