Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Montana
Wildcats hit the road in the Big Sky Thursday at Montana
1/11/2023 9:16:00 AM | Men's Basketball
• Weber State hits the road for the first time in Big Sky play for two games this week in the Big Sky state, beginning Thursday night in Missoula against longtime rival Montana. The game will be televised on ESPN+ with WSU radio coverage with Steve Klauke on 103.1 FM "The Wave".
• Weber State is 7-9 overall and 2-1 in Big Sky play. The Wildcats had won five of six games before suffering a 67-57 home loss to Idaho State last Saturday night.
• Montana is 8-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Grizzlies are coming off a 79-74 win at Northern Colorado on Saturday. Montana is second in the Big Sky in 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goal defense. Travis DeCuire is in his ninth season as head coach at Montana.
• Weber State sophomore Dillon Jones recorded his eighth double-double of the season in Saturday's game against Idaho State as he had 13 points and 13 rebounds. His eight double-doubles ranks as the ninth most in the country this season. Jones is first in the nation in defensive rebounds at 9.1 per game and is 13th in overall rebounds at 10.0 per game. He is 11th in the Big Sky in scoring at 14.7 points per game, leads the conference in free throw percentage and is fourth in assists. He is currently 12th in WSU history in career rebounds with 633.
• Steven Verplancken has scored in double figures 12 times, including six of the last seven games. Verplancken is averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.
• Weber State is second in the nation in free throw percentage at 81.6 percent. The Wildcats have shot 80 percent or better nine times and 90 percent or better three times. Montana is second in the Big Sky and 15th in the country in free throw shooting at 77.1 percent.
• This will be the 139th all-time meeting and Weber State holds a 74-64 all-time series lead over longtime rival Montana. The Wildcats have played the Grizzlies more than any opponent in their history. WSU won two of three games last season. In games in Missoula, Montana is 41-24 all-time and has won five of the last six meetings.
• The Wildcats continue the road trip playing at Montana State Saturday at 4 p.m. in Bozeman.
