Great job Sarah!

Fashion Show/Alumni Reunion

Multi tasking is the #1 requirement to be a college coach, and boy did we pull multiple things off this weekend.

I'd like to first talk about our "Alumni" weekend. We started off Friday evening at the Best Western Gran Tree Hotel and then finished off the weekend with a scrimmage where our alumni mixed in with some of our players and scout guys.

Highlights:

• The history. Four alumni playing are in the top 15 in MSU scoring history. Nubia Garcia, Sarah Flock, Kathie Roos, and Kathleen McLaughlin (#1 in scoring and rebounding). Sam Fluss top 2 in 3 point field goals made, Hillary Scott, Whitney Connolly top 2 in career blocks, and Allison Bach.
• The irony. Allison cleans Amy's teeth and mine as well. I was nervous she was going to get a tooth knocked as she didn't have a mouth guard in.
• The competition. Sam blocked Erica Perry out into the first row of seats. I asked Sam if she would come teach our players how to box out.
• The entertainment. Erica Perry asked Kathie if they were in a man or zone defense. Kathie messed with her and told her man when they were in a zone.

We began the weekend at the Gran Tree thanking our Alumni for coming together to reunite with family and finished off the festivities there as well. What a great weekend, and thanks to all that came.

As far as the fashion show goes, I will keep it short, just like the fashion show itself.

• Began 11:00 and finished by 11:30. The athletes and coaches walk very fast just like our transition game.
• We had no injuries but a few meltdowns by Camryn, Coach Scanson's daughter. That many people watching you can be overwhelming unless you are our players.
• My kids were a riot. Brooklyn walked out on her own, while Justin and I skied down the steps in our winter gear. Todd got out of it to go hunting, although he never went!
• I can't really tell you much more than that since I didn't get to see our athletes and coaches walking out as we were all changing so quickly in between outfits.

It must have been a success though because we were asked to do this again for the spring clothing!

Go Cats!

RECAP

I am glad it's November and not March.

My husband is a Clint Eastwood fan so I will give you the "good, the bad, the ugly.

The Good:

• Our team never got rattled and has depth at EVERY position.
• We didn't have anyone foul out although Jamie and Erica (our two SENIORS) were close.
• It was an afternoon game so it was a perfect time to have a Diet Pepsi.

The Bad:

• Ramble On, by Led Zepplin was not played during our pregame warmup.
• We had 17 turnovers, most of them unforced.
• The Fieldhouse had the airconditioning on right over my head. It was freezing.

The Ugly:

• We gave up 17 offensive rebounds!
• We only had 8 steals and a defense that did not dictate or disrupt our opponent.
• We lost every player on the floor with lack of communication. Our fans must think we are mute.

My players know that I don't sugar coat anything for good reason. I will say it right here we will only be as good as our defense so we have some work to do between Novemember and March.

I LOVE THIS GAME!

Coach Bin

GAME DAY

Can you believe it's our first game?

Can you believe I am blogging right now?

What to expect in the first game of the Year

• Fouls-Coaches already decided it will be Ally Schmitt. She is going to be excited.
• Exhaustion-Our players will be ramped up to their Ipods, first game gitters, and will hit a wall on the court. First will be Ashley Albert! Don't worry, we'll recognize and get fresh legs on the court.
• Mistakes-I can handle mistakes this time of year. Otherwise you wouldn't need coaches. This part is fun. A healthy mistake and going hard, I love it!
• Fun-It's about time to get out on the court against someone other than scout and each other.

That's all I got for now. I have to prep for the Yellowjackets.

Go Bobcats!

Big Sky Polls

MSU WBB Bobcats were picked in both the media and coaches poll to finish 3rd this season.

So what do I think about that?

Nothing. Here is why.

• It doesn't matter. Where we all place in March is what matters.
• Polls are just everyone's best guess based upon last year's results, who we have returning, who we have signed, etc.
• Polls don't predict what players have done during their offseasons.
• Polls can't predict injuries.
• Polls can't predict if a team gets hit by the swine flu.

Between now and March, a million things will happen throughout the season. My goal for the Bobcats isn't to focus on the million things but just the ONE thing at the time it presents itself.

Today's goal, GET BETTER, BE CONSISTENT, and COMPETE!

Go Cats!

Bobcat Fashion Show

The 2009 Bobcat Fashion Show is Saturday November 7th at the Baxter Hotel Ball Room. More information to come! If you want to buy a ticket, please call Jillian at 406-994-4442.

First Practice DONE!

The first weekend of practices are officially in the books. Here's what we accomplished.

1. Sore muscles head to toe. We finished off the weekend in the C'mon Inn Hot tubs!
2. Bumps and bruises. Baeta Bak leads the team in bruises at this point. We still need to teach her how to fall, but Erica Perry and Sarah Strand lead the team in bumps, OUCH!
3. Mistakes, mistakes, and more mistakes. This time of the year you start with a million mistakes and your goal is to get that number as low as possible by March!
4. We put in our 1/2 court man defense and the team is EXCITED to play it this year.
5. We introduced the CONCEPTS of transition offense, but the concept has yet to be visual.
6. Last but not least we finished off a GREAT weekend with a SPECTACULAR dinner at President Gamble's for our Top 5 Academic National place with a 3.5 Team GPA.

We had a lot to celebrate at the Gamble's residence. Obviously we celebrated our team's academic achievements in which we missed Anne Phippard and Mara Hoefer who were a big part of that.

However, Nubia Garcia was with us with an engagement ring as well as Coach Saneholtz with an engagement ring. The only other rings I hope to see with this squad are Big Sky Championship ones.

We recognized the retirement of President Gamble. The good news is that President and Patricia Gamble will still be around supporting our athletic teams and our academic community, and we hope to see their new place with a TOP 5 finish next year.

In the meantime, the best news of all is that it means another fan for our home games. We welcome our new President Waded Cruzado to our first conference home game on January 1st against Weber State University, ALSO the start of her first day at Montana State.

Go Cats!

Coach Bin