Huse's Future

[John K]

Interesting tweet from Dominic Sheldon and what Keron DeShields said about Huse.

I have respect for their players, but that coach is really good and I think he's(coach Huse) the motor to them and if they were to listen to their coach a little more, they might not be struggling.

see i might buy into that if this wasn't the same thing we've seen year after year. players come and go. mostly go. and the one constant has been huse. is he just unlucky that year after year he gets players that refuse to listen to him? doubtful. no question the guy knows basketball but the guy simply can't recruit and can't relate to his players. for whatever reason....

What DeShields said may very well be accurate, but even if it is, isn't that still an indictment of Huse? After all, isn't it part of his job to figure out a way to get his players to listen to him...and to recruit the types of players that will be more "coachable'? I've always suspected that might be the primary reason behind the annual late-season collapses...that for whatever reason, Huse "loses" the players as the season progresses. Many people posted earlier in the season, as the Cats were building a 6-4 record in the 1st half of BSC play, that the team played hard, played together very well, and seemed to buy into Huses's system, but now apparently...not so much.

[SAE94]

I am finally beaten down. I love college basketball. Based on all the rhetoric that includes MSU cannot recruit here because of geographic location, lack of ethnic diversity, Montana high school athletes that want to focus on becoming college footballers, MSU's higher academic standards and an administration that won't sign on players not up to academic snuff (ie. Lilliard, Cherry, etc.), the inferior facilities (cavernous, student section not near court, opponent friendly rims, dark atmosphere), coaches that don't want to come here for insufficient money, no winning tradition since '96, fragile psyche of players themselves in this day and age, yada, yada, yada. We will never be VCU or George Mason, how do you get excited to win the Big Sky, just to perhaps get a 12 seed in the Big Dance only to become cannon fodder for Duke, Carolina, or Indiana?
I think we need to ditch Mens Basketball and start a new tradition with Mens Hockey. Hear me out. The community loved the Ice Dogs, and LaFontaine created a winning tradition here, we could be in the same conference potentially as UND and possibly play on the highest national level. I believe they could fill an ice arena with tons of fans creating great revenue for MSU. I don't think this is too far fetched, hockey players seemed to love Bozeman in the Ice Dog heyday. I can see a downside however, since Montana doesn't have a state high school hockey program. Lure LaFontaine back and finish what he started with the Ice Dogs. I believe it would create quite a bit of buzz and perhaps we wouldn't have to lament about all the bad things (which I don't think are true) about having college athletics in Bozeman.

[TrueCat]

No shot. Even in the Ice Dogs hey day, they could not skate with UND.

[SAE94]

Not talking about recreating the Ice Dogs, talking about MSU Bobcat Men's Hockey. I was just trying to illustrate that this area was successful in it before (great teams, fan support).

[allcat]

Not talking about recreating the Ice Dogs, talking about MSU Bobcat Men's Hockey. I was just trying to illustrate that this area was successful in it before (great teams, fan support).

50 people go to see the Basketball, 25 would go to see hockey. Hockey also costs a lot more to put on, more players, more uniforms, sticks, ets. Non starter.

[SAE94]

No, I see your point, I maybe saw 50 people on Sunday. Most of them were heading to the exits with 5:00 left to play.

[CatBlitz]

Not talking about recreating the Ice Dogs, talking about MSU Bobcat Men's Hockey. I was just trying to illustrate that this area was successful in it before (great teams, fan support).

50 people go to see the Basketball, 25 would go to see hockey. Hockey also costs a lot more to put on, more players, more uniforms, sticks, ets. Non starter.

If you haven't been to an MSU hockey game you should go. There is hardly any advertising and yet the Haynes Pavilion is packed every game. Granted it can feel very bush league at times, but it's still a fun fun time. And up until this year they were actually pretty decent.

[SAE94]

I have gone, facilities obviously weren't as good as the Ice Garden. Tough with two little ones, bathrooms were a little rough. Here's some food for thought though, when Conrad Burns was running against Tester he specifically earmarked, I believe $300.K of pork barrel money to the Haynes Pavillion for hockey. I think it maybe was even in the Chronicle. He was defeated and so was the upgraded Haynes Pavillion.

[Colter_Nuanez]

I am finally beaten down. I love college basketball. Based on all the rhetoric that includes MSU cannot recruit here because of geographic location, lack of ethnic diversity, Montana high school athletes that want to focus on becoming college footballers, MSU's higher academic standards and an administration that won't sign on players not up to academic snuff (ie. Lilliard, Cherry, etc.), the inferior facilities (cavernous, student section not near court, opponent friendly rims, dark atmosphere), coaches that don't want to come here for insufficient money, no winning tradition since '96, fragile psyche of players themselves in this day and age, yada, yada, yada. We will never be VCU or George Mason, how do you get excited to win the Big Sky, just to perhaps get a 12 seed in the Big Dance only to become cannon fodder for Duke, Carolina, or Indiana?
I think we need to ditch Mens Basketball and start a new tradition with Mens Hockey. Hear me out. The community loved the Ice Dogs, and LaFontaine created a winning tradition here, we could be in the same conference potentially as UND and possibly play on the highest national level. I believe they could fill an ice arena with tons of fans creating great revenue for MSU. I don't think this is too far fetched, hockey players seemed to love Bozeman in the Ice Dog heyday. I can see a downside however, since Montana doesn't have a state high school hockey program. Lure LaFontaine back and finish what he started with the Ice Dogs. I believe it would create quite a bit of buzz and perhaps we wouldn't have to lament about all the bad things (which I don't think are true) about having college athletics in Bozeman.

