The Bobcat Nation

It's Cat/griz week for both basketball teams.
For the women it's another challenge to their undefeated conference season.
Base on their records, no doubt Cats are the favorite to win but the griz do get to play on their home court. Also losing Holsinger might be a huge plus to them. The interim coach Nate Harris coached for Bin a few years back. Nate knows Coach Bin's approach to games. His style is different than Holsinger's so perhaps the girls can play a bit freer. If there was a tension and cloud in the program, perhaps that's somewhat lifted. And playing at home always seems to help a team.
On the other hand, the Cats have huge momentum. After squeaking by Eastern they have a point to prove. Traveling to Missoula isn't that far so not as bad a road trip. They have phenomenal talent through out the entire team, losing zero momentum when they substitute from the bench. Cats have better length and height. The full court press and overall defense is top notch. It's gonna be a fun game to watch!

I firmly believe that the Bobcat women are the best team in the Big Sky this year and will be favored in every game they play. That said, it's REALLY hard to go 18-0 so it's also very likely that they'll lose at least a game or two along the way. Hopefully it doesn't happen this Saturday!

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 21, 2025 4:23 pm

I firmly believe that the Bobcat women are the best team in the Big Sky this year and will be favored in every game they play. That said, it's REALLY hard to go 18-0 so it's also very likely that they'll lose at least a game or two along the way. Hopefully it doesn't happen this Saturday!

Couldn't agree with you more! Tougher games are the travel games and the team found out last night they can lose to any team. In her interview Coach said they needed a game like that. Hopefully that sharpens the focus against the griz so this isn't a game we lose!

Just guessing, but Binford probably has more wins in Dahlberg than any other head coach. That being said, we've seen some really, really good Bobcat teams go in there and just play terrible.

Team Stats--

Offense
MSU 2nd (71 a Game) / UM 6th (65 a Game)

Defense
MSU 2nd (56 a Game) / UM 8th (68 a Game)

FG%
MSU 6th (41%) / UM 4th (41.8%)

Opp FG%
MSU 3rd (39%) / UM 10th (42%)

UM is 1st in the League in 3 Point Shooting, While MSU is 1st in the League in 3 Point Defense

MSU is #1 in Steals per game at 14 a Game, While UM is 10th at 6 a Game

You can spot us a twenty point handicap,..can't ya?

WyomingGrizFan wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 3:11 pm

You can spot us a twenty point handicap,..can't ya?

Ha Ha. Never in Dahlberg. I also think Nate Harris will do a great job up there if they let him.

What's the story on Nate Harris leaving the Cats as an assistant to be an assistant for the griz? I am sure it was talked about, I just can't remember.

Cats15 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:19 pm

What's the story on Nate Harris leaving the Cats as an assistant to be an assistant for the griz? I am sure it was talked about, I just can't remember.

He left MSU to be a head coach at a D-2 school in Texas (can't remember who). After a few years he came back to join Holsinger's staff. He's from Ronan I believe so maybe just wanted to be closer to home?

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:44 pm

Cats15 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:19 pm

What's the story on Nate Harris leaving the Cats as an assistant to be an assistant for the griz? I am sure it was talked about, I just can't remember.

He left MSU to be a head coach at a D-2 school in Texas (can't remember who). After a few years he came back to join Holsinger's staff. He's from Ronan I believe so maybe just wanted to be closer to home?

He originally left to be an assistant at the D-2 school (Angelo State) and then was promoted to head coach after his first season there when the previous HC took another job. It was a bit interesting at the time that he would leave a D-1 job for D-2, but it seemed to work out for him as it got him that first head coaching job he'd never have had by staying at MSU. I think he's a fantastic coach, the Griz would be smart to make him their permanent coach. Hopefully the Griz are dumb but he still gets a D-1 job somewhere else where he won't be directly in competition with MSU.

SACCAT wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 2:43 pm

Team Stats--

Offense
MSU 2nd (71 a Game) / UM 6th (65 a Game)

Defense
MSU 2nd (56 a Game) / UM 8th (68 a Game)

FG%
MSU 6th (41%) / UM 4th (41.8%)

Opp FG%
MSU 3rd (39%) / UM 10th (42%)

UM is 1st in the League in 3 Point Shooting, While MSU is 1st in the League in 3 Point Defense

MSU is #1 in Steals per game at 14 a Game, While UM is 10th at 6 a Game

Three point shooting is the key stat. If Cats can limit the Griz three point production, I think MSU wins...

