Last NCAA
Appearance: 2005, First Round
Top Players:
Andrew Strait,
So, F, 17.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Kevin Criswell,
Sr, G, 16.9 ppg, 2.4 apg
Virgil
Matthews, Sr, G, 9.6 ppg, 4.0 apg
Bryan Ellis, Jr,
G, 8.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.6 apg
By the numbers,
this is a solid team. The Grizzlies have a deep bench, senior leadership,
rank fourth in the nation in assists, 56th in rebound margin;
shoot 50% from the floor, 39% from long range and 71% from the charity
stripe. So why is this a 15 seed that we have heard very little about all
year? The schedule didn’t turn out to be that great and a few close road
losses in conference slipped Montana down to second place in the Big Sky.
The Grizzlies want to run and if they bump into a slow tempo team, they
could be in trouble establishing a consistent half-court offense. I can’t
pick a 15 over a two, but Montana could at least keep it close against
Gonzaga if the long ball is falling.
Seed: 12
First Round:
Nevada
Joel's Likely
Finish: First Round
CHN's
Official Prediction: First Round
