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GRIZ/Sac State summary....WOW

M

mtgrizrule

Well-known member
Finally I was able to attend a home game. Flew in from Denver for both games this week. I sensed a few weeks ago after watching at Northern Colorado this team was coming around nicely. However, I never ever imagined them looking as good as they did tonight against Sac State. Granted we beat Sac State, no need to get overly excited right? Hard for me not to be excited after the 2nd best display of Griz basketball I have seen in several years. The only game I was more impressed about was the W against Stanford a few years back. That W though was more of one player Hasquet playing out of his head. Tonight was a true team victory.

The naysayers are going to flame away on me here, the hell with it I do not care. :thumb: I am convinced this is an entirely different team than we seen 4 weeks ago. Their mindset is that of a team, especially on offense now. This team is clicking offensively right now, inside, outside, and on the break.
Martin and Staudacher have greenlights to shoot when open. They do it very well too. :thumb: Mark my words, "If Staudacher stays healthy, he will be the standard every future perimeter player will be measured against. " There are very few players anywhere with a "TRUE" stroke like his. Enjoy his perimeter game while you can, it will be long time before we see another shooter like him here.

CET is developing into a much better PG than I ever thought he would this year. I love his floor leadership and defense.

Hasquet, this kid is talented and all heart.

Strait, has there ever been a more consistent paint player in over the last decade than Strait? Looks like his FT shooting is much better now. :thumb:

Sharp, finally getting major minutes and proving to be a major talent that can hold his own with Strait and Hasquet. His perimeter defense looked MUCH better than I have ever seen it.

Martin, I love what he brings off the bench and he wants it as a Senior. This team is better when he looks for the open shot and looks to teammates when not open.

Rundles, he played with some fire tonight, and yes he got screwed on 2 of 3 fouls called on him. He also appeared much more confident tonight, almost the Cam of old. By tourney time, he will be just fine.

Qvale, a very very good shotblocker and defender. He has a great nose for the ball, but needs to bring it more often. When he gets healthy again, I think he will do just that. His injury will turnout to be a blessing in disguise this year and the next few. It has allowed for Sharp to prove he belongs. Also given Vanderjagt some time to develop.

Speaking of Vanderjagt, I am very impressed with his offensive talent. He has much better touch than Qvale. He did look a little lost offensively against Sac State at 1st. Once he got a few touches he looked much more comfortable. I was impressed with his instincts offensively. Defensively, not one time did I see him out of position. He always was between the man and the ball, just like it is coached. Like Qvale, he is a difference maker defending the paint. Qvale is more aggressive defensively with a better nose for defense. Rebounding they are a wash, in fact I think Vanderjagt gets his hands on more rebounds. I hope when Qvale returns Tinkle stays with just these 2 at center. Either in there makes this defense much beter. When neither is in there, teams go to hole much more with much more success. Tinks, Please use these 2 for 40 minutes at center.

Spurgettis is solid but limited. He is a perfect role player, with much improved perimeter game.

My only disappointment this game was Graves not getting more minutes. This game was well decided with 10 minutes left, yet Graves only got in with 2 minutes left. That was very disturbing to me and makes me question if indeed he may not be here next year. Tonight was a perfect time to see what he can do, and it did not happen. Why?

If this team beats NAU Saturday I believe they are on their way to finishing the season strong and are deeper and bigger than LK's teams. Tinks has made a brilliant decision in quickening the offense and removing the reigns. Hard to believe this team can still get better with Vanderjagt and CET developing, Rundles finding his game, and Qvale getting healthy. This season will end on a hight note this year. :thumb:

Bring on NAU, I will be there. :thumb:
 
Nice win. UM looked terrific. SS looks like they're giving up, tho.

Sharp started the game with 2 offensive rebound put backs after he slashed down the lane to get them off the rim. He rebounded, shot and played well. He's a good passer. Qvale is good and is going to be an all-time Griz great, but we're a better team with Sharp in the lineup.

Strait played very well, got good offensive position, and ate up SS.

Hasquett was sick, got a couple early fouls and sat, but played fine.

Stauds and Martin shot the lights out, especially in the first half. Stauds does have the awesome stroke, is gaining more confidence and is starting to take some tougher shots. Martin hit 4 3-pointers in a row, I believe. He also passed well and had no turnovers.

