Cats vs Cats

[GrizinWashington]

navarre shooting 2 4.1 left

missed the first one

I guess navarre is not clutch!!!

OUUUUCH! (you might have to explain that one to many on here, 2304. Here's a hint: AJ went off for 48 this weekend).

[coachouert]

navarre shooting 2 4.1 left

missed the first one

I guess navarre is not clutch!!!

OUUUUCH! (you might have to explain that one to many on here, 2304).

61-52

[bozbobcat]

I just got back from the game a few minutes ago, and here are a few post game thoughts.

I was very pleased with some individual efforts tonight. Bobby Howard had an excellent game, scoring 24 points and hitting some big 3 pointers. Marquis Navarre played against Damien Lillard fairly tough, and scored some good points. He really needs to look around the court and pass once in a while to another person on the team. The Bobcat offense seems to work best when they look around, take a few passes, and pick a good shot. The second half effort was excellent, and it was awesome to see them crawl back into the game.

There were plenty of missed opportunities this evening. It's difficult to beat a team of the quality of Weber State if we miss layups, and something really has to be done about free throw shooting. The team shot 62.5% from the line this evening. Up that total to 75%, we might be talking about a Bobcat victory. I can't tell you how frustrating this is for everyone, and I'm sure the team is the most frustrated about it. We must get over 1-for-2-itis. Free throws might not get chicks, but they win games.

The officiating was not good, but I will blame the loss on that. They were bad both ways, and tonight, this crew was exceptionally bad. However, both teams had to play through it. Tonight's game was frustrating, no doubt about it. It seems like the ship is taking on water, but Coach Huse felt that tonight's effort would win games down the stretch. The crowd was loud and boisterous, and did a nice job boosting the team. This game was a gut-check, but we must move on to next week and get at least one on the road.

[BelgradeBobcat]

So...do the refs get to ride back to Ogden with the team-or do they have to travel separately?

Seriously, despite the horrible officiating-and it was truely horrible-we had some chances. For some reason, Bynum can no longer make layups and Navarre can't make free throws. Both guys were pretty reliable at those diciplines most of this season.

This game was lost at the line.

Weber has a good team. They have good size, quick guards, plenty of depth, and good shooters. I think they're better than last season.

If we play with the heart and determination we exhibited tonight on next week's road trip we can win one or both. Unfortunately-it's the whole play to the level of your opponent thing.

Too bad Howard's great night was wasted. Hope he has a few more in him.

[GrizinWashington]

navarre shooting 2 4.1 left

missed the first one

I guess navarre is not clutch!!!

OUUUUCH! (you might have to explain that one to many on here, 2304).

61-52

8-4 v. 7-5 with a much more favorable schedule and the cats at home, and playing the best basketball in the BSC? I'll take where we are, thanks.

And if Navaree can't handle it and needs someone to answer for him, perhaps he should just keep his mouth shut in the first place and just go play. But, I guess that's probably too old school for the kids these days....

[coachouert]

navarre shooting 2 4.1 left

missed the first one

I guess navarre is not clutch!!!

OUUUUCH! (you might have to explain that one to many on here, 2304).

61-52

8-4 v. 7-5 with a much more favorable schedule and the cats at home, and playing the best basketball in the BSC? I'll take where we are, thanks.

And if Navaree can't handle it and needs someone to answer for him, perhaps he should just keep his mouth shut in the first place and just go play. But, I guess that's probably too old school for the kids these days....

I love how Griz fans are so quick to point out a scoreboard unless it doesn't work in their favor. You do know the conference schedule is the same for the Cats as the Griz here on out, right? I will give UM the edge on a "favorable" schedule since the Cat/Griz game is in Missoula. Griz are playing well, enjoy it. In fact, I bet there is a whole message board dedicated to Grizzly athletics where you can enjoy it...good sweep by UM this weekend.

As an aside, I didn't hear you on here crowing after Johnson missed free throws that were clutch at the end of the Cat/Griz game. In fact, I don't recall many Griz fans on here after that game. Weird how you turned up after a Cat loss...just saying. (I'm really not trying to stir up ****** with you GinWA as I do typically enjoy your posts).

To go back to the purpose of the thread to discuss the MONTANA STATE/WEBER STATE game. Cats had their chances, including at the end, but free throws played a roll. I personally think Bynum having such an off game might have been the biggest factor. 1 point, 5 fouls, 5 turnovers and a few missed bunnies.

Four conference games to go. Sac State and Eastern are winnable. Portland State is also winnable as they are struggling this year. I do think the 3/4 seed position could come down to the Cat/Griz rematch in Missoula against a very hot UM team...Cats need to buckle up and get a couple road wins next weekend.

[CATS2000]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

[CapitalCityCat]

navarre shooting 2 4.1 left

missed the first one

I guess navarre is not clutch!!!

