Saturday, February 3
Missoula, Mont.
7 PM
Montana
vs
Eastern Washington
Photo by: Tanner Ecker/University of Montana
Griz host league leaders in Nike N7 Game
2/2/2024 1:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON
Saturday, Feb. 3 / 7:00 p.m. / Watch / Live Stats / Tickets
N7 GAME
Montana will be hosting the N7 Game for the second consecutive season. The Grizzlies will wear special turquoise Nike uniforms for the game, which is a color that symbolizes friendship and fellowship in Native American cultures.
The N7 program is a Nike initiative, led by Fort Peck native Sam McCracken, that shows Nike's long-time commitment and mission to inspire and enable 2 million Native America and Aboriginal youth in North America to participate in sport and physical activity. Nike's investments, through grants administered on behalf of the N7 Fund, have totaled over $10.8 million to nearly 300 organizations since 2009.
Additional in-game elements will also celebrate Native American history in the state of Montana.
PREVIEW
After avoiding any close games over the first 20 games of the season, Montana have found themselves on the ropes in back-to-back contests. Both times, they found the escape and were able to come back for a pair of wins over Sacramento State and Idaho.
It will be a different beast altogether on Saturday, as Montana welcomes first-place Eastern Washington to Dahlberg Arena. The two programs have long been among the elite in the Big Sky Conference and this year is no different, as Big Sky title implications will be on the line.
The Eagles (13-8, 7-1 Big Sky) had won 23 of their previous 25 Big Sky Conference games before a loss in Bozeman on Thursday night ended their perfect start to the league slate. Montana (15-7, 6-3 Big Sky) enter Saturday in third place in the conference standings with a chance to get within a half-game of the Eagles.
It's officially the back half of conference play for Montana, despite this being the first meeting between the Grizzlies and Eagles of the 2023-24 season. Last year, the teams had played both meetings before Jan. 16.
The Grizzlies have two games against Eastern Washington and a road trip to Northern Colorado on the back half of the conference schedule as they look to make a run at the top of the league standings. Montana hasn't finished in the top three of the league since a 14-6 campaign in 2019-20.
Last year, the back half of league play treated Montana well. They finished the season 7-1 to secure a 15th straight winning season and earn the four seed at the Big Sky tournament. They will hope to similar closing success this year, but paired with a hot start to league play.
Montana has a 13-3 record since the start of December and won six games in both December and January. They've done it behind a highly efficient offense and a defense that has held the previous six opponents to just 65.8 points per game.
The Eagles will be hungry to return to the win column after dropping a 70-60 result against Montana State on Thursday night. They had won nine straight games and had a perfect 7-0 record before the loss. The Big Sky title seemed to be headed to Cheney for the second straight season, but the loss has opened the door a crack.
The Eagles play a solid team game and have similar statistics to Montana. They are highly efficient on offense, ranking 15th in the country in field goal percentage (49.3), 41st in three-point percentage (37.1) and 70th in free throw percentage (74.2)
They score often, averaging 78.4 points per game to rank second in the Big Sky behind only Northern Colorado. They have scored 80-or-more in eight of their 21 games.
Cedric Coward stands out as a lead with 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, but the Eagles are perhaps the deepest team in the league. They have eight players averaging at least 18 minutes per game with six of them scoring at least nine points per game.
If there is a weakness to the Eagles, it's that they turn the ball over often. They are 9th in the Big Sky and 289th in the country with 13.5 turnovers per games. It's an aspect of the game that Montana State took advantage of in the win on Thursday night, forcing Eastern Washington into 18 turnovers that led to 16 Bobcat points.
The stakes are always a little higher when rivals Montana and Eastern Washington meet on the hardwood. This time, with the festivities surrounding N7 providing an extra buzz and both teams in the top three in the standings, it will surely be a game that fans won't want to miss.
BIG SKY'S BEST BACKCOURT?
Aanen Moody and Brandon Whitney have certainly made a case. Moody is 6th in the league in scoring on the year at 14.8 points per game, while Whitney moves to the 6th place spot in the Big Sky in league games with 15.6 points per game.
Whitney is also the leader in the league with 5.7 assists per game, while Moody is one of the elite shot makers in the conference.
They have brought balance to Montana as well. They have each led the Grizzlies in minutes on different occasions, and they have also been the scoring leader for the Grizzlies seven times each.
EXPERIENCED SQUAD
Montana is among the most experienced teams in the entire country this year. They start five seniors who have combined for 371 collegiate appearances, and also bring over 90 career games off the bench in the form of Giordan Williams.
Montana rank 28th in the NCAA in D-1 Experience with 2.70 years, according to KenPom.com. The number "measures the average number of full D-1 seasons played by the current roster, weighted by minutes played."
