Montana opens its 2026-27 men’s basketball season Monday at Oregon, beginning a demanding early schedule with a roster built around two returning starters and 10 newcomers. The Grizzlies are coming off an 18-16 season and their third straight trip to the Big Sky championship game; Oregon also has a new look after longtime coach Dana Altman retired shortly before the season.

By the Numbers
  • Montana went 18-16 overall and 10-8 in Big Sky play last season.
  • The Grizzlies are 0-5 in season openers on the road under coach Travis DeCuire.
  • Montana is 4-26 all-time against Oregon, including 2-18 in Eugene.
  • Oregon finished 12-20 last season, including 5-15 in Big Ten play.
Yes, But

Montana returns starters Kenyon Aguino and Tyler Thompson, but brings back just 40% of last season’s starts and 33% of its minutes. Oregon faces its own rebuild: interim coach Toby Stubblefield inherits 11 newcomers after Altman’s retirement and the departure of several key contributors.

State of Play
  • Tipoff is Monday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. MT in Eugene, with the game airing on the Big Ten Network.
  • Montana added seven transfers and three freshmen; Oregon added nine transfers and two freshmen.
  • The Grizzlies play four of their first five games on the road and seven of their first nine away from Missoula.
What’s Next

Montana returns home Wednesday to host Salish Kootenai before continuing a demanding opening stretch against Division I opponents.

Bottom Line

The opener is a test of how quickly a reshaped Montana roster can find its footing against an Oregon team also navigating major change—on the road, where the Grizzlies have historically struggled to start seasons.