Thursday MBB - MSU vs Sac

[MSU01]

Big game this Thursday - MSU clinches at least the #4 seed in the BSC tournament with a win, assuring themselves of a first-round home game. MSU can get the #3 seed and still has an outside shot at the #2 seed with a win against Sac and a win in Missoula next weekend. Tough scheduling for out-of-towners and people with other commitments on a weeknight, so it will be a small crowd but hopefully a loud one!

[longhorn_22]

19-9 Cats with 12:00 to go in the first half.

[longhorn_22]

24-17. Under 8:00 to go in the 1st.

[orsalak]

Crap score is 68-64 cats, with sac shooting a free-throw.

[orsalak]

74-72 MSU .38 left

[orsalak]

cats win

[MSU01]

That clinches the #4 seed at worst for MSU in the conference tournament - can get the #3 seed with a win over UM next weekend. PSU vs. NAU is going to a second OT...the winner of that game becomes the likely #5 seed and first round opponent for MSU if we lose to UM and finish 4th.

[bpcats]

NAU wins in double overtime versus Portland State by 1.

[grizzh8r]

Cats had to outlast a ridiculous 3-point shooting effort in the second half by CSUS. 9-10 from deep... Couple that with 24 points off 14 MSU turnovers, and that's why it was so close at the end. Cats shot 23-26 from the line in the second half. OUTSTANDING job in that department. Cats clinch at least a top 4 conference finish.

[BelgradeBobcat]

First of all: The Spirit of the West Drum Line + the echoey Fieldhouse = delicious! More of that please. Great half time show.

As for the game: I think we had 38 at halftime and finished with 80. We played pretty consistent throughout and shot a little over 50%. Should have been a blowout right?

Sac State couldn't hit a layup most of the night, but my gosh-they were on a 90% clip there for a while from the 3 point line. Seriously-they normally don't shoot that good in warm ups. I know-I was watching them. We were going by 2's and they were going by 3's.

We gave up too many offensive rebounds-but when Sac did miss it was usually a brick and bounced wierd ways. Will Bynum had several steals-and break aways-but he would give it right back to them. He had a sloppy game-but was absolutely huge at the end with a tough shot to tie it back up and a freaky layup to put it away for us off a steal.

I can't believe we lost that lead-and I can't believe we won after losing the lead. What a wierd game.

Prediction...the griz will beat Sac by 30. The Hornets won't shoot like that again for a long long time.

[bozbobcat]

It seems like the bottom teams in the Big Sky give the Cats everything they can handle. The Hornets aren't quite as bad as their record, but that 9-10 3 point clip was insane. The way most of the game went, the Cats should have put it away, but big props to Sac State for fighting and staying in it. They're an athletic team. However, I'm extremely pleased that the Cats came back from losing a big lead and being down 2 with less than 2 to go. The free throw shooting was solid tonight, and I give a tip of the cap to Brandon Johnson for his nice game, including a 10 for 11 performance at the free throw line.

And the happiest thought of the night, 9 wins in conference is great (best since 2005) and a top-half finish is just excellent. The Cats will finish no worse than fourth place, and there will most likely be a home playoff game on March 6. Nice work, gentlemen!

[GrizinWashington]

Prediction...the griz will beat Sac by 30.

Criminey, Belgrade! I'm going to Vegas on Monday and I could certainly use some help from you in the sportsbooks.....