Tricia Binford

Montana State enters the 2026–27 season anchored by one of the most uniquely disruptive two-way stars in the country in junior guard Taylee Chirrick. Coming off a historic sophomore campaign where she became the first player in program history to win both Big Sky MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, the Roberts native started all 35 games and posted stellar averages of 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per contest while leading the Bobcats in scoring, rebounds, and free throws. Chirrick put on a defensive masterclass that ranked third nationally among active Division I players with 4.19 steals per game, breaking single-season program and conference records with 145 total steals—highlighted by a monster 31-point, 12-rebound, 11-steal triple-double against Portland State and two total triple-doubles on the year. Armed with elite multi-category dominance, relentless ball-hawking, and unanimous All-Big Sky First Team honors, Chirrick is primed to headline Tricia Binford’s squad as the undisputed standard-bearer of the conference. #GoCats #BigSkyWBB #CollegeBasketball #WomenHoops #MontanaStateBasketball