The Bobcat Nation

aucat wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:55 am

RIght now with a two game lead, it certainly appears that the MSU women are in the driver's seat to win their third
Big SKy Championship in the last five years. It just burns me so much that just when we became a championship
contender the Big SKy stopped allowing the regular season champion from hosting the tournament.

Oh those lucky Griz. My gosh, Missoula was "Big Sky Tournament Central" for MANY years. We never got the chance.

And what makes matters worse is, we are set up so well to host the tournament. We have an outstanding facility,
and the busiest airport by far in the state with a bunch of airlines providing service.

I remember many of those years when UM hosted and they had a packed house for their games. Just imagine the atmosphere
of a packed house in the Brick during tournament time with the Cats hosting the tournament.

It just AIN'T FAIR, dang it!

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:09 pm

aucat wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:55 am

RIght now with a two game lead, it certainly appears that the MSU women are in the driver's seat to win their third
Big SKy Championship in the last five years. It just burns me so much that just when we became a championship
contender the Big SKy stopped allowing the regular season champion from hosting the tournament.

Oh those lucky Griz. My gosh, Missoula was "Big Sky Tournament Central" for MANY years. We never got the chance.

And what makes matters worse is, we are set up so well to host the tournament. We have an outstanding facility,
and the busiest airport by far in the state with a bunch of airlines providing service.

I remember many of those years when UM hosted and they had a packed house for their games. Just imagine the atmosphere
of a packed house in the Brick during tournament time with the Cats hosting the tournament.

It just AIN'T FAIR, dang it!

Of all the stupid things I've seen over the years from the powers that be in the Big Sky; not allowing the regular season champs to host the conference tourney is by far the stupidest. Mid Major conferences like our MUST let the champs host! It bothers me more than anything.

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:09 pm

aucat wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:55 am

RIght now with a two game lead, it certainly appears that the MSU women are in the driver's seat to win their third
Big SKy Championship in the last five years. It just burns me so much that just when we became a championship
contender the Big SKy stopped allowing the regular season champion from hosting the tournament.

Oh those lucky Griz. My gosh, Missoula was "Big Sky Tournament Central" for MANY years. We never got the chance.

And what makes matters worse is, we are set up so well to host the tournament. We have an outstanding facility,
and the busiest airport by far in the state with a bunch of airlines providing service.

I remember many of those years when UM hosted and they had a packed house for their games. Just imagine the atmosphere
of a packed house in the Brick during tournament time with the Cats hosting the tournament.

It just AIN'T FAIR, dang it!

Of all the stupid things I've seen over the years from the powers that be in the Big Sky; not allowing the regular season champs to host the conference tourney is by far the stupidest. Mid Major conferences like our MUST let the champs host! It bothers me more than anything.

Catlady wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:43 pm

Disagree totally! The tourney is taking some time to get established, but a central location is the best thing this conference has ever done! Makes it easier on everyone involved! It’s cheaper because at least you know where you’re going and you can easily schedule and all teams find it easier to get to the location because it has an airport! I understand the angst of watching UM host the tourney for years and know we’re the big dog (Cat) and don’t get the privilege of hosting. But I like the format and like already having my flight, hotel and tickets already taken care of in advance!

mslacatfan wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 1:09 pm

So the flip side to the argument is that It’s logistically very difficult for planning. Especially if they didn’t know the location until the very last couple days of the season, and it’s in a town that is difficult for flights/hotels....

So how about this- whoever wins the big sky gets to host the tournament the following season.

That way there is more of a reward for winning the league, and it gives everyone a years notice to plan accordingly for hotels/flights/etc.

Makes sense to me anyway...

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 2:00 pm

I like having both the men's and women's tournament at the same venue. I enjoy both. Having the tournament at a predetermined site allows this to happen.

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 1:25 pm

Catlady wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:43 pm

Disagree totally! The tourney is taking some time to get established, but a central location is the best thing this conference has ever done! Makes it easier on everyone involved! It’s cheaper because at least you know where you’re going and you can easily schedule and all teams find it easier to get to the location because it has an airport! I understand the angst of watching UM host the tourney for years and know we’re the big dog (Cat) and don’t get the privilege of hosting. But I like the format and like already having my flight, hotel and tickets already taken care of in advance!

I understand the planning of it can be tough some times. But if you REALLY want to go to the tournament, it was doable for years. That said, I would make a case that hosting a tourney, and having opposing fans have to really work to get to your homecourt is also a good thing!

Your Griz example is a perfect one for me as a Cat fan. I have every reason in the world to hate them hosting the tourney. And yet I think they should if they're regular season champs.

We've beat this drum to death. I get it. I beat it every year. But in a conference like ours, I think we need to do everything to ensure our best team represents the conference in the Dance. If that means I have to watch Griz fans storm the court on ESPN after winning yet another championship than so be it.

I truthfully don't think there is anything good about our current format other than the convenience of travel. Look at it this way; ask ANY Cat player if they'd rather host the tourney here in Bozeman or head to Boise and guess what they'd pick....

I'm all about what is best for the players and what ultimately is best for getting our best teams out there.

