POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball continues Big Sky Conference play this week with a two-game road swing through the Treasure State, beginning Thursday night at Montana State before wrapping up the trip Saturday afternoon at Montana. The Bengals and Bobcats tip Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. in Bozeman, followed by a 4:00 p.m. matchup with the Grizzlies on Saturday, Jan. 24 in Missoula.
Idaho State enters the week with a 165 NCAA NET ranking, while Montana State sits at 135 and Montana checks in at 175, setting up a demanding road stretch against two of the league's most established home-court environments.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Thursday, Jan. 22 – at Montana State
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse – Bozeman, Mont.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com
Saturday, Jan. 24 – at Montana
Tipoff: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Dahlberg Arena – Missoula, Mont.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU 91.1 FM – Scott Gross
Live Stats: isubengals.com
IDAHO STATE TEAM OVERVIEW
Idaho State enters the road trip continuing to establish itself as one of the most balanced teams in the Big Sky Conference, with production spread throughout the rotation and a defensive identity anchored in rim protection and depth. The Bengals lead the Big Sky in bench points per game (31.00), while ranking 2nd in blocks per game (4.3), and 3rd in and fouls per game (17.6), free-throw attempts per game (22.5), and free-throw's made per game (16.8).
Offensively, Idaho State is paced by Caleb Van De Griend, who leads the Big Sky in field-goal percentage (57.7%), 3rd in total rebounds (130), 5th in rebounds per game (6.8), and 14th in points per game (13.3), while sitting T-2nd in double-doubles (5). Connor Hollenbeck adds 13.3 points per game, ranking 13th in the conference, while also sitting top 12 in total points, three-pointers made, free throws made, and minutes per game. Martin Kheil provides consistent perimeter scoring, ranking 6th in the Big Sky in three-pointers per game (2.41) and 6th in three-pointer's made (41).
At the point, Jamison Guerra continues to drive the offense, ranking 2nd in the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0) and 4th in total assists (90), while Evan Otten anchors the interior defensively as the Big Sky leader in total blocks (33) and blocks per game (1.74).
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE
Montana State enters Thursday's matchup with a 135 NCAA NET ranking and one of the most efficient offensive profiles in the Big Sky. The Bobcats rank 3rd in the conference in effective field-goal percentage (.555), 4th in field-goal percentage (47.1%), and 3rd in three-point percentage (36.3%), while also ranking 3rd in three-pointers made per game (9.8). Montana State averages 78.8 points per game, ranking 6th in the Big Sky, and pairs that production with disciplined play, leading the conference in fewest turnovers per game (10.5) and turnover margin (+1.3).
Individually, Montana State is led by Jed Miller, who ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in three-pointers per game (2.58), 2nd in total three-pointers made (49), and 2nd in steals (33), while averaging 13.1 points per game. Davian Brown adds perimeter efficiency, ranking 2nd in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (42.9%) and 3rd in total threes made (48). Patrick McMahon provides interior scoring at 14.1 points per game, ranking 12th in the conference.
SERIES HISTORY – MONTANA STATE
Montana State leads the all-time series 112–87, including a 73–28 advantage in Bozeman.
Recent results:
Recent trend: Idaho State is 1–13 in its last 14 meetings with Montana State.
SCOUTING MONTANA
Montana enters Saturday's matchup with a 175 NCAA NET ranking and a physical, efficient offensive approach that emphasizes interior scoring and free-throw production. The Grizzlies rank 1st in the Big Sky in effective field-goal percentage (.572), 1st in field-goal percentage (49.7%), and 1st in free-throw percentage (77.7%), while also ranking 2nd in field goal percentage defense (42.4%) and 3rd in assists per game (15.9 assists per game).
Montana is led by Money Williams, who ranks 1st in the Big Sky in total points (374) and points per game (19.7), while also leading the conference in free throws made (113) and free-throw attempts (133). Christian King provides frontcourt production and rebounding, while Montana's efficiency at the line and inside scoring make Dahlberg Arena one of the most difficult road environments in the league.
SERIES HISTORY – MONTANA
Montana holds an advantage in the all-time series, leading 117–47, including a 70–13 mark in Missoula.
Recent results:
Recent trend: Idaho State is 1–7 in its last eight meetings with the Grizzlies.
BENGAL BITES
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Idaho State leads the Big Sky in bench points per game (31.00)
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The Bengals rank 2nd in the Big Sky in blocks per game (4.3) and 3rd in fouls per game (17.6), free-throw attempts per game (22.5), and free-throw's made per game (16.8)
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Caleb Van De Griend leads the Big Sky in FG% (57.7%), 3rd in total rebounds (130), 5th in RPG (6.8), 13th in total points (252), and T-2nd in double-doubles (5)
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Connor Hollenbeck ranks 13th in the Big Sky in PPG (13.3), T-10th in total three-pointers made (34), and 13th in minutes per game (30.7)
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Jamison Guerra ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0) and 4th in total assists (90)
- Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in total blocks (33) and blocks per game (1.74)
NEXT UP
Idaho State finishes off their four game road trip with road games at Weber State in Ogden, UT on Saturday, Jan. 31st at 1 p.m., followed with a quick turnaround for their Monday night game in Portland, OR against Portland State on Monday, Feb. 2nd at 8 p.m. MT.
Both games will be aired on ESPN+, or can listen along to the Voice of the Bengals, Scott Gross, on KISU 91.1 FM.
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