The Bobcat Nation

I like it better than last year's schedule, but at the expense of sounding negative, it still looks like a pretty weak schedule. At least, in terms of big name schools.

When did the Top of the World tourney start getting such weak fields. Didn't they used to draw some pretty good teams?

No worries ... if the Cats win the games they should win this season (most of them), I will be a very happy camper.

Bay Area Cat wrote:I like it better than last year's schedule, but at the expense of sounding negative, it still looks like a pretty weak schedule. At least, in terms of big name schools.

When did the Top of the World tourney start getting such weak fields. Didn't they used to draw some pretty good teams?

No worries ... if the Cats win the games they should win this season (most of them), I will be a very happy camper.

I agree wtih you 75% on this one. I'd love to see the Cats bring in someone bigger to Bozeman (I know this is tough though), there are some decent mid major programs (not great, but decent), any preseason tourneys the Cats can get into are great, and the Bracket Buster could be great for the team (hopefully they are featured on ESPN).

With the teams in the Fairbanks tourney (MSU, Alaska-Fairbanks, Denver, Ill-Chicago, Kenesaw State, Lamar, San Diego St., Southern Miss.) I see no reason why the Cats cant go up there and win that tourney. Seriously. Hopefully Durham doesnt get scared and actually installs this type of "go get 'em" attitude in the team this year.

But I see our RPI and SOS to be rated low again this year. That means of the 30 games played this season, the Cats must win 22-24 games and go 11-3 in conference if they intend on getting seeded any higher than a 15.

When do they let us know who we play in the bracket buster game, sometime in nov-dec?

As a new participant to the Bobcat Nation ( and a great forum) I would agree with all of the thoughts thus far. The Top of the World tourney is a different venue than what they have seen in the past and should be a good road trip for the team. I think they will compete very well and it is a chance to showcase our program in Alaska.

A quality mid major team coming to Bozeman would certainly be great for the fan base along with giving us a great home game for confidence building. I am excited and optomistic about the 2005-2006 version of the Bobcats!

When did the Top of the World tourney start getting such weak fields. Didn't they used to draw some pretty good teams?

I think that the top of the world tourney has always had mid-major type teams competing. I think we've competed in this tourney once or twice in the past. The Great Alaskan Shootout in Anchorage usually does have a couple of teams in the top ten competing.

As for our strength of schedule, I would like to see us play some big name teams, but it doesn't really do anything to help us. Yes it increases our SOS, but the only place where SOS comes into play is the tournament. I would be willing to bet that no big sky school is going to get an at large bid into the tourney, so it really only comes into play when we are seeded after we win the BSC tourney. Even then it may only move us up one notch...if that.

I am really excited to watch this team play this year. I think that if they can continue to play great defense, and have better shot selection, this could be a very special team.

I have my tickets for the first and second round NCAA games down in SLC, and I am hoping that Mick and the boys will be there as well.

interesting how former div2 ndsu can have a schedule that will blow all big sky schools sos out of the water. yes, where they are located helps. to bad the presidents don't want them.

Split out the tangent stuff rehashing the UNC vs. NDSU arguments. It is in the College Sports World forum if you wish to continue.

Isn't the NDSU schedule entirely on the road? SoS doesn't mean much when a team loses all those games. (Except for RPI).

It's not the strongest schedule for the Bobs, but if the Bobs play well they should beat almost all the teams in the non-conference schedule. With a good non-conference record, it should give the Bobs a shot at an NIT berth if the 'Cats do not win the 'Sky autobid, and hopefully a decent seed if the 'Cats win the autobid.

Was anyone else majorly confused when the NIT didn't take a single team from the 'Sky last year? MSU/Portland St. were thrice as deserving as Notre Dame or Indiana, and more fans would have come to Brick Breeden for the game.

theblackgecko wrote:Was anyone else majorly confused when the NIT didn't take a single team from the 'Sky last year? MSU/Portland St. were thrice as deserving as Notre Dame or Indiana, and more fans would have come to Brick Breeden for the game.

No, that was the weakest Big Sky Conference I have ever witnessed. Last years Cat team wouldnt finish mid pack 5 years ago. The Idaho teams of the late 80's, Griz teams of the early 90's and Cats of the mid-late 90's would have gone undefeated through conference these last 3 years.

tournament seedings and potential recruits are the benefits of sos and playing these teams. who would sway a recruit more, big sky teams that play mayville state, boise state, santa clara, or a team that plays minnesota, kansas state, wisconsin.....they gave kansas a pretty good game last year.