MBB vs. Idaho

[Desert_Bobcat]

Stink, stank, STUNK.. Unfortunately I could smell something like this happening after what happened on Thursday. Doesn’t matter if you’re playing the #1 team or the #10 team. When you let them shoot 54% from the floor, let them out-rebound you by 7, and let them score 44 points in the paint, and let them score 50 points in the 2nd half you’re losing that game 9 times out of 10.

Yes this is pretty much the story of the game. The rebounding was particularly impactful and evident in the first half as well.

Sam L. Played very well in the first half but after he missed the dunk in the second it seemed to sort of sap the will of the team and definitely the fans. That felt like the pivotal moment of the game to me

Definitely not wrong, I felt that too. What I don’t understand is why not change the lineup, put some energy guys in (Rob, Jed, Sam, Chika, Jon, literally anyone who could give a spark off the bench) and go into a press or trap zone. Forcing guys to run and play with energy on defense can lead to running and getting easy fastbreak points. Eddie and Brandon didn’t play bad but man they can suck up a ton of energy and slow the offense to a crawl sometimes. They needed a spark in a bad way.
After playing so well on Thursday you’d also think that they’d want to feature Sam more, instead they only played him 20 minutes while Brian and Brandon got worked by Vandal bigs.

[PapaG]

Tough loss but not surprised after a big win against EWU and Idaho riding high after the win in Missoula. Get sleep, watch some film, and get ready for next weekend’s tough road trip.

[aucat]

Well I was at the game on Thursday and again tonight and there was no comparison. Thursday the guys were so energetic and really fighting. Tonight they just looked lackadaisical and tired. WHen I got home I was watching highlights of some college games played today and this evening. I was intrigued by what Ron Slay, commentator on the SEC games had to say. He was a big time player at Tennessee in his day. He said that the PLAYERS OWN THE LOCKER ROOM at halftime. Not the coaches. The PLAYERS. I fully expected our guys to come roaring out in the second half. But they were just flat. It looked like to me that Rob was hurt. Our guys did not play good defense. I think Idaho ended up shooting 60%. The arena was almost full, but yes the rowdy student section we had on Thursday was missing tonight. Having watched both games up close, EWU is a WAY better team than Idaho. Gotta bring the A game every time in the Big Sky. We didnt' do it tonight.

[grizzh8r]

Just got home from the game. Haven't been to a Bobcat MBB game since the Huse era - living in Billings, winter driving that typically comes with BB season, and having young kiddos makes it tough - and we finally made it back to the Brick for this game. Sadly, the result was just like the last Huse game I attended; a bad loss.

Sure hope Goracke can get out of his slump, this team needs his scoring ability. Finally hit a couple of threes, but still missing free throws, which is so abnormal for him.

Entire team just looked off. Like they rested on their laurels from the big win Thursday night and forgot to bring it tonight.

[John K]

Tough loss but not surprised after a big win against EWU and Idaho riding high after the win in Missoula. Get sleep, watch some film, and get ready for next weekend’s tough road trip.

Idaho didn't win in Missoula. It was a close game, but the gris won.

[PapaG]

Tough loss but not surprised after a big win against EWU and Idaho riding high after the win in Missoula. Get sleep, watch some film, and get ready for next weekend’s tough road trip.

Idaho didn't win in Missoula. It was a close game, but the gris won.

Oops! Thanks for the correction.

[thefrank1]

I haven't missed a game all season. It has certainly been an interesting year. The challenges of this team were evident early and led to many surprises and disappointments. We are at the point of the season where we are at risk of running out of energy. We regularly play only 8 players per game while our opponents often play 10 as Idaho did last night. I don't sense less effort from our team just less capability due to the exhaustion factor. I also believe that Robert has suffered so many blows that he is less than 100%.

Last night, we simply were running on empty and couldn't prevent the separation that Idaho created late in the second half. The team gave everything they had but couldn't close that separation.

If we are going to be successful for the rest of the season, we will need to develop a deeper rotation.

[PapaG]

I haven't missed a game all season. It has certainly been an interesting year. The challenges of this team were evident early and led to many surprises and disappointments. We are at the point of the season where we are at risk of running out of energy. We regularly play only 8 players per game while our opponents often play 10 as Idaho did last night. I don't sense less effort from our team just less capability due to the exhaustion factor. I also believe that Robert has suffered so many blows that he is less than 100%.

Last night, we simply were running on empty and couldn't prevent the separation that Idaho created late in the second half. The team gave everything they had but couldn't close that separation.

If we are going to be successful for the rest of the season, we will need to develop a deeper rotation.

Or, there are only 8 players who can help the team win, so they play a lot. The core of the roster was rebuilt and it was never going to be like the last two seasons. I’d expect Logie to run a deeper rotation next season as he continues to build his roster.

