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Men's Basketball

2007-2008 Men's Basketball Weekly Release #6 (February 4)

"" Back to Headlines

This Week's Schedule

Thurs., Feb. 7 - at Seattle Pacific, 7 p.m., Seattle, Wash.
Sat., Feb 9 - at Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m., Nampa, Idaho


Week in Review

The Yellowjackets began a four-game road swing last week at Western Washington and Central Washington.  The Jackets dropped a pair of games to WWU and CWU.  WWU shot over 60 percent in a 116-66 victory and CWU shot over 50 percent for the game in a 94-64 win this past Saturday.  Despite the losses, the Yellowjackets were led by 23 points from freshman John Brooks against WWU and 13 points from freshman Aaron Terry.  Against Central Washington, the Jackets were led by 14 points from freshman Brett Taylor.

This week, MSUB continues on the road as it travels to Seattle Pacific on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday to begin the second half of conference play.  The Yellowjackets finished the first half with a 1-8 mark, defeating Alaska Fairbanks at home fir the first win of the season, snapping an 18-game losing streak dating back to last season.

The Yellowjackets are led by Terry, who is averaging a team-best 13.5 points per game. He also leads the team with 99 made field goal and leads the team from the free throw line with 58 conversions.  Terry is second in assists (45) and third in steals (13). Brooks also is in double figures as he he is averaging 13.2 points per game.  He leads the team from beyond the arc with 42 three-pointers.  He is second on the team in field goals made (75) and second in free throws with 46.  Freshman Cameron Khoury leads the team in rebounding at 6.4 per game.

As a team, the Yellowjackets are shooing 36 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc and 60 percent from the line.  MSUB is averaging 34 rebounds per game and is scoring an average of 65 points per game.     


From the GNAC:

Division II Games: Alaska Anchorage 18-0, Northwest Nazarene 10-3, Seattle Pacific 13-4, Central Washington 10-6, Seattle 11-7, Western Washington 9-6, Saint Martin’s 7-9, Western Oregon 6-8, Alaska Fairbanks 1-11, MSU Billings 1-17.  

West Region Games: Alaska Anchorage 12-0, Northwest Nazarene 8-3, Seattle Pacific 8-4, Seattle 9-6, Central Washington 9-6, Western Washington 8-6, Saint Martin’s 5-8, Western Oregon 4-7, Alaska Fairbanks 1-9, MSU Billings 1-9.  

LAST WEEK: Thursday  – Seattle Pacific 71 at Alaska Anchorage 83; Northwest Nazarene 76 at Alaska Fairbanks 63; Seattle 83 at Central Washington 76; MSU Billings 66 at Western Washington 116. Saturday – Northwest Nazarene 61 at Alaska Anchorage 77; Seattle Pacific 96 at Alaska Fairbanks 65; MSU-Billings 64 at Central Washington 94; Western Oregon 76 at Saint Martin's 67; Seattle 68 at Western Washington 79.

THIS WEEK: Thursday - Central Washington at Saint Martin's; MSU Billings at Seattle Pacific; Seattle at Northwest Nazarene; Western Washington at Western Oregon. Saturday – Alaska Anchorage at Alaska Fairbanks, 7:30 p.m.; Central Washington at Western Oregon; MSU Billings at Northwest Nazarene; Western Washington at Saint Martin's; Seattle at Seattle Pacific.

POLLS: NABC (Jan. 29) - 5. Alaska Anchorage; 23. Northwest Nazarene; 24. Seattle Pacific. NCAA West Region (Jan. 30) –   1. Alaska Anchorage (16-0), 2. Cal State San Bernardino (15-2), 3. Chaminade (10-2), 4. Seattle Pacific (12-3), 5. Northwest Nazarene (9-2), 6. Central Washington (9-5), 7. Humboldt State (10-5), 8. Cal Poly Pomona (8-5), 9. Cal State L.A. (10-4), 10. BYU-Hawaii (10-5). Note: Records are versus Division II schools. GNAC Coaches Pre-Season - 1. Alaska Anchorage (7) 104; 2. Seattle Pacific (1) 87; 3. Seattle (2) 84 ; 4. Western Washington and Central Washington 62; 6. Saint Martin's 52; 7. Northwest Nazarene 40; 8. Western Oregon 35; 9. Montana State Billings 18; 10. Alaska Fairbanks 16.  

