Cat-Griz III
3/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State may enter the 2005 Big Sky Championship Tournament as the second seed, but its task is daunting. The Bobcats play red-hot Montana in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum, with the third-seeded Grizzlies riding a four-game winning streak, the longest in the Big Sky. MSU is coming off its best game of the season, an 85-61 thrashing of Eastern Washington 10 days ago. Montana dispatched Eastern on Saturday for the second time in nine days to advance to the tourney semis.
GAME FACTS
TIP vs. UM 7:05 pm PST
SITE Portland, OR
ARENA Memorial Coliseum
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* Montana State finished its home season 11-3 after starting with two home losses in its first three games in Worthington Arena
* The ‘Cats posted their first winning record in Big Sky play since the championship season of 2002
STREAKS
* Montana State has lost its last two Big Sky Conference Tournament outings, and has lost all four of its semifinal games to UM
* The Bobcats own a two-game winning streak in games played in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum
* The ‘Cats have now lost 20 straight games to the Big Sky regular season champion during the season that team won the league, including two this year to Portland State
* Casey Durham has hit at least one three-pointer in seven straight games
* Nick Dissly has at least one steal in nine straight games
NOTEWORTHY
* Montana State has outscored its opponents 1,826-to-1,809 on the season
* MSU is 9-15 all-time in the city of Portland, 2-3 all-time in the Coliseum (2-1 in the 1982 Far West Classic, 0-2 in the 1980 Raindrop Classic)
* Al Beye, who was 3-for-23 from the line before last Thursday’s game against Portland State, is now 8-for-his-last-10
* MSU’s 113 blocks this season is a school record
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Montana MSU 143-128 (90-41/48-80/5-7)
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Montana: “Montana is playing very well right now. Kevin Criswell is starting to break loose, and that has really made them hard to guard. They are playing well on both ends of the floor. Kamarr Davis has really been a force down the stretch. They have a lot of different weapons, a lot of ways to hurt you.” On the Bobcats: “The long layoff has allowed us to get healthy, but it remains to be seen how the players respond on Tuesday. We played probably our best complete game of the season last time out, and hopefully we can carry that into the tournament.” On the Big Sky Tournament: “I think it will be fun to play in the Coliseum. The people in Portland really seem to be responding to this team, so that should create a good atmosphere. This league has been balanced almost from the first conference game of the year, so I think any of the four teams left have a chance to win.”
NOTING THE GRIZZLIES
Montna is playing in its 26th Big Sky Tournament, and owns a 20-21 record all-time... the 2005 tourney is UM’s fifth straight... Montana has played in six championship games, winning four titles... Montana beat Eastern Washington 58-48 to advance to its semifinal game against MSU, holding Eastern to 35% shooting, outrebounding the Eagles 34-to-28, and forcing 19 EWU turnovers... Montana was 19-for-30 from the line Saturday, EWU 9-for-16... UM has shot 57 free throws in the last two games, hitting 41 of them (72%).
BIG SKY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
#3 Montana 58, #6 Eastern Washington 48 in Missoula
#5 Weber State 74, #4 Sacramento State 71 in Sacramento
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
#3 Montana vs. #2 Montana State, 7:05 pm PST
#5 Weber State vs. #1 Portland State, 9:15 pm PST
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
Semifinal Winners, 7:05 pm
TELEVISION
Wednesday’s Championship Game will be televised on ESPN2 (Terry Gannon, Bob Valvano)
MSU BIG SKY TOURNEY NOTEBOOK
Montana State has lost two straight Big Sky Conference Tournament games and three of the last four... the Bobcats last played in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum during the 1982-83 season, losing to Oregon 64-55 and beating Portland 66-44 and Tennessee State 57-51 in the Far West Classic... no current Bobcat has played in the Big Sky Tournament... Montana State’s current five-year span without a Big Sky Tourney win is the school’s longest since winning its first tourney game in 1984, although it took seven years to get that first victory... MSU is 4-5 against Montana in Big Sky Tournament action, 2-3 against Weber State... MSU owns losing records against every current league team which it has faced in the Big Sky tourney
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State put together its best game of the season, topping Eastern Washington 85-61 on Senior Night in Bozeman. Branden Miller scored 24 points and Ja’Ron Jefferson 22 to counter Eastern’s Marc Axton, who had 27 points and four boards. MSU shot 55%, holding the Eagles to 36%.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 328 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 525 of the last 526 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, second-best rate in the Big Sky, and has attempted 624 three-pointers, 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 107-16 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Awesome 80s
Montana State has scored over 80 points in consecutive games for the second time this season. The team has not scored 80+ points in three straight since doing so in five straight non-league games last year.
