Grizzlies finish first basketball season with coach Pat Kennedy
3/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
It's time to say goodbye to David Bell and Marcus Rosser.
Montana head coach Pat Kennedy doesn't want to, but he knows he doesn't have a choice with the two departing seniors.
"When you're a first year coach," said Kennedy. "And you have two leaders like that, you're very blessed. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them."
Bell finished his career at Montana with a variety of accolades. He holds Montana's all-time record for three-point field goals made and is fourth on the Big Sky's all-time list. Bell achieved these statistics in only two years of play for the Grizzlies.
Rosser finished his career as a prolific rebounder, ending this season third in the conference in rebounds per game.
Bell and Rosser, Montana's only seniors, guided the younger Grizzlies on and off the court this season, Kennedy said. One of those players who felt their impact was freshman Kevin Criswell, a Colstrip native.
After redshirting last season, Criswell began the season on the bench. He then had a couple of strong performances in some non conference games, including a 29-point performance against Gonzaga. His solid play earned him a starting position, a move that Kennedy would not regret.
Criswell erupted in several games, with outbursts of 30 or more points twice, and scored more than 20 points seven times. He finished the season with a well-deserved Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honor to go along with an all-conference honorable mention selection after starting every conference game.
"I didn't know how good Kevin was," Kennedy said. "He didn't just surprise me, I think he surprised the whole Big Sky."
The Grizzlies, who finished 13-17 overall and 7-7 in the conference, lost to the Sacramento State Hornets in the Big Sky tournament quarterfinals after beating them in both meetings during the regular season.
Kennedy, who took over at Montana after coming from DePaul, was satisfied with his first year in Missoula despite the early tournament departure.
"This year was a lot of fun," Kennedy said. "The kids worked so hard all year and the crowds were great."
Junior Steve Horne played the role of Montana's third main scorer for much of the season on his way to an all-conference honorable mention selection. Horne is one of five players who will be seniors next season. Victor Venters, Derrick Mansell, Ryan Pederson and Sam Riddle will be the other four seniors.
When Kennedy reflects on the season, a variety of memories stand foremost in his mind. He recalled the close home loss against Gonzaga that marked the emergence of Criswell as a crowd favorite.
He also spoke fondly of "Monte Night" and the Stanford win, a game he said might be one of the biggest victories in school history. Then, of course, there's the win over Montana State late in the regular season.
"The Montana State game was a great college basketball game," Kennedy said. "It was my first Montana State win and the crowd and atmosphere was amazing."
Montana head coach Pat Kennedy doesn't want to, but he knows he doesn't have a choice with the two departing seniors.
"When you're a first year coach," said Kennedy. "And you have two leaders like that, you're very blessed. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them."
Bell finished his career at Montana with a variety of accolades. He holds Montana's all-time record for three-point field goals made and is fourth on the Big Sky's all-time list. Bell achieved these statistics in only two years of play for the Grizzlies.
Rosser finished his career as a prolific rebounder, ending this season third in the conference in rebounds per game.
Bell and Rosser, Montana's only seniors, guided the younger Grizzlies on and off the court this season, Kennedy said. One of those players who felt their impact was freshman Kevin Criswell, a Colstrip native.
After redshirting last season, Criswell began the season on the bench. He then had a couple of strong performances in some non conference games, including a 29-point performance against Gonzaga. His solid play earned him a starting position, a move that Kennedy would not regret.
Criswell erupted in several games, with outbursts of 30 or more points twice, and scored more than 20 points seven times. He finished the season with a well-deserved Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honor to go along with an all-conference honorable mention selection after starting every conference game.
"I didn't know how good Kevin was," Kennedy said. "He didn't just surprise me, I think he surprised the whole Big Sky."
The Grizzlies, who finished 13-17 overall and 7-7 in the conference, lost to the Sacramento State Hornets in the Big Sky tournament quarterfinals after beating them in both meetings during the regular season.
Kennedy, who took over at Montana after coming from DePaul, was satisfied with his first year in Missoula despite the early tournament departure.
"This year was a lot of fun," Kennedy said. "The kids worked so hard all year and the crowds were great."
Junior Steve Horne played the role of Montana's third main scorer for much of the season on his way to an all-conference honorable mention selection. Horne is one of five players who will be seniors next season. Victor Venters, Derrick Mansell, Ryan Pederson and Sam Riddle will be the other four seniors.
When Kennedy reflects on the season, a variety of memories stand foremost in his mind. He recalled the close home loss against Gonzaga that marked the emergence of Criswell as a crowd favorite.
He also spoke fondly of "Monte Night" and the Stanford win, a game he said might be one of the biggest victories in school history. Then, of course, there's the win over Montana State late in the regular season.
"The Montana State game was a great college basketball game," Kennedy said. "It was my first Montana State win and the crowd and atmosphere was amazing."
2006 Griz Basketball Flashback: NCAA Tournament Win Over Nevada
Monday, March 30
Name As Many 90's NBA Players: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
Dairy Challenge: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
Name As Many Dinosaurs: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
