George Ferguson: It's not College Game Day, but Cat-Griz men's hoops on ESPNU this Sunday is a nice consolation prize

Remember this fall when the rumors were swirling about College Game Day coming to Missoula for the 120th Brawl of the Wild? Well, ESPN didn't come, or should I say, Kirk Herbstreit torpedoed the idea. And it was a shame because the atmosphere and the game were epic.

A few months ago, however, there was a bit of a consolation prize when it was announced that ESPN would be making the trip to Missoula, and televising a Brawl of the Wild game. Only it wasn't going to be of the football variety. Instead, ESPN is televising the Missoula version of the annual series between Montana and Montana State in men's basketball.

Yes, the ESPN cameras will be front and center Sunday inside Dahlberg Arena when the Griz and Cats face off for the second time this season. And I surely hope Missoula and fans of both teams turn out and show out because it does take a lot for ESPN to produce a game so far out of its normal foot print.

But that's not the biggest reason why I hope Sunday's game isn't just a good one, but good for TV. It's because whether it's the Cats or Griz, neither program gets this opportunity very often, and Sunday, both of them do.

The Cats are in first place in the Big Sky and have a win over the Griz this season. The Griz are still in fourth in the Big Sky and fighting for a seed in the upcoming tournament. So there's a lot at stake Sunday.

Beyond that, though, there's always the rivalry. Whether it's football, men's and women's basketball, tennis or a food drive, whenever the Cats and Griz meet up to do battle, it's always intense, and it's always exciting and it's always dramatic.

Usually, though, its thousands of people who get to see it and not millions.

That won't be the case Sunday, though. No, the Cat-Griz men's basketball game gets a chance to be showcased to the world. It's not the ideal time slot, as normally the game is played in prime time Saturday nights. But the two schools agreed to move it to Sunday so ESPN could broadcast it. And that's just fine.

It doesn't matter what time it is, or which gym it's in. Hell, it could be played on a Monday night at the Central Gym right here in Havre, and as long as it was ESPN, it would be extra special. And that's what we've got Sunday afternoon, we've got a chance to show off something very special.

Yes, ESPN is finally giving Montana the chance to not only show off just what the Cat-Griz rivalry is all about, but more importantly, what college sports in the Treasure State, and above that, just what the state of Montana is all about.

So while Sunday afternoons are usually reserved for quiet, thanks to ESPN, this Sunday is going to be anything but quiet in Missoula.