Saturday, January 9
2:05 pm
Montana State University
vs
Portland State
Defense remains an emphasis for the Cats Saturday against PSU
Photo by: Sepp Jannotta
Bobcat Cagers Host Portland State in Saturday Matinee
1/8/2016 5:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MSU looks for weekend sweep against explosive Vikings
Montana State coach Brian Fish doesn't know exactly how his team's Saturday afternoon matchup against Portland State will go, but he knows it may look familiar.
"There are a lot of similarities between Portland State and Sac State," Fish said of his team's 2 pm game against the Vikings in Worthington Arena. "They're bigger and probably more athletic than we are, they're a little more influenced inside. They're a good team."
The Vikings bring an explosive offense led by Georgia transfer Cameron Forte to Bozeman. The 6-7 forward averages 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, and is buttressed by wings Bryce White (12.2 points a game) and Isaiah Pineiro (11.7), and guard Calaen Robinson (10.9 points, team-high 45 assists). "Forte has certainly come in there and done some nice things, Calaen Robinson can really shoot the ball, 33 threes made, and (6-8 center Collin) Spickerman is a big man."
Fish said his team's emphasis on Friday fell on the defensive end of the floor. "I was a little disappointed with (defensive communication) last night," he said. "We showed the guys film of our talk on defense. It was much better in the second half. That's about us, and in game two of a two-game weekend there's less preparation time so you have to be cleaner on the stuff you can control, and that's talking and effort."
Overall, MSU's defensive execution continues to improve. Since Omaha shot 52% against the Bobcats on December 6, the team has held six of seven foes under 48% shooting from the floor. The Bobcats have forced double-digit turnovers in back-to-back games, a modest step but an improvement, and in the last two contests have held the opponent to less than 42% shooting and 73 points.
Regardless, Fish says he knows basically what to expect Saturday. "It will be more of the same - a tough, physical game," he said. "We're little, we're small, we're probably overmatched, but we'll have to fight and find a way."
Purchase tickets on-line at http://ticketswest.com/events/msu-mens-basketball/15402/.
"There are a lot of similarities between Portland State and Sac State," Fish said of his team's 2 pm game against the Vikings in Worthington Arena. "They're bigger and probably more athletic than we are, they're a little more influenced inside. They're a good team."
The Vikings bring an explosive offense led by Georgia transfer Cameron Forte to Bozeman. The 6-7 forward averages 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, and is buttressed by wings Bryce White (12.2 points a game) and Isaiah Pineiro (11.7), and guard Calaen Robinson (10.9 points, team-high 45 assists). "Forte has certainly come in there and done some nice things, Calaen Robinson can really shoot the ball, 33 threes made, and (6-8 center Collin) Spickerman is a big man."
Fish said his team's emphasis on Friday fell on the defensive end of the floor. "I was a little disappointed with (defensive communication) last night," he said. "We showed the guys film of our talk on defense. It was much better in the second half. That's about us, and in game two of a two-game weekend there's less preparation time so you have to be cleaner on the stuff you can control, and that's talking and effort."
Overall, MSU's defensive execution continues to improve. Since Omaha shot 52% against the Bobcats on December 6, the team has held six of seven foes under 48% shooting from the floor. The Bobcats have forced double-digit turnovers in back-to-back games, a modest step but an improvement, and in the last two contests have held the opponent to less than 42% shooting and 73 points.
Regardless, Fish says he knows basically what to expect Saturday. "It will be more of the same - a tough, physical game," he said. "We're little, we're small, we're probably overmatched, but we'll have to fight and find a way."
Purchase tickets on-line at http://ticketswest.com/events/msu-mens-basketball/15402/.
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