Rebounding Remarks
Montana State’s rebounding struggles abated some last weekend. The ‘Cats were within one rebound of PSU, and topped EWU 39-29. Still, MSU finishes the regular season tied for sixth in rebound margin in all games (-3.0), sixth in league games (-1.9).
Rebounding Redux
The Bobcats have outrebounded four league opponents, and have been even with two others.
Window Cleaner
Marvin Moss has been MSU’s top board man. His 7.0 average is fourth in the BSC.
Sweeps & Breakthroughs
MSU has swept three Big Sky foes -- Weber, ISU, and Montana -- after not getting a single sweep last year. The Weber-ISU road sweep was MSU’s first in three years. The three road wins matches the total for the previous two years combined (two in 2003, one in ‘04).
Charity
MSU’s 26 free throws against PSU last Thursday were the team’s most in 12 games. The team is shooting 81% in the last three games.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns two Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 231 games, the most in conference history, including 116 conference tilts, also a league best.
Shot Swattin’
Montana State has 113 blocked shots this year, a school record. Al Beye’s 42 blocks in fourth in MSU annals.
More D-D-D-Defense
Since the season opener, MSU has held its opponent to below 50% shooting in 42 of the 51 halves, and below 40% 20 times.
Where the Action Is
Forty-four percent of MSU’s shots (624-of-1,512) and 35% of the team’s points (618 of 1,826) are from beyond the arc.
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 five of its 14 conference contests... MSU’s 55% night in the home finale was its second-best of the season... MSU is 39-for-47 from the free throw line in the last two games (83%)... MSU has shot below 65% from the line in only one of the last eight games, and has topped 80% in the last two outings... MSU’s 216 three-pointers is second-best in the Big Sky this season
On the Defense...
Portland State shot exactly 50% against MSU in Bozeman, the first opponent to reach that mark in 20 games... Montana State has held four of the last six and nine of its 14 Big Sky opponents to 40% shooting or less... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and has at least six in four of the last six games... MSU held five of its seven Big Sky opponents to a lower field goal percentage the second time around the league than the first
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has changed lineups only once in league play... Marvin Moss is the only Bobcat to start all 25 games... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at both guard positions... MSU is 13-10 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
#3 Casey Durham, G
His 47 threes is second-most in school history by a frosh, five short of the record, and 8th-most in the Big Sky this year... scored career-high 18 points on six threes against UM at home... the UM game is his only over 50% since suffering a concussion in the Grizzly game at Missoula... has no more than two turnovers in any league game... 6th in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (.373)... 2nd on the team with 47 treys and 126 attempts
4 Branden Miller, G
Scored 24 points in MSU’s home finale vs EWU... has been in double-figures five straight times after being shut out against Weber at home... hit a three-pointer with 3.7 to play to beat Sac State in Bozeman... 197 of his 309 field goal attempts (61%) are from outside the circle... either scored (10) or assisted on (5) 15 of MSU’s 28 baskets against UWGB... 1st on the team/9th in the league in assists, 1st/5th in 3-pointers made
#5 Dennis Woodall, F
Scored five points on 2-for-3 shooting on Senior Night... shooting 29% from the free throw line and 30% on three-pointers... hit his first three-pointer in a month vs EWU... started four non-conference games... scored 17 points as a starter in a three-game stretch against UWGB/MSUN/UNC, 12 points in the six games before that... had his first two-steal game against Northern... played 21 minutes at Idaho State
#12 Ryan Holmes, G
Shooting 0-for-7 from the floor without scoring in the last four games... had four assists with one turnover at NAU/Sac... had 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting with four boards in 37 minutes vs. Sac & NAU at home... saw season-high 18 minutes against Sac at home... didn’t score in the first seven games... 6-for-24 from the field before the Sac/NAU home weekend, 9-of-18 since... has 13 assists
#20 Carson Durr, F
Had his best shooting night vs EWU, 2-2 from the field, 1-1 from three-point range... made his first field goal in five games and finished 3-for-4 from the line against UM... was 2-for-3 with two blocks at Sac State... picking up minutes as MSU’s backup power forward in recent games... hit a big jumper in the second half against Idaho State... hit his first three-pointer in 16 games against NAU.. season-high three boards in back-to-back games (Tech/Nebr)... a good defender and passer
