Big Sky Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
April 4, 2000

It was a rough season for the Bobcats, who are usually a regular at the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

This year they missed it, finishing seventh in the conference at 4-11, 12-16 overall.

Montana State didn't have enough athleticism or rebounding strength to stay with the top-tier teams of the conference. The Bobcats' best all-around player was 5-10 senior guard Jeff Riggs.

MSU wasn't as tough at home as it usually was, getting trounced by Cal State Northridge, among others.

If coach Mick Durham can point to a bright spot, it's that Riggs was the only senior who saw significant playing time this season.

A glance at 2001

The Bobcats should spring back near the top of the Big Sky next year with nine players returning and a good recruiting class in place.

Forward John Lazosky scores at times, but doesn't rebound well for 6-7; guard Justin Brown (6-4) could emerge as one of the league's best players after leading the Bobcats in scoring at 14.8 points a game; and rugged Aaron Rich (6-6), the Bobcats leading rebounder at 5.2 a game, is back.

On the recruiting front, the Bobcats signed Jonathan Lee from Melbourne, Australia, a strong youth and club player in that country; and Joe Veal, a solid but unspectacular 6-9 junior college transfer from Northland Pioneer JC in Arizona.

The coach

Mick Durham has been at the school for more than a decade, is an alum and has had moderate success. He's an excellent fit in Bozeman, and despite this past season's doldrums, he'll be on board for awhile -- a good thing for MSU.

Who'll be back?

The Bobcats will revolve around excellent 6-4 guard Justin Brown, who could make a bid for player of the year honors next season. He can shoot, drive and jump.

Aaron Rich is tough underneath the hoop and John Lazosky is a scoring forward. Former Bozeman prep star Danny Faaborg is a player to watch.

Who's gone

Point guard Jeff Riggs, a huge loss. Not only was he one of the top assist and steal men in the Big Sky, he could knock down the 3-point shot, and most importantly, defend the league's top point guards well.