PDF versionTHE GAME: The University of Montana Grizzlies play their only exbibition game of the 2009-10 season, hosting the Lewis-Clark State College Warriors of Lewiston, Idaho, Friday, Nov. 6, with tip-off at 7:05 p.m. in UM’s Dahlberg Arena (7,321).
ON THE RADIO: The game will broadcast live on 1015 FM, KVWE of Missoula, with Tom Stage calling the action.
UP NEXT?: Montana hosts the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Grizzly Basketball Tournament, Friday-Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 13-15, featuring the host Griz along with former Big Sky Conference rival Boise State, Loyola-Marymount, and North Dakota.
GRIZ 2nd (tie) IN SKY LAST SEASON: Montana was 17-12 last season and second (tying Portland State) in the Big Sky Conference with an 11-5 mark.
JOHNSON LEADS THE WAY: All-American candidate Anthony Johnson, the Big Sky’s leading scorer a year ago and runner-up for the league player of the year honors, is a marquee returnee. The 6-3, 210-pound senior averaged 21.4 points a game in Big Sky games last season.
THREE STARTERS BACK: Along with Johnson, there are two other starters back: prolific three-point shooter Ryan Staudacher, a 6-4 senior guard, and 6-6 senior forward Jack McGillis, one of three players to start all 29 games last season.
RETURNEES: Returning lettermen: 6-11 junior center Brian Qvale, 6-4 junior guard Michael Taylor, 7-0 sophomore forward Derek Selvig, 6-1 guard sophomore Shawn Stockton, and 6-3 senior forward Vassy Banny. Also back is 6-7 forward Mathias Ward, who red-shirted.
SELVIG OUT: Unfortunately, Selvig will be out indefinitely due to an injury.
NEWCOMERS: Raason Young, a 6-6 forward from Hagerstown Community College in Maryland, is expected to vie for a starting job. Will Cherry, a 6-1 guard from Oakland, Calif., (McClymonds HS), 6-9 forward Eric Hutchison from Longview, Wash., (Mark Morris HS), and 6-0 walk-on guard Ryan Nelson (Seeley-Swan HS, Mont.) are UM’s high school additions.
SHOES TO FILL: Montana will have to fill the void left via graduation by forward Jordan Hasquet, forward-center Kyle Sharp, and guard Ceylon Elgin-Taylor. Hasquet led the Grizzlies in rebounds (6.0 rpg) and was second in scoring (11.0 ppg) last season. Sharp, who played in 116 career games, was UM’s second-leading (tie) rebounder (5.0 rpg) and fifth in scoring (6.1 ppg). Elgin-Taylor was second on the team in assists (53).
MONTANA GRIZZLIES (0-0) **PPG **RPG MISC. NOTES
F-13-Michael Taylor, G, 6-4, 195, Jr., 1V 3.8 1.1 43.9% in 3-pointers in Sky
F-44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, 215, Sr., 1V 8.1 3.1 Started all 29 games last yr.
C-41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, 265, Jr., 2V 5.6 5.0 Sky: 2nd 1.79 blks/11th rebs
G-3- Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, 210, Sr., 3V 7.8 1.5 Led Sky at 45.2 3-PT%
G-23-Anthony Johnson, 6-2, 210, Sr., 1V 17.6 2.8 Led Big Sky in Scoring
6-2-Raason Young, F, 6-6, 175, Jr., JC --- --- ---
6-40-Mathias Ward, F, 6-7, 236, Fr., RS --- --- ---
6-5-Will Cherry, G, 6-1, 165, Fr., HS --- --- ---
6-22-Shawn Stockton, G, 6-1, 191, So., 1V 1.0 0.7 Played in 13 games last yr.
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (48-43, 4th season at Montana) **Last year’s stat averages
LEWIS-CLARK STATE WARRIORS (1-0) **PPG *RPG MISC. NOTES
F-24-Tanner McIntosh, 6-8, 215, Sr. 9.0 5.5 2nd in rebs. last year
C-22-James Craft, 7-0, 235, Sr. 4.7 3.3 Played in 23 games last yr.
G-2-Terrell Wallace, 6-0, 175, So. 4.7 1.6 Returning starter
G-5-Daniel Williams, 6-4, 220, Sr. 7.3 3.1 Key reserve a year ago
G-20-Markus Monroe, 6-2, 175, Jr. JC Transfer 27 pts. in opener
Head Coach: Tim Walker (74-47, 5th year) **Last year’s stat averages