MSU Visits Utah Valley Tonight
12/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (4-6/0-0) at Utah Valley State (3-6/0-0)
Riding a three-game winning streak, Montana State heads to Orem, Utah, to face another hot team on Thursday night. Utah Valley State has won two straight games, and the first-year NCAA Division I school drilled Weber State 71-58 last time out. The Wolverines are led by Ronnie Price, who averages 25.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. Ja’Ron Jefferson’s emergence has coincided with MSU’s hot ways.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Orem, UT
ARENA McKay Center
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION no television
HIGHLIGHTS
l Montana State is hitting 9.1 three-pointers a game, a pace ahead of the school record (8.1, 1998) l After turning the ball over an average of 17.5 times in the first four games, the ‘Cats are turning it over only 12.3 in the last six
STREAKS
l Montana State is riding a three-game winning streak for the first time this season l MSU has lost five straight road games, including all three this year
NOTEWORTHY
l The Bobcats are shooting 48% in the last three games after shooting just 39% in the first seven l Montana State’s win over San Jose State on Tuesday was its first of the season over a school that was a Division I team before 2001 l Seven of Montana State’s 10 opponents have won the rebounding battle this year
The Bobcats The Wolverines
‘04-05 RECORD 4-6 3-6
Home/Road/Neu 4-2/0-3/0-1 3-1/0-5/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Independent/NA
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Dick Hunsaker
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Weber State/’77
Overall/Years 221-189/15th 218-90/11th
At School/Years same 26-11/2nd
vs Opponent vs. UVSC: 1-0 vs. MSU: 0-1
Hm/Rd/Neu 1-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-1/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
School colors Blue, gold Blue, gold
Location Bozeman, MT San Jose, CA
Enrollment 12,000 30,068
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Event Center (5,000)
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. San Jose State MSU 1-0 (1-0/0-0/0-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #22-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 So 9.8 4.1 2.8a
F #5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Sr+ 3.1 2.9 1.2a
C #42-Marvin Moss 6-6 230 Jr+ 11.2 6.7 1.3s
G #23-Ja’Ron Jefferson 6-0 180 Jr+ 12.0 2.9 1.3s
G #4-Branden Miller 6-1 175 Jr+ 13.5 3.6 3.3a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Casey Durham 5-11 160 Fr 7.8 0.8 1.1a
#12-Ryan Holmes 6-1 185 Fr 0.6 0.3 0.4a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 So 0.9 0.9 0.6a
#33-Taylor Pratt 6-7 205 Jr+ 1.9 3.1 1.5b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Sr+ 5.0 3.2 0.8b
#55-Al Beye 6-11 210 Jr+ 8.0 6.0 1.0b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 So Has not played
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
Last Time Out
Ja’Ron Jefferson led the ‘Cats with 19 points and Al Beye made his Bobcat debut memorable by scoring eight points, grabbing six boards and blocking a shot as the ‘Cats beat San Jose State 72-59 in Bozeman.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 312 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 509 of the last 510 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has quickly shown signs of becoming a prolific three-point shooting squad. MSU tied school records by hitting 14 and attempting 35 three-pointers against Wyoming. The Bobcats are averaging 9.0 treys a game and attempting 25. Projected over a full season, both those figures would be in the neighborhood of school records.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 105-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Glass Woes
The Bobcats have been beleaguered by injuries at center this year, resulting in difficulties rebounding missed shots. Yet, in recent games, the ‘Cats have cobbled together some pretty decent efforts. The team out-rebounded UWGB, and in the last five games has faced a deficit of only two a game.
A Bright Spot
Matvin Moss has spurred MSU’s efforts on the glass. He led all players with 11 boards at SJSU and 10 against UVSC, and has led the Bobcats in eight of the team’s 10 games this year.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham has carved his name into Big Sky Conference history, capturing a pair of records that are likely to stand for a while. Durham’s Bobcats have 221 wins with the Three Forks native and former MSU guard in command, the highest total in conference history. His win total includes 103 wins in conference games, also a league best.
Out of the Gates
Montana State’s 1-6 start was its worst through seven games since the ‘75-76 Bobcats won their first game then lost nine straight. MSU coach Mick Durham played in nine varsity games as a freshman that season.
Turning Down Turnovers
After averaging 18.2 turnovers in the first five games of the season, Montana State trimmed that figure to 12.7 in the last four outings.
More D-D-D-Defense
Since Washington State shot 52% in the first half in the season opener, MSU has held its opponent to below 50% shooting in 15 of the 19 halves.
New Guys
Montana State has more new players (seven) on the active roster than returners (four). This is the third time in five years MSU has had seven newcomers.
Watch that Circle
MSU shoots 35% from three-point range, and gets 40% of its points from beyond the circle. The team has attempted 573 field goals this season, with 256 (44%) of those coming from outside the arc.