Catfanatic84 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:48 am

SACCAT wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 2:43 pm

Team Stats--

Offense
MSU 2nd (71 a Game) / UM 6th (65 a Game)

Defense
MSU 2nd (56 a Game) / UM 8th (68 a Game)

FG%
MSU 6th (41%) / UM 4th (41.8%)

Opp FG%
MSU 3rd (39%) / UM 10th (42%)

UM is 1st in the League in 3 Point Shooting, While MSU is 1st in the League in 3 Point Defense

MSU is #1 in Steals per game at 14 a Game, While UM is 10th at 6 a Game

Three point shooting is the key stat. If Cats can limit the Griz three point production, I think MSU wins...

I think the main stat is the last one. We have seen teams struggle all year just to get the ball past 1/2 court on the Cats... If the Cats can cause turnovers (And they have shown they can do it to every team other than Utah) they will be in great shape.

I have watched UM play on TV this year and they have some really outstanding three point shooters. We also have some fine shooters from distance. The game that we just played against EWU our three point shooting was terrible. I attributed that to playing three games in five days, being on the road, etc. So the key to me will be how well we play defense on the perimeter plus how well we shoot. If we allow their shooters lots of space out on the perimeter, they will hurt us. Hopefully our press defense will continue to pay dividends. It will be a very interesting game. Sure hope we bring our A game!

SACCAT wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2025 2:25 pm

Catfanatic84 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:48 am

SACCAT wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 2:43 pm

Team Stats--

Offense
MSU 2nd (71 a Game) / UM 6th (65 a Game)

Defense
MSU 2nd (56 a Game) / UM 8th (68 a Game)

FG%
MSU 6th (41%) / UM 4th (41.8%)

Opp FG%
MSU 3rd (39%) / UM 10th (42%)

UM is 1st in the League in 3 Point Shooting, While MSU is 1st in the League in 3 Point Defense

MSU is #1 in Steals per game at 14 a Game, While UM is 10th at 6 a Game

Three point shooting is the key stat. If Cats can limit the Griz three point production, I think MSU wins...

I think the main stat is the last one. We have seen teams struggle all year just to get the ball past 1/2 court on the Cats... If the Cats can cause turnovers (And they have shown they can do it to every team other than Utah) they will be in great shape.

And the Griz have turned the ball over more than almost everyone in the Big Sky. This one could get ugly!

WalkOn79 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 24, 2025 1:55 pm

And the Griz have turned the ball over more than almost everyone in the Big Sky. This one could get ugly!

Perhaps Taylee will break the NCAA record for steals! That would be a great Dahlberg stat!

WyomingGrizFan wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 3:11 pm

You can spot us a twenty point handicap,..can't ya?

When Taylee Chirrick signed with the ‘Cats you said …

WyomingGrizFan wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 06, 2023 12:36 am

BREAK UP THE BOBCATS!!!

Certainly, you can’t still feel that way?

Catfanatic84 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:48 am

SACCAT wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 2:43 pm

Team Stats--

Offense
MSU 2nd (71 a Game) / UM 6th (65 a Game)

Defense
MSU 2nd (56 a Game) / UM 8th (68 a Game)

FG%
MSU 6th (41%) / UM 4th (41.8%)

Opp FG%
MSU 3rd (39%) / UM 10th (42%)

UM is 1st in the League in 3 Point Shooting, While MSU is 1st in the League in 3 Point Defense

MSU is #1 in Steals per game at 14 a Game, While UM is 10th at 6 a Game

Three point shooting is the key stat. If Cats can limit the Griz three point production, I think MSU wins...

Three point shooting is very erratic. It could be the key to who wins but probably more of a coincidence than something that does or doesn’t follow form. I think msu has been overachieving at the three point line and that might be its downfall today if they start reverting to the norm over the second half.

Tip off at 2. Looking forward to watching these women in person today!
Go Cats!

Interesting, are the Bobcats wearing their pink uniforms today? That could clash with the "dark pink" the other team wears...

Heads up for anyone waiting for the women's game at 2:00, the Idaho/NAU game tips off at noon on ESPN+. Very big game since both teams are 6-1 and have only lost to the Bobcats.

At the first media timeout it looks like a rock fight. Cats down 5 - 7. By my count we're winning the turnover battle.