OUUUUCH! (you might have to explain that one to many on here, 2304).

61-52

8-4 v. 7-5 with a much more favorable schedule and the cats at home, and playing the best basketball in the BSC? I'll take where we are, thanks.

And if Navaree can't handle it and needs someone to answer for him, perhaps he should just keep his mouth shut in the first place and just go play. But, I guess that's probably too old school for the kids these days....

Funny.... you weren't bragging on the griz before last weekend

[GrizinWashington]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

It was a "pick-em" in the Seattle Times today.

And for what it's worth, I haven't bragged on the Griz at all this week, either (although had I been bragging, I likely would have done so last week since they swept a road trip last weekend). I was simply adding context to 2304's post which I'm certain many didn't understand.

[coachouert]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

It was a "pick-em" in the Seattle Times today.

I'm not hip on the lingo...what exactly does that mean?

[GrizinWashington]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

It was a "pick-em" in the Seattle Times today.

I'm not hip on the lingo...what exactly does that mean?

Simply that the odds makers couldn't determine a winner with any spread, so it's an even-money game. If you bet MSU to win, they only had to do so by 1 point. If you bet Weebs to win, they also only had to win by one.

[coachouert]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

It was a "pick-em" in the Seattle Times today.

I'm not hip on the lingo...what exactly does that mean?

Simply that the odds makers couldn't determine a winner with any spread, so it's an even-money game. If you bet MSU to win, they only had to do so by 1 point. If you bet Weebs to win, they also only had to win by one.

Ah, gotcha. Kenny Rogers, I am not. Thanks.

[GrizinWashington]

Dup post

[GrizinWashington]

Anyone know the spread on this one? The old ref who rolled his ankle in the first half was just horrid...

It was a "pick-em" in the Seattle Times today.

I'm not hip on the lingo...what exactly does that mean?

Simply that the odds makers couldn't determine a winner with any spread, so it's an even-money game. If you bet MSU to win, they only had to do so by 1 point. If you bet Weebs to win, they also only had to win by one.

Ah, gotcha. Kenny Rogers, I am not. Thanks.

[grizzh8r]

I just got back from the game a few minutes ago, and here are a few post game thoughts.

I was very pleased with some individual efforts tonight. Bobby Howard had an excellent game, scoring 24 points and hitting some big 3 pointers. Marquis Navarre played against Damien Lillard fairly tough, and scored some good points. He really needs to look around the court and pass once in a while to another person on the team. The Bobcat offense seems to work best when they look around, take a few passes, and pick a good shot. The second half effort was excellent, and it was awesome to see them crawl back into the game.

There were plenty of missed opportunities this evening. It's difficult to beat a team of the quality of Weber State if we miss layups, and something really has to be done about free throw shooting. The team shot 62.5% from the line this evening. Up that total to 75%, we might be talking about a Bobcat victory. I can't tell you how frustrating this is for everyone, and I'm sure the team is the most frustrated about it. We must get over 1-for-2-itis. Free throws might not get chicks, but they win games.

The officiating was not good, but I will blame the loss on that. They were bad both ways, and tonight, this crew was exceptionally bad. However, both teams had to play through it. Tonight's game was frustrating, no doubt about it. It seems like the ship is taking on water, but Coach Huse felt that tonight's effort would win games down the stretch. The crowd was loud and boisterous, and did a nice job boosting the team. This game was a gut-check, but we must move on to next week and get at least one on the road.

Well, I will. That was by far and away the worst officiated game I have EVER witnessed in person, and that's saying a lot in this conference. Last night wasn't very good, but there were bad calls both ways, which pretty much evened things out.

Tonight, it seemed WSU could do no wrong, and MSU could do nothing right, in the eyes of Byrne Haskins and the dumb-****** ref who called an over and back on Bynum when he saved a ball 2 steps from the half court line. There were any number of over the backs, charges, and a good 3-4 travels not called on WSU. On the other hand, MSU got hit with some real ticky tack fouls on shots that should have been called blocks, not fouls.

WSU didn't earn that win. They should thank their two teammates in black and white stripes for helping them out.

Hoever, the grit and determination the Cats showed in the face of unsurmountable odds, and to still have a shot at a game where the refs basically ensured a WSU win, is a credit to their charachter. They outrebounded them, outhustled, and played head to head with WSU.

I haven't been this pissed about a home loss in a long time. I was disappointed after the EWU loss, but the Cats played like crap in that game. They played really well tonight, but because of the sorry excuse for referees, they lost a game they otherwise would have won.

This is the type of loss that will either galvanize this team, or send them spiraling out of control. I think it will be the former, because they know this was a game in which they played good enough to win. Here's to finishing the conference season 4-0.

FTR! (****** the refs)

[GrizinWashington]

How come no one ever complains about officiating when they win?

