3. Jamie Pinkerton leads the Montana softball team to an NCAA berth and then leaves for Iowa State: Pinkerton's team was the feel-good story of 2017 for Grizzly athletics. It took him just three seasons to take his program from start-up to Big Sky Conference champion and NCAA qualifier. On top of that, local softball fans have taken to Montana softball in the same way they have embraced Lady Griz basketball. It was heartbreaking but entirely understandable why Pinkerton left for the head coaching job at Iowa State. The great part for me was the way he left the cupboard full for his replacement, Missoula's own Mel Meuchel.

4. Lady Griz lose top two players to knee issues two years in a row: Really now, how often do you hear of such a thing happening? Montana loses the Big Sky preseason MVP and its best post player in the fall of 2016 and again in 2017. They say character is revealed in adversity and this is where UM second-year head coach Shannon Schweyen has been terrific. Lady Griz fans have been pretty darn terrific as well, sticking with the team through thick and thin. But please, please, enough already. This team is overdue for some good fortune and it seems to be coming its way now with six wins in its last eight games.