Montana opens season against Wolf Pack

THE GAME: The University of Montana Grizzlies (0-0) play their 2010-11 season opener on the road, this Saturday, Nov. 13, facing the University of Nevada Wolf Pack (0-0) in their season opener, with tip-off at 3:05 p.m. (Mtn.) in 11,536-seat Lawlor Events Center (press row phone: 775-784-4404).

GRIZ RETURN ONE SENIOR/TWO STARTERS: Montana???s only senior is 6-11 center Brian Qvale, who led the team in rebounding (7.1 rpg) and was second in scoring (10.2 ppg) last season. The team???s other returning starter is 6-1 sophomore guard Will Cherry, who was the team???s fourth-leading (8.3 ppg) scorer.

ALSO BACK: A key returning letterman is 7-0 junior forward Derek Selvig, who was second at UM in rebounding (5.1 rpg) and fifth in scoring (6.0 ppg). Two other returning lettermen are 6-1 junior guard Shawn Stockton and 6-7 sophomore forward Mathias Ward.

YOUNG TEAM: The Griz have eight players new to the D-I ranks, including five freshmen.

NEWCOMERS: Players at Montana from the junior college ranks include 6-3 sophomore guard Chase Adams (Bakersfield College), 6-4 junior forward Art Steward (Casper College), and 6-3 junior guard Jordan Wood (Snow College). UM???s five players from the prep ranks are 6-2 guard Vaughn Autry (Serra HS in Los Angeles), 6-8 forward Taylor Farnsworth (Mead HS, Spokane, Wash.), 6-5 guard-forward Kareem Jamar (Westchester HS in LA) , 6-9 center-forward Billy Reader (Lake Oswego HS, Oregon), and 6-7 forward Mike Weisner (Walla Walla HS, Wash.). (Forward Eric Hutchison redshirted last year and is also a freshman).

GRIZ LAST SEASON: Montana (22-8) secured its eighth NCAA Tournament berth in school history with a dramatic 66-65 come-from-behind (UM trailed 40-20 at halftime) win over host Weber State in the Big Sky???s postseason tournament title game. Senior guard Anothony Johnson scored a school-record 42 points in the win -- 34 of them coming in the second half. UM lost to New Mexico, 62-57, in a first round NCAA Tournament game in San Jose, Calif.

ALWAYS IN IT: In Montana???s 10 losses last season, three were by two points or less, and eight were by single digits. UM???s only double-digit loss was 11 points, 59-48, to Northern Colorado at home on Dec. 5th. Montana won 12 of its last 16 games.

SIX PLAYERS BID FAREWELL: Montana???s NCAA game against New Mexico, was the final collegiate game for senior forward Vassy Banny and Jack McGillis, and senior guards Johnson and Ryan Staudacher. Guard Michael Taylor and forward Raason Young would have been seniors at UM this season, but both transferred to two different four-year schools.

MONTANA GRIZZLY TENT. STARTERS.
F-1-Art Steward, 6-4, 210, Jr., JC
OR
F-32-Kareem Jamar, 6-5, 210, Fr., HS??
OR
G-22-Shawn Stockton, 6-1, 195, Jr., 2V??
F-24-Derek Selvig, 7-0, Jr., 2V??
G-5-Will Cherry, 6-1, 177, So., 1V??
G-12-Jordan Wood, G, 6-3, 200, Jr.
C-41-Brian Qvale, C, 6-11, 260, Sr.
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle

NEVADA WOLF PACK TENT. STARTERS
F-33-Kevin Panzer, 6-9, 205, Fr., HS
F-44-Dario Hunt, 6-8, 230, Jr., 2V
G-2-Jerry Evans Jr., 6-8, 188, Fr., HS
G-24-Deonte Burton, 6-1, 185, Fr., HS
G-34-Malik Story, 6-5, 225, So., TR
Head Coach: David Carter??

GRIZ TRAVEL PLANS: The team will depart for Reno on Friday, Nov. 12. Lodging is at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (800-321-6014). Team team returns home on Sunday, Nov. 14, with ETA in Missoula at 11:18 a.m.??

University of Montana Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Chase Adams

Vaughn Autry

Will Cherry

Eric Hutchison

Kareem Jamar

Brian Qvale

Billy Reader

Derek Selvig

Art Steward

Shawn Stockton

Mathias Ward

Jordan Wood

Related Videos