Northern hoops teams face tough competition in Arizona

Just as winter hits, the Montana State University-Northern men's and women's basketball teams are heading south.

Both the Lights and Skylights will play games in Arizona this week and next, as the non-conference season winds down.

The Lights (9-2), fresh off a blowout win at Dickinson State last Sunday, will be in the Phoenix area this weekend, playing three games in the Cactus Classic. Northern opens the tournament Friday against Ottawa University of Arizona at 6 p.m, followed by a matchup with Embry-Riddle Saturday at 6 p.m. But, the true test will come Monday night when the Lights take on fourth-ranked Arizona Christian. The Firestorm are one of the top teams in the NAIA, and they, along with the other two games, will once again be a great way for Northern to prepare for the remainder of Frontier Conference play, which is right around the corner now.

"We face extremely tough competition this upcoming weekend," MSU-N head coach Shawn Huse said. "These will be great challenges for us to again see where we are at. I really like how we are playing and we will need to continue prepping very well like we have, for these ones.  We are going up against some great teams with great talent."

The Skylights (3-7) are also facing some stiff competition, though they have a little longer to rest. Following a tough loss at Dickinson State last Sunday, Northern won't play again until Monday night in Phoenix.

The Skylights, of head coach Chris Mouat, open the Phoenix Frontier Challenge Monday at 10 a.m. against Bushnell University, followed by a game Tuesday at 10 a.m. against Bethel. MSU-N wraps up its trip to Phoenix with a 10 a.m. game next Wednesday against Benedictine-Mesa.

"We are headed for games against three really good teams," Mouat said. "Bethel is a perennial top 25 team.  They have two kids who are probable All-Americans and coach Nelson has done a great job with that program for years. Bushnell (formerly Northwest Christian) was a tourney team two years ago and picked to win the Cascade Conference. They are very good and well-coached.  Benedictine-Mesa is a trapping, pressing team who can really put points on the board.  We have our hands full in every game and each team poses some very tough matchups.  All three teams are athletic and have a unique style of play.  We will get to see a little bit of everything over the course of the tournament."

All three games will be a challenge for both Northern squads, who have the Christmas break off, but then will get right back on the floor with home games Dec. 29-31. Frontier play resumes Jan. 6 when the Lights and Skylights travel to Rocky Mountain College.