Bobcats Host Idaho State Thursday
2/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (10-10/5-2) vs. Idaho State (7-12/4-2) & Weber State (12-6/4-2) After being tagged with its first league losses of the season, Montana State makes the turn in league play, hosting Idaho State and Weber State this weekend. Facing five of their last seven at home, the Bobcats enter the second half of the Big Sky season in second place, a half-game behind Portland State but only one game ahead of Montana and defending conference champion Eastern Washington. Idaho State has won two of its last four trips to Bozeman.
GAME FACTS
TIP vs ISU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Wortington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV Altitude/
TIP vs WSU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* MSU enters the Big Sky’s second half 2-0 at home, facing five of their last seven in Worthington Arena
* Al Beye blocked five shots last week
STREAKS
* Montana State’s current two-game losing streak is its longest since dropping three straight in December
* After opening the year with 18 straight games making at least five three-pointers, the ‘Cats hit only five on last weekend’s two-game road trip
NOTEWORTHY
* Senior center Matt Towsley (back) is doubtful for this weekend’s games, and for the remainder of the season
* After its 88-point, 59% shooting effort against NAU the ‘Cats scored just 101 total points and shot 36% at Portland State and Eastern Wash.
* The ‘Cats, who have shot the fewest free throws in the league, face two of the Big Sky’s three best free throw shooting teams this weekend
* The ‘Cats lead the league in field goal defense and are second in blocked shots
* After averaging just 12.0 turnovers in the previous three games, MSU had 17 TOs at both EWU and PSU
* MSU has 76 blocks this year after getting just 73 a season ago
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Idaho State: “It looks to me like Idaho State is playing their best basketball of the season right now. They’re shooting the ball a lot better and getting production from the low post. Idaho State is a team with great leadership, they have solid seniors, and they’re an experienced club.” On Weber State: “Any time Weber State and Montana State play it’s a great matchup. They’ve had to deal with some adversity, some injuries. It starts with Lance Allred inside, and Troy Goodell really gave us problems last time. Coric Riggs seems to playing much better lately, also.” On the Bobcats: “We’ve been through the league once and now our new guys know what to expect. They’ve seen all the teams and all the personnel. It works the other way, too, because the other teams are familiar with our new guys, but hopefully going through the league once benefits us as we play five of our last seven at home.”
IDAHO STATE ROSTER
3 Doug Hardy, G 5-10 170 Fr Anchorage, AK
4 Logan Kinghorn, G 6-5 215 Fr Rigby, ID
5 Arzelle Lewis, G 6-2 180 Sr Denver, CO
11 Jeff Gardner, G 6-2 165 Sr Orem, UT
21 Nate Rede, F 6-7 225 Sr Monterey, CA
33 Kyle Stevens, F 6-8 215 So Rexburg, ID
34 Doug D’Amore, G/F 6-3/ 195 Sr Tucson, AZ
42 Jesse Smith, C/F 6-10 265 Sr Mackay, ID
45 Nicholas Rhodes, C 6-8 285 So Sacramento, CA
50 Slim Millien, F/C 6-7 195 Jr Queens, NY
HEAD COACH: Doug Oliver
NOTING THE BENGALS
Idaho State stayed in the thick of the Big Sky Tournament chase with an 84-60 home win over Weber State on Saturday, with front-line standouts Slim Millien (19 points) and Nate Rede (18) combining to shoot 18-for-21 from the floor... the Bengals have won on two of their last four trips to Bozeman... Millien is shooting 66.7% from the floor in league games
WEBER STATE ROSTER
1 Coric Riggs, F/G 6-4 210 Jr Louisville, KY
2 Juan Pablo Silveira, G 6-3 185 Fr Salto, Uruguay
3 Matt Emadi, G 6-6 190 So Layton, UT
4 Jamaal Jenkins, G 6-3 205 Jr Arlington, TX
5 Terrell Stovall, G 6-3 185 Jr Inglewood, CA
10 Brett Cox, G 6-0 180 Jr Mesa, AZ
11 Troy Goodell, F 6-6 215 Sr Layton, UT
14 Chris Thomas, F 6-7 210 Fr Crown Point, IN
33 David Patten, F 6-8 220 So Placentia, CA
41 Danko Barisic, C 7-0 275 Fr Osijek, Croatia
50 Lance Allred, C 6-10 270 Sr Salt Lake City, UT
HEAD COACH: Joe Cravens
NOTING THE WILDCATS
Weber State enters the second half of the Big Sky season with a 3-1 home record in league games... the Wildcats lead the Big Sky with 38.1 rebounds a game and a +6.4 rebounding margin, largely on the strength of Lance Allred’s dominance... Allred has been among the national leaders in boards all season, averaging 11.9 a game at present... Allred is also third in the league in scoring in conference games only, at 16.4... Coric Riggs has played well lately, averaging 16.5 points in the last five games and leading the Wildcats in scoring three times in that span
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State fell out of first place in the Big Sky at the league’s halfway mark with a 68-51 loss at Portland State on Saturday. Marvin Moss had 18 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double, to lead the ‘Cats. MSU drew to within two points early in the second half, but a 13-2 Portland State run clinched the Viking win.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 321 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 518 of the last 519 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has not been afraid to cast away from three-point range. MSU has hit 7.6 treys a game, just ahead of NAU’s 7.4 a game, and has attempted 459 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 Remarks
In Montana State’s first six games of the season, form held. The ‘Cats won the game in which it outrebounded its opponent, and lost the five in which it was outrebounded. Since then, the ‘Cats have been all over the place. The Bobcats have been plus or even in boards in seven of the last 14 games, but in that time are 3-2 when outrebounding the opponent, 5-2 when outrebounded, and 1-1 when even.
