By Danny Waldo
What a difference a week (or two) makes. Truer words could not be spoken for the Montana State men’s basketball team, who welcomes archrival Montana to Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 30th for Round 1 of the Brawl of the Wild basketball style. MSU enters the rivalry game on a high-note after earning a sweep of two of leagues top teams, Eastern Washington and Idaho, following a disappointing road trip through North Dakota and Colorado that saw the ‘Cats go 0-2. Such is the life in the Big Sky; sometimes you’re the windshield, and sometimes you’re the bug. The timing of Montana State’s current two-game win streak couldn’t be more perfect, as MSU looks to give coach Brian Fish his first victory over the in-state rival Grizzlies after suffering a pair of double-digit defeats in his first season at the helm a year ago. In fact, Montana State has not defeated Montana in the regular season since a 73-67 victory all the way back in 2010. But thanks to the continued brilliance of guards Marcus Colbert and Tyler Hall, MSU is riding a wave of confidence into the upcoming contest. The Bobcat faithful is starting to believe in the ‘Cats as well, as a Facebook post has been making the rounds imploring Bobcat Nation to sell out The Brick, something that hasn’t happened in the better part of a decade. The task of knocking off the Grizzlies will be no small one, as Montana currently leads the Big Sky Conference race, entering the contest at 7-1.
Montana State, meanwhile, is fighting in the middle of the pack, standing at 4-4. But Fish has his young crew believing in themselves, as evidenced by their sweep of the Northwest schools, Eastern and Idaho. Few, if any, gave the ‘Cats a chance against Eastern, a team that had defeated MSU six consecutive times, including a pair of blowout wins last year. The Bobcats also were swept by Idaho last season in their first season back in the Big Sky. Yet, MSU did the unthinkable, holding court at home to give themselves at least a fighting chance of still earning the league’s top seed in the Road to Reno, site of the 2016 Big Sky Conference basketball tournament. The men’s game will once again be the nightcap of a Montana/Montana State doubleheader. The women will open the action at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 7:05 p.m.
For tickets or other game-time information, log on to www.msubobcats.com.
Contact Danny with questions at bozemansports@gmail.com. •