DOUBLE DOUBLES: 7 – Carl Arts, UAA.  4 – Jake Beitinger, CWU;  Kevin Atkins, UAF. 3 - Rob Will, SPU; ; Luke Cooper, UAA; Liam Hughes, WOU.   2 – Calin Schell, WWU; Brendan Campbell, SMU; Steve Severin, WWU; McCade Olsen, UAA; Mike McLaughlin, WOU; Cameron Khoury, MSUB; JoJay Jackson, SPU.  1 – Ten with.

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Jan. 27): Individuals (Top 50): Scoring - 19. Ira Graham, WWU, 20.2. FG PCT. - 21. Rob Will, SPU, 61.2; 44. Ira Graham, WWU, 56.8. Three-Point FGs - 37. Chris Bryant, UAA, 2.9. Three-Point PCT. - 28. Chris Bryant, UAA, 44.7. Free Throw PCT. - 3. Jake Linton, SMU, 96.5; 12. Ryan Coldren, SU, 90.0. Rebounding - 50. Carl Arts, UAA, 8.5. Assists - 1. Luke Cooper, UAA, 8.4; 49. Tyler Roberts, NNU, 4.9. Blocks - 13. Steve Severin, WWU, 2.6; 35. Robbie Will, SPU, 1.8. Steals - None. Assist/Turnover - 5. Luke Cooper, UAA, 3.53; 34. Jared Moultrie, SPU, 2.13; 46. Marques Echols, SPU, 1.94. Team (Top 50):   Scoring - 7. Central Washington 87.2; 39. Western Washington 80.8; 50. Northwest Nazarene 79.1. Scoring Defense - 3. Alaska Anchorage 57.7. Scoring Margin - 15. Alaska Anchorage 14.7; 33. Central Washington and Western Washington 11.1; 47. Seattle 8.9. Field Goal PCT. - 25. Seattle Pacific 49.2; 27. Western Oregon 49.1; 29. Western Washington 49.0; 38. Alaska Anchorage 48.5; 47. Central Washington 48.0. Field Goal PCT. Defense - 30. Alaska Anchorage 40.6; 41. Western Washington 41.2; 47. Seattle 41.6. Three-Pointers - None. Three-Point Percentage - 27. Alaska Anchorage 40.1; 45. Northwest Nazarene 38.5. Free Throw Percentage - 1. Northwest Nazarene 79.4; 7. Saint Martin's 77.2; 12. Seattle 76.4; 50. Western Oregon 72.0. Rebounding - 6. Western Oregon 9.6; 22. Seattle 6.1. Assists - 2. Seattle Pacific 21.1; 21. Alaska Anchorage 17.7. Blocks - 8. Western Washington 5.5. Steals - None. Fewest Turnovers - 13. Alaska Anchorage 12.9; 18. Western Washington 13.1; 36. Seattle Pacific 13.8; 40. Seattle 13.9. Fewest Fouls - None. Assist/Turnover - 4. Seattle Pacific 1.52; 9. Alaska Anchorage 1.37; 25. Western Washington 1.22.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS:  UAF Top of the World  (Nov. 15-18) –  Mladen Begojevic, UAF.   Central Washington (Nov. 16-17) – Jake Beitinger, CWU; Brandon Foote, CWU; Tyler Roberts, NNU; Adam Shildmyer, NNU.  Seattle Pacific (Nov. 16-17) – Rob Will, SPU; Ira Graham, WWU.  Western Washington (Nov. 23-24) – Ira Graham, WWU; Calin Schell, WWU; Rob Diederichs, SPU; Rob Will, SPU.  UAA Great Alaska Shootout (Nov. 21-24) – Carl Arts, UAA.  Central Washington (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) – Jake Beitinger, CWU; Sam Kelly, WOU; Brad Krichevsky, WOU.  CSU Pueblo (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) – Bill Richardson, SMU.  WWU Great Western Shootout (Dec. 18-19 at Las Vegas) – Ira Graham, WWU; Calin Schell, WWU; Jake Beitinger, CWU.  Humboldt State (Dec. 21-22) – Michael Knight, Seattle; Ryan Coldren, Seattle.  Western Oregon (Dec. 28-29) – Mike McLaughlin, WOU; Travis Kuhns, WOU; Nate Jackson, CWU; Jake Beitinger, CWU.  Seattle Pacific (Dec. 28-29) – Marques Echols, SPU; Rob Diederichs, SPU; Michael Knight, SU.  Alaska Anchorage (Dec. 28-29) – Chris Bryant, UAA (MVP); McCade Olsen, UAA; Luke Cooper, UAA.