Rebounding Regression
The Bobcats have outrebounded only one Big Sky opponent (Sac State, 36-to-32), and were even at Eastern Washington (31-to-31). MSU is 8th in the league in rebound margin (-4.6) in all games. Window Cleaner Marvin Moss has been MSU’s rebounding bright spot. The junior forward averages 7.1 a game, third in the Big Sky.
Road Warriors
Montana State’s league-opening road sweep was a significant event, marking the team’s first road sweep in three years. It was Mick Durham’s sixth road sweep.
The Dakar Dunker
Al Beye has 15 dunks and 25 blocked shots in his 11 games. He missed MSU’s first nine with a knee injury.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns two Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 227 games, the most in conference history, including 112 conference tilts, also a league best.
Road Kills
MSU’s three road wins to open the league matches the total for the previous two years combined (two in 2003, one in ‘04).
Turnover Turnarounds
Montana State has endured three major trends in turnovers this season...
Record TOs Forced Margin
First 6 1-5 17.7 15.5 -1.2
Next 11 8-3 12.9 14.7 +1.8
Last 3 1-2 16.7 15.7 -1.0
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 31 of the 37 halves, and below 40% in 14 of those halves.
Where the Action Is
MSU has taken 41% of its field goal attempts (459-of-1,114) from beyond the three-point arc, and has scored 35% of its points (456 of 1,309) from deep.
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 eight conference contests... MSU has been held below 40% shooting 10 times... the Bobcats had topped 70% from the line in the two straight games before shooting just 61% in the last three... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 24% (9-for-38) from the line, the rest of the team is 65% (190-for-291)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 14.9.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... EWU became the first Big Sky opponent to top 42% shooting against MSU, but MSU held PSU, the league’s best-shooting team, to 43%... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and had eight against NAU... the Bobcats have 72 steals in the last nine 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 10-7 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
GAME FACTS
TIP vs ISU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Wortington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV Altitude/
TIP vs WSU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* MSU enters the Big Sky’s second half 2-0 at home, facing five of their last seven in Worthington Arena
* Al Beye blocked five shots last week
STREAKS
* Montana State’s current two-game losing streak is its longest since dropping three straight in December
* After opening the year with 18 straight games making at least five three-pointers, the ‘Cats hit only five on last weekend’s two-game road trip
NOTEWORTHY
* Senior center Matt Towsley (back) is doubtful for this weekend’s games, and for the remainder of the season
* After its 88-point, 59% shooting effort against NAU the ‘Cats scored just 101 total points and shot 36% at Portland State and Eastern Wash.
* The ‘Cats, who have shot the fewest free throws in the league, face two of the Big Sky’s three best free throw shooting teams this weekend
* The ‘Cats lead the league in field goal defense and are second in blocked shots
* After averaging just 12.0 turnovers in the previous three games, MSU had 17 TOs at both EWU and PSU
* MSU has 76 blocks this year after getting just 73 a season ago
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Idaho State: “It looks to me like Idaho State is playing their best basketball of the season right now. They’re shooting the ball a lot better and getting production from the low post. Idaho State is a team with great leadership, they have solid seniors, and they’re an experienced club.” On Weber State: “Any time Weber State and Montana State play it’s a great matchup. They’ve had to deal with some adversity, some injuries. It starts with Lance Allred inside, and Troy Goodell really gave us problems last time. Coric Riggs seems to playing much better lately, also.” On the Bobcats: “We’ve been through the league once and now our new guys know what to expect. They’ve seen all the teams and all the personnel. It works the other way, too, because the other teams are familiar with our new guys, but hopefully going through the league once benefits us as we play five of our last seven at home.”