Riding a three-game winning streak, Montana State heads to Orem, Utah, to face another hot team on Thursday night. Utah Valley State has won two straight games, and the first-year NCAA Division I school drilled Weber State 71-58 last time out. The Wolverines are led by Ronnie Price, who averages 25.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. Ja’Ron Jefferson’s emergence has coincided with MSU’s hot ways.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Orem, UT
ARENA McKay Center
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION no television
HIGHLIGHTS
l Montana State is hitting 9.1 three-pointers a game, a pace ahead of the school record (8.1, 1998) l After turning the ball over an average of 17.5 times in the first four games, the ‘Cats are turning it over only 12.3 in the last six
STREAKS
l Montana State is riding a three-game winning streak for the first time this season l MSU has lost five straight road games, including all three this year
NOTEWORTHY
l The Bobcats are shooting 48% in the last three games after shooting just 39% in the first seven l Montana State’s win over San Jose State on Tuesday was its first of the season over a school that was a Division I team before 2001 l Seven of Montana State’s 10 opponents have won the rebounding battle this year
The Bobcats The Wolverines
‘04-05 RECORD 4-6 3-6
Home/Road/Neu 4-2/0-3/0-1 3-1/0-5/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0 Independent/NA
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Dick Hunsaker
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Weber State/’77
Overall/Years 221-189/15th 218-90/11th
At School/Years same 26-11/2nd
vs Opponent vs. UVSC: 1-0 vs. MSU: 0-1
Hm/Rd/Neu 1-0/0-0/0-0 0-0/0-1/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
School colors Blue, gold Blue, gold
Location Bozeman, MT San Jose, CA
Enrollment 12,000 30,068
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Event Center (5,000)
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. San Jose State MSU 1-0 (1-0/0-0/0-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #22-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 So 9.8 4.1 2.8a
F #5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Sr+ 3.1 2.9 1.2a
C #42-Marvin Moss 6-6 230 Jr+ 11.2 6.7 1.3s
G #23-Ja’Ron Jefferson 6-0 180 Jr+ 12.0 2.9 1.3s
G #4-Branden Miller 6-1 175 Jr+ 13.5 3.6 3.3a
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Casey Durham 5-11 160 Fr 7.8 0.8 1.1a
#12-Ryan Holmes 6-1 185 Fr 0.6 0.3 0.4a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 So 0.9 0.9 0.6a
#33-Taylor Pratt 6-7 205 Jr+ 1.9 3.1 1.5b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Sr+ 5.0 3.2 0.8b
#55-Al Beye 6-11 210 Jr+ 8.0 6.0 1.0b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 So Has not played
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
Last Time Out
Ja’Ron Jefferson led the ‘Cats with 19 points and Al Beye made his Bobcat debut memorable by scoring eight points, grabbing six boards and blocking a shot as the ‘Cats beat San Jose State 72-59 in Bozeman.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 312 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 509 of the last 510 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has quickly shown signs of becoming a prolific three-point shooting squad. MSU tied school records by hitting 14 and attempting 35 three-pointers against Wyoming. The Bobcats are averaging 9.0 treys a game and attempting 25. Projected over a full season, both those figures would be in the neighborhood of school records.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 105-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Glass Woes
The Bobcats have been beleaguered by injuries at center this year, resulting in difficulties rebounding missed shots. Yet, in recent games, the ‘Cats have cobbled together some pretty decent efforts. The team out-rebounded UWGB, and in the last five games has faced a deficit of only two a game.
A Bright Spot
Matvin Moss has spurred MSU’s efforts on the glass. He led all players with 11 boards at SJSU and 10 against UVSC, and has led the Bobcats in eight of the team’s 10 games this year.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham has carved his name into Big Sky Conference history, capturing a pair of records that are likely to stand for a while. Durham’s Bobcats have 221 wins with the Three Forks native and former MSU guard in command, the highest total in conference history. His win total includes 103 wins in conference games, also a league best.
Out of the Gates
Montana State’s 1-6 start was its worst through seven games since the ‘75-76 Bobcats won their first game then lost nine straight. MSU coach Mick Durham played in nine varsity games as a freshman that season.
Turning Down Turnovers
After averaging 18.2 turnovers in the first five games of the season, Montana State trimmed that figure to 12.7 in the last four outings.
More D-D-D-Defense
Since Washington State shot 52% in the first half in the season opener, MSU has held its opponent to below 50% shooting in 15 of the 19 halves.
New Guys
Montana State has more new players (seven) on the active roster than returners (four). This is the third time in five years MSU has had seven newcomers.
Watch that Circle
MSU shoots 35% from three-point range, and gets 40% of its points from beyond the circle. The team has attempted 573 field goals this season, with 256 (44%) of those coming from outside the arc.
WBB - Montana State vs Portland - Behind the Mic
Friday, March 27
2025 Code of a Champion
Monday, March 23
Spring Football Preview Press Conference
Friday, March 13
WBB - #2 Montana State vs #1 Idaho - Behind the Mic
Thursday, March 12
