LC’s Dlouhy catches on with Griz

Former Lake City standout Matt Dlouhy, Class of 2002, was a walk-on at Montana and is a key contributor for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.7 points and 4.3 rebounds. Last weekend he moved into the starting lineup and in two wins totaled 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. With the Griz playing at Eastern Washington Saturday night, it was a perfect opportunity for the 6-foot-6 redshirt sophomore forward to catch up area fans on his progress by answering questions from The Spokesman-Review.

S-R: Do you consider the game at Eastern a homecoming?

MD: It’s not really that big of deal. All my friends are away at different colleges.

S-R: How did you end up at Montana?

MD: I was getting recruited as a junior, then I got hurt between my junior and senior year and all the schools stopped recruiting me. I was going to walk on at Gonzaga (but) then I got introduced to (UM assistant and Ferris grad) Wayne Tinkle.

S-R: How have things changed for you from the Pat Kennedy regime to Larry Kystkowiak?

MD: I don’t know if it’s anything about the coaches how I’ve played, it’s just getting more minutes, getting more comfortable. Maturing, I guess.

S-R: What is your role?

MD: So far it’s to bring some energy, whether it’s on defense or a spark to the offense. Doing whatever I can do to get the team pumped up.

S-R: In the media guide, coach K’s comment is: “Matt’s strength is on the offensive end. If we can teach him to realize how important defense is, then he could be a key contributor for us.” So, how’s the defense?

MD: He said that before the season had even started. If he had a seen a few games … I think I’m a pretty strong defender.

S-R: What was been your personal highlight so far?

MD: I would say our Santa Clara game (15 points in 22 minutes), but we lost at the buzzer so that wasn’t much of a highlight – so scoring 16 last game.

S-R: How was the adjustment from high school ball?

MD: It’s a lot more work than I ever expected it to be. It’s a lot more time-consuming, even in off-season. I’m adapting to it. High school was just a whole different thing. You can’t really compare the two. Games were more fun in high school, but that’s because I’m remembering my junior and senior year when I was the main man.

S-R: Your cousin Dustin is on the football team. Do you get to see him?

MD: Last semester I had a few classes with him so I saw him a little bit. We see each other. We’re good friends.

S-R: How is it being a basketball player at a football school?

M-D: People here look at all the football player as gods. We don’t really get that many students to games.