Jacket Men Add Transfer (6/28/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State University Billings men’s basketball coach Craig Carse announced Thursday that Tyler Hentzen is transferring from Orange Coast College to play for the Yellowjackets.  He is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound forward.

Hentzen is a native of Brea, Calif., and graduated from Brea Olinda High School in 2006.  He attended Orange Coast College for one year.  At Orange Coast, Hentzen played in nine games as a freshman, averaging 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds.

At Brea Olinda High School, Hentzen lettered three years in basketball.  As a senior he averaged 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds a game.  He was named team MVP, Sonora Tournament MVP, and Brea All-Tournament.  Hentzen led Brea Olinda to its first playoff win in 25 years to reach the second round of the state tournament.

“I chose to come to MSUB because I was very impressed with the basketball program Coach Carse has put together and the winning tradition the school has,” said Hentzen.  “I would like to be part of that.  I’m also attracted to the small school and city atmosphere MSUB has.”

The Yellowjackets join the Great Northwest Athletic Conference beginning with the 2007-2008 season.  Three teams from the GNAC qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season.  MSUB opens the 2007-2008 season at the Disney’s Tip-Off Classic in Los Angeles on November 2, 3 and 4.