GAME #2: MSU Hosts Ragin' Cajuns in Home Opener Monday

Brian Fish knows that opening his third season on the road at a Pac 12 school was a tall task for his team, and he knows things don't get much easier when the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns invade Worthington Arena on Monday night.

But he also knows one other thing for sure. "We're playing a legitimately tough Division I schedule," Fish said Sunday, "and to a play a 31-game schedule against good teams you're going to have to play some tight turnarounds and some good teams in back-to-back games. But I would sure rather play at home than flying in and out of airports every other day."

Monday's game against a University of Louisiana at Lafayette squad that won 19 games a year ago begins at 7 pm in Worthington Arena. It certainly qualifies as tough game, and Fish says it signifies the commitment his program and Bobcat Athletics have made to playing challenging home games. He said the Ragin' Cajuns will challenge the Bobcats physically.

"Their physical toughness and willingness to throw it inside will be a challenge," he said. "They're well-coached, they've been in the Tournament so they know how to win. They're farther along than we are as far as establishing an identity inside."

The Bobcats may still be searching for on the inside, if Friday's season opener at Washington State was an indication there is plenty to be excited about on the perimeter. That enthusiasm begins with sophomore guard Tyler Hall, who lit the Cougars up for 32 points. That marked the second-most points by a Bobcat in a season opener, and the second-most against a Pac 8, 10 or 12 opponent. In both categories he trails only the great Larry Chanay, MSU's all-time leading scorer.

Montana State struggled shooting the ball at Friel Court on Friday, hitting just 29% of its shots. Other offensive elements were in place, however, as the team shared the ball well – 11 assists on 22 baskets – and took care of it, turning it over only eight times. Fish said the results MSU saw Friday, especially early, didn't necessarily match the team's performance. "We played better early on than we got rewarded for," he said. "We missed some really good shots. We just have to make shots."

On Monday, Fish hopes that begins in the paint. "We've got to be able to match their physical toughness," he said. "Historically if you start out playing tough it's difficult to change that as the game goes on. We've got to set our jaw from the beginning and get after it."

After Monday's game, the Cats host Rocky Mountain College on Wednesday before squaring off with another strong Division I foe, James Madison, on Friday.

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