The Bobcat Nation

With the Bobcat women’s wins against Division I Portland and UNLV under their belts, the non-conference schedule is only going to get tougher. First, let me say that the RPI information I’m about to share is very sketchy this early in the season, with so few games played, but it should work as a rough approximation of where teams currently stand.

UNLV and Portland are both sitting in the 150s in RPI, which makes those great wins for a Big Sky Conference team—though both programs understandably took a hit after losing to the Bobcats. The upcoming slate, however, ramps things up quickly: a road game at Troy on Monday (4–1 with an RPI around 90), followed by Colorado (3–1 with an RPI around 30). After that, they host North Dakota State (1–2, roughly 200 RPI) and then travel to play North Dakota (0–5, around 300 RPI). Things get even tougher with road games at Oregon (5–0, around 40 RPI) and Oregon State (3–0, around 120 RPI). The final non-conference game will be another road matchup, this time at Hawaii (1–0, around 150 RPI)—not a bad place for a road trip!

While the wins over UNLV and Portland were great for the program, the rest of the non-conference schedule will be challenging. That said, it should leave the team battle-tested heading into Big Sky play on January 1.

By the way, for those wondering: the Bobcats currently sit at roughly a 60 RPI as I type this.

I think Binford and staff did a great job with their non-conference schedule this year given what has to be an ever-increasingly difficult task to get quality opponents to travel to Bozeman to play.

Colorado and Oregon will be incredibly tough games although I'm optimistic that MSU will be able to be competitive even if they ultimately lose. The Oregon State game is a great chance for MSU to get another quality win as that's a neutral site game in Hawaii instead of a true road game.

The Summit challenge games (at NDSU, home to UND) should be good as well although UND definitely appears to be down this year.

Good comments. I like to see us playing some of these “up conference” teams like South Dakota State does. Strong performances and perhaps a win or two sprinkled in would surely help seeding in the NCAA tourney….it has for SD anyway. Helps the team understand what it takes to win against strong opponents and pays dividends in the long run.

If we could come away with a win or two against thise undefeated teams I think we should be sitting really good.

Troy won at Missouri yesterday 100-82. I have no idea if Missouri is good or not, but they are 4-2 and an SEC team so I'm pretty impressed. The Bobcats play at Troy, Alabama on Monday. MSU beat the Trojans in Bozeman last year. That win was a pretty big statement for that team and had me thinking-hey we're pretty good!

https://troytrojans.com/sports/womens-b ... core/10735

Sac St. Looks pretty respectable. They have Versteeg, Picton, Salave'a, and Ruby Gray as their main 5. Picton and Versteeg almost never come out. Salave'a is a transfer from Providence in Gt Falls and is 6'2" and a slow load, but she is physical. Ruby Gray is from Tazmania and is a very good scorer. Versteeg usually starts the offense and Picton just stands in the corner until someone needs her to either break some tight defense or hit a shot occasionally. She is very deadly if theyvever give her the ball. Vetsteeg and Gray hog the ball. Versteeg drives to the basket and shoots runners at a 45 degree angle and banks it in off glass. Gray is a shooter. They only have been beaten once I think by California.

Hawaii beat the University of Portland tonight in Hawaii 66-61. Portland fell to 2-4. Our win isn’t looking as good as it was. They may have been worn down by the ‘Cats and have yet to recover.

J. Philip and T. Chirrick are both in the top 12 nationally in steals.

I’ve been saying not to expect 30 wins again, but this ‘Cat team is going to be a complete clowder of snarling Bobcats come tournament time. What a great schedule. I think we’ll show we belong, although our youth might get exposed. Go, ‘Cats!

It will be fun to see how they do against a very good Troy team tonight, might be a "first team to 100 wins" type of game as Troy appears to play at a very fast pace like MSU does. 5:00 Mountain Time and this one will be on ESPN+.

Bobcat4Ever wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:41 am

Hawaii beat the University of Portland tonight in Hawaii 66-61. Portland fell to 2-4. Our win isn’t looking as good as it was. They may have been worn down by the ‘Cats and have yet to recover.

J. Philip and T. Chirrick are both in the top 12 nationally in steals.

I’ve been saying not to expect 30 wins again, but this ‘Cat team is going to be a complete clowder of snarling Bobcats come tournament time. What a great schedule. I think we’ll show we belong, although our youth might get exposed. Go, ‘Cats!

Hawaii lost by 1 point at Oregon though. They aren’t a bad team.

PapaG wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:42 am

Bobcat4Ever wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:41 am

Hawaii beat the University of Portland tonight in Hawaii 66-61. Portland fell to 2-4. Our win isn’t looking as good as it was. They may have been worn down by the ‘Cats and have yet to recover.

J. Philip and T. Chirrick are both in the top 12 nationally in steals.

I’ve been saying not to expect 30 wins again, but this ‘Cat team is going to be a complete clowder of snarling Bobcats come tournament time. What a great schedule. I think we’ll show we belong, although our youth might get exposed. Go, ‘Cats!

Hawaii lost by 1 point at Oregon though. They aren’t a bad team.

That was Hawaii's men's team that lost to Oregon by 1. The women's team is historically good though, they have 3 regular season Big West championships and 2 NCAA appearances in the last four seasons.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:50 am

PapaG wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:42 am

Bobcat4Ever wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:41 am

Hawaii beat the University of Portland tonight in Hawaii 66-61. Portland fell to 2-4. Our win isn’t looking as good as it was. They may have been worn down by the ‘Cats and have yet to recover.

J. Philip and T. Chirrick are both in the top 12 nationally in steals.

I’ve been saying not to expect 30 wins again, but this ‘Cat team is going to be a complete clowder of snarling Bobcats come tournament time. What a great schedule. I think we’ll show we belong, although our youth might get exposed. Go, ‘Cats!

Hawaii lost by 1 point at Oregon though. They aren’t a bad team.

That was Hawaii's men's team that lost to Oregon by 1. The women's team is historically good though, they have 3 regular season Big West championships and 2 NCAA appearances in the last four seasons.

Whoops! Mind at work is already on 4 days off.

Things are definitely tougher tonight. Could get ugly if the Cats can't knock down a few shots here.