CET played well. He's much improved over earlier in the year. Rundles played fine, but then got totally screwed by the same ref who called 3 straight fouls on him. The ref took alot of flak from the crowd. He was pathetic. He should be sanctioned for his bias. I have never seen a ref, at any level, go after a kid like this ref did. One of the refs, who refs alot of Pac-10 games, was very good.

Vanderjagt played well, rebounded, can shoot from the outside and scored some points. He knows how to play basketball. He needs some bulk/strength.

Lots of assists, including lots by CET. About half of the football starters on offense were at the game, and maybe more.

What this team really needed, they finally got tonight--and that was mtgrizrule at a home game.
 
Thanks playerrep :thumb: I agree with you on Sharp. Also imagine what Vanderjagt could do if he beefs up? I feel that is the biggest advantage Qvale has on him. Other than that I see 2 quality bigs. Speaking of Bigs, Mr Selvig's upper body is looking much more filled out than this past summer when I seen him. There is no doubt he has been putting time in the weight room.

I love GRIZ basketball, but hard to justify giving up 3x's the pay in Denver to be in Missoula. I intend to be back here for the last weekend too. I am supporting this team for the stretch drive at least. I feel guilty for not being here every game though.

If I can make it now and then from Denver, Why in the hell can't the hometown folks? (Griznation, I am very disappointed in you.) GET your ASSES to the game damnit. :thumb: :beer2:
 
Sac is truly pathetic, let's keep in mind but:

Sharp has capitalized on his newfound PT better than any GRiz in recent memory. He has looked great, there is no question. Kvale on D, and Sharp on O would be an amazing combo.

Vanderjagt actually showed SOME potential for the first time.

Rundles definately got hosed on his final 3 fouls, but it didn't really matter. Good to see him get some PT

Graves is gone after this year, period. That's why he doesn't play. Someone please tell that whiney women yelling for Graves to get in about 20 times to shut-it.
 
That's some very good analysis of the Griz fortunes. It was quite uplifting to see Vanderjag(sic) get a chance and for him to prove he belonged. I noticed he was freshman in the program the roster. Did get a medical redshirt last year he was in several games.

I feel Sharp adds a lot in many different dimensions(rebounding, scoring and playing man D but Quale provides better post D than either Strait or Sharp. Vanderjag has very active hands for some his stature but is not quite physical enough yet.

By the way I feel at least in blowout games, Graves deserves an opportunity to prove he belongs. It appears like the coaching staff is trying to convince him that he needs to transfer much as they did last year with Swift. (I agree with Zirg's whiney woman). I don't see practices so it's hard to know but at times both Swift and Graves had their moments in very limited playing opportunities.

Even though there is a lot reason for optimism in Griz bb they still need to prove themselves in close games. It's much easier to shoot the three or make the extra pass in blowouts than nail-biters which is preventing from a realistic chance of hosting.
 
what jumps out at me about this game is the number ten--as in, ten, the number of assists for elgin-taylor, meaning we're finally getting some solid play at the point; and ten, as in the rotation of players who saw p.t., including vanderjagt and graves. i agree with mtgrizrule on graves, i'm baffled as to why he's not getting more time, but i'm happy to see vanderjagt coming around. he could be a real weapon in the playoffs.
 
Qvale is going to become the all-time shot blocker in the Big Sky. Hopefully, Hasquett will be feeling good by the weekend. I don't understand why some of you are high on Graves. I have nothing against him; I just don't understand how you would have seen him enough to think he's good and deserves more time.

While the big lineup and the play of the big newcomers (to the lineup) Qvale and Sharp have contributed to the recent success (turnaround) of the team, I think the play, including improved play, of CET, Martin and Stauds has been just as important. CET is gaining confidence, taking good care of the ball, getting assists, slashing, shooting better and making free throws at the end of games. Martin is playing hard, making hustle plays/steals and shooting well. He has a quick shot, and can shoot/get open a number of ways. Stauds is gaining the confidence to take tougher shots, and nailing them. I thought he looked more confident as he took the shots last night.

Mtgrizrule, note that article in the Missoulian today, saying Frontier will start flying 3 flights to Missoula in mid-May, starting at $270? round trip.
 
I don't quite get the whole Graves thing. Is it an attitude problem or is he just not good enough?
 
Good WIN..

mntgrizrule says...

Mark my words, "If Staudacher stays healthy, he will be the standard every future perimeter player will be measured against. " There are very few players anywhere with a "TRUE" stroke like his. Enjoy his perimeter game while you can, it will be long time before we see another shooter like him here.


