With the season winding down and Idaho State's men preparing for their last two home games this week, the two Montana's visit Reed Gym. Montana, tied with Weber at 12-2 for first place, makes the I-15 road trip this week. The Griz bring 6-8 big man Martin Breunig, the second leading scorer in the conference who is shooting just a tich under 70 percent in league games.
No problem, you say, the Bengal zone will simply attack him and force the ball out of his hands, like they did Joel Bolomboy when ISU beat Weber earlier this season, right? Not so fast my friend. Then you are leaving Brandon Gfeller open to rain down treys. The 6-4 wing was a combined 12 of 21 from three in the Griz' two wins over Idaho State last year, on his way to 41 points. As a team, Montana riddled Bill Evans' pattened matchup zone for 27 treys last year. And the Griz have added freshman slasher Michael Ogiune, coming off a career high 27 points, and Juco transfer Walter Wright to their list of weapons this season.
As far the Bengals, well we know they go as Ethan Telfair goes. If ET is making threes, he's a nightmare to cover because you have to lay off him to stop his penetration. And Geno Luzcando had a "preview of future attractions" game in Missoula last year, putting up the kind of line that has become so familiar to Bengal fans this year: 18 points, three treys, 7 of 8 from the line, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals --and 4 TOs.
It should be a grand evening, made even more fun by the atmosphere of a largely packed house at Reed. Remember, I warned you all before the Weber game not to miss the opportunity for some very good college basketball. I can't guarantee a Bengal win Thursday night, but I will go out on a limb and predict another highly entertaining night. Come on out and join us.
No problem, you say, the Bengal zone will simply attack him and force the ball out of his hands, like they did Joel Bolomboy when ISU beat Weber earlier this season, right? Not so fast my friend. Then you are leaving Brandon Gfeller open to rain down treys. The 6-4 wing was a combined 12 of 21 from three in the Griz' two wins over Idaho State last year, on his way to 41 points. As a team, Montana riddled Bill Evans' pattened matchup zone for 27 treys last year. And the Griz have added freshman slasher Michael Ogiune, coming off a career high 27 points, and Juco transfer Walter Wright to their list of weapons this season.
As far the Bengals, well we know they go as Ethan Telfair goes. If ET is making threes, he's a nightmare to cover because you have to lay off him to stop his penetration. And Geno Luzcando had a "preview of future attractions" game in Missoula last year, putting up the kind of line that has become so familiar to Bengal fans this year: 18 points, three treys, 7 of 8 from the line, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals --and 4 TOs.
It should be a grand evening, made even more fun by the atmosphere of a largely packed house at Reed. Remember, I warned you all before the Weber game not to miss the opportunity for some very good college basketball. I can't guarantee a Bengal win Thursday night, but I will go out on a limb and predict another highly entertaining night. Come on out and join us.
