Griz Bengals Game

[PlayerRep]

The playing time decision is as much about next year as it is this year. All things equal give the minutes and experience to the younger guy that can help set the future of the program. That's my guess.

I don't agree. UM is in the conference race and in the mix to win the tourney and go to the ncaa's. Playing time should be about doing what's best to win games and have the depth to advance from the tourney. I readily acknowledge that the coach knows much more about the situation than I do, but I also know what the internet is for.

I said all things equal. Playing Kemp doesn't give them a better chance at winning. His biggest issue is how you match him up on the defensive end. Not effort, not offensive game, not rebounding. If you think the coach isn't trying to win games you obviously haven't coached the game.

Okay, to further beat the dead horse. Even if the players were equal in talent, then I still say that it would be better to give starters a bit more rest and not wear them down for the next game and the remainder of the season. You can't tell me I never coached the game. That's irrelevant. I am going to cry like some seem to do when I say I can tell they never played the game. Ha.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Well, I have a basketball mind as well (it bounces around a lot... off the floor, the rim, the backboard etc.), so PlayerRep, it's ok to call my observations asinine as well.

But I principally agree with grizfan22 regarding Fabijan Kryslovic. As a true frosh incoming, not much ink or many ratings on him as a recruit, no one really expected much. All he has done is greatly solidify the Montana front court with his very advanced true post skills... and more.

Great offensive and defensive positioning, a huge tripod frame, the ability to block out and box out on offense and defense, and a well-honed ability to position himself for both offensive and defensive rebounds. A most incredible ability (for a frosh) to pull down one-handed rebounds, as he did last night when a Bengal rebounder had K's right arm in an elbow lock.

Excellent hands for a freshman... post (an area where a lot of big guys struggle when they're freshmen), catches & latches the ball, capable of grabbing it one-handed and passing very well one-handed. I've rarely seen a big man (outside of Wayne Tinkle) with the ability to disrupt the dribbles of opposing point guards on dribble-enter drives. He even has a steal or two on perimeter traps (with one breakaway slam).

And lastly (for the time being) a gradually expanding comfort zone on offense. I envision him becoming a major offensive threat for Montana in the low blocks. It's been awhile since we've had a big man with such an unstoppable pivot hook. He will get better; he has a high ceiling.

And... very intelligent.

I don't want to go overboard. But I believe Kryslo is a major reason a lot of teams don't match up well with Montana. This year's Griz truly have the look of the power Griz teams of the 80s & early 90s... though they ain't there quite yet.

Of course he's young, raw-boned, stumbles about sometimes, not fully grown into his big frame. But he's very young and -- as I've seen with past great Griz posts --probably won't develop that until midway through his sophomore year, as Brian Qvale did.

Speaking of Qvale. It would be interesting for some of the egriz stats pros (Potomac?) to to a parallel comparison of Kryslovic and Qvale as freshmen. I could be wrong, but I believe Kryslovic may well measure up quite well.

 

[grizfan22]

Grizzlyjournal,

Kryslovic stats are a bit better than Qvales freshman year. I think they are different in so many ways but my comparison in based on production and how they fit the system they are in. Kryslovic ceiling in very high and i pose high hopes for his development.

Qvale: 4.0 pts per game, 3.3 RPG, .6 stl, .4 ass, 1.5 blk, 15 mpg
Kryslovic: 4.7 pts per game, 4.8 RPG, 1.1 Ass, 1.2 stl, .6 blk, 24.7 mpg

Very close in stats with less MPG for Qvale, Just hope he can develop like Qvale did.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

I have a high regard for Mr. Kemp, his energy, effort, dedication and play for the Griz in two years under two coaches. Observe him anywhere on the floor, or on the bench and you get the impression he's completely dedicated to the Griz.

My above discussion about Kryslovic, however, did did not refer to Kemp, only to the young freshman center, and were not intended in any way as a comparison of the two players.

 

[grizfan22]

I don't intend to compare them as players at all. I just mean as far as production goes. They are very different players. I just like what Kryslovic brings for a freshman center.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Yup. But other posters have been making comparisons. I do not wish to get into that.

 

[Potomac Griz]

Speaking of Qvale. It would be interesting for some of the egriz stats pros (Potomac?) to to a parallel comparison of Kryslovic and Qvale as freshmen. I could be wrong, but I believe Kryslovic may well measure up quite well.

Since I don't have conference only stats on Qvale, going to use the full season stats for his Freshman year.

