WBB ISU game very disappointing

[aucat]

Well, I guess my enthusiastic and optimistic appraisal of our women's team was a bit premature. Losing at home last night hurt. I could almost see this coming. AFter we blew out a very good Utah State team, I really thought we had a chance at being the class of the Big Sky, winning the thing, and actually bringing a BSC tournament to Bozeman for the first time in forever. Then I saw something strange when we played U of ND at home. We were up by 20 but almost blew the lead. Then we go on the road and get blown out at EWU.

Then last night. We were up by 14--maybe even 16-- in the 2nd half and couldn't close the deal. But here is the mystery. In the first half, our girls were absolutely smothering ISU. There was no space whatsoever for ISU to take a shot. But in the 2nd half, while ISU turned up THEIR defensive intensity, suddenly ISU players were not only getting space, heck, they could've read a couple of lines in the newspaper before taking their 3 point shots (which they consistenly made).

Coach Binford said afterward that it was a breakdown in communications. Strange how we defended so well in the first half, then it disappeared in the 2nd half when the game was on the line.

All I know is, we are now 1-2 in the conference, we've lost at home, and the hope of winning the Big Sky now seems rather remote. There's always a chance of turning things around, but right now I just can't imagine this team being capable of winning against tough opponents like ISU on the road.

I'll be at all the games and will cheer for them. I know the players were more disappointed with this loss, but the second half collapse AT HOME is just really hard to understand.

[bobcatskier]

Well, I guess my enthusiastic and optimistic appraisal of our women's team was a bit premature. Losing at home last night hurt. I could almost see this coming. AFter we blew out a very good Utah State team, I really thought we had a chance at being the class of the Big Sky, winning the thing, and actually bringing a BSC tournament to Bozeman for the first time in forever. Then I saw something strange when we played U of ND at home. We were up by 20 but almost blew the lead. Then we go on the road and get blown out at EWU.

Then last night. We were up by 14--maybe even 16-- in the 2nd half and couldn't close the deal. But here is the mystery. In the first half, our girls were absolutely smothering ISU. There was no space whatsoever for ISU to take a shot. But in the 2nd half, while ISU turned up THEIR defensive intensity, suddenly ISU players were not only getting space, heck, they could've read a couple of lines in the newspaper before taking their 3 point shots (which they consistenly made).

Coach Binford said afterward that it was a breakdown in communications. Strange how we defended so well in the first half, then it disappeared in the 2nd half when the game was on the line.

All I know is, we are now 1-2 in the conference, we've lost at home, and the hope of winning the Big Sky now seems rather remote. There's always a chance of turning things around, but right now I just can't imagine this team being capable of winning against tough opponents like ISU on the road.

I'll be at all the games and will cheer for them. I know the players were more disappointed with this loss, but the second half collapse AT HOME is just really hard to understand.

Right on the money aucat. We were also amazed on how the Bobcat girls were gassed with the game on the line with minutes to go and the ISU girls actually stepping up the pace. Conditioning? We sure hope we bounce back and we'll be there cheering.....but. that wasn't a very inspiring performance

[Colter_Nuanez]

Montana State women start fast, can't capitalize in home loss to ISU
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[Colter_Nuanez]

Binford mentioned the conditioning after the game. She said it "wasn't close to where it needs to be."

Also, both Binford and Ashley Albert said for a stretch in the second half, the team wasn't on the same page at all. MSU had five girls on the floor running two and sometimes three different defenses. ISU got the ball in the paint twice in the first half. In the second half, they were in the paint consistently and getting open looks outside consistently. When the open looks did miss, offensive rebounds galore.

I don't think you can count out any team in this race yet...but a 1-2 start definitely hurts. But remember...road wins are gold in this league this year. Sure, ISU just got one last night. But MSU got one at Portland State last week.

I can't imagine how physical and slow-down of a garbage game will take place in Missoula Saturday between Montana and Idaho State...

Welcome to the Big Sky Conference grind. If MSU drops next Thursday's game to Weber, then panic. Until then, stay tuned.

[aucat]

For the past several years we have had very little depth. This year we have a deep bench. As I watched the game unfold last night I had to imagine that one of the most difficult coaching decisions is exactly who do you want in the game? I was sitting next to a young lady who played college ball and she commented that some of the players were not in the game long enough "to get in a groove." That might have contributed to the "communications" problem regarding defensive assignments. I'm not coach, but there are some very good players and shooters on this squad, and it must be tough to determine playing time for them.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

For the past several years we have had very little depth. This year we have a deep bench. As I watched the game unfold last night I had to imagine that one of the most difficult coaching decisions is exactly who do you want in the game? I was sitting next to a young lady who played college ball and she commented that some of the players were not in the game long enough "to get in a groove." That might have contributed to the "communications" problem regarding defensive assignments. I'm not coach, but there are some very good players and shooters on this squad, and it must be tough to determine playing time for them.

I agree with that assesment as well. The more substitutions you make the great the error could be in miscomunications/mistakes being made throughout the game. I look for this to improve as the year goes on, but they may need to manage that a little better in the second halves of games. However, if coach Binford is saying it is conditioning then you pretty much have to sub players quite a bit. Hopefully the conditioning will start to improve as we go foward in conference.

The conference is pretty balanced so I think we can climb out of the 1-2 hole. A lot of teams are going to lose at PSU I would think and at UM so the Lady Cats need to beat UM both times and we will be right back in the race

[Helcat72]

Offensively Banis was pushed further away from the basket than she wanted to be to be a scoring option...but when she got the ball she turned and shot it like she was closer than she was...the result was clanging it off the underside of the basket. they did a good job on Katie, smothered Semansky and pushed Banis off the blocks. #4 from ISU was like 6 of 6 from the 3pt line. They played like a bunch of seniors and we didn't!

[BelgradeBobcat]

ISU went up to Missoula and beat the lady griz today. Pretty rare that that road trip is swept. The Bengals must be for real. Doesn't make our loss too much easier to swallow-a real missed opportunity there.

[bpcats]

Talent wise I think the Lady Bobcats match up well with the rest of conference. There has been a little step back at the point guard position from what we lost to graduation. Both Ausha Cole (good player) and Latisha Adams are getting better but that is not their natural position.

What it seems to me that this team is really lacking in the two losses that I have watched is that mental toughness/killer instinct. Idaho State made all the hustle plays and simply wanted it more. I feel that this team can get back to winning games, but if they want actually win this conference the girls have to pick up their intensity.

Love the effort of Jackie Elliot , still learning the game but not afraid to get after it.