Try Delta Nomads.
Mississippi Valley State's men's basketball team has already made stops in Tempe, Ariz.; Pullman, Wash.; and Norman, Okla., on its way to face the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday night in Dahlberg Arena.
And the road has not been kind to the Devils. Among the four road losses were a 51-point loss to Washington State, a game in which the Devils scored just 25 points, and a 41-point loss on Monday at No. 12 Oklahoma. They opened with an 80-64 loss at No. 15 Arizona State.
Griz coach Wayne Tinkle, though, isn't counting on a road weary MVSU team.
“It's a tough deal, but it will develop toughness in their kids,” Tinkle said. “I think they're too deep and the coach will coach them up to play hard, so we're not going to buy into that.”
Tinkle and the Griz have enough on their own plate. Looming Sunday is a road game at No. 10 Duke, followed by a stop in Orem to face an unbeaten Utah Valley State squad next Tuesday.
The Griz will look to build on some minor improvements they made in their 75-67 win over Montana-Western on Monday.
“We really competed,” Tinkle said. “We really want to keep things simple as a staff. We're gelling as a staff still - and as a team - and our constants are playing hard, smart and together. If we can really sell out defensively with a purpose, then do a better job of taking care of the ball - with these guys we have to really value the ball - then the offense will score for us.”
The offense has been slow to come around in Montana's first two games. Junior guard Ryan Staudacher leads the team at 17.5 points a game and sophomore center Brian Qvale has added 11.0 ppg, but no one else is in double figures.
“We just have to stay patient is all, that's the key,” Tinkle said. “Ball movement and patience. Our guys are trying so hard. We need to make that adjustment from working hard on defense, then switching gears when you come down to the offensive end and just execute.”
Oregon State transfer Jack McGillis has been slow out of the gate, averaging just 3.5 points and 1.5 rebounds thus far.
“Jack's going to be fine,” Tinkle said. “He's working hard. It's early in the year. He's taking great shots and working his tail off. It's going to come.”
The Delta Devils are coming off their most competitive game of the season, a 62-54 loss to James Madison on Okalhoma's court. Shannon Behling, a 6-foot-7 junior wing, led the Devils with 22 points.
“He's looking to score and he can shoot it,” Tinkle said.
No other Devil averages in double figures for first-year coach Sean Woods.
“They're a lot more disciplined than they've been in the past,” said Tinkle, whose Griz downed the Devils 69-62 last season in a tournament in Spokane. “They play hard on the defensive end, both man and zone. Then they try to move the ball offensively, try to get you behind and chasing.”
Tinkle said he feels a little more comfortable facing a team that he's been able to scout on tape.
“As a coach and as a staff, you always want to be prepared,” Tinkle said. “Our program for years has been known as a staff that prepares real well. It's hard early in the year. You almost feel naked at times because it is almost like the exhibition season where you have to focus on yourself. Frankly, you don't know what the other teams are doing yet. As a staff, we feel better because we've done some good preparation for Mississippi Valley.”
NOTES: MVSU finished second in the SWAC last season, then won the league tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament. The Devils drew a No. 16 seed and bowed out in the first round to UCLA, 70-29. ... Woods took over at MVSU for James Green, who was hired as Jacksonville State's head coach following last season. ... Hasquet ranks 16th on the Griz career scoring list with 1,096 points. With five points Thursday, he'll move past Ed Argenbright (1953-56) and into 15th. Chris Spoja (1993-97) is 14th with 1,111 points.
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached at 523-5265 or at sportsdesk@missoulian.com.
Mississippi Valley at Montana Griz
Thursday, 7:05 p.m.,
Dahlberg Arena (7,321)
Tickets: $6 for general admission, $10-19 for reserved.
Radio: KXGZ 101.5 FM.
TV: None.
Web: montanagrizzlies.com.
Records: Mississippi Valley of the Southwestern Athletic Conference is 0-4. Montana is 1-1.
Last outing: MVSU dropped a 62-54 decision to James Madison on Tuesday in a tournament in Norman, Okla. The Griz downed Montana-Western 75-67 on Monday in Missoula.
Series: Montana leads 2-0.
Last meeting: Montana won 69-62 last November in a tournament in Spokane.
Up next: Montana travels to No. 10 Duke on Sunday.
Probable starters
Mississippi Valley State
15-Shannon Behling, 6-7, jr. 14.0 ppg
34-Eric Petty, 6-6, sr. 7.5 ppg
12-Amos Studivant, 6-8, fr. 1.0 ppg
1-Dwayne Harmason, 5-10, sr. 8.3 ppg
23-Michael Clark, 6-2, sr. 7.5 ppg
Montana
2-Jordan Hasquet, 6-9, sr. 9.0 ppg
44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, jr. 3.5 ppg
41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, so. 11.0 ppg
5-Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, 6-2, sr. 1.0 ppg
3-Ryan Staudacher, 6-3, jr. 17.5 ppg
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)