WBB vs. EWU

[arvcat2]

Well it’s senior night, last home game of the season, combined with an opportunity to win the conference outright and go to the tourney as the undisputed #1 seed. If I lived in Bozeman, I’d be there loud and proud! I am a bit worried about our big forwards. Dykstra hasn’t played in two games and Janssen got banged up at the end of the PSU game. If both are out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Binford go with a “small” lineup and rotate Bad Bear & Deden at the post. Go Bobcats!

[kmax]

Has anyone seen the tiebreaker scenarios for the top 3 seeds should they all end up tied? I'm really hoping the ladies take care of it tonight and lock up that #1 seed but just wondering. Looked through BSC twitter and in the weekly notes release and haven't seen anything.

[aucat]

We really need to win this game. Unlike the men's game tonight against EWU that has basically no ramifications, this ladies' game is for sole ownership of the Big Sky Championship.

[67AirCat]

After looking at the Big Sky WBB standings, this game has huge ramifications. Sac and NAU are playing Portland State and Weber State respectively, and should both win easily. If our girls lose to EWU, there would be a three way tie for first, and as KMAX has stated, this would have major impacts on tournament seeding. Could we end up in the number 3 seed?

An EWU loss could be even more detrimental for them. They currently are in fourth place which gives them a first round bye. But, Idaho and Montana both have a record of 9-8 and play each other so one of them will end up at 10-8 which will be the same record for EWU if they lose to the Cats. Again, depending on the seeding protocol, EWU could drop out of fourth and the bye. So, not only could they be playing a spoiler role, but more importantly, fighting for the top four. They should be highly motivated, and this will be a tough game for the Bobcats, especially if Dykstra and Jansen are limited.

Senior night can be motivational, but could also result in too much energy - especially in the first few minutes. Our girls need to keep the focus they had at Portland and put this one in the win column.

[MSU01]

Has anyone seen the tiebreaker scenarios for the top 3 seeds should they all end up tied? I'm really hoping the ladies take care of it tonight and lock up that #1 seed but just wondering. Looked through BSC twitter and in the weekly notes release and haven't seen anything.

If MSU, NAU, and Sac end up all tied then NAU gets the #1 seed as they swept both MSU and Sac for a 4-0 head to head record.

For the #2/3 tiebreaker with MSU and Sac, head to head doesn't resolve it since the teams split so we go to records against common opponents.

MSU and Sac were both swept by #1 NAU, which doesn't resolve it.
MSU and Sac would both have split with #4 EWU under this scenario, which doesn't resolve it.
That takes us to the #5 seed, which will be determined by tonight's UM vs Idaho game. If UM wins, then MSU wins the tiebreaker due to their sweep against UM. If Idaho wins, then Sac wins the tiebreaker due to their sweep against Idaho.

[MSU01]

After looking at the Big Sky WBB standings, this game has huge ramifications. Sac and NAU are playing Portland State and Weber State respectively, and should both win easily. If our girls lose to EWU, there would be a three way tie for first, and as KMAX has stated, this would have major impacts on tournament seeding. Could we end up in the number 3 seed?

An EWU loss could be even more detrimental for them. They currently are in fourth place which gives them a first round bye. But, Idaho and Montana both have a record of 9-8 and play each other so one of them will end up at 10-8 which will be the same record for EWU if they lose to the Cats. Again, depending on the seeding protocol, EWU could drop out of fourth and the bye. So, not only could they be playing a spoiler role, but more importantly, fighting for the top four. They should be highly motivated, and this will be a tough game for the Bobcats, especially if Dykstra and Jansen are limited.

Senior night can be motivational, but could also result in too much energy - especially in the first few minutes. Our girls need to keep the focus they had at Portland and put this one in the win column.

The top 6 seeds get byes into the quarterfinals, not the Top 4. EWU has already clinched a spot in the 4 vs 5 quarterfinal against the winner of UM/Idaho, so they actually have very little to play for tonight in terms of the tournament.

[67AirCat]

Oops, you are right - the top six get byes. I knew that, but was focused on the Pacific 12 yesterday, and only their top four have byes so that's my excuse. So, as you mentioned, they either play Idaho or Montana in the quarterfinals on Monday. They still could be playing to spoil MSU's sole possession of the conference season title so the team needs to take care of business.

[kmax]

The top 6 do get byes, however the a top 2 seed is a huge advantage. First getting to play one of the bottom 4 that have already had to play the previous day, then getting a day of rest between the quarterfinals and semifinals vs. the 3-6 seeds which would have to play 3 straight days to win the championship.

[Bobcat4Ever]

We have won 10 of the last 12 against the Eagles — but there have been a lot of very close games. Two OT games and one 2 OT (‘Cats were 2-1) and a couple 2-3 point games. So expect a close game, but hopefully the ‘Cats turn up the heat in the third quarter and save the Big Sky some money on banners.

[MSU01]

The top 6 do get byes, however the a top 2 seed is a huge advantage. First getting to play one of the bottom 4 that have already had to play the previous day, then getting a day of rest between the quarterfinals and semifinals vs. the 3-6 seeds which would have to play 3 straight days to win the championship.

Yep, the extra advantage for the top 2 seeds is my favorite thing about the new tournament format. It feels a little dirty but I'll be rooting for the Griz women tonight as they can help clinch a top 2 seed for MSU even if the Bobcats lose.

[DMMDCats]

Stuck working in Havre, 2 free tix available.

Have a nice day

[MSU01]

So far so good, Cats up 10 after the first and could be more if the foul on Darian came before the buzzer. EWU has four players out including their leading scorer Jayda Martin.

[WYCAT]

Really bad end to the half. I think they scored 18 straight at one point. Big lead slipped away and we're tied at 31.

[MSU01]

Need to ride Kola and Darian in the second half. The other post players aren't getting it done tonight.

[WYCAT]

Women are in a ton of trouble. Got rolled in the 2nd quarter and getting outscored by 10 so far in the 3rd. They just look flat and slow.

[MSU01]

Turnovers, turnovers, and more turnovers. This is a horrible effort on senior night. Trying hard not to call out individual players, maybe time to switch to the men's game!

[catscat]

I hate the ups and downs. Why can't they just play consistent basketball.?

[tetoncat]

How do you be flat after that start. To much adrenaline for senior night come out hot then not have anything left?

[catscat]

I will be glad to see Beasley go. While she can be great at times, she's very unpredictable. Seems she thinks she's Darian White and she's not.

[WYCAT]

So much on the line and after the first quarter it's been awful. We honestly look like we've completely run out of gas. Sad ending to a very good season