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Griz History
- Thread starter Jester32
- Start date
williamspo
Well-known member
OK, does anyone know here Chris Spoja is? Last I heard he was in Billings playing for a CBA team and trying to get into med school. That must be 10 years ago.
Last I heard, Roger Fasting was coaching in NW Montana, Eureka, I think. Didn't he play European pro ball for a number of years in Malta?
Herb Jones was killed in a car wreck just before hism sophomore year. He did show flashes of billiance in his freshman year, including that 180 dunk that I haven't seen repeated by a Griz during a game.
Last I heard, Roger Fasting was coaching in NW Montana, Eureka, I think. Didn't he play European pro ball for a number of years in Malta?
Herb Jones was killed in a car wreck just before hism sophomore year. He did show flashes of billiance in his freshman year, including that 180 dunk that I haven't seen repeated by a Griz during a game.
JR Camel did a 360 in a game against Simon Frazier. He was then promply taken out of the game by Taylor and we never saw another one.
Mslacat
Well-known member
grizatheart said:
I would have to imagine JR would have to be very close to the top five all time player. Hell I might be willing to discuss trading him for Marc Glass. JR would give you more speed, offence, and exitement, but Marc would give you more of a team leader at the point, who would keep all of the stars happy, but yet not afraid to take the big shot.
beastie
Well-known member
I'll take that trade: giving up JR to acquire Glass. It would be like trading Jason Williams (JR) for Steve Nash (Glass). Flash vs Stability...Inconsistancy vs Solid Concrete...Who would his teammates rather run the court with? JR maybe had the skills but couldn't find his way. Marc knew his direction and also that of his team. JR is not in the top 50!!! No duration. Too many good players that lasted.
beastie
beastie
williamspo
Well-known member
Correction: Alan Nielson from Westby, MT. Right, a great outside shooter. He was killed in a construction accident shortly after graduation. His wife is now married to Stew Morrill at Utah State.
Alan may have been as fine a pure shooter as we have had, although I still would favor Dave Gustafson from Simms.
Alan may have been as fine a pure shooter as we have had, although I still would favor Dave Gustafson from Simms.
SeatownGrizzly
Well-known member
I don't think you could go wrong with the starting five from the 91-92 squads:
F Kevin Kearney
F Delvon Anderson
C Darren Engellent
G Keith Crawford
G Roger Fasting
Sure there were better players than these five, but together I think this was the greatest team in UM hoops history.
Nate Atchison (who was a starter in '92), Gary Kane, Matt Kempfert, and Travis DeCure were solid reserves too.
F Kevin Kearney
F Delvon Anderson
C Darren Engellent
G Keith Crawford
G Roger Fasting
Sure there were better players than these five, but together I think this was the greatest team in UM hoops history.
Nate Atchison (who was a starter in '92), Gary Kane, Matt Kempfert, and Travis DeCure were solid reserves too.
beastie
Well-known member
from mslaman56"Michael Ray, Krystowiak, Tinkle, Matt Williams, and JR Camel. Spoja off the bench and a dark horse unmentioned this far for a shooter off the bench, David Bell"
Mickael Ray (his team is not listed because they had to forfeit a number of games) and coach K are the only 2 players worthy of your list How can the others (Tinkle, Williams, Camel, Spoja, Bell) be considered if their teams are not on this list?
Look at the players who led these teams and you'll find the greatest griz basketball players of all time.
