Cat-Griz thoughts...

[grizzh8r]

Great win by the men tonight! Gritty performance to hang on to the lead; big sigh of relief when Bobby Howard came back in after what appeared to be a twisted ankle. An even bigger result is we extend our lead in the conference to 2 games over the Griz and stay right in the battle for the conference title. On a side note: I was really embarrassed as a Cat fan when some tool threw a ball on to court right when Qvale was shooting his free throw. That stupid move damn near could have lost the game for us. Qvale makes both his FTs, then the two technical shots are made, and what was a 10 point lead is cut immediately to 6. On the next possession, we lose the ball and the Griz come back and score a hoop and cut the lead to 4. I swear I damn near threw the TV out the window. I hope they found that ass wipe and escorted him out of the building.

We were at Old Chicago after the game, and Bobby Howard came in with some family members and he was limping. Hopefully it's not a nagging thing, and will heal up and he'll be back near 100% soo, because we will need him @ NAU and @ UNC next week.

About the game, what a defensive effort by the Cats, especially in that first half! UM just could not get anything going offensively. There were Bobcat defenders in passing lanes, tipping balls, playing good help defense, and REBOUNDING!

Still a little concerned about the lack of focus at times with this team - it happened again in the second half when the Griz got back into the game. There were about 3 straight possessions where 'Quis or Will just drove in amongst the trees, and either turned it over or missed the shot. Not nearly as bad as against CSB last Monday night, but still. Coach Huse took a couple well-timed timeouts to get them back on track.

As long as this team strives to make the extra pass, shares the ball, and keeps limiting the turnovers, they should be alright. The effort on the glass tonight was nice to see. Hopefully they can keep that up.

[kcatz]

Coach I thought the same thing about Huse speaking to the far end at the end of the game. I was watching from the sideline but it seemed to me that he was greeting friends not chastising the crowd. And the ball had to have come from the top because it came over the backboard not under.

[Griznationalist]

Looking into the crystal ball:

Cats will lead by as many as seven points, but Griz will pull it out and win by six.

Well, I had crow for breakfast this morning. Still have some feathers stuck in my teeth. Your guys kicked our butts.

[NrthFce]

Who was the marketing genius that decided to throw out mini-basketballs at a rivalary game? That is really who should be strung up and left in the snow bank!

I mean seriously not one person involved invisioned a ball being thrown back on the floor. At football games snow balls are thrown right and left and the students have to make the balls out of the snow.

The other thing I would like to point out is because it was our court we get the technical regardless of who throws the ball, what is to stop Griz fans from throwing balls out to continue getting T's.

You must be kidding.... you obviously can't be this ignorant to go a a rant about a "marketing genius" and completely place blame away from the responsible party.

Our marketing and promotions department has only gotten better in the last few years!!! They have throw out mini-basketballs at every game this year. They also throw out mini-footballs during the football games. It is something to give back to the fans that come and give them memories and a take home prize for the kids. There were fan prior to the game at specs that had balls from previous games taking them back into the Fieldhouse. It's like a little good luck charm and shows more spirit. I watched multiple kids and adults clutching their mini-basketballs after the game and it gave me a moment to think back to the days of the Ferch's and Damako when I had caught, kept and played with a hard plastic blue and at that time yellow ball.

Last night, I was proud of MSU, coach Huse,the marketing dept.(they too, put on a great show), and the turnout of fans (Thanks Fans). I was disappointed by a few idiot fans. Sadly, more and more I get disappointed by people, who call themselves fans, in our community that continue to find a black mark in everything that is MSU and fix a blame where it doesn't belong. I swear, people will bitch about anything, and always turn things around a blame MSU. Sorry kcats, I don't know you, so maybe this is for all the others, but for all the people who work so hard to blame EVERYTHING and ANYTHING back on MSU.... Hey newflash, we're we are headed in the right direction, either get on the train or stay at home, I'm tired of your negativity. Like the saying goes, They don't come to your job and knock the d!cks out of your mouth...

Signing off... Nrthfce

[Common Cat]

The crowd looked awesome on TV. Who was there? I love how brick breeden lights up the floor as if it was a stage. We have a great field house. Celtic were you there?

[fatcatsat]

I would like to say congrats to the men's team. they looked very good most of the game. Keep it up, I am gettting excited about a possible run at the Big Sky Championship.

[TrueCat]

I was there with my family and it was great! Best crowd in a few years and EVERYONE (students, families and booster alike) were into the game and loud! It is a shame that a few fools had to throw balls on the court, but as NrthFce wrote, they have been throwing balls into the crowd all season long and for many years past.

Nonetheless, GREAT crowd...GREAT atmosphere...GREAT game.

[BelgradeBobcat]

The crowd looked awesome on TV. Who was there? I love how brick breeden lights up the floor as if it was a stage. We have a great field house. Celtic were you there?

The crowd was very good. Huse commented that the crowd helped the team more than they hurt the team. The booster side was almost full-there were just empty seats here and there and a few way at the top. The student side upper level had a lot of room. Size wise-it was about as big or a little bigger than what we used to draw for a Saturday night against Weber, Boise, or Idaho back in the day. The roads going into Bozeman were really bad. It snowed all day-so I'm sure quite a few probably decided to stay home (can't argue with that decision).

