MSU Game Notes vs. Denver
12/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (3-1) vs. Denver (1-2)
The Bobcats take to the road again Wednesday, facing the University of Denver. The Pioneers are 2-1, having lost at Gonzaga and Eastern Washington. Wednesday’s game will be Denver’s home opener. The Pioneers are led by Erik Benzel, who averages 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds a game, and Brett Starkey, who averages 13.3 points and 7.0 boards a game. NEXT UP: The Bobcats host Santa Clara on Saturday at 7:05 pm.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:00 pm MST
SITE Denver, CO
ARENA Magness Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Dean Alexander) TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l The game vs. Denver is MSU’s second straight against a former conference rival (MSU played Idaho in the Big Sky, and Denver in the Rocky Mountain Conference)
l The ‘Cats are averaging 2.8 blocks a game this year, after getting just 1.9 a game last year
l Jason Erickson was the Big Sky Player of the Week last week
STREAKS
l MSU has had at least 15 assists in all four games this year
NOTEWORTHY
l Jason Erickson has hit his first 14 free throws of the season after opening last season with 26 straight
l Matt Towsley has six blocked shots this year, one-third the total of last year’s team-high for the season
l Jason Erickson has 15 steals through three games, after getting 25 all of last season
The Bobcats Denver Pioneers
‘03-04 RECORD 3-1 1-2
Home/Road/Neu 1-0/0-1/2-0 0-0/1-2/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Sun Belt/0-0
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Terry Carroll
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Northern Iowa/’78
Overall/Years 206-172/14th 26-37/3rd
At School/Years same same
vs Opponent vs. DU: 0-0 vs. MSU: 0-0
0-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-0/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Colors Blue, gold Crimson, gold
Location Bozeman, MT Denver, CO
Enrollment 12,000 9,271
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Magness Arena (7,200)
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Idaho............................................. 8-0 (3-0/2-0/1-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 8.8 3.0 1.3a
F #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 6.0 6.3 1.8a
C #52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 11.3 5.5 1.5b
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 6.5 1.5 4.3a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 15.8 2.8 4.8a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.3 3.5 2.0a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 6.0 1.5 0.8a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.0 2.0 0.0
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.0 0.0 0.0
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.0 0.0 0.0
#24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 4.3 0.8 1.5a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 210 Fr 3.8 2.0 0.3s
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.0 0.0 0.0
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
Last Time Out
Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time of the season, Montana State rang up a solid 71-65 win over former Big Sky rival Idaho on Saturday. Jason Erickson scored 23 points and had two steals, playing all 40 minutes, to offset dual 20-point efforts by Idaho guards Dandrick Jones and Dwayne Williams. MSU shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded Idaho 33-29.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 282 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 479 of the last 480 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 101-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Eating Glass
In Montana State’s first two outings -- before running into the super-human Gators -- the Bobcats fared well in the statistical category most pundits assume will be a team shortcoming this year. Montana State outrebouned Quinnipiac 43-49, and was even with Howard, 37-to-37, on the glass. The Florida game -- in which MSU was outrebounded 47-to-17 -- will skew MSU’s rebounding stats for the season, but the Bobcats do appear to be improved on the boards this year.
Hot Start
Montana State’s two wins to start the season marked the first time in five years the Bobcats had started a season with two wins, and the first time since the early ‘60s that the Bobcats had begun a season with two wins away from the friendly confines of Worthington Arena.
Newbies
Bobcat coach Mick Durham is leading the youngest of his 14 Bobcat teams into the 2003-04 season. MSU’s roster features eight players out of 13 that did not play on the Bobcat varsity a year ago. In spite of that, however, four of the five Bobcat starters have previously seen action in the starting lineup for Montana State, including Jason Erickson, who has 52 starts. Six of MSU’s 13 varsity players -- which does not include redshirt Casey Durham, who is also a freshman -- are true or redshirt freshmen.
A Helping Hand
Montana State appears to be a much better passing team this year than it has been in the last couple of seasons, and a lot of the credit goes to the guard tandem of Frank Brown and Jason Erickson. Erickson leads the team with 18 assists in three games, while Brown has added 13 assists.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 11 blocked shots through three games, including six by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 30 steals through four games, an average of 7.5 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has averaged 3.8 steals in the four games, more than 15% of his three-year total of 98.
