GAME #16: Bobcats, UNC Meet in Meaningful Monday Matchup in Bozeman

Monday, January 14

BOZEMAN

7 pm

Montana State University

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

GAME #16: Bobcats, UNC Meet in Meaningful Monday Matchup in Bozeman

1/13/2019 2:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

MSU Game Notes

Montana State, Northern Colorado offer meeting of two of Big Sky's top three teams

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's Monday night showdown with Northern Colorado in Worthington Arena is as rare as it is important. The Cats play one of only two Big Sky home games this season on Monday, when the Bears bring a share of the conference lead to Bozeman.

While MSU coach Brian Fish has enjoyed the league's non-traditional schedule in the early weeks of the 2018-19 conference campaign – "It keeps things kind of fresh," he said – preparing for Northern Colorado has been a different matter. "This is a very talented team that plays hard. Jeff (Linder) has done a great job, and there is good talent on that team."

The Bears are one of three Big Sky teams with a 4-1 conference record, and one of the others occupies the home bench in Worthington Arena on Monday. UNC lost 88-64 to Montana on Saturday, which snapped a four-game win streak. The Cats have won three straight, and six of eight.

Any discussion of talent in the Big Sky gets to UNC guard Jordan Davis early in the conversation. He leads the Bears in nearly every tangible way. His 24.8 points a game is tops on the team by 12, and his 5.5 rebounds a game is a shade off the team lead (Kai Edwards grabs 5.8). He has made and attempted shots at double the rate of any of his mates, and his 94 free throws made this season is the most of any Big Sky player. He also leads the Bears with 75 assists and 18 steals.

Davis is hardly alone in terms of talent for Northern Colorado. Bodie Hume averages 12.8 points a game, while Jonah Radebaugh and Trent Harris each contribute 10.4 Hume and Harris share the team lead with 42 three-point field goals, and Radebaugh, who has won Big Sky defensive player of the year honors, continues to raise his offensive game.

Both Northern Colorado (third) and the Cats (fifth by the media, tied for sixth by the coaches) began the conference season projected to finish in the Big Sky's top half. Monday's game gives the Cats the opportunity to retain a share of the conference lead. "A 20-game season is a long grind," Fish said. "Every game is important. But I really believe a true round-robin is the most fair, and playing every team twice means you have to understand there are lots of ups and downs."

The Bobcats continue to rely on the veteran backcourt of senior Tyler Hall (18.8 points per game) and Harald Frey (15.3, with four straight games scoring at least 19 points). But MSU has benefited from the development of several younger players. Devin Kirby leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and a team-high 55.8% from the floor. Lassi Nikkarinen gives Fish a solid backup point guard whose offensive development has spurred him to 31 points in the last three games an offers versatility.

Tipoff is 7 pm Monday, with the game broadcast on the Bobcat Radio Network statewide and on msubobcats.com, as well as on Pluto.TV and WatchBigSky.com. MSU's next game is at Eastern Washington on Saturday before a stretch of five at home over six games.

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