Krslovic:
25 games played, 24.72minutes/game, 50.56%FG (45-89), 56.0%FT (28-50)
Per Game: 4.72pts, 4.84reb, 1.12assists, 1.12turnovers, .64blocks, 1.24 steals
Per 40 Mins: 7.64pts, 7.832reb, 1.75assists, 1.8turnovers, 1.04blocks, 2.01steals, 3.8fouls

Qvale as Freshman:
26 games played, 14.5769minutes/game, 55.0%FG (44-80), 50.0%FT (15-30)
Per Game: 3.96pts, 3.31reb, .577 assists, .77 turnovers, 1.5 blocks, .385 steals
Per 40 Mins: 10.9pts, 9.077reb, 1.58assists, 2.1turnovers, 4.12blocks, 1.06steals, 5.5fouls

Qvale was a shot blocking machine even his Freshman year. Was definitely a sign of things to come!

One thing to note, while Qvale's stats look more impressive per 40 mins (pts, rebounds and blocks) while Krslovic has done a better job in fewer fouls, more steals, and assists there are things both did well that don't show up in the stat sheet. DeCuire has mentioned that in post game shows before how they keep track of things like tipouts on rebounds, the times he's gotten other people steals by making someone lose control of their dribble, etc...both of which Krslovic is great at doing. Much like how Qvale changed people's shots and even when he didn't block their shot was making them more likely to miss by having to adjust their shot.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Speaking of Qvale. It would be interesting for some of the egriz stats pros (Potomac?) to to a parallel comparison of Kryslovic and Qvale as freshmen. I could be wrong, but I believe Kryslovic may well measure up quite well.

Since I don't have conference only stats on Qvale, going to use the full season stats for his Freshman year.

Krslovic:
25 games played, 24.72minutes/game, 50.56%FG (45-89), 56.0%FT (28-50)
Per Game: 4.72pts, 4.84reb, 1.12assists, 1.12turnovers, .64blocks, 1.24 steals
Per 40 Mins: 7.64pts, 7.832reb, 1.75assists, 1.8turnovers, 1.04blocks, 2.01steals, 3.8fouls

Qvale as Freshman:
26 games played, 14.5769minutes/game, 55.0%FG (44-80), 50.0%FT (15-30)
Per Game: 3.96pts, 3.31reb, .577 assists, .77 turnovers, 1.5 blocks, .385 steals
Per 40 Mins: 10.9pts, 9.077reb, 1.58assists, 2.1turnovers, 4.12blocks, 1.06steals, 5.5fouls

Qvale was a shot blocking machine even his Freshman year. Was definitely a sign of things to come!

One thing to note, while Qvale's stats look more impressive per 40 mins (pts, rebounds and blocks) while Krslovic has done a better job in fewer fouls, more steals, and assists there are things both did well that don't show up in the stat sheet. DeCuire has mentioned that in post game shows before how they keep track of things like tipouts on rebounds, the times he's gotten other people steals by making someone lose control of their dribble, etc...both of which Krslovic is great at doing. Much like how Qvale changed people's shots and even when he didn't block their shot was making them more likely to miss by having to adjust their shot.

Awesome! Thanks Potomac!

 

[PlayerRep]

Well, I have a basketball mind as well (it bounces around a lot... off the floor, the rim, the backboard etc.), so PlayerRep, it's ok to call my observations asinine as well.

But I principally agree with grizfan22 regarding Fabijan Kryslovic. As a true frosh incoming, not much ink or many ratings on him as a recruit, no one really expected much. All he has done is greatly solidify the Montana front court with his very advanced true post skills... and more.

Great offensive and defensive positioning, a huge tripod frame, the ability to block out and box out on offense and defense, and a well-honed ability to position himself for both offensive and defensive rebounds. A most incredible ability (for a frosh) to pull down one-handed rebounds, as he did last night when a Bengal rebounder had K's right arm in an elbow lock.

Excellent hands for a freshman... post (an area where a lot of big guys struggle when they're freshmen), catches & latches the ball, capable of grabbing it one-handed and passing very well one-handed. I've rarely seen a big man (outside of Wayne Tinkle) with the ability to disrupt the dribbles of opposing point guards on dribble-enter drives. He even has a steal or two on perimeter traps (with one breakaway slam).

And lastly (for the time being) a gradually expanding comfort zone on offense. I envision him becoming a major offensive threat for Montana in the low blocks. It's been awhile since we've had a big man with such an unstoppable pivot hook. He will get better; he has a high ceiling.

And... very intelligent.

I don't want to go overboard. But I believe Kryslo is a major reason a lot of teams don't match up well with Montana. This year's Griz truly have the look of the power Griz teams of the 80s & early 90s... though they ain't there quite yet.

Of course he's young, raw-boned, stumbles about sometimes, not fully grown into his big frame. But he's very young and -- as I've seen with past great Griz posts --probably won't develop that until midway through his sophomore year, as Brian Qvale did.

