MSU Game Notes vs. Montana
2/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (13-11/5-6) at Montana (7-16/4-7)
Montana State heads to Missoula this weekend for a game that shapes up as crucial not only for both teams involved but in the context of the Big Sky Conference race. At 5-6, Montana State can finish anywhere from second to eighth inthe conference, and Montana, who enters the weekend at 4-7, can also finish anywhere in the Big Sky but first. MSU won the earlier meeting between these teams. NEXT UP: MSU hosts Northern Arizona at 7 pm on Wedensday, 2/25.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Missoula, MT
ARENA Dahlberg Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION MTN (Tom Katz, Dan
Toth)
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jason Erickson leads the Big Sky in scoring (18.2), steals (2.5), and free throw percentage (.874)
l Mick Durham’s 216 wins is the most in Big Sky history
STREAKS
l Montana State’s string of shooting below 50% in 12 straight games was snapped in the Weber State game
l MSU has lost only once this season (Eastern Washington at home) when holding a lead at any point in the last five minutes of a game
l Jason Erickson has scored more points than MSU’s other four starters twice in the last four games
NOTEWORTHY
l Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in field goal defense (.416) and turnovers forced (17.8) in conference games
l MSU has outrebounded only three of 11 Big Sky opponents
l Jason Erickson now has 1,195 career points, 19th in school history
The Bobcats The Grizzlies
‘03-04 RECORD 13-10 7-16
Home/Road/Neu 9-4/2-5/2-1 4-6/3-10/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/5-5 Big Sky/3-7
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Pat Kennedy
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Kings College/’75
Overall/Years 216-179/14th 413-309/24th
At School/Years same 20-33/2nd
vs Opponent vs. UM: 12-19 vs. MSU: 1-2
Hm/Rd/Neu 8-7/3-10/1-1 1-0/0-2/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Spirit colors Blue, gold Maroon, silver
Location Bozeman, MT Missoula, MT
Enrollment 12,000 13,058
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Dalhberg Arena
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Montana 140-127 (88-41/47-79/5-7)
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 4.1 2.4 2.1a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.7 5.8 1.1a
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.1 4.1 4.4a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 18.2 2.7 2.5s
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.0 3.1 1.5a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 3.6 2.3 0.5a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.8 0.8 0.1s
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.9 0.5 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.5 0.7 0.3s
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 2.9 1.0 0.4b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.4 0.6 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 8.5 4.4 0.9b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Montana: “Montana had a very good weekend, and they are playing with a lot of confidence right now. This is a big game for them, as it is for us. They have made some personnel changes since we played them the first time. They have a couple of guys injured, and they’re playing some of their younger guys. We don’t know a lot about Roy Booker, because he’s become eligible since the first time we played, but he had a good weekend. They’re catching fire at the right time. If they beat Great Falls (on Tuesday), they’ll have three wins in a row with three games left at home. They have an advantageous schedule.” On the Big Sky Conference: “After the two games on Thursday, it’s a three-game season. I’m not sure how much Thursday’s game will change the standings, but the fact that four teams have two games this weekend and we play only once doesn’t hurt us. Every game is important from here on out, and our team knows that.” On the Bobcats: “Our guys know what’s at stake, and they know Montana is playing much better than when we played them here. This is an easy week for me in that I don’t have to worry about the guys being ready to play on Saturday. We try to be business-like this week, and if anything we have to make sure they’re not too emotional by game time.”
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Weber State visited the free throw line 26 times to MSU’s nine and hi 10 three-pointers, providing the difference in Weber’s 76-59 win on Saturday. Jason Erickson led all players with 22 points.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 299 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 496 of the last 497 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 3-10 when the opponent grabs more rebounds, 10-1 when even or positive in rebounds.
Slow Starts
The Bobcats have out of the gates lately. In seven of the last nine games (Weber at home and at ISU excepted), the Bobcats have allowed long first-half runs to dig themselves a significant hole...
Opponent Trailed... at...
Weber St 12-20 7:39
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
Montana State has scored first in only two of the last eight games.
Freebies
Jason Erickson has shot 87% 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 64% as a team, and the team other than Erickson has shot 59% from the charity stripe.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 66 blocked shots through 24 games, including 19 by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 174 steals through 23 games, an average of 7.3 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has a league-high 59 steals -- 2.4 per game -- or more than 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 42% from the floor to this point of the Big Sky Conference season.
More Swats
The Bobcats blocked 17 shots in one three-game conference stretch 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
Big Sky Conference teams are 21-21 at home this season. Montana State particpated in this unprecedented zaniness last weekend by winning at Idaho State on Thursday.
Montana State heads to Missoula this weekend for a game that shapes up as crucial not only for both teams involved but in the context of the Big Sky Conference race. At 5-6, Montana State can finish anywhere from second to eighth inthe conference, and Montana, who enters the weekend at 4-7, can also finish anywhere in the Big Sky but first. MSU won the earlier meeting between these teams. NEXT UP: MSU hosts Northern Arizona at 7 pm on Wedensday, 2/25.
