That will be put to the test when the Griz open their season Friday in Fort Collins, Colo., against Colorado State.
“I don't have the nerves or concerns because of how our guys have approached the task at hand from day one,” said Montana coach Wayne Tinkle, who enters his third season as head coach with a 31-31 record. “We're confident we have a group that will at least approach the game the right way. We feel like we have the right mindset heading into the first game of the year.”
The Rams went on to win their next three games, including a 64-63 victory over eventual Big Sky champion Portland State in the title game of the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. But they won just four more times all season, finishing at 7-25, 0-16 in the Mountain West Conference under first-year coach Tim Miles.
“Much like myself, you might want to push last year out the window and not bring it up,” Tinkle said. “I would understand if some of the players who were here might have a little extra motivation.”
The Rams return a strong backcourt, led by point guard Willis Gardner and shooting guard Marcus Walker. Walker led the MWC in scoring in league games at 17.1 ppg, while Gardner added 9.8 more. Also back is 6-foot-6 sophomore Andre McFarland, the team's most accurate 3-point shooter at 42.6 percent.
“Walker is a tough guard, he's very quick and athletic, a nightmare in the open court,” Tinkle said. “He looks to leak out in transition and he complements that with being able to knock down the three.
“Gardner - I love the way he plays. He's a physical guard who can hurt you in a variety of ways. He gets to the basket, he can shoot the mid-range jumper and he's also someone you have to locate in transition.”
Defending that trio will be where the Grizzlies' increased athleticism could surface.
“It should,” Tinkle said. “We're glad we have that. We have some things we can throw at them defensively. If we can do that effectively, it can cause some problems early on because they haven't had time to work on some things.”
The Rams' other starters will be 6-5 transfer Harvey Perry and 6-9 sophomore Andy Ogide, who began his career at Ole Miss.
Tinkle will counter with the same starting lineup he used in both the Grizzlies' exhibition wins: Jordan Hasquet and Jack McGills at the forwards, Brian Qvale in the middle, and Ceylon Elgin-Taylor and Ryan Staudacher at the guards.
“We feel pretty secure and confident in that group, and the other guys are going to have to respond,” Tinkle said.
Tinkle seems most concerned about keeping the Rams from running.
“Getting back to the defensive end is going to be huge,” Tinkle said. “I think it's over 50 percent of their offense. We've got to run good offense and make plays for each other, and not allow them to speed us up.”
NOTES: Tinkle announced this week that freshmen Mathias Ward and “Digs” Moikobu will redshirt. ... CSU's Perry and reserve post Mame Bocar Ba both transferred to CSU from the College of Southern Idaho. ... Backup center Dan Vandervieren, who the Grizzlies recruited out of high school in Minnesota, transferred to CSU from Purdue.
Montana Griz at Colorado State
Friday, 7 p.m., Moby Arena (8,745)
Radio: KXGZ 101.5 FM.
TV: None.
Web: montanagrizzlies.com
Records: It is the season opener for both teams.
Series: Colorado State leads 16-13.
Last meeting: Montana won 75-39 in Missoula in last year's season opener.
Up next: Montana hosts Montana-Western on Monday at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
Probable starters
Montana
2-Jordan Hasquet, 6-9, sr.
44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, jr.
41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, so.
3-Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, jr.
5-Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, 6-2, sr.
Colorado State
13-Andre McFarland, 6-6, so.
32-Andy Ogide, 6-9, so.
4-Marcus Walker, 6-0, sr.
20-Harvey Perry, 6-5, jr.
43-Willis Gardner, 6-1, sr.
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