Sidelines - Montana

💭𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: It’s 6 PM on Sept. 6 - One month from now The sun is setting over Missoula The lights are on at WGS You’re surrounded by 26,000 of your closest friends And the Griz are kicking-off 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆?!

Caution: Another bear in area ⚠️

Wisconsin vs Montana Wisconsin has found its groove again with the return of previously injured key pieces who missed games including a recent loss to Penn State. Specifically Max Klesmit who really opens up spacing for the Badgers. The immediate note of this game to note that jumps out to me is the location. Denver, Colorado. Wisconsin is coming off a B10 tournament run. Many games in many days. Montana has had more than a week off, and plays in the Big Sky, a league with many high elevation locations. Wisconsin has a Top 15 offense and a Top 30 defense. More known for the latter historically, but this offense is different. The “Johns”, John Tonje and John Blackwell can light it up on any given night. Score from the outside, get to the rim, and get to the line. Great triple threat. Mentioned Klesmit above too, but Steven Crowl and Noah Winter are also versatile bigs who can shoot the occasional three and are worth noting. Simply put, this team has a lot of options to slice you up on offense, with the traditional hard nosed defense approach of a Wisconsin basketball team. They are legit. Top 20 in fewest turnovers with a solid assist rate. The only way this upset seems possible is the elevation factor. On more rest and the Grizzlies being much more used to that. It’s very notable. But let’s not take away from the talent of Montana either. This team deploys an 8 man rotation and ranks in the Top 5 in FG% in CBB. Its defense can be a struggle area, but rotation wise this team has really found its rhythm after making its star guard Money Williams the 6th man. The pieces seemed to come together and Montana closed the year 14-1 in the last 15. Malik Moore shoots 41% from deep, and Joe Pridgen is a force, but I’m curious if Austin Patterson can replicate his career day from three against Idaho in the Big Sky tourney. He and Montana may need it.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 🏆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒! 🏆