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Wolves to Battle Thunder in U.S. Bank Classic Game
Wolves vs. Thunder - 8:00 P.M. - MetraPark, Billings, Mt - No TV or Radio
Before diving into tonight's preseason matchup between the Wolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, let's rewind and take a look back at Monday's historic win at Milwaukee. What makes it so significant? After all, it is only the preseason. Well, the 38-point triumph marked the Wolves' largest margin of victory in the preseason in Wolves history, besting the previous mark of 35 points set back on October 25, 2002 vs. Toronto. Granted, Milwaukee was without as many as five regulars who likely will be a part of Scott Skiles' regular-season rotation, but nonetheless, a win is a win, especially for a young Wolves squad looking for any sort of confidence booster.
To further the point, Minnesota's 117 points were the seventh-highest preseason point total in Wolves history, something that coach Randy Wittman attributed to the teams' tenacious defense. "What we did scoring 117 points wasn't because of our offense," Coach Witt proclaimed after Tuesday's practice. "It was because of the things we did defensively and how we defended Milwaukee." That's important because the Wolves spent most of training camp in Mankato working on shoring up things on the defensive side of the ball, and it's nice to see the Wolves reaping the benefits of their hard work.
One more note, with the win the Wolves also climbed over the .500 mark all-time in the preseason, improving to 71-70.
Moving past the positivity flowing from Monday's win, and turning the attention to the U.S. Bank Classic versus Oklahoma City in Billings, Mt., tonight's contest is the first of two U.S. Bank Classic games, the other occurring Nov. 19 at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, N.D. versus the Denver Nuggets.
Tonight's game will be the first ever for OKC and will serve as an opportunity for head coach P.J. Carlesimo to take a look at a roster full of changes. OKC's training camp roster features five newcomers, including 2008 fourth-overall pick Russell Westbrook, who is expected to combine with Earl Watson to handle the point-guard duties with the departure of Luke Ridnour, who was shipped to Milwaukee in a three-team six-player deal in the off-season. Along with Ridnour, the Thunder also sent Adrian Griffin to the Bucks, and in exchange, the Thunder got veteran forward Joe Smith from Cleveland and former Sonic Desmond Mason from Milwaukee. Smith hopes to provide the Thunder with some experience on the front line and Mason, a fan favorite in Seattle, will add to the athleticism and energy of OKC's wing players. GM Sam Presti also swung a draft-day deal to acquire former Indiana Hoosier D.J. White. The Thunder acquired the forward's draft rights from Detroit, after they selected White with the 29th overall selection of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Both Minnesota and Oklahoma City have been referred to as up-and-coming teams in the Western Conference and each will get a chance to prove that tonight.
Tonight's game will not be broadcast on radio or television, but Friday's game in Denver will be broadcast on the new flagship station of the Wolves, KFAN-AM 1130. It will be the fans' first chance to check out new radio analyst Kevin Lynch as he teams with Alan Horton to bring all of the action.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for full post game reaction from Coach Wittman.
Click here to hear the game preview vs. OKC Thunder
Wolves vs. Thunder - 8:00 P.M. - MetraPark, Billings, Mt - No TV or Radio
Before diving into tonight's preseason matchup between the Wolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, let's rewind and take a look back at Monday's historic win at Milwaukee. What makes it so significant? After all, it is only the preseason. Well, the 38-point triumph marked the Wolves' largest margin of victory in the preseason in Wolves history, besting the previous mark of 35 points set back on October 25, 2002 vs. Toronto. Granted, Milwaukee was without as many as five regulars who likely will be a part of Scott Skiles' regular-season rotation, but nonetheless, a win is a win, especially for a young Wolves squad looking for any sort of confidence booster.
To further the point, Minnesota's 117 points were the seventh-highest preseason point total in Wolves history, something that coach Randy Wittman attributed to the teams' tenacious defense. "What we did scoring 117 points wasn't because of our offense," Coach Witt proclaimed after Tuesday's practice. "It was because of the things we did defensively and how we defended Milwaukee." That's important because the Wolves spent most of training camp in Mankato working on shoring up things on the defensive side of the ball, and it's nice to see the Wolves reaping the benefits of their hard work.
One more note, with the win the Wolves also climbed over the .500 mark all-time in the preseason, improving to 71-70.
Moving past the positivity flowing from Monday's win, and turning the attention to the U.S. Bank Classic versus Oklahoma City in Billings, Mt., tonight's contest is the first of two U.S. Bank Classic games, the other occurring Nov. 19 at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, N.D. versus the Denver Nuggets.
Tonight's game will be the first ever for OKC and will serve as an opportunity for head coach P.J. Carlesimo to take a look at a roster full of changes. OKC's training camp roster features five newcomers, including 2008 fourth-overall pick Russell Westbrook, who is expected to combine with Earl Watson to handle the point-guard duties with the departure of Luke Ridnour, who was shipped to Milwaukee in a three-team six-player deal in the off-season. Along with Ridnour, the Thunder also sent Adrian Griffin to the Bucks, and in exchange, the Thunder got veteran forward Joe Smith from Cleveland and former Sonic Desmond Mason from Milwaukee. Smith hopes to provide the Thunder with some experience on the front line and Mason, a fan favorite in Seattle, will add to the athleticism and energy of OKC's wing players. GM Sam Presti also swung a draft-day deal to acquire former Indiana Hoosier D.J. White. The Thunder acquired the forward's draft rights from Detroit, after they selected White with the 29th overall selection of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Both Minnesota and Oklahoma City have been referred to as up-and-coming teams in the Western Conference and each will get a chance to prove that tonight.
Tonight's game will not be broadcast on radio or television, but Friday's game in Denver will be broadcast on the new flagship station of the Wolves, KFAN-AM 1130. It will be the fans' first chance to check out new radio analyst Kevin Lynch as he teams with Alan Horton to bring all of the action.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for full post game reaction from Coach Wittman.
Click here to hear the game preview vs. OKC Thunder
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