mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Thanks to bad weather and busy friends, I was able to get time to take in GRIZ team camp. Here are some observations and info.
(1) Tinkle and his staff deserve credit for increasing the recognition of this program. For those that don't know, here is what I am talking about. In year 1 of team camp, there were 14 or 16 teams. This year it has grown to 68 teams, at least I think that was the number I heard. Teams coming from ID, MT, WA, WY, Canada, and NV. Why the growth with other good to great programs within 1,000 miles of Missoula? Pretty simple strategy by the GRIZ. Affordability=recognition and interest. Other div 1 team camps are charging $200 to $400 per player. Meanwhile the GRIZ are charging way less, I believe close to 50% less. Families and/or programs cannot afford other camps anymore, and the families that can afford it are turned off by selling a name (Gonzaga was the most commonly mentioned name I heard from HS coaches and parents). I talked to parents and coaches. I heard over and over how appreciative the coaches and parents were for the quality of competition at an affordable/realistic price. Every one talked with spoke highly of the coaches as well, and how they will be back every year for this camp. This camp had some very good programs and players at it, but just short of getting the great to elite programs. Tinkle is very proud of this, and sounded like this will continue to get better for the GRIZ.
(2) Do not be surprised to see the GRIZ continue signing guards and small forwards. There are not as many true quality bigs out there, and the ones that are quality are playing travel ball or at elite camps. All the better plays and teams were guard/wing oriented teams. Only 1 6'8" plus big with some potential was all I seen there. That player is the Edwards kid from Glacier, which I came away with mixed bag. The positives being good offensive awareness, and passing out of teams collapsing on him (very few turnovers and found open perimeter players for open shots). He has good hands and catches most everything that comes his way. He secures his rebounds without doing the tipping crap. His perimeter and FT shooting is suprisingly good at times, yet inconsistent. That should come with time, age, and experience. Physically he has a very good frame for Div 1 ball.
He has a lot to work on. He will only be a Jr this year, which is good for him. If he were a SR, he would not be a div 1 talent. Being a jr, he has time to improve. 1st and foremost, he needs to get a mean and nasty big man attitude. He has to learn to demand the ball and get open. He needs to work on getting position by earning it. He needs to work on his footwork a lot on offense and defense. A lot of jump roping would do him wonders. He jumps flat footed quite often, and his game is entirely relying on his height. He needs to learn to work with his height. That height will not cut it against better competition with players his size. Basically, if this kid gets mean, and works on his footwork, he can play div 1 ball. If he stays satisfied with letting his height be a good hs player, he will not be div 1. The next 2 years will make or break this kid. How bad does he want it?
(3) Get excited about Deshields. He is a gym rat, and motivated to never live in the Baltimore area he grew up in. He was the most intense recruit in Tinkle's time here. He showed up with a point to prove, and raised the intensity of every player immediately. He will not back down from the likes of Will Cherry when they match up. Deshields was sold on Missoula and the GRIZ, and the GRIZ are 100% sold on him too.
(4) I hear Huestis is contemplating transferring out of Stanford. AS to if this helps the GRIZ or not, only time will tell. This was not told to me by any GRIZ coach either.
(5) The GRIZ and Cal Poly are in the running for a PG from Post Falls which will be a SR this season. Sorry cannot remember his name, but did see him play. He is quick, solid ball handler, great passer, good defender, and very good 3 point shooter. Bryan Ellis, but with a 3 pt shot.
(6) GRIZ schedule is up in the air. Tinkle is trying to get some good competition, but after last season in beating UCLA and Oregon State, regional PAC 10/12, MWC, and WAC teams want no part of the GRIZ.
(7) GRIZ bigs are progressing nicely in the offseason, and the loss of Qvale will not be as bad as the loss of Strait was. The biggest concern with our bigs is the defensive impact and intimidation factor.
(8) A few HS coaches mentioned to me how thoroughly they like Tinkle, our staff, and the camp. Every one of them are hoping Montana keeps Tinkle around for a long time, and we are lucky to have him. He is a very highly respected coach in the Western USA.
Anyway, I hope someone expands on this between now and the season starting. I really would appreciate someone taking the time to check out open gyms duing cage camp, and preseason. GO GRIZ!!!