GNAC PLAYERS-OF-THE-WEEK: Luke Cooper, Alaska Anchorage (G, 6-0, Sr., Melbourne, Australia), who was named one of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award Friday, scored 30 points and had 19 assists to lead the Seawolves to home wins over 24th ranked Seattle Pacific and 23rd ranked Northwest Nazarene. Cooper had a season-high 18 points and eight assists against NNU and 12 points and 11 assists against Seattle Pacific to record his third double-double of the season as UAA became the first team in GNAC history to finish the first-half of the conference season unbeaten.

HONORABLE MENTION:. Justin Parnell, Northwest Nazarene (G, 6-4, So., Sutherlin, OR) scored 41 points, making 16 of 26 shots and six of 11 three-pointers as the Crusaders earned a split in Alaska.  Parnell also had 12 rebounds (one less than team leader Kendall Gielow) and six assists. . .Marques Echols, Seattle Pacific (G, 6-2, Sr., Seattle, WA – Garfield & Peninsula CC) scored 36 points, connecting on 10 of 14 three-pointers, including eight in the first half Saturday at UAF.  He finished with nine treys, one short of the GNAC single-game record.

AROUND THE GNAC:  Cooper is one of two Division II players among the Cousy finalists.  Fans may vote for their favorite on-line at: www.cousyaward.com. . .Five teams – Humboldt State and Seattle Pacific in 2002, Humboldt  State in 2004 and Western Washington and Seattle Pacific in 2006 – previously shared the record for most wins (8) at the halfway point of the conference season. Two teams – Western Washington in 2002 and Alaska Fairbanks in 2004 – have posted 9-0 second-half marks.  Northwest Nazarene went 8-1 in the second half in 2005. . .Echols is at least the second player in GNAC history to record eight three-pointers in a half.  SPU’s Dustin Bremerman had eight in the second-half against BYU-Hawaii on Dec. 2, 2006, though two of the eight were in overtime.

AGAINST THE WEST REGION: GNAC (15) vs. CCAA (10)  - NNU 1-0, WOU 1-0, Seattle 5-1, CWU 3-1, WWU 3-2, SPU 1-1, SMU 1-3, UAF 0-1, MSUB 0-1.  GNAC (5) vs. PacWest  (3) -  UAA 3-0, NNU 1-0, SPU 1-0, WOU 0-1, CWU 0-2.  CCAA (10) vs. GNAC (15) -  CSU San Bernardino 5-0, UC San Diego 1-0, Cal State L.A. 1-0, CSU Dominguez Hills 1-0, Humboldt State 2-1, San Francisco State 0-1, CSU Stanislaus 0-2, Sonoma State 0-2, Cal Poly Pomona 0-2, Chico State 0-3, CSU Monterey Bay 0-4.   PacWest (3) vs. GNAC (5)  -  BYU-Hawaii 2-2, Notre Dame de Namur 1-1, Chaminade 0-1, Hawaii Hilo 0-1.


