GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball team will look to get back on track this week against two ranked opponents. The Argos (11-10, 2-6) will host #20 Montana Tech on Thursday before traveling to Helena for a showdown against #12 Carroll College. 

"It's a huge week," assistant coach Tyler Hurley said. "We're finally back at home after a few games away. If we can get this one on Thursday that would be a huge step. With seven games left before the conference tournament, a win would help set us up to try and host a first-round game."

The Argos are coming off a rough week. The team lost to MSU-Northern 88-56 last Thursday, before a comeback attempt came up short on the road against Montana Western, losing 79-73. After the game against the Lights, the coaching staff pleaded the team for better effort and energy, and was pleased with the improved effort against the Bulldogs. However the team made only one of their 19 three-point attempts in the six-point loss.

"We've really emphasized effort and energy this week in practice," Hurley said. "We want to see guys competing. I don't think we did a good job of that against Northern. They did better on Saturday but obviously we didn't get the result we wanted. Tuesday's practice was one of the better practices we've had in awhile. Guys were playing hard, energy was high. That was good to see coming off two tough losses."

Things won't get easier this week, as the team will take on two ranked opponents. First up are the Orediggers (18-5, 7-1), who will come to the McLaughlin Center atop the Frontier Conference standings and on a five-game winning streak.

"They're the top team in the league for a reason," Hurley said. "They got a lot of guys back. Diallo, England and Bellach have been good for them this year. We're going to have to step up defensively. Offensively we're going to have to share the ball like we did against Western. We're just going to have to make some shots."

The Argos will then travel to Helena for a 4:00 p.m. Saturdayd bout against the Fighting Saints (19-3, 6-2). The Saints are coming off a 15-point loss to the Orediggers, and the coaching staff is expecting them to respond with a vengeance.

"We have to keep them off the offensive boards," Hurley said. "We have to contain Shamrock and Jovan as much as you can. Ultimately they are going to get theirs but if you can make it tough on them that'll help us out in the long run."

The game against the Orediggers, which will double as 80s Night, will tip off at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening.