The Bobcat Nation

I think everything that can be said has been said about the b-ball team. But I thought I would give my thoughts on the Year that was and wasn't in Bobcats sports.

Football...
The year was up and down. Again we start slow, heat up in the middle, then fade at the end. Injeries were a big problem, and forced the cats to play to many freshman at DB. But the linebackers played very well and with nick hurt, it gave some other kids a chance to show they are good enough to be starters. D-line played on and off all year. The offence never seemed to hit that final gear when they needed to. O-line was great at times and poor at others. No real running threat from anyone but Lulay. WR's could not catch a cold untill mid-way through the season, but boy did I like watching Sulivan. All in all good year, but could and should have been better.

Girls b-ball...
They show the heart that every team that dawns the "blue and gold" should show. Everyone knew this was going to be a tough year for the girls, but they gave everything they had every game. A couple 1-2 point turns and they are back in the middle of things. New coach did a great job of keeping this teram together. THANK YOU LADY CATS!!

Mens b-ball...
Again I think we did very good this year, but choked down the stetch. We looked great at times and at others I don't think our players knew anyone else on the team. Great guard play in the middle of the season, but poor team play in 4 of last 5 games. I can't help but feel that this is not the way the Cat's should finish every year. DO NOT START TALKING ABOUT MICK. Moss was amazing. I say this because he was put in every position on the court, yet he never said a word, he just went out there and did what the team needed him to do. If we let him get into a groove in one position, he will be player of the year in BSC.

I don't know that much about the other sports. I know that our Volleyball Team was good, and the Skiing program is one of the best in the nation, but I can't talk about them in Depth. If any of you Can talk about these sports, please do. That way we don't end up just talking about football like that other school

I'm very happy with the Griz teams this year as well We do need a new VB coach.

A couple months ago, specifically after a Ja'Ron Jeffeson 3pointer. NOBODY in Missoula gave a damn about the Griz Basketball team, because this is a "football town".
It is funny how diehard-loyal fans show up out of nowhere.

I would like to add Ricky Gatewood to the list of kudos for football. By the end of the season he was catching some great passes and he showed a lot of heart. Next would be Wolf. What an athlete he turned out to be and what a great leader, I will miss Wolf this next season.

When it comes to BB, I am not sure what happened. Picked last in the league, fought our way to the top and then stumbled. Had a chance for the big dance, just lacked the necessary steps. My kudos would go to Casey Durham, the surprise of the season.

Go Cats.

My heart belongs to our cross country and track and field kids. My passion lies with football. I'm pretty convinced we've got more than a few basketball and football players that could give the track team some points at the Big Sky meet. Overall, the only major disappointment I have with the program was the condition of the fieldhouse during the Cat-Fizzlie game. It looked like a storage shed. I'm also more than a little pleased with the financial condition of the athletic program. It means a great deal to me to be back in Montana and to watch the increase in MSU plates from one end of the state to the other; in my opinion, this increase is nearly all the work of Coach Kramer getting out of Bozo and drumming up support for the program. I look forward to attending more booster functions and listening to some of the other coaches. I also hope to see our Army ROTC Detachment restart our great rifle program dormant for way too many years. All in all, it appears we've kicked and scratched our way back into respectability in spite of a DUHHH UMMM controlled Board of Regents and in the Cat spirit, we've found many ways to circumvent an obvious sleight by the state financially. Already got my season tickets and look forward to six home games this year and hell to be raised if we don't have seven next year when we all can schedule 12 games!

The VB team had an excellent year at home. They did not lose a match. That is the first time that has happened. In regards to whether or not they need a new coach...time will tell. Personally, I think they let an excellent coach (Coach Wagner) get away.

BleedsBlue&Gold wrote:A couple months ago, specifically after a Ja'Ron Jeffeson 3pointer. NOBODY in Missoula gave a damn about the Griz Basketball team, because this is a "football town".
It is funny how diehard-loyal fans show up out of nowhere.

Bullsh*t! Attendance picked up considerably, and if you weren't at Dahlberg Arena for some of those games (particularly the Portland State one) you have no idea what you're talking about.

Nick wrote:Bullsh*t! Attendance picked up considerably, and if you weren't at Dahlberg Arena for some of those games (particularly the Portland State one) you have no idea what you're talking about.

You are absolutely right, attendance at UM basketball games is through the roof. Host a playoff game against EWU last weekend and draw a mere 3,000? Women play later that day and damn near double it.

Cat Pride: ? how did your men/women same day games do total wise?

How in the hell can we always let some of them in here and get so damn far off topic as to always wind up having to read their drivel about what a wonderful group of people they are (and we aren't), how they support their teams (and we don't) what a wonderful following they have to away games (and we don't) but as soon as one of us were to post a picture of both of their fans at the game last night, well I guess I can scroll down through their posts in here.

Cat Grad: Got a picture of both of your fans the night before?

Since you are asking about MSU's other sports, MSU's men took 2nd in track at BSC Indoor. Our women were 6th. Both teams will be better outdoors, especially our women. Our men's team lost a lot of points to illness and redshirting indoors. We won't redshirt any men outdoors that can score at conference. Hopefully the flu is over for this season.

Mike Carignan

Cat Grad wrote:How in the hell can we always let some of them in here and get so damn far off topic as to always wind up having to read their drivel about what a wonderful group of people they are (and we aren't), how they support their teams (and we don't) what a wonderful following they have to away games (and we don't) but as soon as one of us were to post a picture of both of their fans at the game last night, well I guess I can scroll down through their posts in here.

I found that picture and if I can figure out how to post it, you will see it too.

http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=18 ... 77&intl=us