Dischon Thomas has 144 appearances, Aanen Moody has 143, and Josh Vazquez is at 141. The trio should all eclipse 150 games played by the end of the season. Montana rounds out the starting lineup with Brandon Whitney (108 games played, 102 starts) and Laolu Oke (125 appearances between D-I and D-II).
STELLAR SHOOTING IN JANUARY
Montana's offense had an impressive month of January, and the Grizzlies are putting up big numbers behind some stellar shooting. The Grizzlies ranked in the top five in the NCAA in the month of January in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage.
In the season-long rankings, Montana are 30th in the country in field goal percentage (.482) and 10th in free throw percentage (.782).
COME FROM BEHIND WINS
Montana's win at Sacramento State came after the Grizzlies trailed by as many as eight points. It matched the largest deficit overcome this season, and was also the first time Montana won a game that they trailed for longer than they led.
They upped that mark on Thursday night, coming back from a 12-point deficit to defeat Idaho 73-70.
In Montana's previous 13 wins, they led for at least 29 of the 40 minutes. Over the previous two wins, they've led for just over 12 minutes.
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON (13-8, 7-1 Big Sky)
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE EAGLES
Montana leads the all-time series 71-51 in a rivalry that dates back to 1935. The Grizzlies have a 38-20 record in Missoula. The Eagles picked up an 87-80 win in Missoula last year.
The two teams have been highly competitive since DeCuire took over in 2014, splitting the previous 20 meetings evenly. The Eagles are the only team that DeCuire does not have a winning record against in the Big Sky.
Saturday, Feb. 3 / 7:00 p.m. / Watch / Live Stats / Tickets
N7 GAME
Montana will be hosting the N7 Game for the second consecutive season. The Grizzlies will wear special turquoise Nike uniforms for the game, which is a color that symbolizes friendship and fellowship in Native American cultures.
The N7 program is a Nike initiative, led by Fort Peck native Sam McCracken, that shows Nike's long-time commitment and mission to inspire and enable 2 million Native America and Aboriginal youth in North America to participate in sport and physical activity. Nike's investments, through grants administered on behalf of the N7 Fund, have totaled over $10.8 million to nearly 300 organizations since 2009.
Additional in-game elements will also celebrate Native American history in the state of Montana.
PREVIEW
After avoiding any close games over the first 20 games of the season, Montana have found themselves on the ropes in back-to-back contests. Both times, they found the escape and were able to come back for a pair of wins over Sacramento State and Idaho.
It will be a different beast altogether on Saturday, as Montana welcomes first-place Eastern Washington to Dahlberg Arena. The two programs have long been among the elite in the Big Sky Conference and this year is no different, as Big Sky title implications will be on the line.
The Eagles (13-8, 7-1 Big Sky) had won 23 of their previous 25 Big Sky Conference games before a loss in Bozeman on Thursday night ended their perfect start to the league slate. Montana (15-7, 6-3 Big Sky) enter Saturday in third place in the conference standings with a chance to get within a half-game of the Eagles.
It's officially the back half of conference play for Montana, despite this being the first meeting between the Grizzlies and Eagles of the 2023-24 season. Last year, the teams had played both meetings before Jan. 16.
The Grizzlies have two games against Eastern Washington and a road trip to Northern Colorado on the back half of the conference schedule as they look to make a run at the top of the league standings. Montana hasn't finished in the top three of the league since a 14-6 campaign in 2019-20.
Last year, the back half of league play treated Montana well. They finished the season 7-1 to secure a 15th straight winning season and earn the four seed at the Big Sky tournament. They will hope to similar closing success this year, but paired with a hot start to league play.
Montana has a 13-3 record since the start of December and won six games in both December and January. They've done it behind a highly efficient offense and a defense that has held the previous six opponents to just 65.8 points per game.
The Eagles will be hungry to return to the win column after dropping a 70-60 result against Montana State on Thursday night. They had won nine straight games and had a perfect 7-0 record before the loss. The Big Sky title seemed to be headed to Cheney for the second straight season, but the loss has opened the door a crack.
The Eagles play a solid team game and have similar statistics to Montana. They are highly efficient on offense, ranking 15th in the country in field goal percentage (49.3), 41st in three-point percentage (37.1) and 70th in free throw percentage (74.2)
They score often, averaging 78.4 points per game to rank second in the Big Sky behind only Northern Colorado. They have scored 80-or-more in eight of their 21 games.
Cedric Coward stands out as a lead with 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, but the Eagles are perhaps the deepest team in the league. They have eight players averaging at least 18 minutes per game with six of them scoring at least nine points per game.
If there is a weakness to the Eagles, it's that they turn the ball over often. They are 9th in the Big Sky and 289th in the country with 13.5 turnovers per games. It's an aspect of the game that Montana State took advantage of in the win on Thursday night, forcing Eastern Washington into 18 turnovers that led to 16 Bobcat points.