Obviously, I didn't watch the game. But each team had 21 fouls whistled against them, and each team shot the precisely the same number of FTs (24). How one-sided could the officiating have been? Based on the post above, I expected the ratios to be about 5 to 1 in favor of Weber.

[technoCat]

I just want to go back to Howard. How does he not touch the ball at all in the clutch? He was working his butt off on screens and flying to the post and he was not getting the ball. He is definitely the most clutch guy on the team and he can't get the ball. How many points has he gotten this year by fighting for rebounds and picking up loose balls. He is that guy we are looking for and the rest of the team for what ever reason doesn't seem to get that.

Navarre: I don't know what his funk is but a point guard should be able to make free throws. That said he made some plays down the stretch that kept us in the game. I'd like him to act more like a POINT guard and less like a shooting guard but he played an overall good game.

Anderson: Let him get in the post. I know a lot of people don't think he has a post game but the few games I've seen this year, if he gets the ball down low, whether on a rebound or a pass, he seems to be able to get good shots. Give him the opportunity. I really see him being a force before he leaves MSU.

Hell of a game Cats. You fought hard and made a hell of a game of it!!!!

[TomCat88]

How come no one ever complains about officiating when they win?

Obviously, I didn't watch the game. But each team had 21 fouls whistled against them, and each team shot the precisely the same number of FTs (24). How one-sided could the officiating have been? Based on the post above, I expected the ratios to be about 5 to 1 in favor of Weber.

To their credit people here were complaining about the refs vs. ISU if you go to that thread you will see that and the ISU poor officiating is also commented on in this thread. It does, however, seem like people only complain about officiating when they lose, which has been going ever since man invented the ball.

And the number of fouls being the same is not an indication of good officiating. If they missed a bunch or called some that weren't, then it's still poor officiating. Then add in wrong calls on all the other aspects of the game and they could call a great game pertaining to fouls, yet still grade out poorly due to missed calls in all the other areas. Lop-sided fouls don't indicate that a game was poorly officiated since they could've become lop-sided late in the game when the trailing team was forced to foul.

Still the refs are the least of MSU's concerns. MSU doesn't have the makeup to go out and dominate every night. UM has a team that's tooled much better than MSU and is probably the best team in the league in that regard. MSU actually rebounded well against WSU, which is a good sign (not so well vs. ISU). MSU doesn't have a good inside presence, doesn't shoot FTs well and doesn't rebound well (and has looked rough against the zone), which means they have to play good defense and shoot well from the field, among other things, to win games. It's been my opinion that if you can shoot, then all your weaknesses will all but be hidden.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Anderson: Let him get in the post. I know a lot of people don't think he has a post game but the few games I've seen this year, if he gets the ball down low, whether on a rebound or a pass, he seems to be able to get good shots. Give him the opportunity. I really see him being a force before he leaves MSU.

You sure didn't see Weber's Steve Panos dancing around the three point line last night...ever! Putting Anderson out there-which we do for some strange reason-is just setting him up to fail.

[whitetrashgriz]

my 2 cents...

bobby played a hell of a game last night. how he doesn't het touches in the last couple minutes after the night he had is baffling. i have said all year that i don't think this is a selfish team, but simply a team with no identity and no go-to guy. well, i am changing my stance here a little and frankly it's not good. if our guards aren't selfish, as they certainly look to be at times, then the only alternative is stupidity. i know that's harsh, but it's one or the other. either they simply don't WANT to put the ball in the hands of the guys that are hot, or they can't figure it out due to piss-poor court vision, and an abundance of turnovers. either way, it's basketball 101 that when a guy has the hot hand, you find ways to keep getting him the ball.

free throws...as it seems every season...are once again awful, and once again costing us wins. it's a complete effing joke that everyone in the building and listening on the radio knew that first of two free throws at the end of the game was going to be missed. admit it. what were you thinking when he stepped up to the line? and i'll go one step farther with my psychic skills. what were you all thinking when we fouled and put weber on the line with the opportunity to seal the deal? everyone of us KNEW those were going in. it's a simple fact, even if this team improves vastly over the next month, if they can't figure out a way to make these shots, we'll be one and done in the tourney.

refs won't win or lose a game for you. sure there will be games that we'll all agree were called poorly, but not enough to dictate winners and losers. fact is, we had many, many, many opportunities to score points, and get needed stops last night and we failed. not to mention turnovers which we had far to many of last night, and to make matters worse a lot of them came from our gurads whose job it is to take care of the ball, and DISTRIBUTE the ball. refs didn't lose the game last night, selfish/stupid play, turnovers, and missed free throws lost us the game. fact is, jesus christ, allah, and the pope could have officiated last night, and we still would have lost playing the way we played.

sorry, that was like 20 cents.