FARMINGTON, Utah (October 23, 2024) – Returning the most points in the Big Sky Conference,
Trent McLaughlin has been named the league's preseason MVP heading into his final year with the Lumberjacks.
McLaughlin finished the 2023-24 campaign as the league's fourth-highest scorer, leading the Jacks with 16.6 points per game. One of just five players in the conference to tab 550+ points last season, McLaughlin tabbed his 500th point in a thrilling double-overtime victory at Idaho State to close the regular season.
With 1,151 minutes in 32 starts and 33 appearances, McLaughlin is coming off his first-ever Big Sky all-conference honors, being the first Lumberjack named to the team since the 2020 season.
Leading Northern Arizona with 48 steals, McLaughlin ranked sixth in the conference last season and will return as the Big Sky's leader in the category this season. The Chandler, Ariz. native recorded two 5+ steal games this season and seven 3+ steal games in addition to 28 double-digit scoring games, 11 20+ scoring games, and one 30+ game where he recorded his career-high 31 points against the Sacramento State Hornets.
Alongside individual preseason honors, the Lumberjacks have been picked fifth in both the coaches' and media polls as announced by the Big Sky on Wednesday afternoon. The preseason prediction marks the 'Jacks highest landing since 2015 where NAU was picked to finish fourth in both the Coaches' Poll and Media Poll while jumping three spots from last season's polls.
2024-25 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Montana (7) – 78
- Montana State (2) – 72
- Northern Colorado – 62
- Weber State (1) – 61
- Northern Arizona – 51
- Portland State – 38
- Idaho – 32
- Idaho State – 21
- Eastern Washington – 19
- Sacramento State – 15
2024-25 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
- Montana State (14) – 297
- Montana (11) – 279
- Weber State (7) – 270
- Northern Colorado (1) – 211
- Northern Arizona – 209
- Eastern Washington – 139
- Portland State – 124
- Idaho State – 108
- Idaho – 104
- Sacramento State – 74
2024-25 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
Trent McLaughlin, Northern Arizona (MVP)
Brian Goracke, Montana State
Brandon Whitney, Montana
Miguel Tomley, Weber State
Brandon Walker, Montana State
Julius Mims, Idaho
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