GAME FACTS
TIPOFF 7:05 pm MST
SITE Missoula, MT
ARENA Dahlberg Arena
RADIO Bobcat Radio Network
(Kris Atteberry)
TELEVISION MTN (Tom Katz, Dan
Toth)
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jason Erickson leads the Big Sky in scoring (18.2), steals (2.5), and free throw percentage (.874)
l Mick Durham’s 216 wins is the most in Big Sky history
STREAKS
l Montana State’s string of shooting below 50% in 12 straight games was snapped in the Weber State game
l MSU has lost only once this season (Eastern Washington at home) when holding a lead at any point in the last five minutes of a game
l Jason Erickson has scored more points than MSU’s other four starters twice in the last four games
NOTEWORTHY
l Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in field goal defense (.416) and turnovers forced (17.8) in conference games
l MSU has outrebounded only three of 11 Big Sky opponents
l Jason Erickson now has 1,195 career points, 19th in school history
The Bobcats The Grizzlies
‘03-04 RECORD 13-10 7-16
Home/Road/Neu 9-4/2-5/2-1 4-6/3-10/0-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/5-5 Big Sky/3-7
HEAD COACH Mick Durham Pat Kennedy
Alma Mater MSU/’80 Kings College/’75
Overall/Years 216-179/14th 413-309/24th
At School/Years same 20-33/2nd
vs Opponent vs. UM: 12-19 vs. MSU: 1-2
Hm/Rd/Neu 8-7/3-10/1-1 1-0/0-2/0-0
SCHOOL INFO
Spirit colors Blue, gold Maroon, silver
Location Bozeman, MT Missoula, MT
Enrollment 12,000 13,058
Arena Worthington Arena(7,000) Dalhberg Arena
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Montana 140-127 (88-41/47-79/5-7)
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 4.1 2.4 2.1a
C #4-Calvin Ento 6-7 215 Sr 8.7 5.8 1.1a
G #11-Frank Brown 6-2 160 So 8.1 4.1 4.4a
G #10-Jason Erickson 6-3 185 Sr 18.2 2.7 2.5s
BOBCAT RESERVES
#3-Nick Dissly 6-4 205 Fr 9.0 3.1 1.5a
#5-Dennis Woodall 6-5 225 Jr 3.6 2.3 0.5a
#20-Carson Durr 6-6 200 Fr 0.8 0.8 0.1s
#22-Wes Morales 6-5 190 Sr 0.9 0.5 0.3a
#23-Marcus Clift 6-2 175 Fr 0.5 0.7 0.3s
#30-PJ Owsley 6-8 200 Fr 2.9 1.0 0.4b
#50-Martrel Johnson 6-5 225 Fr 0.4 0.6 0.3b
#52-Matt Towsley 7-0 255 Jr 8.5 4.4 0.9b
*-has used redshirt season +-transferred to MSU
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Montana: “Montana had a very good weekend, and they are playing with a lot of confidence right now. This is a big game for them, as it is for us. They have made some personnel changes since we played them the first time. They have a couple of guys injured, and they’re playing some of their younger guys. We don’t know a lot about Roy Booker, because he’s become eligible since the first time we played, but he had a good weekend. They’re catching fire at the right time. If they beat Great Falls (on Tuesday), they’ll have three wins in a row with three games left at home. They have an advantageous schedule.” On the Big Sky Conference: “After the two games on Thursday, it’s a three-game season. I’m not sure how much Thursday’s game will change the standings, but the fact that four teams have two games this weekend and we play only once doesn’t hurt us. Every game is important from here on out, and our team knows that.” On the Bobcats: “Our guys know what’s at stake, and they know Montana is playing much better than when we played them here. This is an easy week for me in that I don’t have to worry about the guys being ready to play on Saturday. We try to be business-like this week, and if anything we have to make sure they’re not too emotional by game time.”
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Weber State visited the free throw line 26 times to MSU’s nine and hi 10 three-pointers, providing the difference in Weber’s 76-59 win on Saturday. Jason Erickson led all players with 22 points.
The Three Company
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 299 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 496 of the last 497 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 3-10 when the opponent grabs more rebounds, 10-1 when even or positive in rebounds.
Slow Starts
The Bobcats have out of the gates lately. In seven of the last nine games (Weber at home and at ISU excepted), the Bobcats have allowed long first-half runs to dig themselves a significant hole...
Opponent Trailed... at...
Weber St 12-20 7:39
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
Montana State has scored first in only two of the last eight games.
Freebies
Jason Erickson has shot 87% 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 64% as a team, and the team other than Erickson has shot 59% from the charity stripe.
Swattin’...
The Bobcats have improved in the shot-blocking category this year. Montana State has 66 blocked shots through 24 games, including 19 by Matt Towsley. Last year, MSU blocked 50 shots all season.
...and Swipin’
Montana State has had sticky fingers this year. The Bobcats have 174 steals through 23 games, an average of 7.3 a game. Last year, the ‘Cats averaged 5.3 steals per game. Jason Erickson has a league-high 59 steals -- 2.4 per game -- or more than 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 42% from the floor to this point of the Big Sky Conference season.
More Swats
The Bobcats blocked 17 shots in one three-game conference stretch 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
Big Sky Conference teams are 21-21 at home this season. Montana State particpated in this unprecedented zaniness last weekend by winning at Idaho State on Thursday.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
