Montana opens 2018-19 season Friday vs. Whitworth

Montana vs. Whitworth (exh.) / Friday / 7 p.m. / Missoula, Mont.

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UNOFFICIAL OPENING
Consider it a soft opening, a little taste for what's to come.

Montana unofficially opens the highly anticipated 2018-19 basketball season on Friday vs. Whitworth. While the exhibition contest won't count in the standings, it still is an opportunity for game-like prep, which is how Montana is approaching it.

"It's an opportunity for us to get into game shape, and that means from when we wake up through the end of the game," fifth-year head coach Travis DeCuire said.

The team has had two scrimmages – the Maroon-Silver Scrimmage in front of fans and a closed-door scrimmage against a Division-I opponent – but neither compares to Friday.

"We got a taste of what we need to work on, but now we get to do it both in front of our fans and against another team," DeCuire said.

The approach for Whitworth has been similar to any other game, aside from a little less scouting. Instead, the coaching staff will give their players an opportunity to make adjustments on the fly.

The Griz will be taking on a Whitworth squad that has been one of the best at the Division-III level, advancing to the NCAA tournament in all seven of Matt Logie's previous seasons. The Pirates enter the 2018-19 campaign ranked No. 6 nationally.

"We'll go against a very well-coached team that will exploit your weaknesses," DeCuire said. "How we can make game-time adjustments will be important."

An exhibition contest is a balance. On one hand, the result doesn't count, so it's an opportunity to test out new lineups and rotations. On the other hand, it is Montana's last chance before a 2018 NCAA tournament team comes to town next week.

"Early, you'll try to do some things you think you'll be successful with, but then you need to take a look at some lineups and figure out what's working offensively and defensively," DeCuire said. "There's still some trial and error, and that's what these games are for, but we want to be consistent with our prep, and approach this game like we will Georgia State."

Tipoff vs. Whitworth is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday. Fans can receive free admission by bringing in five canned-food items. Additionally, all active military, veterans and first responders will also get in for free.

Big season. Big expectations.

It's almost here. Are you ready?!?#GrizHoops #GoGriz #MontanaTough pic.twitter.com/CthjBx34xs
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) October 26, 2018

EXHIBITION SUCCESS
Montana is 5-0 in exhibition contests under head coach Travis DeCuire, averaging 91.2 points per game.

SCOUTING WHITWORTH

Whitworth is ranked No. 6 nationally in the D3hoops.com preseason poll. The Pirates went 24-4 a year ago, winning the Northwest Conference tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA tournament for the 12th consecutive season.
Whitworth returns all five starters from a year ago, in addition to guard Jordan Lester, who started the first nine contests before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Overall, the Pirates return more than 98 percent of their scoring and rebounding.
Senior guard Kyle Roach was named the 2017-18 NWC Player of the Year, averaging 18.7 points per game. The NABC first-team All-American was also named to the 2018-19 preseason All-America first team.
Senior forward Jared Christy is a two-time second-team All-NWC selection. He led the Pirates with 9.0 rebounds per game in 2017-18, in addition to 12.8 points.
Senior guard Garrett Hull earned All-NWC honorable mention status last year, averaging 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a team-high 63 steals. Junior guard Ben College was also an honorable mention All-NWC pick. He averaged 16.5 points per game and shot a team-best .447 shooting from three-point range.
In nine contests, Lester averaged 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Matt Logie is 173-29 in seven seasons leading the Pirates, the best active winning percentage at the Division-III level.

SERIES VS. THE PIRATES
Montana is officially 9-6 all-time against Whitworth, not including several exhibition contests (all Montana victories). The Griz are 6-3 at home in the series, including a victory in last year's regular-season opener. Prior to a year ago, the two teams had not met in the regular season since 1969-70.

In last year's 72-60 win, Montana forced 24 turnovers, resulting in 23 points. The Griz were led by Ahmaad Rorie (21 points). Bobby Moorehead added 14 points and a team-high nine boards, while Michael Oguine had 10 points and dished out four assists.

Just two days until first tip, the @VoiceoftheGriz caught up with @CoachCCobb about the start of #GrizHoops season! pic.twitter.com/fNF0PECC7k
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) October 31, 2018

RETURNING PRODUCTION
By the end of last season, Montana was using a seven-man rotation, and six of those players are back for the Griz. The group was responsible for the majority of Montana's production a year ago.

Overall, the Grizzlies return 81.3 percent of their minutes from 2017-18, 85.2 percent of their scoring, 85.2 percent of their assists, 86.0 percent of their steals, 71.4 percent of their rebounds and 70.2 percent of their blocked shots.

LOOKING AHEAD
One of the most anticipated basketball seasons in Montana history opens with one of the most anticipated non-conference games in recent memory. The Grizzlies host mid-major power Georgia State on Nov. 9, a team that has been to the NCAA tournament twice in the past four years.

Click here for complete Game Notes, including additional notes, charts and player bios

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Players Mentioned

Bobby Moorehead

Michael Oguine

Ahmaad Rorie

University of Montana Athletics