http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/content/grizzlytimes/2_2005/
THE BIG FIVE: Top Griz men's basketball teams of all time
No. 5: 1982-83
21-8, 9-5 Big Sky
The Grizzlies, led by Big Sky Conference MVP Derrick Pope, advanced to the league tournament where they lost to eventual champion Weber State 54-53 in the semifinals. Pope ended his senior campaign averaging 17.9 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game, numbers that increased to 19.0 ppg and 9.6 rpg in Big Sky play. Pope, who ranks seventh all-time at UM with 1,289 career points, shot a team-best .589 (195-for-331) from the field for the Griz. Juniors Marc Glass, Rob Hurley and Doug Selvig (1,000 career points) started all 29 contests and helped Montana to win 16 of 18 at home. Freshman Larry Krystkowiak came off the bench to average 6.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
No. 4: 1990-91
23-8, 13-3 Big Sky
The Grizzlies defeated Idaho 76-68 in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference tournament played at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. UM advanced to the NCAA tournament but lost its first round game 99-65 to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, featuring Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon and Anderson Hunt. Senior Kevin Kearney and juniors Delvon Anderson, Daren Engellant and Roger Fasting led the Grizzlies to a 12-2 regular season home record (8-0 Big Sky). Kearney averaged 18.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg and was selected Big Sky Conference MVP. Engellant joined Kearney as a first team All-Big Sky selection. Anderson and Fasting were honorable mention all-league.
No. 3: 1983-84
23-7, 9-5 Big Sky
Sophomore Larry Krystkowiak paced a Griz unit that boasted four players who routinely scored in double figures. In his first season as a starter, Krystkowiak set the tone by averaging a double-double (18.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg) en route to first team all-conference and MVP honors. Seniors Marc Glass (11.8 ppg, first team All-Big Sky), Doug Selvig (11.8 ppg) and Rob Hurley (10.7 ppg) started in all 30 contests and helped lead the Griz to a 23-7 overall mark and a second place regular-season Big Sky finish. After double-digit wins over Northern Arizona and Montana State in the first two rounds of the league tournament, Montana advanced to the championship game where they lost 71-69 to Nevada-Reno.
No. 2: 1991-92
27-4, 14-2 Big Sky
The Grizzlies finished a perfect 18-0 at home, tied the all-time single-season win mark and for the second consecutive season won the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles. League MVP Delvon Anderson (14.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Daren Engellant (13.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Roger Fasting (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) headlined the Big Sky Conference first team, which was the first time in school history that three Grizzlies received that honor in the same season. Montana hosted the conference tournament and defeated Nevada-Reno 73-68 in the championship to advance to its second straight appearance in the NCAA's. The Grizzlies lost 78-68 in the opening round to a Florida State team coached by future Grizzly mentor Pat Kennedy.
No. 1: 1974-75
21-8, 13-1 Big Sky
First team all-conference selections Ken McKenzie (17.9 ppg, 10.7 rpg) and Eric Hays (13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg) led the Griz to the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles. Fourth-year coach Jud Heathcote directed Montana to its first-ever win in NCAA tournament action (32-teams), a 69-63 victory over Utah State. Montana advanced to the West Regional Semifinals to face UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden, losing a 67-64 thriller. The Griz ended the year with a 75-67 loss to UNLV in the regional third-place game. The top-ranked Bruins went on to defeat Arizona State and Louisville before their 92-85 win over No. 2 Kentucky en route to their 10th national championship in 11 seasons.
beastie
Mickael Ray (his team is not listed because they had to forfeit a number of games) and coach K are the only 2 players worthy of your list How can the others (Tinkle, Williams, Camel, Spoja, Bell) be considered if their teams are not on this list?
Look at the players who led these teams and you'll find the greatest griz basketball players of all time.
