Sunday, December 15
Portland. OR
2 pm
Montana State University
at
at PORTLAND
Marcus Colbert and the Bobcats play at Portland on Sunday
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcats Head to Rose City to Face Pilots
12/13/2013 12:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MSU men looking to finish pre-conference schedule strong
Tune-up time hits full stride in the final days before Christmas, as Montana State plays its final three non-conference games over an eight-day span beginning with Sunday's contest at Portland.
MSU Game Notes vs. Portland
The Bobcats play a 6-3 Pilots team which already owns wins over two Big Sky schools this season. Portland topped cross-city rival Portland State 92-76 in its most recent outing on December 7. Tipoff is at 3 pm MT in the Chiles Center.
Under former Stanford big man Eric Reveno the Pilots thrive on a rugged front line and bruising inside attack, complemented by solid perimeter play. Junior Kevin Bailey, a 6-5 wing, leads UP with 16.7 points a game. Center Thomas van der Mars, a 6-11 junior, and senior forward Ryan Nicholas, 6-7, have done considerable damage inside. The two combined for 26.2 points and 16.8 rebounds a game.
"Their front line is really going to be a challenge for us," Huse said. "They have players that are really shooting the ball well, and their scoring is up from past Portland teams. They have a good group of veterans, and they've been building the past several years for this team to have great success."
In contrast to Portland's veteran squad, the Cats counter with an improving group honing both its defensive and offensive systems as it churns through the pre-Big Sky slate. Marcus Colbert's offensive emergence continues to anchor the Bobcat offense, as the sophomore guard scores 10.3 points a game while leading the team with 24 assists. Colbert shoots 52.8% from the floor, and his 15 three-pointers is tied for the team lead.
Paul Egwuonwu also remains productive. The senior center averages 10.3 points, sharing the team lead with Colbert, while adding a team-high 8.9 boards a game and nine steals.
"We've played better on the offensive end," Huse said, "but we need continued growth on the defensive end. As we get close to conference play, that's going to be very important to this team."
MSU Game Notes vs. Portland
The Bobcats play a 6-3 Pilots team which already owns wins over two Big Sky schools this season. Portland topped cross-city rival Portland State 92-76 in its most recent outing on December 7. Tipoff is at 3 pm MT in the Chiles Center.
Under former Stanford big man Eric Reveno the Pilots thrive on a rugged front line and bruising inside attack, complemented by solid perimeter play. Junior Kevin Bailey, a 6-5 wing, leads UP with 16.7 points a game. Center Thomas van der Mars, a 6-11 junior, and senior forward Ryan Nicholas, 6-7, have done considerable damage inside. The two combined for 26.2 points and 16.8 rebounds a game.
"Their front line is really going to be a challenge for us," Huse said. "They have players that are really shooting the ball well, and their scoring is up from past Portland teams. They have a good group of veterans, and they've been building the past several years for this team to have great success."
In contrast to Portland's veteran squad, the Cats counter with an improving group honing both its defensive and offensive systems as it churns through the pre-Big Sky slate. Marcus Colbert's offensive emergence continues to anchor the Bobcat offense, as the sophomore guard scores 10.3 points a game while leading the team with 24 assists. Colbert shoots 52.8% from the floor, and his 15 three-pointers is tied for the team lead.
Paul Egwuonwu also remains productive. The senior center averages 10.3 points, sharing the team lead with Colbert, while adding a team-high 8.9 boards a game and nine steals.
"We've played better on the offensive end," Huse said, "but we need continued growth on the defensive end. As we get close to conference play, that's going to be very important to this team."
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
