MSU-Northern Skylights basketball is finding its footing towards the end of the Frontier season. This week’s slate will be no different as the Skylights head to Carroll to play against the Saints before jumping back into the Armory to try and best Montana Tech. New Media Broadcasters asked head coach Chris Mouat about any additional thoughts on Caroll, a team that is guard-heavy and can space the floor well.
“They are tough to score on. They run a really good zone and they’re good in their man-to-man (defense),” Mouat said. “For us, I think it comes down to executing and finishing a little bit better.”
“I think the bottom line is in our turnovers, some games have cost us a lot of possessions, which means fewer shots,” Mouat continued. “When you’re not getting a ton of offensive boards, then shots are really valuable.”
“I think for us right now is ball protection, taking care of it, executing our stuff, and finishing is where we’re at this week,” Mouat said.
Trying to play against a Mouat-coached MSU-N team a third time through is not a good recipe for opponents in the history he has been at the school. He said what his team will be doing differently to try and beat the Lady Orediggers.
“They crash like crazy. That’s a game where winning on the boards is critical, I believe,” Mouat said. “They also in both games have turned us over more times than we would like to admit.”
“I think limiting turnovers and trying find a way to win on the boards at all costs, so those are the big things,” Mouat continued. “They’re going to be coming. They pick up a lot of second and third shots just by great effort and they do a really good job with that.”
Skylights basketball will hit Helena for a road test against No. 20 Carroll on Thursday night around 5pm and then turning around to play Montana Tech at 2pm on Saturday. Kyle Leeds will call the Carroll Contest, while Noah Friedman will be on air for the Tech game. Both will be on KPQX-92.5FM and HiLineToday.com.
