Any Big Sky followers have any insight on this one? The revenge factor seems pretty strong for EWash after they swept through Montana in regular season play, but went cold in conference championship. EWash has played a very tough road schedule early on, and although playing up in Bozeman can play tricks on players, I think EWash wins tomorrow night. Any thoughts?
Eastern Washington/Montana
- Thread starter I'm Storming
- Start date
Storming --
I'm an East Coast guy like you but seems to me that EWU is the play.
They've got revenge as motivation as Montana kept them out of the NCAAs last year and while Montana is a tough place to play, EWU has won 3 of 4 regular season games there.
I played EWU +1.5 (bought half a point).
I'm an East Coast guy like you but seems to me that EWU is the play.
They've got revenge as motivation as Montana kept them out of the NCAAs last year and while Montana is a tough place to play, EWU has won 3 of 4 regular season games there.
I played EWU +1.5 (bought half a point).
Thanks again for response--
Thanks again for response--
Yes I agree Eastern Washington appears to be the play...
Rider really has trouble scoring the ball... can't quite see them being competitive in MAAC this year..
Thanks again for response--
Yes I agree Eastern Washington appears to be the play...
Rider really has trouble scoring the ball... can't quite see them being competitive in MAAC this year..
Also,Bell is an important part of Montana's rotation right now, take note in bold print below, could effect his stamina in the 2nd half tonight...
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Thursday, January 9, 2003
Big Sky heats up
By SCOTT MANSCH
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They were both champions a year ago, but neither the Montana State Bobcats nor Montana Grizzlies are expected to win Big Sky Conference men's basketball honors this season.
Of course, it was rather surprising when MSU ran away with the league's regular-season title by two full games last year. And it was fairly stunning when UM rallied to claim the loop's tournament championship and automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The conference season begins tonight for both UM and MSU, and head coaches at both places are closing in on milestones.
The Bobcats of veteran coach Mick Durham, who is 198-162 in 13 years, meet the Portland State Vikings tonight at 7 (Omega TV) at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman. The Grizzlies of first-year coach Pat Kennedy, who is 399-285 in a 23-year career that includes stops at DePaul and Florida State, play host to Eastern Washington tonight at 7:30 at Adam Center in Missoula.
Eastern Washington is at Montana State and Portland State visits Montana on Saturday night.
Eastern Washington, the strong favorite to win the Big Sky, is 8-6 following an up-and-down preseason that included victories at Washington and Boise State, and losses to clubs like Denver, Delaware and Austin Peay. The Eagles of coach Ray Giacoletti dropped four straight before beating Portland 87-73 last Saturday, and will rely on talented guards Chris Hester (14 ppg, 6 rebounds) and Alvin Snow (15 ppg, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).
"We've had some decent wins, and there were some games where we didn't play to our potential," said Giacoletti. "We're still trying to find ourselves."
Brendon Merritt (10 ppg) is another top performer in what is essentially a three-guard lineup. Power forward Marc Axton, a 6-7, 220-pounder, and 6-8 center T.J. Williams provide strength inside.
"They've got really dangerous wing players," said Kennedy. "Plus they're strong inside. I can see why they were picked to win the league. But we've had a tendency to play well at home."
The Grizzlies, picked fourth in preseason polls, have a perimeter-oriented attack that features senior David Bell (16 ppg) and freshman Kevin Criswell (13 ppg), who have combined for 81 treys. Montana is 6-9 following road losses last week at Denver, 62-54, and Purdue, 84-66.
Bell has been bothered by the flu and hasn't practiced all week.
Montana is also without junior point guard Derrick Mansell, a team leader defensively, who is suspended for academic reasons.
"Adversity brings you together and hopefully it will bring out the best in our team," said Kennedy. "It will have to be a real courageous type win for us."
Junior Steve Horne (11 ppg, 5 rebounds), junior Ryan Pederson and 6-7, 230-pound senior Marcus Rosser (7 ppg, 7 rebounds) will start on the UM front line. Junior guard Sam Riddle opens at the point.
"They're a tough matchup," said Giacoletti, "because they spread the floor so much on people. Their offense now centers on setting staggers for Bell and Criswell. They really set a lot of ball screens for those guys."
Eastern Washington has a deserved reputation for team defense, an area that Montana State also obviously emphasizes. Durham's team hasn't found much offensive consistency, however, and enters tonight's Big Sky opener having lost three in a row.
"We've got to get it going," said Durham, whose club nearly upset highly regarded Wyoming last Saturday (60-56 loss) before stumbling at home against Portland 76-65 on Monday. "This is really a critical weekend for us."
The Cats are led by junior guard Jason Erickson, the Big Sky MVP a year ago, who is averaging 12 points and 4 assists. Senior guard Pete Conway (15 ppg) is one of the top 3-point shooters in the league, and senior forward Casey Reynolds (8 ppg, 6 rebounds) is reliable in the middle.
