Bobcats Face CSU on Monday
1/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (7-5) vs. Colorado State (8-4)
Montana State rides a modest four-game winning streak into Monday’s night game against Colorado State, the first Mountain West foe ever to invade Worthington Arena. MSU’s last home game against a current MWC member was a 70-67 win over Air Force on Dec. 29, 1996, before the MWC schools broke away from the WAC. NEXT UP: Montana State begins league play Thursday night at Portland State (Stott Center, 8:05 pm MST).
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l After snagging a steal in MSU’s first 10 games this year, Jason Erickson has gone two straight games without
l The ‘Cats shot 58% in the two Holiday Stores Big R Classic games this week
l The Bobcats lead the Big Sky in three-point shooting, and are fifth in the nation, at 40.4%
STREAKS
l Montana State has scored over 80 points in three straight games
NOTEWORTHY
l Jason Erickson hit his first 20 free throws of the season, but is “only” 21-of-25 (84%) since then
l The Bobcats have been outrebounded in only one of the seven games in which center Matt Towsley has played
l Jason Erickson is 8-for-15 from three-point range in the last three
l Jason Erickson is 5th in MSU history in steals (132) and 8th in three-pointers (124)
The Bobcats Colorado State Rams
‘03-04 RECORD 7-5 8-4
Home/Road/Neu 5-2/0-2/2-1 4-1/3-2/1-1
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Mountain West/0-0
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Dale Layer
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Eckerd/’80
Overall/Years 210-176/14th 221-136/12th
At School/Years same 54-49/4th
vs Opponent vs. CSU: 0-0 vs. MSU: 0-0
0-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-0/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Colors Blue, gold Green, gold
Location Bozeman, MT Fort Collins, CO
Enrollment 12,000 23,934
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Moby Arena
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Colorado State 3-10
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 7.1 2.5 1.3a
F #24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 3.8 2.1 2.3a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.5 5.6 0.9s
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.2 3.3 4.6a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 16.8 2.5 3.6a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 10.6 3.2 1.8a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 4.3 2.3 0.8a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.9 0.7 0.1b
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.7 0.3 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.4 0.6 0.4a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 3.3 1.1 0.1s
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.5 0.8 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 11.8 5.1 1.2b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Colorado State: “Colorado State is a very good team that is playing very well right now. They got a big boost from beating Purdue, a top 25 team, and they really put it all together against Pepperdine on Saturday. They have everyone back from last year, they’re healthy, and they’re really hitting their stride. CSU has good size and athletic ability.” On the ‘Cats: “In the past we’ve used our holiday tournament to give us some momentum heading into the conference season, and we’ve played well the last three or four games. Monday’s game against CSU is a challenge. CSU is a very talented team, and we don’t have the opportunity to play a Mountain West team in our gym very often.”
COLORADO STATE ROSTER
1 Derrick Stevens, G 5-10 180 Sr Houston, TX
2 Brian Lohrey, G 6-1 185 Jr Colorado Springs, CO
4 Nick Ball, G 6-2 170 Jr Loveland, CO
5 Dwight Boatner, G 5-11 170 Fr Lake Charles, LA
10 Jon Rakiecki, G 6-3 195 Jr Fruita, CO
11 Phillip Thomasson, F 6-7 215 Fr Burleson, TX
13 Freddy Robinson, G/F 6-5 210 So Tulsa, OK
20 Ronnie Clark, F 6-5 220 Sr Arcadia, FL
22 Shelton Johnson, G/F 6-3 190 So Arlington, TX
24 Suart Creason, C 7-0 250 Fr Coppell, TX
32 Micheal Morris, G 6-3 190 So Katy, TX
34 Stephen Verwers, F 6-10 225 Fr Weatherford, TX
42 Matt Williams, F 6-6 225 Jr Temple, TX
54 Matt Nelson, C 7-0 255 Jr Chicago, IL
HEAD COACH: Dale Layer
RAM NOTES
Colorado State upset nationally-ranked Purdue at home on December 30, and drilled Pepperdine on Saturday... the Rams won the Mountain West tournament last year... both CSU and the ‘Cats have four-game winning streaks... CSU won two road games last year, but has three road wins already this season, including two straight in a road trip to Stetson and South Florida two weeks ago.
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State built leads as big as 16 in the first half and 28 in the second half, and coasted to to an 83-70 win over Rocky Mountain on Friday. Jason Erickson paced the Bobcats over their in-state foes with 19 points and three assists. Four MSU players scored in double-figures, and Frank Brown had six points, six boards, and six assists. Forward Josh Barsh had five assists witout a turnover, for MSU.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 288 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 485 of the last 486 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 104-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
More Magic
MSU has scored 80 points in three straight for the first time since Dec. 1999.
Eating Glass
Rebounding has been a pretty solid indicator of Montana State’s success this season. The Bobcats are 0-5 when the opponent grabs more rebounds than MSU, 6-0 when the ‘Cats are even or positive in rebounds. In Montana State’s losses, the Bobcats have been outrebounded by an average margin of 14 boards a game, while the team’s rebounding margin in wins is 2.7 to the good.
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.
The Passing Game
Montana State ability to generate offense from its motion offense has been in full evidence the last three games. Of MSU’s 88 baskets in the last three outings, a Bobcat player has been credited with an assist on 64, or 73%, of them. Against Western Carolina, 24 of the ‘Cats’ 27 baskets were assisted.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 30 blocked shots through 11 games, including nine by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 83 steals through 11 games, an average of 6.9 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has 34 steals -- 2.8 per game -- or better than one-third of his career total before this season (98).