[Desert_Bobcat]

I haven't missed a game all season. It has certainly been an interesting year. The challenges of this team were evident early and led to many surprises and disappointments. We are at the point of the season where we are at risk of running out of energy. We regularly play only 8 players per game while our opponents often play 10 as Idaho did last night. I don't sense less effort from our team just less capability due to the exhaustion factor. I also believe that Robert has suffered so many blows that he is less than 100%.

Last night, we simply were running on empty and couldn't prevent the separation that Idaho created late in the second half. The team gave everything they had but couldn't close that separation.

If we are going to be successful for the rest of the season, we will need to develop a deeper rotation.

Or, there are only 8 players who can help the team win, so they play a lot. The core of the roster was rebuilt and it was never going to be like the last two seasons. I’d expect Logie to run a deeper rotation next season as he continues to build his roster.

I’d really like to know why we haven’t seen Jed Miller play at all. From what we’ve seen earlier in the year and in garbage time last year, he seems more than capable as a ball handler and is a dang good shooter. If anything just for a minute or two to give Rob a break in certain situations. Big John seeing the court more in the last few games gives me hope that we can rely on him more if the game plan calls for his skill set. Just wishing we knew more about some of these redshirts who never take off their warmup.

[Helcat72]

So this is where we are at...Just like when Huse was here. A short bench and the players are exhausted. I look for the deeper teams to start taking over the league. Teams like Weber and UM. Idaho is starting to play well and several teams will be fading in the home stretch.

[HighPlainsBobcat]

Just caught the rewind.

At this point of the season, I’d think it’d be easy for guys, as college athletes, to be able to get up for games. IMHO 3 guys showed up on both ends of the court the entire game. Patterson, RG3 even as banged up as he is, and Lecholat. Not going to take anything away from BW’s or ET3’s offensive contribution , or even Geron’s free throws that kept us close. However, there’s clearly a mental toughness piece missing.

As Sprinks says, Rent is due! Who’s going to show up and pay it.

GoCatsGo

[homeytennis]

Idaho lost one of their bigs to a broken foot before the game. That may have messed up the scouting report early on and might explain the tentative play. The kids were having to think instead of react. The replacement player went for 13 points and he appeared to be more of an outside player.

[PapaG]

So this is where we are at...Just like when Huse was here. A short bench and the players are exhausted. I look for the deeper teams to start taking over the league. Teams like Weber and UM. Idaho is starting to play well and several teams will be fading in the home stretch.

I’m coming at this year from a different place but for me, expecting to compete for a conference title and complaining that they aren’t is wasted energy in Logie’s first season and considering who was lost from last years roster.

I was expecting to lose in a non-competitive manner and instead, this team is fighting hard and winning games I thought they would have no businesses in even being close.

[saintcat40]

I agree @PapaG ! This isn’t fair to put in the category of Huse teams. I am absolutely shocked at how well we are doing considering the talent challenges of our roster. I think Logie is a really good coach.

[lv2hoop]

Julius Mims sure played well last night.

[Helcat72]

I agree @PapaG ! This isn’t fair to put in the category of Huse teams. I am absolutely shocked at how well we are doing considering the talent challenges of our roster. I think Logie is a really good coach.

I'm not giving up on them. Just noticing how tired looking they were. Both Ford and Walker looked tired but gave good effort. Who knows what's wrong with Gorecki. Lecholat plays with some energy. I hope he can keep it up.
The game less than 48 hours after putting the effort they gave against EWU was too much for them. I agree Logie is a damn good coach, but he's not a miracle worker! He's a little short on height, talent and athleticism. Let's see how he might recruit and utilize a more talented group after a couple of years. I was not comparing him to Huse. I was remarking that they are running down a lot like Huse's teams in February. I hope they will gather themselves and prove me wrong, but the Idaho game was scary. If we can have the energy to win one game per weekend I think this season will be a success.

[MSU01]

So basically what we learned this weekend is that MSU can beat any team in the league and also lose to any team in the league. The Big Sky Tournament should be interesting then - my main concern is that I don't see MSU as having quite enough depth on its roster to be able to win three games in three days, which they'll have to do in the likely event they end up being seeded somewhere in the 3rd through 6th range.

[catscat]

Need to be playing more than 7 players. Any drop in talent might be made up with fresh legs.

[tetoncat]

Need to be playing more than 7 players. Any drop in talent might be made up with fresh legs.

If not redshirting why are they on the team if can't play for a minute here and there. With TV timeouts no reason can't sub 1 minute before and get key players a small break.

[John K]

I just don't understand the whole "players are too tired" thing. NBA players often play on consecutive nights and sometimes 3 games in 4 nights, in 3 different cities. High school players sometimes play 4 games in 3 days in tournaments. But you're telling me that playing two games in 3 nights, at home with no travel, is just too much for college players?