The Bobcats take to the road again Wednesday, facing the University of Denver. The Pioneers are 2-1, having lost at Gonzaga and Eastern Washington. Wednesday’s game will be Denver’s home opener. The Pioneers are led by Erik Benzel, who averages 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds a game, and Brett Starkey, who averages 13.3 points and 7.0 boards a game. NEXT UP: The Bobcats host Santa Clara on Saturday at 7:05 pm.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:00 pm MST
SITE Denver, CO
ARENA Magness Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Dean Alexander) TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l The game vs. Denver is MSU’s second straight against a former conference rival (MSU played Idaho in the Big Sky, and Denver in the Rocky Mountain Conference)
l The ‘Cats are averaging 2.8 blocks a game this year, after getting just 1.9 a game last year
l Jason Erickson was the Big Sky Player of the Week last week
STREAKS
l MSU has had at least 15 assists in all four games this year
NOTEWORTHY
l Jason Erickson has hit his first 14 free throws of the season after opening last season with 26 straight
l Matt Towsley has six blocked shots this year, one-third the total of last year’s team-high for the season
l Jason Erickson has 15 steals through three games, after getting 25 all of last season
The Bobcats Denver Pioneers
‘03-04 RECORD 3-1 1-2
Home/Road/Neu 1-0/0-1/2-0 0-0/1-2/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Sun Belt/0-0
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Terry Carroll
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Northern Iowa/’78
Overall/Years 206-172/14th 26-37/3rd
At School/Years same same
vs Opponent vs. DU: 0-0 vs. MSU: 0-0
0-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-0/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Colors Blue, gold Crimson, gold
Location Bozeman, MT Denver, CO
Enrollment 12,000 9,271
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Magness Arena (7,200)
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Idaho............................................. 8-0 (3-0/2-0/1-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 8.8 3.0 1.3a
F #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 6.0 6.3 1.8a
C #52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 11.3 5.5 1.5b
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 6.5 1.5 4.3a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 15.8 2.8 4.8a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.3 3.5 2.0a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 6.0 1.5 0.8a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.0 2.0 0.0
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.0 0.0 0.0
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.0 0.0 0.0
#24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 4.3 0.8 1.5a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 210 Fr 3.8 2.0 0.3s
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.0 0.0 0.0
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
Last Time Out
Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time of the season, Montana State rang up a solid 71-65 win over former Big Sky rival Idaho on Saturday. Jason Erickson scored 23 points and had two steals, playing all 40 minutes, to offset dual 20-point efforts by Idaho guards Dandrick Jones and Dwayne Williams. MSU shot 51% from the floor and outrebounded Idaho 33-29.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 282 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 479 of the last 480 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 101-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Eating Glass
In Montana State’s first two outings -- before running into the super-human Gators -- the Bobcats fared well in the statistical category most pundits assume will be a team shortcoming this year. Montana State outrebouned Quinnipiac 43-49, and was even with Howard, 37-to-37, on the glass. The Florida game -- in which MSU was outrebounded 47-to-17 -- will skew MSU’s rebounding stats for the season, but the Bobcats do appear to be improved on the boards this year.
Hot Start
Montana State’s two wins to start the season marked the first time in five years the Bobcats had started a season with two wins, and the first time since the early ‘60s that the Bobcats had begun a season with two wins away from the friendly confines of Worthington Arena.
Newbies
Bobcat coach Mick Durham is leading the youngest of his 14 Bobcat teams into the 2003-04 season. MSU’s roster features eight players out of 13 that did not play on the Bobcat varsity a year ago. In spite of that, however, four of the five Bobcat starters have previously seen action in the starting lineup for Montana State, including Jason Erickson, who has 52 starts. Six of MSU’s 13 varsity players -- which does not include redshirt Casey Durham, who is also a freshman -- are true or redshirt freshmen.
A Helping Hand
Montana State appears to be a much better passing team this year than it has been in the last couple of seasons, and a lot of the credit goes to the guard tandem of Frank Brown and Jason Erickson. Erickson leads the team with 18 assists in three games, while Brown has added 13 assists.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 11 blocked shots through three games, including six by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 30 steals through four games, an average of 7.5 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has averaged 3.8 steals in the four games, more than 15% of his three-year total of 98.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
