GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's basketball team will partake in their first game of the new year on Saturday, in a matchup against Montana Tech. The game, which will double as Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, will tip off at 4:00 p.m. in the McLaughlin Center.

The Argos (9-5, 1-1) have been battling sickness throughout the break. Since the Cactus Classic, the team has only had one practice with over ten guys. The team was short-handed during a loss to Dickinson State on Dec. 29 and had their Thursday night contest against Montana Western canceled.

"It was real devastating that we couldn't play on Thursday night because we didn't have enough guys," head coach Steve Keller said. "We figured it out and got enough to go on Saturday. We haven't had a lot of practice. We had one practice in the last two weeks where we've had ten guys but I feel like our guys know what we're doing. We like to just go play so that's what we're going to do."

The team must prepare mentally for what looks to be a competitive Frontier Conference season.

"It is brutal," Keller said. "All six teams can beat anybody on any given night. The good part is we're not playing three games a week. We just have to get going. We have to get our guys that have been out back in shape and be ready to go."

Things won't be easy against Montana Tech, who is receiving votes in the NAIA National Rankings. They are coming off a two-point loss in Helena to #2 Carroll College on Thursday evening. They currently have three players averaging double-figures; Sindau Diallo (14.8 ppg), Caleb Bellach (14.4 ppg) and Taylor England (11.9 ppg).

"They have everybody back and added Caleb, a transfer from Montana State," Keller said. "Sindau Diallo might be the best player in the Frontier Conference. Taylor England is arguably the best post player in the Frontier Conference. They're tough defensively, they're well-coached. They execute their offense. We have to be ready to go."