Huse's Future

[BelgradeBobcat]

That's not completely accurate. Durham had some pretty good seasons during the mid-90's to early 2000's. From 1995-2002, MSU won two regular season titles, one tourney title, played in the title game twice, and made the semi-finals 5 times.

Don't forget the NIT win! It was a huge disaster going to the NIT instead of the NCAA's that year, but once we got there we got the win against Utah State in Logan. I don't think that accomplishment ever got enough love-probably because of the circumstances that got us there.

Also, I believe Durham's teams played in 3 championship games. They lost to host NAU in Holmstadts senior year. That tourney was sweet because we beat the griz in the first round and Blaine Taylor had a hissy fit at the end of the game and was set to serve a one game suspension the following season, but he ended going to Stanford to serve under Montgomery instead.

One of the problems the men's team has had is that our two most recent coaches have been more Cliff Hysell than Mike Kramer. I know Durham hated all the booster stuff, and I would guess Huse is the same way. Huse always looks a bit uncomfortable and awkward to me in front of a TV camera. That's not his or Durham's fault-that's just the way they're wired. They don't have that pied piper personality that will rally a fan base like Kramer has. Listening to a Kramer led Cat Chat-I was ready to suit up and run through a wall! I sure don't get that from Huse.

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

[John K]

Last 10 years of RPI:

2012-2013: 310
2011-2012: 276
2010-2011: 265
2009-2010: 200
2008-2009: 210
2007-2008: 237
2006-2007: 288
2005-2006: 240
2004-2005: 247
2003-2004: 235

That's quite a roller-coaster ride. From 235 down to 288 in a span of 3 seasons, then back up to 200 in the next 3 seasons, before tumbling to an all-time low of 310 in the 3 seasons after that. 310 is ridiculous though, and when you consider that we're the 4th seed in the BSC tourney, that tells you as much about the terrible state of the conference in general, as it does about the state of MSU's program in particular.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Last 10 years of RPI:

2012-2013: 310
2011-2012: 276
2010-2011: 265
2009-2010: 200
2008-2009: 210
2007-2008: 237
2006-2007: 288
2005-2006: 240
2004-2005: 247
2003-2004: 235

That's quite a roller-coaster ride. From 235 down to 288 in a span of 3 seasons, then back up to 200 in the next 3 seasons, before tumbling to an all-time low of 310 in the 3 seasons after that. 310 is ridiculous though, and when you consider that we're the 4th seed in the BSC tourney, that tells you as much about the terrible state of the conference in general, as it does about the state of MSU's program in particular.

Wow! That's pretty fricken terrible. I think we should at least aspire to crack the top 200

[John K]

That's not completely accurate. Durham had some pretty good seasons during the mid-90's to early 2000's. From 1995-2002, MSU won two regular season titles, one tourney title, played in the title game twice, and made the semi-finals 5 times.

Don't forget the NIT win! It was a huge disaster going to the NIT instead of the NCAA's that year, but once we got there we got the win against Utah State in Logan. I don't think that accomplishment ever got enough love-probably because of the circumstances that got us there.

Also, I believe Durham's teams played in 3 championship games. They lost to host NAU in Holmstadts senior year. That tourney was sweet because we beat the griz in the first round and Blaine Taylor had a hissy fit at the end of the game and was set to serve a one game suspension the following season, but he ended going to Stanford to serve under Montgomery instead.

One of the problems the men's team has had is that our two most recent coaches have been more Cliff Hysell than Mike Kramer. I know Durham hated all the booster stuff, and I would guess Huse is the same way. Huse always looks a bit uncomfortable and awkward to me in front of a TV camera. That's not his or Durham's fault-that's just the way they're wired. They don't have that pied piper personality that will rally a fan base like Kramer has. Listening to a Kramer led Cat Chat-I was ready to suit up and run through a wall! I sure don't get that from Huse.

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

Thanks for the reminder about the 2002 NIT win. I agree about that being an underrated accomplishment. The BSC hasn't had many NIT wins in recent years. MSU only made the title game twice under Durham, beating WSU in 1996, and losing to NAU in 1998. That year we were only the #5 seed, and ended the regular season on a 6-game losing streak (sound familiar?), after starting out 9-1 in conference. Then we upset UM in the 1st round, and pulled off another upset in the semis, before losing the title game. I think that was actually Holmstadt's junior season, because wasn't he a freshman on the 1996 title team? We lost in the semis in 1995, 1999, 2002, and 2005. 2002 was the year we won the regular season title and hosted the tourney, and after beating UM by 20 points both times in the regular season, we got upset by them in the semi-finals on our home floor, on a last second shot. That was sort of the basketball equivalent of the 1997 Cat-Griz football game.

