MSU Visits ISU, Weber State
2/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (12-10/4-5) at Idaho State State (10-13/5-3)
Montana State hits the home stretch of the Big Sky season by launching a three-game road trip, the first two this weekend at Idaho State and Weber State. The resurgent Bengals, Thursday’s opponent, are tied for second in the Big Sky, only two games behind Eastern Washington, while the Bobcats remain in the midst of a pack of four teams bunched up with either three or four Big Sky wins. NEXT UP: MSU visits Weber State on Saturday at 7 pm.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Pocatello, ID
ARENA Reed Gym
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jason Erickson leads the Big Sky in scoring (18.2), steals (2.6), and free throw percentage (.881)
l Mick Durham’s 215 wins is the most in Big Sky history
STREAKS
l Montana State has shot below 50% in 11 straight games
l MSU’s loss to Eastern Washington Thursday was the team’s first when it held a lead in the last five minutes of a game this year
l Jason Erickson has surpassed his season’s scoring average in the last four consecutive games
NOTEWORTHY
l Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense (63.2), field goal defense (.410), and turnovers forced (19.6) in conference games
l MSU has outrebounded only two of nine Big Sky opponents
l Jason Erickson now has 1,159 career points, 20th in school history
The Bobcats The Bengals
‘03-04 RECORD 11-10 10-13
Home/Road/Neu 8-4/1-5/2-1 4-3/3-5/3-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-5 Big Sky/5-3
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Doug Oliver
Alma Mater MSU/’80 San Jose State/’73
Overall/Years 215-179/14th 63-97/5th
At School/Years same same
vs Opponent vs. ISU: 17-10 vs. MSU: 4-5
Hm/Rd/Neu 11-3/6-7/0-0 2-3/2-2/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Spirit colors Blue, gold Black, orange
Location Bozeman, MT Pocatello, ID
Enrollment 12,000 13,663
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Reed Gym
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Idaho State.................................. 90-75 (58-26/42-49/0-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 6.8 2.6 1.1a
F #24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 4.0 2.4 2.1a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.5 6.0 0.9s
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.3 4.2 4.5a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 18.2 2.6 2.6s
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.4 3.3 0.9s
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 3.8 2.5 0.3s
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 1.0 0.6 0.2a
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.7 0.3 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.4 0.8 0.3a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 2.7 0.9 0.3b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.5 0.8 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 9.6 4.6 1.0b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Jason Erickson had another outstanding outing, leading the team with 21 points and four assists in a 64-56 win over Portland State. The Bobcats trailed by 10 in the second half before rallying for the victory.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 297 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 494 of the last 495 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 104-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
More Magic
MSU scored 80 points in five straight early-January games, a first for the ‘Cats since January 1994.
Eating Glass
Rebounding has been a pretty solid indicator of Montana State’s success this season. The Bobcats are 3-9 when the opponent grabs more rebounds, 9-1 when even or positive in rebounds.
Slow Starts
MSU has staggered out of the gates in the last six games. The ‘Cats haven’t scored the first points of a game in three weeks.
Opponent Trailed... at...
Portland St 14-25 6:09
Eastern 0-11 13:34
NAU 5-14 14:22
Sac St 8-17 13:00
Montana 4-10 14:40
Idaho St 8-24 12:56
Out of the Gates
Bobcat opponents had scored first in five straight games before Frank Brown’s short jumper at 19:36 of the first half against Portland State gave the Bobcats a short-lived 2-0 lead.
Freebies
Jason Erickson has shot 88% from the free throw line this year, the best mark in the conference, but other Bobcats have struggled from the line. MSU has shot just 63% as a team, and the team other than Erickson has shot 58% from the charity stripe.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 62 blocked shots through 22 games, including 18 by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 165 steals through 22 games, an average of 7.5 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has a league-high 57 steals -- 2.6 per game -- or more that half of his career total before this season (98).
Shooting Woes
MSU brought the league’s top field goal percentage into the conference season, but has shot a league-low 41.3% from the floor through the first half of the Big Sky Conference season.
More Swats
The Bobcats blocked 17 shots in the three games prior to Portland St. Jason Erickson blocked a career-high three against NAU, as did PJ Owsley. Josh Barsh had two at Sac State. Ento and Owsley each had two blocks against Eastern Washington.
Upside Down
After starting the year 9-11, Big Sky home teams are 6-4 in the last week. Conference teams are now dead even -- 15-15 -- in home games this season.