Upcoming Opponents

Seattle Pacific Falcons (webpage) - The Falcons enter the week with a 14-4 record overall and a 6-3 mark in conference play.  SPU split a pair of games this past week.  The Falcons won at Alaska Fairbanks 96-65 and lost at No. 5 Alaska Anchorage 83-71.  SPU currently is 24th nationally and has four players averaging double figures.

Leading the way for SPU this season is Marques Echols at 16.9 points per game.  He leads the team in made field goals with 98, 50 made three-pointers, second in free throws with 41 and leads the team with 66 assists.  Also in double figures is Rob Will at 13.9 and he leads the team averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.

In the earlier meeting this season, MSUB gave the Falcons all they could handle and almost came away with the victory.  SPU pulled out a 62-56 victory on Jan. 12 in Billings. The Yellowjackets had their first lead at halftime of the season, 29-27.  MSUB used a slow-tempo style in the game that really gave SPU fits.  Echols did not make a bucket in the first half and had just eight points for the game.  However,  Will and Rob Dieterichs each had 17 points.  The Jackets had one of their best shooting halves of the season in the first half, going 8 of 16.  However, the second half was a different story as SPU held MSUB to just 36 percent.   The different in the  game was turnovers as MSUB committed 20, while SPU had just 11. 

As a team, SPU is shooting just under 50 percent from the field, 38 percent from beyond the arc and 71 percent from the charity stripe.  The Falcons are averaging 77 points per game, compared to 69 by their opponents.

All-time Series:  MSUB leads 27-25
Last Meeting: SPU won 62-56 on Jan. 12, 2008 in Billings
Series Recap: SPU has won three-straight and five of six

Northwest Nazarene Crusaders (webpage) - The Crusaders enter the week with a 14-4 record overall and a 6-3 record in conference play.  NNU had won six of eight prior to a 77-61 loss at No. 5 Alaska Anchorage this past weekend.  NNU, currently ranked 23rd nationally, has five players averaging double figures. 

Kendall Gielow leads the team averaging 14.9 points.  He also lead the squad in field goals with 98 and an impressive .521 shooting percentage (98-188).  In addition, he is second on the team in rebounds at a 5.4 clip.  Scott Helpenstell leads the team in rebounding at 6.1 per game and is fifth in scoring at 10.5.  Joel Ryman leads the team from deep, with 40 made three-pointers.

As a team, NNU is shooing 47 percent from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the line.  The Crusaders are averaging 78 points per game and outrebound their opponents 31.7-31.4. 

NNU handed the Yellowjackets a 94-69 loss in Billings on Jan. 10.  In that game, Ryman and Louie Beech each had 13 points as the Crusaders pulled away in the second half, shooting 51 percent.  The Jackets were led by 15 points from Terry. NNU was 17 of 25 from the line, while MSUB was just 7 of 18.

All-time Series:  Series is tied 8-8
Last Meeting: NNU won 94-69, Jan. 10, 2008 in Billings.
Series Recap:
NNU has won five-straight and six-of-seven.


The Stats

Click HERE for current MSU Billings 2007-08 season statistics


The Standings

"" 2007-08 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Standings (Through games of Feb. 2, 2008)

 

Conference

Overall

  W L Pct W L Pct
Alaska Anchorage 9 0 1.000 18 3 .857
Northwest Nazarene 6 3 .667 14 4 .778
Seattle Pacific 6 3 .667 14 4 .778
Central Washington 6 3 .667 12 6 .667
Western Washington 5 4 .556 12 6 .667
Seattle University 4 5 .444 11 7 .611
Saint Martin's 4 5 .444 9 9 .500
Western Oregon 3 6 .333 10 8 .556
Alaska Fairbanks 1 8 .111 4 14 .222
Montana State Billings 1 8 .111 1 19 .050

The Polls

NCAA West Region (first poll released in February)


