Big Sky Conference

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:20 pm

I really think the Bobcats are going to surprise people once the Big Sky Conference once it gets started. There are many new players for the Cats this season and they need to get used to each other. Also, Al has been out and I believe by the time the games really count they will be in the thick of things. They WILL make the Big Sky tournament and will do well in it!

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:02 am

I hope you are correct but my opinion is you are looking at things through the blue and gold colored glasses that tend to distort things a bit. These games we are playing do count and so far 1-6 against not that tough of competition sucks. We should win several of the next set of games since we are stepping down big time in competition but the only thing we have going for us in conference play will be that noone else seems to be off to a great start either. Hoping for middle of the pack in a crappy conference this season doesn't do it for me.

Two questions - 1) what makes you think we will make the BSC tournament and 2) what does "we will do well in it" mean?

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:30 am

WYCAT wrote:I hope you are correct but my opinion is you are looking at things through the blue and gold colored glasses that tend to distort things a bit. These games we are playing do count and so far 1-6 against not that tough of competition sucks. We should win several of the next set of games since we are stepping down big time in competition but the only thing we have going for us in conference play will be that noone else seems to be off to a great start either. Hoping for middle of the pack in a crappy conference this season doesn't do it for me.

Two questions - 1) what makes you think we will make the BSC tournament and 2) what does "we will do well in it" mean?

None of the Big SKy Conference is doing that well. The article in the Chronicle today explains it best. Compare scores and realize that we should be 5-2 if we learn to win close games. If that was the case none of this talk would be happening.....we would be talking BSC tourney. I just believe when Mick finds the right combination (which I thought he had in the 1st half of the Green Bay game) we can be tough. The 2nd half lineup in the last 10 minutes killed us. I am an optimistic person and believe we have good enough kids to win.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:40 am

Fair enough and again, I hope you are correct.

Let's look at it this way - what would everyone consider a successful end to this season after the 1-6 start? Personally, I would be happy if we made the BSC tournament and won at least one game in it. That would be a big improvement from the first few weeks of the season and I would say could be considered a huge success. Anything more than that I would consider a monumental accomplishment. Anything less that that and I wouldn't be surprised.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:36 am

Even with the pathetic start to this season, if this team misses the conference tourney, that would be a huge disappointment. No way should MSU ever miss the tourney, and to possibly do it 3 years in a row....I dont know if I should be embarrassed or mad?

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:40 pm

I'm pretty concerned with the start; listened to a couple of games and it's hard to believe we "...don't practice freethrows...nobody does...anymore..." Hard to swallow that ISU, Idaho or Weber are the only teams that've won a game in the tourney from our conference...

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:23 pm

WYCAT wrote:Fair enough and again, I hope you are correct.

Let's look at it this way - what would everyone consider a successful end to this season after the 1-6 start? Personally, I would be happy if we made the BSC tournament and won at least one game in it. That would be a big improvement from the first few weeks of the season and I would say could be considered a huge success. Anything more than that I would consider a monumental accomplishment. Anything less that that and I wouldn't be surprised.

I would be tickled if they make the tournament. I assume they better or there might be a coaching change (rumor in the wind anyway). Winning one game would be gravy on the potatoes in my opinion. I just think they have potential if the right combinations are in the game.

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:24 pm

Cat Pride wrote:Even with the pathetic start to this season, if this team misses the conference tourney, that would be a huge disappointment. No way should MSU ever miss the tourney, and to possibly do it 3 years in a row....I dont know if I should be embarrassed or mad?

Be patient with this team.....I believe they will come through in the end!

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:00 pm

MSU88 wrote:Be patient with this team.....I believe they will come through in the end!

I hope you are right. So far what I've seen, this team is way below average. With the schedule they've played, an average Cat team would be 6-1 or 5-2.

7 games under their belt, plus the whole summer and fall playing together, its about time these guys start gelling. Mick has had plenty of time to figure out what lineup and combintations work out there.

I dont mean to get down on these kids, but 6-10 conference record is the reality right now. Too many 3's for a team that cant shoot, horrendous free throw shooting, no rebounding....all against weak opponents. Moss is not as advertised and Dissly has been a disappointment thus far too. Nick, quit shooting 3's, take the ball to the hole, mix it up inside...toughen up buttercup.

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:14 pm

Cat Pride wrote:
MSU88 wrote:Be patient with this team.....I believe they will come through in the end!
I hope you are right. So far what I've seen, this team is way below average. With the schedule they've played, an average Cat team would be 6-1 or 5-2.

7 games under their belt, plus the whole summer and fall playing together, its about time these guys start gelling. Mick has had plenty of time to figure out what lineup and combintations work out there.

I dont mean to get down on these kids, but 6-10 conference record is the reality right now. Too many 3's for a team that cant shoot, horrendous free throw shooting, no rebounding....all against weak opponents. Moss is not as advertised and Dissly has been a disappointment thus far too. Nick, quit shooting 3's, take the ball to the hole, mix it up inside...toughen up buttercup.

I really liked the lineup Mick used in the 1st half of the GB Game. I think Dissly plays better when he and Carson Durr are in at the same time. The point guards seem to play better. The whole team had enthusiasm with that lineup in. Moss can play the post and Durr and Woodall can handle the #4 position. Nick just needs someone to take some pressure off him. I think Durr and Woodall can do that. Miller is shooting better and some sort of inside game would help.......can't live and die by the 3-ball.

MSU01 · Post by **MSU01** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:42 pm

I will be happy if they simply make the conference tournament this year. Once you make the tournament, anything can happen. I honestly believe that they have a chance to win it if things go well, especially as no other Big Sky teams have been overly impressive to this point. Missing the tournament for a 3rd straight year would be a complete disaster though. They only lose Woodall and Towsley to graduation this year, so there will be some huge expectations for next year.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:14 pm

I feel the only way we do anything this year or next is by finding someone to occupy the lane with authority and play physical. A Kenny Plummer type at least...doesn't have to be an aircraft carrier!
Looking at Al Beye makes me doubtful he's going to last the whole year...Towsley is about done I think...he looks like an old man! The New guy (Morris?) might be OK if he doesn't go blind and break a leg or his back!

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:00 am

One could say the Cats have been surprisingly competitive with so many new faces. Having had back surgery myself, when I was in college, I think Towsley should have had the surgery. One can suffer for a long time, hoping for improvement, or make a long term decision. I would have recommended surgery so he could have one healthy year and reach his potential. I know from last season that he has some impressive skills, but he must have also suffered some miserable times, physically. Playing D-1 basketball is no way to recover from a problem such as his.

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 4:26 pm

Helcat72 wrote:I feel the only way we do anything this year or next is by finding someone to occupy the lane with authority and play physical. A Kenny Plummer type at least...doesn't have to be an aircraft carrier!
Looking at Al Beye makes me doubtful he's going to last the whole year...Towsley is about done I think...he looks like an old man! The New guy (Morris?) might be OK if he doesn't go blind and break a leg or his back!

I agree Towsey is probably through contributing. I think they are better with Moss inside and Durr and Woodall at the #4. When Al come back that will just make them stronger. I feel for Matt.......it has been a tough two years as a Cat.