1996–97 Montana Grizzlies basketball
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
Record21–11 (11–5 Big Sky)
Head coach
Home arenaAdams Fieldhouse
1996–97 Big Sky men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Northern Arizona142 .875217  .750
Montana115 .6882111  .656
Montana State106 .6251614  .533
Weber State97 .5631513  .536
Idaho State97 .5631413  .519
Cal State Northridge88 .5001415  .483
Portland State610 .375917  .346
Eastern Washington313 .188719  .269
Sacramento State214 .125323  .115
Conference tournament winner

The 1996–97 Montana Grizzlies basketball team represented the University of Montana during the 1996–97 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Grizzlies were led by sixth-year head coach Blaine Taylor and played their home games on campus at Adams Fieldhouse in Missoula, Montana.

They finished the regular season at 19–10, with an 11–5 record in conference to finish second in the regular season standings. The Grizzlies earned an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament by winning the Big Sky Conference tournament.

In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Montana faced the No. 1 seed and defending champion Kentucky. The Grizzlies were beaten handily, 92–54, by the eventual National runner-up.[1]

Postseason results

Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Big Sky tournament
Mar 7, 1997*
vs. Weber State
Semifinals
W 81–56  20–10
Walkup Skydome 
Flagstaff, Arizona
Mar 8, 1997*
vs. Cal State Northridge
Championship game
W 82–79  21–10
Walkup Skydome 
Flagstaff, Arizona
NCAA tournament
Mar 13, 1997*
(16 W) vs. (1 W) No. 5 Kentucky
First round
L 54–92  21–11
Jon M. Huntsman Center (13,832)
Salt Lake City, Utah
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
W=West.
All times are in Mountain time.

[2]

References

  1. "Wildcats Too Awesome For Overmatched Griz". The Spokesman-Review. March 14, 1997. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  2. "2020-21 Montana Grizzlies Men's Basketball History & Records" (PDF). University of Montana Athletics. p. 15. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
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