Into the Phog

Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas first opened its doors in the year 1955 for a rivalry game against Kansas State. Since that first game, over five million fans have packed the house to cheer on the host Jayhawks.

Kansas has won 29 conference championships and a pair of national championships. They have sold out 231 consecutive home games, and will likely extend that streak to 232 when Montana visits on Saturday.

The opportunity to play in front of a capacity crowd –Allen Fieldhouse holds 16,300 people— against the No. 2 team in the nation, was too good for coach Travis DeCuire to pass up.

"16,000 people will be there," DeCuire said smiling at practice on Thursday. "It's an incredible experience, and that's why I wanted to schedule that game. I've been there once before and wanted to go back, and I thought it would be a good experience to share with our team and the Grizzly family."

The Grizzlies and Jayhawks and met only once previously in 1962. The game, also played in Allen Fieldhouse, ended with a 68-56 Kansas victory.

The last time the Griz defeated a nationally ranked team was in the 2006 NCAA tournament, when UM knocked off No. 20 Nevada 87-79 to advance for the first time in school history. The last time Montana defeated a ranked opponent in the regular season was at Stanford in 2002, when the Griz defeated the Cardinal 70-68 under first year coach Pat Kennedy.

This year, the Kansas fans are attempting to set a world record during the game against Montana for, "The largest gathering of people wearing holiday sweaters." It will be a unique atmosphere for Montana to get a taste of high-level basketball while also having fun and learning.

"It's another opportunity to play in front of a crowd that will be energetic," DeCuire said. "It's another opportunity to play against a team that will be playing in the postseason, and we want to come back a better basketball team."

For some of Montana's players, like true freshman Michael Oguine, they grew up watching Kansas play on national television.

"I guess up until this year I've been a fan of the game, obviously, and I've kind of been like a nerd, just following all the big teams and seeing what they're doing," Oguine said. "We have a chance to actually step on the court against a big-time team like Kansas."

The Jayhawks have won 28 consecutive games in Allen Fieldhouse, and are 97-4 when playing non-conference teams at home under the direction of head coach Bill Self.

Kansas has also founded the success you would expect against Big Sky opponents, going 16-0 in school history.

The match-up favors Kansas heavily on paper. They are 8-1 on the season, coming off a win against Oregon State and former Grizzly head coach Wayne Tinkle. The only loss on the season for the Jayhawks was in a six-point contest against No. 1 Michigan State at the Champions Classic.

They have three players on the Naismith Trophy Watch List, which includes the 50 best players in college basketball. Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden Jr. and Frank Mason III have the chance to wreak damage against the Grizzlies, but coach DeCuire said their game isn't all that foreign.

"It reminds me of Montana basketball," DeCuire said. "A lot of high-low, some inside out. When you have what they have, which is good perimeter players around good post play, it makes you pretty difficult to guard."

The Kansas game is the toughest task of the season for Montana. DeCuire and company are looking to go down and hold their own, but the most important thing is to just play their game and learn from the opportunity.

"It's always just about being ready," Oguine said. "We have a good scout, make sure we have a good few days of practice leading up to the game so when we get out there we're not nervous and we're just ready to do what we do."

Griz fans can tune in to the action from Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday at noon Mountain Time via web stream on ESPN3.

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