GETTING INSIDE

The Grizzlies might have the best player in the conference, senior guard Anthony Johnson. Plus they have some incentive following a home loss to Montana State last season in the first round of the league tournament.

Coach Wayne Tinkle has no less than three returning starters among seven lettermen returning.

Johnson, who was the league’s Newcomer of the Year after leading the Big Sky in scoring at 17.6 points per game, will receive a lot of attention from opposing defenses.

But that was the case last year, too, and the former Yakima Valley Community College standout proved to be up to the task.

Jack McGillis and Ryan Staudacher also return to the Grizzly starting lineup, and former Eastern Washington starter Michael Young returns to bolster the backcourt.

The front line will miss graduated star Jordan Hasquet, but Brian Qvale and Derek Selvig are talented and tall.

NOTES, QUOTES

• G Anthony Johnson led the Big Sky in foul shooting at 87 percent last season. He also shot 50 percent from the field and averaged a league-best 17.6 points per game.

• G Ryan Staudacher has started 59 consecutive games at Montana and is the active league leader in three-pointers with 140. He made 56 three-pointers last season and shot 45 percent from beyond the arc.

• The Grizzlies had a seven-game winning streak late in January and early February last season and seemed to be the league’s hottest team. But losses in three of their last four games left a sour taste.

Last Year:   17-12 overall, 11-5 in the Big Sky; lost in first round of league tournament

Head Coach:   Wayne Tinkle (career 48-43); fourth year at Montana (48-43).

Quote To Note:   “The neat thing is, we’ve got a great attitude and great chemistry. We’ve got to continue to develop some toughness and discipline. But, I think before it is all said and done, if we can stay healthy, which is a key especially in a few positions, that we’re going to make a run at the Big Sky title.”—Coach Wayne Tinkle.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Raason Young averaged 18 points and 4.7 rebounds last season at Hagerston Community College in Maryland. He helped his team to a 22-9 record and was an all-region selection. Other newcomers who could play a lot are guard Mathias Ward, who is coming off a redshirt season, and Derek Selvig, a 7-footer with great potential who played in 23 games last season before a stress fracture ended his season.

Key Early-season Games:   The Grizzlies are at Oregon on Nov. 23 and at Washington on Nov. 29. The featured games of the early season include the Big Sky opener in Missoula on Dec. 4 against Northern Arizona and a battle with visiting Northern Colorado the next night at Adams Center.

Program Direction:   The Grizzlies went from eight league victories two years ago to 11 last season. Led by arguably the league’s best player, there is no reason Montana can’t reach the 12 or 13 victory mark in league play. Indeed, 20 victories overall is a possibility.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Anthony Johnson, SG Ryan Staudacher, SF Jack McGillis, PF Derek Selvig, C Brian Qvale.

Roster Report:  

• G Anthony Johnson is a preseason All-American candidate. He averaged 21.4 points a year ago in league play.

• Freddie Owens, a former Wisconsin Badger, replaced Nate DuChesne on the Montana coaching staff. DuChesne left for an assistant’s position at Portland State.