Thoughts on improving MSU basketball

[MSU01]

OK, I'm tired of being negative for a while. I don't really know if Huse will be back (it looks like he will), but I think we all agree that positive changes are needed regardless of who is coaching the team next year. Fortunately, we have a model on campus for how to do this, and it's right down the hall from the basketball offices.

1) Now is the time to end the reliance on JC transfers - this is simply not working. Look at the football team for how to do this. Transfers should be used sparingly to fill areas of need on an already strong roster, not as a temporary "fix" that will need to be repeated year after year after year to fill half the roster spots due to constant player turnover. Now is the time to do this - I don't care what it means for the team's win total next year. I'll take a year or two of missing the conference tournament if we end up with a group of junior and senior players who are experienced at the D-I level and play as a TEAM, not as a group of individuals who may or may not give a crap about what the coach is telling them to do. If you want to bring fans back, give them a TEAM that plays hard 100% of the time and has more consistency on the roster from year to year. Give them a team that they can be proud to watch even during losses. Nothing turns me off more as fan than watching a team that appears not to care - unfortunately I have seen a lot of that out of MSU basketball at times over the past few years. Wins help too, but you can't win until you rebuild the program from the foundation up. Again, look at what the football program accomplished. They didn't make the playoffs for Coach Ash's first three seasons, but once they got where they needed to go it's full steam ahead with conference titles and playoff appearances every year.

2) Improve the atmosphere in the Fieldhouse. I think we'd all agree that the atmosphere was way better before the remodel of the late 90s. So let's take things back more in that direction in ways that don't require a lot of money that we don't have to spend. Two ideas: First off, lighten up the dark blue a bit and emphasize gold more. We used to have yellow seats and walls, let's go back there. Maybe lighten up the shade of blue so it's not like attending a game in a cave. Secondly, get the students back down closer to the floor. Move the team benches and press row over to the current booster side and bring the students closer to the action on their side. We want crazy students in the first row, not rich boosters who barely make a peep all game. I don't care about removing people from courtside seats because those seats are over half empty most of the time anyway.

3) Make it fun to attend basketball games again. Here's an idea for promotions during timeouts, MSU: Fans shooting half-court shots are a hell of a lot more entertaining than fans shooting layups or freethrows. Bring back the "Go for the Dough" at halftime with blindfolded fans looking for some money on the court. More events to get kids excited about Bobcat basketball so that they aren't just waiting for next football season - autograph sessions, kid-friendly promotional giveaways, whatever it takes to bring back some life into the arena. Also to make it more fun, see my point #1 above.

I'll be interested to hear what others think - hopefully everyone both on here and in the MSU athletic offices agree that the status quo is simply not acceptable anymore.

[rtb]

I agree 100% that the seat has to be re-arranged in order to make things work. The students are WAY too far away from the court to even feel like they are at the game. The seating set-up has to change. Ideally you would build a small rectangle stadium inside the field house, but that would prevent track, monster trucks, and rodeo from working out. Not sure how to solve it, but that would be great.

[wbtfg]

I appreciate your thoughts 01, and don't necessarily disagree with anything you said. However, I think in the past that Huse has put a priority on high school recruits, but very few of them have panned out. They either left on their on volition or were asked to leave, or are burried on the bench....thus, IMO, the reason why we're so heavy on JC kids right now.

I also agree that atmosphere is stale, however, winning cures all of that. Student could be sitting ON the court, but if the team continues to sh!t the bed the atmosphere will still be terrible.

I'll admit that I'm frustrated with bobcat basketball, and probably not able to make a well informed decisions, however, I don't see this program getting back on its feet without a major shakeup.

[MSU01]

I appreciate your thoughts 01, and don't necessarily disagree with anything you said. However, I think in the past that Huse has put a priority on high school recruits, but very few of them have panned out. They either left on their on volition or were asked to leave, or are burried on the bench....thus, IMO, the reason why we're so heavy on JC kids right now.

So if high school guys leave, recruit more until you get a group of guys who want to be here. Recruiting JC players to take the place of four year players isn't working and hasn't worked for several years now, so stop doing it because it's killing off what little fan interest and enthusiasm might still exist out there for MSU basketball. I agree that a major shakeup is needed, but if Huse is going to be retained then there at least need to be some changes made to get things going in the right direction.