BOBCAT RESULTS
FIU Hampton Inn Tipoff Classic
N21 Quinnipiac W 87-75
N23 Howard W 57-54
N25 at Florida L 73-112
N29 Idaho W 71-65
D3 at Denver L 53-55
D6 Santa Clara L 56-74
D13 Wyo. at Casper L 55-63
D20 Denver L 79-81
D22 Mary W 86-52
Holiday Stores Classic
D29 Morgan State W 81-57
D30 Western Carolina W 84-69
J2 Rocky Mountain W 83-70
J5 Colorado State W 82-75
J8 at Portland State W 61-54
J10 at Eastern Wash. L 55-70
J15 Weber State W 61-48
J17 Idaho State L 64-75
J24 Montana W 77-61
J29 at Sac State L 71-77
J31 at NAU L 57-63
F5 Eastern Wash. L 61-64
F7 Portland State W 64-56
F12 at Idaho State
F14 at Weber State
F21 at Montana
F25 NAU
F29 Sac State
Montana State hits the home stretch of the Big Sky season by launching a three-game road trip, the first two this weekend at Idaho State and Weber State. The resurgent Bengals, Thursday’s opponent, are tied for second in the Big Sky, only two games behind Eastern Washington, while the Bobcats remain in the midst of a pack of four teams bunched up with either three or four Big Sky wins. NEXT UP: MSU visits Weber State on Saturday at 7 pm.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Pocatello, ID
ARENA Reed Gym
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION none
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jason Erickson leads the Big Sky in scoring (18.2), steals (2.6), and free throw percentage (.881)
l Mick Durham’s 215 wins is the most in Big Sky history
STREAKS
l Montana State has shot below 50% in 11 straight games
l MSU’s loss to Eastern Washington Thursday was the team’s first when it held a lead in the last five minutes of a game this year
l Jason Erickson has surpassed his season’s scoring average in the last four consecutive games
NOTEWORTHY
l Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense (63.2), field goal defense (.410), and turnovers forced (19.6) in conference games
l MSU has outrebounded only two of nine Big Sky opponents
l Jason Erickson now has 1,159 career points, 20th in school history
The Bobcats The Bengals
‘03-04 RECORD 11-10 10-13
Home/Road/Neu 8-4/1-5/2-1 4-3/3-5/3-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-5 Big Sky/5-3
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Doug Oliver
Alma Mater MSU/’80 San Jose State/’73
Overall/Years 215-179/14th 63-97/5th
At School/Years same same
vs Opponent vs. ISU: 17-10 vs. MSU: 4-5
Hm/Rd/Neu 11-3/6-7/0-0 2-3/2-2/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Spirit colors Blue, gold Black, orange
Location Bozeman, MT Pocatello, ID
Enrollment 12,000 13,663
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Reed Gym
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Idaho State.................................. 90-75 (58-26/42-49/0-0)
PROJECTED MSU STARTERS Ht Wt Cl Pt Re A/B/S
F #33-Danny Faaborg 6-5 200 Sr 6.8 2.6 1.1a
F #24-Josh Barsh 6-3 195 Sr 4.0 2.4 2.1a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.5 6.0 0.9s
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.3 4.2 4.5a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 18.2 2.6 2.6s
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.4 3.3 0.9s
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 3.8 2.5 0.3s
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 1.0 0.6 0.2a
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.7 0.3 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.4 0.8 0.3a
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 2.7 0.9 0.3b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.5 0.8 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 9.6 4.6 1.0b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Jason Erickson had another outstanding outing, leading the team with 21 points and four assists in a 64-56 win over Portland State. The Bobcats trailed by 10 in the second half before rallying for the victory.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 297 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 494 of the last 495 games.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 104-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
More Magic
MSU scored 80 points in five straight early-January games, a first for the ‘Cats since January 1994.
Eating Glass
Rebounding has been a pretty solid indicator of Montana State’s success this season. The Bobcats are 3-9 when the opponent grabs more rebounds, 9-1 when even or positive in rebounds.
Slow Starts
MSU has staggered out of the gates in the last six games. The ‘Cats haven’t scored the first points of a game in three weeks.
Opponent Trailed... at...
Portland St 14-25 6:09
Eastern 0-11 13:34
NAU 5-14 14:22
Sac St 8-17 13:00
Montana 4-10 14:40
Idaho St 8-24 12:56
Out of the Gates
Bobcat opponents had scored first in five straight games before Frank Brown’s short jumper at 19:36 of the first half against Portland State gave the Bobcats a short-lived 2-0 lead.
Freebies
Jason Erickson has shot 88% from the free throw line this year, the best mark in the conference, but other Bobcats have struggled from the line. MSU has shot just 63% as a team, and the team other than Erickson has shot 58% from the charity stripe.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 62 blocked shots through 22 games, including 18 by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 165 steals through 22 games, an average of 7.5 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has a league-high 57 steals -- 2.6 per game -- or more that half of his career total before this season (98).
Shooting Woes
MSU brought the league’s top field goal percentage into the conference season, but has shot a league-low 41.3% from the floor through the first half of the Big Sky Conference season.
More Swats
The Bobcats blocked 17 shots in the three games prior to Portland St. Jason Erickson blocked a career-high three against NAU, as did PJ Owsley. Josh Barsh had two at Sac State. Ento and Owsley each had two blocks against Eastern Washington.
Upside Down
After starting the year 9-11, Big Sky home teams are 6-4 in the last week. Conference teams are now dead even -- 15-15 -- in home games this season.
BOBCAT RESULTS
FIU Hampton Inn Tipoff Classic
N21 Quinnipiac W 87-75
N23 Howard W 57-54
N25 at Florida L 73-112
N29 Idaho W 71-65
D3 at Denver L 53-55
D6 Santa Clara L 56-74
D13 Wyo. at Casper L 55-63
D20 Denver L 79-81
D22 Mary W 86-52
Holiday Stores Classic
D29 Morgan State W 81-57
D30 Western Carolina W 84-69
J2 Rocky Mountain W 83-70
J5 Colorado State W 82-75
J8 at Portland State W 61-54
J10 at Eastern Wash. L 55-70
J15 Weber State W 61-48
J17 Idaho State L 64-75
J24 Montana W 77-61
J29 at Sac State L 71-77
J31 at NAU L 57-63
F5 Eastern Wash. L 61-64
F7 Portland State W 64-56
F12 at Idaho State
F14 at Weber State
F21 at Montana
F25 NAU
F29 Sac State
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
