For most all you too consumed with your hatred of the Cats to think rationally, this ain't for you.
But for those few of us who believe our program is best served when the entire Big Sky conference is treated with more respect nationally, tonight's Cats game is a huge opportunity for all of us. A rising tide lifts all boats, not to mention the money that goes with each win in the tourney, or the prestige it confers on the conference. So:
--The game is on CBS, not buried on one of the cable networks. (Have you ever tried to find Tru TV where Boise was buried last night?)
--The Cats earned a 14 seed. Since the mid-80's, the number 14 seed has won 22 times, versus a combined 13 for the 15 and 16 seeds. This will not be our Griz up against UNLV back in the Larry Johnson days. The Cats have a shot.
--The Cats were there last year. Experience is life's greatest teacher.
--While we keenly feel the rivalry between the two schools, the rest of the country could care less. All they'll see is "Montana" in the tournament. So the Cats carry the banner for the entire state, including us.
--Lower seeds, especially the ones who got in via an upset in their conference tournament, generally bring one or two glaring weaknesses into the tournament. Not so the Cats. Sprinkle has put together a team with decent size, solid defense, sound guard play and one player in Battle who has the potential to be a break-out star.
So my view is, put the rivalry aside. Understand what's at stake for the entire conference. And don't forget one of life's greatest truths: Hatred will eat you up.
But for those few of us who believe our program is best served when the entire Big Sky conference is treated with more respect nationally, tonight's Cats game is a huge opportunity for all of us. A rising tide lifts all boats, not to mention the money that goes with each win in the tourney, or the prestige it confers on the conference. So:
--The game is on CBS, not buried on one of the cable networks. (Have you ever tried to find Tru TV where Boise was buried last night?)
--The Cats earned a 14 seed. Since the mid-80's, the number 14 seed has won 22 times, versus a combined 13 for the 15 and 16 seeds. This will not be our Griz up against UNLV back in the Larry Johnson days. The Cats have a shot.
--The Cats were there last year. Experience is life's greatest teacher.
--While we keenly feel the rivalry between the two schools, the rest of the country could care less. All they'll see is "Montana" in the tournament. So the Cats carry the banner for the entire state, including us.
--Lower seeds, especially the ones who got in via an upset in their conference tournament, generally bring one or two glaring weaknesses into the tournament. Not so the Cats. Sprinkle has put together a team with decent size, solid defense, sound guard play and one player in Battle who has the potential to be a break-out star.
So my view is, put the rivalry aside. Understand what's at stake for the entire conference. And don't forget one of life's greatest truths: Hatred will eat you up.