ESPN Analysis

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Editor's Note: ESPN Insider has teamed with Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook to provide a comprehensive look at all 334 Division I teams. To order the complete 2009-10 edition of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, visit http://www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1-877-807-4857.
(Information in this team report is as of Oct. 1.)

Montana State Bobcats
Last Season 14-17 (.452)
Conference Record 6-10 (t-6th)
Starters Lost/Returning 1/4
Coach Brad Huse (Montana Tech '89)
Record At School 40-51 (3 years)
Career Record 214-111 (11 years)
RPI Last 5 years 261-241-286-236-210

COACH AND PROGRAM

Montana State coach Brad Huse said his team "slid into" the Big Sky Tournament last year, meaning the Bobcats got a bit lucky in garnering the sixth and final spot for the league's NCAA qualifier fest.

The Bobcats, however, certainly didn't slide out of the tournament. They made the most of the golden opportunity, edging rival Montana 56-54 in the first round, then pulling off a huge upset over host Weber State, 70-61 in the semifinals. The Bobcats then narrowly missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth by losing to Portland State 79-77 in the championship game as PSU scored with 3.5 seconds to get to the Big Dance.

That experience, plus the return of four starters, make MSU a strong contender for the league title this year, be it in the regular season or the tournament.

"We had a real positive finish to the season, and we have a lot of experience back, guys who contributed to that success," Huse said. "We will use that as a rallying point."

One has to believe MSU was better than the 14-17 mark it posted last season. The Bobcats defeated Colorado and Oregon State -- both overtime games -- early in the season. A five-game skid to end the regular season really put a damper on things and nearly knocked the Bobcats out of the Big Sky Tournament. They actually finished tied for sixth with Eastern Washington, but won the final berth on a tie-breaking formula.


PLAYERS

This year it appears MSU shouldn't have to scramble to get into the league tournament. Yes, the loss of second-team all-conference post Divaldo Mbunga (10.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.8 bpg) is a big one. He was second on the team in scoring and the 'Cats leading rebounder and a nice defensive presence in the middle, leading the team with 57 blocked shots.

"We will miss his athleticism, energy, and leadership," Huse said. "We'll be a little different inside. We'll have to get it done by committee."

The most experienced returnee is Branden Johnson (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), a 6-8, 215-pound fifth-year senior. Cody Anderson (2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg), a 6-10, 270-pound sophomore, played in 28 games and should help out underneath this season.

"Cody Anderson got some great experience as a freshman," Huse said.

One intriguing post who could replace the Angolan Mbunga is Michel Swita, a 7-foot, 270-pounder by way of France. Swita missed a lot of time with injuries last season at JUCO power North Idaho College, and arrives as a sophomore to MSU. The upside is there.

"Michel played sparingly at North Idaho, time will tell. He is a big body and he can defend," Huse said.

Another key piece up front is 6-7, 220 junior returning starter Bobby Howard (10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg), a versatile player who can play inside and out.

"He's on the cusp of having really nice junior and senior years," Huse said. "He's crafty and can shoot it outside."

Howard cranked up 148 three-pointers last season, second on the team, and made 46 (.311).

Other forwards of note are Danny Piepoli (7.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), a 6-6, 195-pound junior; Austin Brown (2.7 ppg, 1.3 ppg), a 6-4, 215-pound sophomore; Cameron Henderson (1.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg), a 6-7, 235-pound senior; and Steven Davis, a 6-7, 225-pound incoming in-state freshman from Billings.

Piepoli is a good outside shooter, knocking down 58-of-151 three-pointers (.384). Davis is the brother of Montana State football player Leo Davis. He averaged 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds last season for Skyview High School.

The Bobcats strength is in the backcourt, where first-team All-Big Sky Tournament player Will Bynum (10.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) returns. His stats weren't huge, but he led the team in scoring last year and had three 20-point-plus games. The 6-3, 185-pound senior should be one of the conference's best players this season.

"Will can impact the game in a lot of different ways, with his scoring, defense, or getting the big rebound. He's athletic and diverse," Huse said.

Two other key guards -- both returning starters -- are 5-11, 165-pound senior Marquis Navarre (5.7 ppg, 2.8 apg), and 6-5, 200-pound junior Erik Rush (9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg).

"Erik is poised to have an even better year this year," Huse said. "He played really well in the conference tournament. Navarre does a good job of taking care of the basketball."

Huse is also expecting 6-1 redshirt junior Larry Swann to contribute after a solid career in junior college in Ohio.

"He'll have a chance to impact us on both ends. He's a very athletic guard," Huse said.

Other guards include 6-2 senior James Hennessy (1.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg); another French important, Marco Bourgault, a 6-5, 200-pounder; and Colt Idol, a 6-3, 200-pound high scoring (20.3 ppg) in-state and all-state player from Whitefish High School, who will be a freshman; and 5-11, 160-pound Trevor Hopkins, who was on the roster last season but did not play as a freshman.

"Marco is a big guard who can really shoot the basketball," Huse said. "That was a priority for us in this recruiting class. He has proven to be a very good offensive player, which will be valuable to us early in his career."


BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: A
BENCH/DEPTH: B-
FRONTCOURT: C
INTANGIBLES: A


Huse is gaining traction in Bozeman. Sure, a sub-.500 overall record wasn't what he or Bobcat fans wanted last year, but the team's run to the Big Sky championship game and nearly the NCAA Tournament made up for that.

"Playing that [championship] game and being so close, it hurts, yet we can take so much from it," said Huse of his team's two-point late loss to Portland State.

Huse has a lot to work with this season, namely a star player in Will Bynum, four returning starters, a potential high scoring forward in Bobby Howard, some good role players, and what appears to be on paper a nice recruiting class.

How the 7-footer Swita develops could be key. Injuries slowed his development a bit at the junior college ranks. If he can fill the role of departed Divaldo Mbunga, that might be enough for the Bobcats to win the Big Sky. If Swita struggles and no other posts find their game, MSU would have to work that much harder to survive without an inside presence.

Entering his fourth year in Bozeman, Huse has his own players in and they look good. This is the year the Bobcats take off.

For the most comprehensive previews available on all 334 Division I teams, order the "Bible"of college basketball, the 2009-10 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, at http://www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1-877-807-4857.