Top #GrizHoops moments of 2017-18
9/18/2018 10:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Leading up to Montana basketball's first official team practice of the fall on Sept. 28, we will be counting down the top moments from an historical 2017-18 season. Voting was conducted by the players and staff themselves.
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 10 (March 3 vs. Idaho State)
After celebrating a regular-season conference title two nights prior, the Grizzlies took care of Idaho State on March 3 to finish the regular season in style. The victory came on an emotional night, celebrating the career of Fabijan Krslovic, who set a school record with 132 career games played. The win also capped a perfect 14-0 record at home for just the fifth time in school history, and first time in 26 years.
A well-deserved standing ovation
A sincere thank you from Fab to Griz Nation
Montana vs. Idaho State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 9 (Dec. 19 vs. UC Irvine)
Off the court, the night was emotional, as Montana recognized the life of Griz legend Delvon Anderson, a former teammate of Travis DeCuire's The head coach was also going up against his mentor, former UM coach Blaine Taylor. On the court, the Grizzlies put together their best performance of the season up to that point, shooting better than 50 percent (47 percent from deep), and out-rebounding the No. 2 rebounding team in the country. The win guaranteed a winning non-conference record for the first time in six seasons.
Montana vs. UC Irvine highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 8 (Feb. 10 vs. Sacramento State)
Montana ran its win streak to 13 consecutive games with a come-from-behind overtime victory over Sacramento State. With 2:55 remaining, Sacramento State led by 5, but the Griz defense clamped down and didn't allow the Hornets to score again in regulation. The biggest play came with 22 seconds remaining and Montana trailing by one, without the ball. On the in-bounds play, Fabijan Krslovic deflected the ball and was able to keep it from going out of bounds. The steal not only kept Montana from having to foul, but gave the Grizzlies the ball and the opportunity to tie the game, which they did, before winning in overtime.
Krslovic steal to save the game
Big steal to seal the win in overtime
Oguine put-back dunk
Montana vs. Sacramento State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 7 (Nov. 13 at Pitt)
During the second week of the season, Montana traveled across the country to play in the Legends Classic. The tournament opened with a game at Pitt, where the Grizzlies knocked off the Panthers in overtime. It marked Montana's first win over a Power-5 program since 2010, and the first over an ACC school since 1966. Pitt entered the game 61-1 in its home arena during the month of November, including 15-0 in home openers. In the victory, Michael Oguine scored a then-career-high 29 points – 16 of which came in the final 8:32 of regulation.
As the final horn sounded
Inside the winning locker room
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 6 (Feb. 24 vs. Montana State)
The Grizzlies swept the season series over rival Montana State, including a dominant display in front of a sold-out crowd inside Dahlberg Arena. Montana held the Bobcats to 31.1-percent shooting, including a stretch in the first half in which the Bobcats went more than 8 minutes without a field goal. Montana went on a 16-2 run to close the half, taking full control of the game. The Grizzlies have now won 15 of the past 16 games it the series, and for the first time in the 116-year history of the rivalry, Montana now owns the all-time edge, 149-148.
Moorehead's breakaway dunk
Timmy Falls' big plays
Montana vs. Montana State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 5 (Jan. 13 at Portland State)
Montana produced a gutsy 92-89 road win at Portland State, led by 39 points on 12-of-17 shooting from Michael Oguine. The Grizzlies trailed by six at halftime, but used an 11-4 run to open the second half. They then used a 13-1 run to lead by as many as 13 points, but led by just a single point, 84-83, with 1:12 to play. Montana made all six of its free throws down the stretch to improve to 6-0 in Big Sky play and hand Portland State its first home loss of the season. That evening, Oguine and the Grizzlies were featured on SportsCenter.
SportsCenter segment
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 4 (March 1 vs. Weber State
It's hard to beat winning a Big Sky title in front of your home fans, but somehow, there were three better moments in 2017-18. One week after beating Montana State to clinch a share of the crown, Montana won it outright against Weber State. Montana scored the game's first seven points and never trailed, winning by 18 points.
Montana vs. Weber State highlights
Net-cutting ceremony
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 3 (March 15 vs. Michigan - NCAA Tournament)
Montana advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in school history and first time since 2013, taking on No. 7 Michigan in the opening round. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Big Ten champions and led for the first 16 minutes of the contest before eventually falling to the Wolverines, who advanced to the national title game.
