Montana State University
Boise State
Bobcat Game Notes vs. Boise State
12/23/2009 9:35:46 AM | Men's Basketball
NEXT UP...
DATE December 23, 2009
TIPOFF 7 pm
SITE
ARENA Taco
RADIO Bobcat Network (Jeff Lasky)
VIDEO NA
LAST TIME BSU 74-61, 11/24/08
MISCELLANY...
l Since missing the first three games this year, Marquis Navarre has set career highs in scoring (21 vs. Northern Colorado), steals (four at Memphis), and assists (eight at San Francisco)
l Monday's win at
l Monday's win at Cal Poly was its second road victory of the season
l Bobcat opponents have attempted at least 22 free throws in three straight games, converting at just a 61% rate
SERIES NOTES...
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l MSU is 1-1 against the Broncos under Brad Huse's direction
ON THE OFFENSE...
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l The Bobcats have turned the ball over 12 times or less in six of the last seven games, and are second in the Big Sky with only 12.9 per game
ON THE DEFENSE...
l MSU remains second in the Big Sky in blocks, with Austin Brown (third) and and Branden Johnson (T8th) among the league leaders
l Bobcat opponents shoot 46.1% in the first half, 38.5% in the second
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Three at a Time
Montana State has proven proficient in this young season at shooting the three-pointer. The Bobcats stand third in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (.374 after hitting 17-of-40 in the last two games) and three-pointers made (8.0 per game). More than one-third of the Bobcats' points this season (264 out of 782, 34%) come from behind the arc.
Three After Three
MSU has hit at least one three-pointer in its last 446 games. From 1986 to late '92-93 MSU rolled up a 197-game streak and has a three in 643 of the last 644.
Halfway There
Whatever counsel Brad Huse offers his team at halftime in the defensive realm during the 2009-10 season seems to be working. Montana State's defense has taken a marked upturn in the second half. A look...
Shooting Pctg
1st Half 138-299 .461
2nd Half 119-309 .385
Free Throw Defense
Something about the Bobcats seems to bring out the best of opponents in the free throw shooting category. Bobcat foes shoot 71.3% from the charity stripe, a figure that would rank MSU's opponents taken as a team in the top 60 among Division I's 334 men's basketball teams. Memphis is the outlier in MSU's season, having converted just 51% from the line.
And Free Throw Offense
After shooting 59% from the line in their first four games, the Bobcats have shot 74% in the last four. More significantly, MSU raised its attempts-per-game rate from 13.5 in the first four to 19.7 until shooting just 13 at Memphis. Erik Rush continues as MSU's free throw mainstay, leading the team with 40 trips to the line while converting 75% of those shots.
Half Way
Montana State's win at Cal Poly Monday was its second this season when trailing at halftime. The other came against NAU.
Personnel Palaver
Seven-foot center Michel Swita made his return to the Bobcat lineup against Northern New Mexico, scoring two points with a pair of rebounds in three minutes of playing time. He is expected to play Friday. Forward Jeff Budinich (mono) has not yet been cleared.
Road Wins
Montana State won three non-conference road games in 2008-09, the program's second-most since helping to form the Big Sky in 1963. The Bobcats are 2-3 in non-league road games this year, with Wednesday's visit to Boise State ahead.
Year Record Non-conf. road wins
94-95 4-0 Sac St, SUU, Colorado
87-88 3-3 Prairie View, N. Texas, Alabama
64-65 3-4 Bemidji, E. Mont., Seattle
63-64 3-1 NDSU, N. Dak., Washington
08-09 3-4 Colo., Ore. St., LBSU
Telling the Turnover Tale
Ball security has been one of the key factors in Montana State's recent run of success. In the last six games, of which the team has won five, MSU averages just 11.8 turnovers per game. The outlier in that time is the 19 turnovers at Memphis.Montana State is +6.2 in turnover margin in wins (10.2-to-16.4), -5.0 in losses (16.8-to-11.8).
Defending the Circle
Montana State's three-point defense has taken a marked upturn in recent games. The Bobcats have held four of their last five foes below 30% shooting from beyond the three-point circle. On the season, Bobcat opponents have shot just 29% behind the three-point arc in Worthington Arena, while hitting 37% of their triples in MSU road games. MSU has moved from seventh to third in three-point defense in the Big Sky in the past two weeks.
