mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Granted, I know the GRIZ are still playing post season basketball, but due to schedule, I thought now would be a good time to post this. I hope the GRIZ send Martin Breunig out with a CBI Championship. If they beat Nevada, it looks possible too. It is hard for me to get excited for this tournament. I was hoping and wanting an NCAA Tournament appearance. Weber State winning he conference tournament did not surprise me though. Their defense combined with the GRIZ inconsistent 3 point shooting was not a good a matchup for the GRIZ this season.
That conference championship played out just like the season did. The GRIZ did as well as their perimeter shooting would take them. One game they would light up the scoreboard with 40% plus shooting with 8+ plus 3 pointers made. Yet other games, would struggle to hit 33% of their 3's. Brandon Gfeller was the epitome of this, as well. He either hit 4 plus 3's or did next to nothing. Come the end of the conference season, DeCuire cut his minutes dramatically. That is understandable. He just could not know what to expect from Gfeller game to game. That is disappointing, being Gfeller has an absolutely beautiful shot. Despite that, he just could not find his shot consistently from game to game. I hope Travis's tough love approach with Gfeller pays huge dividends this offseason and next season. Gfeller has the potential to be all conference, but just has not been able to perform consistently enough to do it. My hope is, Gfeller dedicates his off season to ball handling and creating for himself off the dribble. For him to be an impact player he has to add this element to his game. His desmise was opportunity for others though.
Mario Dunn and Bobby Moorehead benefitted with more playing time at the end of the season. Dunn has played well the last month as he got healthy again. Meanwhile, freshman G/F, Bobby Moorehead gained the confidence of DeCuire as the season progressed. Moorehead played well beyond that of a true Freshman. Like Gfeller he is a terrific shooter as well. In my opinion, he is more consistent though and a better penetrator. He is very confident in his game. He has no conscience and looks to shoot with the slightest opening for him to get his shot off. For such a young player, he is mentally mature beyond his age and has a very bright future ahead of him. To me, his emergence was a great surprise this season.
The other surprises were Michael Oguine and Jack Lopez. Oguine delivered on high expectations, but surpassed them. Oguine has the athleticism, awareness, confidence, ball handling, quickness, and shooting ability to take over any game at any time, when called upon . He is also the best on the ball perimeter defender already, as a true freshman. In my opinion, he is an NBA prospect. He needs to develop and prove his point guard skills as his college career advances to improve his chances at the next level. Forunately, he has 3 more years to build his game and resume.
Jack Lopez emerging to be consistent versatile player on both ends of the court was huge for the GRIZ. He brought the team a little of everything. As he emerged the team took off along with him. As the season progressed he turned out to fill the offensive void as Krslovic and Gfeller struggled to find their offense. When they struggled, Lopez could be counted on to do whatever was needed and asked of him to do. Pretty amazing, considering he is not a post player, but a true versatile perimeter player on both ends of the court. He is every coaches dream of a versatile great attitude player off the bench, and willing to accept any role asked of him, from game to game. Every team needs a Jack Lopez type of player on it.
As good as Lopez, Oguine, and Lopez were, Gfeller and Krslovic were equally disappointing with inconsistent offensive. I am not saying they were bad, but had they found consistent offense, the GRIZ would have faired a few games better this season. Both have great attitudes and variables that should allow for them to be huge factors for the remainder of their GRIZ careers. Krslovic is still young and raw, but with Breunig graduating, he will be heavily relied on to become an offensive threat next season in the post. Fabijan, needs to dedicate his off season to offense only! Rest of his game is already sound, and physically, he is among the better post defenders in the league already. As for Gfeller, see above.
Speaking of Breunig, what a treat he has been in his 2 years. He has been a nightmare matchup for opponents to control. His athleticism, work ethic, and overall game will be hard to replace next season. I hope his work ethic and confidence is inherited by Krslovic, Boehning, and DeJong. All of which have a huge opportunity to emerge in his absense. The offseason is key for each of them. The GRIZ will need each of them next season.
This season, the GRIZ guard play was an absolute joy to watch on both ends of the court. Wright, Dunn, and Oguine are all dynamic all confernce type talents. Walter Wright certainly took to DeCuire's coaching. That kid is capable of averaging 15 points and 7 assists per game next season. Dunn, just needs to be completely healthy next season. Oguine just needs to continue to develop his game. Oguine is a very rare talent in this conference. Hard to believe all the guards return, plus 2 more. Ahmed Rorie and Sayeed Pridgett bring that kind of talent, or better to the team next season. Both are athletic and versatile. From the scrimmages and pick up games I saw this fall/winter, Ahmed Rorie was the best guard on the team. He will be every bit as exicting as Breunig has been, just at guard though.
Finally, my awards to close this.
Defensive player of the year- Oguine.
Most Valuble Player- Breunig
Newcomer of the year- Wright (Oguine and Moorehead were terrific as well).