The GNAC Leaders

Click HERE for 2007-08 GNAC stats leaders


The Players

#1 Kyle Palmer (Fr., G, Baton Rouge, LA) #23 Troy Ruff (So., F, Custer, MT)
#2 Brett Taylor (Fr., G, Billings, MT) #25 Mike Barton (So., F, Havre, MT)
#3 Aaron Terry (Fr., G, Moreno Valley, CA) #32 John Brooks (Fr., G, Perris, CA)
#5 Kirk Blaine (Fr., F, Gillette, WY) #33 Tyler Hentzen (So., F, Brea, CA)
#10 Jeff Miner (So. G, Gresham, OR)  
#21 Cameron Khoury (Fr., F, Alta Loma, CA)  

The Last Time in Yellowjacket Basketball

A player scored at least 50 points— Feb. 12, 2000 (Markus Hallgrimson, 50 vs. Western New Mexico)
A player scored at least 40 points— Jan. 28, 2006 (Carlin Hughes, 45 vs. St. Edward's)
A player made at least 20 field goals — Dec. 15, 1972 (Roy McPipe, 20 vs. Dickinson State)
A player made at least 15 field goals — Feb. 16, 2001 (Dan Carter, 17 vs. Alaska Anchorage)
A player made at least 15 3-pointers — Feb. 12, 2000 (Markus Hallgrimson, 16 vs. Western New Mexico)
A player made at least 10 3-pointers — Nov. 21, 2005 (Cameron Munoz, 11 vs. Johnson & Wales)
A player made at least 5 3-pointers — Jan. 19, 2008 (John Brooks, 6 at Western Oregon)
A player made at least 20 free throws — Nov. 14, 1998 (Titus Warmsley, 22 vs. Queens)
A player made at least 15 free throws — Feb. 3, 2006 (Jonathan Wiley, 16 vs. Lincoln)
A player made at least 10 free throws — Jan. 5, 2008 (Aaron Terry, 10 vs. Seattle University)
A player had at least 25 rebounds — Jan. 28, 1978 (Bill Mummert, 28 vs. Northern Montana)
A player had at least 20 rebounds — Feb. 10, 1981 (Russell Murrey, 21 vs. Rocky Mountain)
A player had at least 15 rebounds — Feb. 10, 2005 (Justin Hassell, 18 vs. Chaminade)
A player had at least 15 assists — Feb. 4, 2006 (Carlin Hughes, 15 vs. Lincoln)
A player had at least 10 assists — Jan. 20, 2007 (Eric Cunningham, 12 vs. Lincoln)
A player had a least 5 blocked shots — Feb. 19, 2004 (Bill Day, 5 vs. Chaminade)
A player had at least 10 steals — Feb. 5, 2004 (Jerett Skrifvars, 11 vs. Great Falls)
A player had at least 5 steals — Feb. 10, 2007 (Eric Cunningham, 5 vs. Incarnate Word)
A player had a triple-double — Feb. 26, 2005 (Carlin Hughes, 20p, 10r, 16a vs. Johnson & Wales)


The team scored at least 140 points — Feb. 1, 2003 (146 vs. Western New Mexico)
The team scored at least 130 points — Jan. 28, 2006 (136 vs. St. Edward's)
The team scored at least 120 points — Feb. 3, 2006 (128 vs. Lincoln)
The team scored at least 110 points — Feb. 19, 2007 (111 vs. Texas-Permian Basin)
The team scored at least 100 points — Feb. 10, 2006 (107 vs. St. Mary's Texas)
The team allowed at least 100 points — Dec. 1, 2007 (103 vs. Colorado Christian)
The team made at least 50 field goals — Feb. 1, 2003 (51 vs. Western New Mexico)
The team made at least 40 field goals — Feb. 3, 2006 (40 vs. Lincoln)
The team shot over 70% from the field — Jan. 24, 1987 (71.7% vs. Alaska Anchorage)
The team shot over 60% from the field — Jan. 17, 2004 (61.3% vs. Green Mountain)
The team shot over 50% from the field — Jan. 20, 2007 (54.5% vs. Lincoln)
The team made at least 25 3-pointers — Feb. 18, 1999 (26 vs. Western New Mexico)
The team made at least 20 3-pointers — Feb. 3, 2006 (20 vs. Lincoln)
The team made at least 15 3-pointers — Dec. 17, 2007 (15 vs. Rocky Mountain)
The team made at least 45 free throws — Jan. 28, 2006 (46 vs. St. Edward's)
The team made at least 40 free throws — Feb. 8, 2005 (41 vs. Hawaii-Hilo)
The team made at least 30 free throws — Dec. 19, 2005 (33 vs. Emporia State)
The team had at least 50 rebounds — Jan. 4, 2006 (50 vs. Western New Mexico)
The team had at least 40 assists — Jan. 16, 2004 (40 vs. Green Mountain)
The team had at least 30 assists — Feb. 26, 2005 (30 vs. Johnson & Wales)
The team had at least 25 assists — Jan. 20, 2007 (26 vs. Lincoln)
The team had at least 10 blocked shots — Jan. 12, 2002 (10 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle)
The team had at least 5 blocked shots — Dec. 16, 2006 (6 vs. West Liberty State)
The team had at least 20 steals — Feb. 5, 2004 (28 vs. Great Falls)
The team had at least 15 steals — Feb. 19 2007 (12 vs. Dallas Baptist)