I wish half as many students would show up for any other basketball game-with even half the enthusiasm they show against the griz-we'd really have something if they ever did.

[ImagineSanta]

Throwing of the basketballs made me extremely embarrassed. I asked the marketing director about his decision and he said "heaven forbid we think they could handle themselves." It's not HIS fault that people threw balls on the court, they've been doing it all year. He was promptly destroyed by PF with a swearing-infused tirade after I asked him about it. PF always sits in the same spot during the game and the look on his face said it all, complete devastation. I understand how he could be angry, but yelling at the MD for something out of his control, and cussing him out while doing it in front of everyone, classless. I defended PF for a lot of things, but no more. This was just unprofessional and not needed.

[CelticCat]

You guys complain about the atmosphere at the basketball games, saying the department should do more. They try and do more, and you blame them for a fan throwing a ball on the court.

[kmax]

I've just got to come in and second the support for the Marketing guys at MSU. That someone is stupid enough to throw a ball on the court is not their fault. The cheerleaders and dancers threw five or six boxes full of balls out to the crowd. One or two idiots, several hundred other people (mostly kids) enjoyed it. And if (and that is a big if in my mind) indeed PF went on a tirade against anyone from the Marketing group in front of fans then I consider that just about as classless as the idiot throwing the ball on the court.

That said, one other thing that I wanted to give my thanks for, and i am assuming this goes to the Athletics marketing, is for the free gold t-shirts given out at the game. I say I assume it was the marketing group because unlike usual giveaways, they had no giant company logo overpowering any bobcat stuff on them. That's the way to get a "gold rush" type event going!!!! It was awesome seeing almost the entire student section with the same gold shirts on and much of the rest of the fieldhouse as well. Great job to Bobcat Athletics marketing or whoever got that going and paid the tab for all the shirts to give away.

[CelticCat]

I've just got to come in and second the support for the Marketing guys at MSU. That someone is stupid enough to throw a ball on the court is not their fault. The cheerleaders and dancers threw five or six boxes full of balls out to the crowd. One or two idiots, several hundred other people (mostly kids) enjoyed it. And if (and that is a big if in my mind) indeed PF went on a tirade against anyone from the Marketing group in front of fans then I consider that just about as classless as the idiot throwing the ball on the court.

That said, one other thing that I wanted to give my thanks for, and i am assuming this goes to the Athletics marketing, is for the free gold t-shirts given out at the game. I say I assume it was the marketing group because unlike usual giveaways, they had no giant company logo overpowering any bobcat stuff on them. That's the way to get a "gold rush" type event going!!!! It was awesome seeing almost the entire student section with the same gold shirts on and much of the rest of the fieldhouse as well. Great job to Bobcat Athletics marketing or whoever got that going and paid the tab for all the shirts to give away.

Nice, I didn't know about that. I've always wanted someone to give out shirts at games (football or bball), and if I ever have the money it will be something I definitely donate. Glad to see someone else had this brilliant idea as well.

[NrthFce]

... and the towels!!! Bar none, plain and simple, that was an AWESOME atmosphere/game/event and HUGE win. All I have say in a big freaking WAAAAAAA- fn- HOO. That was fun. Hurray for all involved!!

[WalkOn79]

Great win by the men tonight! Gritty performance to hang on to the lead; big sigh of relief when Bobby Howard came back in after what appeared to be a twisted ankle. An even bigger result is we extend our lead in the conference to 2 games over the Griz and stay right in the battle for the conference title. On a side note: I was really embarrassed as a Cat fan when some tool threw a ball on to court right when Qvale was shooting his free throw. That stupid move damn near could have lost the game for us. Qvale makes both his FTs, then the two technical shots are made, and what was a 10 point lead is cut immediately to 6. On the next possession, we lose the ball and the Griz come back and score a hoop and cut the lead to 4. I swear I damn near threw the TV out the window. I hope they found that ass wipe and escorted him out of the building.

Am I missing something or are the rules different at the college level. Didn't they shoot the technicals with the lanes empty, then fill the lanes for Qvale's last throw? Shouldn't that be reversed with the Griz get the ball at mid-court after all the throws are complete?

[Old Skool Cat]

Great win by the men tonight! Gritty performance to hang on to the lead; big sigh of relief when Bobby Howard came back in after what appeared to be a twisted ankle. An even bigger result is we extend our lead in the conference to 2 games over the Griz and stay right in the battle for the conference title. On a side note: I was really embarrassed as a Cat fan when some tool threw a ball on to court right when Qvale was shooting his free throw. That stupid move damn near could have lost the game for us. Qvale makes both his FTs, then the two technical shots are made, and what was a 10 point lead is cut immediately to 6. On the next possession, we lose the ball and the Griz come back and score a hoop and cut the lead to 4. I swear I damn near threw the TV out the window. I hope they found that ass wipe and escorted him out of the building.

