BILLINGS, Mont. –Looking to take the next step forward, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team have their eyes set on returning to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament and beyond.
 
After finishing sixth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference last season, MSU Billings was picked fifth in this year's pre-season GNAC coaches' poll. Second year head coach Mick Durham has challenged his team with making it to the conferment tournament and taking another step forward. In his first year at the helm, Durham led MSUB back to the playoffs and improved the team's offensive production, defense, 3-point shooting, rebounds and assists.

"We want to make the GNAC tournament and continue to build on what we established last season," commented Durham. "We need to win at home and steal a couple on the road to make the top six. We will be trying to get ready for the GNAC with the early season schedule we built and hopefully we will be ready to go. We want to show we are competitive so we can show we are right there with the best teams."
 
With work still left to do to move the program forward, the Montana legend is entering his 25^th season as a head coach and is just as motivated as ever.
 
"In this situation, I relished the chance to come back to Montana to finish things up and try and be a part of getting MSUB Basketball some respect not only in GNAC but in the state", commented Durham. "I've never had a problem staying motivated. I love putting a team together and seeing if we can reach our potential each year." 
 
Montana State Billings kicks off its 2019-20 campaign with a West Region Crossover Tournament. First, the team faces Pac-West Conference Fresno Pacific University on Friday, Nov. 8^th at 3:00pm MST. Fresno Pacific defeated MSUB 73-65 last year and finished 12-15 with a 9-13 conference record.
 
The 'Jackets then play host school Point Loma Nazarene University on Nov. 9^th at 8:30pm MST. Point Loma was one of the very best teams in the nation last season with a 31-5, 20-2 Pac-West record. The Sea Lions won the Pac-West, won the West Region and made it all the way to the National Championship before falling to Northwest Missouri State 64-58.
 
"I think our players will be excited for that first game," commented Durham. "We are playing two really solid teams. Fresno Pacific has gotten better each year and they have a lot of returners so it will be a tough opener. Point Loma had a great year but lost a lot of guys and their head coach so they are a little bit of an unknown with a new coach and new system. The games will be great for us to see how we compete and measure up to open the season."
 
After Point Loma Nazarene and Fresno Pacific University, MSUB heads to North Dakota to take on Minot State University. Following that, MSUB will play their home opener against Northwest University. The Cascade Conference Eagles finished 15-17 last season.  
 
Other highlights on the schedule include the EMC Throwback Night versus Rocky Mountain College (December 13), back-to-back games against Adams state (Nov. 29-30) and Senior Night against Simon Fraser University (February 29). There will be six home doubleheaders that feature the men's and women's basketball teams this season and the GNAC Championships (should the 'Jackets qualify) will be March 5-7 in Seattle, Washington.
 
The Yellowjackets have 14 home games this year and play four in a row at Alterowitz Gymnasium from January 23-Febuary 1. Playing 16 games on the road and with only 4 of the first 12 games at home, MSUB will be tested early at the Division Two South Point Holiday Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada December 20-23. In a bracket style tournament, MSUB opens up with Pittsburg State University. Dury University or Rollins College await in the next round.
 
"We want to continue our momentum from year one. We have some new guys and young guys. We will be leaning on our Veterans. I like our group and I really like how we competed in pre-season. We are on the road a lot early but come with ten league games after the first of the year so that's very exciting."
 
The Yellowjackets roster features six returning players and seven newcomers. Among the veterans are two all-conference players.
 
Tyler Green earned second team all-conference finishing the 2018-19 season and was named to the pre-season all-conference squad for the 201-20 campaign. Green was sixth in the GNAC, second on the team with 15.5 points per game and led the league in 3-point field goals with 93 (3.3 per game). Starting all 28 games for MSU Billings, Green was named GNAC player of the week two twice last season. He shot .434 from the field and .425 from three-point range, finishing the year with 435 points, a team high 103 assists, 75 rebounds, and 29 steals.
 
"The guys we have this year are here to be great in their role and the chemistry is great", said Green. "We have focused a lot on defense and we all know what coach expects in year two. I love the process and that's what made me fall in love with the game."
 
"Tyler is very explosive offensively and we need him to be even better on defense this year" commented Durham. "He looks very comfortable in the system this year as our main point guard. He does a great job understanding what we expect and how we play."
 