The School Records (records that include 2007-2008 in bold)

Points
Game - 1. Reece Gliko (54)
Season – 1. Roy McPipe (850)
Career – 1. Roy McPipe (1,883)

Field Goals

Game - 1. Roy McPipe (20/35)
Season – 1. Roy McPipe (346)
Career – 1. Roy McPipe (742)

Field Goal Percentage
Game - 1. Jerett Skrifvars (10-10), 100%) 1. James Washington (10-10, 100%)
Season – 1. Harvey Munford (65.2)
Career – 1. Jaysun Mims (62.66)

3-Pointers

Game - 1. Markus Hallgrimson (16/28) vs. Western New Mexico (NCAA Div. II Record)
Season – 1. Markus Hallgrimson (160)
Career – 1. Cameron Munoz (451)

3-Point Percentage
Game - 1. Mike McDowell (5-5, 100%) 1. Mitch Cole (5-5, 100%)
Season – 1. Lance Vaccarelli (50.00)
Career – 1. Pryor Orser (45.33)

Free Throws
Game - 1. Titus Warmsley (22/24)
Season – 1. Dan Retzer (291)
Career – 1. Le Heins (482)

Free Throw Percentage
Game - 1. Jerett Skrifvars (19/19, 100%)
Season – 1. Jay Harrie (93.47)
Career – 1. Tony Harmon (86.5)

Rebounds
Game - 1. Bill Mummert (28)
Season – 1. Jim Soft (480)
Career – 1. Jim Soft (1,338)

Assists
Game - 1. Carlin Hughes (16) 1. Jamie Stevens (16)
Season – 1. Carlin Hughes (269)
Career – 1. Jamie Stevens (805)

Blocked Shots
Game - 1. Mark Brewer (8)
Season – 1. Chris Herriford (55)
Career – 1. Chris Herriford (97)

Steals
Game - 1. Jerett Skrifvars (11)
Season – 1. Dominic Washington (90)
Career – 1. Jamie Stevens (167)


