Montana Grizzlies Sports, Football and Basketball : Grizzoulian

As opposed to the Griz football team, the basketball program is not dicking around when it comes to scheduling. Play a bunch games in friendly Missoula? Screw that. Line up a bunch of cupcakes? Hell no. We're going to take the best regional rivals we can find and line them up, one right after another.

The Griz open the season against the mediocre Colorado State in what should be an exciting game, but it's all uphill from there in the non-conference schedule. It includes three tough games in Spokanistan. The first is against Spokane on November 11. Then the Griz will play Air Force and Washington State in the Hispanic Invitational at Spokane Arena Nov. 23-25.

"The game at Gonzaga will be a marquee game," said second-year head coach Wayne Tinkle. "From what I've heard, it may be their most talented team, maybe ever.

"Washington State will more than likely be ranked in the Top 10 when we play them in their tournament," Tinkle said. "Air Force is coming off a great year, and Mississippi Valley State will be a formidable team as well."

I'm really looking forward to these match-ups. I have this to say in case the marketing department is giving out a few tickets or bringing a couple students with to Spokane: dibbs.

Besides the big match-ups, there are also some TV games. No ESPN right now but the usual KPAX games and the new Altitude game of the week

Montana opens its season Nov. 9 against Colorado State and begins Big Sky Conference play against rival Montana State on Jan. 5 in Bozeman. That game and the rematch on Feb. 9 in Missoula will be televised by KPAX-TV.

The Grizzlies will play three Sunday afternoon Big Sky games on Altitude Sports: against Weber State on Jan. 20, at Eastern Washington on Feb. 3, and at home against Idaho State on Feb. 24.

I'm not gonna lie, I am much more excited for basketball season than football season. They've done everything they can to get people pumped. I know there's more on the way. Including a commercial. This is going to be great.

The complete schedule is after the jump.

DATE		OPPONENT
10/24/2007		Maroon and Silver scrimmage *** EXHIBITION ***		7:00 PM MT
10/31/2007		Montana-Western *** EXHIBITION ***		7:00 PM MT
11/4/2007		Whitman *** EXHIBITION ***		7:00 PM MT
11/9/2007		Colorado State		7:00 PM MT
11/11/2007		@ Gonzaga
11/14/2007		Montana State-Northern		7:00 PM MT
11/17/2007		@ South Dakota State		6:00 PM MT
11/23/2007		vs. Air Force
		Hispanic Invitational, Spokane, Wash.
11/24/2007		vs. Mississippi Valley State
		Hispanic Invitational, Spokane, Wash.
11/25/2007		@ Washington State
		Hispanic Invitational, Spokane, Wash.
11/30/2007		Cal State Fullerton		7:00 PM MT
12/7/2007		Portland		7:00 PM MT
12/15/2007		@ Pacific		8:00 PM MT
12/17/2007		@ Santa Clara
12/20/2007		@ Cal State Fullerton		8:00 PM MT
12/30/2007		Montana Tech		2:00 PM MT
1/5/2008		@ Montana State *		7:00 PM MT
1/10/2008		@ Northern Arizona *		6:30 PM MT
1/12/2008		@ Sacramento State *		8:00 PM MT
1/17/2008		Idaho State *		7:00 PM MT
1/20/2008		Weber State *		2:00 PM MT
1/24/2008		Eastern Washington *		7:00 PM MT
1/26/2008		@ Northern Colorado *		7:00 PM MT
1/31/2008		@ Portland State *		8:00 PM MT
2/3/2008		@ Eastern Washington *		2:00 PM MT
2/9/2008		Montana State *		7:00 PM MT
2/14/2008		Sacramento State *		7:00 PM MT
2/16/2008		Northern Arizona *		7:00 PM MT
2/21/2008		@ Weber State *		7:00 PM MT
2/24/2008		@ Idaho State *		2:00 PM MT
2/28/2008		Northern Colorado *		7:00 PM MT
3/1/2008		Portland State *		7:00 PM MT
3/8/2008		@ Big Sky Conference Tournament Quarterfinals #
3/11/2008		@ Big Sky Conference Tournament Semifinals #
3/12/2008		@ Big Sky Conference Tournament Championship #