Preview: Montana St at Idaho
The Battle for Mountain West Supremacy Heats Up as Idaho Tangles with Montana St
In a matchup that promises to be an instant classic, the Idaho Vandals will look to take down the surging Montana State Bobcats on the road. The stakes are high, not just in terms of conference standings but also in terms of bragging rights and a crucial boost to home-court advantage.
The Vandals have been on a tear lately, with recent victories over Eastern Washington, Bakersfield, Cal Poly, Evergreen, and Notre Dame propelling them into the mix for conference supremacy. Kristian Gonzalez has been the catalyst behind Idaho's success, averaging an impressive 18 points per game while Kolton Mitchell provides a spark off the bench with his 3.6 assists per contest.
Meanwhile, Montana State is riding a four-game winning streak, including victories over Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Northwest, and Cal Poly. The Bobcats have been led by the dominant Patrick McMahon, who has poured in an average of 14.5 points per game while providing a steady presence on the defensive end with his 2.2 assists per contest.
One key matchup to watch is the battle between Idaho's Gonzalez and Montana State's Jed Miller, who has been a force to be reckoned with on the glass, grabbing 5.0 rebounds per game. This should be an exciting test of strength and athleticism as these two talented big men go head-to-head.
The X-factor in this matchup comes down to home-court advantage for the Bobcats. Montana State will look to feed off the energy of their raucous crowd at Northern Arizona's Convocation Center, where they have been nearly unbeatable lately.
As we approach the midpoint of the Mountain West Conference season, every game becomes crucial. The Vandals are looking to extend their winning streak and put pressure on the Bobcats, who will be seeking to prove that their recent success is no fluke.
The Question on Everyone's Mind: Can Idaho Keep its Momentum Alive?
As we await this matchup, one thing is certain - it's going to be a battle for the ages. The stakes are high, and both teams are hungry for a win. Will Montana State's home-court advantage prove too much for the Vandals, or will Kristian Gonzalez and company find a way to keep their winning streak alive? Stay tuned to see how this one plays out!