Schedule & Results

Day Date Opponent Time Location Results
Fri. 11/2 vs. Metro State^ 5 p.m. Anaheim, CA L, 72-55
Sat. 11/3 vs. Cal State San Bernardino^ 12 p.m. Anaheim, CA L, 84-52
Sun. 11/4 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan^ 4 p.m. Anaheim, CA L, 87-67
Fri. 11/23 vs. St. Cloud State 3 p.m. Omaha, NE L, 89-68
Sat. 11/17 at Nebraska-Omaha 8 p.m. Omaha, NE L, 113-56
Fri. 11/30 vs. Colorado School of Mines 5 p.m. Nampa, ID L, 114-70
Sat. 12/1 vs. Colorado Christian 3:30 p.m. Nampa, ID L, 103-69
Mon. 12/17 Rocky Mountain 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 88-79
Sat. 12/22 Nebraska-Omaha 1 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 88-77
Sun. 12/23 Nebraska-Omaha 1 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 98-85
Mon. 12/31 Montana Western 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 77-57
Sat. 1/5 Seattle* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 120-81
Thu. 1/10 Northwest Nazarene* 7:30 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 94-69
Sat. 1/12 Seattle Pacific* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 62-56
Thu. 1/17 at Saint Martin's* 7 p.m. Lacey, WA L, 81-52
Sat. 1/19 at Western Oregon* 7 p.m. Monmouth, OR L, 85-72
Thu. 1/24 Alaska Fairbanks* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym W, 65-55
Sat. 1/26 Alaska Anchorage* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym L, 79-43
Thu. 1/31 at Western Washington* 7:30 p.m. Bellingham, WA L, 116-66
Sat. 2/2 at Central Washington* 7 p.m. Ellensburg, WA L, 94-64
Thu. 2/7 at Seattle Pacific* 7 p.m. Seattle, WA  
Sat. 2/9 at Northwest Nazarene* 7 p.m. Nampa, ID  
Thu. 2/14 Western Oregon* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym  
Sat. 2/16 Saint Martin's* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym  
Thu. 2/21 at Alaska Anchorage* 7 p.m. Anchorage, AK  
Sat. 2/23 at Alaska Fairbanks* 7 p.m. Fairbanks, AK  
Thu. 2/28 Central Washington* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym  
Sat. 3/1 Western Washington* 7 p.m. Alterowitz Gym  
Sat. 3/8 at Seattle* 7 p.m. Seattle, WA  
Fri.-Mon. 3/14-17 NCAA West Regional TBA TBA  

The Coaches

""Craig Carse, Head Coach
The 2007-2008 basketball season is head coach Craig Carse’s 13th at MSU Billings, making him the second-longest tenured coach in the history of a program that began in 1927.  In over 30 seasons as a collegiate coach, Carse has to his credit championships in the Presidents Athletic Conference, the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Southeastern Conference, the Pacific West Conference, and the Heartland Conference.

The Yellowjackets have posted winning seasons in 10 of Carse’s 12 seasons for an overall record of 210-119.  Those 210 victories also rank Carse second in school history for career wins, trailing only Hall of Fame coach Mike Harkins who spent 16 years as the Jackets’ head coach. 

Carse’s success in Billings continues a pattern that has followed him across the country throughout his 30-year college career.  He has coached and taught the game of basketball from coast to coast as well as overseas.  Sixteen of those years have been as a head coach during which time Carse has built a 289-162 overall record, including a 210-119 record at MSU Billings.  At Alterowitz Gym, Carse's record is 163-19, one of the best home winning percentages in the nation at any level.

After a seven year run as an assistant at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, in 1994 Carse went to work as Executive Vice-President of the United States Basketball Academy.  During that year, Carse developed an innovative style and system of play that features the strengths of individual players.  Incorporated in this were an up tempo attack, pressure defense, three pointers and substitutions galore.  That system has now turned the Yellowjackets into one of the top offensive teams in college basketball, leading the nation in scoring and 3-point shooting since 1995.

In 1995, Carse re-entered the world of collegiate coaching and took over a Yellowjacket program that had gone 5-21 the year before and had only one winning season in the previous four.  On the court he implemented the system that he had worked feverishly on the year before.  Off the court discipline was the new rule.  His players have since subscribed to rigorous direction designed to maintain excellence and high academic standards.  Carse's 12 MSU Billings seasons have seen over a 3.00 team grade point average.

This new philosophy changed the Yellowjackets’ fortunes almost immediately.  In Carse’s first season, MSU Billings advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years and won 20 games for only the second time in the 1990s.  Despite a limited roster, that first team in 1996 managed to lead the nation in three pointers and ranked third in scoring.

The next six years produced more of the same:  three more NCAA berths, three PacWest Conference Championships, a number of national, conference, and school records and Coach of the Year awards.  During that time, the Yellowjackets have led the nation in three pointers made per game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006.  They were also the nation's leading scoring team in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002 with second place rankings in 1999, 2003 and 2006. 

