ESPN: Previewing the mid-majors

[UofMGrizFan]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...reaking-mid-majors-2012-13-college-basketball

Previewing the mid-majors

Big Sky
My pick: Montana
The Grizzlies won 20 of their last 21 games in 2011-12, but they were dismissed from the NCAA tournament when they scored just 49 points against Wisconsin in the second round. Still, the Big Sky favorites should earn another trip to March Madness with Will Cherry (15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 steals per game), who's equally effective on both ends of the floor, and Kareem Jamar (scored 15 points or more in six of the team's final 13 games). That duo led the Grizzlies to Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles last season. Mathias Ward's contributions -- 23 points in Montana's win over Weber State in the title game -- can't be overlooked, either. This core is talented enough to lead the Grizzlies to another set of crowns.

Greatest threat: Damian Lillard took his talents to the pros in the offseason. The Portland Trailblazers selected Lillard with the sixth pick in the 2012 draft. He was that good. But Weber State has a chance, although there will be a lot of pressure on guard Scott Bamforth (14.5 ppg).

X factor: In its first year in the league, North Dakota could make noise in the Big Sky. Troy Huff (13.1 ppg) is one of four starters returning for a squad that won 17 games last season.

Preseason MVP: Will Cherry, Montana

 

[BelierPeaux]

So, is Bamforth still on the team or not? I see he is on their roster so I am going to assume yes, but I recall a big to do at the end of the year that he wasn't coming back. Anyone know for sure?

 

[WSUnPurple]

Bamforth is on the team. He is our 2nd or 3rd best player.

After watching Davion Berry while he sat out last season, & again this year I strongly believe he will win the MVP of the Big SKY the next 2 seasons.

 

[Baller1]

Bamforth is on the team. He is our 2nd or 3rd best player.

After watching Davion Berry while he sat out last season, & again this year I strongly believe he will win the MVP of the Big SKY the next 2 seasons.

Are you aware that Kareem Jamar will be around for 2 more years?

Berry sounds like a nice player though. Put up great scoring numbers in Division II....how in in the world did he not sign D-I out of high school? Very cool to see Weber and Montana establishing Oakland pipelines to add another dimension to our rivalry.
It will be really fun to watch Berry and Kareem battle it out for MVP's over the next two season. Scoring machine vs. a triple double waiting to happen. I like Kareem Jamar's chances

 

[i do love the griz]

Bamforth is on the team. He is our 2nd or 3rd best player.

After watching Davion Berry while he sat out last season, & again this year I strongly believe he will win the MVP of the Big SKY the next 2 seasons.

Are you aware that Kareem Jamar will be around for 2 more years?

That pretty much sums it up +1

 

[Grizzaholic]

Just picked up the new ESPN Magazine with the College BBall preview.
The rankings of teams listed on our schedule
#59 BYU
#70 Colorado State
#77 South Dakota State
#105 Long Beach State (possible Bracket buster?)
#140 Montana
#142 Idaho
#160 San Diego
#179 Weber State
#187 Northern Colorado
#195 UND
#221 Southern Utah
#256 Montana State
#275 San Francisco
#283 Eastern Washington
#289 Sacramento State
#299 Idaho State
#313 Portland State
#316 Northern Arizona

Note: This list is compiled out of 345 teams.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

The first edition of the Ken Pomeroy College Basketball ratings (kenpom.com) has them aligned in this order:

49. South Dakota State
50. Brigham Young Univ.
92. Colorado State Univ.
103. MONTANA
113. Long Beach St. (should the Griz get the 49ers in Bracket Busters)
140. San Diego
159. Idaho

 

[Grizzaholic]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

 

[grizchamp]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

 

[Zirg]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

Conference means nothing. The Big Sky is a "win the tourney to get in" league and Will Cherry gives us a great chance of making that happen this year. Being a supposedly weak year in the Big Sky (and I don't really buy that anyways) only makes him more valuable. All that matters is "getting in" the tourney. Why would you redshirt the best player in the league if he is healthy? Zero chance Will redshirts.

