MSU looks to ramp up its defensive efficiency at Portland State Thursday
Photo by: Sepp Jannotta
Bobcats Open Big Sky's Second Half with Trip to Portland State
2/3/2016 4:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MSU looks to slow down Vikings big man
Montana State begins its second swing through the Big Sky Conference with a tall task – slow down Cameron Forte.
Montana State wasn't able to contain Portland State's 6-7 post player a month ago in Bozeman, when Forte riddled the Bobcat interior with 26 points and 11 rebounds. In his last three contests, the Georgia transfer averages around 25 points and 13 boards a game.
While acknowledging that Forte poses a formidable figure, Bobcat coach Brian Fish says his team is used to starting there on its scouting report. "It seems like we're in a stretch of games where we have a really good big man to deal with every time out," Fish said. "Forte is really a good player, very aggressive and strong, and he can really score."
Portland State topped the Bobcats 77-70 in Bozeman on January 9. While Forte did a considerable amount of damage, he was alone. Bryce White – who is no longer on the team – score 20 points, and Isaiah Pineiro added 10.
The Bobcats look to their old reliables – the guard tandem of senior Marcus Colbert and freshman Tyler Hall – to counter Portland State's inside strength. Colbert has scored at least 20 points in three straight games, and is among the Big Sky leaders in both scoring and assists. Hall's 18.0 points a game has him among the nation's top five freshmen in scoring this season.
Tipoff is 8:05 pm MT/7:05 pm PT on Thursday at Portland State's Peter W. Stott Center.
l Marcus Colbert scored only five points against Portland State in Bozeman last month, matching his lowest output of the season, and MSU's senior guard averages just 6.5 points in six career games against PSU
l The Bobcats have been out-rebounded in three straight games by an average of 7.0 per game
l The Cats lost their last trip to Portland State, and their last four trips to Sacramento State
l MSU is 2nd in the Big Sky (27th nationally) in three-point field goals (9.3 per game), 2nd in the Big Sky (39th in DI) in three-point percentage (.379)
l Marcus Colbert is second in the Big Sky in assists (45th in Division I) at 5.4 per game, is 9th in scoring at 17.2 ppg
l After enduring a 107-for-180 (59.4%) slump from the line over the previous 10 games, the Cats are 73-for-100 (73%) in the last six
l Tyler Hall's 18.0 ppg is 6th in the Big Sky, 74th in the nation, and 3rd among DI freshmen
l Portland State has committed the fewest fouls in the Big Sky Conference, and MSU has shot the fourth-fewest free throws in the league
Montana State wasn't able to contain Portland State's 6-7 post player a month ago in Bozeman, when Forte riddled the Bobcat interior with 26 points and 11 rebounds. In his last three contests, the Georgia transfer averages around 25 points and 13 boards a game.
While acknowledging that Forte poses a formidable figure, Bobcat coach Brian Fish says his team is used to starting there on its scouting report. "It seems like we're in a stretch of games where we have a really good big man to deal with every time out," Fish said. "Forte is really a good player, very aggressive and strong, and he can really score."
Portland State topped the Bobcats 77-70 in Bozeman on January 9. While Forte did a considerable amount of damage, he was alone. Bryce White – who is no longer on the team – score 20 points, and Isaiah Pineiro added 10.
The Bobcats look to their old reliables – the guard tandem of senior Marcus Colbert and freshman Tyler Hall – to counter Portland State's inside strength. Colbert has scored at least 20 points in three straight games, and is among the Big Sky leaders in both scoring and assists. Hall's 18.0 points a game has him among the nation's top five freshmen in scoring this season.
Tipoff is 8:05 pm MT/7:05 pm PT on Thursday at Portland State's Peter W. Stott Center.
l Marcus Colbert scored only five points against Portland State in Bozeman last month, matching his lowest output of the season, and MSU's senior guard averages just 6.5 points in six career games against PSU
l The Bobcats have been out-rebounded in three straight games by an average of 7.0 per game
l The Cats lost their last trip to Portland State, and their last four trips to Sacramento State
l MSU is 2nd in the Big Sky (27th nationally) in three-point field goals (9.3 per game), 2nd in the Big Sky (39th in DI) in three-point percentage (.379)
l Marcus Colbert is second in the Big Sky in assists (45th in Division I) at 5.4 per game, is 9th in scoring at 17.2 ppg
l After enduring a 107-for-180 (59.4%) slump from the line over the previous 10 games, the Cats are 73-for-100 (73%) in the last six
l Tyler Hall's 18.0 ppg is 6th in the Big Sky, 74th in the nation, and 3rd among DI freshmen
l Portland State has committed the fewest fouls in the Big Sky Conference, and MSU has shot the fourth-fewest free throws in the league
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