Bobcat Game Notes vs. EWU/PSU
1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (10-8/5-0) vs. Eastern Wash. (6-12/3-2) & Portland St. (12-6/4-2)
Riding the success of a sweep in its first two-game conference homestand, Montana State visits the Pacific Northwest this weekend to face Eastern Washington and Portland State. The trip has a title-fight feel for the Bobcats, as MSU faces last year’s Big Sky Champion Eastern Washington in Cheney on Thursday and the team, Portland State, picked by league coaches and media members to win the league on Saturday.
GAME FACTS
TIP @EWU 8:05 pm MST
SITE Cheney, WA
ARENA Reese Court
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
TIP @PSU 8:05 pm MST
SITE Portland, OR
ARENA Stott Center
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* Mick Durham’s Bobcat teams have won all 15 Big Sky home openers during his career
* The Bobcats are 5-0 to begin league play for the second time in the last four seasons
STREAKS
* MSU’s current five-game winning streak is its longest of the season, and its best since winning six straight last December-January
* The five-game winning streak to start Big Sky play is the team’s second-best (with 1996), behind the 9-0 start to the 1987
NOTEWORTHY
* Senior center Matt Towsley (back) is day-to-day this week, but will travel
* Montana State’s 88 points and 59% shooting against NAU Saturday are season’s best marks
* For the first time this season, Montana State has outscored its opponents (67.1 to 66.3, or 1,208 to 1,193)
* The ‘Cats lead the league in field goal defense and blocked shots, and are second in three-point defense
* MSU has only 30 turnovers in the last three games, and has more than 13 TOs in only one league game
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Eastern Washington: “Eastern Washington is a different team than last year, but they still have good toughness. They’ve struggled at times, but Marc Axton is still the leader and the main guy for Eastern. He has great experience. Matt Nelson is getting healthy, and that will only help them.” On Portland State: “Seamus Boxley is probably the best player in the league right now. Portland State has so much experience back from last year, with Will Funn and Antone Jarrell and Blake Walker. Coach Schroyer and his staff has done a nice job blending the new players in with the returners.” On the Bobcats: “These are the teams picked to finish first and second in the league, so on paper this is the toughest road trip we’ll see. Playing five of our first seven on the road is tough, but I think we’ve handled it well so far. To have success on the road, the number one job is to be pretty solid on defense. I’m a little concerned about our rebounding, but that’s definitely an area that we can improve.”
NOTING THE EAGLES
Eastern Washington won the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles a year ago... the Eagles are led by senior forward Marc Axton, who averages 15.6 points (4th in the Big Sky), and junior guard Danny Pariseau, who gets 4.2 assists (3rd in the Big Sky) and 1.2 steals (10th)
NOTING THE VIKINGS
Portland State owned the Big Sky’s best non-conference record, 8-4, entering conference play... the Vikings are one of three Big Sky teams -- with NAU and Weber State -- scheduled to play in ESPN’s Bracket Buster event in mid-February... PSU forward Seamus Boxley leads the Big Sky in scoring (19.4), and guard Will Fun leads the league with 7.4 assists a game... PSU is the only Big Sky team shooting over 50% (51.0%)
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State finished its first set of two or more home games in exactly a month with a rousing 88-68 win over Northern Arizona. MSU held the league’s best-shooting team to 39%, and notched season highs in shooting (59%) and scoring (88).
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 319 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 516 of the last 517 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has not been afraid to cast away from three-point range. MSU has hit 8.1 treys a game, easily the best rate in the Big Sky, and have attempted 425 three-pointers, also the most in the conference. MSU tied school records by hitting 14 and attempting 35 three-pointers against Wyoming.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 106-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Rebounding Regression
MSU has outrebounded only one of five Big Sky opponents this year, topping Sac State 36-32.
Window Cleaners
Marvin Moss’ consistency and the return of Al Beye have spurred MSU’s rebounding rejuvenation. Moss has led the ‘Cats in boards 14 times, averaging 7.1 a game, while Beye has 5.2 in his nine games.