I saw in the paper Stauds been shooting 64% in last 4 games.
THAT IS AMAZING..even more amazing if that is from 3.
Griz fans..mntgriz is right !..You are seeing one of the best shooters
in the nation..develop before your eyes !!


and Mtnggrizrule say..

Martin, I love what he brings off the bench and he wants it as a Senior. This team is better when he looks for the open shot and looks to teammates when not open.

very diplomatic if you are talking about Martin casting form 25 feet
last night and missing. What a turn around for Martin from being in the coaches dog house..good dishing and hustle and shooting..Way to show senior leadership !


Love CET 10 assist !!!


After we beat NAU i would love to see some math wizzes figure out
if it is possible to get second place and bye in the frist round of the tourney beating PSU to host is probably to much to ask.

a far cry from working to get the sixth seed !
 
A few additional notes from my observations against Sac State. Sharp's passing ability and quick decision making is much better than I gave him credit for. He made a few quick dumps or touch passes to fellow teammates for easy buckets.

As for Vanderjagt, he impressed me alot. He has great basketball instincts and one can tell he has been well coached. Defensively he seemed to have his hand on the ball alot. Sac State also felt his presence, there were no easy shots for them when he was in there, just like Qvale. He also poses a threat from the perimeter from 15 to 22 feet out.

Graves getting so little pt in a blow out still baffles me. I have not heared anyone say anything bad about the kid. On the bench and before games he appears to be good spirited. I do know the GRIZ are still looking to add to the 08 recruiting class. To do that a scholarship has to be available. Is it his?

I cannot wait until the NAU game. If I see the same kind of team play, I will be ready to officially elevate the GRIZ from pretenders to contenders again. The one thing I want to see to continue Saturday is Qvale and Vanderjagt combining for 40 minutes at Center, providing Qvale can play. Sharp, Strait, and Hasquet rotate at the 3 and 4. Solid floor games from our guards, and at least 15 open looks from 3 combined from Staudacher and Martin. Both are great shooters when open. Staudacher is one of those players that a basketball fanatic can watch shoot over and over and never get bored of it. IF anyone wants to teach their kid how to shoot, pull out videos of him. He is consistent and fluid.

Go GRIZ, BEAT NAU. Speaking of NAU, "Students, show the hell up!!!!!" I have to admit student turnout for the Sac State game was pathetic. I am very disappointed in that. At this stage, it looks as if the students are not going to get the seats back. If you do not get them back. Do not Bitch, collectively as a whole you have not held up the expectations laid down from the get go. Thanks to those that do turnout though. :thumb:
 
With 33 more points, Matt Martin will be the third 1000 point scorer on this team, joining Strait and Hasquet. When is the last time that happened on a Griz men's BB team?

Martin is also 15 3-pointers shy of being the all time 3 point shooter in Griz men's BB history (career total # of 3s).

I like the trend of improvement for this team toward the end of the reg. season.
Keep up the good work, Griz! :clap: :thumb:
 
Speaking of 3 pt shooting. The GRIZ are officially tied for 5th nationally at 3%, also ranked 21st in fg% and moving up fast the past 3 weeks. (according to ESPN.com)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/leaders?groupId=50&cat=team3pt&sort=PCT

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/leaders?groupId=50&cat=teamfg&sort=PCT

All this and Hasquet has been struggling recently, and Rundles is still looking for his game. We all know Hasquet will be better when he gets healthy again. I too have a feeling Rundles will again find his game. Had 1 referee just called a normal game against Sac State, it looked as if Rundles was doing a solid job out there. At least his confidence was coming back and he was not forcing anything. :thumb:
 
in response to player's rep and others who question graves's abilities, let me say in two words: hops and quicks. that's waht i saw in his few minutes of the santa clara game, a loss where we were hustling to make steaks, and graves was all over the court, tight on the ball. this team is traditional montana, big, slow and white, and graves offers the other qualities we really need.
 
Staudacher is hitting at 51.7% from 3 in confernce play. That despite an 0 for 6 against Idaho State. That my friends is AMAZING!!!!!!!
 
citygriz said:
in response to player's rep and others who question graves's abilities, let me say in two words: hops and quicks. that's waht i saw in his few minutes of the santa clara game, a loss where we were hustling to make steaks, and graves was all over the court, tight on the ball. this team is traditional montana, big, slow and white, and graves offers the other qualities we really need.
Click to expand...

graves is quite a talent but was unable to turn steals into steaks.
 
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