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advice for griz

C

citygriz

Well-known member
first, let's go back to 2005, first round game v washington at taco bell arena in boise. because washington is a pac-10 team, it was the featured game in this market, and so i settled in with my grass, mescaline, high-powered blotter acid and salt shaker full of cocaine (all right, beer and cherry garcia ice cream) to watch our heroes battle washington.

some battle. more a weber-esque first-half nightmare. washington had two guys that would later make a name for themselves in the nba--brandon roy and nate robinson. they were athletic, quick, explosive and very very good. our kids looked like cows watching trains go by. they go up 18-2 or some ridiculous score, on the way to a 43-26 halftime lead, and c.b.s. cuts out to a more competitive game. i run to my sports bar, but they have no more interest in the game than c.b.s., so i return home and watch the updates in the tiny box in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. gradually, we close the gap; c.b.s. even returns to the game late for a look-in. second half we outscore them 51-45 to make it a decent result, BUT...

the next year, we get back to the dance, and this time, v. nevada, we're all business. see, we've been there. we know we belong because we beat washington the second half. we pounce on nevada right from the get-go, aggressively going down low to strait against fazekas. by halftime, we control the game, and keep control. we win going away.

why?

because our kids had been there before. they knew they belonged. they knew if they played their game, they could win.

so this year. the distractions will be many. the stage will be larger than hornet gym or the stott center. after the weber game, this has already been a legendary season. people will talk for years about the game a.j. had to get us here. but we've got to forget all that. we've got to believe we can play with these guys. we have to attack, just as we did against nevada. we have to make a statement.

we have to play as if we've been there.
 
Agreed. I think the team will play like they've been there. I think AJ and Cherry fully believe they will win. It's destiny, and they have no fear. Staudacher's not afraid, and he probably feels like he's been there. He's a senior, has played in lots of big games, and has made lots of big plays. McGillis won't be nervous or back down. He's played against lots of bigtime teams. Qvale has gained confidence this year, and will likely play his developing bigtime inside game, and play within himself. Selvig is not one to get nervous. He was probably raised this way. Taylor was raised by a coach. I've never seen him nervous or back down. He will step up his game. Banny is always good on the court, now that he's playing more within himself. Stockton is a player. I don't think a Stockton would ever back down, or get nervous on the big stage. Ward is a good and knowledgeable. He will eventually be a better player, but he is good now and will also step up, if given the chance. I don't know the Young, but I think he's capable of scoring, being athletic, and making big plays.

I love our team. I'm sure NM is a terrific team, but they better not relax or get overconfident--because the Griz are coming after them.
 
I like your very positive outlook, PlayerRep. I am usually the same way. Buy I must admit I am a little leary this time around. I think if the Griz come out with some major fire in their eyes and play with aggression and confidence then they have a shot at winning. If they come out flat like they have in their other losses then New Mexico will make them look silly and run them out of the gym.

Most everyone I have talked to say how can the Griz (a team that never even won the most games in a weak BSC and lied down twice in 2 pussy games) even show up to this game? They don't see the Griz waving a majic wand thursday night and instantly playing like world beaters, beatiing the #8 ranked team in the country, all while they are ranked #97. Ain't going to happen basically is the prevelant feeling.

Weber State just got worked by Cincinnati in the NIT, WSU was out-manned, the BearKats where just too good of athletes.

The Griz can play with New Mexico, as long as they act like it.

GO GRIZ
 
Tinkle on Selvig:

"What we need from him (Selvig) is a balance of scoring inside and out," Tinkle said. "We know he can shoot and pass from the perimeter. He has to be able to get us baskets in the paint. That will help relieve some pressure from the other guys down there. What we can't have him do is fall in love with that 3-point line and play out there. He's done a good job of coming from where he was in high school to trying to buy into that."

========================================================================================

Article in todays Missoulian: (some strategy)

..."He's (AJ) obviously a very talented individual, someone who can take over a basketball game," New Mexico coach Steve Alford said. "Anytime you get in a tournament as such, good guard play is always a key and I think it has been over the years in this tournament, and Montana has that. In Johnson alone, they have that. They have someone who can take over a game when things aren't going well."

But that's a strength of the Lobos as well, who start point guard Dairese Gary (12.7 ppg) and Phillip McDonald (10.7 ppg) alongside Hobson in the backcourt.

