The Bobcat Nation

In case you haven't heard, tonight's MSU/UNC basketball game will be televised on Altitude. Two 3-0 teams playing for first place, should be good!

Bobcats playing stellar defense so far and lead 27-14 at the under 8:00 media TO. Rush having a nice game on offense too.

Cats struggling a bit now, still up 29-21 but our being out rebounded, out hustled, and are missing their shots right now.

35-31 MSU at the half, UNC finished the half strong. Cats must respond early in the second half.

Cats played decent ball all 1st half. Need to keep this going and get this win. We are getting some wide open looks. Should be a real good 2nd half.

Our energy/intensity we had in the first half is completely gone. We've only scored 6 points in about 8 minutes so far.

Bad shooting, no rebounding, getting out-hustled after the first 12 mins. of the game. Someone needs to step up and hit a couple big shots. Piepoli is off from the outside tonight.

Cats down 6 now. Missing everything from outside and absolutely no rebounding. Very frustrating, but UNC seems good at this sort of game. MSU women are leading UNC in the second half, though!

UNC on a 37-17 run, we're down by 6 now. I think you can pretty much close the book on this one, we just can't get anything going in the 2nd half. UNC wants it more.

Well down 4 with 9:39 left. Seriously Need to Box out and play some D here. This point of the game is crucial. COME ON CATS!!!!!!

Cats down 9 and Rush air balls a free throw. Pretty much sums it up. Down 12 now as we have apparently decided not to guard the guy who shoots 55% on 3s.

Gave up 2 huge 3's.... Down 12 now 8 min left... Geez

Shooting under 19% in the 2nd half, and no, this isn't one of those cases where you can credit the defense.

Make that under 15%.

Very confusing going back to playing a zone when only one guy is hitting shots for the Bears. #10 has hit his last 4 shots... all three-pointers... all against the zone defense. Singleton manned up on his guy produced good results, but the zone is just not a good defense to play against UNC.

CelticCat wrote:Shooting under 19% in the 2nd half, and no, this isn't one of those cases where you can credit the defense.

This is the first time I have seen the Bball team this year. Do we always crank up this many 3 point shots a game? Too many people on the outside of the 3 point and just launching 3's. We are making it easy on the UNC D. Live and die by the 3 pointer I guess.

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:

CelticCat wrote:Shooting under 19% in the 2nd half, and no, this isn't one of those cases where you can credit the defense.

This is the first time I have seen the Bball team this year. Do we always crank up this many 3 point shots a game? Too many people on the outside of the 3 point and just launching 3's. We are making it easy on the UNC D. Live and die by the 3 pointer I guess.

We shoot wide open 3s without hesitation, yes. I think we've only hit one tonight.

CelticCat wrote:

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:

CelticCat wrote:Shooting under 19% in the 2nd half, and no, this isn't one of those cases where you can credit the defense.

This is the first time I have seen the Bball team this year. Do we always crank up this many 3 point shots a game? Too many people on the outside of the 3 point and just launching 3's. We are making it easy on the UNC D. Live and die by the 3 pointer I guess.

We shoot wide open 3s without hesitation, yes. I think we've only hit one tonight.

Is 3 point shooting our strength though? We seem to have really athletic wingman that can slash to the basket. We were making it very hard on UNC in the first half taking it right to them (we have guys that are tough to guard off the dribble). I've seen comments on this years teams where we have large stretches where we don't score. Launching 3's and not making them (not going to the hoop and drawing fouls) is a good reason that happens.

UNC runs their stuff better than we run our stuff...and UNC has better stuff. They have plays to get layups, we have plays to get 20 foot jumpers-which we missed nearly all tonight. Just a horrible horrible 2nd half of basketball.

Not the end of the world-we'll have a good shot at them in Bozeman...if we learn how to make baskets again.

BelgradeBobcat wrote:UNC runs their stuff better than we run our stuff...and UNC has better stuff. They have plays to get layups, we have plays to get 20 foot jumpers-which we missed nearly all tonight. Just a horrible horrible 2nd half of basketball.

Not the end of the world-we'll have a good shot at them in Bozeman...if we learn how to make baskets again.

Just definately a big difference between halves. The first half I saw an MSU team that was balanced (inside and out), rebounding well, focussed and sharp. The second half Bobcat team was more passive and settling for 3's on each possession (makes it really easy on UNC Defenders). I really liked how we looked in the first half! (very exciting team). We just need to sustain it for a game. Often times when you shoot too many 3's you get players that stand and watch the shooter (makes it very easy on the D .. no wonder UNC had so much offensive energy late).

We did get a road win though and a 50/50 split on games in the Big Sky is great. Hopefully Sac State takes down the Griz.