mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Anyway, we are just past one month into basketball season. After a slow and frustrating start the GRIZ are starting to take form. For many, it may too soon to tell still, considering the inconsistent play thus far. What the hell, what are your expectations to date for this year's griz?
I admit I was overly confident before the season took place. I thought we would more easily replace Matthews and Criswell than we have. I expected Martin and Swift to step in well, but they both struggled. However, the talent is still there and future looks bright for the next 5 years plus. We are still a very young team, compared to many programs.
Without injuries, I expect the GRIZ to be 10-4 or 9-5 in BSC play this year. That should be a 1 or 2 seed. Praying for a 1 seed to host the BSC tourney. Iexpect us to win the BSC tourney also. Though feel EW and NAU are very capable as well.
Right now it looks as if the coaches are starting to find a rotation and roles. Starting 5 appear to be Ellis, Rundles, Dloughy, Strait, and Hasquet. Bench: Martin (great fit as 6th man), Sharp, primarily regardless of opposition. Chavez, Swift (when healthy), Staudacher (more minutes when his shot is on), Chase, Mayes all dependant on matchups. Spurgettis and Vanderjagt spot duty. However, I am a huge Vanderjagt fan and feel he can contribute much more, especially defensively and rebounding. My thinking is the GRIZ will continue to slowly develop him. My hope is by end of the season he is the top 9 rotation. His development is crucial for us to compete with the big boys short and long term.
On court leadership is still our biggest question mark. It looks to me that Hasquet and Rundles have slowly been filling that vocal leadership roles on the court. I still think, Hasquet's outburst against WKU will be the defining turning point this year for the team and himself. Since then, the team and Jordan have played much more like last year's GRIZ in all regards of team play.
Dloughy and Strait, are proving themselves as the consistent on the court performers. Ellis is a nightmare as for on the ball pressure, and near impossible to trap when heh handles the ball. He is starting to make teams pay for laying off him. Martin and Staudacher are beginning to find perimeter consistency. When healthy Sharp is a 2nd Strait, with more athleticism and range, not as many post moves as Strait.
Personnel wise we need to find a fit for Chase and Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt is a freshman, but very talented. Chase is much better having the paint be his only offensively. Most his time will be without Strait, but the likes of Hasquet, Chavez, and Sharp, all of which complement Chases game well. Also Swift getting healthy and consistent would be huge for this team. Swift has so much talent, it is sick.
Am I being overly optimistic in expecting 10-4 in the BSC? What do other's think? Final note, please keep the smack talk or bashing out of this as much as possible!! (my thread, my rules, lol) :thumb:
I admit I was overly confident before the season took place. I thought we would more easily replace Matthews and Criswell than we have. I expected Martin and Swift to step in well, but they both struggled. However, the talent is still there and future looks bright for the next 5 years plus. We are still a very young team, compared to many programs.
Without injuries, I expect the GRIZ to be 10-4 or 9-5 in BSC play this year. That should be a 1 or 2 seed. Praying for a 1 seed to host the BSC tourney. Iexpect us to win the BSC tourney also. Though feel EW and NAU are very capable as well.
Right now it looks as if the coaches are starting to find a rotation and roles. Starting 5 appear to be Ellis, Rundles, Dloughy, Strait, and Hasquet. Bench: Martin (great fit as 6th man), Sharp, primarily regardless of opposition. Chavez, Swift (when healthy), Staudacher (more minutes when his shot is on), Chase, Mayes all dependant on matchups. Spurgettis and Vanderjagt spot duty. However, I am a huge Vanderjagt fan and feel he can contribute much more, especially defensively and rebounding. My thinking is the GRIZ will continue to slowly develop him. My hope is by end of the season he is the top 9 rotation. His development is crucial for us to compete with the big boys short and long term.
On court leadership is still our biggest question mark. It looks to me that Hasquet and Rundles have slowly been filling that vocal leadership roles on the court. I still think, Hasquet's outburst against WKU will be the defining turning point this year for the team and himself. Since then, the team and Jordan have played much more like last year's GRIZ in all regards of team play.
Dloughy and Strait, are proving themselves as the consistent on the court performers. Ellis is a nightmare as for on the ball pressure, and near impossible to trap when heh handles the ball. He is starting to make teams pay for laying off him. Martin and Staudacher are beginning to find perimeter consistency. When healthy Sharp is a 2nd Strait, with more athleticism and range, not as many post moves as Strait.
Personnel wise we need to find a fit for Chase and Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt is a freshman, but very talented. Chase is much better having the paint be his only offensively. Most his time will be without Strait, but the likes of Hasquet, Chavez, and Sharp, all of which complement Chases game well. Also Swift getting healthy and consistent would be huge for this team. Swift has so much talent, it is sick.
Am I being overly optimistic in expecting 10-4 in the BSC? What do other's think? Final note, please keep the smack talk or bashing out of this as much as possible!! (my thread, my rules, lol) :thumb:
