Montana vs. Colorado State: Rams open the season against Grizzlies

The Colorado State Rams open their season under new coach Larry Eustachy on Friday night against the Montana Grizzlies.

The Rams finished the 2011-12 season with a 20-12 record under coach Tim Miles before losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Murray State. Miles departed the program to coach the men's basketball team at Nebraska and was replaced by former Southern Mississippi coach Eustachy.

Colorado State will face a tough test against Montana, who finished the 2011-12 season with a 25-7 record under coach Wayne Tinkle. The Grizzlies won the Big Sky Conference tournament with a 85-66 win over Weber State before losing in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament to Wisconsin.

The Rams feature five returning seniors to the team, including Dorian Green and Greg Smith, and won the team's preseason game over Metro State, 87-67.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT against Montana on Friday night at Moby Arena in Ft. Collins, Colo.