40 Days

Not nearly the challenge that Jesus faced in his 40 days of fasting, but next week begins MSU's 40 days before our first collegiate game. Next week will be fairly easy to bring the intensity and focus necessary to get better at a solid pace. The challenge is when you are about halfway and the first game still seems far away. Jesus was tested at a level none of us can comprehend. He was at his weakest point, where he hadn't eaten, had a level of fatigue and hunger that even the hardest conditioning workout couldn't match. Yet, he was prepared. He knew what was right, was so sure about it that the ultimate temptation couldn't break him. For athletes, that breaking point is where you find the most mentally tough teams and players. When you find the athlete that competes day in and day out regardless of playing time, first practice, 15th practice, injury, an official's call, opponent's actions, they are unbreakable. Those athletes and teams have a resilence because they have a mental mission that keeps them driven one play, one game, and one day at a time. The emphasis for our team this year is to CONTROL HOW WE COMPETE and HOW WE RESPOND. That will take a commitment on the court. It will also take a commitment in how we prepare off the court. To prepare for the unknown adversity aheaad is also one of the most challenging responsibilities of a coach. I am anxious for October 1st. I will be anxious for October 16th. I will also help make sure our team is anxious on all of our 30 practices before November 10th when we open up with Cal State Northridge. Go Cats! Coach Bin

You are In or Out

A friend of mine told me once when I first got into coaching that my biggest frustration as a coach would be that the players would not have the same level of passion and competitiveness as I have for the game. Today I still find that opinion to be an incredible driving force in identifying the athletes I want to represent Montana State Women's Basketball and wear the Blue & Gold uniform. The "diamond in the rough" so to speak is that unique kid that raises the level of everyone around her because she competes so hard. You either choose to fight back or you are already defeated. I have seen over the years that the ultimate challenge is having enough players with this competitive trait and passion for the game to infect the whole team. What's exciting about the Bobcats this season is I am seeing those ingredients in Ausha Cole. After a year of red shirting, there is just something in her blood about getting on the court and taking advantage of every second. As a result Lindsay is "in the ring" and next Margreet, and Kalli, as it is trickling in to every position. You are either in or you are out. The Bobcats will be in! Coach Bin

Back in Action

Our newest member Coach Coppa had his first opportunity with our guards this week and brought some great drills to the table. Our athletes were as focused as ever to Salvo's instruction to detail. Whether it was respect for Salvo's knowledge or the challenge of understanding him through his thick italian accent doesn't matter. With that being said, I have signed up Amy, Kellee, and I for a foreign language class this fall. Go Cats! Coach Bin

Welcome Back!

It's the first day of school and I have to say the parking lots are spectacular! Most people talk about the Bridger Mountains or the Tabacco Roots, or even our beautiful campus, BUT the newly paved lots were a special entry to start off the new year. It's also amazing to see the transformation of our community from summer to fall which I first hand witnessed going through Wal Mart this weekend while picking up my son's school supplies. If I was a more organized parent I would have done this a month ago, but what would be the fun in that? Instead I got to see many busy families purchase furniture, food, supplies pretty much everything in bulk that will possibly last a month if they are lucky. For certain, however, their pocket books have been wiped out! The pace of life has also changed bringing a little stress with it as well. The anticipation of finding classrooms, meeting new people, getting books makes every student's heart race just a little faster, but the students aren't the only ones feeling that today. One of those people is Drew Inghram, our marketing director, who I saw this morning. The Volleyball Blue and Gold scrimmage last night wrapped up successfully and now he is preparing for our football season opener this Thursday. I tried to offer him an ice tea from my fridge with the disappointing response of "no more Pepsi Max?" Isn't the ice tea so much better for him? So as you walk around campus today you will see alot of smiles and a lot of lost faces, but the most important thing you will see BOBCAT SPIRIT in the air!! Go Cats! Coach Bin

Year Round Basketball

The seasons have changed since I played the game. Legislation allows college coaches to train our athletes 8 weeks during the summer. Practices start the beginning of October rather than the traditional October 15th back in the day. College teams play at minimum, 30 games a year so when is the off season? For those of us who love basketball this seems like a dream come true but when it drizzles down to our youth programs, I am not so sure. Junior high is now playing travel ball, and the challenge now kids face is when they HAVE to start playing to keep up. As a kid, I grew up in the mountains of Swiss Village 20 or so miles out of the town of Carbondale, Colorado. I recall having a ball in my hands most of the day, or tree jumping, navigating the forest and doing plenty of tick checks with my older brother. Whether it was winter where we went 20+ miles down the hills on tubes until we ran home with bloody faces, or the summer where we played capture the flag and ran home when I lost to my brother, the last thing on my mind was playing travel ball every weekend because it didn't exist. Later on when we put a hoop in our driveway my time shifted to 1 on 1 games, shooting, and evenings spent working on my shot. My choices were my choices and I thank my parents for that. I feel like our generation today is in a catch 22. Starting travel ball so young seems to put athletes at risk for chronic injuries or burnout. However, kids who don't start competing with these teams may not have the confidence to play when they get a littler older. Perspective and knowledge are key so I choose the perspective that it's a great opportunity that kids now have with the knowledge that I don't want my kids to burn out or over train their bodies. So, my answer is go tubing and wait until Justin and Brooklyn ask me to go shoot at the park! That's what my family did this weekend anyway. Coach Bin

Official Visits-What to Look For

Prospects and parents will be visiting campuses in the next few weeks if they haven't visited already. Here are a few things to look for and ask as you have only 48 hours to determine the best fit for your next four years. 1) Would I like this university and community if I wasn't playing basketball? 2)What does the community say about the program? 3)What do the players & staff say was the hardest situation they went through? 4)Do you have my number? 5) Where is the gym? 6) How long does it take to walk from one end of campus to the next? 7) How many hours a week do you average on the court as a team? 8) What's your APR? Coaches will explain what this is-your retention and eligibility standards. 9) What are your former players doing now? 10) What is the coach's pet pieves? Ask both the coach and players. 11) What's the best day and worst day you have had at your school? Ask both coaches and the players. Bottom line is that there are probably 100 questions to ask. The challenge is to get through the "red carpet" and see the program as you will see it when you are LIVING it! Official visits can be so much fun and they can give you a very clear description if you know what to look for. Coach Bin

DEFENSE

What I love about our game is that you can play it so many different ways to still be successful. The options on the defensive end are limitless. 1) Where do you pick up? Half court, 3/4 court, full court. Many teams will change this choice depending on a made basket, dead ball situation, end of game situation, end of half situation. Plenty of stragic options to consider. 2) What is your go to defense? Are you conservative and stay in the play and force contested shots where you have great rebounding position? Conservative defenses run correctly have been very effective. However, my personality hasn't always matched this mind set having played aggressively in the back court, taking chances on steals, forcing quicker decisions of my opponent, with the motivation of dictating from the defensive end. I have always believed that the biggest rewards come with the greatest risk. Hard to win in my perspective if you don't put yourself out there. 3) What is your strategic plan defensively? Do you like to switch, plan man, zone, trap? Part of this choice also matches the kind of recruit you select to represent your program. I remember a few years back another coach describing our team as "wiry" as we were athletic, fast, and aggressive. Regardless of choice of defense the successful teams have two things in common. They dictate shot selection & limit second opportunities. Coaches have the responsibility of practicing these situations daily, having consistent points of emphasis, and making sure their players LOVE this end of the floor as much as they do. GO CATS!