Disappointing view of an different Griz team in Greeley

[Silvertip]

They struggled from the get-go. Frustration with a very active man defense was a big part of it. Quicker and more aggressive UNC packed it in against Montana's efforts to work in close. The Griz seemed slow on reacting to loose balls at both ends. Mathias Ward with a couple of long aerials and decent ball handling may have been the best Griz on the floor. Jordan Wood, who started, had a bad pass and a muffed catch plus a pair missed at the line in the opening minutes until Wayne pulled him before bringing him back for late garbage minutes. The kid looked lost. But actually most of the guys looked unsettled by a hot shooting Bears squad that kept getting points the few times when it looked like Montana might get back in it.

Griz actually narrowed it to 7 minutes with about 11 to go (with unexpected help from the zebras), but UNC became unconscious hitting almost every thing they tossed up. In a full 40 minutes the Griz got one clean first half back door play with a Cherry bucket after they'd pulled the offense out. Ball movement was erratic at best and they continually missed 2nd and 3rd shots in the paint as the Bears collapsed on plays under the basket. Rae subpar night for Qvale. Sat behind Tinkle who was clearly frustrated before becoming what looked like resigned The Griz need to regroup for Sacramento St because they sure never were in this one. And the damned free throw shooting continues ugly. Small but vocal crowd in the Hancock Warehouse. Two kids playing rocks,paper & scissors at mid court kept the evening from being a total waste.

 

[Grizbacker1]

They struggled from the get-go. Frustration with a very active man defense was a big part of it. Quicker and more aggressive UNC packed it in against Montana's efforts to work in close. The Griz seemed slow on reacting to loose balls at both ends. Mathias Ward with a couple of long aerials and decent ball handling may have been the best Griz on the floor. Jordan Wood, who started, had a bad pass and a muffed catch plus a pair missed at the line in the opening minutes until Wayne pulled him before bringing him back for late garbage minutes. The kid looked lost. But actually most of the guys looked unsettled by a hot shooting Bears squad that kept getting points the few times when it looked like Montana might get back in it.

Griz actually narrowed it to 7 minutes with about 11 to go (with unexpected help from the zebras), but UNC became unconscious hitting almost every thing they tossed up. In a full 40 minutes the Griz got one clean first half back door play with a Cherry bucket after they'd pulled the offense out. Ball movement was erratic at best and they continually missed 2nd and 3rd shots in the paint as the Bears collapsed on plays under the basket. Rae subpar night for Qvale. Sat behind Tinkle who was clearly frustrated before becoming what looked like resigned The Griz need to regroup for Sacramento St because they sure never were in this one. And the damned free throw shooting continues ugly. Small but vocal crowd in the Hancock Warehouse. Two kids playing rocks,paper & scissors at mid court kept the evening from being a total waste.

They actually were within 5 and then proceeded to foul a 95% free throw shooter on a 3 point attempt, and it was downhill from that point on. Jordan has big a major disappointment and for a kid his age seems to lack maturity and mental toughness. He was originally a recruit of Griz Assistant Bill Evans when Bill was HC at Southern Utah. Jordan then went on a 2 year Mormon Mission, went to Snow JC, and was brought to Missoula to be the 3 point threat. We all know how that is working, ie, 17% from the arc.

I think we will have a pretty darn good idea of the type of team we really have this year based on how they handle a little adversity on the road. Jamaar was missed, but come on, Qvale needs to man up in BSC play. He kind of looked like he did his sophomore and most of his junior season. Selvig was taken out of his game with the 2 blocking calls early. Cherry was so so, and seemed to lack his usual self confidence.

I think the Griz will respond postively at Sac.

 

[first11]

Hopefully just an aberation, a hick-up and not a portend of road trip contests to come.

Following Griz BB for decades, these kind of loses to the least likely foes is not uncommon! Outside of the glory years of domination our Griz can find a way to lose.

I was a bit concerned prior to game hearing Cherry interviewed on local TV, I think he and other may have been looking past UNC and feeling a bit superior...UNC obviously caught us sleeping.

I agree with above posts and think that this may be the conf road trip wake up call, I suspect we blow by our Saturday foe.

Go Griz

 

[Growler1]

Griz don't have a go-to scorer like last season. They are too easy to shut down by a team playing good team defense.