Cats, Broncos, and Tricia Binford

When Boise State and Montana State tip it off on Friday night, it will seem like a Back to the Future movie. These two schools are old rivals dating back to 1996 when Boise State moved from the Big Sky Conference to the Big West Conference. It will be a nice treat to see these two square-off again.

This year’s meeting carries some extra pizzazz because of a certain MSU coach that just happens to be a Boise State legend. Tricia Binford (then Bader) is the BSU career in assists and second in steals. This will be the second time Binford coaches against her alma-mater. Boise State came to Bozeman for a Thanksgiving Tournament in Binford’s first season (2005-06), winning 66-52.

Here are some other fun Cat-Bronco-Binford facts:

Tricia Binford’s career high in scoring came in Bozeman against MSU. In BSU’s final season in the Big Sky, Binford dropped 34 points on the Cats on 1/27/1996. That total is the 3rd highest in BSU history. Binford racked up 14 field goals, which is tied for the most in school history. She was 75% (6-8) from the arc, which is the second best single game history, and the 6 made threes is 4th most in school single game history. Despite this offensive explosion by Binford, MSU won 78 to 72.

Montana State holds the series edge 26 to 23. The teams met twice in the Big Sky Tournament, back-to-back in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, BSU knocked MSU out in the semifinals 78 to 68 (Binford was named to the all-tournament team). In 1995, MSU beat BSU in the semis, 59 to 55. Boise State’s 92% free throw percentage (22-24) in the 1994 tournament game is 10th most in Big Sky tournament history.

Binford has the top 2 single season assist records at BSU, 139 in 1993-94 (4.8 per game) and 127 in 1992-93 (4.7 per game). She also has number 8, 106 in 1995-96 (3.9 per game).During the 1993-94 season, Binford registered 88 steals (3 per game), which is good for number 2 in school history.

Binford is number 6 in career scoring (1,171 points), 8th in career field goals made (411), 6th in field goals attempted (1,081—for a 38% career average), 11th in 3FGs made (72) , 8th in 3FGs attempted (269—27% career average), 6th in career free throws made (277), 5th in free throws attempted (408—68% career average), 1st in assists (451), 2nd in steals (271), and 5th in games played (115).

Boise State led the Big Sky in scoring offense from 1991-95 (Binford played from 1991-96) and averaged 80 ppg in 1992-93.