 

[grizchamp]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

Conference means nothing. The Big Sky is a "win the tourney to get in" league and Will Cherry gives us a great chance of making that happen this year. Being a supposedly weak year in the Big Sky (and I don't really buy that anyways) only makes him more valuable. All that matters is "getting in" the tourney. Why would you redshirt the best player in the league if he is healthy? Zero chance Will redshirts.

But he isn't healthy. I don't think it is very likely he redshirts either. Just something I wouldn't mind seeing.

 

[weberwildcat]

Bamforth is on the team. He is our 2nd or 3rd best player.

After watching Davion Berry while he sat out last season, & again this year I strongly believe he will win the MVP of the Big SKY the next 2 seasons.

Are you aware that Kareem Jamar will be around for 2 more years?

Berry sounds like a nice player though. Put up great scoring numbers in Division II....how in in the world did he not sign D-I out of high school? Very cool to see Weber and Montana establishing Oakland pipelines to add another dimension to our rivalry.
It will be really fun to watch Berry and Kareem battle it out for MVP's over the next two season. Scoring machine vs. a triple double waiting to happen. I like Kareem Jamar's chances

please tell me he is really a senior!??

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

Conference means nothing. The Big Sky is a "win the tourney to get in" league and Will Cherry gives us a great chance of making that happen this year. Being a supposedly weak year in the Big Sky (and I don't really buy that anyways) only makes him more valuable. All that matters is "getting in" the tourney. Why would you redshirt the best player in the league if he is healthy? Zero chance Will redshirts.

Even with a Will Cherry at 100 % from the beginning of the season I don't think the Griz have the Frontcourt in order to win the Conference Championship this year. They're going to have to shoot lights-out from the perimeter to do so, all year long.

 

[BelierPeaux]

Is the Big Sky Conference down that much this year or are we just not getting any love from the critics?

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

Conference means nothing. The Big Sky is a "win the tourney to get in" league and Will Cherry gives us a great chance of making that happen this year. Being a supposedly weak year in the Big Sky (and I don't really buy that anyways) only makes him more valuable. All that matters is "getting in" the tourney. Why would you redshirt the best player in the league if he is healthy? Zero chance Will redshirts.

Even with a Will Cherry at 100 % from the beginning of the season I don't think the Griz have the Frontcourt in order to win the Conference Championship this year. They're going to have to shoot lights-out from the perimeter to do so, all year long.

I don't know, we didn't have a great front court last year, either. We may have had selvig, but he wasn't a great post, by any means and he was in foul trouble a LOT! If the guards can penetrate I think our bigs will get some easy baskets. Key is they have to show some good touch and that is a lot to ask from Hutch at times. Come BSC tourney time, I think this team will be rolling.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

The Big Sky Conference is Terrible. Before Will's injury we could have and probably should have run the table. Now we might lose a couple conference games. I say Redshirt Cherry a dominate next year.

Conference means nothing. The Big Sky is a "win the tourney to get in" league and Will Cherry gives us a great chance of making that happen this year. Being a supposedly weak year in the Big Sky (and I don't really buy that anyways) only makes him more valuable. All that matters is "getting in" the tourney. Why would you redshirt the best player in the league if he is healthy? Zero chance Will redshirts.

Even with a Will Cherry at 100 % from the beginning of the season I don't think the Griz have the Frontcourt in order to win the Conference Championship this year. They're going to have to shoot lights-out from the perimeter to do so, all year long.

I don't know, we didn't have a great front court last year, either. We may have had selvig, but he wasn't a great post, by any means and he was in foul trouble a LOT! If the guards can penetrate I think our bigs will get some easy baskets. Key is they have to show some good touch and that is a lot to ask from Hutch at times. Come BSC tourney time, I think this team will be rolling.

I like the fact they the Griz scored at a 41.2 % from trey-line and 45.5 % overall for FG attempts; this, along with their 78.3 FT shooting. That's fairly decent numbers right there. if for the whole season. But for all of that only 6 points total from Ward-Hutchinson? Starting three guards in Gregory-DeShields-Jamar, with Henderson as a backup? Coleman could be starting soon if he keeps his scoring touch; nine points a game so far. I don't think the Griz have a Redshirt player, do they?