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From a Lady Techster Fan

C

champion

Member
Hi Griz fans!
I stopped by to congratulate you on your BSC championship, but then saw all the posts stating that the Techsters are over ranked. hmmmmm

The Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech have 3 National Championships, have been to every NCAA tournament (winning the first one), and to 13 final fours. We have been ranked in the top 25 for every year but one since the NCAA started. Most of those years we are in the top 10.

We have a similar problem that you have in that our conference is considered weak. We played Miss. State, Illinois, SFA, and Tulane out of conference this year in addition to Tennessee (every year) and Penn State. The first four of those teams had uncharacteristically bad years and hurt our rpi.

We have two losses - Tennessee and Rice. We played at Tenn. at the beginning of the year and just when we were making a big run, our invaluable Point Guard was injured. Tenn. beat us by 20. Rice beat us at Rice, as well, in OT. We avenged that loss at home and then simply demolished them on a neutral court in the WAC tournament.

So, I wouldn't say we are overrated at all. We have won the games that were put in front of us.

I expect that this will be a tremendous game and I respect your team. Home court is something that worries me some. We will come to play, though.

Tell me about your team, if you will. I will answer any questions that I can about ours.

Here's to a great game with no injuries!
 
Here is a link to our message board, if you want to come visit.

http://www.latechbbb.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewforum&f=6

You have to register, but it is a very similar format as this one.
 
Champion,

If anyone can talk about being underrated, it is surely our Techsters. Granted we do play in the WAC, but still year in and year out we are top 10 in the nation. I am not sure what Montana has to offer, but I would expect that playing infront of their home crowd, we'll see them at thier best.

For the Montana fans, what defense do y'all run? Are y'all a big team? Is your strength on the perimeter or in the post?

Tech will bring some size, but we depend on speed- and we have plenty of it at all positions. We have Trina Frierson and Amisha Carter in the post. Both of these players were all WAC selections. We have experience and good D with Amber Obaze. If her shot is on then she will be very dangerous. We also have the same with Erica Smith-Taylor. Tasha Crain is a pg's pg. She runs our team and is relentless on defense.
 
champion said:
Don't know where the Griz fans are. What time is it in Montana?
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Tell you the truth, there are not a large number of Lady Griz fans who participate in message boards. The past two days may have been the most activity the whole year.

It is now 1:20PM Mountain Time, which I think Louisiana would be one hour later, but I am just guessing they are on Central time. If eastern time, add another hour.
 
The Griz don't have one dominant player, although they have the conference MVP. Quick guard, great passer, and makes few mistakes. The Griz have a 6'3" and 6'4" at center. To sum up the Griz, I would say they play great defense and play together as a team. They have one of the best coaches in the country. He just got his 600th win (6th fastest ever). On any given night they can be led by several players.

I would say this about our chances. I think it'll be a close and hard fought game. If they play like they did against Idaho State, I think La Tech will come out on top. If they play like they did against Eastern Washington (Big Sky semi's), I'll take the Griz over almost anyone. They were unbelievable. Probably the best any Griz team has looked.

I think the reason some people think you are over-rated is because your strength of schedule wasn't very good. And the fact that you received a 5th seed after a ranking of 6th in the polls. There is no doubt that La Tech is tough and has a great tradition. Griz fans surely appreciate the kind of program they have.
 
localdawg said:
Champion,

If anyone can talk about being underrated, it is surely our Techsters. Granted we do play in the WAC, but still year in and year out we are top 10 in the nation. I am not sure what Montana has to offer, but I would expect that playing infront of their home crowd, we'll see them at thier best.

For the Montana fans, what defense do y'all run? Are y'all a big team? Is your strength on the perimeter or in the post?

Tech will bring some size, but we depend on speed- and we have plenty of it at all positions. We have Trina Frierson and Amisha Carter in the post. Both of these players were all WAC selections. We have experience and good D with Amber Obaze. If her shot is on then she will be very dangerous. We also have the same with Erica Smith-Taylor. Tasha Crain is a pg's pg. She runs our team and is relentless on defense.
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Personally, I think both teams maybe underrated. Home court will be close to a sellout. Only the seats behind the baskets and the corners are available. All lower seats have been reserved for the 4 opposing teams, and so all Lady Griz tickets available for lower level has been sold out. Expect a good crowd.

As for defense, Lady Griz will play man to man, and various zone defenses, mostly matchup zone.

Lady Griz lead the conference in 3 point field goal percentage in the Big Sky Conference at 37.6%.

Lady Griz also lead the Big Sky conference in field goal percentage at 43.6%.

I would say that LG strength is in the inside game. 6' 3" Holly Tyler anchors the middle and is quite good on defense also. She is backed up by 6'4" Crystal Baird who is close to double figures scoring also. The center position gets close to 30 points a game on offense. Holly Tyler has possibly a 2" arm length advantage over Crystal Baird, so that 1" inch height advantage Baird has over Tyler is pretty much negated.

On defense, Lady Griz are near the top (I think 8th) in the nation in points allowed. At least in Big Sky Conference, the Lady Griz lead in scoring average allowed and shooting percentages stats.

I would definitely consider La Tech. the favorite in this game. But, I would also say that if the Lady Griz were in the WAC, they would likely be in second place or so. But, playing here in Missoula, I would not say it will be a sure win for La Tech either. Lady Griz have played top teams tough. In 1994 the Lady Griz lost by only 7 points to Tennessee which was ranked number 1 at the time. And this team isn't that much worse than that team. And if you consider that there are quite a bit more good teams in women's basketball than back in 1994, This team may be comparable to that team.

It should be a good game. Can't wait.
 
Thanks for the replies and the information. This should be a great game. The Techsters make their living on the fast break and will want a physical fast paced game. Every Techster is extremely athletic and pick the pocket of the opposing player before anyone realizes the ball has changed hands.

Tasha Crain is our floor general. She is small and extremely quick. It sounds like your PG is very good and this should be a great match up. Our Center and Forward feed off of each other. Trina Frierson is not as tall at 6'1" (I believe), but is very athletic and fun to watch. Amber Obaze and Erica Smith round out the guards and can hit the three, but love to drive the lane.

Sounds like this is going to be a very good game. If we get you into a fast paced game, it will go our way. If you are able to slow it down and contain our fast breaks, you have a great chance.
 
If we get you into a fast paced game, it will go our way. If you are able to slow it down and contain our fast breaks, you have a great chance.
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Couldn't agree more. In the half court, the Griz play great defense. Sounds like the defense of La Tech holds their own as well.

One more thing. The Techster players should get ready for some major rubbing from the UM band. They really get after it and help the home court advantage. Plus, if you get a chance to come to the game, you'll be treated by the first national mascot of the year "Monte". He's incredible.
 
That is great about the band. These players over the last 4 years have played in some of the toughest venues in the country. We have quiet a tradition with our band, as well. :-)

A tough environment really gets our team motivated.
 
I really doubt that we will have many. That is a long distance away. However, I expect we will have some. I won't make it. Usually I would, but I am recovering from surgery and can not make a trip that long.

We usually travel well, but I have my doubts about this one.
 
When we asked people on our board if they were going, all we got was jokes about how cold Montana is and how few people live there.


where they heck is montana???? Do you have to get there by horseback?
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Im am sure that some of the players families will be there, but I wouldnt expect a huge turnout from the Techster loyals.
 
It's not that cold. Why just the other day it got up to near freezing. And the snow isn't all that deep anymore, barely 2 feet. :wink:
 
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