Event Preview
Overview
The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks are set to host the Montana Grizzlies in a men's basketball matchup on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM Central Time (6:00 PM Mountain Time) at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This game is part of the annual Big Sky-Summit Challenge, a series designed to foster competition between the two conferences. Both teams are eager to secure a victory to bolster their early-season records and gain momentum as they approach the heart of their respective conference schedules. (fightinghawks.com)
Season Snapshot
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
The Fighting Hawks enter this game with a 3-7 record. They have faced a challenging start to the season, with their most recent game being a 96-86 loss to Montana State on November 18, 2023. This defeat marked their second consecutive loss to the Bobcats, following a 60-53 loss on November 18, 2023. (msubobcats.com)
Montana Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have a 4-5 record. Their most recent game was a 81-72 loss to North Dakota State on December 3, 2025. In that game, Money Williams led Montana with 21 points and five assists. (cbssports.com) Prior to that, they had a notable win against UNLV and a close loss to Texas A&M, indicating potential for strong performances as the season progresses. (gogriz.com)
Recent Form
Both teams have experienced mixed results in their recent games. North Dakota has struggled to find consistency, with their most recent loss to Montana State highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. Montana, on the other hand, is on a four-game losing streak, including the recent defeat to North Dakota State. This losing streak is the first of its kind since 2020 under head coach Travis DeCuire. (gogriz.com)
Talking Points
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Defensive Challenges: Both teams have struggled defensively, with North Dakota allowing 96 points in their last game and Montana conceding 81 points in theirs.
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Injuries and Player Availability: Any recent injuries or player absences could significantly impact team performance.
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Coaching Strategies: How will coaches adjust their tactics to address recent defensive shortcomings?
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Home Court Advantage: North Dakota's home-court advantage at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center could play a crucial role.
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Big Sky-Summit Challenge Implications: The outcome of this game could influence the overall standings in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge series.
Players to Watch
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Money Williams (Montana): A dynamic guard who led the team with 21 points and five assists in the recent loss to North Dakota State. (cbssports.com)
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Greyson Uelmen (North Dakota): A key player for the Fighting Hawks, contributing significantly to the team's offense. (foxsports.com)
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Tyler Isaak (Montana): A versatile player who added 11 points, five assists, and four steals in the recent game against North Dakota State. (cbssports.com)
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Te'Jon Sawyer (Montana): A forward who has been a consistent presence on the court, contributing to both offense and defense. (gogriz.com)
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Tyler Thompson (Montana): A player to watch for his potential impact on the game's outcome. (gogriz.com)
Key Matchups & Storylines
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Defensive Adjustments: Both teams need to improve their defensive strategies to prevent high-scoring games.
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Home Court Advantage: North Dakota's performance at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center could be a decisive factor.
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Coaching Decisions: How will both coaches adjust their lineups and strategies to exploit the other's weaknesses?
Fun Facts
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Betty Engelstad Sioux Center: Known for its electric atmosphere and passionate fan base, providing a significant home-court advantage for the Fighting Hawks. (nationaltoday.com)
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Big Sky-Summit Challenge: This annual series aims to foster competition between the two conferences, with the Summit League currently leading the series. (fightinghawks.com)
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Coaching Records: Montana's head coach, Travis DeCuire, has a strong record against North Dakota, with a 9-1 record in his career. (gogriz.com)
Things to Chirp About
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"Can North Dakota's defense step up to stop Money Williams?"
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"Will Montana's four-game losing streak continue?"
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"How will the home crowd influence the Fighting Hawks' performance?"
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"Is this a must-win game for both teams to gain momentum?"
Prediction
Given the recent struggles of both teams, this game is expected to be closely contested. North Dakota's home-court advantage at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center could provide a slight edge, but Montana's experienced roster, led by Money Williams, may prove decisive. The outcome will likely hinge on which team can make the necessary defensive adjustments and capitalize on scoring opportunities.