Conference play set to begin for Bobcat Basketball
by Danny Waldo
After 11 non-conference games and one exhibition, it’s time for things to start counting.
First-year head coach Danny Sprinkle has taken the past month and a half to get a feel for his team that includes several newcomers via high and transfers, and now they are ready for league play to commence and find out where they stand amongst their counterparts in the Big Sky.
Expectations have been at an all-time high since Sprinkle’s hiring back on April 4th, and the Bobcats’ performance in the non-conference has done nothing to quell that enthusiasm. MSU went undefeated at the Spartan Invitational in mid-November, and defeated a sound South Dakota State team in their final home contest before conference play (The ‘Cats still have two remaining road games). MSU could enter league play as high as 8-3, but regardless, will enter the conference portion of their schedule above .500 for just the second time in the past nine years (MSU finished 3-7 in non-conference in 2018).
MSU has got to where it is this early in the season thanks to a focus on the defensive end of the floor, but the results haven’t been a surprise to Sprinkle.
“It’s good. It’s what we expect,” Sprinkle said after defeating South Dakota State. “I tell these guys, I expect to win every game we play. I feel like we have the talent. If we guard and do the things that we’re supposed to do toughness-wise and get all the loose balls, we’re going to have a chance to win every game.
“I think the guys are believing that. They deserve it. They’re the ones winning these games. Mychael Paulo’s the one making the shot, Harald Frey’s the one making the half-courter. Their energy and their belief is what’s impressed me.”
Fans are starting to take notice of the improved effort from the team as well, as the contest versus South Dakota State netted the largest attendance for a men’s non-conference basketball game since December 30, 1997, and Sprinkle and his crew know they are going to need that support when conference play begins later this month.
“Their support is huge,” Sprinkle said.
Ultimately, the success of the season will depend on MSU improving on their results in league and postseason play, something that is not lost on the first-year coach.
“We’ve got to keep improving,” Sprinkle said. “Our young guys, they’re going to keep improving. I’ve got to find a way to keep getting them minutes, throwing them in here and there. Because we’re going to need them during conference.”
MSU will start the conference portion of their schedule with a pair of home contests versus Sacramento State (12/28) and Northern Arizona (12/30).
For a complete schedule of Bobcat men’s basketball games, log on to www.msubobcats.com. •