http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/content/grizzlytimes/2_2005/
THE BIG FIVE: Top Griz men's basketball teams of all time
No. 5: 1982-83
21-8, 9-5 Big Sky
The Grizzlies, led by Big Sky Conference MVP Derrick Pope, advanced to the league tournament where they lost to eventual champion Weber State 54-53 in the semifinals. Pope ended his senior campaign averaging 17.9 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game, numbers that increased to 19.0 ppg and 9.6 rpg in Big Sky play. Pope, who ranks seventh all-time at UM with 1,289 career points, shot a team-best .589 (195-for-331) from the field for the Griz. Juniors Marc Glass, Rob Hurley and Doug Selvig (1,000 career points) started all 29 contests and helped Montana to win 16 of 18 at home. Freshman Larry Krystkowiak came off the bench to average 6.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
No. 4: 1990-91
23-8, 13-3 Big Sky
The Grizzlies defeated Idaho 76-68 in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference tournament played at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. UM advanced to the NCAA tournament but lost its first round game 99-65 to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, featuring Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon and Anderson Hunt. Senior Kevin Kearney and juniors Delvon Anderson, Daren Engellant and Roger Fasting led the Grizzlies to a 12-2 regular season home record (8-0 Big Sky). Kearney averaged 18.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg and was selected Big Sky Conference MVP. Engellant joined Kearney as a first team All-Big Sky selection. Anderson and Fasting were honorable mention all-league.
No. 3: 1983-84
23-7, 9-5 Big Sky
Sophomore Larry Krystkowiak paced a Griz unit that boasted four players who routinely scored in double figures. In his first season as a starter, Krystkowiak set the tone by averaging a double-double (18.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg) en route to first team all-conference and MVP honors. Seniors Marc Glass (11.8 ppg, first team All-Big Sky), Doug Selvig (11.8 ppg) and Rob Hurley (10.7 ppg) started in all 30 contests and helped lead the Griz to a 23-7 overall mark and a second place regular-season Big Sky finish. After double-digit wins over Northern Arizona and Montana State in the first two rounds of the league tournament, Montana advanced to the championship game where they lost 71-69 to Nevada-Reno.
No. 2: 1991-92
27-4, 14-2 Big Sky
The Grizzlies finished a perfect 18-0 at home, tied the all-time single-season win mark and for the second consecutive season won the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles. League MVP Delvon Anderson (14.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Daren Engellant (13.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Roger Fasting (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) headlined the Big Sky Conference first team, which was the first time in school history that three Grizzlies received that honor in the same season. Montana hosted the conference tournament and defeated Nevada-Reno 73-68 in the championship to advance to its second straight appearance in the NCAA's. The Grizzlies lost 78-68 in the opening round to a Florida State team coached by future Grizzly mentor Pat Kennedy.
No. 1: 1974-75
21-8, 13-1 Big Sky
First team all-conference selections Ken McKenzie (17.9 ppg, 10.7 rpg) and Eric Hays (13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg) led the Griz to the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles. Fourth-year coach Jud Heathcote directed Montana to its first-ever win in NCAA tournament action (32-teams), a 69-63 victory over Utah State. Montana advanced to the West Regional Semifinals to face UCLA and legendary coach John Wooden, losing a 67-64 thriller. The Griz ended the year with a 75-67 loss to UNLV in the regional third-place game. The top-ranked Bruins went on to defeat Arizona State and Louisville before their 92-85 win over No. 2 Kentucky en route to their 10th national championship in 11 seasons.
beastie
SeatownGrizzly
Well-known member
Wolfman-
It's difficult to compare the 1990-91 and 91-92 squads (which were basically the same, except that Big Sky MVP Kevin Kearney graduated after the 90-91 season) with the 1974-75 Griz.
Those were different times, and the Big Sky was more competitive with the upper echelon conferences. Also, the game was different. The three point shot didn't exist in the NCAA back then, and there was more emphasis on the inside game game, especially on the low post.
I wasn't alive during the 1974-75 season, so I can't make any definitive comparisons or judgements. But I do know that the 1990-91 and 1991-92 teams are the best teams that I witnessed.
My father took me to Griz games as early as 1983, and I remember the likes of Krysko, Scott Zannon, Wayne Tinkle, Kasey McGowan, Ossie Young, Nate Duchesne, Steve Vanek, Tony Reed, and John Reckard making up some pretty good Griz teams in the 1980's.
Perhaps the Big Sky was more competitive in the 1980's with all of the great players the Griz had, and yet they were never able to win the conference.
