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Montana Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Grizzlies

By TJ Miller

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire of the Montana Grizzlies reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire of the Montana Grizzlies reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire speaks with Ahmaad Rorie #14, Sayeed Pridgett #4 and Fabijan Krslovic #20 of the Montana Grizzlies during a stopage against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Head coach Travis DeCuire speaks with Ahmaad Rorie #14, Sayeed Pridgett #4 and Fabijan Krslovic #20 of the Montana Grizzlies during a stopage against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Season Outlook

Understandably, Montana has been identified by some as a potential sleeper team if it can return to the NCAA tournament. Excellent guard play paired with relentless and disciplined defense is what we saw from the likes of Loyola (CHI) last season.

The biggest obstacle for this group might be just getting to March healthy and in-form. Montana will be the most talented group in the Big Sky and it may not be that close. However, that doesn’t mean they will be able to walk through league play unscathed. Montana was the last team to repeat as regular season champs when they did it in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Those teams were also able to come out on top in the conference tournament to gain consecutive bids to the NCAA tourney. Coach DeCuire wasn’t around then but he has a chance to follow suit and lead Montana back to march madness.

Next. Best team in every state for 2018-19. dark

Rorie, Oguine, Akoh, and Moorehead are all seniors this season. It’s hard to imagine these guys not being extremely motivated for their final go. Expectations should be very high and the hope is that this group can do something truly special.

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