Saturday, November 30
BOZEMAN
6 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Green Bay
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Challenge Awaits Bobcats When They Face Green Bay Phoenix
11/29/2019 4:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
One of the best teams in the nation in defense takes on one of the best scoring teams when Montana State hosts Green Bay Saturday
| Montana State Bobcats (5-2) vs. Green Bay Phoenix (2-4) | |
| Date and Time | Saturday, Nov. 30 - 6 p.m. MDT |
| Location | Bozeman, Mont. |
| Site | Worthington Arena (6,772) |
| Radio | KMMS 1450 AM | Bobcat Sports Radio Network |
| Listen Live | msubobcats.com/watch | TuneIn app |
| Stream | Pluto TV (channel 538) | WatchBigSky.com |
| Live Stats | MSUBobcats.com (Statbroadcast) |
| Tickets | MSUBobcats.com/Tickets | Bobcat Ticket Office |
| Montana State | Game Notes | Men's Basketball Home Page |
| Green Bay | Men's Basketball Home Page |
The Bobcats' first true home test comes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, when Montana State hosts Green Bay inside Worthington Arena in a nonconference men's basketball matchup. MSU is in the midst of its longest home stand of the season as the Bobcats play their second of three consecutive games in Bozeman.
The Bobcats opened the stretch in Worthington Arena on Tuesday by defeating Colorado Christian, 82-46. MSU led the Cougars 31-29 at the half and outscored the Division II foe decisively 51-17 in the second half.
The win improved Montana State to 5-2 which is one of its bests starts this century. The overall mark matches MSU's opening seven games of its 2016-17 season that was followed up with seven straight losses. The Bobcats got off to a 5-1 start to begin the 2010-11 slate, but lost their next three contests. MSU looks to pick up six wins in its first eight games for the first time since 1997-98 when the 'Cats began the year 6-1 overall.
MSU went 30-for-59 (50.8%) from the field against Colorado Christian to improve to 3-0 when shooting over 50% against an opponent this season. The Bobcats' 20-for-32 performance in the second half, good for a 62.5% clip, was their second-best mark in a half this year. MSU shot 66.7% (12-18) in the second half of its 67-66 victory at UNCG on Nov. 16.
Montana State's defense has been one of the best in Division I basketball through seven games. MSU has allowed opponents to shoot just 34.5% from the field which is the sixth best mark in the nation. In seven games this season, no opponent has shot 40% from the field with Rocky Mountain shooting a best 39.3% against the Bobcats. The Cougars' second half shooting mark of 24.0% Tuesday was the second lowest percentage Montana State has allowed on the defensive end. MSU has forced opponents to shoot under 30% in a half four times this season, with the low being a 22.9% clip recorded by Tennessee Tech in MSU's victory over the Golden Eagles on Nov. 17.
The Bobcats have also been efficient when they're able to produce shots. MSU is shooting 47.2% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc. Those marks are 67th and 39th overall in Division I, respectively. MSU will continue to look for more opportunities from the field, as the 'Cats rank 293rd in turnovers per game averaging 16 per contest.
Senior Harald Frey has been Montana State's leader on the court. He currently paces the team in points per game (15.7), rebounds (5.7) and assists (5.9). While sitting among the best in the Big Sky Conference in several categories, he is also making his way up MSU's all-time charts. He is just 13 points away from tying head coach Danny Sprinkle for seventh in program history in scoring (1,497) points. He ranks third all-time in 3-point field goals (226) and fourth in assists (413).
A contrast of styles should be on display based off each team's start to the 2019-20 schedule.
Green Bay has one of the top 50 offenses in Division I, serving as the top scoring offense in the Horizon League averaging 81 points per game. The Phoenix also dish the ball off among the best in the nation, averaging 17.7 per contest. They rank 21st nationally and first in the Horizon, while MSU averages 12.7 per game. The Phoenix are led by three double digit scorers in JayQuan McCloud, Amari Davis and PJ Pipes.
Green Bay is 2-4 overall but has already played games at No. 23 Purdue, New Mexico and Wisconsin. The Phoenix are coming off a loss to Colgate, which was in the NCAA Tournament last season, and are beginning a four-game road stretch that brings them to No. 18 Xavier and UCF. Green Bay made the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) Championship a season ago.
Montana State and Green Bay have met two prior times. The Phoenix own a 2-0 series lead over the Bobcats, earning victories in December of 2004 and 2005.
$5 tickets will be available for the Saturday game between the Bobcats and Phoenix for any fans that provide a toy donation to Hope & the Holidays. All tickets are available at msubobcats.com/tickets, by calling 406-994-CATS or by visiting the Bobcat Ticket Office.
Montana State's game versus Green Bay will stream on the Pluto TV app and on WatchBigSky.com. The MSU doubleheader on Dec. 5 that opens with the Bobcat women hosting Gonzaga will be televised by SWX Montana. All Bobcat basketball games are available to listen to as part of the Bobcat Sports Radio Network.
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