If you want to know how deep the Big Sky conference is this year, just ask the University of St. Joseph.

The Hawks, who were ranked No. 9 by the ESPN poll, were upset 68-67 by Eastern Washington University, which is picked to finish third in the Big Sky Conference.The Big Sky isn’t generally looked at as a powerhouse conference, even among second-tier leagues. The conference usually sends only one team to the NCAA tournament, that being the conference champion which gets an automatic bid.

“We are the little guys playing the big guys,” said Ray Giacoletti, head coach of Eastern Washington University.

However, things seem to be changing this year. Big Sky teams have already knocked off major conference schools such as Arizona State University, Louisiana State University, Washington State University, Colorado State University and the University of Wisconsin in the preseason.

“I think the Big Sky has had a great year so far,” Giacoletti added.

With the reigning conference champion, California State University, Northridge, moving away to the Big West Conference this year, the Big Sky crown should be up for grabs.

Sacramento State (1-4), which finished last in the conference last year, has been picked to finish last (eighth) again in the Big Sky Conference by the pre-season media poll. So far this year, the Hornets have held tough in games against the University of Wofford and San Jose State University, coming away with two narrow defeats. The Hornets’ lone win came in an 81-65 pasting over Menlo College.

“We have a talented group of guys,” Hornet head coach Jerome Jenkins said. “They just need time to gel.”

The Hornets have received a pleasant surprise so far from the play of junior guard Joe Dawson. Dawson, who averages 13.7 points per game, has emerged as the Hornets’ most consistent shooter with a 62 percent field goal percentage.

“Joe is playing well for us,” Jenkins said. “He brings a lot of defensive intensity.”

The Hornets have possibly the deepest team in the league, with 10 players averaging over 13 minutes a game.

“Our goal is to make the Big Sky tournament,” Jenkins said.

The top six out of eight Big Sky teams will make the Big Sky tournament. Weber State University has been slated Big Sky favorite, receiving six out of the eight first place votes.After losing 74-70 in their opener to Illinois State University, the Wildcats (5-1) have rattled off five-straight victories. Weber State has also shown an early knack for winning the close games, as victories over Louisiana State, Wisconsin and Colorado State have all come by less than five points.The Wildcats, who finished 15-14 last season, are led by all-conference guard, Jermaine Boyette. Boyette led the Big Sky in scoring last year with 19.1 points per game, and is averaging 17.8 points so far this year. Forward Chris Woods, who is averaging 10.7 points and 10.2 rebounds so far this year, has also provided solid play for Weber State.

Following the Wildcats in the pre-season poll is Northern Arizona University (4-1). Brian McHugh (6-8, 240 pounds) and Ryan McDade (6-7, 235 pounds) both average over 10 points and five rebounds, and have led Northern Arizona to solid wins over California Polytechnic State University and at Colgate University.

Eastern Washington (4-2), which made the biggest splash in the conference by knocking off St. Joseph’s, is picked to finish third. The Eagles have one of the deepest teams in the league, as nine players average more than 10 minutes per game. Eastern Washington also leads the conference in scoring defense by holding opponents to 64.4 points a game.

A pair of teams from the big sky state, the University of Montana (3-2) and Montana State University (2-3), are picked to finish fourth and fifth in the conference. Idaho State (3-2) and Portland State (2-3) are picked to finish sixth and seventh, respectively.

Idaho State boasts junior guard Jeremy Brown, who currently leads the conference with 18.5 points per game.

Portland State returns all-conference forward, senior Anthony Lackey. Lackey averages 17.8 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Vikings, who knocked off Arizona State, 79-69.

Sac State’s regular-season conference schedule begins on Jan. 11 when the Hornets play at Idaho State. Their Big Sky home opener will be on Jan. 19 against Northern Arizona.