Yellowjackets Release Men’s Basketball Schedule

BILLINGS, Mont. – A new era begins in 2008-09 as head coach George Pfeifer takes the reins of the men’s basketball program at Montana State Billings.  Thursday, Pfeifer announced the 2008-09 schedule which features Division I foe, Gonzaga, as well as five NCAA Division II tournament participants from a year ago.

“Except for the Gonzaga game, the schedule commitments were in place when we came on board,” Pfeifer said.  “I believe our schedule will be more than challenging for this year’s team.  We have some home stands which are always nice to have. Most of the coaches in our league expect the GNAC to be more competitive than in the past.”

The season gets underway with a road game at Division I and top 15 Gonzaga Nov. 15 in Spokane, Wash.  The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip and will be broadcast on television regionally. 

Following the GU game, the Yellowjackets have eight of their next 10 games at Alterowitz Gym.  MSUB’s home opener is Montana Western scheduled for Sat., Nov. 22.  During the stretch, the Jackets will face two NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago.  MSUB will host two games against Colorado Christian, Dec. 5 and 6 and host Augustana College (SD) Dec. 20, right before Christmas break. 

In addition, the Jackets play at Mary and Chadron State, while hosting Great Falls (New Year’s Eve), Montana Tech and Chadron State all before the GNAC season begins.

MSUB opens the GNAC slate on the road at Western Washington and NCAA Tournament participant, Seattle Pacific, Jan. 8 and 10.  The Jackets return home for their longest conference home stand of the season.  Pfeifer’s squad opens the home slate with Western Oregon, Jan. 15 and closes the home stand with NCAA Elite Eight qualifier, Alaska Anchorage, Jan. 28. 

After a four game road trip, the Jackets return home for the final three home games of the season, beginning Feb. 21 against Saint Martin’s.  MSUB ends the season on the road at Central Washington (Mar. 5) and at Northwest Nazarene (Mar. 7).

Men’s Basketball Schedule
Date                      Opponent                                Location                           Time
Tue., Nov. 11          Dickinson State (Exhibition)         Billings, MT                        7:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 15           at Gonzaga                                Spokane, WA                     7 p.m. TV
Sat., Nov. 22           Montana-Western                       Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 26         University of Mary                      Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 29           at Chadron State                        Chadron, NE                       2 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 1            at University of Mary                  Bismarck, ND                     7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 5              Colorado Christian                      Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6             Colorado Christian**                  Billings, MT                        4 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 11           Montana Tech                            Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 20            Augustana                                 Billings, MT                        2 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 31          Great Falls                                 Billings, MT                        5:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 2               Chadron State                            Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 8             at Western Washington*               Bellingham, WA                  7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 10            at Seattle Pacific*                         Seattle, WA                        2 p.m.
Thu., Jan. 15           Western Oregon*                         Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 17            Alaska Fairbanks*                        Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 21          Central Washington*                    Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 24            Northwest Nazarene*                   Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 28          Alaska Anchorage*                      Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 5             at Western Oregon*                     Monmouth, OR                   7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7              at Saint Martin’s*                         Lacey, WA                         7 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 12           at Alaska Anchorage*               Anchorage, AK                   7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 14            at Alaska Fairbanks*                    Fairbanks, AK                     7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 21            Saint Martin’s*                         Billings, MT                        7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 25          Seattle Pacific*                            Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 28            Western Washington*                  Billings, MT                        7 p.m.
Thu., Mar. 5            at Central Washington*                Ellensburg, WA                   7 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 7             at Northwest Nazarene*           Nampa, ID                         7:30 p.m.

ALL TIMES LOCAL TO SITE
* GNAC Game