Sunday, November 14
BOZEMAN
2 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Rocky Mountain
Photo by: Jack Murrey
Montana State Set to Host Rocky Mountain in Home Opener Today
11/14/2021 9:04:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State men’s basketball makes its 2021-22 season home debut when the Bobcats host Rocky Mountain at Worthington Arena on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff
| Montana State Bobcats (0-1) vs. Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears (2-3) | |
| Date and Time | Sunday, November 14 - 2 p.m. MT |
| Location | Bozeman, Montana |
| Site | Worthington Arena |
| Television/Stream | ESPN+ |
| Radio | KMMS 1450 AM | Bobcat Sports Radio Network |
| Listen Live | Varsity Network app |
| Live Stats | BobcatStats.com |
| Tickets | MSUBobcats.com |
| Montana State | Game Notes | Men's Basketball Home Page |
| Rocky Mountain | Men's Basketball Home Page |
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State men's basketball makes its 2021-22 season home debut when the Bobcats host Rocky Mountain at Worthington Arena on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
The Bobcats returned to Bozeman following a season-opening overtime defeat at Colorado, 94-90, on Tuesday. MSU led by as many as 13 in the second half but the Buffaloes battled back and forced overtime with a crucial 3-pointer to tie the score at 80 with 18 seconds remaining in regulation. Colorado ended a Bobcat winning streak of six games that had extended to the 1923-24 season and avenged a last meeting in 2008 that Montana State had won in overtime.
Montana State was led by multiple players in the overtime loss at Colorado. Abdul Mohamed had a near double-double with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Jubrile Belo had 16 points on 4 of 7 shooting. Five players scored in double figures as Montana State held the edge in turnovers (14-16) and assists (23-15).
MSU's challenging season opener came off of a 2020-21 season which was highlighted by the Bobcats' late run to the Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship. A 71-63 victory in the quarterfinal round versus Idaho State advanced Montana State to the semifinals of the Big Sky Tournament for the first time since 2009. A semifinal 80-77 overtime win over top-seed Southern Utah gave the Bobcats their first title game appearance in 12 years and just the program's fifth in the previous 25 seasons. MSU's year came to a close with a 65-55 defeat to Eastern Washington.
The Bobcats finished the 2020-21 season at 13-10 overall and 8-6 in Big Sky Conference play. MSU's overall mark was its best winning percentage since the 2001-02 squad that went 20-10 and won the league's regular season title.
Danny Sprinkle became just the second Bobcat head coach to record winning records in his opening two seasons leading the program during MSU's Big Sky era. He joined the likes of Bruce Haroldson (1978-80) with his winning percentage (.537) narrowly trailing Haroldson (.558). Sprinkle became MSU's first coach to lead the 'Cats to the Big Sky Championship game during his first two years.
Three Bobcats from a season ago hope to improve on their achievements from the 2020-21 slate. Xavier Bishop (2nd Team), Amin Adamu (3rd Team) and Jubrile Belo (3rd) were All-Big Sky selections during a shortened season. While Bishop entered his second season playing for the Bobcats, Adamu and Belo are in their third seasons at MSU. The three served as the team's top scorers last year.
Belo and Bishop were both recognized in October by the league's head coaches. Both were named to the Big Sky's Preseason All-Conference Team. It's the second straight year Belo was honored by the league in the preseason.
The Bobcats' home opener is the second time Montana State will open their Worthington Arena slate against Rocky Mountain while being guided by Danny Sprinkle. MSU opened the 2019-20 home schedule versus the Battlin' Bears on Nov. 9 of that year and earned a 93-60 victory, the first for Sprinkle in his head coaching career.
MSU's Sunday contest against Rocky Mountain will be streamed on ESPN+. The game will also be broadcast on the Bobcat Radio Network on KMMS 1450 AM and on the Varsity Network app. Tickets for the game are aviailable for $5 if a fan brings a non-perishable food item that counts towards Montana State's 'Can The Griz' food drive.
Players Mentioned
Bobcat Insider TV Show
Thursday, March 03
Inside The Brick (Amin Adamu)
Friday, November 05
Inside The Brick (Nick Gazelas)
Monday, November 01
Inside The Brick (Abdul Mohamed)
Sunday, October 31
