Montana V. Nevada / Match up

[NVGRIZFan]

I live in Reno, but I am a Griz fan. I have watched both teams play and I think it is a good match. The game could go either way, but I think Montana has the edge. They control the game better then Nevada, but Nevada knows how to finish. Nevada has the problem of putting teams away. Nevada seams to only play to the level or pace of the team they are going against. Montana has more depth from the bench. Nevada is a good team and Montana will have to bring the A game. Montana is a better offensive team and Nevada is a better defensive team. Here is to the GRIZ NATION !!!
Hey Nevada, contact the Griz when you want to be smoked by a I-AA football team. I remember when Nevada crushed Sac and your coach stated that was why I-A team should not play I-AA schools in Football. Sorry, but Sac is one of the worst I-AA teams. Any time your ready, here we are.

Here are some interesting match ups:

RPI Ranking / Montana Ranked 61st -- Nevada ranked 19th

Scoring/ Montana ranked 15th ---- Nevada Ranked 94th

3 Point Shooting/ Montana ranked 36th -----Nevada ranked at 99th

Field Goals / Montana ranked 5th ----- Nevada Ranked 90th

Assists per game/ Montana ranked 4th --- Nevada ranked 50th

Points Per Game
Montana/ 79.5 Points
Nevada / 72.6 Points

Points allowed
Montana / 70.8
Nevada / 63.0

FG% own
Montana / .495
Nevada / .455

FG% opposition
Montana / .438
Nevada / .398

3PT% own
Montana / .385
Nevada / .363

3PT% opposition
Montana / .357
Nevada / .300

Offensive Rebounds
Montana / 332
Nevada / 403

Defensive Rebounds
Montana / 703
Nevada / 829

Total Rebounds
Montana / 1108
Nevada / 1345

Assist/Turnover Ratio
Montana / 1.3
Nevada / 1.2

Fouls Per Game
Montana / 18.5
Nevada / 16.0

 

[Six Pack]

Yawn...

Regarding your football comments- when Montana decides they are tired of being the big fish in the small pond, then we will play in football. But Nevada (or any other DIA school) gains nothing by playing Montana. If they win, then they did what they were expected to do. If they lose, it's a bad loss because they lost to D-IAA. In fact, that Sac State game was the last time Nevada has played a D-IAA opponent, and our AD has stated that we will no longer schedule D-IAA games. Sorry, but we are too busy playing Pac-10, Big Ten, and MWC school in our OOC games this year.

Personally, I think Montana would be a great addition for the WAC if they ever committed to moving to D-IA, but that's another topic.

Secondly, what does Ohio State, Texas, and Nevada all have in common? All three are the only NCAA schools to win a basketball and football championship this year. I know Montana has a great D-IAA football program, but it doesn't compare to life in the WAC. Boise State and Fresno State were both top 25 programs this year, and Nevada finished the season with a bowl victory and just missed being ranked.

Now onto basketball...

Not sure I agree with the statement of "Nevada has the problem of putting teams away". Nevada finished with 27 wins this year, and just won an overtime game to win the conference championship. Nevada was able to put away teams such as Big 12 champion Kansas on their own court.

For the most part, the stats do look better for the Griz. However, let's also take into consideration that Nevada has had much stiffer competition. Let's compare RPI records instead-

1-50
Nevada: 3-2
Montana: no games

51-100
Nevada: 9-1
Montana: 1-1

Strenth of Schedule
Nevada: 98*
Montana: 186
*thanks Idaho and SJSU for dragging down the WAC...we went 5-0 against those two schools this year, and our RPI went DOWN after beating them. You guys want to take them?

So I'm not sure those previous stats mean anything other than entertainment value. If Nevada played that schedule, we'd probably put up some phenomanal numbers.

Anyway...I mean no disrespect. Just analyzing things because that's what us fans do. Montana is a good team. Ours is better. I don't expect Montana to go down without a fight, but I think Montana's strengths play right into the hand of Nevada's strengths, and the Pack should win this one going away.

