DILLON — Conference play has not been nice to the Montana Western men’s basketball team through its first four games. The 7-8 Bulldogs, however, still have time to turn it around, and helping lead the way is junior transfer James Jones.
“He’s been nothing but special for us, not only on the floor but off the floor. He’s been a great leader. Obviously he’s a guy who averages close to 20 points a game, but he still leads us in assists as well," said Bulldogs head coach Mike Larsen. "I mean, he’s very unselfish, plays really, really hard when he’s on the floor and he’s a really good kid.”
The Bulldogs will need every bit of Jones' skill set as they try to surge back in the Frontier Conference, which is completely different than anything Jones has ever played in.
“This is my first year playing in a conference like this, so I don’t really know too much about it," said Jones. "But I started to begin making self goals, like being the best player I can be in this conference."
Jones gives Larsen and assistant coach Patrick Jensen the biggest credit for how seamlessly he’s adjusted to the basketball culture down in Dillon.
“I learned a lot from these two, they’re really great coaches," he said. "They taught me more than what I thought I knew coming in here and playing in this conference.”
At the end of the day, Jones just wants to help Montana Western get back into Frontier Conference contention.
“I believe we have to show that, and when we show that I believe we’ll get more respect than we have now," Jones said.
