The equation may be different this season for the Montana Tech men’s basketball program, but the key variables will remain the same: toughness, teamwork, and a yearning hunger for success.  The Orediggers welcome four transfer and two high school recruits to eight returning players in forming the 14 student-athlete roster.  Tech hopes the maturing and experienced returners coupled with impact transfers will ensure that the ‘Diggers are ‘Ready to Rise’ to its first winning season and a Frontier Conference championship in over 10 years.

The Orediggers return three young starters from last year’s squad that began the season strong but failed to sustain productivity throughout the tough Frontier Conference schedule.  “Our younger players learned some hard lessons and built a lot of character last winter.  We all had a long off-season to think about how we can get better and win games in the conference season, and our guys really focused on getting their bodies stronger.  Their efforts in the weight room this past summer will pay dividends when the going gets tougher in January & February,” said Oredigger Head Coach Nate Larson.

Dirk Anderson (Idaho City, ID) started every game last season for Tech and possesses the most tenure on the ‘Digger roster by suiting up in 58 total contests.  The 6-7 junior averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field and 72% at the free throw line.  Butte America native Cole Conway displayed glimpses of greatness last season while starting the last half of the conference season as a true freshman.  The 6-3 guard contributed hard-nosed defense and over 5 points and 3 rebounds per game.

A.J. Paine (Billings, MT) was activated from redshirt status after New Year’s Eve last season and ended up averaging 6 points and 3 assists while starting at the point guard position during conference play.  The 6-0 point guard will be looked upon to continue his leadership, toughness, and playmaking ability.  6-3 shooting guard Brian Davison (Highwood, MT) was 3^rd in the entire NAIA in 3-point shooting (53% 3FG) before conference play began.  A shooting slump ensued, but the redshirt sophomore kept firing the rock and finally found his grove at season’s end to finish at a solid 39% from beyond the arc while chipping in 6 points per game.  6-7 forward Ivan Sljivar (Belgrade, Serbia) enters his junior campaign with all the physical tools needed to be outstanding player in the Frontier.  In his freshman season, Ivan shot 52% from the 3-point line and has continued to improve his rebounding, versatility, and toughness.

Moving up from redshirt status are freshmen 5-10 point guard Josh Harris (Katy, TX), 6-6 post Hart Greenwood (Carlsbad, NM), and 6-3 guard Tanner Neumann (Butte, MT).  All three improved their skills and strength by going head-to-head with talented players in practice on a day-to-day basis last season.

Redshirting this season for the ‘Diggers are a pair of quality 6-3 guards: Sam Dembek (Winnett, MT) and Stanton Duke (Billings, MT).  Both are excellent students, experienced outstanding high school careers, and were named 1^st Team All State at Class C Winnett-Grass Range and Class AA Billings West, respectively.

Four transfer student-athletes will don the Tech uniform for the first time this fall, and the ‘Diggers are very excited for their arrival.  6-0 senior guard Dean Colbray (Pasco, WA) joins the program from Point Loma Nazarene (CA) where he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals per contest.  Point Loma competes in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), perennially one of the toughest leagues in the NAIA.  Dean will prove to be one of the most explosive and athletic guards to play at Tech in several years.  Southpaw Eric Schippers (Kingston, WA) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds for Edmonds Community College (WA) last season.  The 6-8 junior post is a very hard worker on the defensive end and has a very nice shot out to 15 feet—evident with his 74% mark at the free throw line.

6-7 junior forward Kellen Hasquet (Missoula, MT) comes to Tech via Frontier rival Carroll College.  After three years with the Saints and sitting out a year, Kellen is energized and focused on playing beyond his immense potential.  Deceptively athletic, Hasquet can shoot out to 25 feet and defend a wing with his length and active feet.  Finally, 6-5 forward Shawn Brooks (Richland, WA) joins the ‘Diggers after a two year hiatus from varsity basketball.  The senior utility man competed for Spokane Community College (WA) and averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds while defending the other team’s best perimeter player.  Shawn will prove to be a defensive catalyst and extremely hard working rebounder for Tech.

The 2009-10 men’s basketball schedule is a challenging endeavor but will prepare Tech for the rigors of the Frontier Conference.  The hoop slate features 15 home games and includes the 3^rd Annual St. James Healthcare/Copper Cage Classic on Nov. 20-22, 2009.  Frontier member MSU-Northern and Eastern Oregon University, both NAIA National Tournament teams last season, join Walla Walla University and the host ‘Diggers for the weekend classic.  Non-conference home games in October and November also include the University of Lethbridge, South Dakota Tech, and NAIA DII Final 4 participants Black Hills State University.  Tech split with the Yellow Jackets last season, whom return three 1^st Team All-Dakota Conference performers.

During Thanksgiving week, a three game-four day road swing at GSAC members Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific, and The Master’s College will prove to be a stiff test for the ‘Diggers.  Azusa and Fresno both played in the NAIA National Tournament last season and feature outstanding talent and successful program tradition.  The ‘Diggers beat Fresno 80-77 on Sampson Court in 2008-09 and will face the same lineup that won the regular season GSAC championship last season.

December’s slate features road contests at NCAA Division I members Weber State University and Idaho State University, top tier members of the Big Sky Conference, and home games versus NCAA Division III power Whitworth University and Canadian schools University of Alberta and Concordia University.  The Frontier schedule begins at Carroll College on January 7^th, 2010, and concludes at Montana-Western on February 24^th.  For the 2^nd consecutive year, the Frontier post-season tournament will utilize a format in which the higher seeded teams will host lower seeded teams in an 8-team single elimination tournament.  The overall winner will earn the Frontier’s automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, KS.

“We are very excited for the potential of this year’s version of Oredigger Basketball.  We have some versatile and talented student-athletes who have worked their tails off in preparation for our tough schedule.  We believe we have the talent, work ethic, and attitudes to compete with and defeat any team we play.  If we strive to be the toughest and smartest team on the floor, we will put ourselves in a great position to win many games this season,” concluded Coach Larson.