Montana State's Thursday Women's Basketball Game Against Idaho Will Not Be Played

[BelgradeBobcat]

Crap, crap, crap!

[Ilikecats]

Crap, crap, crap!

I second that!

[BobcatDel]

Crap, crap, crap!

I second that!

I think it is worth a bit stronger shoot, dang, rats, crumb!

Second place and maybe a first place finish on the line!!

Plus Tori last home game...so hoping maybe Saturday or Sunday can play so can do a little senior recognition. And several of players have parents in town who were going to get to attend games.

Well hope for the best.

[rivercat]

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.

[arvcat2]

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]

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.

I like that. I think we know how the second game would go.

[MSU01]

Disappointing, but we'll almost certainly see them again two weeks from now in the Big Sky semifinals!

[KittieKop]

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.

Pretty sure in what MSU put out it said it was because of protocols within the UI program. But I get your point.

[John K]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[BobcatDel]

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?

[rivercat]

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]

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]

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]

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.

Wow...wouldn't that have been sweet...a #8 seed would have likely put us in a bracket with a winnable NCAA game or two.

[MSU01]

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.

MSU was #52 in the final RPI ratings last year. The conference could've lobbied all they wanted but I have a tough time seeing how MSU would've been better than an 11 or 12 seed.

[CatBot]

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?

Thanks for the write up. The only other parameter I was noodling on was to give some preference to the team that didn't cancel. If the Cats and UI end up with 3 losses, that could give us the seed in that scenario.

It seems the conference will need to use some sort of committee style like the big dance or the FCS playoff. The conventional methods, or simply looking at win percentage, could be problematic with a few of the seeds.

[Joe Bobcat]

It would really suck if the women didn't win out at Sac and truly be a dirty rotten shame. I haven't watched the Griz since we destroyed them but keep wondering if they might be developing and gelling as the season has progressed. It would be surprising if they went better than .500 in their last 4 games but I almost expect that they will win 1 of those 4 games. With all the virus problems that SUU has had it makes one wonder if they haven't followed good protocol measures very well.
Dang it would be nice to be watching the ladies beat the Vandals right now. I feel bad for Tori as a senior and any parents that had made plans to be at the final home game weekend.
Edit to say that it's awesome that there will be senior recognition after all even without a game.