(1) Tinkle and his staff deserve credit for increasing the recognition of this program. For those that don't know, here is what I am talking about. In year 1 of team camp, there were 14 or 16 teams. This year it has grown to 68 teams, at least I think that was the number I heard. Teams coming from ID, MT, WA, WY, Canada, and NV. Why the growth with other good to great programs within 1,000 miles of Missoula? Pretty simple strategy by the GRIZ. Affordability=recognition and interest. Other div 1 team camps are charging $200 to $400 per player. Meanwhile the GRIZ are charging way less, I believe close to 50% less. Families and/or programs cannot afford other camps anymore, and the families that can afford it are turned off by selling a name (Gonzaga was the most commonly mentioned name I heard from HS coaches and parents). I talked to parents and coaches. I heard over and over how appreciative the coaches and parents were for the quality of competition at an affordable/realistic price. Every one talked with spoke highly of the coaches as well, and how they will be back every year for this camp. This camp had some very good programs and players at it, but just short of getting the great to elite programs. Tinkle is very proud of this, and sounded like this will continue to get better for the GRIZ.
(2) Do not be surprised to see the GRIZ continue signing guards and small forwards. There are not as many true quality bigs out there, and the ones that are quality are playing travel ball or at elite camps. All the better plays and teams were guard/wing oriented teams. Only 1 6'8" plus big with some potential was all I seen there. That player is the Edwards kid from Glacier, which I came away with mixed bag. The positives being good offensive awareness, and passing out of teams collapsing on him (very few turnovers and found open perimeter players for open shots). He has good hands and catches most everything that comes his way. He secures his rebounds without doing the tipping crap. His perimeter and FT shooting is suprisingly good at times, yet inconsistent. That should come with time, age, and experience. Physically he has a very good frame for Div 1 ball.
He has a lot to work on. He will only be a Jr this year, which is good for him. If he were a SR, he would not be a div 1 talent. Being a jr, he has time to improve. 1st and foremost, he needs to get a mean and nasty big man attitude. He has to learn to demand the ball and get open. He needs to work on getting position by earning it. He needs to work on his footwork a lot on offense and defense. A lot of jump roping would do him wonders. He jumps flat footed quite often, and his game is entirely relying on his height. He needs to learn to work with his height. That height will not cut it against better competition with players his size. Basically, if this kid gets mean, and works on his footwork, he can play div 1 ball. If he stays satisfied with letting his height be a good hs player, he will not be div 1. The next 2 years will make or break this kid. How bad does he want it?
(3) Get excited about Deshields. He is a gym rat, and motivated to never live in the Baltimore area he grew up in. He was the most intense recruit in Tinkle's time here. He showed up with a point to prove, and raised the intensity of every player immediately. He will not back down from the likes of Will Cherry when they match up. Deshields was sold on Missoula and the GRIZ, and the GRIZ are 100% sold on him too.
(4) I hear Huestis is contemplating transferring out of Stanford. AS to if this helps the GRIZ or not, only time will tell. This was not told to me by any GRIZ coach either.
(5) The GRIZ and Cal Poly are in the running for a PG from Post Falls which will be a SR this season. Sorry cannot remember his name, but did see him play. He is quick, solid ball handler, great passer, good defender, and very good 3 point shooter. Bryan Ellis, but with a 3 pt shot.
(6) GRIZ schedule is up in the air. Tinkle is trying to get some good competition, but after last season in beating UCLA and Oregon State, regional PAC 10/12, MWC, and WAC teams want no part of the GRIZ.
(7) GRIZ bigs are progressing nicely in the offseason, and the loss of Qvale will not be as bad as the loss of Strait was. The biggest concern with our bigs is the defensive impact and intimidation factor.
(8) A few HS coaches mentioned to me how thoroughly they like Tinkle, our staff, and the camp. Every one of them are hoping Montana keeps Tinkle around for a long time, and we are lucky to have him. He is a very highly respected coach in the Western USA.
Anyway, I hope someone expands on this between now and the season starting. I really would appreciate someone taking the time to check out open gyms duing cage camp, and preseason. GO GRIZ!!!
