Montana Grizzlies vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks Preview: College Basketball Matchup

The Montana Grizzlies head to Grand Forks on Saturday to face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

This matchup features two teams sitting at 1-2 records as they navigate a difficult early-season schedule.

The Grizzlies recently held a tie with Oregon with 10 minutes remaining and led for more than 32 minutes during a Tuesday night contest in San Francisco. Despite that competitive showing, the Ducks and the Dons both managed to pull away late to secure victories.

North Dakota enters the game looking for its first home appearance of the season. The Fighting Hawks opened their campaign with three consecutive road games, including a 93-90 shootout win over Winthrop on Nov. 7 and losses at Minnesota and Clemson.

The game presents a stark contrast in defensive efficiency. Montana currently ranks 73rd in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 63.3 points per game. In contrast, North Dakota’s defense has struggled, ranking 340th in scoring defense and allowing opponents to shoot 56.6 percent from the floor—the second-worst mark in Division I basketball.

Only 25.7 percent of opponent field goal attempts have come from three-point range this season, the lowest percentage in the country.

Team	Record	Scoring Offense	Scoring Defense
Montana	1-2	77.3 PPG	63.3 PPG
North Dakota	1-2	N/A	Ranked 340th

The Grizzlies’ roster has an average height of 76.4 inches, which places them 327th in Division I. They also rank 333rd in the nation regarding roster experience, with an average of just 0.63 years of Division I experience per player.

Freshman guard Semaj Carter has emerged as a significant contributor, scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in a recent outing against San Francisco. Carter is currently shooting 60.0 percent from three-point range, ranking 21st nationally with nine makes.

Montana Grizzlies vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks Preview: College Basketball Matchup

The team’s depth is also a factor, with Montana generating more than 35 points per game from its bench. A key piece of the puzzle remains sidelined, however, as star forward Kenyon Aguino has missed the first three games of the season due to a foot injury.

North Dakota is also experiencing a roster overhaul with 11 newcomers, including seven transfers. Samuel Hincapie has become a focal point for the Fighting Hawks, averaging 17.0 points per game and shooting 54.5 percent from the field. Additionally, Carter Evanson is making an impact on the defensive end, averaging nearly three steals per game to rank inside the top 50 nationally.

Montana holds a significant historical advantage in this series, leading all-time against North Dakota 20-7. Coach Travis DeCuire has also maintained a dominant record in this specific matchup, sitting at 10-1 against the Fighting Hawks over his career. Last season, Montana secured a 79-75 victory in Grand Forks behind a 30-point performance from Money Williams.

This game is part of a broader scheduling agreement between the Big Sky and Summit League. While the formal Big Sky-Summit Challenge concluded last year, the two conferences are engaged in a four-year series with rotating opponents. Following this game, Montana is scheduled to host South Dakota on Dec. 8.

The road does not get easier for the Grizzlies after their upcoming game. On Monday, Nov. 16, Montana will travel to play Kansas State, marking their first meeting with the Wildcats since 1978.