WalkOn79 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:13 pm

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 1:25 pm

Catlady wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:43 pm

Disagree totally! The tourney is taking some time to get established, but a central location is the best thing this conference has ever done! Makes it easier on everyone involved! It’s cheaper because at least you know where you’re going and you can easily schedule and all teams find it easier to get to the location because it has an airport! I understand the angst of watching UM host the tourney for years and know we’re the big dog (Cat) and don’t get the privilege of hosting. But I like the format and like already having my flight, hotel and tickets already taken care of in advance!

I understand the planning of it can be tough some times. But if you REALLY want to go to the tournament, it was doable for years. That said, I would make a case that hosting a tourney, and having opposing fans have to really work to get to your homecourt is also a good thing!

Your Griz example is a perfect one for me as a Cat fan. I have every reason in the world to hate them hosting the tourney. And yet I think they should if they're regular season champs.

We've beat this drum to death. I get it. I beat it every year. But in a conference like ours, I think we need to do everything to ensure our best team represents the conference in the Dance. If that means I have to watch Griz fans storm the court on ESPN after winning yet another championship than so be it.

I truthfully don't think there is anything good about our current format other than the convenience of travel. Look at it this way; ask ANY Cat player if they'd rather host the tourney here in Bozeman or head to Boise and guess what they'd pick....

I'm all about what is best for the players and what ultimately is best for getting our best teams out there.

What's best for the players and their parents and relatives is a neutral site. Need to let this die

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:29 pm

ask coach Sprinkle what he prefers.

BelgradeBobcat wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:42 pm

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:29 pm

ask coach Sprinkle what he prefers.

I'm sure Coach Sprinkle would rather make the short bus trip to Missoula to lose our first round game instead of going all the way to Boise to lose our first round game. I don't think the MSU men will have to worry about missing out on hosting the tourney for a very very long time.

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:29 pm

WalkOn79 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:13 pm

ilovethecats wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 1:25 pm

Catlady wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:43 pm

Disagree totally! The tourney is taking some time to get established, but a central location is the best thing this conference has ever done! Makes it easier on everyone involved! It’s cheaper because at least you know where you’re going and you can easily schedule and all teams find it easier to get to the location because it has an airport! I understand the angst of watching UM host the tourney for years and know we’re the big dog (Cat) and don’t get the privilege of hosting. But I like the format and like already having my flight, hotel and tickets already taken care of in advance!

I understand the planning of it can be tough some times. But if you REALLY want to go to the tournament, it was doable for years. That said, I would make a case that hosting a tourney, and having opposing fans have to really work to get to your homecourt is also a good thing!

Your Griz example is a perfect one for me as a Cat fan. I have every reason in the world to hate them hosting the tourney. And yet I think they should if they're regular season champs.

We've beat this drum to death. I get it. I beat it every year. But in a conference like ours, I think we need to do everything to ensure our best team represents the conference in the Dance. If that means I have to watch Griz fans storm the court on ESPN after winning yet another championship than so be it.

I truthfully don't think there is anything good about our current format other than the convenience of travel. Look at it this way; ask ANY Cat player if they'd rather host the tourney here in Bozeman or head to Boise and guess what they'd pick....

I'm all about what is best for the players and what ultimately is best for getting our best teams out there.

What's best for the players and their parents and relatives is a neutral site. Need to let this die

Lol. Well as a former player with parents and relatives I can tell you that’s not the case. If it’s bothersome to you for some reason I’ll “let it die”.

However, I know for a fact that this isn’t a dead issue for the guys making the decisions. There are talks on this matter every year. Schools want to host if possible.

The reality is that in a mid major conference, the ONLY people a neutral site is the fans. Like I said, ask coach Sprinkle what he prefers. Or just tell him to let it die....

BobcatDel wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 09, 2020 12:16 am

I do like knowing in advance where the tourney will be.....far in advance just for the logistics planning. But certainly I do understand the home court advantage.

Since I was out of the area/country for many years I don’t know how the tourney logistics were managed in the past...especially if the champion was not determined until the last week or two of the season? In fact, didn’t the Bobcat women win the conference on the last game of the season just 2 or 3 years ago....now that would be some quick planning!

I however observe that today, facilities are used for many multi-functional events scheduled up to a couple years in advance. As an example, if we used the system of the conference champion hosting....then this year if the current men (Griz) and women (Cat) conference leaders were to prevail... then Bozeman and the MHAA working with the AA schools would have to figure how to accommodate the AA boys & girls tourney (scheduled in the Brick) and Big Sky women’s tourney the same week as well as all fans who need a place to stay from high schools and Big Sky colleges......all in just 4 short weeks.......Missoula and the MHAA working with Class C schools would start planning now to accommodate the Class C boys & girls tourney and the Big Sky men’s tourney simultaneously in Dahlberg in just 4 weeks in Missoula. Even if we look forward a year, Bozeman is currently on the hook to host the State C tourney next year the same week as the Big Sky tourney....but a year in advance (2021) would allow the Class C tourney to be moved to another city so Big Sky women tourney could be here based on our championship this year. This example does not include any concerts, track meets, large conferences, trade shows, speakers, etc that might be scheduled in the Brick well in advance.......so do Big Sky schools just start blocking out those dates on the calendar so those multi-million dollar facilities are idled those weeks in case we win the conference....and do we decline to host future High School State BB tourneys (I.e. rotate High School tourneys to Helena, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, Havre only)....Just a logistical challenge to address....can be done....but why???

I believe the trend is to move tournaments to neutral sites. Heck Coach Choate would even like semi-finals in football to move to a neutral site.