In the 2009-2010 season, the Montana Grizzlies men’s basketball team won the Big Sky Conference regular-season championship with a record of 22-9 overall and 12-4 in conference play. They went on to win the Big Sky Conference tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament. In the first round, they faced off against the New Mexico Lobos but lost 62-57, ending their tournament run. The Grizzlies were led by head coach Wayne Tinkle and standout players such as Anthony Johnson, Brian Qvale, and Will Cherry.