Not possible. To be a Division I school and a member of the Big Sky Conference, you must offer men's basketball.

Plus, despite the downward trend, MSU is still fourth in the Big Sky in MBB attendance behind Weber, Montana and Southern Utah. 2,500 tickets paid for versus the production costs of those games? I bet MSU is at least breaking even if not making money on men's hoops regardless of the product on the floor.

[SAE94]

Thanks for the clarification, Colter. A fella can dream though. I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids.

[Colter_Nuanez]

Some RPI for everyone this week....might as well post it here.

Men's hoops
Weber 104, Montana 106, NAU 256, UND 259, Sac 274, SUU 290, UNC 302, EWU 318, MSU 326, Portland St 334, ISU 346

The Big Sky is 28th of 31 leagues in RPI. Montana State has played the 341st-toughest schedule in the country (of 346 teams) yet is still in the bottom 20. The Mideastern, the Big South and the Southwest Atlantic are lower than the Big Sky

Women's hoops
Montana 85, EWU 98, UNC 100, @msuwbb 122, ISU 136, Sac 150, PSU 221, UND 229, SUU 243, NAU 287, Weber 328

The Big Sky is 16th of 31 leagues in women's hoops. MSU's women have played the 208th toughest schedule in the country.

[WeedKillinCat]

I am finally beaten down. I love college basketball. Based on all the rhetoric that includes MSU cannot recruit here because of geographic location, lack of ethnic diversity, Montana high school athletes that want to focus on becoming college footballers, MSU's higher academic standards and an administration that won't sign on players not up to academic snuff (ie. Lilliard, Cherry, etc.), the inferior facilities (cavernous, student section not near court, opponent friendly rims, dark atmosphere), coaches that don't want to come here for insufficient money, no winning tradition since '96, fragile psyche of players themselves in this day and age, yada, yada, yada. We will never be VCU or George Mason, how do you get excited to win the Big Sky, just to perhaps get a 12 seed in the Big Dance only to become cannon fodder for Duke, Carolina, or Indiana?
I think we need to ditch Mens Basketball and start a new tradition with Mens Hockey. Hear me out. The community loved the Ice Dogs, and LaFontaine created a winning tradition here, we could be in the same conference potentially as UND and possibly play on the highest national level. I believe they could fill an ice arena with tons of fans creating great revenue for MSU. I don't think this is too far fetched, hockey players seemed to love Bozeman in the Ice Dog heyday. I can see a downside however, since Montana doesn't have a state high school hockey program. Lure LaFontaine back and finish what he started with the Ice Dogs. I believe it would create quite a bit of buzz and perhaps we wouldn't have to lament about all the bad things (which I don't think are true) about having college athletics in Bozeman.

I hardly pay attention og mens basketball anymore. We suck. Huse needs to go regardless how this season ends up. Things are not working. I would love to see some changes regarding seating in the fieldhouse. Is there a way to have portable seating made to "bowl" in the court?

On a side note on hockey. I would love to see MSU add hockey. I know it is more expensive. But if UGF is talking about adding hockey then I think MSU could at least look into it. UND is in the Big Sky in all other sports. Other schools of similar sizes (and smaller) offer more collegiate sports. My dream is of an on campus ice arena with seating of 3-4000 capacity.

[Old Skool Cat]

Some RPI for everyone this week....might as well post it here.

Men's hoops
Weber 104, Montana 106, NAU 256, UND 259, Sac 274, SUU 290, UNC 302, EWU 318, MSU 326, Portland St 334, ISU 346

The Big Sky is 28th of 31 leagues in RPI. Montana State has played the 341st-toughest schedule in the country (of 346 teams) yet is still in the bottom 20. The Mideastern, the Big South and the Southwest Atlantic are lower than the Big Sky

Women's hoops
Montana 85, EWU 98, UNC 100, @msuwbb 122, ISU 136, Sac 150, PSU 221, UND 229, SUU 243, NAU 287, Weber 328

The Big Sky is 16th of 31 leagues in women's hoops. MSU's women have played the 208th toughest schedule in the country.

Gee, thanks Colter, for that bit of encouraging news. Is that what is called being kicked when you're already down! Our team sucks, but that really puts it into perspective.

[wbtfg]

We're number 326! We're number 326! We're number 326!

[ilovethecats]

[bobcatbob]

I agree with most posters on here that Brad is a heck of a nice guy. A good citizen and family man. However, he hasn't got it done as a coach. I watched the highlights of Sunday's game and the Brick was empty. Attendance overall has been on a downward swing every year. The only thing that is going to change it is winning. No different than football. When we had that run of losing seasons in football, 8,000 was a huge crowd. I remember when the bb team had Lollis, Nico and Scotty Hatler and we were winning, the fieldhouse was packed. It was hard to get a ticket.

