Freddie Owens Position: Assistant Coach Follow on Twitter: @FreddieOwens

A former basketball standout at Wisconsin, Freddie Owens is now in his fourth year at The University of Montana and has helped the Griz reach three straight Big Sky Tournament Championship appearances (2010, 2011 and 2012) and two NCAA tournament appearances in 2010 and 2012.

In his three seasons with Montana, the Griz have complied an overall record of 68-28 with two Big Sky Conference Tournament and one regular-season championship titles. During his tenure, Owens has helped with the development of seven All Conference players in (Will Cherry, Kareem Jamar, Brian Qvale, Derek Selvig, Art Steward, Anthony Johnson, and Ryan Staudacher.)

Freddie's duties on staff include all aspects of recruiting, practice and game day preparations, scouting reports on opponents, player skill development with perimeter and post players, academics and organizing summer camps. Owens, 30, spent the 2008-09 season as a graduate assistant coach for the Iowa State Cyclones under head coach Greg McDermott who is now the head coach at the University of Creighton. Owens duties on staff included overseeing film exchange, various administrative duties, and assisting in scouting as it related to opponents. During his tenure at Iowa State, the Cyclones produced two All Big 12 players in Diante Garrett and Craig Brackins. Brackins later became the 21st pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Prior to his stint at Iowa State University, Owens was an assistant coach during the 2007-08 season at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo. During his time at ASU, the Grizzlies went 18-10, recording their most wins since joining the Division II ranks (1992-93) in his only season there. His duties on staff included being the director of summer camps, director of recruiting, practice and game day preparations and player skill development.

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Owens played professionally in Europe for the Riga Barons in Riga, Latvia during the 2005-06 season. During his time in Europe his team competed in the Euro Cup and Baltic Leagues.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Owens was a starter for head coach Bo Ryan and the Badgers in 2003 and 2004 and the "sixth man" as a sophomore. He scored 796 points in his four-year career (2001-04). A 6-2 guard, Freddie was on two Big Ten regular-season championship teams (2002, 2003) and one Big Ten Tournament championship squad (2004). Wisconsin qualified for NCAA Tournament play in all four of his seasons in Madison, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance as a junior in 2003 when Owens nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to defeat Tulsa.

Owens earned his degree in life sciences and communications from the University of Wisconsin in 2005 and his master's degree in higher education from Iowa State University in 2011. Freddie married Carmen Gust-Owens in August of 2010. His dad is Lawrence Owens Sr. of Milwaukee.

Freddie's Coaching Record:

University of Montana

2011-12=25-7=Big Sky Regular Season & Tournament Champions - NCAA Tournament

2010-11=21-11=Big Sky Tournament Runner-Up - CBI Tournament

2009-10=22-10=Big Sky Tournament Champions - NCAA Tournament

Iowa State University

2008-09=15-17=Big 12 Tournament Appearances

Adams State College

2007-08=18-10=RMAC Tournament Appearance

Quoting head coach Wayne Tinkle: "Freddie brings instant credibility because he was a great player in a great conference, the Big 10, when he was at Wisconsin. He's a young guy who can get out there and show the guys what he is talking about, instead of always just telling them. He's got a nice understanding of X's and O's and of course he played for a great one in Bo Ryan. I think on the court he's already paid big dividends as far as player development and skill development. The players will be attentive to him because he's been through it. He's a young, confident, vocal coach."