Three wins in five days

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:25 pm

Looks like our BBall team is showing some signs of life... Three wins in the last five days with tonights win vs. SJSU. I know we haven't beaten very good teams, but with Al back in effect hopefully we can start a bit of a trend going into conference.

Game article:
http://www.msubobcats.com/news.php?sid=mbb&nid=780

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:40 pm

I couldn't be there for it-but I was very glad when I saw the result. TV highlights had Big Al throwing one down and strutting down the court. I think the guy could be the answer to our attendance woes!

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:08 am

Al brought the crowd and the team to life tonight. There is something truely magical about this guy. He alone makes the cats a must see.

MSU01 · Post by **MSU01** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:00 am

It's amazing to see the difference in the atmosphere at the Fieldhouse just with this one guy on the court! He scored 8 points on 4 dunks, blocked a couple, and played some great defense on SJSU's top player.

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:10 am

sjsu site:

http://www.sjsuspartans.com/article.asp?articleid=64813

Jefferson and Miller certainly are an impressive guard combo.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:23 am

This explains the game and atmosphere pretty well.

Happy returns for Beye, MSU

By JEFF WELSCH, Chronicle Sports Editor

As they crossed paths in the bowels of Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Mick Durham gave Al Beye a high-five - well, a high-five for Durham, a handshake for Beye - and said "it's good to have you back."

Moments earlier, when leading scorer Ja'Ron Jefferson was asked the difference between Montana State's 72-59 basketball victory Tuesday over San Jose State and the one-point loss to the same team in November, he grinned and said, "Big Al!"

Never did so few minutes (14) do so much for so many.

Never did eight points, six rebounds and a single blocked shot create such a buzz, but that was the tale of Beye's long-awaited return in front of 3,107 at Worthington Arena.

His passionate play lit a fire under the Bobcats' weary legs and helped fuel a third consecutive victory.

"He's just got an amazing personality," said Durham, MSU's 15th-year coach. "It just affects the whole team."

Case in point: Late in the first half, after the first of the 6-foot-11 junior center's four dunks, the entire Bobcat (4-6) bench stood, clapped rhythmically and chanted "Dee-FENSE! Dee-FENSE!" like a high school cheering section.

The final dunk, at 3:12 remaining off a pass from junior guard Branden Miller, gave MSU a 17-point lead and put an exclamation mark on a game it never trailed after the first three minutes.

"Al is a presence down low," explained Jefferson, who had a team-high 19 points in yet another solid performance opposite Miller, who had 17 points and seven rebounds.

"He helps us a lot."

If Beye had any residual physical or psychological side effects from the torn lateral meniscus he suffered in early November, they didn't show.

He jumped. He ran. He defended.

Beye even dove to the floor - a precipitous drop for someone his size - after a loose ball in the first half, bringing the crowd to its feet.

"I was so ready to play this game," he said. "It was really crazy sitting on the sideline watching my teammates play for nine games."

Beye's return and a solid victory resulted in a postgame atmosphere that was as festive as any this season, despite the physical drag of three games in five days.

Winning tired beats losing fresh.

"There's more talking, happy faces," Jefferson said. "We just want to keep it going."

The Bobcats kept it going Tuesday with their ever-improving combination of trapping defense and ball movement.

They also outrebounded their third opponent in 10 tries and limited San Jose State (3-6) to 45.1 percent shooting.

The Spartans' star forward, Marquin Chandler, whose buzzer-beater provided a 65-64 win on Nov. 22 in San Jose, Calif., had a quiet 22 points and eight rebounds.

"I think he scored less points than last time," Beye said.

He didn't (18) - it just seemed like it, in part because Chandler was battling a cold but also because MSU blanketed him.

The Spartans, who were also without 6-11 starting center Adam Misko, never seemed a threat to win it.

They hung within double-digit striking distance only because the Bobcats were occasionally careless with the ball or resorted to launching threes from the Tobacco Roots.

"We had it pretty much under control," Durham said.

The Bobcats' crisper offense was reflected in their 13 assists, four each from sophomore guard Nick Dissly and senior center Dennis Woodall. Their 13 turnovers against quick guards also was consistent with their play of late.

"Our shot selection is getting much better," Jefferson said. "We're moving the ball around real well."

The Bobcats, even with Beye on board, will face their toughest task of their four-game marathon when they travel to Utah Valley State on Thursday.