Write it Down
Montana State has led 42-31 at the half of its last two games.
Montana State rides a modest four-game winning streak into Monday’s night game against Colorado State, the first Mountain West foe ever to invade Worthington Arena. MSU’s last home game against a current MWC member was a 70-67 win over Air Force on Dec. 29, 1996, before the MWC schools broke away from the WAC. NEXT UP: Montana State begins league play Thursday night at Portland State (Stott Center, 8:05 pm MST).
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l After snagging a steal in MSU’s first 10 games this year, Jason Erickson has gone two straight games without
l The ‘Cats shot 58% in the two Holiday Stores Big R Classic games this week
l The Bobcats lead the Big Sky in three-point shooting, and are fifth in the nation, at 40.4%
STREAKS
l Montana State has scored over 80 points in three straight games
NOTEWORTHY
l Jason Erickson hit his first 20 free throws of the season, but is “only” 21-of-25 (84%) since then
l The Bobcats have been outrebounded in only one of the seven games in which center Matt Towsley has played
l Jason Erickson is 8-for-15 from three-point range in the last three
l Jason Erickson is 5th in MSU history in steals (132) and 8th in three-pointers (124)
The Bobcats Colorado State Rams
‘03-04 RECORD 7-5 8-4
Home/Road/Neu 5-2/0-2/2-1 4-1/3-2/1-1
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Mountain West/0-0
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Dale Layer
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Eckerd/’80
Overall/Years 210-176/14th 221-136/12th
At School/Years same 54-49/4th
vs Opponent vs. CSU: 0-0 vs. MSU: 0-0
0-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-0/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Colors Blue, gold Green, gold
Location Bozeman, MT Fort Collins, CO
Enrollment 12,000 23,934
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Moby Arena
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Colorado State 3-10
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 7.1 2.5 1.3a
F #24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 3.8 2.1 2.3a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.5 5.6 0.9s
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.2 3.3 4.6a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 16.8 2.5 3.6a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 10.6 3.2 1.8a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 4.3 2.3 0.8a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.9 0.7 0.1b
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.7 0.3 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.4 0.6 0.4a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 3.3 1.1 0.1s
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.5 0.8 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 11.8 5.1 1.2b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Colorado State: “Colorado State is a very good team that is playing very well right now. They got a big boost from beating Purdue, a top 25 team, and they really put it all together against Pepperdine on Saturday. They have everyone back from last year, they’re healthy, and they’re really hitting their stride. CSU has good size and athletic ability.” On the ‘Cats: “In the past we’ve used our holiday tournament to give us some momentum heading into the conference season, and we’ve played well the last three or four games. Monday’s game against CSU is a challenge. CSU is a very talented team, and we don’t have the opportunity to play a Mountain West team in our gym very often.”
COLORADO STATE ROSTER
1 Derrick Stevens, G 5-10 180 Sr Houston, TX
2 Brian Lohrey, G 6-1 185 Jr Colorado Springs, CO
4 Nick Ball, G 6-2 170 Jr Loveland, CO
5 Dwight Boatner, G 5-11 170 Fr Lake Charles, LA
10 Jon Rakiecki, G 6-3 195 Jr Fruita, CO
11 Phillip Thomasson, F 6-7 215 Fr Burleson, TX
13 Freddy Robinson, G/F 6-5 210 So Tulsa, OK
20 Ronnie Clark, F 6-5 220 Sr Arcadia, FL
22 Shelton Johnson, G/F 6-3 190 So Arlington, TX
24 Suart Creason, C 7-0 250 Fr Coppell, TX
32 Micheal Morris, G 6-3 190 So Katy, TX
34 Stephen Verwers, F 6-10 225 Fr Weatherford, TX
42 Matt Williams, F 6-6 225 Jr Temple, TX
54 Matt Nelson, C 7-0 255 Jr Chicago, IL
HEAD COACH: Dale Layer
RAM NOTES
Colorado State upset nationally-ranked Purdue at home on December 30, and drilled Pepperdine on Saturday... the Rams won the Mountain West tournament last year... both CSU and the ‘Cats have four-game winning streaks... CSU won two road games last year, but has three road wins already this season, including two straight in a road trip to Stetson and South Florida two weeks ago.
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State built leads as big as 16 in the first half and 28 in the second half, and coasted to to an 83-70 win over Rocky Mountain on Friday. Jason Erickson paced the Bobcats over their in-state foes with 19 points and three assists. Four MSU players scored in double-figures, and Frank Brown had six points, six boards, and six assists. Forward Josh Barsh had five assists witout a turnover, for MSU.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 288 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 485 of the last 486 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 104-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
More Magic
MSU has scored 80 points in three straight for the first time since Dec. 1999.
Eating Glass
Rebounding has been a pretty solid indicator of Montana State’s success this season. The Bobcats are 0-5 when the opponent grabs more rebounds than MSU, 6-0 when the ‘Cats are even or positive in rebounds. In Montana State’s losses, the Bobcats have been outrebounded by an average margin of 14 boards a game, while the team’s rebounding margin in wins is 2.7 to the good.
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.
The Passing Game
Montana State ability to generate offense from its motion offense has been in full evidence the last three games. Of MSU’s 88 baskets in the last three outings, a Bobcat player has been credited with an assist on 64, or 73%, of them. Against Western Carolina, 24 of the ‘Cats’ 27 baskets were assisted.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 30 blocked shots through 11 games, including nine by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 83 steals through 11 games, an average of 6.9 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has 34 steals -- 2.8 per game -- or better than one-third of his career total before this season (98).
Write it Down
Montana State has led 42-31 at the half of its last two games.
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
