Texas Tech basketball: What to know about Montana State

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Mar 12, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Montana State Bobcats guard Xavier Bishop (1) shoots over a screen by forward Jubrile Belo (13) during the first half against the Northern Colorado Bears during the Big Sky Conference Championship game at Idaho Central Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

Montana State’s best player is a 5-foot-8 dynamo

From Springfield, Illinois, point guard Xavier Bishop is one of those players that casual March Madness fans love to root for. Fearless and playing with a chip on his shoulder, the 5-foot-8 dynamo is his team’s best player and emotional leader.

A super-senior, Bishop may be looking at this game as his moment to shine on the national stage. And it’s been a rather long journey for him to get to where the nation will finally see what he can do.

After spending three years at UMKC, he is now in his third season with the MSU program and he’s turned into one of the best mid-major players in the nation. This year, he’s averaging team-highs of 13.9 points, 4.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.

He’s put up 20 points or more in a game six times this year. What’s more, he’s scored at least 15 points in eight more performances.

But it is worth wondering how he will handle the Red Raiders’ length at the guard and wing spots. In Kevin McCullar, Adonis Arms, Davion Warren, T.J. Shannon, Mylik Wilson, and Clarence Nadolny, Tech has a plethora of players 6-foot-3 and taller to harass Bishop. Hopefully, that length will cause him problems.

Make no mistake, he’s the head of the snake for the Bobcats. In the last ten games, he’s scored 17.7 points and handed out 3.6 assists per game while shooting over 46% from the floor. And he’s the type of player who can become a national darling in March if he puts on a show. Hopefully, the Red Raiders can keep that from happening.

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