GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Following a bizarre weekend that saw Argo basketball's home game against Montana Tech get indefinitely postponed at halftime due to equipment issues, simply finishing a game will be a step in the right direction for the University of Providence. That being said, the Argos will have to do a lot more than simply play for 40 minutes in one of the team's toughest weeks of the year.

UP will face two of the top teams in the conference, starting with (16) University of Montana Western on Thursday, January 11 followed by (10) Lewis-Clark State College on Saturday, January 13. Not only are the opponents difficult, but the road trip is perennially the longest and toughest of the season the Argos who will travel almost 1,000 miles over the course of four days.

The UMW Bulldogs gave the Argos problems in 2017-18, beating UP in all three contests, including a thrilling 102-89 home loss in double overtime. Over the three years before that, however, the series sits at an even 4-4 with Western leading 4-1 when playing in Dillon.

Western features the 2017-18 Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year, point guard Dom Robinson, who averaged 19.3 points and 5.6 assists per game against UP last year. Those numbers are close to Robinson's current season averages, including 5.33 apg which is fourth best in NAIA Division I. He also ranks 13th in 3-pt Field Goals Made (45) and 17th in Assist/Turnover Ratio (3.200).

Complimenting Robinson's offensive prowess is a team that hits the glass hard. The Bulldogs rank 4th in NAIA Division I Defensive Rebounds per Game (33.00) and 6th in Total Rebounds per Game (45.200).

Both Robinson, and UMW's rebounding creates interesting matchups with the Argos. While Western is strong on the defensive glass, UP's strength has been offensive rebounds, ranking 11th in Offensive Rebounds per Game (13.923). Besides offensive rebounds, points off of turnovers have been an important source of points for the Argos, and man who will most likely spend majority of the game defending Robinson, senior DuShaun Rice, is averaging 2.273 steals per game, 15th best in the NAIA.

So far, Western's only losses on the year have come against currently ranked teams. Their first loss came on November 30 against (10) Lewis-Clark State College, followed by a non-conference loss to (5) The Master's College. Most recently, UMW fell to (2) Carroll College in Helena, Mont.

The only ranked team the Argos have faced in 2017-18 has been Carroll, who beat UP 86-76.

After playing Western, things won't get easier for the Argos, particularly on defense. After a game and an over 6 and a half hour drive, UP will have to find the legs to slow down a Warrior team that is averaging almost 90 points per game. Not only does LC State score but they do so efficiently. The team ranks 4th in Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.641) and 4th in Field Goal Percentage (52.5).

A large part of that offensive success has been the play of junior Race Martin who redshirted in 2016-17. The 6-6 forward has been a breakout player, particularly with his accurate shooting. Martin ranks 6th in the nation in 3-point Field Goal Percentage (55.1), and 15th in overall Field Goal Percentage (61.9).

The Warriors are coming off of a stunning road upset of (2) Carroll College, knocking off the Fighting Saints 72-70. They also beat Western 91-82 at home earlier in the year. While LCSC has been at its best against ranked teams, the Warriors have also lost twice, including an 86-80 loss to Rocky Mountain College, who the Argos beat the week before.

UP is looking to end a 3-game losing streak and get back into the middle of the pack of the Frontier Conference standings. With a current record of 7-6 (1-2), the Argos are sixth of seven conference teams.