Speaking of Qvale. It would be interesting for some of the egriz stats pros (Potomac?) to to a parallel comparison of Kryslovic and Qvale as freshmen. I could be wrong, but I believe Kryslovic may well measure up quite well.

Note that 22 is the one who used the term asinine first, in reference to my post. So I just gave it back to him. You know, turnabout is fair play.

I agree with most of what you say about Krslovic. Don't agree that he has great hands at this point, tho. The one-handed rebound he got last night fell into his hands/arm--as he was well-positioned on the floor and, as you said, being held. Terrific play by him, but not evidence of great hands, in my view. I think the reason he disrupts drives and dribbles, is because he often plays defense like a smaller player. He bends his knees and leans forward, like a guard or small forward. This helps him guard players away from the basketball. I don't recall seeing many big players play defense like this. I like it. Krslovic will improve, as you say, and Qvale wasn't a great player until his last 2 years, but Qvale had considerably more potential than Krslovic, in my view. As I have said before, Krslovic has other intangibles and makes multiple smaller nice plays and many hustle plays.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

PlayerRep: No, I missed the earlier reference to the use of asinine. Apologies. I simply happen to be one of those who believe that truly robust discussions make significantly more headway sans distracting trash talk. Discourse, ya know...

Regarding Kryslovic: Last night was the 3rd or 4th time this season I've seen him haul in a rebound one-armed. The "repeatable" nature of his very physical rebounding style is what impresses me. I also don't really want to directly compare him to a post I consider one of the Griz elite big men in Qvale. But the statistics provided by Potomac are pretty cool, knowing that we can look forward to three + years of yet another Griz power most anchoring the paint. In his own style, of course.

 

[mtgrizrule]

The GRIZ better shape up their paint help defense before post season play. As is, playing against the Big Sky teams, they cannot be exposed as often. A quick passing team with a few high risers can pose problems for the GRIZ defense. When either Kemp or Krslovic come out to help on the perimeter the defense is often exposed to back doors and/or baseline alley oops. Bolomboy is the one conference player capable of taking advantage of this. The other player capable of it is a GRIZ (Breunig). Davidson and EWU beat our defense in a different way, which was quick precise passing. Yes, Krslovic does get back to position slightly quicker than Kemp. Breunig has the best footwork and defensive quickness of the 3 players. Breunig's defensive versatility has been utilized more. He can comfortably defend the paint, perimeter, and penetration, which is rare for post players in the conference.

I did notice during the ISU game, the GRIZ started to address this defensively too. When Weisner was on the court, Breunig and Krslovic were both in better paint help position much more consistently. Those backside lobs being exposed on the baseline were better defended. The reason is because Weisner moves from the paint to the perimeter much better than Kemp and Krslovic do. It is apparent to me, now that Weisner is healthy, his minutes will continue to be high at the expense of Kemp. Weisner gives the GRIZ a lot of defensive versatility, in addition to spreading the court offensively (which Kemp nor Krslovic can do that). It is no coincidence the improved team play has come with Weisner becoming healthy again. Beyond what we see statistically, Weisner has a lot of great variables. He is the perfect 6th man. I've said that since half way through his sophomore season.

I watched more closely how Kemp, Krslovic, Breunig, and Weisner all were used against ISU because of PR starting the Kemp thread. I will also post this there. I honestly feel Kemp's inconsistent minutes and decreased role is because of all the intangibles Weisner brings to the team. I will continue to pay close attention to how our posts are being used to see if there is a pattern developing. In the Weber State game, I will be looking for how the GRIZ prepare for Bolomboy, and the difference in defensive strategy when Bolomboy is sitting.

I am guessing Kemp and Krslovic will be banging him more and test the officiating more often than the 1st game. I expect Breunig and Weisner to each be used in a variety of defensive roles. I will not be surprised to see gradual increased minutes using the Weisner, Breunig, and Krslovic on the court at the same time, with Kemp getting spot minutes. I really like that combination defensively. Krslovic takes care of the banging and rebounding. Breunig is more of a help paint defender to keep in better rebounding position. Weisner to give the GRIZ more defensive perimeter length. That combination allows for each player to have their defensive strengths most utilized.

Now that you know what I will be looking for, starting with the Weber State game, hope you all will be paying more attention to these things too, and see what we can all come up with.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Good, perceptive post, 'Rule. I have heard that one of the Griz coaches reportedly commented that WSU presents the most difficult matchup for Montana on Defense and offense.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Good, perceptive post, 'Rule. I have heard that one of the Griz coaches reportedly commented that WSU presents the most difficult matchup for Montana on Defense and offense.

