Bobby Howard leads the Bobcats into the team's first 2010-11 practice Friday
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Cagers Open Practice Friday
10/14/2010 5:38:36 PM | Men's Basketball
Montana State's men's basketball team takes the floor Friday afternoon
Brad Huse won't be using 'Hello, My Name Is' stickers at Montana State's season-opening men's basketball practice on Friday, but the temptation might be there.
“We have a lot of new faces,” Huse said of the 2010-11 Bobcat team that conducts a full practice for the first time this fall at 5 pm Friday. “But I like the mix of guys we have, and I like our veterans. Our four returners have provided good leadership.”
Four veterans anchor this year's Bobcat squad, including All-Big Sky forward Bobby Howard, who averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last season. Swing men Erik Rush also returns as a starter, after scoring 11.1 points a game last year and showing versatility and athleticism. Sharpshooter Danny Piepoli also returns, along with reserve center Cody Anderson.
Montana State's 11 newcomers include a pair of junior college transfers, seven high school newcomers, and a pair of redshirts.
With Howard established as an inside-outside threat at power forward and Cody Anderson ready for increased playing time at center, players from each group of newcomers looks to beef up MSU's inside game. Blake Brumwell joins the mix from Big Sandy High, Jourdain Allou transfers to MSU from Navarro JC, and Jeff Budinich and Steven Davis also return from a redshirt season.
At the wing positions, Rush returns as a starter while Piepoli proved efficient as the team's sixth man last season. Tre Johnson brings size and athleticism to the Bobcat perimeter, while Shawn Reid adds outside scoring punch.
Although Rush showed the versatility to handle the ball last year, new point guards Rod Singleton, who transfers from Antelope Valley Junior College, and freshman Casey Trujeque, anchor the team's backcourt. Freshmen Chris McCall, Ryan McIntyre and Tor Anderson bring versatility and depth to the MSU guard line.
Huse said the team's makeup may alter the approach early in the preseason, but the ultimate aim is the same as it is every season. “We'll focus on fundamentals and on getting everyone on the same page, but the team has made good progress through the fall,” Huse said. “We only have three weeks before our first exhibition so we'll work hard in the time we have.”
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
