Monday, November 28
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Arizona Christian
Zach Green
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcats Host Arizona Christian Monday Night
11/27/2016 4:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MSU faces strong NAIA opponent
Montana State men's basketball coach Brian Fish has three quick touchpoints for success for this year's Bobcats.
"One, we have to talk," he said. "That's a key to our defense to cover our spaces. Two, we have to keep (the opponent) off the foul line. And three, we have to play with great energy." Fish will be looking for sustained improvement in all three areas when the Cats host Arizona Christian Monday at 7 pm in Worthington Arena.
Montana State put together possibly its best half of basketball this season on Saturday, out-scoring Delaware State 57-30 in the second half on the way to a 91-66 win. Fish identified better energy and focus as important in the runaway win. "We played with much better energy in the second half, and we were able to show (the team) that on film. They're getting a better understanding of how important that is to this team."
High-energy play often manifests on defense and the backboards, and that was the case Saturday. The Bobcats picked up seven of the team's eight steals in the second half, and out-rebounded the Hornets 42-to-20 for the game. MSU sent Delaware State to the free throw line just 11 times on Saturday, a season's best. In fact, every other Bobcat opponent made more free throws than DSU attempted.
Fish says the team will need to tap into that energy Monday night against the Firestorm, a perennial NAIA power. "I'm very impressed" with Arizona Christian, Fish said. "They have two Division I transfers and winning means a lot in that program. They won 23 games last year. It's a very competitive team." The Firestorm brings a 4-0 record into Monday's game, with an average margin of victory of nearly 30 points against same-division opponents. The team dropped a narrow 78-72 decision to NCAA Division II Chico State, and fell 100-52 at New Mexico State, also in an exhibition.
Saturday's win marked another step forward for freshman point guard Harald Frey, who scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists with only one turnover. Frey is MSU's second-leading scorer, and has maintained a better than two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio. Zach Green was also impressive Saturday, particularly in the second half, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of 2016-17.
Monday's game provided Bobcat fans the opportunity to pose with the Great Divide Trophy after the MSU football team's Cat-Griz win last weekend. MSU football players will be available for autographs, as well. Purchase tickets at msubobcats.com, or 406/994-CATS.
"One, we have to talk," he said. "That's a key to our defense to cover our spaces. Two, we have to keep (the opponent) off the foul line. And three, we have to play with great energy." Fish will be looking for sustained improvement in all three areas when the Cats host Arizona Christian Monday at 7 pm in Worthington Arena.
Montana State put together possibly its best half of basketball this season on Saturday, out-scoring Delaware State 57-30 in the second half on the way to a 91-66 win. Fish identified better energy and focus as important in the runaway win. "We played with much better energy in the second half, and we were able to show (the team) that on film. They're getting a better understanding of how important that is to this team."
High-energy play often manifests on defense and the backboards, and that was the case Saturday. The Bobcats picked up seven of the team's eight steals in the second half, and out-rebounded the Hornets 42-to-20 for the game. MSU sent Delaware State to the free throw line just 11 times on Saturday, a season's best. In fact, every other Bobcat opponent made more free throws than DSU attempted.
Fish says the team will need to tap into that energy Monday night against the Firestorm, a perennial NAIA power. "I'm very impressed" with Arizona Christian, Fish said. "They have two Division I transfers and winning means a lot in that program. They won 23 games last year. It's a very competitive team." The Firestorm brings a 4-0 record into Monday's game, with an average margin of victory of nearly 30 points against same-division opponents. The team dropped a narrow 78-72 decision to NCAA Division II Chico State, and fell 100-52 at New Mexico State, also in an exhibition.
Saturday's win marked another step forward for freshman point guard Harald Frey, who scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists with only one turnover. Frey is MSU's second-leading scorer, and has maintained a better than two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio. Zach Green was also impressive Saturday, particularly in the second half, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of 2016-17.
Monday's game provided Bobcat fans the opportunity to pose with the Great Divide Trophy after the MSU football team's Cat-Griz win last weekend. MSU football players will be available for autographs, as well. Purchase tickets at msubobcats.com, or 406/994-CATS.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballBobcat Insider TV Show
Thursday, March 03
Inside The Brick (Amin Adamu)
Friday, November 05
Inside The Brick (Nick Gazelas)
Monday, November 01
Inside The Brick (Abdul Mohamed)
Sunday, October 31
