FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Wednesday, November 9, 2016 MSUB men open season in California this weekend
With its first two regular-season games coming up this weekend, MSUB’s men’s basketball team opens the season on the road in California. BILLINGS, Mont. – Completing its preseason schedule last week, the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team will open its 2016-17 regular season this weekend with a pair of west region matchups in California. The Yellowjackets (0-0) will challenge California Baptist on Friday evening at 5 p.m. Mountain time, before taking on Holy Names University on Saturday at 2 p.m. Mountain time. Both games will be played in CBU’s Van Dyne Gym in Riverside Calif., and will feature live video and live statistics available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here. The Lancers (0-0) were picked as the preseason favorite in the PacWest Conference coaches’ poll, while Holy Names (00) was picked to finish 13th. HNU will take on Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday before opening its season against the ‘Jackets on Saturday.
“The west region is really good, and we have a team in Cal Baptist picked to win its league so we know how good of a team they must be,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “We are opening up with what could be one of the best teams in the country, and it will be a nice measuring stick to see where we are at.” HOMECOMING OF SORTS: Though MSUB starts the year on the road, four of the ‘Jackets will be competing in their home state to begin the year. Freshmen Cinco Durr and Ryan Chappell will each make their collegiate debut in front of family, as the team plays about six hours south of their hometown of Sacramento. “It’s going to be great, and I get to see all of my family and friends,” Chappell commented on starting the season this week. “I am loving the competition, and being able to go out and play my hardest every game.” Chappell and Durr each figure to see major minutes as true freshmen, along with fellow California native and reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Preston Beverly. “It just helps the team chemistry out a little more,” Durr commented on the familiarity of playing with AAU teammate Chappell. “Everybody from California plays the same way, and we are excited to bring that style to MSUB.” EXHIBITION TAKEAWAYS: Save for a slow start against Carroll College last week, MSUB looked to be clicking well in a pair of preseason exhibition games at Alterowitz Gym. The ‘Jackets nearly completed a comeback against the No. 9 team in the NAIA, but fell just short in a 76-72 defeat at the hands of the Saints. Two nights later, the ‘Jackets responded with a convincing 58-44 win over Montana Tech, and the team will enter the regular season coming off of a victory. POWER IN NUMBERS: The ‘Jackets welcome back 10 players from last season’s squad, nine of which saw action in conference play in 2015-16. The lone exception is redshirt freshman Zack Lessinger, who missed last year with an injury but is back to full strength this season. Also back from a midseason injury is senior Jace Anderson, whose last-second, go-ahead three just rattled out. He and fellow senior Marc Matthews are the team’s top returning scorers from last year, with averages of 14.1 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. Friday, November 11 – at Cal Baptist University Lancers – 5 PM MTN Van Dyne Gym | Riverside, CA 2016-17 Record: 0-0 Head Coach: Rick Croy, 4th Season 2015-16 Record: 28-7, 15-5 PacWest Coming off of a deep regional run last season, the Lancers return PacWest Player of the Year and All-American Michael Smith to their roster. Recently picked as the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year, Smith averaged 21.4 points and 6.6 rebounds as a junior last season. Though Smith is the lone returning senior, the team returns Kalidou Diouf and his line of 10.0 points and 5.5 boards from his sophomore year.
CBU relied on racing past opponents offensively last season, outscoring the opposition by an average of 87.5-74.4. The Lancers also out-rebounded their foes 39.8-31.0, shot 48.9 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from 3-point range, and 77.9 percent from the foul line. The Series: Friday’s contest will be the first-ever meeting between the ‘Jackets and Lancers. Saturday, November 12 – vs. Holy Names University Hawks – 2 PM MTN Van Dyne Gym | Riverside, CA 2016-17 Record: 0-0 Head Coach: Omar Sanchez, 7th Season 2015-16 Record: 4-24, 3-17 PacWest The Hawks are coming off of a difficult season, finishing with just four victories a year ago. The team lost its leading scorer in Joshua Crum (18.7 ppg), but returns senior Dante Robinson who averaged 13.1 points and 5.2 rebounds a season ago. Also back after a promising freshman campaign is 6-foot-7 forward Zac Young. As a freshman, Young led the team with 6.5 rebounds per game and chipped in 7.0 points on the offensive end. The Series: MSUB has never played Holy Names University, as Friday will be the first game between the teams. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--