[wbtfg]

I appreciate your thoughts 01, and don't necessarily disagree with anything you said. However, I think in the past that Huse has put a priority on high school recruits, but very few of them have panned out. They either left on their on volition or were asked to leave, or are burried on the bench....thus, IMO, the reason why we're so heavy on JC kids right now.

So if high school guys leave, recruit more until you get a group of guys who want to be here. Recruiting JC players to take the place of four year players isn't working and hasn't worked for several years now, so stop doing it because it's killing off what little fan interest and enthusiasm might still exist out there for MSU basketball. I agree that a major shakeup is needed, but if Huse is going to be retained then there at least need to be some changes made to get things going in the right direction.

Don't disagree at all. Unfortunately I think things are so fundamentally haywire right now, that there's not going to be any type of a quick fix.

[gtapp]

So which comes first, the cart or the horse? Do you increase coaches (head coach and assitant coaches) salaries to attract better applicants, improve the field house seating (remodel), put in a much better scoreboard and sound system, improve the game day atmosphere and hope all of these improvements improves recruiting and leads to a better team or try and build a winning tradition first with what we have and hope the increased attendence and excitment leads to more money for these improvements (ala football)?

[grizzh8r]

So which comes first, the cart or the horse? Do you increase coaches (head coach and assitant coaches) salaries to attract better applicants, improve the field house seating (remodel), put in a much better scoreboard and sound system, improve the game day atmosphere and hope all of these improvements improves recruiting and leads to a better team or try and build a winning tradition first with what we have and hope the increased attendence and excitment leads to more money for these improvements (ala football)?

Well, considering we just installed a new scoreboard 2 years ago, that's already been done. The only reconfiguration necessary would be to switch the press box to the booster side, or switch the student bleachers to the booster side and the booster chairs to the pressbox side. Also, add a bit of gold paint around. That can't cost too much to accomplish. Just hiring a DIFFERENT coach - preferably a young, untested one rather than an old, washed up one - would generate some excitement, ala Shaka Smart at VCU or Brad Stevens at Butler. Even Bryce Drew at Valpo is doing a decent job.

[grizzh8r]

OK, I'm tired of being negative for a while. I don't really know if Huse will be back (it looks like he will), but I think we all agree that positive changes are needed regardless of who is coaching the team next year. Fortunately, we have a model on campus for how to do this, and it's right down the hall from the basketball offices.

1) Now is the time to end the reliance on JC transfers - this is simply not working. Look at the football team for how to do this. Transfers should be used sparingly to fill areas of need on an already strong roster, not as a temporary "fix" that will need to be repeated year after year after year to fill half the roster spots due to constant player turnover. Now is the time to do this - I don't care what it means for the team's win total next year. I'll take a year or two of missing the conference tournament if we end up with a group of junior and senior players who are experienced at the D-I level and play as a TEAM, not as a group of individuals who may or may not give a crap about what the coach is telling them to do. If you want to bring fans back, give them a TEAM that plays hard 100% of the time and has more consistency on the roster from year to year. Give them a team that they can be proud to watch even during losses. Nothing turns me off more as fan than watching a team that appears not to care - unfortunately I have seen a lot of that out of MSU basketball at times over the past few years. Wins help too, but you can't win until you rebuild the program from the foundation up. Again, look at what the football program accomplished. They didn't make the playoffs for Coach Ash's first three seasons, but once they got where they needed to go it's full steam ahead with conference titles and playoff appearances every year.

2) Improve the atmosphere in the Fieldhouse. I think we'd all agree that the atmosphere was way better before the remodel of the late 90s. So let's take things back more in that direction in ways that don't require a lot of money that we don't have to spend. Two ideas: First off, lighten up the dark blue a bit and emphasize gold more. We used to have yellow seats and walls, let's go back there. Maybe lighten up the shade of blue so it's not like attending a game in a cave. Secondly, get the students back down closer to the floor. Move the team benches and press row over to the current booster side and bring the students closer to the action on their side. We want crazy students in the first row, not rich boosters who barely make a peep all game. I don't care about removing people from courtside seats because those seats are over half empty most of the time anyway.