But I remember those great Griz teams from the early 1990's like they were yesterday. Incredible teams, and I don't think they get the recognition they deserve because they never won a game in the NCAA Tourney like the 1974-75 team did. Then again, different times and different rules. It's impossilbe to compare the two with any definitive evidence to say one was better than the other.
It's difficult to compare the 1990-91 and 91-92 squads (which were basically the same, except that Big Sky MVP Kevin Kearney graduated after the 90-91 season) with the 1974-75 Griz.
Those were different times, and the Big Sky was more competitive with the upper echelon conferences. Also, the game was different. The three point shot didn't exist in the NCAA back then, and there was more emphasis on the inside game game, especially on the low post.
I wasn't alive during the 1974-75 season, so I can't make any definitive comparisons or judgements. But I do know that the 1990-91 and 1991-92 teams are the best teams that I witnessed.
My father took me to Griz games as early as 1983, and I remember the likes of Krysko, Scott Zannon, Wayne Tinkle, Kasey McGowan, Ossie Young, Nate Duchesne, Steve Vanek, Tony Reed, and John Reckard making up some pretty good Griz teams in the 1980's.
Perhaps the Big Sky was more competitive in the 1980's with all of the great players the Griz had, and yet they were never able to win the conference.
But I remember those great Griz teams from the early 1990's like they were yesterday. Incredible teams, and I don't think they get the recognition they deserve because they never won a game in the NCAA Tourney like the 1974-75 team did. Then again, different times and different rules. It's impossilbe to compare the two with any definitive evidence to say one was better than the other.
SeatownGrizzly
Well-known member
One of my favorite memories as a kid was when I'd go down to the Missoula YMCA, and Steve Vanek and Kevin Kearney played recreational ball down there.
Vanek actually took the time to help me with my game, and even scheduled a time when I could meet him at the YMCA to play with him. Great guy.
Kevin Kearney wasn't so accomodating. He invited me to play in a pick-up game at the Morman church on Bancroft Ave. every Tuesday night. I played up there for a while, and there were a couple of other ex-Griz players that showed up, like Ossie Young (nice guy), and Steve Vanek.
But Kearney turned out to be a prick. He was an asshole and a ball-hog at the pick-up games we played, and he gave me his number if I ever wanted to hook up and he'd ball with me. Every time I called him, some hoochie answered and he couldn't make it. He even left me stranded at the YMCA twice. It's obvious where his priorities were.
Vanek actually took the time to help me with my game, and even scheduled a time when I could meet him at the YMCA to play with him. Great guy.
Kevin Kearney wasn't so accomodating. He invited me to play in a pick-up game at the Morman church on Bancroft Ave. every Tuesday night. I played up there for a while, and there were a couple of other ex-Griz players that showed up, like Ossie Young (nice guy), and Steve Vanek.
But Kearney turned out to be a prick. He was an asshole and a ball-hog at the pick-up games we played, and he gave me his number if I ever wanted to hook up and he'd ball with me. Every time I called him, some hoochie answered and he couldn't make it. He even left me stranded at the YMCA twice. It's obvious where his priorities were.
beastie
Well-known member
I bet you and kearny won most of those games, even though he was freezzzing you out. Just play d and rebound mr role man.
A hooper chasing a**, not so uncommon, even recommended.
many suggest Tinkle can "relate" better to the players. They need to be motivated, not soothed. Larry has been mentoring/motivating tinkle both as a player and coach for several years. I'm sure one day Tinkle will be mayor of Missoula, however let's all hope not coach. They would likely replicate the Holst era, of which tinkle contributed (most seasons losing seasons).
A hooper chasing a**, not so uncommon, even recommended.
many suggest Tinkle can "relate" better to the players. They need to be motivated, not soothed. Larry has been mentoring/motivating tinkle both as a player and coach for several years. I'm sure one day Tinkle will be mayor of Missoula, however let's all hope not coach. They would likely replicate the Holst era, of which tinkle contributed (most seasons losing seasons).