Brendan Howard was named the GNAC's freshman of the year and honorable mention all-conference for the 2018-19 season and was also named to the pre-season all-conference team. The forward was fifth in the league and first on the team averaging 15.6 points per contest while chipping in 5.1 rebounds. Howard shot .532 from the floor and .310 from long-range with 22 made 3-pointers. Howard also made frequent trips to the free throw line and led the 'Jackets with 60 made free throws and a percentage of .706.
 
"Practice has been good and we are starting to gel well", said Howard. "I just love to play and we are ready to play against someone else. I think team wise one of our goals is to be the best defensive teams in the GNAC. I want to play to the best of my ability to help our team win. Our ultimate goal is to win the GNAC championship."
 
"Howard had a great year last year and we are trying to get him to be a well-rounded guy that can play both ends. He is very assertive offensively and we will look for him to be better on defense and expand his game so he is more complete. He is our hardest worker and you know what you are going to get from him."
 
Former Billings Skyview Falcon, Zharon Richmond returns for his junior season. Richmond averaged 10.8 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds and was tied for the team lead with 27 blocks. Already in the MSUB career record book, Richmond moved up to fifth place in blocks with 71 over the past two seasons. Two years ago, Richmond had a historic freshman campaign for MSUB and finished with the sixth-most single-season blocks in school history (44). 
 
"Zharon is one of our veteran, he has a really good feel for the game and it comes easy for him. He is a threat to score inside-outside for us and we expect a solid year from him as one of our leaders."
 
Preparing for his final season is Jordan Lehrer of Livingston, Mont. The senior appeared in 24 games making 11 threes in limited action.
 
"Jordan comes to compete everyday with his physical and athletic presence. He had some good stretches late last season and we are hoping he can do that consistently this year. We are pleased with his leadership this year and he gives us goof size at the small forward spot."
 
Center Seth Christiaens is the final senior for MSUB. Hailing from Broadview, MT the 6-11 big man will look to expand on his role from last year. A defensive presence, Christiaens was tied for the team lead with 27 blocks. Averaging 8.9 minutes last year, he held the team's highest field goal percentage at .686.
 
"We need a good senior year from Seth. He is our biggest guy and we need him to expand his playing time. He has great shot blocking ability and can finish down low. He added some weight this offseason so hopefully he can have a more expanded role this year.
 
Red shirt freshman Sam Elliott will make his 'Jacket debut this year after sitting out last season. The 6-foot7 center from Kalispell, Mont., averaged 13.2 points and nine rebounds per game at Flathead High School. 
 
"Sam has had a good fall after his red-shirt year. He knows who he is and is very smart. He added strength and has the ability as a big man to connect from long range. We are excited to see him in real games."
 
MSUB welcomes seven new faces to the 2019-20 squad and they have already had an impact on the team. Four junior college transfers and three true freshmen have a chance to contribute early and establish their roles on the team.
 
Kehmarr McMillian, Ryan Perez, Psalm Maduakor and Stevie James will look to inject immediate energy and earn valuable playing time in the rotation.
 
"All the transfers come from really good junior college programs and have been well coached. We are looking forward to the experience they bring," said Durham.
 
Maduakor comes from Citrus Community College in in Glendore, California via Carson Cali. He helped the Owls go 25-7 and make the California state semi-finals. Maduakor averaged 11.6 points per game, shot 46.2-percent from the field and 40.3-percent from 3-point range. He also grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game and made 84.8-percent of free throw attempts.
 
"Pslam gives us a scoring threat and I really solid. He can hit shots, rebound, make the extra pass and doesn't make many mistakes."
 
James is from Elk Grove, Cali., played at Yuba Community College. He helped team finish 25-5 to advance to regional final averaging 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. James shot 48-percent from the field and 44.3-percent from 3-pt. range. He grabbed 62 offensive rebounds and 94 defensive rebounds to go with 10 blocks and 17 steals.
 
"Stevie's minutes are critical and has ability to stretch the floor at a 4-man. He can hit the open shot and is a tough competitor."
 