3) Make it fun to attend basketball games again. Here's an idea for promotions during timeouts, MSU: Fans shooting half-court shots are a hell of a lot more entertaining than fans shooting layups or freethrows. Bring back the "Go for the Dough" at halftime with blindfolded fans looking for some money on the court. More events to get kids excited about Bobcat basketball so that they aren't just waiting for next football season - autograph sessions, kid-friendly promotional giveaways, whatever it takes to bring back some life into the arena. Also to make it more fun, see my point #1 above.

I'll be interested to hear what others think - hopefully everyone both on here and in the MSU athletic offices agree that the status quo is simply not acceptable anymore.

3) I watched some of the Air Force - New Mexico game last week and at halftime, they had some of the teenage kids out playing Lightning. Do that for a prize and it would also be good entertainment.

[ndvet]

So which comes first, the cart or the horse? Do you increase coaches (head coach and assitant coaches) salaries to attract better applicants, improve the field house seating (remodel), put in a much better scoreboard and sound system, improve the game day atmosphere and hope all of these improvements improves recruiting and leads to a better team or try and build a winning tradition first with what we have and hope the increased attendence and excitment leads to more money for these improvements (ala football)?

Well, considering we just installed a new scoreboard 2 years ago, that's already been done. The only reconfiguration necessary would be to switch the press box to the booster side, or switch the student bleachers to the booster side and the booster chairs to the pressbox side. Also, add a bit of gold paint around. That can't cost too much to accomplish. Just hiring a DIFFERENT coach - preferably a young, untested one rather than an old, washed up one - would generate some excitement, ala Shaka Smart at VCU or Brad Stevens at Butler. Even Bryce Drew at Valpo is doing a decent job.

I think we have it. In my opinion the gold paint is the key. Get some gold paint around and success is sure to follow! Oh yes, and bring in the next Brad Stevens or Shaka Smart. After all those guys are a dime a dozen. Considering that msu has had the same type of success as every other team in the big sky bedsides um and weber, it is obvious that nearly every program and athletic department in the big sky is being run by idiots.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Recruit better players, help them become big and strong and better while they're at MSU, win more games. Pretty simple.

Recruit players who can shoot it first and foremost. You're never out of a game if you have shooters. Adopt a style of play that today's kids actually want and enjoy playing. Huse's offense is the equivalent of a two tight end, i-formation football offense. Boring and out-of-date.

Lower the ticket prices significantly. Right now the supply of seats far exceeds the demand. Most games I got I plunk down my $12 and leave feeling completely ripped off. If they need more revenue see my beer solution below.

Gut Worthington Arena-take it down to the studs-and build a completely new arena inside (probably won't happen in the next 50 years).

Build some suites in Worthington Arena, put the rich people in them and move the students to floor seats-without two rows of press tables between them and floor.

Sell beer in Worthington Arena. Remember when the Ice Dogs came to town? They were a huge hit even though most everybody didn't know anything about hockey-primarily because they sold beer in the venue.

But it's a chicken or the egg thing. Winning begats more booster $$$ which begats facility improvements. The basketball team needs a multi-million dollar sugar daddy.

[MSU01]

Considering that msu has had the same type of success as every other team in the big sky bedsides um and weber, it is obvious that nearly every program and athletic department in the big sky is being run by idiots.

That's a bit arguable. UM (6 times), Weber (3 times), NAU (2 times), PSU (2 times), EWU (once), UNC (once), and even Cal State Northridge (once) have all made NCAA appearances since the last time MSU went. I am also not sure if I agree that MSU should accept the recent performance because Idaho State isn't any good either. Huh?

[ndvet]

I guess considering msu is the only other team besides um and weber to make the conference tourney the last 9 years the are slightly less terrible than the other big sky programs. Do the rest of the big sky a favor and send them the magic success formula when one of you posters get it figured out.

[MSU01]

I guess considering msu is the only other team besides um and weber to make the conference tourney the last 9 years the are slightly less terrible than the other big sky programs. Do the rest of the big sky a favor and send them the magic success formula when one of you posters get it figured out.

Will do. Hell, I'll settle for developing a formula that allows MSU to win a conference tournament game in more than one out of the next fifteen seasons, because that'll be an improvement over where they are now.

