Wednesday, March 13
Boise, ID
2:30 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Idaho
GAME #31: Bobcats Square Off with Idaho in Big Sky Tourney on Wednesday
3/12/2019 11:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State faces ancient rival Idaho in Boise, Idaho
BOZEMAN, Montana – College basketball in March offers great pageantry and intensity produces as the culmination of a long season. Montana State encounters the accompanying excitement and emotion Wednesday, when the Bobcats face Idaho in the first round of the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament in Boise.
But for fifth-year coach Brian Fish, the whole thing really boils down to a simple concept.
"We have to rebound the ball," he says as his sixth-seeded Bobcats prepare for the Big Sky's first tournament in Boise since 1994. "It's really that simple. When we've rebounded we've given ourselves a chance. That's been the most important factor for this team."
In Idaho, the Bobcats face one of the youngest teams in college basketball. The Vandals are without a senior. While that has led to a 5-26 record, including 2-18 in the conference, Fish sees considerable growth since the team's last met on February 9. "They've shown a world of improvement," Fish said. "They're doing a few things differently, but mostly their young players are getting better and better. They are a well-coached team that plays hard."
Trevon Allen's 13.9 points per league game leads the Vandals, and he has scored 35 points against the Bobcats this season. Montana State beat Idaho 86-72 in Bozeman in the most recent meeting, February 9, and on January 10 earned a 77-67 win in Moscow.
Harald Frey scored 36 points in the two contests, and Tyler Hall added 33. The Bobcats held a rebounding advantage against Idaho in each contest.
While the Bobcats haven't face UI since it rejoined the Big Sky four seasons ago, the Vandals and MSU have a history of league tournament clashes. In fact, Idaho's last game in its first tenure in the league was a 91-66 Bobcat win in Worthington Arena in the 1996 Big Sky Tournament. MSU also beat the Vandals 77-66 in Ogden the season before, and won 58-46 in Bozeman in 1988. Idaho's lone win against MSU in the league tourney was an 80-71 victory in Boise in 1990.
Tipoff Wednesday is approximately 2:30 pm at CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The game is aired on WatchBigSky.com and Pluto.tv.
#GoCatsGo
But for fifth-year coach Brian Fish, the whole thing really boils down to a simple concept.
"We have to rebound the ball," he says as his sixth-seeded Bobcats prepare for the Big Sky's first tournament in Boise since 1994. "It's really that simple. When we've rebounded we've given ourselves a chance. That's been the most important factor for this team."
In Idaho, the Bobcats face one of the youngest teams in college basketball. The Vandals are without a senior. While that has led to a 5-26 record, including 2-18 in the conference, Fish sees considerable growth since the team's last met on February 9. "They've shown a world of improvement," Fish said. "They're doing a few things differently, but mostly their young players are getting better and better. They are a well-coached team that plays hard."
Trevon Allen's 13.9 points per league game leads the Vandals, and he has scored 35 points against the Bobcats this season. Montana State beat Idaho 86-72 in Bozeman in the most recent meeting, February 9, and on January 10 earned a 77-67 win in Moscow.
Harald Frey scored 36 points in the two contests, and Tyler Hall added 33. The Bobcats held a rebounding advantage against Idaho in each contest.
While the Bobcats haven't face UI since it rejoined the Big Sky four seasons ago, the Vandals and MSU have a history of league tournament clashes. In fact, Idaho's last game in its first tenure in the league was a 91-66 Bobcat win in Worthington Arena in the 1996 Big Sky Tournament. MSU also beat the Vandals 77-66 in Ogden the season before, and won 58-46 in Bozeman in 1988. Idaho's lone win against MSU in the league tourney was an 80-71 victory in Boise in 1990.
Tipoff Wednesday is approximately 2:30 pm at CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The game is aired on WatchBigSky.com and Pluto.tv.
#GoCatsGo
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