Oguine's dunk
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 2 (March 10 vs. Eastern Washington - Big Sky Finals)
Less than two weeks after winning the 2018 Big Sky Conference regular-season title, Montana ran through the conference tournament to punch its ticket to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in school history and first time since 2013. The Grizzlies trailed Eastern Washington by 11 points at halftime but used a second-half run to take a commanding lead. During an 11-minute stretch, Montana out-scored EWU 30-4. Michael Oguine, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player, scored 21 points.
Championship celebration
Inside the locker room
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 1 (March 9 vs. Northern Colorado - Big Sky Semifinals)
Winning a conference title or playing in the NCAA tournament are without a doubt more notable achievements than our No. 1 moment, but neither of those would have happened without a couple key plays on March 9 in Reno. Playing Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Championship semifinals, Montana trailed the Bears by 6 with under 1 minute to play.
During that final minute there was a Jamar Akoh layup, two Michael Oguine free throws after UNC was called for a charge on the in-bounds pass, a memorable turnaround three-pointer from Bobby Moorehead, and two missed free throws by UNC in the final 2 seconds of regulation.
Montana used a 6-0 run to begin the extended period and never trailed, thanks to a key charge drawn by Sayeed Pridgett.
"I've had some emotional games," head coach Travis DeCuire said afterward. "I love this team. This is No. 1 for me in terms of basketball moments."
Recap
Moorehead's game-tying three-pointer
Missed UNC free throws
Final play/celebration
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 10 (March 3 vs. Idaho State)
After celebrating a regular-season conference title two nights prior, the Grizzlies took care of Idaho State on March 3 to finish the regular season in style. The victory came on an emotional night, celebrating the career of Fabijan Krslovic, who set a school record with 132 career games played. The win also capped a perfect 14-0 record at home for just the fifth time in school history, and first time in 26 years.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 1️⃣0️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 18, 2018
🏀 Beating Idaho State
🏀 Celebrating @fabkrslovic
🏀 Finishing 14-0 at home#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/sDXRGeTEP0
A well-deserved standing ovation
A sincere thank you from Fab to Griz Nation
Montana vs. Idaho State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 9 (Dec. 19 vs. UC Irvine)
Off the court, the night was emotional, as Montana recognized the life of Griz legend Delvon Anderson, a former teammate of Travis DeCuire's The head coach was also going up against his mentor, former UM coach Blaine Taylor. On the court, the Grizzlies put together their best performance of the season up to that point, shooting better than 50 percent (47 percent from deep), and out-rebounding the No. 2 rebounding team in the country. The win guaranteed a winning non-conference record for the first time in six seasons.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 9️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 19, 2018
Our win over UC Irvine was emotional, both on and off the court. https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/MeBCtGmQfp
Montana vs. UC Irvine highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 8 (Feb. 10 vs. Sacramento State)
Montana ran its win streak to 13 consecutive games with a come-from-behind overtime victory over Sacramento State. With 2:55 remaining, Sacramento State led by 5, but the Griz defense clamped down and didn't allow the Hornets to score again in regulation. The biggest play came with 22 seconds remaining and Montana trailing by one, without the ball. On the in-bounds play, Fabijan Krslovic deflected the ball and was able to keep it from going out of bounds. The steal not only kept Montana from having to foul, but gave the Grizzlies the ball and the opportunity to tie the game, which they did, before winning in overtime.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 8️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 20, 2018
We improved to 13-0 in Big Sky play behind an incredible defensive performance down the stretch https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/0sG3CsjC7b
Krslovic steal to save the game
Big steal to seal the win in overtime
Oguine put-back dunk
Montana vs. Sacramento State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 7 (Nov. 13 at Pitt)
During the second week of the season, Montana traveled across the country to play in the Legends Classic. The tournament opened with a game at Pitt, where the Grizzlies knocked off the Panthers in overtime. It marked Montana's first win over a Power-5 program since 2010, and the first over an ACC school since 1966. Pitt entered the game 61-1 in its home arena during the month of November, including 15-0 in home openers. In the victory, Michael Oguine scored a then-career-high 29 points – 16 of which came in the final 8:32 of regulation.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 7️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 21, 2018
We know you remember when we beat Pitt! https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/pX4vlwTFTR
As the final horn sounded
Inside the winning locker room
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 6 (Feb. 24 vs. Montana State)
