The Bobcat Nation

I was just browsing the MSU Women's Basketball schedule and was shocked to see that they have five games scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

Saturday, December 10 -- Air Force
Monday, January 2 -- Utah Valley
Saturday, January 21 -- Northern Arizona
Saturday, February 4 -- Weber State
Saturday, February 25 -- Eastern Washington

The Monday, January 2, game sort of makes sense, as there is also a men's game that evening. However, I would rather see them both in the evening and just have to make one trip to the Brick.

OK, I am a big fan -- but am I the only one that thinks there are other things to do during the daylight hours on Saturdays?

Was this an MSU decision, or is it a Big Sky thing?

I think it will result in smaller crowds and sleepier crowds. College basketball just seems like such an evening sport.

How does bobcatnation weigh in on this scheduling change for 2005-2006?

I thought I saw (in the HS vball-bball season change thread ) that our coach was worried about the day games. She said she didn't think it would bode well for attendance in a ski town, such as Bozeman. It was a Big Sky decision. Only positive is that the coaches may get more chances to look at local girls playing at night. Judging by our opener, recruiting may end up being the #1 or #2 priority this year.

If I remember correctly, the Big Sky was considering moving Saturday games in the conference season from 7 pm to 2 pm in order to help with travel time after the Saturday game. It's not a bad idea, I guess. I'm not really sure about it. Maybe they're trying it out with the women's basketball games.

BTW, this is my 100th post. It's kind of a commemorative one.

All of the Lady Griz games are at the normal 7:05 tip off time. It could just be something MSU wanted to try this year.

Good eyes, WolfPtCat.

“The situation during the winter evaluation period has changed somewhat in that the NCAA has doubled the evaluation allotment,” said Binford. “However, with that being said, I find it will be hard for any program to utilize all 85 evaluations. To adjust to the change, the Big Sky Conference has changed Saturday games to afternoon times, which will help us see more high school games. In past experiences, Saturday afternoon times draw well for women’s sports, but it hasn’t been done in a ski community like Bozeman. I hope it doesn’t affect our attendance much.”

I'm not sure that it's really a ski town issue -- I don't ski, but I have a million other things that take up Saturday afternoons. And there is so little daylight in the winter that it is hard to think about going back inside and missing even more of it. Fans as yet seem to be unaware of this change and when apprised of it, well, all votes have been negative.

I don't think the high school season change issue is big enough to change the schedule. Boy's/men's basketball deals with it. And I think that the women's team has as many coaches on the staff. If high schools want to be seen then they can play in the afternoon. I think actually Bozeman High does play some 4 pm games on Bobcat nights. Now this could impact their schedule.[/quote]

This does not seem to have been "mandated" by the Big Sky as some schools do and some don't. And I don't know what their schedules have been in the past. But here's how Saturday games look for this year:

EWU -- afternoon
ISU -- afternoon
MSU -- afternoon
NAU -- evening
PSU -- afternoon
SAC -- afternoon
UM -- evening
WSU -- evening

I hate to even think it, but the 'Griz got it right I am afraid it will definitely reduce attendance and enthusiasm and radio listeners.

Bobcat4Ever wrote:I hate to even think it, but the 'Griz got it right I am afraid it will definitely reduce attendance and enthusiasm and radio listeners.

True, but the Lady friz are the main draw in Hippyville. They consistently outdraw their pathetic men's teams, so of course they will get main billing on evenings!

For the record, I think this is a stupid move by whoever made the decision to play day games.

For the record, I think this is a stupid move by whoever made the decision to play day games.

Thanks BozoneCat At least someone agrees with me. With all two of this thinking this is a stupid move, I am sure that will carry enough weight to get this changed

I actually think a lot of season ticket holders are not aware of this until they look further down the schedule -- and a lot of single-game ticket buyers will be surprised as well.

Yawn ... it's hard to get excited about day games.

BozoneCat wrote:

Bobcat4Ever wrote:I hate to even think it, but the 'Griz got it right I am afraid it will definitely reduce attendance and enthusiasm and radio listeners.

True, but the Lady friz are the main draw in Hippyville. They consistently outdraw their pathetic men's teams, so of course they will get main billing on evenings!

For the record, I think this is a stupid move by whoever made the decision to play day games.

I would be inclined to agree, except that our men don't play any afternoon games this year either. The Lady Griz did play one afternoon game last year, but it was due to AA basketball tournament being in Missoula.