#22 Nick Dissly, F
Coming off his best conference weekend, getting 28 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists vs PSU/EWU... took over the ISU home game with back-to-back threes and moments later back-to-back steals... averaging 9.0 boards in the last three games... career-high 4 steals vs. ISU... his 39 threes last year was 2nd-best ever by MSU frosh... season-high six assists against Wyoming... three steals against UWGB... 9th in the Big Sky in steals, 10th in assists
#23 Ja’Ron Jefferson, G
Scored 39 points last weekend (PSU/EWU)... leads the team in scoring... snapped a four-game streak below 50% shooting last time out... earned Big Sky POW honors for hitting the game-winner and scoring 25 at UM... averaging 13 points as a starter, and has led the ‘Cats in scoring seven times... grabbed a career-high 10 boards for his 1st career double-double vs. Weber... season-high eight assists at PSU... is 5th in the league in steals (1.6), 7th in scoring (12.9)
#33 Taylor Pratt, F
Second on the team and 3rd in the Big Sky with 1.0 blocks a game, and had four last weekend... 9-for-11 shooting in the last eight games and 15-for-22 in the last 19, but has no more than two attampts against a Big Sky opponent... has played more than 10 minutes in seven straight... six points at Sac State
#42 Marvin Moss, F
Second on the team in scoring (12.5) and boards (7.1)... scored season-low six points against PSU at home... shooting 50-for-91 (57%) in the last nine... has led the Bobcats in rebounds in 16 of the 27 games... 9th in the Big Sky in scoring, 4th in boards, 7th in FG%... has three double-doubles, and one other game with double-digit rebounds... Big Sky POW 1/10
#52 Matt Towsley, C
Is most likely out for the season with a back injury...had at least four boards in the first three games, but only 10 in his last 10... blocked two Weber State shots... had six blocks in the first three games, but only four since... shooting just 37% from the floor
#55 Al Beye, C
Fourth in MSU history with 42 blocked shots this year... hit 14 straight FGs covering the PSU/ISU games and parts of the NAU and Weber games... was 8-8 vs PSU in home game... has failed to block a shot only once this year, and has nine games with at least three... his 42 blocks is the most in the Big Sky... missed the first nine games with a knee injuiry... had 16 rebounds in the ISU/WSU home weekend... has three nine-rebound games... leads the team in shooting (63%)
GAME FACTS
TIP vs. UM 7:05 pm PST
SITE Portland, OR
ARENA Memorial Coliseum
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
HIGHLIGHTS
* Montana State finished its home season 11-3 after starting with two home losses in its first three games in Worthington Arena
* The ‘Cats posted their first winning record in Big Sky play since the championship season of 2002
STREAKS
* Montana State has lost its last two Big Sky Conference Tournament outings, and has lost all four of its semifinal games to UM
* The Bobcats own a two-game winning streak in games played in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum
* The ‘Cats have now lost 20 straight games to the Big Sky regular season champion during the season that team won the league, including two this year to Portland State
* Casey Durham has hit at least one three-pointer in seven straight games
* Nick Dissly has at least one steal in nine straight games
NOTEWORTHY
* Montana State has outscored its opponents 1,826-to-1,809 on the season
* MSU is 9-15 all-time in the city of Portland, 2-3 all-time in the Coliseum (2-1 in the 1982 Far West Classic, 0-2 in the 1980 Raindrop Classic)
* Al Beye, who was 3-for-23 from the line before last Thursday’s game against Portland State, is now 8-for-his-last-10
* MSU’s 113 blocks this season is a school record
SERIES CAPSULES
MSU vs. Montana MSU 143-128 (90-41/48-80/5-7)
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Montana: “Montana is playing very well right now. Kevin Criswell is starting to break loose, and that has really made them hard to guard. They are playing well on both ends of the floor. Kamarr Davis has really been a force down the stretch. They have a lot of different weapons, a lot of ways to hurt you.” On the Bobcats: “The long layoff has allowed us to get healthy, but it remains to be seen how the players respond on Tuesday. We played probably our best complete game of the season last time out, and hopefully we can carry that into the tournament.” On the Big Sky Tournament: “I think it will be fun to play in the Coliseum. The people in Portland really seem to be responding to this team, so that should create a good atmosphere. This league has been balanced almost from the first conference game of the year, so I think any of the four teams left have a chance to win.”