You make an excellent point about the coaches' personalities too. Kramer's nurturing of the QBC, Triangle Classic, et al, did wonders to re-ignite enthusiasm among our long-dormant fan base, and even more importantly, to loosen up the wallets of boosters. He wouldn't necessarily have to "be like MIke", but it may take someone who has a bit more charisma than Brad, to get the MBB program turned around.

[BelgradeBobcat]

[ MSU only made the title game twice under Durham.

Oh that's right-I must have had it my brain that 2002 was the championship-which it was not. Durham froze like a deer in the headlights in that game where we blew a huge lead. I think that loss had a profound effect on Durham and his relationship with the fanbase. I know I'll never get over it.

[LTown Cat]

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

I wouldn't have said it a month ago but I agree with you a 1 yr deal seems in order.

[Rich K]

If Fields needs help making a decision about Huse's future, he can always find an abundance of assistance on the internet.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7624429 ... june-jones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[grizzh8r]

Last 10 years of RPI:

2012-2013: 310
2011-2012: 276
2010-2011: 265
2009-2010: 200
2008-2009: 210
2007-2008: 237
2006-2007: 288
2005-2006: 240
2004-2005: 247
2003-2004: 235

Ouch.

[wbtfg]

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

I wouldn't have said it a month ago but I agree with you a 1 yr deal seems in order.

Really?!?! How far do we have to fall before enough is enough?

[John K]

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

I wouldn't have said it a month ago but I agree with you a 1 yr deal seems in order.

Really?!?! How far do we have to fall before enough is enough?

I'm really torn on this one. On the one hand, Huse certainly deserves some credit for holding things together, despite plenty of turmoil towards the end of the season. And they did win 3 of their last 4 games to grab the #4 seed in the tourney. On the other hand, after starting 7-5 in BSC play, we were only 3-5 the rest of the way, so the trend of falling off late in the season continued. It's probably unfair to determine his fate based upon the results of one game, but I know that my own personal feelings about whether or not he should be retained will depend greatly upon how we fare on Thursday night. I'm really sick of never winning any games in the tourney, and if we lose in the 1st round yet again, I'm probably going to feel that he should be fired. If we win at least one game though, I'll probably lean towards giving him at least one more year.

[LTown Cat]

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

I wouldn't have said it a month ago but I agree with you a 1 yr deal seems in order.

Really?!?! How far do we have to fall before enough is enough?

Don't get me wrong--I agree the mediocrity is getting really, really old. I just think that they stand a chance to be pretty damn tough next year and from what I hear he has some good recruits coming in. Maybe, just maybe he has turned a corner. Although, again, I agree after 6 or 7 or whatever years it has taken too long.

[wbtfg]

I can see why people are excited for next year, and maybe I'm a little Jaded on this, but I just get tired of getting excited about the team only to be completely let down.

"I can't wait for Howard, Rush, and Piepoli to be seniors....scary good"

"next year when Navarre and Bynum are seniors...."

"Tre Johnson, Shawn Reid, Chris McCall, Casey Trujeque, Jordan Salley, Jeff Budinich, and Blake Brumwell!?!?!? This might be the best class of HS recruits since....."

"Mo Fall, Jamie Stewart, Xavier Blount, Christian Moon, Antionio Bigelow....this might be the best class of JC's since...."

Granted Huse doesn't deserve all the blame, however, I do think there needs to be a major shake up to the program sooner rather than later.

[John K]

That being said...IF we can keep Biglow out of trouble, and keep Flavian Davis and Paul Egwuonwu in the fold for next season, and fill hole or two with recruiting, I have a lot of optimism for what this team could do next season. So maybe we should stay the course and see what happens.

I wouldn't have said it a month ago but I agree with you a 1 yr deal seems in order.

Really?!?! How far do we have to fall before enough is enough?

Don't get me wrong--I agree the mediocrity is getting really, really old. I just think that they stand a chance to be pretty damn tough next year and from what I hear he has some good recruits coming in. Maybe, just maybe he has turned a corner. Although, again, I agree after 6 or 7 or whatever years it has taken too long.

If all of the underclassmen actually return next season, then I would agree with you. But history suggests that at least half of the players we're counting on to form the core of the team next season, won't actually come back. It's hard not to be cynical, when you've seen this pattern repeat itself year after year after year.

