Northern Colorado

[oldrunner]

This is an absolute embarrassment

Four days at elevation can take it's toll on any team. That's just one of the reasons that road trip is as difficult as it is. Looks to me like you put everything you had into that huge win at NAU and had little left in the tank for UNC. Plus, UNC is a very good team this season and deserves to be in the top 4, IMHO.

Look at what MSU did. They went from a possible top 4 to tied for the last spot in the bottom 4. Topsey-turvy league this year. Don't go away, things can change overnight.

 

[zengriz]

…tough on the road…

… :| …

 

['68griz]

A split on the road is better than the Cats' two losses.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Four days at elevation can take it's toll on any team. That's just one of the reasons that road trip is as difficult as it is. Looks to me like you put everything you had into that huge win at NAU and had little left in the tank for UNC. Plus, UNC is a very good team this season and deserves to be in the top 4, IMHO.

Look at what MSU did. They went from a possible top 4 to tied for the last spot in the bottom 4. Topsey-turvy league this year. Don't go away, things can change overnight.

My thoughts exactly, on all counts.

The Weather Channel actually showed videos of Flagstaff in their report on snow in the West. The area had a ridiculous amount of snow – looked like 3-4 feet, at least, in town. Don't know if the Griz could even fly out of Flagstaff ... they may have had to bus to Phoenix before catching a flight out. Anyway you look at it, the team would not have had a smooth trip. At a guess, they probably had less than 24 hours on the ground before the game started at 2:00. Sure, they're healthy, fit young men, but there's bound to be some wear and tear this deep into the season.

 

[Grizbeer]

I guess there is always the BSC tournament. When was the last time Montana has gone this many years without winning a regular season or tournament championship?
In basketball men’s or women’s? 1960’s?

 

[GrizBall]

The “anyone can win in Boise” mantra is getting kind of old. Over the last 4 years, these schools have gone to Boise believing they had a really, really good chance of winning:

SUU (21, 22)*
Cats (22,23)
Weber (21, 22)
EWU(21,23,24)
UNC (22,24)

*left conference after 22 season

After 12 games, the Griz are 1 game ahead of the Cats. Based on where the programs came into this season, it feels sad using that as a comparison. They also will be just 1 game ahead of the PSU/ISU winner.

Assuming Weber beats Sac tonight, the Griz are in 4th place because right now Weber owns the tie breaker based on the spilt and Weber having a win over a higher placing team (UNC).

I guess the expectations of the program have changed.

 

[footballdood]

The “anyone can win in Boise” mantra is getting kind of old.

For a conference like the Big Sky, the idea of having an off-site tournament away from the conference winner is pretty old. Let's be honest, most Big Sky fans don't travel. It also puts the favored team at a disadvantage; I think we all are aware that for a conference like the Big Sky it's imperative that we send the best team to the NCAA tournament.

I guess the predictability of the tournament saves the conference schools money? But does it make a meaningful difference?

 

[GrizBall]

I’m just speculating, but I think it’s easier for ESPN who televises the Championship game and that the Boise Visitor Association probably adds a little cash.

 

[footballdood]

I’m just speculating, but I think it’s easier for ESPN who televises the Championship game and that the Boise Visitor Association probably adds a little cash.

It's easy to forget about ESPN, the controller of college sports. And yes I could see there are financial kick-backs and such from Boise to add incentive.

But man does it make the Big Sky look pathetic for the championship game on the one game year that a casual basketball fan (or even those who are into basketball) will watch a Big Sky game. I was EWU when we made the NCAA tournament in '05 (being part of the band it was a memorable trip) and I remember the atmosphere at Reese Court was pretty amazing for the championship game.

 

[Griz2k]

I gave lots of kudos to the Griz for a dominant performance last night, but I can never take this team too seriously when you get blown out by northern Colorado. Wow.

 

[GrizBall]

I gave lots of kudos to the Griz for a dominant performance last night, but I can never take this team too seriously when you get blown out by northern Colorado. Wow.

My issue is that you didn’t need a dominant performance knowing you still had UNC looming. Why have a 30 point win? Can you not manage a 15 point win with more limited minutes for your starters? Getting into the dog says of the season now. Regardless how of young you are, the grind of the season is a real issue. Ask any D-1 basketball player that has gone through a college season.

 

[footballdood]

I gave lots of kudos to the Griz for a dominant performance last night, but I can never take this team too seriously when you get blown out by northern Colorado. Wow.

I get the hate from a football perspective, but looking over the last few years of results it looks like Northern Colorado has had some decent success in basketball. So northing wrong with losing to them unless you buy into the whole "flagship university" branding garbage. They've been invited to more post season tournaments (granted not he Big Dance) in the last 5 years than the Griz...

 

[GrizzlyGreat]

We are stuck in this frustrating dynamic of hot and cold basketball with both teams. It's totally a refection of coaching. The sample size of games is enough to make that statement. I've attended a few games in person the last couple years, only to walk away unimpressed. The inconsistency is a dagger for increasing fan attendance and interest in these sports. It's sad to me. Especially when you consider the incredible history of UM basketball. I think we need to make a change with the men's team at a minimum. Just my opinion.

 

[mthoopsfan]

We are stuck in this frustrating dynamic of hot and cold basketball with both teams. It's totally a refection of coaching. The sample size of games is enough to make that statement. I've attended a few games in person the last couple years, only to walk away unimpressed. The inconsistency is a dagger for increasing fan attendance and interest in these sports. It's sad to me. Especially when you consider the incredible history of UM basketball. I think we need to make a change with the men's team at a minimum. Just my opinion.

The men are 7-5 in conference and tied for 3d place, at 16-9. The women are tied for 3d place, at 8-4 and 16-7. The women's coach has never won a conference tournament game. I think the men beat the Cats this year, and the women lost. So, we need to change the men's coach?