"We just had our meeting and we thought we'd put up detour signs around town and maybe he won't get to the gym tomorrow," Alford said of Johnson. "That might be the only way to contain somebody like him. We'll run different people at him, different bodies at him. We're a pretty big, physical team, and we have some guys I think are pretty good defenders.

"That's why you play the game. Sometimes good defense beats good offense and sometimes it doesn't. It starts with Johnson, but it doesn't end there. They have some good complementary players who really help their team in a lot of different ways."

And the Griz plan to use them early and often. In 6-11 Brian Qvale and 7-foot Derek Selvig, the Griz might have a size advantage over New Mexico's frontcourt of 6-6 Roman Martinez and 6-8 AJ Hardeman.

"We definitely feel like we need to get the ball inside," Tinkle said. "I think when they take a look at our film and our stats, they're going to try to do some things to limit what Anthony does. So I think our game plan has to be let's get some other guys going."

The Griz could also use a boost from senior Ryan Staudacher, a 46-percent shooter from 3-point range, and freshman Will Cherry, who has matured into a solid and sometimes spectacular point guard.

"We're kind of used to the drill by now," Johnson said. "They're going to try to take me away and that's been the game plan all year, take me away and force other guys to step up. But I think we're here for a reason and now more than ever we're going to play two great halves of basketball and you're going to see a Griz team that's serious when we take the court. ...

"Everybody's going to play well. That's what's needed in order for us to make history."
 
IntuitiveGriz said:
Tinkle on Selvig:

"What we need from him (Selvig) is a balance of scoring inside and out," Tinkle said. "We know he can shoot and pass from the perimeter. He has to be able to get us baskets in the paint. That will help relieve some pressure from the other guys down there. What we can't have him do is fall in love with that 3-point line and play out there. He's done a good job of coming from where he was in high school to trying to buy into that."

========================================================================================

Article in todays Missoulian: (some strategy)

..."He's (AJ) obviously a very talented individual, someone who can take over a basketball game," New Mexico coach Steve Alford said. "Anytime you get in a tournament as such, good guard play is always a key and I think it has been over the years in this tournament, and Montana has that. In Johnson alone, they have that. They have someone who can take over a game when things aren't going well."

But that's a strength of the Lobos as well, who start point guard Dairese Gary (12.7 ppg) and Phillip McDonald (10.7 ppg) alongside Hobson in the backcourt.

"We just had our meeting and we thought we'd put up detour signs around town and maybe he won't get to the gym tomorrow," Alford said of Johnson. "That might be the only way to contain somebody like him. We'll run different people at him, different bodies at him. We're a pretty big, physical team, and we have some guys I think are pretty good defenders.

"That's why you play the game. Sometimes good defense beats good offense and sometimes it doesn't. It starts with Johnson, but it doesn't end there. They have some good complementary players who really help their team in a lot of different ways."

And the Griz plan to use them early and often. In 6-11 Brian Qvale and 7-foot Derek Selvig, the Griz might have a size advantage over New Mexico's frontcourt of 6-6 Roman Martinez and 6-8 AJ Hardeman.

"We definitely feel like we need to get the ball inside," Tinkle said. "I think when they take a look at our film and our stats, they're going to try to do some things to limit what Anthony does. So I think our game plan has to be let's get some other guys going."

The Griz could also use a boost from senior Ryan Staudacher, a 46-percent shooter from 3-point range, and freshman Will Cherry, who has matured into a solid and sometimes spectacular point guard.

"We're kind of used to the drill by now," Johnson said. "They're going to try to take me away and that's been the game plan all year, take me away and force other guys to step up. But I think we're here for a reason and now more than ever we're going to play two great halves of basketball and you're going to see a Griz team that's serious when we take the court. ...

"Everybody's going to play well. That's what's needed in order for us to make history."
Click to expand...

Romans a wing player. I think they meant 6'9" Will Brown with AJ Hardeman
 
I'm going to throw out this as a difference maker this year..
Tinkle's hiring of Freddie Owens is starting to look like a brilliant move. Owens had huge success in the Big Ten and the NCAA Tourney all 4 years of his career at Wisconsin. With Devon Harris, Freddie Owens made up one of the all time best back courts in NCAA history. He knows NM coach Steve Alford very well and knows that Alford hopes to intimidate Montana. We know that Freddie Owens can't lace em up this year but I guarantee you that he will make sure our guys are ready. I look for Qvale and company to let em know early to expect a game.
 
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