1977–78 Montana Grizzlies basketball team

The 1977–78 Montana Grizzlies basketball team represented the University of Montana during the 1977–78 NCAA Division I basketball season. Charter members of the Big Sky Conference, the Grizzlies were led by second-year head coach Jim Brandenburg and played their home games on campus at Adams Field House in Missoula, Montana.

1977–78 Montana Grizzlies men's basketball
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
1977–78 record208 (122 Big Sky)
Head coach
Assistant coachMike Montgomery
Home arenaAdams Field House
1977–78 Big Sky men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Montana122 .857  208  .714
Idaho State113 .786  1610  .615
Weber State95 .643  1910  .655
Boise State86 .571  1314  .481
Gonzaga77 .500  1415  .483
Northern Arizona59 .357  1114  .440
Montana State311 .214  917  .346
Idaho113 .071  422  .154
Conference tournament winner

They finished the regular season at 19–7, with a 12–2 record in conference to win the title and host the four-team Big Sky tournament.[1][2] The Grizzlies defeated fourth-seed Boise State in the semifinal,[3][4] then were upset by third-seed Weber State in the final in overtime.[5][6] Montana had swept the season series with Weber.

The Grizzlies were led on the court by senior guard Micheal Ray Richardson,[7] the fourth overall selection of the 1978 NBA draft and four-time NBA All-Star.

Postseason results

Date
time, TV
Opponent Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Big Sky Tournament
Fri, March 3
9:00 pm
Boise State
Semifinal
W 70–61  20–7
Adams Field House (9,350)
Missoula, Montana
Sat, March 4
8:00 pm
Weber State
Final
L 55–62 OT 20–8
Adams Field House (9,203)
Missoula, Montana
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Mountain time.

References

  1. "Big Sky playoff starts at Montana". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. March 3, 1978. p. 5B.
  2. Ewer, Bill (March 3, 1978). "Weber, Idaho State set for tourney test tonight". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B5.
  3. "Montana, Weber in Big Sky finals". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. March 4, 1978. p. 1B.
  4. Ewer, Bill (March 4, 1978). "Weber going for Big Sky marbles". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. 6A.
  5. "Weber State stops Montana for Big Sky title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. March 5, 1978. p. 2B.
  6. Ewer, Bill (March 6, 1978). "Weber not awed by NCAA foe Arkansas". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B5.
  7. "UM's biggest battle since..." Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 20, 1975. p. 49.
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