The Grizzlies have been in hibernation mode for the last 10 days since ending their regular season with an overtime defeat at Eastern Washington — a loss that left them with a No. 2 seed in the conference instead of a title. The regular season championship and tournament hosting duties instead went to Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.
After a late season off-week following the Eastern Washington game, Montana (12–4, 20–9) received a first-round bye into the tournament. Head coach Wayne Tinkle said all the time off hasn't given the Grizzlies a chance to get rid of the nasty taste in their collective mouths that came from the season-ending letdown. They've had practices — almost every day during the break — but no game action.
His team is antsy for its next matchup, the coach said.
"I've noticed some chippy-ness here and there," Tinkle said. "But that's good. It means the competitiveness is still there."