Of Carse’s many recruits over the years, several have advanced to professional careers.  While at LSU, Carse was the primary recruiter of Chris Jackson, Stanley Roberts, Shaquille O'Neal, Gerrt Hammink and Ronnie Henderson.  All were NBA draft picks with O'Neal being the #1 and Jackson a #3 selection.  At small West Virginia State, Carse also produced NBA selections.  Both Ron Moore and Ronnie Legette were drafted a few months after playing in the NAIA National Championship game.  From MSU Billings, the Yellowjackets’ All-American Titus Warmsley has been invited to the camp of the Boston Celtics and other players have played overseas.

Carse took over the program at West Virginia State in 1983-84.  In just his second season, Carse's team went 17-11 in 1984-85.  In his final two seasons at the school, the Yellow Jackets went 57-8 with conference, tournament, and district championships.  Carse guided West Virginia State to the NAIA national title game in 1987 and left the school with a 79-43 record.

After playing LSU in a Hawaii tournament that year, longtime mentor Dale Brown offered Carse a position as an assistant on his staff.  Carse was to become LSU's primary recruiter and Brown's top aide.   During Carse's time as assistant coach, the Tigers were one of the most successful teams in the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA.  The Tigers advanced to six-straight NCAA Tournaments and were ranked as high as #1 nationally.

Carse has coached and participated in National Championship Tournaments at every stop and at the NAIA, NCAA I, NCAA II, and NCAA III levels.   His first position as an assistant at Bethany College, West Virginia, in 1977-1978 produced a Presidents Conference Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament.  At Salem in West Virginia, from 1978 through 1983, he helped guide the program to a West Virginia Conference power with conference championships and an NAIA tournament berth.  Bethany, Salem, West Virginia State, and Montana State Billings all had suffered losing campaigns before Carse's arrival.

Carse is a noted speaker and clinician.  He has lectured and taught the game of basketball nationally and internationally, including a trip to Australia with the Yellowjackets.  Carse has represented the United States in Europe where he lectured at the Super Cup.  He has also instructed the Chinese National Teams.

A native of Sistersville, West Virginia, Carse is completing his 33rd year in college basketball, 30 as a coach and three as a player.  He and his wife of 30 years have two children, David (27) and Lindsey (23).  Carse earned undergraduate degrees from Bethany College in West Virginia and a masters degree from the West Virginia University.

""Mike McShane, Assistant Coach
Mike McShane enters his first year at the assistant men's basketball coach at MSU Billings after playing point guard for the Yellowjackets during the 1999-2000 season.

Raised in Oregon, McShane in the son of John and Jane and is one of six children.  McShane's love for basketball began at an early age and stemmed from family roots in the game.  His uncle played at Oregon State during the glory years of the "Orange Express" under coach Ralph Miller, and his older sister Anne was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Oregon while playing high school basketball at Oregon City High.

In high school, McShane assisted his team in winning the state title and three league championships.   He also received first team all-state honors.  McShane played for Barry Adams who had over 600 wins, the most in Oregon history.

In college, McShane played three seasons at the University of Oregon before transferring to MSU Billings as a senior.  As a Yellowjacket he averaged 13.7 points, 8.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game.  McShane made his mark in the record books and still ranks 11th for single season field goal percentage (59.10), 4th for assists (214) and assists per game (8.2), and 4th for steals (63).  He also ranks second in school history for steals in a single game (7).

Following his time on the collegiate basketball court, McShane played professional basketball in China for one season before playing three seasons in Australia for the Rockhampton Rockets.  He also served as head coach of the women's professional team in Australia for one season.

McShane graduated with his degree in Health and Human Performance in 2001 from MSUB and will pursue his masters in Sport Management while coaching the Yellowjackets.

McShane is married to his high school sweetheart Alisha, who is a certified Ayurveda, Yoga, and meditation instructor in Encinitas, Calif..  Together they have a 16 month old daughter named Stella.

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