Saturday, January 13
Sacramento, CA
8 pm
Montana State University
at
Sacramento State
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
GAME #19: Intensity Remains High as Cats Enter Hornets' Nest Saturday
1/13/2018 10:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State faces a Sacramento State squad that offers many looks
The tempo may slow some on Saturday, but Montana State head coach Brian Fish knows the intensity won't.
After facing Portland State's frenzied, fast-paced style on Thursday the Bobcats roll into The Nest on Saturday night to battle a Sacramento State team that plays a more conventional pace. In spite of a more traditional appearance, though, the Hornets offer opponents a lot of different looks.
"They are relentless," Fish said. "They are very well-coached and they play really hard. They throw a lot of looks at you. This is a good team that gives a coach (preparing for Sacramento State) a lot to worry about."
Veteran star Justin Strings leads the Hornets, averaging 17.6 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. The Big Sky's second-leading rebounder has scored at least 10 points in 37 consecutive games. After grinding through a difficult, road-centric non-conference schedule with his mates, Strings has ratcheted up his scoring to 21.3 points per league game.
The 6-7 senior has long stood as one of the Big Sky's true star players, with 1,297 career points and 534 rebounds, but he is hardly alone. Guards Jeff Wu and Isayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa add scoring punch from the perimeter, and Strings' ability to score anywhere in a half-court situation is complemented by the play of big man Joshua Patton, who shoots 55.4% on the interior.
Fish looks for the Bobcats to return to the staples of the team's success during the team's 4-0 start to league play, offensive balance that accentuates the perimeter scoring of Tyler Hall (19.3 ppg) and Harald Frey (14.1). Junior forward Keljin Blevins has become MSU's third double-digit scorer in recent weeks, contributing 10.2 points an outing, while Joe Mvuezolo Jr. adds scoring punch off the bench. He scores 8.2 points a game, but chipped in 14 points at Portland State.
One of MSU's key attributes has been an ability to control the boards with a balanced, team-rebounding approach. Blevins' 5.9 rebounds a game is the team's high mark, and his 7.6 caroms a contest is 8th in Big Sky play, but as a team the Cats stand tied for third with a +4.0 rebounding margin.
Tipoff in The Nest on Saturday is 8 pm MT, 7 pm PT, and the game is available via Jay Sanderson's call around the state and at msubobcats.com, on WatchBigSky.com, and on Pluto.tv.
After facing Portland State's frenzied, fast-paced style on Thursday the Bobcats roll into The Nest on Saturday night to battle a Sacramento State team that plays a more conventional pace. In spite of a more traditional appearance, though, the Hornets offer opponents a lot of different looks.
"They are relentless," Fish said. "They are very well-coached and they play really hard. They throw a lot of looks at you. This is a good team that gives a coach (preparing for Sacramento State) a lot to worry about."
Veteran star Justin Strings leads the Hornets, averaging 17.6 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. The Big Sky's second-leading rebounder has scored at least 10 points in 37 consecutive games. After grinding through a difficult, road-centric non-conference schedule with his mates, Strings has ratcheted up his scoring to 21.3 points per league game.
The 6-7 senior has long stood as one of the Big Sky's true star players, with 1,297 career points and 534 rebounds, but he is hardly alone. Guards Jeff Wu and Isayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa add scoring punch from the perimeter, and Strings' ability to score anywhere in a half-court situation is complemented by the play of big man Joshua Patton, who shoots 55.4% on the interior.
Fish looks for the Bobcats to return to the staples of the team's success during the team's 4-0 start to league play, offensive balance that accentuates the perimeter scoring of Tyler Hall (19.3 ppg) and Harald Frey (14.1). Junior forward Keljin Blevins has become MSU's third double-digit scorer in recent weeks, contributing 10.2 points an outing, while Joe Mvuezolo Jr. adds scoring punch off the bench. He scores 8.2 points a game, but chipped in 14 points at Portland State.
One of MSU's key attributes has been an ability to control the boards with a balanced, team-rebounding approach. Blevins' 5.9 rebounds a game is the team's high mark, and his 7.6 caroms a contest is 8th in Big Sky play, but as a team the Cats stand tied for third with a +4.0 rebounding margin.
Tipoff in The Nest on Saturday is 8 pm MT, 7 pm PT, and the game is available via Jay Sanderson's call around the state and at msubobcats.com, on WatchBigSky.com, and on Pluto.tv.
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