Cats dancing their way to Dayton

For the third straight year, Selection Sunday was a big day in Bozeman. That's because the Montana State men's basketball team was a part of of the festivities yet again.

After capturing their third straight Big Sky championship last week in Boise, Idaho, the Bobcats (17-17) found out they'll be a No. 16 seed and playing in the First Four Wednesday night in Dayton, Ohio. The Bobcats will play fellow No. 16 Grambling State, with the winner advancing to the First Round of Midwest Region to play No. 1 seed Purdue on Friday in Indianapolis.

Under first-year head coach Matt Logie, the Bobcats struggled at times in Big Sky play, but, they got red-hot in the Big Sky tourney last week.

In the quarterfinals, MSU handled Weber State, then took down upstart Sacramento State before beating arch rival Montana in the championship game, 85-70.

So, despite losing almost all of its starting production from last season, after Danny Sprinkle left for Utah State, the Cats are back in the tournament under Logie.

The Tigers (20-14) won the SWAC championship earlier last week, defeating Texas Southern 76-66. Despite a long history of excellence, the SWAC title was Grambling's first, hence their game against MSU will be their first trip ever to the NCAA Tournament. Grambling State is led by head coach Donte Jackson, as well as leading scorers Kintavious Dozier and Tra'Michael Moton, who combine for 25 points per outing.

The Bobcats will counter with a starting five who all score in double figures, and are led by Robert Ford III, who averages 16 points per night, and was the Big Sky Tournament MVP in Boise.

MSU is now making its third straight trip to the Big Dance. The Cats received No. 14 seeds in each of the past two NCAA Tournaments. They lost to Texas Tech 97-62 in 2022 and to Kansas State 77-65 last March.

MSU's game against Grambling will be Wednesday night at 4:40 p.m. and will be aired nationally on Tru TV.