Cats vs Griz

[bpcats]

I love how the Cats have competed hard and pulled out some wins. I think this is a game where the Cats get exposed especially on the down low. Qvale and Selvig are playing at a lot higher level than Bobby and Anderson. The only players that might make a difference are Rush and Allou.

If Singleton can't go we are toast.

[GrizinWashington]

I wish I was so sure. The Griz have a tough (and very odd) week. They had to bus to Pokey yesterday for a game tonight, and then bus to Missoula on Friday. I don't think I've ever heard of a situation where the home team has to travel 3 times further than the visiting team the day before a game.

[Hawks86]

I don't think I've ever heard of a situation where the home team has to travel 3 times further than the visiting team the day before a game.

Not since since the Helsinki episode of 1919, and I think we all remember how THAT turned out!

[BelgradeBobcat]

I wish I was so sure. The Griz have a tough (and very odd) week. They had to bus to Pokey yesterday for a game tonight, and then bus to Missoula on Friday. I don't think I've ever heard of a situation where the home team has to travel 3 times further than the visiting team the day before a game.

I remember it falling the opposite way many years ago. MSU had to play a game during the week (don't recall if it was home or away) while UM had the week off until Cat-griz. The griz blasted the Cats in Bozeman that year. I thought it was a factor that time. That was in the Durham years where we were playing 3 or 4 guards at a time. I think the advantage the griz have is that they are big-and it's like the old saying: small guys get tired (and slow down)...but big guys don't get smaller. Or something like that.

I think Singleton is the key. Cherry will carve us up without him (and he might anyway).

MSU has played good in the first half on the road and fell apart in the second half. Thus I predict a close one at the break and then...I might be looking for something else to watch. We'll see.

Keeping Anderson and Allou out of foul trouble will be important. They tend to call this game pretty tight-especially early-which is bad for Allou who is prone to picking up quick fouls.

[cats22]

Howard is in the top ten and scoring and top 5 in rebounding... I don't know many other guys that are. I think he'll be just fine against Selvig. And they have no answer for rush.

[GrizinWashington]

Howard is in the top ten and scoring and top 5 in rebounding... I don't know many other guys that are. I think he'll be just fine against Selvig. And they have no answer for rush.

Well, I know one other: Brian Qvale.

And no answer for Rush? What an odd thing to say. Rush is, no doubt, a terrific player. But Montana has the best defender in the conference in Will Cherry. The guy is third in the nation in steals. And Cherry scores at a slightly higher clip than Rush as well.

There may be some positions on the floor that MSU can exploit, but I don't think any of them will be defended by Cherry.

[GrizinWashington]

Here's some interesting stats heading into the game. Stats are conference ranking, MSU listed first, then UM.

Scoring Offense: MSU: 5th; UM: 6th

Scoring D: 4th; 1st

Scoring Margin: 5th; 1st

FT%: 9th, 5th

FG %: 6th, 2nd

FG Defense: 5th, 1st

3 pt %: 4th, 9th

3 pt % D: 8th, 1st

Rebound margin: 7th, 3rd

Blocks: 6th, 1st

Assists: 5th, 2nd

Steals: 4th, 1st

T/O Margin: 1st, 2nd


A few things stick out. One, both teams do a great job of taking care of the basketball. Second, on the surface it appears UM has a large statistical advantage in most categories.

But in my mind, the great equalizer in college basketball now is the three-ball. And that should be fascinating to watch, since MSU likes to shoot them and does so at a decent clip, but UM is great at defending them, while on the other side, UM can't throw it in from 19 feet to save their lives, and MSU doesn't seem to know defensively that they should get to shooters out there. I would say that if MSU can start stroking three balls, it will be a long night for the home team in Missoula. If they can't, and if the Griz are able to find a few of their own, I think the Griz win relatively handily.

[TomCat88]

7-2 griz early. I like womens hoops better right now.

[TomCat88]

12-2.

Umm, yeah. Anyone catch the women today?

[grizzh8r]

Wow. 20-6 right now. The Cats are severely undersized at every position. This has the makings of a beat down.

[TomCat88]

Alright, alright no more womens jokes. MSU gives up a 20-6 run every game almost. So they got that out of the way.

[TomCat88]

Cherry has 15. 30-15.

[blgscats]

Single digits @ half???

Does anybody else feel dUMber listening to these TV guys???

[bpcats]

The fact that we are within 20 is a miracle. Seems like the Griz were ready to play and the Cats were too...for the Griz.

Finally woke up but damage is done...

[bobcatskier]

OK I'll start it.....you gotta be kidding with the refereeing. I sure hope they give their money back at the end of the game.....

[grizzh8r]

Yep. I've never like that Jimmy Casas. He is an idiot and a piss-poor ref.

[grizzh8r]

Single digits @ half???

Does anybody else feel dUMber listening to these TV guys???

Mute the TV and turn on the radio. Mighty-790 AM

[BelgradeBobcat]

Not much to say about that. Terrible start both offensively and defensively. It's probably too much to ask this team to solve their road woes in Missoula. The good news...it's not out of reach yet. The bad news...Qvale and Selvig didn't even play most of the half due to picking up 2 fouls each.

[wbtfg]

Good thing cody showed up to play. Howard looks lost tonight.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Does anybody else feel dUMber listening to these TV guys???

They've been worse over the years. They obviously don't know anything about MSU other than what's in the press guide, but they're keeping their orgasms somewhat in check whenever the griz do something good (and it's not like the temptation isn't there considering how we're playing).