mtgrizrule
Well-known member
It was hard as ever for me to not watch these games during live coverage. With that said, I just finished watching the VOD on Bigsky Tv (what happened online during the 1st half). This post will be pretty brief. Taking in 2 back to back games in one night, both games run together for me. A few concerns of mine that need improved going into next weekend's game.
(1) Free throw shooting has to return to 75%. It is great the GRIZ are aggressive, but Cherry and Jamar have to be more consistent here. They are the 2 at the line the most, and who we look to down the stretch. They are both nightmares to defend with their overall offense. I have a feeling both will find their FT shooting again. They are leaders and have too much pride to let that continue.
(2) Way too many lazy passes and/or forced shots/passes this weekend. Wayne has proven over his coaching time here, he does not let things like these linger on his team. I am not concerned about this part, because of the coaching the staff. I expect the team to execute offense much better next weekend.
(3) As always, will we find a post presence? Offensively, we are finding more ways to utilize Kareem, and adding more opportunities for him down low too. I have been advocating this all year, and happy to see it coming into play now. He is a load down there, and even when a team takes away his scoring, he is one hell of a passer from the paint. Defensively, Hutch and Martin have improved, but still have a way to go. Rebounding from the post is a huge concern of mine now. Fortunately, we have a lot of good perimeter players rebounding better.
Overall, the fact I see only 3 things of concern at this stage of the season is a good indicator of how deep and talented this GRIZ team is. 2 of the 3 concerns are very fixable, and I expect to improve soon.
Onto the positives I seen over this weekend.
(1) Defensively they are stepping up their game and forcing turnovers like we seen last year. Defense is swarming the ball all over the place. We also are trapping on the baseline and sideline more frequently. Again, something a few of us have been wanting to see. This team loves the challenge of playing defense and takes a lot of pride in it. Jamar, Colman, and Weisner are all creating turnovers to go with Cherry, Gregory, Deshields and Henderson.
Speaking of Cherry, even when he does not get a steal, he is always close to the ball. His defensive awareness is the best I have seen anywhere, in a long time. He makes things happen defensively, before the offense does. I have no idea how he does it, but he is screwing up an offense every damn possession. Seriously, watch where he is at defensively every possession. He is everywhere!!!! Cherry has to be every coaches nightmare to prepare for, because a coach cannot prepare for that kind of awareness and athleticism on defense. All a coaching staff can do is say, "always be aware of Cherry". That a lone creates tension for your team. It might be best to not even say that to your team. It is a given for the players to know who he is and what he does. Very few players, catch my attention defensively, to the point of me enjoying watching them play defense. Gary Payton was the only other college guard I remember watching for his defense a lone. Defensive guards like Will Cherry are a rarity in the Big Sky Conference. Scary part is, he is just not rounding into game shape.
(2) A lot of players capable of stepping up game in, game out. I am not talking about offensively only, but defensively too. Weisner and Colman, in particular are stepping up their games. They are looking more comfortable and confident out there every game. Weisner has been rebounding and defending much better the last 2 weeks, and it is very noticeable. Tinkle rewarded him with an opportunity to hit THE SHOT against MSU to put the game into overtime. Not only was that shot huge in that game, but after he hit it, I seen a little Cherry and Jamar confidence come out of him. He and Gregory have emerged this season as future leaders and all conference type players. Talent wise, Deshields and Henderson has that in them too. They need to show it more consistently.
Colman is a quicker and better defender version of Mathias Ward. I expected Colman to do more sooner. I love his game. Like Mathias, he scores inside and outside. He handles the ball well for a forward, and defends well, because he has good footwork and quickness. I see him taking over Ward's role next season, in a very smooth transition. I really liked the GRIZ signing him to begin with, love his game, and love his ceiling for potential. He still has to become the rebounder we all expected him to be. Not really sure why his numbers are not better at rebounding.
(3) The GRIZ are for real at perimeter shooting. They move the ball well, and collectively, very unselfish. Seriously, do you know how rare it is for team to have so many good perimeter shooters?
Weisner, Gregory, Jamar are all "A" rated perimeter shooters to me. I would not hesitate to have any of those guys take clutch 3's, or attempt 7 plus 3's per game.
Cherry, Ward, Deshields, Henderson, Colman are all guys I don't mind shooting clutch 3's, but not true enough shooters yet to have them shooting a lot of 3's every game.
(4) I love how aggressive the GRIZ have been taking the ball to the hole for most part this season. This philosophy and attitude needs to become a staple in this program, just like it is a staple at Duke. Again, a good number of players that can do this well, Cherry, Gregory, Deshields, Henderson, Jamar, and maybe Colman. I think Colman can be because of him having 4's guarding him in his role, his athleticism, and versatility.
(5) Confidence is amazing. How many times have we seen this team struggle, yet to come back to make a game close, or take the game away from the opponent? Their defense, and shooting makes them believe they are never out of a game. No matter how badly they may play game, they find ways to win. Reminds me a lot of the Hauck led football teams, with a lot of intestinal fortitude.
