The Bobcat Nation

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:16 pm

Crap, crap, crap!

Ilikecats wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:40 pm

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:16 pm

Crap, crap, crap!

I second that!

arvcat2 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 7:33 am

How about a doubleheader on Saturday or Sunday? We have the depth Seriously, during tournament time, high school kids play loser out games in the morning and consolation games that evening.

rivercat wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:12 pm

I looked on the Vandals website to see if they had any additional info. What I found was this statement:

"Thursday's scheduled women's basketball game between Idaho and Montana State will not be played due to COVID-19 protocols."

I looked at other BSC team websites that had cancelled games and they all stated that it had been due to Covid/quarantine protocols in their program. Idaho doesn't say it was their program that has the problem. This may be petty but I find it pretty weak that they don't take responsibility for the canceled game.

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:10 pm

The cancellation of these two games, makes it pretty much impossible for us to catch Idaho for 2nd place, unless they get upset in one of their final two conference games. They've played two more games than us, and sit at 13-3, while we're 11-3. It doesn't really make much difference I guess, as we'll both get byes in the first round and will likely play the #6 and #7 seeds in the quarterfinals. Currently SUU, UNCU, and NAU occupy 5th through 7th, and those three teams are separated by only a half game, so it probably doesn't matter too much which of them are drawn by MSU and UI. Both will be big favorites regardless, setting up a likely showdown with UI in the semifinals.

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:04 pm

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:10 pm

The cancellation of these two games, makes it pretty much impossible for us to catch Idaho for 2nd place, unless they get upset in one of their final two conference games. They've played two more games than us, and sit at 13-3, while we're 11-3. It doesn't really make much difference I guess, as we'll both get byes in the first round and will likely play the #6 and #7 seeds in the quarterfinals. Currently SUU, UNCU, and NAU occupy 5th through 7th, and those three teams are separated by only a half game, so it probably doesn't matter too much which of them are drawn by MSU and UI. Both will be big favorites regardless, setting up a likely showdown with UI in the semifinals.

I had the same thought. There isn't any practical difference between the 2 and 3 spots, and even if we drop 2 at Sac St (highly doubtful), we will be no worse than 3rd with the tie breaker with dUMb.

Use the week to condition and build, and prepare to make a legitimate run at this championship. I'm really excited about this team.

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:39 pm

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:04 pm

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:10 pm

The cancellation of these two games, makes it pretty much impossible for us to catch Idaho for 2nd place, unless they get upset in one of their final two conference games. They've played two more games than us, and sit at 13-3, while we're 11-3. It doesn't really make much difference I guess, as we'll both get byes in the first round and will likely play the #6 and #7 seeds in the quarterfinals. Currently SUU, UNCU, and NAU occupy 5th through 7th, and those three teams are separated by only a half game, so it probably doesn't matter too much which of them are drawn by MSU and UI. Both will be big favorites regardless, setting up a likely showdown with UI in the semifinals.

I had the same thought. There isn't any practical difference between the 2 and 3 spots, and even if we drop 2 at Sac St (highly doubtful), we will be no worse than 3rd with the tie breaker with dUMb.

Use the week to condition and build, and prepare to make a legitimate run at this championship. I'm really excited about this team.

A possible effect is that our strength of schedule will be lower if we don't play UI. If the Cats make it to the tournament that may affect bracket seeding.

Hope I used effect and affect correctly above.

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:37 pm

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:39 pm

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:04 pm

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:10 pm

The cancellation of these two games, makes it pretty much impossible for us to catch Idaho for 2nd place, unless they get upset in one of their final two conference games. They've played two more games than us, and sit at 13-3, while we're 11-3. It doesn't really make much difference I guess, as we'll both get byes in the first round and will likely play the #6 and #7 seeds in the quarterfinals. Currently SUU, UNCU, and NAU occupy 5th through 7th, and those three teams are separated by only a half game, so it probably doesn't matter too much which of them are drawn by MSU and UI. Both will be big favorites regardless, setting up a likely showdown with UI in the semifinals.

I had the same thought. There isn't any practical difference between the 2 and 3 spots, and even if we drop 2 at Sac St (highly doubtful), we will be no worse than 3rd with the tie breaker with dUMb.

Use the week to condition and build, and prepare to make a legitimate run at this championship. I'm really excited about this team.

A possible effect is that our strength of schedule will be lower if we don't play UI. If the Cats make it to the tournament that may affect bracket seeding.

Hope I used effect and affect correctly above.

If we're talking a out both MT schools ending with 5 losses, I can't imagine strength of schedule would supercede a regular season sweep. Maybe if UI and the Cats end with 3 losses, then maybe?

Which brings up a good point. How does the seeding work with comparable teams that haven't played the same number of games?

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:19 pm

Currently, MSU and UI are ranked #93 & #97 respectively in RPI. If MSU and UI had played and MSU wins both games, then MSU would move up, maybe significantly. Should MSU win in Boise, I think that would definitely give them a better tournament seed. So from that standpoint, not playing UI is consequential.

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:31 pm

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:19 pm

Currently, MSU and UI are ranked #93 & #97 respectively in RPI. If MSU and UI had played and MSU wins both games, then MSU would move up, maybe significantly. Should MSU win in Boise, I think that would definitely give them a better tournament seed. So from that standpoint, not playing UI is consequential.

