MBB @ NAU

[Cledus]

@BelgradeBobcat @Cledus to two of our Bobcat Basketball informed posters - can you give us your big sky power rankings? I would have the Eags and then MSU and Sac in that order but after that I’m a bit fuzzy.

Informed poster? I've been called a lot of things, but that one's new. Good day to you, sir. I SAID GOOD DAY SIR!!

Just kidding, thanks for the nod. I'll echo what BelgradeBobcat said, I'm not familiar with the teams MSU hasn't played. Having said that, I'm a little surprised UNC is struggling. I thought they would have won on their home floor yesterday and were slight betting favorites. They're usually a very solid basketball program that's overshadowed by the football team's struggles.

I'd like to see MSU pick up the tempo a little bit. That's been a complaint of mine since Sprinkle took over. I'm not saying Mike Dantoni tempo, but I think an average of 80 ppg is a good tempo. It's just too hard to overcome deficits playing ball control when Raequan is having an off night and basketball is meant to be an up tempo game. All that, and missed free throws are inexcusable. The team should never be below 75%.

Idaho State is definitely playing with some confidence and they've got the momentum right now. But momentum goes both ways and I think they'll revert to the mean a little bit at some point. Weber State is definitely a feather in their cap, but their other wins were against weak opponents, so it's a little tough for an outsider to accurately evaluate them.

I think Weber's not the dominant force from years past but they're definitely north of the median and I see them as still trying to get their legs. I think they'll get better throughout the season. Maybe they've got new starters who are still learning to work together. They've got some good wins and some head scratching losses.

I think DeCuire's a good coach but he might be burned out in missoula. He needs to tap into that energy that comes from a new job / new scenery, as long as it's not against MSU.

What's even more important than home wins are road wins and right now, MSU is the only team in the conference with a winning road record. If they can keep that up, I can see another trip to the dance.

So, my ranking as of right now goes as:

1. EWU
T2. MSU
T2. CSUS
4. WSU
5. ISU
6. um
7. don't care about the others

[Cledus]

Damn. Two road wins by double digits and absolutely demolishing the lines. I hope someone here is betting on these guys and cashing in.

I was more bummed about the loss to EWU than the football loss to SDSU.

WAT? uh, no.

You had to have known by the end of SDSU's second drive that it was going to be an ass kicking. By that point, I had 3.5 quarters to accept and deal with the eventual outcome. Disappointing for sure that MSU lost, but we made it further than all but two teams.

The loss to EWU snapped a 14-game home winning streak and was a game the Cats were in the entire time. EWU is 3-5 on the road and one of those wins came against us. That's embarrassing.

[lv2hoop]

Torvik Analytics as of 1/8/23:

1. Montana State - 92
2. Eastern Washington - 150
3. Montana - 165
4. Portland State - 202
5. Sacramento State - 215
6. Idaho State - 236
7. Northern Colorado - 239
8. Weber State - 246
9. Northern Arizona - 293
10. Idaho - 302

[BelgradeBobcat]

Torvik Analytics as of 1/8/23:

1. Montana State - 92
2. Eastern Washington - 150
3. Montana - 165
4. Portland State - 202
5. Sacramento State - 215
6. Idaho State - 236
7. Northern Colorado - 239
8. Weber State - 246
9. Northern Arizona - 293
10. Idaho - 302

Weber State's win over what was at the time an undefeated or nearly undefeated Utah State team in Logan really threw me off. Weber is still very talented. Dillon Jones is a stud. I guess they're trying to figure things out in the post Randy Rahe era.