Well onto the big game weekend of ISU and Weber State. It will be interesting to see what Bill Evans has planned for us. I think we will struggle at 1st against ISU's defense, but depth and better players will win out by 12 or more points. Weber State will be tough for the GRIZ. Their inside players concern me a lot. The best way for the GRIZ to have an advantage would be by selling out the game. Come on Missoula, and students, make it impossible for Weber State in this one! Get your asses to the game, and make an IMPACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(1) Free throw shooting has to return to 75%. It is great the GRIZ are aggressive, but Cherry and Jamar have to be more consistent here. They are the 2 at the line the most, and who we look to down the stretch. They are both nightmares to defend with their overall offense. I have a feeling both will find their FT shooting again. They are leaders and have too much pride to let that continue.
(2) Way too many lazy passes and/or forced shots/passes this weekend. Wayne has proven over his coaching time here, he does not let things like these linger on his team. I am not concerned about this part, because of the coaching the staff. I expect the team to execute offense much better next weekend.
(3) As always, will we find a post presence? Offensively, we are finding more ways to utilize Kareem, and adding more opportunities for him down low too. I have been advocating this all year, and happy to see it coming into play now. He is a load down there, and even when a team takes away his scoring, he is one hell of a passer from the paint. Defensively, Hutch and Martin have improved, but still have a way to go. Rebounding from the post is a huge concern of mine now. Fortunately, we have a lot of good perimeter players rebounding better.
Overall, the fact I see only 3 things of concern at this stage of the season is a good indicator of how deep and talented this GRIZ team is. 2 of the 3 concerns are very fixable, and I expect to improve soon.
Onto the positives I seen over this weekend.
(1) Defensively they are stepping up their game and forcing turnovers like we seen last year. Defense is swarming the ball all over the place. We also are trapping on the baseline and sideline more frequently. Again, something a few of us have been wanting to see. This team loves the challenge of playing defense and takes a lot of pride in it. Jamar, Colman, and Weisner are all creating turnovers to go with Cherry, Gregory, Deshields and Henderson.
Speaking of Cherry, even when he does not get a steal, he is always close to the ball. His defensive awareness is the best I have seen anywhere, in a long time. He makes things happen defensively, before the offense does. I have no idea how he does it, but he is screwing up an offense every damn possession. Seriously, watch where he is at defensively every possession. He is everywhere!!!! Cherry has to be every coaches nightmare to prepare for, because a coach cannot prepare for that kind of awareness and athleticism on defense. All a coaching staff can do is say, "always be aware of Cherry". That a lone creates tension for your team. It might be best to not even say that to your team. It is a given for the players to know who he is and what he does. Very few players, catch my attention defensively, to the point of me enjoying watching them play defense. Gary Payton was the only other college guard I remember watching for his defense a lone. Defensive guards like Will Cherry are a rarity in the Big Sky Conference. Scary part is, he is just not rounding into game shape.
(2) A lot of players capable of stepping up game in, game out. I am not talking about offensively only, but defensively too. Weisner and Colman, in particular are stepping up their games. They are looking more comfortable and confident out there every game. Weisner has been rebounding and defending much better the last 2 weeks, and it is very noticeable. Tinkle rewarded him with an opportunity to hit THE SHOT against MSU to put the game into overtime. Not only was that shot huge in that game, but after he hit it, I seen a little Cherry and Jamar confidence come out of him. He and Gregory have emerged this season as future leaders and all conference type players. Talent wise, Deshields and Henderson has that in them too. They need to show it more consistently.
Colman is a quicker and better defender version of Mathias Ward. I expected Colman to do more sooner. I love his game. Like Mathias, he scores inside and outside. He handles the ball well for a forward, and defends well, because he has good footwork and quickness. I see him taking over Ward's role next season, in a very smooth transition. I really liked the GRIZ signing him to begin with, love his game, and love his ceiling for potential. He still has to become the rebounder we all expected him to be. Not really sure why his numbers are not better at rebounding.
(3) The GRIZ are for real at perimeter shooting. They move the ball well, and collectively, very unselfish. Seriously, do you know how rare it is for team to have so many good perimeter shooters?
Weisner, Gregory, Jamar are all "A" rated perimeter shooters to me. I would not hesitate to have any of those guys take clutch 3's, or attempt 7 plus 3's per game.
Cherry, Ward, Deshields, Henderson, Colman are all guys I don't mind shooting clutch 3's, but not true enough shooters yet to have them shooting a lot of 3's every game.
(4) I love how aggressive the GRIZ have been taking the ball to the hole for most part this season. This philosophy and attitude needs to become a staple in this program, just like it is a staple at Duke. Again, a good number of players that can do this well, Cherry, Gregory, Deshields, Henderson, Jamar, and maybe Colman. I think Colman can be because of him having 4's guarding him in his role, his athleticism, and versatility.
(5) Confidence is amazing. How many times have we seen this team struggle, yet to come back to make a game close, or take the game away from the opponent? Their defense, and shooting makes them believe they are never out of a game. No matter how badly they may play game, they find ways to win. Reminds me a lot of the Hauck led football teams, with a lot of intestinal fortitude.
Well onto the big game weekend of ISU and Weber State. It will be interesting to see what Bill Evans has planned for us. I think we will struggle at 1st against ISU's defense, but depth and better players will win out by 12 or more points. Weber State will be tough for the GRIZ. Their inside players concern me a lot. The best way for the GRIZ to have an advantage would be by selling out the game. Come on Missoula, and students, make it impossible for Weber State in this one! Get your asses to the game, and make an IMPACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
