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The Montana Grizzlies will take their undefeated start on the road this weekend as they get set to face Stanford on Saturday. The trip marks the first true test of the season for a Grizzly team that has yet to be challenged in 2025-26 — and it won’t stop there, as Montana will stay on the road to take on UNLV in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Montana has opened the year in dominant fashion, rolling to a 65-point win over Northwest Indian — the second-largest margin of victory in program history — before following it up with a 34-point rout of Ottawa (AZ) on Wednesday night. Those tune-ups have showcased Montana’s depth and offensive balance, but the level of competition now takes a major step up.
In a growing trend across college basketball, the Grizzlies aren’t alone in easing into the season with non-Division I opponents. Their average margin of victory of 49.5 points ranks 31st nationally, but it’s this weekend’s matchup that will truly reveal where Montana stands.
To compete with Stanford, the Grizzlies will need to carry over their defensive intensity and efficient ball movement. Limiting turnovers will be crucial against a longer, more athletic Cardinal team, and Montana’s experienced backcourt will need to control the tempo and create quality looks in the halfcourt. If the Griz can hit from the perimeter — an area where they’ve been hot early — and keep Stanford off the offensive glass, they’ll give themselves a chance to hang around late.
It’s the third time under head coach Travis DeCuire that Montana has faced Stanford, but the first with the Cardinal now a member of the ACC. With confidence high and early-season rhythm on their side, the Grizzlies will look to turn heads on the national stage with a statement performance in Palo Alto.
Montana has opened the year in dominant fashion, rolling to a 65-point win over Northwest Indian — the second-largest margin of victory in program history — before following it up with a 34-point rout of Ottawa (AZ) on Wednesday night. Those tune-ups have showcased Montana’s depth and offensive balance, but the level of competition now takes a major step up.
In a growing trend across college basketball, the Grizzlies aren’t alone in easing into the season with non-Division I opponents. Their average margin of victory of 49.5 points ranks 31st nationally, but it’s this weekend’s matchup that will truly reveal where Montana stands.
To compete with Stanford, the Grizzlies will need to carry over their defensive intensity and efficient ball movement. Limiting turnovers will be crucial against a longer, more athletic Cardinal team, and Montana’s experienced backcourt will need to control the tempo and create quality looks in the halfcourt. If the Griz can hit from the perimeter — an area where they’ve been hot early — and keep Stanford off the offensive glass, they’ll give themselves a chance to hang around late.
It’s the third time under head coach Travis DeCuire that Montana has faced Stanford, but the first with the Cardinal now a member of the ACC. With confidence high and early-season rhythm on their side, the Grizzlies will look to turn heads on the national stage with a statement performance in Palo Alto.
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