Bobcats Head to Reno Short-Handed

When Montana State basketball coach Brad Huse looks to his bench Saturday during his team's season opener at Nevada, he won't have a lot of processing to do.

Huse and eight Bobcats head to Reno to face the Western Athletic Conference power Wolf Pack. "I've never taken just eight players into a game," Huse said, "especially against a team as good as Nevada. But I'm confident the players we have will work hard and we'll really have to execute our game plan."

The Bobcat debuts of 6-10 forward Jeff Budinich and 7-0 Michel Swita remain on hold. Budinich is out with mono, while Swita, who only recently was cleared by the NCAA, battles a back injury. Guard Will Bynum suffered a concussion last week, and is unavailable. Guard Colt Idol is also injured for the season, and will redshirt, as will forward Steven Davis. Bynum and Marquis Navarre are ineligible to play in the first three contests for participating in an unsanctioned basketball event this summer, while Larry Swann remains on indefinite suspension.

While Huse travels with a reduced roster to Reno, he likes the progress of the players that will play Saturday. Forward Branden Johnson snagged 22 rebounds in MSU's two exhibition games, and joins Bobby Howard and Cody Anderson a trio of smooth-shooting inside players at the core of the Bobcat offense. Cameron Henderson adds a strong inside presence.

"We definitely need continued production from those inside guys," Huse said. "They all need to work at defending and rebounding against Division I athletes, as well. Bobby should have a good year offensively and I'm happy with how Branden has rebounded thus far."

Montana State's established scoring presence comes from the perimeter, where Huse's team hangs its hat on versatility. Erik Rush scored 35 points in the two tune-up games from a variety of locations on the floor, and complements explosive Austin Brown and three-point threat Danny Piepoli. In Navarre's absence, sophomore transfer Bryan Louff assumes some of the playmaking duties.

"Erik is obviously a big part of what we do, but we need balance, and we'll need everyone to step up this weekend," Huse said.

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Bobcats Head to Reno Short-Handed

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