Conference Play Begins: EWU at Montana Game Thread

[mtgrizrule]

Despite the loss, I'm not worried. Surprisingly enough, I'm pretty even keeled after a loss. I actually still feel good about this team.

Uncharacteristically, we struggled on FTs, and they were on fire. Defense struggled more than normal. We know damn well, DeCuire will correct that. We haven't been dominated on the boards like that before this game. Finally, offense appears to be in sync, just need more bench consistency. Offense has been solid for a month now. However, it's still streaky, both ways.

Fyi: EWU is much better than we thought. That's one nice team. They'll contend for a top 4 conference team.

This GRIZ team will be just fine.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I agree 100%, rule.

 

[Big Sage]

Riley said during the post game that this is the 7th straight game the bench has scored 11 points or fewer. That HAS to improve. I thought Vasquez should have played more minutes tonight as Whitney was non-existent. Not a bad crowd tonight-3,900 and change

 

[Chucknduck]

Riley said during the post game that this is the 7th straight game the bench has scored 11 points or fewer. That HAS to improve. I thought Vasquez should have played more minutes tonight as Whitney was non-existent. Not a bad crowd tonight-3,900 and change

We need Whitney for his defense and his ability to penetrate (not tonight because EWU was absolutely clogging the paint and dared us to shoot) to stay on the floor more often. Vasquez should be replacing Lonnel Martin if he isn’t knocking down his threes. He’s out there for one reason on offense and he is so streaky it’s unbelievable. Yeah, we may lose a little on defense with Vasquez but the dude is just a flat out better shooter than LM.

 

[Chucknduck]

Riley said during the post game that this is the 7th straight game the bench has scored 11 points or fewer. That HAS to improve. I thought Vasquez should have played more minutes tonight as Whitney was non-existent. Not a bad crowd tonight-3,900 and change

Regarding the bench and I’ll say it again. This is what Travis gets when your bench consists of a 6th year senior who fouls out often in under 10 minutes, a promising TRUE freshman (Nap) who any other year probably would red shirt, two D2 transfers, and a kid who should quite possibly be starting over OR getting equal minutes with Lonnell Martin (Vasquez). It will kill us down the stretch and hurt us tonight…….again.

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqYpd8vauLw

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

https://mobile.twitter.com/SkylineSportsMT/status/1608709966634049536

 

[Colter_Nuanez56]

Late night listening - Big Sky Breakdown: league play begins, #BigSkyWBB & #BigSkyMBB scores + "3 big things" about ‘Cat, Griz men from @Colter_Nuanez
https://skylinesportsmt.com/big-sky-breakdown-league-play-begins-3-big-things-about-cat-griz-men/

Post game:
Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle (6:53)
Eastern Washington head coach David Riley (12:41)
Montana head coach Travis DeCuire (20:05)


https://mobile.twitter.com/SkylineSportsMT/status/1608725175037759488

 

[rgrizfan]

Why does Mac Anderson even get into the game. Last 2 games 14 minutes...10 fouls.

 

[rgrizfan]

2 Griz players shot free throws...got out rebounded 45-28 with Bannon getting 10 of our rebounds.

 

[Hoops watcher]

EWU played better down the stretch and rebounding hurt us.

The difference in rebounds was just ridiculous.

For a program that "hangs its hat" on defense ... the Griz are piss-poor. Or, EWU has better shooters than just about anybody. The Eags shot poorly on treys, but went over 48% on field goals. The Griz seemed to be improving, scored 80 points, and still lost at home. Yes, this is only one game, but I'm no longer as optimistic about this bunch as I was a week ago.

Likewise, very disappointing after looking pretty good at Gonzaga. Looked up midway through half 2 and we were at 46% from 3, which masked the terrible breakdowns on D that gave them easy baskets and pathetic rebounding. When they quit falling it was game over. We cant seem to get to the rim off the bounce or with the sets very often and it shows in the free throw disparity. Ewoo is not a big, physical type team and getting hammered on the glass like that bodes ill. Reality is with a couple exceptions we lack overall talent offensively and if the D can't improve it's going to be a disappointing year. I hope I'm wrong and it's just one bad game.