[ndvet]

Considering that msu has had the same type of success as every other team in the big sky bedsides um and weber, it is obvious that nearly every program and athletic department in the big sky is being run by idiots.

That's a bit arguable. UM (6 times), Weber (3 times), NAU (2 times), PSU (2 times), EWU (once), UNC (once), and even Cal State Northridge (once) have all made NCAA appearances since the last time MSU went. I am also not sure if I agree that MSU should accept the recent performance because Idaho State isn't any good either. Huh?

Not at all. I sure get a kick out of reading how darn easy it must be. I wonder how many posters on here played or coached at the collegiate level? Count me as a yes on both.

[ndvet]

I guess considering msu is the only other team besides um and weber to make the conference tourney the last 9 years the are slightly less terrible than the other big sky programs. Do the rest of the big sky a favor and send them the magic success formula when one of you posters get it figured out.

Will do. Hell, I'll settle for developing a formula that allows MSU to win a conference tournament game in more than one out of the next fifteen seasons, because that'll be an improvement over where they are now.

I'm waiting on the formula. The won two in 09 correct? Apparently math won't be a strong part of your equation.

[MSU01]

Not at all. I sure get a kick out of reading how darn easy it must be. I wonder how many posters on here played or coached at the collegiate level? Count me as a yes on both.

Where are people saying it's easy? My playing career ended in middle school, but when I shell out several hundred dollars a year to support MSU basketball I feel like I have at least earned the right to express my opinion. I should probably just not bother anymore, but I care about MSU and love basketball too much to do that.

[MSU01]

I guess considering msu is the only other team besides um and weber to make the conference tourney the last 9 years the are slightly less terrible than the other big sky programs. Do the rest of the big sky a favor and send them the magic success formula when one of you posters get it figured out.

Will do. Hell, I'll settle for developing a formula that allows MSU to win a conference tournament game in more than one out of the next fifteen seasons, because that'll be an improvement over where they are now.

I'm waiting on the formula. The won two in 09 correct? Apparently math won't be a strong part of your equation.

Since they played in the 1998 championship game, MSU has won at least one game in exactly one of the subsequent fifteen conference tournaments. That was in 2009. I did take college math classes even though I never played college basketball.

[ndvet]

Not at all. I sure get a kick out of reading how darn easy it must be. I wonder how many posters on here played or coached at the collegiate level? Count me as a yes on both.

Where are people saying it's easy? My playing career ended in middle school, but when I shell out several hundred dollars a year to support MSU basketball I feel like I have at least earned the right to express my opinion. I should probably just not bother anymore, but I care about MSU and love basketball too much to do that.

That's the beauty of these message boards..we all get express our opinions and tell each other if we feel we are full of it. You could be the town mechanic or heart surgeon for all I know. My father shelled out over 150k to get a six way bypass, it doesn't mean I know what I'm talking about when I criticize the hospital because he had to have a stent put in two years later. Pt being, if you haven't done it you don't know how hard it is to do! If it were as easy as "bringing in better players and improving the atmosphere" don't you think that would have crossed Huse or fields minds by now?

[BelgradeBobcat]

Not at all. I sure get a kick out of reading how darn easy it must be. I wonder how many posters on here played or coached at the collegiate level? Count me as a yes on both.

So since you're so much smarter than the rest of us, what do you think MSU should do? I assume stay the course? That's a legit solution-but it won't be very popular considering past results. BTW I did play a couple of years of college ball-but I it turns out I wasn't very good.

[ndvet]

I guess considering msu is the only other team besides um and weber to make the conference tourney the last 9 years the are slightly less terrible than the other big sky programs. Do the rest of the big sky a favor and send them the magic success formula when one of you posters get it figured out.

Will do. Hell, I'll settle for developing a formula that allows MSU to win a conference tournament game in more than one out of the next fifteen seasons, because that'll be an improvement over where they are now.

I'm waiting on the formula. The won two in 09 correct? Apparently math won't be a strong part of your equation.

Since they played in the 1998 championship game, MSU has won at least one game in exactly one of the subsequent fifteen conference tournaments. That was in 2009. I did take college math classes even though I never played college basketball.

I presumed when you said "a tournament game" you meant 1!