[defensivearts]

I can see why people are excited for next year, and maybe I'm a little Jaded on this, but I just get tired of getting excited about the team only to be completely let down.

"I can't wait for Howard, Rush, and Piepoli to be seniors....scary good"

"next year when Navarre and Bynum are seniors...."

"Tre Johnson, Shawn Reid, Chris McCall, Casey Trujeque, Jordan Salley, Jeff Budinich, and Blake Brumwell!?!?!? This might be the best class of HS recruits since....."

"Mo Fall, Jamie Stewart, Xavier Blount, Christian Moon, Antionio Bigelow....this might be the best class of JC's since...."

Granted Huse doesn't deserve all the blame, however, I do think there needs to be a major shake up to the program sooner rather than later.

wbtfg
Golden Bobcat-National

Posts: 5112
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:52 am

THE ABOVE IS AN ACCURATE DISTILLATION OF hundreds of posts. I agree MSU shouldn't be too bad next year, but if history is repeated, a player or two who SHOULD contribute will not be back. 7 years a a pretty good sample size. Retain this coach and expect more of the same. And that 'same' is not horrible- as Huse says, the UM Weber and MSU are the only teams to make the BSC playoffs every year. So, if you don't mind finishing between 3rd and 5th every year, stick with the current coach. And as a side note, hiring a new coach that wouldn't mean that all the players with eligibility would absolutely not be retained- in fact, I think most of them would stay and with a different coach and the same players maybe MSU would be MORE successful.

[MSU01]

Here's my take at the end of another season: when my feeling after yet another first round tournament loss is more a sense of relief that it is finally over as opposed to disappointment that they lost, the basketball program is in serious trouble. I don't care if they finished 4th despite a sub-300 RPI, the amount of excitement around Bobcat basketball is zero. And when I think back to how much I loved going to games in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, it's pretty sad where we are now. Something needs to change - Fields makes way more money than I do so he gets to decide what.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

Here's my take at the end of another season: when my feeling after yet another first round tournament loss is more a sense of relief that it is finally over as opposed to disappointment that they lost, the basketball program is in serious trouble. I don't care if they finished 4th despite a sub-300 RPI, the amount of excitement around Bobcat basketball is zero. And when I think back to how much I loved going to games in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, it's pretty sad where we are now. Something needs to change - Fields makes way more money than I do so he gets to decide what.

Well said. My views exactly. Someone needs to light a fire into the program. It is on life support right now. To be fair I don't think it is all Huse's fault either. The remodel really took the 'life' out of the games. I remember walking in as a Freshman for the first time (1988) and that place was packed/rocking (ROAR). I think we need to look at moving seats (Students) closer to the floor (both sides) as right now. Someone mentione which do we do first and I guess if I had a choice I would pick the seat remodel as that will attract better athletes which in turn puts better product on the floor. There is definately a 'FLAT' feeling in the fieldhouse right now.

[John K]

Here's my take at the end of another season: when my feeling after yet another first round tournament loss is more a sense of relief that it is finally over as opposed to disappointment that they lost, the basketball program is in serious trouble. I don't care if they finished 4th despite a sub-300 RPI, the amount of excitement around Bobcat basketball is zero. And when I think back to how much I loved going to games in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, it's pretty sad where we are now. Something needs to change - Fields makes way more money than I do so he gets to decide what.

Well said. My views exactly. Someone needs to light a fire into the program. It is on life support right now.

I agree...that sums things up very accurately. I remember when I used to look forward to hoops season starting, because I counted on the BB team to help ease the sting from yet another bad football season. My how things have changed.

[kcatz]

Front of T-Shirt
Montana State a Football School

Back of T-Shirt
With a Basketball Problem

[grizzh8r]

Here's my take at the end of another season: when my feeling after yet another first round tournament loss is more a sense of relief that it is finally over as opposed to disappointment that they lost, the basketball program is in serious trouble. I don't care if they finished 4th despite a sub-300 RPI, the amount of excitement around Bobcat basketball is zero. And when I think back to how much I loved going to games in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, it's pretty sad where we are now. Something needs to change - Fields makes way more money than I do so he gets to decide what.

Well said. My views exactly. Someone needs to light a fire into the program. It is on life support right now.

I agree...that sums things up very accurately. I remember when I used to look forward to hoops season starting, because I counted on the BB team to help ease the sting from yet another bad football season. My how things have changed.

Wow. Good post and SO TRUE. Huse needs to go.

[BelgradeBobcat]

So...when will Fields announce the decision on Huse's fate? Are we in the "quiet phase" of the process?