The stakes are always a little higher when rivals Montana and Eastern Washington meet on the hardwood. This time, with the festivities surrounding N7 providing an extra buzz and both teams in the top three in the standings, it will surely be a game that fans won't want to miss.
"It's like chopping wood. It's going to take some time. It's going to take some energy. And you're going to be sore when you're done."
— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) February 2, 2024
The postgame report ⏬ pic.twitter.com/K5zynHczXI
BIG SKY'S BEST BACKCOURT?
Aanen Moody and Brandon Whitney have certainly made a case. Moody is 6th in the league in scoring on the year at 14.8 points per game, while Whitney moves to the 6th place spot in the Big Sky in league games with 15.6 points per game.
Whitney is also the leader in the league with 5.7 assists per game, while Moody is one of the elite shot makers in the conference.
They have brought balance to Montana as well. They have each led the Grizzlies in minutes on different occasions, and they have also been the scoring leader for the Grizzlies seven times each.
EXPERIENCED SQUAD
Montana is among the most experienced teams in the entire country this year. They start five seniors who have combined for 371 collegiate appearances, and also bring over 90 career games off the bench in the form of Giordan Williams.
Montana rank 28th in the NCAA in D-1 Experience with 2.70 years, according to KenPom.com. The number "measures the average number of full D-1 seasons played by the current roster, weighted by minutes played."
Dischon Thomas has 144 appearances, Aanen Moody has 143, and Josh Vazquez is at 141. The trio should all eclipse 150 games played by the end of the season. Montana rounds out the starting lineup with Brandon Whitney (108 games played, 102 starts) and Laolu Oke (125 appearances between D-I and D-II).
STELLAR SHOOTING IN JANUARY
Montana's offense had an impressive month of January, and the Grizzlies are putting up big numbers behind some stellar shooting. The Grizzlies ranked in the top five in the NCAA in the month of January in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage.
In the season-long rankings, Montana are 30th in the country in field goal percentage (.482) and 10th in free throw percentage (.782).
COME FROM BEHIND WINS
Montana's win at Sacramento State came after the Grizzlies trailed by as many as eight points. It matched the largest deficit overcome this season, and was also the first time Montana won a game that they trailed for longer than they led.
They upped that mark on Thursday night, coming back from a 12-point deficit to defeat Idaho 73-70.
In Montana's previous 13 wins, they led for at least 29 of the 40 minutes. Over the previous two wins, they've led for just over 12 minutes.
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON (13-8, 7-1 Big Sky)
- The Eagles enter off 70-60 loss in Bozeman on Thursday night. They shot just 2-of-18 from three-point range, which is normally a strength, and turned the ball over 18 times in the loss.
- Eastern Washington started Big Sky play 16-0 last year but lost the final two games of the regular season and then were upset by Northern Arizona at the Big Sky Tournament. They would play in the NIT, where they defeated Washington State 81-74 in a first round game.
- Head coach David Riley is in his third season as head coach of the Eagles. He has a 54-35 career record as the head coach, and has been with the Eagles program since the 2011-12 season.
- The Eagles rank in the top 100 in the country in a number of different statistical categories, notably effective field goal percentage (57.3, 7th) and assists per game (17.2, 21st). They lead the Big Sky in both categories.
- Eastern Washington has the second-best offense in the league at 78.4 points per game, but they are seventh in the Big Sky in scoring defense at 72.1 points per game.
- Similar to Montana, Eastern Washington put together a difficult non-conference schedule. They have seven losses to teams from Quadrant 1 and 2 in the NCAA Net Rankings, the most in the Big Sky.
- They are the top Big Sky team in both the NET Rankings (125) and the KenPom Rankings (132).
- Cedric Coward leads the team in both scoring (13.7) and rebounding (6.6). He's shooting 53.9 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from three this year.
- Eastern Washington has six players averaging 9.5 points per game or more, and that doesn't include starting point guard Ellis Magnuson. He's the ultimate pass-first point guard, leading EWU with 3.9 assists per game and ranking 23rd in the NCAA and second in the Big Sky in assist/turnover ratio (3.04), trailing only Brandon Whitney.
- Casey Jones is a physical forward that gets to the line more than almost anyone else in the Big Sky. His 119 free throw attempts are 72nd in the NCAA and second in the league this season.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE EAGLES
Montana leads the all-time series 71-51 in a rivalry that dates back to 1935. The Grizzlies have a 38-20 record in Missoula. The Eagles picked up an 87-80 win in Missoula last year.
The two teams have been highly competitive since DeCuire took over in 2014, splitting the previous 20 meetings evenly. The Eagles are the only team that DeCuire does not have a winning record against in the Big Sky.
Players Mentioned
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