Road Warriors
Montana State’s league-opening road sweep was a significant event for MSU. It was the team’s first road sweep in three years, and Mick Durham’s sixth road sweep as head coach.
The Dakar Dunker
Al Beye has 13 dunks and 17 blocked shots in his eight games. He missed MSU’s first nine with a knee injury.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns a pair of Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 227 games, the most in conference history. His win total includes 112 conference tilts, also a league best.
Road Kills
Before playing a single conference home game this season, the Bobcats picked up three league road wins. That total matches the number for the previous two seasons combined (two last year, one in 2002-03).
Turning Down Turnovers
After averaging 18.2 turnovers in the first five games, MSU has 12.8 in the last 10.
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 30 of the 36 halves.
Bombin’
Montana State’s 147 three-point field goals have the ‘Cats on pace to hit 227 this year, just short of the school record of 243, set in 1997-98.
Where the Action Is
The ‘Cats have taken 42% (425) of their 1,018 field goal attempts beyond the three-point circle, and 37% (441) of MSU’s 1208 points come on long-range launches.
Swattin’
Montana State has 69 blocks this year after getting 73 a year ago. Al Beye and Taylor Pratt (20 each) have more than the team leader of the past two seasons.
ONE-LINERS
On the Offense...
Montana State shot 50% from the field in three of the 13 non-conference games, but has reached that mark in three of its five conference contests... MSU has been held below 40% shooting seven times... the Bobcats had topped 70% from the line in the two straight games before shooting just 53% on Saturday... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 28% (9-for-32) from the line, the rest of the team is 69% (160-for-233)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 14.7.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... no Big Sky opponent has topped 42% shooting against MSU, and the team leads the league in field goal defense at 36%... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and had eight against NAU... the Bobcats have 53 steals in the last seven games... MSU’s two 20-turnover games came against Washington State (Pac 10) and Nebraska (Big 12).
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has started each of the five league games the same way... the longest stretch with the same starting lineup this year is five games... Nick Dissly, who missed the NU game, was the last player to start every game at the same position... Branden Miller and Marvin Moss are the only Bobcats to start each game... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at at both guard positions... MSU is 10-6 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
Riding the success of a sweep in its first two-game conference homestand, Montana State visits the Pacific Northwest this weekend to face Eastern Washington and Portland State. The trip has a title-fight feel for the Bobcats, as MSU faces last year’s Big Sky Champion Eastern Washington in Cheney on Thursday and the team, Portland State, picked by league coaches and media members to win the league on Saturday.
GAME FACTS
TIP @EWU 8:05 pm MST
SITE Cheney, WA
ARENA Reese Court
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
TIP @PSU 8:05 pm MST
SITE Portland, OR
ARENA Stott Center
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* Mick Durham’s Bobcat teams have won all 15 Big Sky home openers during his career
* The Bobcats are 5-0 to begin league play for the second time in the last four seasons
STREAKS
* MSU’s current five-game winning streak is its longest of the season, and its best since winning six straight last December-January
* The five-game winning streak to start Big Sky play is the team’s second-best (with 1996), behind the 9-0 start to the 1987
NOTEWORTHY
* Senior center Matt Towsley (back) is day-to-day this week, but will travel
* Montana State’s 88 points and 59% shooting against NAU Saturday are season’s best marks
* For the first time this season, Montana State has outscored its opponents (67.1 to 66.3, or 1,208 to 1,193)
* The ‘Cats lead the league in field goal defense and blocked shots, and are second in three-point defense
* MSU has only 30 turnovers in the last three games, and has more than 13 TOs in only one league game
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Eastern Washington: “Eastern Washington is a different team than last year, but they still have good toughness. They’ve struggled at times, but Marc Axton is still the leader and the main guy for Eastern. He has great experience. Matt Nelson is getting healthy, and that will only help them.” On Portland State: “Seamus Boxley is probably the best player in the league right now. Portland State has so much experience back from last year, with Will Funn and Antone Jarrell and Blake Walker. Coach Schroyer and his staff has done a nice job blending the new players in with the returners.” On the Bobcats: “These are the teams picked to finish first and second in the league, so on paper this is the toughest road trip we’ll see. Playing five of our first seven on the road is tough, but I think we’ve handled it well so far. To have success on the road, the number one job is to be pretty solid on defense. I’m a little concerned about our rebounding, but that’s definitely an area that we can improve.”