What we need is a good, young, outgoing Coach with a good recruiting network. Someone that can get people excited. Someone that's on a mission to light a fire under Bobcat bb fans. I remember when Providence College hired a young Rick Pitino away from Boston University. He came to Providence and had that program turned completely around in just a couple of years. He had charisma and got people excited. He went into the dorms and got the students excited. He held practices around the city to get people out to see them. He was just like a MIke Kramer. He recruited good talent. He took the players he inherited that were mediocre and turned them into good players. This included Billy Donovan, who everyone thought was way in over his head. Pitino turned him into an All American that led his team to the final four in 1987 andwent on to play a bit in the NBA. He had them playing full court pressure defense all game. His players all bought in and played their butt off.

Now, I kow it's much harder to attract a coach here vs. a Big East school like Providence. But, people in Providence didn't think they could get it done either. There ae some good young coaches out there at lower level schools that are looking for an opportunity to make their mark. It's time!

[SAE94]

That is an issue though. Yeah you get rid of Huse, then according to Colter, the other two candidates that Huse was selected over have either a record equaling Huse (in division 2) or someone whom is completely out of coaching. OK, you hire a young hungry coach like say Sprinkle, he gains some success, makes the program a contender in 5-6 years, boom gone. I believe that happened with Portland State's coach a few years ago, went to Wyoming I think. Then you get to go through the coach hiring process again. How does that establish a tradition where the public is kind of aware of your coaching style and philosophy and potential recruits can mesh their talents (ie. run and gun, half court grind, pressure defense). I think this is established by a long term coaching hire, someone that wants to be here. There is the rub, rolling the dice with young on the rise coaches using our program as a stepping stone, or suffering through sub-par years and playing the law of averages with a long term coach like Durham and winning a few Big Sky titles possibly by luck over time.

[allcat]

That is an issue though. Yeah you get rid of Huse, then according to Colter, the other two candidates that Huse was selected over have either a record equaling Huse (in division 2) or someone whom is completely out of coaching. OK, you hire a young hungry coach like say Sprinkle, he gains some success, makes the program a contender in 5-6 years, boom gone. I believe that happened with Portland State's coach a few years ago, went to Wyoming I think. Then you get to go through the coach hiring process again. How does that establish a tradition where the public is kind of aware of your coaching style and philosophy and potential recruits can mesh their talents (ie. run and gun, half court grind, pressure defense). I think this is established by a long term coaching hire, someone that wants to be here. There is the rub, rolling the dice with young on the rise coaches using our program as a stepping stone, or suffering through sub-par years and playing the law of averages with a long term coach like Durham and winning a few Big Sky titles possibly by luck over time.

OK, you are right. We should never hire a coach, because if he wins he will end up leaving us like a bride at the altar. If he sucks, then we will have to compare him to Huse. Wait, this is a great philosophy for life. Just give up and settle for crappy things.

[GRIZFNZ]

You guys should throw Tom Ferch an offer. There's a guy who could coach and provide the exciting basketball you've been missing for over 20 years.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[ilovethecats]

That is an issue though. Yeah you get rid of Huse, then according to Colter, the other two candidates that Huse was selected over have either a record equaling Huse (in division 2) or someone whom is completely out of coaching. OK, you hire a young hungry coach like say Sprinkle, he gains some success, makes the program a contender in 5-6 years, boom gone. I believe that happened with Portland State's coach a few years ago, went to Wyoming I think. Then you get to go through the coach hiring process again. How does that establish a tradition where the public is kind of aware of your coaching style and philosophy and potential recruits can mesh their talents (ie. run and gun, half court grind, pressure defense). I think this is established by a long term coaching hire, someone that wants to be here. There is the rub, rolling the dice with young on the rise coaches using our program as a stepping stone, or suffering through sub-par years and playing the law of averages with a long term coach like Durham and winning a few Big Sky titles possibly by luck over time.

it's definitely not an exact science. coaching is hard. very hard. very good coaches with great basketball minds fail all the time. but as an AD or president you simply can't base your decisions on a fear of coaches being successful and leaving.

the thing is...winning changes everything. in your example i LOVE the idea of bringing in a good young coach like sprinkle. one, he's building a nice resume and is a great recruiter. he already has great contacts. he comes to a place like bozeman where he's the golden boy and immidiately he has the support of this community. and with that support comes patience. look at how long people were supporting huse and his mediocre seasons. sprinks would get more than enough time to turn things around. and let's say he has a large amount of success like you suggested. even if he leaves he set the program up for success which makes a HUGE difference. we'd have a winning tradition. we'd have fan support. recruiting would come easier. basically, every aspect of coaching for our new guy would be easier based on the success of our previous guy. this doesn't guarantee success but it sure makes it easier. huse didn't have this luxury.

i think at this point we'd take a coach only being here for a few seasons if we knew during that time we'd have success and make the dance a couple times. cross that bridge when we get there i say.