Jubrile Belo
Photo by: Thomas Anderson
Montana State Faces Former Big Sky Foe on Wednesday
11/28/2022 1:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Wrapping up a five-game road trip, the Bobcats will look to turn things around at Southern Utah on Wednesday.
CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Montana State men's basketball team wraps up a five-game road stretch against former Big Sky Conference foe Southern Utah on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and a free radio broadcast will be provided on the Bobcat Sports Radio Network. Live stream and live stat links can be found on the men's basketball team's schedule page at msubobcats.com.
Montana State (3-5) and Southern Utah (4-3) are no strangers, as they both played in the Big Sky Conference last season. The Bobcats' last meeting against the Thunderbirds was memorable for the former: MSU clinched the Big Sky Conference regular-season title last March with a 69-53 home win over the Thunderbirds in Bozeman. Montana state is 8-5 all-time in Cedar City, plus the team carries a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's matchup.
Montana State is looking to snap a three-game losing skid while playing against three quality mid-major opponents in the Northern Classic, held in Montreal, Canada last week. During the final game against Middle Tennessee State last Sunday, the Bobcats trailed by one point with 13 seconds left, yet their game-winner attempt at the buzzer fell short in the 72-71 Bobcat loss.
Yet several positives from the trip include the steady scoring of RaeQuan Battle (17.1 points per game on 46.8% shooting), plus the resurgence of Jubrile Belo, who found his rhythm during the Northern Classic. The Big Sky Preseason Player of the Year averaged 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in Canada while leading the Bobcats in scoring twice.
Additionally, redshirt junior point guard Darius Brown II made quick work of the Montana State record book by tying the program's single-game assist record with 16 against Middle Tennessee State. That outing is not only a career-high for Brown, but also the best across players from all NCAA divisions this season.
Southern Utah head coach Todd Simon's transfer-heavy team is led by three starters from last year, including All Big-Sky Third Team selection Tevian Jones. Jones is the nation's 11th-leading scorer at 21.5 points per game, yet he has averaged 6.0 PPG against the Bobcats in three meetings. All told, eight players on SUU's roster are transfers, and three of those players are suiting up for their third different school this year.
The Thunderbirds will look to go two-for-two against former conference opponents. Southern Utah is coming off a 91-87 double-overtime win over former Big Sky foe Sacramento State in the North Shore Classic, which gave the program its first win over a Division I program this year. Jones scored 13 of his 24 points across both overtimes in the win. SUU is 1-3 against Division I competition this season.
Single-game tickets for all remaining home games can be found on msubobcats.info/tickets, and all home games — with the exception of the Cat/Griz matchup — are buy one, get one free with promo code BOGO until Monday at 11:59 p.m.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and a free radio broadcast will be provided on the Bobcat Sports Radio Network. Live stream and live stat links can be found on the men's basketball team's schedule page at msubobcats.com.
Montana State (3-5) and Southern Utah (4-3) are no strangers, as they both played in the Big Sky Conference last season. The Bobcats' last meeting against the Thunderbirds was memorable for the former: MSU clinched the Big Sky Conference regular-season title last March with a 69-53 home win over the Thunderbirds in Bozeman. Montana state is 8-5 all-time in Cedar City, plus the team carries a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's matchup.
Montana State is looking to snap a three-game losing skid while playing against three quality mid-major opponents in the Northern Classic, held in Montreal, Canada last week. During the final game against Middle Tennessee State last Sunday, the Bobcats trailed by one point with 13 seconds left, yet their game-winner attempt at the buzzer fell short in the 72-71 Bobcat loss.
Yet several positives from the trip include the steady scoring of RaeQuan Battle (17.1 points per game on 46.8% shooting), plus the resurgence of Jubrile Belo, who found his rhythm during the Northern Classic. The Big Sky Preseason Player of the Year averaged 16.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in Canada while leading the Bobcats in scoring twice.
Additionally, redshirt junior point guard Darius Brown II made quick work of the Montana State record book by tying the program's single-game assist record with 16 against Middle Tennessee State. That outing is not only a career-high for Brown, but also the best across players from all NCAA divisions this season.
Southern Utah head coach Todd Simon's transfer-heavy team is led by three starters from last year, including All Big-Sky Third Team selection Tevian Jones. Jones is the nation's 11th-leading scorer at 21.5 points per game, yet he has averaged 6.0 PPG against the Bobcats in three meetings. All told, eight players on SUU's roster are transfers, and three of those players are suiting up for their third different school this year.
The Thunderbirds will look to go two-for-two against former conference opponents. Southern Utah is coming off a 91-87 double-overtime win over former Big Sky foe Sacramento State in the North Shore Classic, which gave the program its first win over a Division I program this year. Jones scored 13 of his 24 points across both overtimes in the win. SUU is 1-3 against Division I competition this season.
Single-game tickets for all remaining home games can be found on msubobcats.info/tickets, and all home games — with the exception of the Cat/Griz matchup — are buy one, get one free with promo code BOGO until Monday at 11:59 p.m.
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
