Weber State basketball: Wildcats tackling tough road trip

MISSOULA, Mont. — None of the road trips that Big Sky basketball teams make are cakewalks.

But there is one that's considered to be tougher than the rest and it's the swing Weber State is on this weekend. The Wildcats are making the dreaded Montana trip, facing the Grizzlies tonight and Montana State on Saturday.

"I think everybody pretty much views this as probably the toughest one every year," said Weber State coach Randy Rahe. "It's tough primarily because it's two terrific teams, two good programs, two teams that are notoriously good on their home court."

It's a bit tougher this season for Weber State because it has to play on back-to-back nights. It's the only Friday-Saturday road swing the Wildcats have to make this season, and it will be extremely difficult.

Weber State flew to Missoula on Thursday, and will take a 3½-hour bus trip to Bozeman following tonight's game. The Wildcats will then watch film and practice Saturday morning in preparation of facing the Bobcats that night.

"It's just a hard trip," Rahe said. "You know you're going to have to play some of your best basketball to have a chance to compete. The Friday-Saturday thing makes it more difficult, but you just try to embrace the challenge and go play."

The Wildcats' feelings about making the Montana trip aren't entirely doom-and-gloom. Weber State is 4-2 on the Montana trip under Rahe, and has swept the swing the last two seasons. The Wildcats are also playing some of their best basketball of the season. They've won five straight and 13 of their last 16. They have a 1½-game lead over second-place Northern Colorado.

Montana and Montana State, each of which trails Weber State by three full games, are dangerous opponents. The Grizzlies have won five of their last six games and feature one of the conference's best players in guard Anthony Johnson. Montana ended Northern Colorado's 12-game home winning streak last week.

Montana State has lost two straight games and three of its last four, but if anyone knows not to take the Bobcats lightly it's Weber State. The Bobcats ended the Wildcats' bid to reach the NCAA Tournament last season by upsetting Weber State in the conference tourney. Montana State doesn't have much momentum right now, but it will surely give the Wildcats its best shot on Saturday.

Tonight's game starts a tough stretch for Weber State. The Wildcats, along with Idaho State, probably have the most challenging remaining schedule in the conference. In addition to the Montana trip, Weber State also has games remaining at home against Northern Colorado and Idaho State, and a road game at Portland State to close the Big Sky season.

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com

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