Am I missing something or are the rules different at the college level. Didn't they shoot the technicals with the lanes empty, then fill the lanes for Qvale's last throw? Shouldn't that be reversed with the Griz get the ball at mid-court after all the throws are complete?

Qvale shot the front end and made it. Then Johnson came in and shot the two technical shots with lanes emptied. Then Qvale came back in and shot the last. I'm with you; I was a little surprised. I thought the refs would let Qvale finish up, then have Johnson shoot, and then award the griz the inbounds. But it was Cat ball after Qvale came back in and made his free throw.

[longhorn_22]

Throwing of the basketballs made me extremely embarrassed. I asked the marketing director about his decision and he said "heaven forbid we think they could handle themselves." It's not HIS fault that people threw balls on the court, they've been doing it all year. He was promptly destroyed by PF with a swearing-infused tirade after I asked him about it. PF always sits in the same spot during the game and the look on his face said it all, complete devastation. I understand how he could be angry, but yelling at the MD for something out of his control, and cussing him out while doing it in front of everyone, classless. I defended PF for a lot of things, but no more. This was just unprofessional and not needed.

Agreed.
I also saw PF having a few words with the marketing director and I was disappointed in PF to say the least. I have to side with you , and the MD on this one.

[MSU01]

Qvale shot the front end and made it. Then Johnson came in and shot the two technical shots with lanes emptied. Then Qvale came back in and shot the last. I'm with you; I was a little surprised. I thought the refs would let Qvale finish up, then have Johnson shoot, and then award the griz the inbounds. But it was Cat ball after Qvale came back in and made his free throw.

I think the rules have changed from what they used to be, in that a team does not automatically get possession after the technical free throws anymore. After the technical free throws, the game continued as it would have had the technical not been called with Qvale shooting his second FT and MSU getting possession after the make.

[GOKATS]

Qvale shot the front end and made it. Then Johnson came in and shot the two technical shots with lanes emptied. Then Qvale came back in and shot the last. I'm with you; I was a little surprised. I thought the refs would let Qvale finish up, then have Johnson shoot, and then award the griz the inbounds. But it was Cat ball after Qvale came back in and made his free throw.

I think the rules have changed from what they used to be, in that a team does not automatically get possession after the technical free throws anymore. After the technical free throws, the game continued as it would have had the technical not been called with Qvale shooting his second FT and MSU getting possession after the make.

Trying to figure out the NCAA rule book is like trying to solve Rubik's Cube while blind folded, but there are different rules for administrative technicals (more than likely the case with the mini balls being thrown) and player/coach induced technical fouls.

[kmax]

Throwing of the basketballs made me extremely embarrassed. I asked the marketing director about his decision and he said "heaven forbid we think they could handle themselves." It's not HIS fault that people threw balls on the court, they've been doing it all year. He was promptly destroyed by PF with a swearing-infused tirade after I asked him about it. PF always sits in the same spot during the game and the look on his face said it all, complete devastation. I understand how he could be angry, but yelling at the MD for something out of his control, and cussing him out while doing it in front of everyone, classless. I defended PF for a lot of things, but no more. This was just unprofessional and not needed.

Agreed.
I also saw PF having a few words with the marketing director and I was disappointed in PF to say the least. I have to side with you , and the MD on this one.

Just as an FYI, got an email directly from the MD yesterday following my post and my suspicions on this matter were confirmed as he said that there was no "talking to" from Fields and that in fact he was very supportive surrounding the whole issue. I understand people saw and heard what they did, but just remember when throwing someone under the bus from the comfort of your anonymous message board handle that there is always a lot more to the story and going on than the little snippet you may see or hear.

[GOKATS]

Throwing of the basketballs made me extremely embarrassed. I asked the marketing director about his decision and he said "heaven forbid we think they could handle themselves." It's not HIS fault that people threw balls on the court, they've been doing it all year. He was promptly destroyed by PF with a swearing-infused tirade after I asked him about it. PF always sits in the same spot during the game and the look on his face said it all, complete devastation. I understand how he could be angry, but yelling at the MD for something out of his control, and cussing him out while doing it in front of everyone, classless. I defended PF for a lot of things, but no more. This was just unprofessional and not needed.

Agreed.
I also saw PF having a few words with the marketing director and I was disappointed in PF to say the least. I have to side with you , and the MD on this one.

Just as an FYI, got an email directly from the MD yesterday following my post and my suspicions on this matter were confirmed as he said that there was no "talking to" from Fields and that in fact he was very supportive surrounding the whole issue. I understand people saw and heard what they did, but just remember when throwing someone under the bus from the comfort of your anonymous message board handle that there is always a lot more to the story and going on than the little snippet you may see or hear.

Thanks for the update from the MD, I was really having trouble lending any credibility to the reports of what PF supposedly did. While I'm far from being a big PF fan I just didn't see that scenario happening.

As for those bitching about the marketing folks throwing out the balls at Cat/griz I commend the folks and hope they keep up the marketing effort. To spare the women and children I won't go into details of what I think should happen to the idiots who threw the balls on the court.