But Durham hasn't found another consistent scorer. Freshman point guard Frank Brown and freshman forward Shea Washington have started recently, with juniors Calvin Ento, Josh Barsh, Danny Faaborg and Bo Segeberg all seeing action off the bench.
The Bobcats desperately need a victory tonight against a Portland State team that is 3-10, but is coming off a 65-52 victory over Sacramento State in their league opener on Monday. The Vikes are led by veteran Jeb Ivey (15 ppg) and JC transfer Seth Scott (11 ppg, 6 rebounds).
"If we can gain some momentum," said Durham. "it would really help us. I still think got our best basketball is ahead of us. And we learned last year what a couple of early wins can do for you."
Last year, the Bobcats used January road triumphs at Weber State, Portland State and Eastern Washington en route to the Big Sky championship.
===
Thursday, January 9, 2003
Big Sky heats up
By SCOTT MANSCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They were both champions a year ago, but neither the Montana State Bobcats nor Montana Grizzlies are expected to win Big Sky Conference men's basketball honors this season.
Of course, it was rather surprising when MSU ran away with the league's regular-season title by two full games last year. And it was fairly stunning when UM rallied to claim the loop's tournament championship and automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The conference season begins tonight for both UM and MSU, and head coaches at both places are closing in on milestones.
The Bobcats of veteran coach Mick Durham, who is 198-162 in 13 years, meet the Portland State Vikings tonight at 7 (Omega TV) at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman. The Grizzlies of first-year coach Pat Kennedy, who is 399-285 in a 23-year career that includes stops at DePaul and Florida State, play host to Eastern Washington tonight at 7:30 at Adam Center in Missoula.
Eastern Washington is at Montana State and Portland State visits Montana on Saturday night.
Eastern Washington, the strong favorite to win the Big Sky, is 8-6 following an up-and-down preseason that included victories at Washington and Boise State, and losses to clubs like Denver, Delaware and Austin Peay. The Eagles of coach Ray Giacoletti dropped four straight before beating Portland 87-73 last Saturday, and will rely on talented guards Chris Hester (14 ppg, 6 rebounds) and Alvin Snow (15 ppg, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).
"We've had some decent wins, and there were some games where we didn't play to our potential," said Giacoletti. "We're still trying to find ourselves."
Brendon Merritt (10 ppg) is another top performer in what is essentially a three-guard lineup. Power forward Marc Axton, a 6-7, 220-pounder, and 6-8 center T.J. Williams provide strength inside.
"They've got really dangerous wing players," said Kennedy. "Plus they're strong inside. I can see why they were picked to win the league. But we've had a tendency to play well at home."
The Grizzlies, picked fourth in preseason polls, have a perimeter-oriented attack that features senior David Bell (16 ppg) and freshman Kevin Criswell (13 ppg), who have combined for 81 treys. Montana is 6-9 following road losses last week at Denver, 62-54, and Purdue, 84-66.
Bell has been bothered by the flu and hasn't practiced all week.
Montana is also without junior point guard Derrick Mansell, a team leader defensively, who is suspended for academic reasons.
"Adversity brings you together and hopefully it will bring out the best in our team," said Kennedy. "It will have to be a real courageous type win for us."
Junior Steve Horne (11 ppg, 5 rebounds), junior Ryan Pederson and 6-7, 230-pound senior Marcus Rosser (7 ppg, 7 rebounds) will start on the UM front line. Junior guard Sam Riddle opens at the point.
"They're a tough matchup," said Giacoletti, "because they spread the floor so much on people. Their offense now centers on setting staggers for Bell and Criswell. They really set a lot of ball screens for those guys."
Eastern Washington has a deserved reputation for team defense, an area that Montana State also obviously emphasizes. Durham's team hasn't found much offensive consistency, however, and enters tonight's Big Sky opener having lost three in a row.
"We've got to get it going," said Durham, whose club nearly upset highly regarded Wyoming last Saturday (60-56 loss) before stumbling at home against Portland 76-65 on Monday. "This is really a critical weekend for us."
The Cats are led by junior guard Jason Erickson, the Big Sky MVP a year ago, who is averaging 12 points and 4 assists. Senior guard Pete Conway (15 ppg) is one of the top 3-point shooters in the league, and senior forward Casey Reynolds (8 ppg, 6 rebounds) is reliable in the middle.
But Durham hasn't found another consistent scorer. Freshman point guard Frank Brown and freshman forward Shea Washington have started recently, with juniors Calvin Ento, Josh Barsh, Danny Faaborg and Bo Segeberg all seeing action off the bench.
The Bobcats desperately need a victory tonight against a Portland State team that is 3-10, but is coming off a 65-52 victory over Sacramento State in their league opener on Monday. The Vikes are led by veteran Jeb Ivey (15 ppg) and JC transfer Seth Scott (11 ppg, 6 rebounds).
"If we can gain some momentum," said Durham. "it would really help us. I still think got our best basketball is ahead of us. And we learned last year what a couple of early wins can do for you."
Last year, the Bobcats used January road triumphs at Weber State, Portland State and Eastern Washington en route to the Big Sky championship.
