Griz open exhibition schedule with Warriors

THE GAME: The University of Montana Grizzlies (0-0) make their 2010-11 debut on Thursday, Nov. 4, hosting the Lewis-Clark State Warriors in an exhibition game. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m. in UM???s Dahlberg Arena (7,321).

GRIZ RETURN JUST ONE SENIOR/TWO STARTERS: Montana???s only senior returner is 6-11 center Brian Qvale, who led the team in rebounding (7.1 rpg) and was the second-leading scorer (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 and had a team-high 61 steals.

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 (6-1) and 6-7 sophomore forward Mathias Ward.

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

THREE JC NEWCOMERS: Players at Montana from the junior college ranks include 6-3 guard Chase Adams (Bakersfield College), 6-4 forward Art Steward (Casper College), and 6-3 guard Jordan Wood (Snow College).

FIVE HIGH SCHOOL ADDITIONS: The 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 (22-10) secured its eighth NCAA Tournament berth in school history with a dramatic 66-65 come-from-behind win over Weber State. Senior guard Anothony Johnson scored 42 points in the win - 34 in the second half. Montana trailed 40-20 at halftime. Selvig had 12 points and 7 rebounds in the title game and was named to the all-tournament team.

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 on Dec. 5th. Montana won nine of its last 12 games.

SIX PLAYERS SENIORS BID FAREWELL: Montana???s NCAA game, a 62-57 loss to New Mexico, was the final collegiate game for seniors Vassy Banny, Johnson , Jack McGillis, and Ryan Staudacher. Guard Michael Taylor and forward Raason Young would have been seniors at UM this season, but transferred to two different four-year schools.

2010-11 MONTANA GRIZ TENTATIVE STARTERS *PPG *RPG MISC.
F-1-Art Steward, 6-4, 210, Jr., JC NA ---- ----
OR
G-22-Shawn Stockton, 6-1, 195, Jr., 2V 0.9 0.5 apg 25 games
F-24-Derek Selvig, 7-0, 230, Jr., 2V 6.0 5.1 32 games
G-5-Will Cherry, 6-1, 177, So., 1V, 8.3 2.8 22 starts
G-12-Jordan Wood, G, 6-3, 200, Jr., JC, NA ---- ----
C-41-Brian Qvale, C, 6-11, 260, Sr., 3V 10.2 7.1 29 starts
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle, 70-53/5th year at Montana

2010-11 LCS WARRIORS TENTATIVE STARTERS *PPG *RPG MISC.
F-21-Alex King, 6-6, 220, Sr., 1V 6.0 4.2 11 starts
F-24-Devon Adams, 6-4, 220, Jr., JC NA
C-22-Donte Roberts, 6-9, 260, Jr., JC NA
G-3-Jared Giammona, 6-0, 175, Sr., 1V 7.0 1.9 25 starts
G-5-Jeray Key, 6-1, 200, Jr., JC NA
Head Coach: Tim Walke, 82-62/6th season at LCS

*2009-10 STATS

University of Montana Athletics

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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

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