I think so too, because they are so damn athletic compared to most of the conference. I don't care that their record is not that good this season. They still have my respect and the team I'd rather not face with it all on the line. Their problem has been inconsistent play this year. That does not mean they cannot put it altogether. :thumb:

 

[PlayerRep]

In response to Rule's post. Weisner is also playing better and more physical defense than in the past. While he still gets outmuscled in the low post at times, he is working harder and being much more physical in the paint against players without the ball.

In the first Weber game, Breunig had 31 points (14-18), 7 rebounds and 3 fouls. Krslovik started and had 3 points (1-3), 3 rebounds and 4 fouls in 22 minutes. Kemp had 3 points (1-1),1 rebound and 1 foul in 10 minutes. Weisner didn't play.

 

[BelierPeaux]

 

[i do love the griz]

I love watching Mike this year. Even just in pregame it's fun watching home much better (stronger) he finishes at the rim. I just hope his mouth doesn't cause trouble. Late in the game on Thursday after several other comments he fairly loudly said something to the ref to the tune of "DO YOUR JOB" which earned him above conference with another official. A few minutes later during a free throw he was having a stare down with another that was interrupted by a timeout.

 

[UMGriz75]

I love watching Mike this year. Even just in pregame it's fun watching home much better (stronger) he finishes at the rim.

He's turned out to be a much better player than I thought he could be two years ago. He's great on offense, outstanding on defense.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I love watching Mike this year. Even just in pregame it's fun watching home much better (stronger) he finishes at the rim.

He's turned out to be a much better player than I thought he could be two years ago. He's great on offense, outstanding on defense.

This season he is showing true passion and desire for the game and his team. Yes, his intensity can at times reflect negatively toward the officials. I will take his hustle, passion, and desire this year, even if it means run ins with the officials. :thumb:

 

[grizonbob]

Speaking of Qvale. It would be interesting for some of the egriz stats pros (Potomac?) to to a parallel comparison of Kryslovic and Qvale as freshmen. I could be wrong, but I believe Kryslovic may well measure up quite well.

Since I don't have conference only stats on Qvale, going to use the full season stats for his Freshman year.

Krslovic:
25 games played, 24.72minutes/game, 50.56%FG (45-89), 56.0%FT (28-50)
Per Game: 4.72pts, 4.84reb, 1.12assists, 1.12turnovers, .64blocks, 1.24 steals
Per 40 Mins: 7.64pts, 7.832reb, 1.75assists, 1.8turnovers, 1.04blocks, 2.01steals, 3.8fouls

Qvale as Freshman:
26 games played, 14.5769minutes/game, 55.0%FG (44-80), 50.0%FT (15-30)
Per Game: 3.96pts, 3.31reb, .577 assists, .77 turnovers, 1.5 blocks, .385 steals
Per 40 Mins: 10.9pts, 9.077reb, 1.58assists, 2.1turnovers, 4.12blocks, 1.06steals, 5.5fouls

Qvale was a shot blocking machine even his Freshman year. Was definitely a sign of things to come!

One thing to note, while Qvale's stats look more impressive per 40 mins (pts, rebounds and blocks) while Krslovic has done a better job in fewer fouls, more steals, and assists there are things both did well that don't show up in the stat sheet. DeCuire has mentioned that in post game shows before how they keep track of things like tipouts on rebounds, the times he's gotten other people steals by making someone lose control of their dribble, etc...both of which Krslovic is great at doing. Much like how Qvale changed people's shots and even when he didn't block their shot was making them more likely to miss by having to adjust their shot.

Awesome! Thanks Potomac!

I was thinking before the question was asked that Qvale didn't play as much his freshman year as Krslovic has.

Krslovic has been a bit more of an impact player his freshman year than Qvale was. But maybe that's because of the post players we had when Qvale was a freshman. Sorry, but can't remember who that was. Sure someone else can.

I do have a vague recollection that some Griz fans were unhappy that UM played Qvale as a true freshman instead of redshirting him, as he didn't play a huge amount of minutes. Anyone else recall that? Interesting to think of what he could have done, statwise, had he redshirted.
Regardless, one of the all-time great Griz post players.

And Krslovic could be headed for great things too if he progresses like Qvale. I don't know his back story. How did he end up coming to UM? Certainly fortuitous for the Griz and their fans.

 

[UMGriz75]

And Krslovic could be headed for great things too if he progresses like Qvale. I don't know his back story. How did he end up coming to UM? Certainly fortuitous for the Griz and their fans.

"Speaking" as a former sports reporter and editor, these are the great "color" stories that you spend the week between games running down. I don't know why they don't seem to do much of that anymore.