NOTING THE EAGLES
Eastern Washington won the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles a year ago... the Eagles are led by senior forward Marc Axton, who averages 15.6 points (4th in the Big Sky), and junior guard Danny Pariseau, who gets 4.2 assists (3rd in the Big Sky) and 1.2 steals (10th)
NOTING THE VIKINGS
Portland State owned the Big Sky’s best non-conference record, 8-4, entering conference play... the Vikings are one of three Big Sky teams -- with NAU and Weber State -- scheduled to play in ESPN’s Bracket Buster event in mid-February... PSU forward Seamus Boxley leads the Big Sky in scoring (19.4), and guard Will Fun leads the league with 7.4 assists a game... PSU is the only Big Sky team shooting over 50% (51.0%)
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State finished its first set of two or more home games in exactly a month with a rousing 88-68 win over Northern Arizona. MSU held the league’s best-shooting team to 39%, and notched season highs in shooting (59%) and scoring (88).
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 319 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 516 of the last 517 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has not been afraid to cast away from three-point range. MSU has hit 8.1 treys a game, easily the best rate in the Big Sky, and have attempted 425 three-pointers, also the most in the conference. MSU tied school records by hitting 14 and attempting 35 three-pointers against Wyoming.
The Magic Number
The Bobcats are 106-15 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Rebounding Regression
MSU has outrebounded only one of five Big Sky opponents this year, topping Sac State 36-32.
Window Cleaners
Marvin Moss’ consistency and the return of Al Beye have spurred MSU’s rebounding rejuvenation. Moss has led the ‘Cats in boards 14 times, averaging 7.1 a game, while Beye has 5.2 in his nine games.
Road Warriors
Montana State’s league-opening road sweep was a significant event for MSU. It was the team’s first road sweep in three years, and Mick Durham’s sixth road sweep as head coach.
The Dakar Dunker
Al Beye has 13 dunks and 17 blocked shots in his eight games. He missed MSU’s first nine with a knee injury.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns a pair of Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 227 games, the most in conference history. His win total includes 112 conference tilts, also a league best.
Road Kills
Before playing a single conference home game this season, the Bobcats picked up three league road wins. That total matches the number for the previous two seasons combined (two last year, one in 2002-03).
Turning Down Turnovers
After averaging 18.2 turnovers in the first five games, MSU has 12.8 in the last 10.
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 30 of the 36 halves.
Bombin’
Montana State’s 147 three-point field goals have the ‘Cats on pace to hit 227 this year, just short of the school record of 243, set in 1997-98.
Where the Action Is
The ‘Cats have taken 42% (425) of their 1,018 field goal attempts beyond the three-point circle, and 37% (441) of MSU’s 1208 points come on long-range launches.
Swattin’
Montana State has 69 blocks this year after getting 73 a year ago. Al Beye and Taylor Pratt (20 each) have more than the team leader of the past two seasons.
ONE-LINERS
On the Offense...
Montana State shot 50% from the field in three of the 13 non-conference games, but has reached that mark in three of its five conference contests... MSU has been held below 40% shooting seven times... the Bobcats had topped 70% from the line in the two straight games before shooting just 53% on Saturday... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 28% (9-for-32) from the line, the rest of the team is 69% (160-for-233)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 14.7.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... no Big Sky opponent has topped 42% shooting against MSU, and the team leads the league in field goal defense at 36%... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and had eight against NAU... the Bobcats have 53 steals in the last seven games... MSU’s two 20-turnover games came against Washington State (Pac 10) and Nebraska (Big 12).
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has started each of the five league games the same way... the longest stretch with the same starting lineup this year is five games... Nick Dissly, who missed the NU game, was the last player to start every game at the same position... Branden Miller and Marvin Moss are the only Bobcats to start each game... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at at both guard positions... MSU is 10-6 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
