2016 Frontier Preview: Men's race for Frontier title is wide open

When it comes to the new year and men's Frontier Conference basketball, the race to the league championship will be a fast and furious two months. And, it will also be wide open.

Once again, the Frontier doesn't seem to have a clear-cut favorite, or a team that is likely to dominate and run the table in conference games. In fact, through the first three months of the 2015-16 season, and, as league play begins for good this week, the Frontier has six of seven teams that have posted winning records thus far.

Of course, the fact that there is just seven teams in the Frontier this season, following Westminster's departure to NCAA Division II, presents an entirely new set of challenges as conference play begins in earnest. The schedule is an odd one this year, as every team will play each other three times instead of twice, and, that schedule also means teams will host some teams twice this season, while having to travel to other rivals twice.

Yes, the next two months will be wild in what is a loaded league where anyone can beat anyone on a given night. And, that will likely be the case right through the Frontier playoffs, which will be held in early March.

"Our league is just like it's always been," MSU-N head coach Shawn Huse said. "On any given night, anybody can beat anybody. It's going to be a dogfight every night, and in order to survive, you're going to have to play your best basketball every single time you step on the floor."

Here's a breakdown of each Frontier school by their predicted order of finish in the Frontier Preseason Coaches Poll.

Lewis-Clark State

Warriors

2015-16 Record: 14-1, 2-1

2014-15 Season: 25-8 overall, 9-5, T1st in Frontier, Frontier Tournament Champion, lost in 1st rd of NAIA national tournament.

Head Coach: Brandon Rinta (4th Season)

Outlook: The Warriors were part of a tie for first in the Frontier a year ago, and they return perhaps the deepest starting lineup in the Frontier. Led by All-Conference forward Jacob Wiley (6-7), who averages 16 points and seven rebounds per game, as well as 6-5 guard Nick Emerson (14 ppg), and returning guards Cammie Lewis (5-11) and Rich Tesmer (6-2), it's easy to see why the Warriors were picked to win the league again this season. So far, LCSC has also looked the part, as the Warriors average 100 points per game, while giving up just 62. And, with a strong supporting cast, and one of the best home courts in the Frontier, there's no reason to think LCSC isn't the team to beat once again this winter, and they should have no trouble getting back to the NAIA national tournament, whether they win the league's automatic bid or not.

UM-Western

Bulldogs

2015-16 Record: 9-6, 2-1

2014-15 Season: 23-10 overall, 9-5, T1st in Frontier, lost in Sweet 16 of NAIA national tournament.

Head Coach: Steve Keller (9th Season)

Outlook: Head coach Steve Keller's Bulldogs are seemingly a factor in the Frontier championship every season. And the Dawgs will be again this winter. Western returns the reigning Frontier Player of the Year in senior Dexter Williams Jr., (6-4), who is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per night. And while the Dawgs graduated some star players from last year's team, the supporting cast around Williams is still very good. Guards Shyke Smalls (6-2) and Demetrius Balark (6-2) are combining to score another 20 points per outing, while 6-10 center Quinn Smith and 6-5 forward Curtis Parsons give Western the inside presence the Dawgs have been known for over the years. Once again, Western is also an offensive juggernaut, averaging close to 90 points per game, and with all the talent Keller has at his disposal, the Frontier title will likely again have to do through Dillon.

Rocky Mountain College

Battlin' Bears

2015-16 Record: 10-4, 1-1

2014-15 Season: 20-11 overall, 8-6, 3rd in Frontier, lost in 1st round of NAIA national tournament.

Head Coach: Bill Dreikosen (16th season)

Outlook: Another perennial Frontier contender, the Battlin' Bears are re-loading this season after making it to the national tourney a year ago. But, that doesn't mean Rocky won't be a Frontier title contender. In fact, it's quite the contrary. Despite losing three All-Conference performers to graduation, the Bears are still a potent offensive team, averaging 85 points per night. Guards Roby Nyby (6-5, 19 ppg) and Taylor Longo (6-1) are the veteran leaders on a new-look RMC squad, which also gets plenty of production from Zach Hinton (6-6) and TerryLee Wedgeworth (5-11), while role players like Chad Kananan (6-1) and Ben Moerkerke (6-7) and Derek Graves (6-3) give RMC one of the deepest and most balanced lineups in the league, and that means, the Bears have a good shot to once again be in the Frontier title chase.

