Bobcats Top Eastern, Point Toward Future
12/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The few dozen Bobcat fans that found their way to Eastern Washington's Reese Court on Thursday may not have seen the most artistic win in MSU history, or a win that helps seal a Big Sky title for the Bobcats.
What they saw, though, was probably more important. They saw a blueprint. They saw a plan.
"When you put together a model of how we need to play to win games," said Montana State's first-year head coach Brad Huse, "this game fits."
Montana State played tenacious defense, put together a scrappy, productive effort on the boards against a team that appeared bigger and deeper in terms of size, and did just enough in the way of shooting proficiency and handling the ball.
Bobcat point guard Casey Durham ran the offense efficiently. He dished out four assists and turned it over three times, but got to the free throw line a team-high six times (making four), and knocked down a couple of three-pointers.
MSU won on a night the shooting wasn't terrific, althoug it was solid. Ted Morris hit a couple of buckets down low, and each of the team's key perimeter players penetrated the paint aggressively.
"This is not a one-man deal, it's a team effort," Huse said. He was referring to MSU's effort to contain Eastern's sensational Rodney Stuckey, but he has wielded that statement generously in many different contexts. Most importantly, Huse has preached sharing the ball, making the extra pass, looking for great shots instead of any open shot.
That happened many times in the win at Eastern, but especially on the game-winning possession. Instead of forcing a three-pointer himself, Durham found Carlos Taylor for a three that went in largely because he was open enough to set his feet and take aim.
"It looked good coming out of his hands," Huse said.
MSU's team effort also came on the defensive end, where several Bobcats took their turns trying to hold Stuckey in check. Last year's national freshman of the year, Stuckey scored 26 points and dished out seven assists. The rest of the team was 18-for-38 shooting with only eight assists.
"I thought we did a good job limiting their chances other than Stuckey," Huse said.
The victory counts as only a single tally in the win column, but it stands as something more important. It is an example of how Huse wants his team to play. And, it is an example of what can happen when it does.
What they saw, though, was probably more important. They saw a blueprint. They saw a plan.
"When you put together a model of how we need to play to win games," said Montana State's first-year head coach Brad Huse, "this game fits."
Montana State played tenacious defense, put together a scrappy, productive effort on the boards against a team that appeared bigger and deeper in terms of size, and did just enough in the way of shooting proficiency and handling the ball.
Bobcat point guard Casey Durham ran the offense efficiently. He dished out four assists and turned it over three times, but got to the free throw line a team-high six times (making four), and knocked down a couple of three-pointers.
MSU won on a night the shooting wasn't terrific, althoug it was solid. Ted Morris hit a couple of buckets down low, and each of the team's key perimeter players penetrated the paint aggressively.
"This is not a one-man deal, it's a team effort," Huse said. He was referring to MSU's effort to contain Eastern's sensational Rodney Stuckey, but he has wielded that statement generously in many different contexts. Most importantly, Huse has preached sharing the ball, making the extra pass, looking for great shots instead of any open shot.
That happened many times in the win at Eastern, but especially on the game-winning possession. Instead of forcing a three-pointer himself, Durham found Carlos Taylor for a three that went in largely because he was open enough to set his feet and take aim.
"It looked good coming out of his hands," Huse said.
MSU's team effort also came on the defensive end, where several Bobcats took their turns trying to hold Stuckey in check. Last year's national freshman of the year, Stuckey scored 26 points and dished out seven assists. The rest of the team was 18-for-38 shooting with only eight assists.
"I thought we did a good job limiting their chances other than Stuckey," Huse said.
The victory counts as only a single tally in the win column, but it stands as something more important. It is an example of how Huse wants his team to play. And, it is an example of what can happen when it does.
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