Montana

Montana vs. Montana State Predictions & Picks – February 17

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2024

Montana vs. Montana State Predictions & Picks – February 17

Saturday’s game between the Montana Grizzlies (16-9, 7-5 Big Sky) and Montana State Bobcats (11-14, 6-6 Big Sky) squaring off at Dahlberg Arena has a projected final score of 78-69 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of Montana, who is listed as the favorite by our model. The game will start at 9:00 PM ET ET on February 17.

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Montana vs. Montana State Game Info & Odds

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
Time: 9:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Where: Missoula, Montana
Venue: Dahlberg Arena

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Montana vs. Montana State Score Prediction

Prediction:
Montana 78, Montana State 69

Spread & Total Prediction for Montana vs. Montana State

Computer Predicted Spread: Montana (-8.3)
Computer Predicted Total: 146.9

Montana has gone 13-9-0 against the spread, while Montana State’s ATS record this season is 10-12-0. A total of 11 out of the Grizzlies’ games this season have gone over the point total, and 12 of the Bobcats’ games have gone over. Montana is 4-6 against the spread and 6-4 overall over its last 10 contests, while Montana State has gone 7-3 against the spread and 5-5 overall.

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Montana Performance Insights

The Grizzlies’ +125 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 5.0 points per game) is a result of scoring 76.8 points per game (93rd in college basketball) while giving up 71.8 per outing (174th in college basketball).
Montana grabs 34.7 rebounds per game (235th in college basketball) while allowing 32.6 per outing to its opponents. It outrebounds opponents by 2.1 boards per game.
Montana makes 7.4 three-pointers per game (190th in college basketball), while its opponents have made 6.4 on average.
The Grizzlies rank 33rd in college basketball with 102.5 points scored per 100 possessions, and 277th in college basketball defensively with 95.9 points conceded per 100 possessions.
Montana forces 10.0 turnovers per game (309th in college basketball) while committing 9.4 (29th in college basketball play).

Montana State Performance Insights

The Bobcats put up 74.3 points per game (170th in college basketball) while allowing 74.2 per contest (250th in college basketball). They have a +4 scoring differential.
Montana State loses the rebound battle by an average of 4.7 boards. It grabs 30.6 rebounds per game (353rd in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 35.3.
Montana State connects on 8.7 three-pointers per game (62nd in college basketball), 2.6 more than its opponents.
Montana State has committed 2.1 fewer turnovers than its opponents, averaging 11.4 (179th in college basketball) while forcing 13.5 (48th in college basketball).

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Montana

Montana’s Underrated Beach State Park Has Sandy Shorelines, Swimming, And Birding – Islands

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Montana’s Underrated Beach State Park Has Sandy Shorelines, Swimming, And Birding – Islands

Imagine a long expanse of pristine sand slipping into calm, lapping, crystal-clear waters. The occasional chunk of driftwood juts out as mountains cut an elegant outline in the distance. Forced to guess which state you’re in, you might draw a blank — the mountains are a bit of an anomaly. Yet such a place exists in Montana. It’s called Somers Beach State Park, an underrated gem sitting on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake. Its sandy shorelines and wide-open space provide plenty of room for swimming, birding, and a few trails.

The 106-acre beach rests along Flathead Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S. The 200-square-mile blue gem has been lauded by visitors and sites like Lake.com as being the 10th-cleanest lake in the country, earning a spot on the list of U.S. lakes that are unbelievably clean and clear. The surroundings aren’t that bad either. Visitors who hit the beach often relish its view of the Swan Mountains stretching across the horizon. The park is still evolving: Montana acquired the property in 2021, opened the beach a year later, and has been building up its facilities and amenities ever since.

The key to visiting Somers Beach State Park is timing. Because its size changes with Flathead Lake’s water levels, many visitors have come away confused, underwhelmed, or plain old angry to find a rocky, windy stretch of shoreline. Fair enough, since Somers Beach’s sandy shores have a knack for disappearing in the summer. Instead, they emerge when Flathead Lake’s water dips between fall and spring, only to rise up with the temperatures.

Swim, hike, bird, and scope out the surroundings

For those looking to take a dip in Somers Beach’s waters, there comes a compromise. You can have warm waters — or you can have a sandy shore. You can’t have both. How much swimming you actually get done while there will depend on when you visit. During the summer, the shallow portion of the beach can stretch for several hundred yards, leaving you wading through waist-deep water for an interminably long time. “It’s fun because the lake isn’t as high and there’s quite a long stretch of beach to play in the water or just bask in the sun,” one local wrote in a Google review. “It’s a beautiful place to see Flathead Lake and the mountains.” Visiting outside the summer carries its own set of issues, as Flathead Lake’s water temperature tends to plummet. Bring hiking boots and binoculars instead.

As a relatively young state park, Somers Beach doesn’t have a formal trail system. All the better, as you then have a chance to just wander about. The nearby town of Somers contains plenty to see to the west, while to the east are wetlands and a grassy area north of the shore. Birders will have plenty to enjoy as well. The Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area east of the beach provides habitat for over 200 species of birds. (Authorities close off access to the area during nesting season, between March and July.) If you time your visit right, you can spend a day with sand between your toes. The drop in water level creates a half-mile expanse of sandy shoreline worthy of a peaceful stroll.

The logistics of visiting Somers Beach State Park

Flathead Lake’s proximity to Glacier National Park makes Somers Beach accessible by several modes of transportation. Glacier Park International Airport is only half an hour’s drive away. While the beach alone may not justify a long-haul flight, it pairs well with other destinations around the lake. That includes Yellow Bay State Park, a crowd-free paradise surrounded by cherry orchards. Together, they can fill an entire weekend with adventure.

Unfortunately, you can’t pitch a tent right on the beach; the state park is day-use only. Fortunately, finding a place to sleep nearby isn’t much of a hassle. A ring of accommodations orbits Flathead Lake, including luxury cabins costing several hundred dollars per night. The highly-rated Somers Bay Cabin Lodging is minutes away as well, with log cabins that have lake views, ranging in size from studios to two-bedroom units. Despite the rustic exterior, the interiors still have all the modern conveniences you’d expect, from Wi-Fi to heating.

The beach’s home alongside Flathead Lake makes it adjacent to several must-see areas, chief among them Flathead Valley. The unexpectedly up-and-coming wine region — yes, a wine region in Montana — with its excellent wineries and nearby orchards, provides an ideal bookend for a trip to Somers Beach. If you visit during the warmer months, be sure to bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. If you plan on hauling a boatload of supplies with you — inflatables, coolers, or chairs — bring a wagon. The jaunt from the parking area to the beach can be longer than it looks.

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