Bobcat Men's Basketball Opens Exhibition Season Wednesday

Wednesday, November 5

7:05 pm

Montana State University

UM Western (exhibition)

Stephan Holm and the Bobcats face UM Western Wednesday

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bobcat Men's Basketball Opens Exhibition Season Wednesday

11/4/2014 4:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Cats face UM Western in renovated Worthington Arena

Brian Fish's vision for Montana State's men's basketball team formed before he even accepted the job last spring. The first steps toward that vision becoming reality begins Wednesday night, when Fish's first Bobcat team hosts UM Western in an exhibition at 7 pm in Worthington Arena.

The game is not only the first in Fish's tenure as MSU's head coach, but the first men's contest in renovated Worthington Arena. Fish hopes the performance gives glimpses of his Bobcat program's future.

"I think we've got to play a certain way to win," Fish said. "I want to see a team that dives on the floor, gets some loose balls, when a player makes a hustle go help him up. I want to build that camaraderie on the team. I told the guys, there are no names on the backs of the jerseys until you win a championship."

The Bobcats return starting guards Marcus Colbert and Michael Dison, and big men Blake Brumwell and Danny Robison return with considerable experience, as well. Wing Terrell Brown, a player who Fish says "can be our defensive stopper," is a possibility to start, as well. Returners Stephan Holm, Eric Norman and Ryan Shannon.

Several newcomers have shown promise, though. Zach Green remains in contention for a starting spot at a wing, Joey Frenchwood will be the backup point guard, and inside player Quinn Price has "shown flashes," Fish said. The staff continues to evaluate freshman center Bradley Fisher, who just recently returned at full speed after a bout with illness and injury.

MSU's first-year head coach cites his team for its closeness and hard work, steps which he says are crucial in forging the identity it will take this club to compete in the Big Sky Conference. "We're going to have to be a gritty team," he said. "We're not going to be able to line up and out-talent someone. We're going to have to bring our 'A' game every night and dive on balls, take charges, cover for guys when they make mistakes, cover for guys when they make mistakes."

Fish also says it's time for his team to play a game with 'the lights on.' "We're really excited" to play a game, he said. "It's been a long grind, the guys have been going through a lot of things since the 19^th of June when they got here so to go against somebody else instead of somebody who knows all of our plays will be good. They're excited, but it's the first time we're dishing out playing time so there will be some unhappy guys come 10:00 (Wednesday) night."

While Fish is respectful of facing an excellent Frontier Conference program Wednesday, he said the main focus lies within his own operation. "It's about us."