1996–97 Montana Grizzlies basketball team

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.

1996–97 Montana Grizzlies basketball
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
Record21–11 (11–5 Big Sky)
Head coach
Home arenaAdams Fieldhouse
Seasons
1996–97 Big Sky men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Northern Arizona 14 2   .875 21 7   .750
Montana 11 5   .688 21 11   .656
Montana State 10 6   .625 16 14   .533
Weber State 9 7   .563 15 13   .536
Idaho State 9 7   .563 14 13   .519
Cal State Northridge 8 8   .500 14 15   .483
Portland State 6 10   .375 9 17   .346
Eastern Washington 3 13   .188 7 19   .269
Sacramento State 2 14   .125 3 23   .115
Conference tournament winner

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

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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

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  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.