Carroll College

Fighting Saints

2015-16 Record: 10-3, 3-0

2014-15 Season: 18-11 overall, 7-7, T4th in Frontier

Head Coach: Carson Cunningham (3rd Season)

Outlook: Carson Cunningham's rebuilding of the Fighting Saints might just come to a head this winter. After finishing last in the league two seasons in a row, Carroll turned things around last year, and now, the Saints could be the team to beat in the conference. Thanks to a boatload of returning talent, and a schedule that has seen Carroll play several Pac 12 powers, the Saints head into the heart of conference play ready to beat any team in their way. Dynamic point guard Zach Taylor (6-0) is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NAIA, and he's averaging 20 points per game this season. Sophomore center Oliver Carr (6-6) is blossoming into one of the best big men in the league, and Carroll's depth, which includes Ryan Imhoff (6-6), veteran Jake Hollifield and true freshman standout Matt Wyman makes the Saints a team no one in the league really wants to face. And, Carroll is still young, which means, while the Saints are a legitimate contender right now, Cunningham is also building them into a powerhouse for years to come.

Montana State-Northern

Lights

2015-16 Record: 12-2, 1-1

2014-15 Season: 19-13, 7-7, T4th in Frontier

Head Coach: Shawn Huse (14th Season)

Outlook: The Lights may be flying under the radar this season, following a .500 2014-15 Frontier campaign, and a bunch of new faces in the lineup. But, with how talented they are, that won't last long. After a strong non-conference campaign, the Lights are back in the NAIA Top 25, and, they should be right back in the thick of the Frontier title chase. Despite many new rising stars, like Tyler Chandler, Justin Dunsmore, Badhasa Margasa, Will Walker, Ryan Reeves and powerful forward David Straughter, the Lights are playing their trademark brand of basketball yet again. Northern is tops in the Frontier so far in scoring defense, and they are once again one of the best 3-point shooting clubs in the NAIA. And with veterans Trevail Lee, Warren Edmondson, K.J. Rech and Dylan Tatarka having plenty of Frontier experience, MSU-N is a team that could really be dangerous as the league season goes along.

University of Great Falls

Argos

2015-16 Record: 7-4, 0-2

2014-15 Season: 17-12 overall, 6-8, T6th in Frontier

Head Coach: Anthony Owens (2nd Season)

Outlook: Every year, the Argos appear to be a team that's ready to bust through and win a Frontier championship. And every season, something seems to happen late that prevents the Argos from doing just that. This winter might not be much different as UGF already lost its first two games of league play. However, the Argos are once again a very good defensive club, and they certainly don't lack for athletic talent. Led by returning star Sigman Farmer III (6-1), senior guard Darren Lockett (6-3) and senior center Daniel Arcau (6-9), the Argos have leadership, but they do lack experience, and Owens' roster is filled with young players and newcomers. Still, the likes of Sergio Berkley (6-3) and newcomers Jarret Givens (6-4), Lamar Falley (6-4) and Gerald Watkins (6-5) UGF certainly has the talent to still make plenty of noise in conference play.

Montana Tech

Orediggers

2015-16 Record: 6-9, 0-3

2014-15 Season: 15-13 overall, 6-8, T6th in Frontier

Head Coach: Patrick O'Herron (3rd Season)

Outlook: The sledding will be tough for the Orediggers again this season, but, they will still be that scrappy, hard-nosed team that's always tough to play. Still, the loss of four-time All-Conference star Adam Greger hurts, and Tech will have a tough time replacing what he brought in Butte. Offensively, the Orediggers will turn to veteran Paul Engstrom (6-7) for leadership, while Jalen Coates (5-9, 20 ppg) and Cruz Ginns Jr. (6-5) are supplying the Orediggers with some newfound firepower. Still, Tech might be a ways off from seriously competing for the league title, but the Diggers will be like everyone else in the conference, meaning, they can beat anybody on a given night.