Possibly correct on the NCAA side of things. I was directing my comments more to Big Sky Tourney seatings. But I suspect to win the championship, we are going to have to go through both UI and ISU and that will impact the RPI for seating purposes too. It would require us to have beaten ISU two out of three times and defeated UI in our lone meeting. Would indeed be nice to see us receive better than an "after thought" type seeding.

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:37 pm

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:31 pm

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:19 pm

Currently, MSU and UI are ranked #93 & #97 respectively in RPI. If MSU and UI had played and MSU wins both games, then MSU would move up, maybe significantly. Should MSU win in Boise, I think that would definitely give them a better tournament seed. So from that standpoint, not playing UI is consequential.

Possibly correct on the NCAA side of things. I was directing my comments more to Big Sky Tourney seatings. But I suspect to win the championship, we are going to have to go through both UI and ISU and that will impact the RPI for seating purposes too. It would require us to have beaten ISU two out of three times and defeated UI in our lone meeting. Would indeed be nice to see us receive better than an "after thought" type seeding.

I actually hadn't seen your post when I posted. I heard Colter say that the league was going to lobby for MSU to get an 8 seed last year. That's not in the cards this year. Get there first and anything can happen.

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:37 pm

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:31 pm

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:19 pm

Currently, MSU and UI are ranked #93 & #97 respectively in RPI. If MSU and UI had played and MSU wins both games, then MSU would move up, maybe significantly. Should MSU win in Boise, I think that would definitely give them a better tournament seed. So from that standpoint, not playing UI is consequential.

Possibly correct on the NCAA side of things. I was directing my comments more to Big Sky Tourney seatings. But I suspect to win the championship, we are going to have to go through both UI and ISU and that will impact the RPI for seating purposes too. It would require us to have beaten ISU two out of three times and defeated UI in our lone meeting. Would indeed be nice to see us receive better than an "after thought" type seeding.

I actually hadn't seen your post when I posted. I heard Colter say that the league was going to lobby for MSU to get an 8 seed last year. That's not in the cards this year. Get there first and anything can happen.

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:11 pm

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:37 pm

rivercat wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:39 pm

CatBot wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:04 pm

John K wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:10 pm

The cancellation of these two games, makes it pretty much impossible for us to catch Idaho for 2nd place, unless they get upset in one of their final two conference games. They've played two more games than us, and sit at 13-3, while we're 11-3. It doesn't really make much difference I guess, as we'll both get byes in the first round and will likely play the #6 and #7 seeds in the quarterfinals. Currently SUU, UNCU, and NAU occupy 5th through 7th, and those three teams are separated by only a half game, so it probably doesn't matter too much which of them are drawn by MSU and UI. Both will be big favorites regardless, setting up a likely showdown with UI in the semifinals.

I had the same thought. There isn't any practical difference between the 2 and 3 spots, and even if we drop 2 at Sac St (highly doubtful), we will be no worse than 3rd with the tie breaker with dUMb.

Use the week to condition and build, and prepare to make a legitimate run at this championship. I'm really excited about this team.

A possible effect is that our strength of schedule will be lower if we don't play UI. If the Cats make it to the tournament that may affect bracket seeding.

Hope I used effect and affect correctly above.

If we're talking a out both MT schools ending with 5 losses, I can't imagine strength of schedule would supercede a regular season sweep. Maybe if UI and the Cats end with 3 losses, then maybe?

Which brings up a good point. How does the seeding work with comparable teams that haven't played the same number of games?

Just some random thoughts that you probably have already thought through.......

Montana is sitting at 9-5 but is NOT going to end with just 5 losses. I emphasize the NOT because I just don't believe they have the skill level to win out the rest of their games. They will be lucky to finish better than 9-9. Their last 4 games are against Idaho State and Idaho. Might win 1 or on the outside 2 of the games but could easily go 0-4.

Northern Colorado is 8-7 and could win out as they are playing well and they are not playing any of top 4 teams.....so could end up at 12-7 (.631 winning percentage).

Southern Utah is the enigma at 4-3 and play opponents that are winnable games and means that could put them at 8-3 (.727 winning percentage). Southern Utah canceled all games against the current top four opponents...ISU, Idaho, MSU and Montana....go figure.

So if MSU loses the last two against Sac State they would end at 11-5 (.685 winning percentage) or if win just one would be 12-4 (.75 winning percentage).

My current "guestimation" is that we end up #2 or #3. Both those seeds are in the same side of the bracket and will have to play each other in semi-final to get to the chipper. Until final seeding I am not sure it will make much difference whether a #2 or #3...after this weekend might have a better answer. Always nicer to say you earned the #2 spot. I suppose you could throw another monkey wrench into mix if a surprise couple losses at ISU would occur...but don't see it happening.

Your question is particularly valid and interesting on teams like SUU...what if they win out at 8-3 never having played a leading contender, do they get ranked higher than a Montana (who has a tough couple weekends ahead) or an MSU sitting at 11-5 (if for some unforeseen reason we lose both games) or even a UNC at 12-7? If so, they could end as high as a #2,3,4 seed and Montana and UNC being #5,6 seeds. Interesting.

It did seem like "way back when" there was a discussion that teams needed to play at least 13 games...does anyone remember something like that?