NOTING THE GRIZZLIES
Montna is playing in its 26th Big Sky Tournament, and owns a 20-21 record all-time... the 2005 tourney is UM’s fifth straight... Montana has played in six championship games, winning four titles... Montana beat Eastern Washington 58-48 to advance to its semifinal game against MSU, holding Eastern to 35% shooting, outrebounding the Eagles 34-to-28, and forcing 19 EWU turnovers... Montana was 19-for-30 from the line Saturday, EWU 9-for-16... UM has shot 57 free throws in the last two games, hitting 41 of them (72%).
BIG SKY CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
#3 Montana 58, #6 Eastern Washington 48 in Missoula
#5 Weber State 74, #4 Sacramento State 71 in Sacramento
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
#3 Montana vs. #2 Montana State, 7:05 pm PST
#5 Weber State vs. #1 Portland State, 9:15 pm PST
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
Semifinal Winners, 7:05 pm
TELEVISION
Wednesday’s Championship Game will be televised on ESPN2 (Terry Gannon, Bob Valvano)
MSU BIG SKY TOURNEY NOTEBOOK
Montana State has lost two straight Big Sky Conference Tournament games and three of the last four... the Bobcats last played in Portland’s Memorial Coliseum during the 1982-83 season, losing to Oregon 64-55 and beating Portland 66-44 and Tennessee State 57-51 in the Far West Classic... no current Bobcat has played in the Big Sky Tournament... Montana State’s current five-year span without a Big Sky Tourney win is the school’s longest since winning its first tourney game in 1984, although it took seven years to get that first victory... MSU is 4-5 against Montana in Big Sky Tournament action, 2-3 against Weber State... MSU owns losing records against every current league team which it has faced in the Big Sky tourney
SCOPING THE BOBCATS
Last Time Out
Montana State put together its best game of the season, topping Eastern Washington 85-61 on Senior Night in Bozeman. Branden Miller scored 24 points and Ja’Ron Jefferson 22 to counter Eastern’s Marc Axton, who had 27 points and four boards. MSU shot 55%, holding the Eagles to 36%.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in the last 328 games. From 1986 to late ‘92-93 MSU rolled up 197 straight games with a trey, giving MSU at least one three in 525 of the last 526 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, second-best rate in the Big Sky, and has attempted 624 three-pointers, 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 107-16 when scoring at least 80 points since ‘93-94.
Awesome 80s
Montana State has scored over 80 points in consecutive games for the second time this season. The team has not scored 80+ points in three straight since doing so in five straight non-league games last year.
Rebounding Remarks
Montana State’s rebounding struggles abated some last weekend. The ‘Cats were within one rebound of PSU, and topped EWU 39-29. Still, MSU finishes the regular season tied for sixth in rebound margin in all games (-3.0), sixth in league games (-1.9).
Rebounding Redux
The Bobcats have outrebounded four league opponents, and have been even with two others.
Window Cleaner
Marvin Moss has been MSU’s top board man. His 7.0 average is fourth in the BSC.
Sweeps & Breakthroughs
MSU has swept three Big Sky foes -- Weber, ISU, and Montana -- after not getting a single sweep last year. The Weber-ISU road sweep was MSU’s first in three years. The three road wins matches the total for the previous two years combined (two in 2003, one in ‘04).
Charity
MSU’s 26 free throws against PSU last Thursday were the team’s most in 12 games. The team is shooting 81% in the last three games.
Mick’s Milestones
Mick Durham owns two Big Sky records that are likely to stand the test of time. Durham’s Bobcats have won 231 games, the most in conference history, including 116 conference tilts, also a league best.
Shot Swattin’
Montana State has 113 blocked shots this year, a school record. Al Beye’s 42 blocks in fourth in MSU annals.
More D-D-D-Defense
Since the season opener, MSU has held its opponent to below 50% shooting in 42 of the 51 halves, and below 40% 20 times.
Where the Action Is
Forty-four percent of MSU’s shots (624-of-1,512) and 35% of the team’s points (618 of 1,826) are from beyond the arc.
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 five of its 14 conference contests... MSU’s 55% night in the home finale was its second-best of the season... MSU is 39-for-47 from the free throw line in the last two games (83%)... MSU has shot below 65% from the line in only one of the last eight games, and has topped 80% in the last two outings... MSU’s 216 three-pointers is second-best in the Big Sky this season
On the Defense...