My 1st Jordan Gregory Award (biggest improvement from last season to big contributor the next)-
Jack Lopez. With that said, I don't know what his off season consists of, but his emergence during this season was unexpected and huge for his team.
Good luck GRIZ, bring home the CBI Championship!!! Thanks for a great season boys. :thumb:
That conference championship played out just like the season did. The GRIZ did as well as their perimeter shooting would take them. One game they would light up the scoreboard with 40% plus shooting with 8+ plus 3 pointers made. Yet other games, would struggle to hit 33% of their 3's. Brandon Gfeller was the epitome of this, as well. He either hit 4 plus 3's or did next to nothing. Come the end of the conference season, DeCuire cut his minutes dramatically. That is understandable. He just could not know what to expect from Gfeller game to game. That is disappointing, being Gfeller has an absolutely beautiful shot. Despite that, he just could not find his shot consistently from game to game. I hope Travis's tough love approach with Gfeller pays huge dividends this offseason and next season. Gfeller has the potential to be all conference, but just has not been able to perform consistently enough to do it. My hope is, Gfeller dedicates his off season to ball handling and creating for himself off the dribble. For him to be an impact player he has to add this element to his game. His desmise was opportunity for others though.
Mario Dunn and Bobby Moorehead benefitted with more playing time at the end of the season. Dunn has played well the last month as he got healthy again. Meanwhile, freshman G/F, Bobby Moorehead gained the confidence of DeCuire as the season progressed. Moorehead played well beyond that of a true Freshman. Like Gfeller he is a terrific shooter as well. In my opinion, he is more consistent though and a better penetrator. He is very confident in his game. He has no conscience and looks to shoot with the slightest opening for him to get his shot off. For such a young player, he is mentally mature beyond his age and has a very bright future ahead of him. To me, his emergence was a great surprise this season.
The other surprises were Michael Oguine and Jack Lopez. Oguine delivered on high expectations, but surpassed them. Oguine has the athleticism, awareness, confidence, ball handling, quickness, and shooting ability to take over any game at any time, when called upon . He is also the best on the ball perimeter defender already, as a true freshman. In my opinion, he is an NBA prospect. He needs to develop and prove his point guard skills as his college career advances to improve his chances at the next level. Forunately, he has 3 more years to build his game and resume.
Jack Lopez emerging to be consistent versatile player on both ends of the court was huge for the GRIZ. He brought the team a little of everything. As he emerged the team took off along with him. As the season progressed he turned out to fill the offensive void as Krslovic and Gfeller struggled to find their offense. When they struggled, Lopez could be counted on to do whatever was needed and asked of him to do. Pretty amazing, considering he is not a post player, but a true versatile perimeter player on both ends of the court. He is every coaches dream of a versatile great attitude player off the bench, and willing to accept any role asked of him, from game to game. Every team needs a Jack Lopez type of player on it.
As good as Lopez, Oguine, and Lopez were, Gfeller and Krslovic were equally disappointing with inconsistent offensive. I am not saying they were bad, but had they found consistent offense, the GRIZ would have faired a few games better this season. Both have great attitudes and variables that should allow for them to be huge factors for the remainder of their GRIZ careers. Krslovic is still young and raw, but with Breunig graduating, he will be heavily relied on to become an offensive threat next season in the post. Fabijan, needs to dedicate his off season to offense only! Rest of his game is already sound, and physically, he is among the better post defenders in the league already. As for Gfeller, see above.
Speaking of Breunig, what a treat he has been in his 2 years. He has been a nightmare matchup for opponents to control. His athleticism, work ethic, and overall game will be hard to replace next season. I hope his work ethic and confidence is inherited by Krslovic, Boehning, and DeJong. All of which have a huge opportunity to emerge in his absense. The offseason is key for each of them. The GRIZ will need each of them next season.
This season, the GRIZ guard play was an absolute joy to watch on both ends of the court. Wright, Dunn, and Oguine are all dynamic all confernce type talents. Walter Wright certainly took to DeCuire's coaching. That kid is capable of averaging 15 points and 7 assists per game next season. Dunn, just needs to be completely healthy next season. Oguine just needs to continue to develop his game. Oguine is a very rare talent in this conference. Hard to believe all the guards return, plus 2 more. Ahmed Rorie and Sayeed Pridgett bring that kind of talent, or better to the team next season. Both are athletic and versatile. From the scrimmages and pick up games I saw this fall/winter, Ahmed Rorie was the best guard on the team. He will be every bit as exicting as Breunig has been, just at guard though.
Finally, my awards to close this.
Defensive player of the year- Oguine.
Most Valuble Player- Breunig
Newcomer of the year- Wright (Oguine and Moorehead were terrific as well).
My 1st Jordan Gregory Award (biggest improvement from last season to big contributor the next)-
Jack Lopez. With that said, I don't know what his off season consists of, but his emergence during this season was unexpected and huge for his team.
Good luck GRIZ, bring home the CBI Championship!!! Thanks for a great season boys. :thumb:
