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http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2011/01/31/sports/doc4d46ea8aaa59c538215272.txt
Where are they now: Brian Qvale
If you have seen the University of Montana men's basketball team play in the last four seasons you may have recognized the behemoth the Grizzlies have occupying the middle.
Prior to starring for Montana, Brian Qvale was North Dakota "Mr. Basketball" and "Male Athlete of the Year" his senior year at Williston High School.
Now a senior at Montana, the 6-foot-11, 260 pound Qvale is making a name for himself. He is 9th in the nation for Division I with 3.14 blocks per game, is in the top 50 for rebounds with a 9.1 average and is chipping in 14.6 points per game, second on his team.
For his efforts he has won the Player of the Week in the Big Sky Conference three times this season.
He leads the conference in offensive (3.6) and defensive (5.5) rebounds and blocks as well as second in field goal percentage (.604) and sixth in points. Earlier this season Qvale set both the Montana and the Big Sky career record for blocks. He currently sits at 217 with eight more regular season games, conference tournament and potentially the NIT or NCAA Tournament left to play.
"It's all about timing and being in the right place at the right time," Qvale said. "Knowing when to leave the floor and when to stay on the ground is also something I have matured into. I just try to read and pay attention to film and scouting reports and read what moves the players that I'm going to be guarding make."
Qvale's dominance has helped Montana to a 16-5 record this season, including a 8-1 conference record that puts them in first. They are currently ranked 14th in the Mid-Major Poll and look primed to make a run at the NCAA Tournament.
The Grizzlies made it to the big dance last season as a 14 seed. They matched up with top 10 ranked University of New Mexico and nearly pulled off the upset 62-57.
While the team didn't get the victory Qvale made his mark on the national scene. He was an unstoppable force inside in the back and forth game as he led the game in points, rebounds and blocks with 26, 13 and two respectively.
"We knew all week long he was going to have an advantage and if we wanted to have a shot to upset them he was going to have to respond," Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said. "... If he wouldn't have had that kind of ball game we wouldn't have been close."
With his hard to find size and skill combination, Qvale could get an opportunity to play in the NBA next season.
"We've had more NBA scouts at our games this year than any season since I've been here and this is my 10th year, so he has been on a lot of people's radar," Tinkle said. "... I think he's going to get a shot whether it is year one, year two or year three. There just aren't a lot of big guys out there that can move like he can."
The NBA Draft is only two rounds and with 30 teams that means just 60 players are selected each year.
Playing in the Big Sky, a conference not known for basketball, could hurt Qvale's chances. Tinkle is quick to point out that Qvale's biggest games have come against members of the Pac-10 and other big conference schools. Tinkle credited it to Qvale's nature and that big conference referees allow more physical play which is Qvale's strength.
If Qvale isn't taken in the NBA Draft he could very well find himself selected in the relatively new NBA Development League Draft.
Whether his opportunity comes in the NBA, the D-League or overseas Qvale said he will welcome it.
"If basketball opportunities are there I will gladly take one, even if it is overseas," he said. "I would love to just play basketball."
Where are they now: Brian Qvale
If you have seen the University of Montana men's basketball team play in the last four seasons you may have recognized the behemoth the Grizzlies have occupying the middle.
Prior to starring for Montana, Brian Qvale was North Dakota "Mr. Basketball" and "Male Athlete of the Year" his senior year at Williston High School.
Now a senior at Montana, the 6-foot-11, 260 pound Qvale is making a name for himself. He is 9th in the nation for Division I with 3.14 blocks per game, is in the top 50 for rebounds with a 9.1 average and is chipping in 14.6 points per game, second on his team.
For his efforts he has won the Player of the Week in the Big Sky Conference three times this season.
He leads the conference in offensive (3.6) and defensive (5.5) rebounds and blocks as well as second in field goal percentage (.604) and sixth in points. Earlier this season Qvale set both the Montana and the Big Sky career record for blocks. He currently sits at 217 with eight more regular season games, conference tournament and potentially the NIT or NCAA Tournament left to play.
"It's all about timing and being in the right place at the right time," Qvale said. "Knowing when to leave the floor and when to stay on the ground is also something I have matured into. I just try to read and pay attention to film and scouting reports and read what moves the players that I'm going to be guarding make."
Qvale's dominance has helped Montana to a 16-5 record this season, including a 8-1 conference record that puts them in first. They are currently ranked 14th in the Mid-Major Poll and look primed to make a run at the NCAA Tournament.
The Grizzlies made it to the big dance last season as a 14 seed. They matched up with top 10 ranked University of New Mexico and nearly pulled off the upset 62-57.
While the team didn't get the victory Qvale made his mark on the national scene. He was an unstoppable force inside in the back and forth game as he led the game in points, rebounds and blocks with 26, 13 and two respectively.
"We knew all week long he was going to have an advantage and if we wanted to have a shot to upset them he was going to have to respond," Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said. "... If he wouldn't have had that kind of ball game we wouldn't have been close."
With his hard to find size and skill combination, Qvale could get an opportunity to play in the NBA next season.
"We've had more NBA scouts at our games this year than any season since I've been here and this is my 10th year, so he has been on a lot of people's radar," Tinkle said. "... I think he's going to get a shot whether it is year one, year two or year three. There just aren't a lot of big guys out there that can move like he can."
The NBA Draft is only two rounds and with 30 teams that means just 60 players are selected each year.
Playing in the Big Sky, a conference not known for basketball, could hurt Qvale's chances. Tinkle is quick to point out that Qvale's biggest games have come against members of the Pac-10 and other big conference schools. Tinkle credited it to Qvale's nature and that big conference referees allow more physical play which is Qvale's strength.
If Qvale isn't taken in the NBA Draft he could very well find himself selected in the relatively new NBA Development League Draft.
Whether his opportunity comes in the NBA, the D-League or overseas Qvale said he will welcome it.
"If basketball opportunities are there I will gladly take one, even if it is overseas," he said. "I would love to just play basketball."