Perez is originally from Petaluma, Cali., and played for Santa Rosa Junior College. He averaged 14.1 points per game and shot 42.7-percent as well as 39-percent from 3-pt range with 104 made threes in 2018-19\. Perez led the Bear Cubs with 34 steals and 76 rebounds. He totaled 67 assists and held a positive assist to turnover ratio at 1.6 Perez scored 39 points against Cabrillo College, making a season high 13 threes.
 
McMillian played a Butte Community College and is from Chico, Cali. He helped Roadrunners to a 15-13 record in 2018-19 starting 28 games as a sophomore and shot 47.5-percent. McMillian led the team with 15.8 points per game in conference games, he made 17 three pointers (38.6-percent) and had 81 assists. He averaged 5.4 rebounds per game and a team high 46 steals in conference and was named all-golden valley conference and all-GVC defensive team as a sophomore.
 
"Ryan and Kamar both give us depth at the guard spot Kamra is a slasher who is very fast. Ryan is dangerous from three and is great at the catch and shoot. He gives us a presence on defense as well."
 
Bigfork Mont., native Anders Epperly begins his career at MSUB. The freshman point guard was a three tome all-state and two time state champion for the Vikings. He is the Montana all-class assist leader at the high school level.
 
"Anders was a late addition as a true point guard. He brings some physicality and has gotten better since he arrived. He has been very valuable to us all fall."
 
Freshman forward Clarence Daniels from Brooklyn Park, Minn., brings some explosiveness and athleticism down low of the 'Jackets. A first team all-conference as a junior and senior, he led Maranatha Christian Academy in rebounds.
 
"Clarence has maybe been our biggest surprise in the fall. He has respond very well and has competed. He gives us a different look down low and is a bit more athletic. We are excited to see how he respond in real games and get him some experience."
 
Hometown hero Chrishon Dixon will make his Yellowjacket debut this fall. The Billings Central High School product led the Rams to a state championship last season, the school's first in 23 years. He scored 1,090 points on the hardwood to go with 475 rebounds and 176 steals during his high school career.
 
"Chrishon had a great summer and came in ready to go. He is expected to play big minutes for us. He is really tough and good on defense. He has great vision and is working hard on improving his jump shot to extend his range."
 
 With new players abound and a mix of established returners, the starting five in coach Durham's lineup is starting to come together.
 
"We've really been looking at a lot of combinations but I have an idea," Durham said. "It usually changes but we want to go compete and play together. We want to establish ourselves on the defensive end."
 
Western Washington has been picked to win the GNAC. All five starters return for the Vikings who received six first-place votes and a total of 112 points. Seattle Pacific, last year's conference champion, garnered the other five first-place votes and is picked a close second with 107 points.
 
"Going into year two we have to rely on our returning guys. They understand how we do things and what we want done on the court. The guys we recruited are all from winning programs and come in with a good base already. We still have work to so but we have good character guys that can help move this program forward. If we want to continue to play we need to be in the top six of the league. Our goal is to get to the tournament and hopefully beyond as we look forward to taking the next step."
 
MSU Billings (15-14, 10-10 GNAC in 2018-19) was sixth in the conference and doubled their conference wins from the year before. The 'Jackets were fourth among eleven teams in scoring (79.2 pts), seventh in scoring defense (76.5 pts.), second in 3-point percentage (.379), and fifth in offensive rebounding (35.3 avg.). MSUB was also fourth in blocked shots (3.2 avg.) and fourth in assists (15.2).
 
All home games and select road contests will feature live video and live statistics, available online through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.
 

2019-20 GNAC PRESEASON MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
Pos.	Team (1st Place Votes)	Overall Record	GNAC Record (Place)	Pts.
1.	Western Washington (6)	15-15	9-11 (tie 6th)	112
2.	Seattle Pacific (5)	22-7	16-4 (2nd)	107
3.	Simon Fraser	15-14	9-11 (tie 6th)	91
4.	Alaska Anchorage	14-14	9-11 (tie 6th)	90
5.	Montana State Billings	15-14	10-10 (5th)	79
6.	Central Washington	11-17	5-15 (10th)	63
7.	Northwest Nazarene	20-8	14-6 (3rd)	59
8.	Western Oregon	22-11	13-7 (4th)	56
9.	Concordia	11-17	6-14 (9th)	25
10.	Alaska	5-22	2-18 (11th)	23
11.	Saint Martin's	26-6	17-3 (1st)	21