The two seniors both have problems with their noses. Strait's was broken in practice Friday; Martin's is just stuffed, thanks to a sinus infection.
The problems, though, don't figure to stop either of them from facing Portland State on Saturday night. They'll be honored before the game as part of senior night.
The seniors share a common wish for what could possibly be their final game in Dahlberg Arena - a big crowd.
“I've always wanted to see the place sold out,” Martin said. “My sophomore year we came pretty close ... but I've never seen it just sold out. That would be pretty cool.”
“I'd like to see a good environment,” Strait added. “I think it would help us a lot if a lot of people showed up for possibly the last home game. We feed off that energy.”
A win over the Vikings, who have already secured the regular-season Big Sky title, could land the Griz a home game for the quarterfinals, depending on the outcome the remainder of the league's games.
Strait, Martin and Jordan Hasquet all came to the Griz in the recruiting class of 2004. Hasquet redshirted, so he's just a junior, but all three have eclipsed the 1,000-point mark. It's the first time in school history that three 1,000-point scorers will be on the floor at the same time.
“I think it means a lot to us three, we've been pretty tight since 2004,” said Strait, who will finish his career as one of three Griz with both 1,500 points and 700 rebounds. “On and off the court, we've had some great times together. It says a lot about that recruiting class, what we've done for the program.”
Strait caught a “forearm/elbow” from Dave Vanderjagt in practice on Friday. As of Friday evening, Strait was waiting to hear from an ear, nose and throat doctor to see when he'd have the nose set.
“My nose is pretty crooked and I'll probably have a couple of black eyes, but it shouldn't affect my playing at all - hopefully,” said Strait, adding that he'd already tried on a mask to wear for Saturday's game.
The Griz will need all the help they can muster against a Portland State team that is as talented as it is deep.
Point guard Jeremiah Dominguez, a 5-foot-6 junior, is leading the Vikings in scoring. He's averaging 18.1 points over his last nine games and is coming off a 26-point night in the Vikings' title-clinching 96-68 win at Montana State on Thursday.
But that's just for starters. Forward Deonte Huff, center Scott Morrison and forward Kyle Coston each scored 19 points in a recent win over Northern Colorado. Eight Vikings have led the team in scoring in one game or another.
“It's going to have to be a concentrated effort for 40 minutes,” Strait said. “They're a dangerous team.
“We have to do great job of squaring Jeremiah Dominguez and limit his ability to get into the paint. He's pretty dangerous when he gets in there and from beyond the arc. He's the head of the snake. We have to have each other's back on the defensive end. If we do a good job on the defensive end it will carry over to the other end. The key to the game will be to keep their offense in check.”
NOTES: If the Griz beat the Vikings, the only way they would not host a quarterfinal is if Idaho State beat Northern Arizona on Saturday in Flagstaff AND Sacramento State beat Weber State on Monday in Sacramento. That would create a three-way tie at 9-7; Weber would finish third, Idaho State fourth and the Griz fifth. If the Griz, Montana State and Idaho State all end up 8-8 in league, the Griz will be the sixth seed and travel to Weber State next Saturday. ... The Vikings won the first matchup in Portland, 70-68, on a pair of free throws by Dominguez with five seconds to play.
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached at 523-5265 or at sportsdesk@missoulian.com.
Portland State at Montana Griz
Saturday, 7:05 p.m., Dahlberg Arena (7,321)
Tickets: $6 for general admission, $8-19 for reserved, children under 12 free in general admission.
Radio: KGVO 1290 AM. TV: None.
Web: montanagrizzlies.com.
Records: Portland State is 12-2 in the Big Sky Conference, 19-9 overall. Montana is 8-7, 14-14.
Last outing: PSU downed Montana State 96-68 in Bozeman and Montana beat Northern Colorado 81-66 in Missoula on Thursday.
Series: Tied 21-21.
Last meeting: Portland State won 70-68 on Jan. 31 in Portland.
Up next: Portland State hosts Eastern Washington on Tuesday in its regular-season finale. Montana plays a Big Sky tournament quarterfinal game against an opponent to be determined next Saturday.
Probable starters
Portland State
2-Deonte Huff, 6-4, sr. 13.3 ppg
14-Kyle Coston, 6-7, so. 5.2 ppg
44-Scott Morrison, 6-11, sr. 11.3 ppg
3-Andre Murray, 6-2, jr. 8.8 ppg
10-Jeremiah Dominguez, 5-6, jr. 13.6 ppg
Montana
2-Jordan Hasquet, 6-9, jr. 14.2 ppg
40-Kyle Sharp, 6-7, jr. 4.9 ppg
34-Andrew Strait, 6-8, sr. 13.4 ppg
3-Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, so. 9.1 ppg
11-Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, 6-2, jr. 6.1 ppg
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