IDAHO STATE ROSTER
3 Doug Hardy, G 5-10 170 Fr Anchorage, AK
4 Logan Kinghorn, G 6-5 215 Fr Rigby, ID
5 Arzelle Lewis, G 6-2 180 Sr Denver, CO
11 Jeff Gardner, G 6-2 165 Sr Orem, UT
21 Nate Rede, F 6-7 225 Sr Monterey, CA
33 Kyle Stevens, F 6-8 215 So Rexburg, ID
34 Doug D’Amore, G/F 6-3/ 195 Sr Tucson, AZ
42 Jesse Smith, C/F 6-10 265 Sr Mackay, ID
45 Nicholas Rhodes, C 6-8 285 So Sacramento, CA
50 Slim Millien, F/C 6-7 195 Jr Queens, NY
HEAD COACH: Doug Oliver
NOTING THE BENGALS
Idaho State stayed in the thick of the Big Sky Tournament chase with an 84-60 home win over Weber State on Saturday, with front-line standouts Slim Millien (19 points) and Nate Rede (18) combining to shoot 18-for-21 from the floor... the Bengals have won on two of their last four trips to Bozeman... Millien is shooting 66.7% from the floor in league games
WEBER STATE ROSTER
1 Coric Riggs, F/G 6-4 210 Jr Louisville, KY
2 Juan Pablo Silveira, G 6-3 185 Fr Salto, Uruguay
3 Matt Emadi, G 6-6 190 So Layton, UT
4 Jamaal Jenkins, G 6-3 205 Jr Arlington, TX
5 Terrell Stovall, G 6-3 185 Jr Inglewood, CA
10 Brett Cox, G 6-0 180 Jr Mesa, AZ
11 Troy Goodell, F 6-6 215 Sr Layton, UT
14 Chris Thomas, F 6-7 210 Fr Crown Point, IN
33 David Patten, F 6-8 220 So Placentia, CA
41 Danko Barisic, C 7-0 275 Fr Osijek, Croatia
50 Lance Allred, C 6-10 270 Sr Salt Lake City, UT
HEAD COACH: Joe Cravens
NOTING THE WILDCATS
Weber State enters the second half of the Big Sky season with a 3-1 home record in league games... the Wildcats lead the Big Sky with 38.1 rebounds a game and a +6.4 rebounding margin, largely on the strength of Lance Allred’s dominance... Allred has been among the national leaders in boards all season, averaging 11.9 a game at present... Allred is also third in the league in scoring in conference games only, at 16.4... Coric Riggs has played well lately, averaging 16.5 points in the last five games and leading the Wildcats in scoring three times in that span
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State fell out of first place in the Big Sky at the league’s halfway mark with a 68-51 loss at Portland State on Saturday. Marvin Moss had 18 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double, to lead the ‘Cats. MSU drew to within two points early in the second half, but a 13-2 Portland State run clinched the Viking win.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 321 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 518 of the last 519 games.
The Three Company
This year’s Bobcat team has not been afraid to cast away from three-point range. MSU has hit 7.6 treys a game, just ahead of NAU’s 7.4 a game, and has attempted 459 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 Remarks
In Montana State’s first six games of the season, form held. The ‘Cats won the game in which it outrebounded its opponent, and lost the five in which it was outrebounded. Since then, the ‘Cats have been all over the place. The Bobcats have been plus or even in boards in seven of the last 14 games, but in that time are 3-2 when outrebounding the opponent, 5-2 when outrebounded, and 1-1 when even.
Rebounding Regression
The Bobcats have outrebounded only one Big Sky opponent (Sac State, 36-to-32), and were even at Eastern Washington (31-to-31). MSU is 8th in the league in rebound margin (-4.6) in all games. Window Cleaner Marvin Moss has been MSU’s rebounding bright spot. The junior forward averages 7.1 a game, third in the Big Sky.
Road Warriors
Montana State’s league-opening road sweep was a significant event, marking the team’s first road sweep in three years. It was Mick Durham’s sixth road sweep.
The Dakar Dunker
Al Beye has 15 dunks and 25 blocked shots in his 11 games. He missed MSU’s first nine with a knee injury.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns two Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 227 games, the most in conference history, including 112 conference tilts, also a league best.
Road Kills
MSU’s three road wins to open the league matches the total for the previous two years combined (two in 2003, one in ‘04).
Turnover Turnarounds
Montana State has endured three major trends in turnovers this season...
Record TOs Forced Margin
First 6 1-5 17.7 15.5 -1.2
Next 11 8-3 12.9 14.7 +1.8
Last 3 1-2 16.7 15.7 -1.0
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 31 of the 37 halves, and below 40% in 14 of those halves.
Where the Action Is
MSU has taken 41% of its field goal attempts (459-of-1,114) from beyond the three-point arc, and has scored 35% of its points (456 of 1,309) from deep.
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 eight conference contests... MSU has been held below 40% shooting 10 times... the Bobcats had topped 70% from the line in the two straight games before shooting just 61% in the last three... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 24% (9-for-38) from the line, the rest of the team is 65% (190-for-291)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 14.9.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... EWU became the first Big Sky opponent to top 42% shooting against MSU, but MSU held PSU, the league’s best-shooting team, to 43%... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and had eight against NAU... the Bobcats have 72 steals in the last nine 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 10-7 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
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