College Basketball This Weekend
EWU at Montana, MSU
The Eagles (2-10 Big Sky, 6-18) finish their season on the road, tonight against Montana (9-3, 18-7) and Saturday night against Montana State (6-6, 18-7). Both start at 6:35 PST.
At a glance
After losing nine straight, Eastern has won three of its last five, including its last two road games (at Boise State and Sacramento State). Beating the Grizzlies and/or Bobcats figures to be more difficult. “(Montana) is in first place and (Montana State) is the most talented team in the league,” Eastern coach John Wade said. While Eastern is still capable of horrendous performances (see: Feb. 17, vs. Idaho), the Eagles have shown improvement in two key areas. First, point guards Carl Crider and Brett Thompson have shot well while limiting turnovers. Second, off-guard D’mitri Rideout has found his outside touch. Combined with the steady inside play of center Melvin Lewis, those factors improve Eastern’s chances.
Eastern: Melvin Lewis, 11.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, .604 FGs in Big Sky games; Josh Lewis, 11.3 ppg; Kevin Groves, 10.6 ppg; D’mitri Rideout, 9.7 ppg; Curtis Porter, 9.1 ppg. Montana (tonight): Shawn Samuelson, 14.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg; Jeremy Lake, 13.5 ppg, .475 3-pointers (67-141); Matt Kempfert, 13.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg. Montana State (Saturday): Kwesi Coleman, 13.4 ppg; Nico Harrison, 11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg; Adam Leachman, 11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg; Quadre Lollis, 11.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg; Dwayne Michaels, 10.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg.
Radio: Tonight’s broadast will be carried by KRAO (102.5 FM). Saturday night’s will be carried by KSBN (1230 AM).
Idaho at MSU, Montana
Idaho (6-6 Big Sky, 12-12) jockeys for
tournament seeding when it visits Montana State (6-6, 18-7) tonight in Bozeman and Montana (9-3, 18- 7) on Saturday in Missoula. Both games are at 6:35 PST.
At a glance
The Vandals, riding a three-game winning streak, can finish anywhere from third to sixth. MSU is in the same position.
MSU’s five starters range in scoring from Scott Hatler’s 8.6 to Nico Harrison’s 11.6. Seven Bobcats have led the team in scoring. The Bobcats have won two straight and shot 79 percent in the second half in drubbing Boise State last Saturday. MSU leads the Sky in scoring at 84 points per game and is at or near the top in talent.
Montana is battling Weber State for the conference lead and probably needs a sweep to win or share the crown. Shawn Samuelson and Matt Kempfert give UM inside threats, and sophomore wing Chris Spoja has been hot of late.
Idaho: Mark Leslie, 15.3 ppg; Shawn Dirden 11.8 ppg; Harry Harrison, 12.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg. Montana State (tonight): Nico Harrison, 11.6 ppg; Adam Leachman, 11.0. Montana (Saturday): Shawn Samuelson, 14.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg; Matt Kempfert, 13.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg.
Radio: KVNI (AM 1080) Coeur d’Alene; KRPL (AM 1400) Moscow.