Montana – The Montana State men’s and women’s basketball teams are the only two programs from the same university within the Big Sky Conference that don’t have conference games under their belts yet. That was going to change this week, but Southern Utah had to cancel their games due to COVID-19 related issues within the Thunderbirds’ basketball programs.
“Just kind of disappointed we didn’t get to get started this week as most of the opponents and conference have already begun, so we’re just going to have to wait a little bit longer,” said Bobcats head women’s coach Tricia Binford.
While the men’s program made it through non-conference play unscathed by COVID-19 cancellations, this is a feeling the women’s program is all too familiar with.
“We’re to the point where we’ve gone through this so much that you don’t want to say you’re numb to it, but it’s part of the routine that you just have to, from a mental standpoint you’ve got to be prepared to adjust to it,” said Binford.
As frustrating as it is to deal with their third and fourth game cancellations of the season, this gives the Bobcats more time to work on some of their struggles both defensively and offensively.
“Defense would probably be the No. 1 thing that we’ve just really tried to crunch down on fundamentals and how we play with the other four players on the court,” added Binford. “On the offensive end it’s really given us some time to get some reps in on some execution standpoints.”
The Bobcats will now begin conference play on Jan. 7 against Northern Colorado. The men’s team will be on the road, while the women’s team will be at home, assuming both teams are COVID free and able to play.
