Montana Trip Pt 1 of 2 for 2022
The University of St. Thomas Tommies are hoping to continue their winning ways in Missoula at the 2nd Annual Zootown Classic. In three days, they will play three teams, from 3 different conferences: Montana (Big Sky) + Merrimack (NEC) + Troy (Fun Belt!) The Griz are defending champions. If a team wins three games, they will obviously be champion. If two teams go 2-1, then the winner of the head to head will be champions. This will be the first time UST has to head to Montana, as they have to return in less than a month to finish their series vs Montana State on Dec 8.
St. Thomas vs Montana Thursday November 17 8:30 PM Montana is looking for their first win, after losing in blowout fashion twice to Duquesne and Xavier. 6-10 Forward Josh Bannan in his third season for the Griz is showing the most promise, playing in 85% of their minutes at the forward position. Portal additions makeup a significant portion of their early production. PF Dischon Thomas from Colorado State, NAIA Transfer Jonathan Brown, and Southern Utah Transfer Aanen Moody, along with the legacy Griz have not quite figured out their defensive roles, they rank in the bottom ten in NCAA so far in shooting % allowed per game. UST’s strength is going to be their experience playing together. Although they have become a more balanced team this season, they should utilize their three point shooters in this one if they want to win.
St. Thomas vs Troy Friday November 18 6:00 PM
This team is 3-0 and feeling themselves after beating Florida State on Monday. Their first win vs a power 5 school since 2012, and first 3-0 start since ’92. They play Merrimack at 4 today, and I expect them to come into their game vs UST 4-0. Jr Guard Aamer Muhammad is a transfer from Lubbock Christian, who scored a whopping 24 on Florida State, while gaining 6 assists and three steals: a pure point guard. This team does not have a ton of height, relative to the other teams they will play in Missoula. 6-9 Senior Forward Zay Williams, is a capable offensive rebounder, who also isn’t afraid to try a three pointer.
St. Thomas vs Merrimack Saturday November 19 6:00 PM
The only Catholic school in the bunch, from Andover Mass, the Merrimack Warriors. Coach Joe Gallo and John Tauer have a lot in common, both are coaching at their Alma Matter and have both coached their basketball teams through an NCAA reclassification. Merrimack transitioned from D2->D1 in 2019, and in Coach Gallo’s first season in D1 won the Northeast Conference. This is a winnable game, however, Joe Gallo is known for his unique No 3’s Defense (Click Link). It will be up to the inside guys to win this one. Their offensive production this season has gone through their center Jordan Minor. At 6-8 he is guardable, an advantage in UST’s column is that Merrimack has until now only played 1 division 1 game, getting mashed by St. Johns. The warriors are going into this MTE with not everything figured out, or much momentum.
Predictions:
UST 70-Montana-74
UST-72 Troy-67
UST-70 Merrimack-65
2-1 is what UST should be aiming for. UST is the only one in this group to have played a ranked opponent, and the only one to already have played 3 Division 1 games. The rotations are set, and this team has played together for a longer period of time than any of their opponents. These are good matchups to show the Summit League they can play a complete 40.
I predict Montana will win all three games and be the Zootown Classic Champions again. Merrimack 0-3 Troy 1-2.
#RollToms