The Montana State Bobcats men's basketball team represents Montana State University in the Big Sky Conference in NCAA Division I. The Bobcats play their home games on campus at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Montana. MSU has appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently with three consecutive bids in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Montana State began varsity intercollegiate competition in basketball in 1902. The Bobcats were retroactively recognized as the pre-NCAA tournament national champion for the 1928âÂÂ29 season by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll and the Helms Athletic Foundation. Neither the Helms nor Premo-Porretta designations are recognized by the NCAA as official national championships, despite the NCAA referencing Helms's historical findings. Cat Thompson played for the Bobcats from 1926âÂÂ30; a four-year All-American, he was the Helms Player of the Year in 1929, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1962.
The Bobcats have appeared in six NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 0âÂÂ6.
The Bobcats have appeared in two National Invitation Tournaments, with a combined record of 1âÂÂ2.
The Bobcats appeared in seven NAIA Tournaments, with a combined record of 1âÂÂ7.