Portland State shot exactly 50% against MSU in Bozeman, the first opponent to reach that mark in 20 games... Montana State has held four of the last six and nine of its 14 Big Sky opponents to 40% shooting or less... the ‘Cats have averaged four blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup, and has at least six in four of the last six games... MSU held five of its seven Big Sky opponents to a lower field goal percentage the second time around the league than the first
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has changed lineups only once in league play... Marvin Moss is the only Bobcat to start all 25 games... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at both guard positions... MSU is 13-10 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
#3 Casey Durham, G
His 47 threes is second-most in school history by a frosh, five short of the record, and 8th-most in the Big Sky this year... scored career-high 18 points on six threes against UM at home... the UM game is his only over 50% since suffering a concussion in the Grizzly game at Missoula... has no more than two turnovers in any league game... 6th in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (.373)... 2nd on the team with 47 treys and 126 attempts
4 Branden Miller, G
Scored 24 points in MSU’s home finale vs EWU... has been in double-figures five straight times after being shut out against Weber at home... hit a three-pointer with 3.7 to play to beat Sac State in Bozeman... 197 of his 309 field goal attempts (61%) are from outside the circle... either scored (10) or assisted on (5) 15 of MSU’s 28 baskets against UWGB... 1st on the team/9th in the league in assists, 1st/5th in 3-pointers made
#5 Dennis Woodall, F
Scored five points on 2-for-3 shooting on Senior Night... shooting 29% from the free throw line and 30% on three-pointers... hit his first three-pointer in a month vs EWU... started four non-conference games... scored 17 points as a starter in a three-game stretch against UWGB/MSUN/UNC, 12 points in the six games before that... had his first two-steal game against Northern... played 21 minutes at Idaho State
#12 Ryan Holmes, G
Shooting 0-for-7 from the floor without scoring in the last four games... had four assists with one turnover at NAU/Sac... had 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting with four boards in 37 minutes vs. Sac & NAU at home... saw season-high 18 minutes against Sac at home... didn’t score in the first seven games... 6-for-24 from the field before the Sac/NAU home weekend, 9-of-18 since... has 13 assists
#20 Carson Durr, F
Had his best shooting night vs EWU, 2-2 from the field, 1-1 from three-point range... made his first field goal in five games and finished 3-for-4 from the line against UM... was 2-for-3 with two blocks at Sac State... picking up minutes as MSU’s backup power forward in recent games... hit a big jumper in the second half against Idaho State... hit his first three-pointer in 16 games against NAU.. season-high three boards in back-to-back games (Tech/Nebr)... a good defender and passer
#22 Nick Dissly, F
Coming off his best conference weekend, getting 28 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists vs PSU/EWU... took over the ISU home game with back-to-back threes and moments later back-to-back steals... averaging 9.0 boards in the last three games... career-high 4 steals vs. ISU... his 39 threes last year was 2nd-best ever by MSU frosh... season-high six assists against Wyoming... three steals against UWGB... 9th in the Big Sky in steals, 10th in assists
#23 Ja’Ron Jefferson, G
Scored 39 points last weekend (PSU/EWU)... leads the team in scoring... snapped a four-game streak below 50% shooting last time out... earned Big Sky POW honors for hitting the game-winner and scoring 25 at UM... averaging 13 points as a starter, and has led the ‘Cats in scoring seven times... grabbed a career-high 10 boards for his 1st career double-double vs. Weber... season-high eight assists at PSU... is 5th in the league in steals (1.6), 7th in scoring (12.9)
#33 Taylor Pratt, F
Second on the team and 3rd in the Big Sky with 1.0 blocks a game, and had four last weekend... 9-for-11 shooting in the last eight games and 15-for-22 in the last 19, but has no more than two attampts against a Big Sky opponent... has played more than 10 minutes in seven straight... six points at Sac State
#42 Marvin Moss, F
Second on the team in scoring (12.5) and boards (7.1)... scored season-low six points against PSU at home... shooting 50-for-91 (57%) in the last nine... has led the Bobcats in rebounds in 16 of the 27 games... 9th in the Big Sky in scoring, 4th in boards, 7th in FG%... has three double-doubles, and one other game with double-digit rebounds... Big Sky POW 1/10
#52 Matt Towsley, C
Is most likely out for the season with a back injury...had at least four boards in the first three games, but only 10 in his last 10... blocked two Weber State shots... had six blocks in the first three games, but only four since... shooting just 37% from the floor
#55 Al Beye, C
Fourth in MSU history with 42 blocked shots this year... hit 14 straight FGs covering the PSU/ISU games and parts of the NAU and Weber games... was 8-8 vs PSU in home game... has failed to block a shot only once this year, and has nine games with at least three... his 42 blocks is the most in the Big Sky... missed the first nine games with a knee injuiry... had 16 rebounds in the ISU/WSU home weekend... has three nine-rebound games... leads the team in shooting (63%)
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