The Grizzlies swept the season series over rival Montana State, including a dominant display in front of a sold-out crowd inside Dahlberg Arena. Montana held the Bobcats to 31.1-percent shooting, including a stretch in the first half in which the Bobcats went more than 8 minutes without a field goal. Montana went on a 16-2 run to close the half, taking full control of the game. The Grizzlies have now won 15 of the past 16 games it the series, and for the first time in the 116-year history of the rivalry, Montana now owns the all-time edge, 149-148.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 6️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 22, 2018
Sold-out crowd. Rivalry game. What more could you want? https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/f8rCmH5jsZ
Moorehead's breakaway dunk
Timmy Falls' big plays
Montana vs. Montana State highlights
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 5 (Jan. 13 at Portland State)
Montana produced a gutsy 92-89 road win at Portland State, led by 39 points on 12-of-17 shooting from Michael Oguine. The Grizzlies trailed by six at halftime, but used an 11-4 run to open the second half. They then used a 13-1 run to lead by as many as 13 points, but led by just a single point, 84-83, with 1:12 to play. Montana made all six of its free throws down the stretch to improve to 6-0 in Big Sky play and hand Portland State its first home loss of the season. That evening, Oguine and the Grizzlies were featured on SportsCenter.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 5️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 23, 2018
That time @michaeloguine scored 39 points and #GrizHoops was featured on SportsCenter https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC pic.twitter.com/Uaoo9EdiIq
SportsCenter segment
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 4 (March 1 vs. Weber State
It's hard to beat winning a Big Sky title in front of your home fans, but somehow, there were three better moments in 2017-18. One week after beating Montana State to clinch a share of the crown, Montana won it outright against Weber State. Montana scored the game's first seven points and never trailed, winning by 18 points.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 4️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 25, 2018
It's hard to beat winning a conference title and celebrating in front of your fans! https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/ApYLUdZmFd
Montana vs. Weber State highlights
Net-cutting ceremony
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 3 (March 15 vs. Michigan - NCAA Tournament)
Montana advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in school history and first time since 2013, taking on No. 7 Michigan in the opening round. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Big Ten champions and led for the first 16 minutes of the contest before eventually falling to the Wolverines, who advanced to the national title game.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 3️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 25, 2018
We advanced to the Big Dance, taking on national runner-up Michigan on the big stage! https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/eOhASNr4fl
Oguine's dunk
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 2 (March 10 vs. Eastern Washington - Big Sky Finals)
Less than two weeks after winning the 2018 Big Sky Conference regular-season title, Montana ran through the conference tournament to punch its ticket to the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in school history and first time since 2013. The Grizzlies trailed Eastern Washington by 11 points at halftime but used a second-half run to take a commanding lead. During an 11-minute stretch, Montana out-scored EWU 30-4. Michael Oguine, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player, scored 21 points.
More videos:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 2️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 26, 2018
We overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Eastern Washington and punch our ticket to March Madness! https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/OiYVUuTQzW
Championship celebration
Inside the locker room
Top #GrizHoops Moments of 2017-18: No. 1 (March 9 vs. Northern Colorado - Big Sky Semifinals)
Winning a conference title or playing in the NCAA tournament are without a doubt more notable achievements than our No. 1 moment, but neither of those would have happened without a couple key plays on March 9 in Reno. Playing Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Championship semifinals, Montana trailed the Bears by 6 with under 1 minute to play.
During that final minute there was a Jamar Akoh layup, two Michael Oguine free throws after UNC was called for a charge on the in-bounds pass, a memorable turnaround three-pointer from Bobby Moorehead, and two missed free throws by UNC in the final 2 seconds of regulation.
Montana used a 6-0 run to begin the extended period and never trailed, thanks to a key charge drawn by Sayeed Pridgett.
"I've had some emotional games," head coach Travis DeCuire said afterward. "I love this team. This is No. 1 for me in terms of basketball moments."
More:Top Moments of 2017-18: No. 1️⃣
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) September 27, 2018
There were more notable achievements, but nothing was more memorable than this ending! https://t.co/Wrn2H6B2iC#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/tq6oG86euS
Recap
Moorehead's game-tying three-pointer
Missed UNC free throws
Final play/celebration
Players Mentioned
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