Still, on the heels of three straight wins and the return of their towering Senegalise Energizer Bunny, the outlook is much brighter than a week ago.

"I'm ready," Beye said, smiling. "I still want to play."

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:02 am

A couple of days ago we talked about what a surprise Casey Durham was, well i think it is time to talk about Jefferson. Yes I know he was a JC player, and JC players are expected to contribute right away, but when Brown pulled his bone head move , for lack of a better way to discribe it, Jefferson has stepped up. I think over all, Jefferson has been playing better than, highly touted Miller and Moss. He scores points rebounds a little plays defence, passes, and anything else we need him to do. Furthermore like someone else pointed out he and Miller together on the floor really compliment one another. I was told Jefferson was recruited as an insurance policy/bask up gaurd, but he is sure playing well as a go to guy!

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:28 am

I have been very impressed with Jefferson over the last few games. He is a very complete player. He shoots the 3 well, he can get to the bucket, and he also has a very solid mid range game which you don't see much of in college basketball. One thing that I really like about him is that he doesn't seem to force "stupid" shots, and thus most of his points are coming within the natural flow of the offense.

Another player that I've been very impressed with is Dennis Woodall. He won't put up a lot of points, but he'll give you great defense, 6-8 rebounds, 3-4 assists, and is one of the best I've seen at taking charges. I have noticed that he is really becoming a vocal leader on the team. He seemed like kind of a quiet guy last year, but is really becoming the senior leader that we need.

I really think that this team is starting to measure up to it's potential, and if we can get another win at a very good Utah Valley (they beat Weber State, and Boise State) team, I really think that we'll be as competative as anyone in the BSC.

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:32 am

Thanks in large part to Jefferson and Miller, as well as several others, this team is a lot more fun to watch than the past few years. The trapping defense by the guards is very effective. The ball handling is solid and these guys can really leap and find ways to score. Beye's addition promises a fun season to watch.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:39 am

I agree with wbfg about Jefferson's mid-range game. He really elevates on his jumper, and he will shoot the 15 footer instead of driving. The mid-range stuff is almost non-existant in basketball anymore and it's refreshing to see.

Jefferson has been much better than I thought he'd be when we first saw him. He's much more comfortable starting than coming off the bench as he did when Frank Brown was with us.

I do worry about Jefferson and Miller wearing down. The problem with small quick guys is they get tired-but big guys don't get smaller. This Utah Valley game coming up will be interesting.

So far Casey Durham and Jefferson have been much better than anyone hoped-and that will help us all say "Frank who?"

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:57 am

I don't think we lost anything as far as the starters go, but depth is questionnable. Casey is definitely contributing. We may need Holmes to develop quickly. The Cats could have a tough time in Utah, since they already seem to be tired. They won't have a grueling schedule like this in the conference. Is Morris going to come back? More size could help the guards, as was seen last night.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:09 pm

Is Morris going to come back? More size could help the guards, as was seen last night.

I'm assuming you are talking about Towsley...Ted Morris is red shirting this year....I think that he'll try to make it back for conference, but you never really know with a bad back. It would be nice to add the depth, but I really don't think that the return of Towsley will be crutial to a successful season (unless we get another big guy injured...knock on wood).

On another note: Does anyone know if Martrell is still on the team? I haven't seen him on the bench the last 2 games. I'm not sure if he was booted from the team with Frank or he quit, or maybe he's just taking some time off to be with family over the holidays. Anyone know?

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:17 pm

I meant Morris. Thanks. Johnson was at the MSU-N game in street clothes.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:25 pm

Towsley: will be back by conference (cross fingers). I want Towsley back! I do not think Beye can play 30-35 minutes a game, and gets in fould trouble. With Towsley we still have some size we can bring off the bench. I am not a huge fan of Towsley, but the coaches really feel he had a great summer and can be a very good contributer this year.

Martrell: I have been told that he is welcome on the team, but many believe he will not be back after winter break. He is another victim of Browns collateral damage. Brown left Bozeman to return to his parents home in Dallas. Brown has always been a huge source support for Martrell through his troubles and I have heard with out him here Johnson may not have much interest in Bozeman.

Morris: Can not play this year. Will have two years of elligiblity starting next year. His practice though has been limited this year with his retna injury.