Friday, November 10
Great Falls, MT
6 pm
Montana State University
vs
Omaha
Konner Frey is among the newcomers who debut for the Cats Friday
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Bobcat Men's Basketball Opens 2017-18 in Great Falls
11/9/2017 10:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MSU faces explosive Omaha squad
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Montana State men's basketball coach Brian Fish is buoyed by the enthusiasm and affected by the anxiety of a new season, the same as anyone associated with college basketball in early November. But Fish is looking for something a little different from the season-opening flurry of games his Bobcats face, beginning with Friday's 6 pm contest against Omaha in Great Falls.
"I really want to get a feel for this team," Fish says of his fourth Bobcat team, which returns all five starters from last year's 16-16 outfit. "We show some good things at times, but the consistency hasn't been there (throughout the team's fall practices). I want to get a better feel for what this team is."
The Bobcats host an Omaha team in Four Seasons Arena which was moments away from an NCAA Tournament berth a season ago, losing to South Dakota State in the Summit Conference title game. But the Mavericks and veteran coach Derrin Hansen return considerable talent, led by big man Mitch Hahn, wing Zach Jackson, and Billings Central product Daniel Meyer.
"Coach Hansen has done an excellent job with that program," Fish said. "They play an up-tempo style. They want to get up and down the court, and we'll have to slow ourselves down a little bit."
The Cats, at least early, expect to ride the perimeter attack of guards Harald Frey and Devonte Klines and forward Tyler Hall. Hall and Frey form the top returning three-point tandem in all of Division I basketball (190 made last season), and the sixth-highest scoring duo. Klines added toughness and athleticism when he joined the lineup mid-season a year ago. Fourth-year starter Zach Green joins the lineup as a forward, while Sam Neumann returns as the starting post.
Freshmen Lassi Nikkarinen and Isaac Bonton boost the perimeter, but it's inside that Fish continues to seek improved contributions. Joe Mvuezolo Jr. is an athletic wing with range to the arc that can finish at the rim, and Benson Osayande improved in fits and starts throughout his junior season in 2016-17. Freshman Luke Schultz and sophomore Devin Kirby could contribute inside, as well.
The most anticipated additions from last season are forwards Konner Frey, a transfer from Utah Valley, and Southern Miss transfer Keljin Blevins, who each redshirted at MSU last season. Those two can each contribute in a variety of ways, inside and out, on the floor and off.
Getting all the pieces in the right place, Fish says, is the primary function of a challenging non-conference slate. "This schedule will challenge us. We need to keep finding the right combinations and the right roles."
Friday's game is streamed on PlutoTV.com, with radio around the state on the Bobcat Radio Network or streamed at msubobcats.com.
"I really want to get a feel for this team," Fish says of his fourth Bobcat team, which returns all five starters from last year's 16-16 outfit. "We show some good things at times, but the consistency hasn't been there (throughout the team's fall practices). I want to get a better feel for what this team is."
The Bobcats host an Omaha team in Four Seasons Arena which was moments away from an NCAA Tournament berth a season ago, losing to South Dakota State in the Summit Conference title game. But the Mavericks and veteran coach Derrin Hansen return considerable talent, led by big man Mitch Hahn, wing Zach Jackson, and Billings Central product Daniel Meyer.
"Coach Hansen has done an excellent job with that program," Fish said. "They play an up-tempo style. They want to get up and down the court, and we'll have to slow ourselves down a little bit."
The Cats, at least early, expect to ride the perimeter attack of guards Harald Frey and Devonte Klines and forward Tyler Hall. Hall and Frey form the top returning three-point tandem in all of Division I basketball (190 made last season), and the sixth-highest scoring duo. Klines added toughness and athleticism when he joined the lineup mid-season a year ago. Fourth-year starter Zach Green joins the lineup as a forward, while Sam Neumann returns as the starting post.
Freshmen Lassi Nikkarinen and Isaac Bonton boost the perimeter, but it's inside that Fish continues to seek improved contributions. Joe Mvuezolo Jr. is an athletic wing with range to the arc that can finish at the rim, and Benson Osayande improved in fits and starts throughout his junior season in 2016-17. Freshman Luke Schultz and sophomore Devin Kirby could contribute inside, as well.
The most anticipated additions from last season are forwards Konner Frey, a transfer from Utah Valley, and Southern Miss transfer Keljin Blevins, who each redshirted at MSU last season. Those two can each contribute in a variety of ways, inside and out, on the floor and off.
Getting all the pieces in the right place, Fish says, is the primary function of a challenging non-conference slate. "This schedule will challenge us. We need to keep finding the right combinations and the right roles."
Friday's game is streamed on PlutoTV.com, with radio around the state on the Bobcat Radio Network or streamed at msubobcats.com.
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