Cats and Griz to host bracket buster games

Discuss anything and everything relating to Bobcat Football here.

Moderators: rtb, kmax, SonomaCat

Post Reply
grizindabox
BobcatNation Redshirt
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:28 pm

Cats and Griz to host bracket buster games

Post by grizindabox » Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:49 pm




User avatar
GavinDonos
1st Team All-BobcatNation
Posts: 1810
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:35 pm
Location: Billings

Post by GavinDonos » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:47 am

Pardon my ignorance, but I have no idea what this ESPN "bracket buster" thing is. Perhaps one of the more knowledgable bball fans could fill me in...



User avatar
El_Gato
Member # Retired
Posts: 2926
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:07 pm
Location: Kalispell

Post by El_Gato » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:13 am

Based on conversations with Mick and asst. coach JB, it sounds as if ESPN's thought is to pair up teams that aren't "household names" in college hoops (mid-majors), but are teams that COULD possibly win a game or 2 should they reach the Dance. In other words, they're looking for those 11-16 seeds that no one will pick in their March Madness brackets but have the potential to "bust" through against bigger, more high-profile teams.

I thought of teams like Weber ('99, was it?) or Gonzaga BEFORE anyone knew who they were.

Both coaches were excited about the game because A) it will be on national TV (good for future recruiting) and B) it will hopefully bring a quality team to Bozeman and help the team realize where they are and what potential they may have.

Personally, I think it's a great concept; it will give hoops fans a better look into the "rest" of NCAA basketball, rather than just the Dukes, Carolinas, and Kansas's of the world. Come March, more people will have more familiarity with some of the "lesser known" schools that make it to the tourney. I also love the idea that ESPN is going to venues that would otherwise never see a big-time TV game; I'd like to think that the BB Fieldhouse will be PACKED with Cat-crazed fans and do our program & school justice on a national stage.


Grizzlies: 2-5 when it matters most

Cat Grad
Golden Bobcat
Posts: 7463
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:05 am

Post by Cat Grad » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:16 am

It's kind of a way to generate interest in "mid-major" bubble teams for the tournament selection committee. Guess it hasn't influenced the committee too much so far, but Mslacat is much more knowedgeable than I am. We were chosen to host as there's pretty high expectations for this year's team.



Cat Grad
Golden Bobcat
Posts: 7463
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:05 am

Post by Cat Grad » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:17 am

...and of course El Gato explained it much better than me :oops:



User avatar
Ponycat
1st Team All-BobcatNation
Posts: 1885
Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 3:52 pm

Post by Ponycat » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:34 am

THere is also no guarantee it will be on TV. They have a couple teams from ever mid-major scheduled to play another and then the last week pick which games would be best based mostly on records, and which have the best shot of making the dance.


The devil made me do it the first time... the second time I done it on my own.

User avatar
El_Gato
Member # Retired
Posts: 2926
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:07 pm
Location: Kalispell

Post by El_Gato » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:34 am

Are you sure about that, pony?

Both Mick & JB talked as if it was a given that we'd be on TV.


Grizzlies: 2-5 when it matters most

User avatar
kmax
Site Admin
Posts: 9783
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:23 pm
Location: Belgrade, MT
Contact:

Post by kmax » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:45 am

From the article linked in the original post:
Eleven of the 50 games will be broadcast by ESPN networks. After the TV matchups are determined, the remaining matchups will be decided, with geography playing a part, ESPN officials said.


“Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time.” -- Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon

MSU01
Golden Bobcat
Posts: 9842
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:21 pm

Post by MSU01 » Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:55 am

El_Gato wrote:Are you sure about that, pony?

Both Mick & JB talked as if it was a given that we'd be on TV.
None of the Big Sky Bracket Buster games were televised last year...MSU would have to have a VERY good non-conference season in order for it to potentially be on TV.



Post Reply