BUT...that of course is why they play the game. What do we as fans know?

I live in Reno, but I am a Griz fan. I have watched both teams play and I think it is a good match. The game could go either way, but I think Montana has the edge. They control the game better then Nevada, but Nevada knows how to finish. Nevada has the problem of putting teams away. Nevada seams to only play to the level or pace of the team they are going against. Montana has more depth from the bench. Nevada is a good team and Montana will have to bring the A game. Montana is a better offensive team and Nevada is a better defensive team. Here is to the GRIZ NATION !!!
Hey Nevada, contact the Griz when you want to be smoked by a I-AA football team. I remember when Nevada crushed Sac and your coach stated that was why I-A team should not play I-AA schools in Football. Sorry, but Sac is one of the worst I-AA teams. Any time your ready, here we are.

Here are some interesting match ups:

RPI Ranking / Montana Ranked 61st -- Nevada ranked 19th

Scoring/ Montana ranked 15th ---- Nevada Ranked 94th

3 Point Shooting/ Montana ranked 36th -----Nevada ranked at 99th

Field Goals / Montana ranked 5th ----- Nevada Ranked 90th

Assists per game/ Montana ranked 4th --- Nevada ranked 50th

Points Per Game
Montana/ 79.5 Points
Nevada / 72.6 Points

Points allowed
Montana / 70.8
Nevada / 63.0

FG% own
Montana / .495
Nevada / .455

FG% opposition
Montana / .438
Nevada / .398

3PT% own
Montana / .385
Nevada / .363

3PT% opposition
Montana / .357
Nevada / .300

Offensive Rebounds
Montana / 332
Nevada / 403

Defensive Rebounds
Montana / 703
Nevada / 829

Total Rebounds
Montana / 1108
Nevada / 1345

Assist/Turnover Ratio
Montana / 1.3
Nevada / 1.2

Fouls Per Game
Montana / 18.5
Nevada / 16.0

 

[Osfan]

I have to agree with you Six Pack! Those stats are truly misconstrued due to who each team has played over the past season. Having grown up in Reno and Montana, I have mixed emotions on who to root for, but in the end, I think Nevada will pull this one out.

 

[Montana Gym Rat]

Our strength of schedule wasn't the best, that's true. But we're a Big Sky team trying to get wins. You can't honestly hold it against us that we didn't play the toughest competition.


We did beat teams that played some tough games:

Santa Clara beat Bucknell and Pacific.

Oral Roberts played Utah State twice. Losing once in OT and the other only by 1. They also played Marquette to 3 points.

We beat LMU by a total of 24 points in two games. Gonzaga only beat them by a total of 22 points. In three games.

We beat Drake in a barn-burner in Des Moines. Who else had to squeak out games at Drake? Northern Iowa, Wichita State, Southern Illinois, Creighton...oh and Bradley lost to Drake.


It's not like Montana played a bunch of cupcakes. A lot of the teams we played were better than their record indicated. To insinuate that this team hasn't been tested or seen tough teams this year is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[sdgriz1]

Let's be honest, Nevada hasn't played some amazing schedule either. They are a great team and it will be tough for the griz to win. I just like our chances against Nevada better then any other 5 seed.

 

[Swillbury]

SixPack,

I realize they you have a high RPI than us and that you have a better football program but what more do you expect? Your in the Wac and we are still in big sky conference. We are the most underrated MidMajor team in country and we have a good shot to beat you. Plus, you can count all your little RPI and Stats and everything like that but doesnt that really matter once the tournament starts? Ask Vermont and Bucknell last year if it did....

It will be a good game and I honestly think the Griz will have a good shot to win it down the stretch. They are well coached and really pass the ball around and nobody is selfish. We are the type of team that is so hard to scout for because we have so many weapons and on any givin night any of them could explode for 20.

Nevada is turning into a legiate program but never forget where you came from....