The Bobcat Nation

MBB travels to Grand Canyon University on Monday. We’re 0-2 versus the Antelopes. Should be a “real test” early in the season.

But for those who perhaps do not know about their rabid fans I attach a link describing the experience.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/grand- ... an-majerle

Or you can search for the GCU Havocs and watch some game time atmosphere.

Looks like the game will be streamed on ESPN+ according to GCU's website! Should be fun to watch, GCU will be a very strong opponent.

The MSU women also have their first regular season game today in the annual School Day game at 11 AM against Providence (the NAIA version from Great Falls).

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 06, 2022 6:45 pm

MBB travels to Grand Canyon University on Monday. We’re 0-2 versus the Antelopes. Should be a “real test” early in the season.

But for those who perhaps do not know about their rabid fans I attach a link describing the experience.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/grand- ... an-majerle

Or you can search for the GCU Havocs and watch some game time atmosphere.

Looks like MSU is a 6.5 underdog in this one with a 140.5 O/U putting the implied score at GCU:73.5, MSU:67

The MSU women lead Providence 31-10 at the half, not surprisingly an obvious mismatch in talent levels. Fortunately for Providence MSU only went 1-12 from 3 so the score isn't as ugly as it could be! Grace Beasley looks really good, I feel like she'd start at the point for most Big Sky teams.

78-31 is the final for the women, Marah Dykstra hit a shot in the last minute so all 14 players for MSU scored.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 07, 2022 1:49 pm

78-31 is the final for the women, Marah Dykstra hit a shot in the last minute so all 14 players for MSU scored.

I didn't watch but that seems like a great game for them. If I remember right, the Cats struggled a little bit in the local school game last year against Carroll (though I know Carroll is a really good program). Maybe Binford doesn't need to do as much experimenting this year.

kennethnoisewater wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 07, 2022 3:39 pm

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 07, 2022 1:49 pm

78-31 is the final for the women, Marah Dykstra hit a shot in the last minute so all 14 players for MSU scored.

I didn't watch but that seems like a great game for them. If I remember right, the Cats struggled a little bit in the local school game last year against Carroll (though I know Carroll is a really good program). Maybe Binford doesn't need to do as much experimenting this year.

I think Providence was definitely a step or two down from Carroll in talent, who if I'm remembering right featured a few former Cats & Griz on the team that gave MSU trouble last year. The starting lineup seems to be pretty well set with White, Beattie, Limardo, Bad Bear, and Janssen stepping into Mocchi's spot. Grace Beasley is an incredible talent off the bench, I'm not sure how much dropoff there is when she comes in to give Darian a rest.

GCU also has their conference, WAC, preseason player of the year on their team. Jovan Blacksher Jr. 5'11 guard.
"https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... conference

"With Blacksher (15.8 PPG, 39% from 3) on the court last season, Grand Canyon's opponents averaged just 86 points per 100 possessions, according to HoopLens.com data."

Bobcats will be tested in this early game for sure. ESPN predicts the Lopes have a 76 percent chance of winning.

Word from the scene down at GCU is that students were camped out in tents last night in order to get seating for this evening's game! Should be a wild atmosphere that hopefully we can play well in front of. Probably one of, if not the only, opening night game in college basketball that is a bona fide sell out.

Driving on a freeway in Phoenix (I have no idea which one) on the way to Flagstaff there was a big GCU billboard advertising the game with the MSU logo. Pretty cool.

https://gculopes.com/news/2022/11/6/men ... state.aspx

Heres a little write up for the game from the lopes perspective. No doubt about it, a clash of two promising teams on the first night has an excitement to it! Im sure the players are hyped.

Bobcats look great in the early going. GCU fans are as enthusiastic as their reputation guaranteed.

Nothing like a nice little 15-0 run to quiet down the crowd!

Early leads are fools gold...but this is a nice early lead.

Just keep punching them in the face. Outplay them every possession. Guys are playing with a ton of confidence.

Wow, it’s early…. But the mens team looks really, REALLY good!

Great first half. Especially defensively. Bury them after the break.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WYCAT wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:57 pm

Great first half. Especially defensively. Bury them after the break.

First 5 minutes is huge here. If you can get it over 20, huge place.

The only thing I can gripe about is the free throw shooting.
I love our defense. Even when we missed a few they couldn't go on a run because our defense was getting back and digging in. Defensive rebounding has also been tremendous.