I've been pondering this question for a while now. My memories of Bobcat basketball go back about 30 years. Briefly here's what I recall from our previous and current coaches:
Rich Juarez: Fired in about 1976, had four or so terrible years, had a young point guard by the name of Mick Durham.
Bruce Haroldson: Turned things around quickly, brought in a lot of JC's, including Arnold McDowell, who I think may be one of the best Bobcat basketball players I ever saw at MSU. But no Big Sky titles and left under some controversy if I recall.
Stu Starner: Got things rolling in the 1980's with an upset NCAA tourney appearance in 1986 and a close loss to St. Johns and an NIT appearance at home against Washington (an OT loss). But after maybe 3 really solid seasons seemed to fall into mediocrity again.
Mick Durham: Started off slow after cleaning house after his first season. Won both the regular and tourney title in 1996. Won the regular season title in 2001 and got MSU's only post season win in anyone's memory with an opening round NIT win against Utah State in 2001. But Durham has also had several down years-not making the Big Sky tourney in his early years and twice in the 2000's.
To sum up: Two NCAA appearances in 30 years. Two NIT appearances. Two regular season titles (both under Durham). Four Big Sky title game appearances (wins in 1986, 1996, losses in 1988, and 1999).
Compare the above to Weber State (something like 16 Big Sky titles) and Montana, NCAA appearances under Morrill, Taylor, Holst, and now Krystowiak. And think of the traditions Idaho and Boise State had in the Big Sky. MSU's record isn't that great-not terrible but not great.
Why not? It's not all Durham's fault-but maybe it's because we've largely been guard oriented. Maybe there's other factors such as location, facilities, ag/engineering school?
What do y'all think? And can we get this program to being a recognized, year in and year out Big Sky power. Or should we just be happy with a little joy once a decade or so and leave it at that.
Why isn't MSU a Big Sky power in Big Sky men's basketball?
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BelgradeBobcat
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Cat Pride
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Re: Why isn't MSU a Big Sky power in Big Sky men's basketbal
HELL NO we should not be satisfied!BelgradeBobcat wrote:What do y'all think? And can we get this program to being a recognized, year in and year out Big Sky power. Or should we just be happy with a little joy once a decade or so and leave it at that.
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mquast53000
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Re: Why isn't MSU a Big Sky power in Big Sky men's basketbal
I really feel that every year the Cats should be at least in the top half of the conference in ALL sports. I hate the fact that we have not been a powerhouse in basketball year in and year out. I think we are making huge strides in football, but I don't see the same effort in basketball.BelgradeBobcat wrote:What do y'all think? And can we get this program to being a recognized, year in and year out Big Sky power. Or should we just be happy with a little joy once a decade or so and leave it at that.
FTG
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Cat Grad
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Well, just like Cat Pride I go back a few years and I'm still living in Roger Craft's success. We've been to the tournament in 1951, 1986 and 1996 and in the NIT we lost to Washington in overtime when Ferch shot with 8 seconds left and finally won a playin game against Utah State. Kind of ironic that our reputation as a relatively good academic institution we seem to have more than our share of failure based on bonehead plays 
The only success I remember is when Starner completely lost control of Hampton, Damako, and Ferch and they started running and playing pressure d without his ability to stop them even in timeouts...
The Fizzlies started a pretty decent program when they hired a fired Wazzu coach named Heathcote with the ability to teach pressure d and coach big men. The Selvigs played for him. They've had some success with Brandenburg, Montgomery, Morrill, and even though they fired Taylor and Holst, they were somewhat successful. Notice all the old Gonzaga players they've had coach there in addition to their own? They all were taught how to play defense and could coach big men. We, on the other hand have never gone back to the successful systems or successful coaches that played during our successful years (look up our records when Durham played). And I really don't care anything about firing or hiring a coach, it's just something I've noticed over the years. How many times would MSU fire a coach after making the tournament? I simply think the expectations of the school's administration is not ever going to allow us back to our glory days. On the one hand it pukes me to hear from any administrator within our school state: "Well after all, this is just the Big Sky..." and on the other when I see a grand total of 3 NCAA and two NIT appearances, I question whether winning basketball has ever been the goal in Bozo. It almost appears that athletic competition is something that academia is forced to tolerate rather than understand the role it plays in the university experience. Perhaps as students enroll in compressed distance learning to schools such as Boise State...and they see our kids leaving the state to go to school they'll understand...even if it's just over the internet...
The only success I remember is when Starner completely lost control of Hampton, Damako, and Ferch and they started running and playing pressure d without his ability to stop them even in timeouts...
The Fizzlies started a pretty decent program when they hired a fired Wazzu coach named Heathcote with the ability to teach pressure d and coach big men. The Selvigs played for him. They've had some success with Brandenburg, Montgomery, Morrill, and even though they fired Taylor and Holst, they were somewhat successful. Notice all the old Gonzaga players they've had coach there in addition to their own? They all were taught how to play defense and could coach big men. We, on the other hand have never gone back to the successful systems or successful coaches that played during our successful years (look up our records when Durham played). And I really don't care anything about firing or hiring a coach, it's just something I've noticed over the years. How many times would MSU fire a coach after making the tournament? I simply think the expectations of the school's administration is not ever going to allow us back to our glory days. On the one hand it pukes me to hear from any administrator within our school state: "Well after all, this is just the Big Sky..." and on the other when I see a grand total of 3 NCAA and two NIT appearances, I question whether winning basketball has ever been the goal in Bozo. It almost appears that athletic competition is something that academia is forced to tolerate rather than understand the role it plays in the university experience. Perhaps as students enroll in compressed distance learning to schools such as Boise State...and they see our kids leaving the state to go to school they'll understand...even if it's just over the internet...
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BelgradeBobcat
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iaafan
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The big reason is because not enough vocal pressure has been put on the front office from the president on down by the fans. There needs to be an organized group of supporters that instills it in the heads of these folks that continual failure is not acceptable. This way when things like Solomonson, Durham and the women's coaching carousel are going on they are stopped internally. The end result is good for both fans and the front office, because the front office doesn't have to feel the brunt of the fans and the fans don't have to feel like no one is running the show. This group needs to let it be known that it won't stand for the inadequate products being put on the field and court.
Kramer came in and actaully put a self-imposed 1,000 day deadline on his era. That was very noble, but shouldn't be the case. He met that, barely, but he got it done. He constantly says that his job is on the line every year and that he knows that if he doesn't continue to succeed he will be out. He isn't getting this from anywhere, but his own expectations. But these should be everyone's expectations. And everyone should be able to accept that if they are not met steps will be taken.
When this happens MSU will have consistent winners and the underacheiving and late season flops will lessen. Until this happens this athletic program will be stuck in a never ending do loop.
Kramer came in and actaully put a self-imposed 1,000 day deadline on his era. That was very noble, but shouldn't be the case. He met that, barely, but he got it done. He constantly says that his job is on the line every year and that he knows that if he doesn't continue to succeed he will be out. He isn't getting this from anywhere, but his own expectations. But these should be everyone's expectations. And everyone should be able to accept that if they are not met steps will be taken.
When this happens MSU will have consistent winners and the underacheiving and late season flops will lessen. Until this happens this athletic program will be stuck in a never ending do loop.