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Ogden, UT: Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton announced today that a foul is tentatively scheduled to be called against Montana sometime in the first half of their men's game with Portland State in Portland on Saturday, February 24, as well as the first half of their women's game against Idaho State on Thursday, March 2.
In a joint press conference with Montana head coaches Larry Krystokawiak and Robin Selvig, and Big Sky Director of Officials Marla Denham, Fullerton said an agreement had been reached for a touch foul to be whistled on as-yet-to-be-determined Griz and Lady Griz player around the 7:00 minute mark during each first half of the two games. The fouls will be whistled near mid-court so as not to be shooting fouls, thereby effecting the score.
"We are very excited to arrange something that hasn't been seen in our conference since 1998, and 1995 on the women's side," said Fullerton. "I want to personally commend both Montana coaches for agreeing to this uncoventional deal. We all know how reluctant they are to allow any calls to go against their teams."
Krystokowiak insisted that this move was purely a gesture of generosity aimed at rehabilitating Montana's public image in light of recent controversial events surrounding Montana basketball.
Against Idaho State, Matt Dlouhy was ejected after a foul on ISU's Logan Kinghorn, who suffered a concussion. Montana inadvertently was given the ball after the free throws despite a technical foul and an intentional foul was called on the play. Montana also incorrectly deducted a point against Sacramento State, costing the Hornets a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds left.
"Larry is being a really good sport about this," noted PSU coach Ken Bone. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play them with a foul being called against their squad, and to have it happen here in front of the home crowd will be especially enjoyable for our fans."
ISU women's coach Jon Newlee is also thankful that Robin Selvig has agreed to the foul call. "For Robin to allow to have a foul call on one of his players shows the true character and integrity he has for the game. I can only hope that the foul call doesn't hamper Montana's already legendary defensive posturing with all the flopping and drawn charges."
Denham says that unless unforeseen intimidation happens during the game, that the scheduled foul should occur without a hitch. "It all depends on whether Montana coaches hold up their end of the bargains and promise not to harrass our crews that evening."
Denham and Fullerton also said not to expect any more fouls to be called against the Griz this season, but did not rule out the possibility of another one being called in an exhibition game in November 2006. "Jim O'Day (Montana's AD) told me that Montana men's team is trying to schedule Athletes in Action for a pre-season game next year and we are in discussions about perhaps calling another foul against Montana in that match-up if everyone can come to terms."
The officiating crew for the Montana vs. PSU and Montana vs. ISU game will not be announced publicly prior to the game in order to protect their privacy. Fullerton said he anticipated a media barrage and did not want the referees to be distracted from their big task at hand. "This is a big deal and a momentous occasion for the league. We need our employees to remain focused so that they can complete their jobs in what could end up being a very difficult situation."
Game Notes: If the foul occurs in the women's game as scheduled, it will be the 27th foul called against the Lady Griz in their basketball history. Montana men's team has heard the whistle before, as they have been called for nine fouls and two travels so far this season on the way to their 20-5 record.
In a joint press conference with Montana head coaches Larry Krystokawiak and Robin Selvig, and Big Sky Director of Officials Marla Denham, Fullerton said an agreement had been reached for a touch foul to be whistled on as-yet-to-be-determined Griz and Lady Griz player around the 7:00 minute mark during each first half of the two games. The fouls will be whistled near mid-court so as not to be shooting fouls, thereby effecting the score.
"We are very excited to arrange something that hasn't been seen in our conference since 1998, and 1995 on the women's side," said Fullerton. "I want to personally commend both Montana coaches for agreeing to this uncoventional deal. We all know how reluctant they are to allow any calls to go against their teams."
Krystokowiak insisted that this move was purely a gesture of generosity aimed at rehabilitating Montana's public image in light of recent controversial events surrounding Montana basketball.
Against Idaho State, Matt Dlouhy was ejected after a foul on ISU's Logan Kinghorn, who suffered a concussion. Montana inadvertently was given the ball after the free throws despite a technical foul and an intentional foul was called on the play. Montana also incorrectly deducted a point against Sacramento State, costing the Hornets a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds left.
"Larry is being a really good sport about this," noted PSU coach Ken Bone. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play them with a foul being called against their squad, and to have it happen here in front of the home crowd will be especially enjoyable for our fans."
ISU women's coach Jon Newlee is also thankful that Robin Selvig has agreed to the foul call. "For Robin to allow to have a foul call on one of his players shows the true character and integrity he has for the game. I can only hope that the foul call doesn't hamper Montana's already legendary defensive posturing with all the flopping and drawn charges."
Denham says that unless unforeseen intimidation happens during the game, that the scheduled foul should occur without a hitch. "It all depends on whether Montana coaches hold up their end of the bargains and promise not to harrass our crews that evening."
Denham and Fullerton also said not to expect any more fouls to be called against the Griz this season, but did not rule out the possibility of another one being called in an exhibition game in November 2006. "Jim O'Day (Montana's AD) told me that Montana men's team is trying to schedule Athletes in Action for a pre-season game next year and we are in discussions about perhaps calling another foul against Montana in that match-up if everyone can come to terms."
The officiating crew for the Montana vs. PSU and Montana vs. ISU game will not be announced publicly prior to the game in order to protect their privacy. Fullerton said he anticipated a media barrage and did not want the referees to be distracted from their big task at hand. "This is a big deal and a momentous occasion for the league. We need our employees to remain focused so that they can complete their jobs in what could end up being a very difficult situation."
Game Notes: If the foul occurs in the women's game as scheduled, it will be the 27th foul called against the Lady Griz in their basketball history. Montana men's team has heard the whistle before, as they have been called for nine fouls and two travels so far this season on the way to their 20-5 record.
