BOBCATS, GRIZZLIES MEET IN CRUCIAL BIG SKY BATTLE MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — The Montana State Bobcats and Montana Grizzlies, tied with identical 14-11 records, will renew one of the nation’s most intense rivalries Saturday at Dahlberg Arena in a pivotal Big Sky Conference men’s basketball matchup. The 2026 edition of the Brawl of the Wild carries significant weight in the league standings. Both teams enter the Valentine’s Day clash at 5-5 in conference play, making this a critical juncture for postseason positioning. Montana State seeks a regular-season sweep after defeating the Grizzlies 76-67 in Bozeman on Jan. 17. In that game, Bobcats guard Jeremiah Davis scored 13 points in 29 minutes. Davis has been a key contributor, averaging 12.1 points over his last seven contests, including a 14-point performance in a narrow 72-71 loss to Eastern Washington last Saturday. The Grizzlies aim to defend their home court and avenge the January loss. They are coming off a 73-68 home victory over Idaho, led by guard Tyler Thompson’s 12 points and two assists. Thompson, who scored 21 points in a win over Weber State on Jan. 22, was held to nine points in the first meeting with the Bobcats. Both teams have mirrored each other’s recent paths, posting 3-3 records over their last six games. The Bobcats’ recent struggles include two narrow road losses, while Montana has split its last four. The atmosphere at Dahlberg Arena is expected to be electric for the 126th meeting between the interstate foes. The game will feature two teams desperate to break the logjam in the middle of the Big Sky standings and gain momentum for the final stretch of the regular season. Following this game, Montana State travels to play Weber State on Feb. 19, while Montana will visit Idaho State on the same date.