mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I was stoked for this game, and even more stoked after the result. I figured, this well could be our biggest win we have all year, and worth a new thread, as baller suggested a few games back. So here it is.
Going into the game, I thought if we could execute offensively, our defense could keep us in another game, with a chance to keep it respectful. I expected us to matchup well in the paint with them. At best, I was expecting a 5 to 10 points UCLA victory. The result was that range, but with the GRIZ winning. I honestly feel with better shooting we could have won by 20, as is the 9 point victory was not indicative of how thoroughly the GRIZ dominated. It was an outright dominating and impressive game by the GRIZ.
Speaking of impressive, last year and this year, I am more and more impressed by the GRIZ defense every game they play. After seeing the Idaho game in person, and the replay of UCLA in HD on 52 inch screen, this team and Tinkle has me officially sold on our defense going from good to excellent. Defense has officially arrived as a staple and definition of GRIZ BASKETBALL. One of my favorite basketball books of all time is "The Carolina Way", and the GRIZ have taken that as a blueprint to success. Simple rules are play hard, play smart, and play together all for the good of the team. Every game the GRIZ do all that the majority of time, and like any team will have a few lapses. It is amazing a few years ago, the team would fold when the offense was not up to par. No longer is that the case. Tinkle has his teams committed to defensive excellence, and any offense is just icing on the cake.
How good is this defense now? The break downs are very few and far between now. Every player knows where to be and what do. I can honestly say again, "we do not have a defensive liability". Teams very seldom get uncontested looks, and it takes an unbelievably hot shooting team (see Portland's 1st half) to beat us. This team does not beat itself. Better yet, the new faces can only get better with playing time and experience. I honestly did not expect them to be this cohesive defensively until January, if lucky. Kudos to the players and coaches for great attitude, commitment, and leadership.
As for personnel, I feel we still have a few holes in terms of depth and consistency we need to develop (guard depth and consistency). I do feel we have 4 players that could play for most programs in the nation. Cherry, Qvale, Selvig, and Jamar are all very talented. Qvale is still getting better, and will have pro career somewhere with an outside shot at the NBA. Selvig has intangibles and smarts well beyond most guys his size. Jamar mature beyond his age and experience. Qvale and Selvig are long and make our defense what it is. Qvale and Selvig are tough matchups and big problems for most any program. Selvig is not even close to being as good as he can be yet. As for Cherry, game in and game out, he is proving he is the best guard on the floor most games. I have posted a few times has NBA potential. I have not backed down from that, and am convinced if he continues to lead and improve, Cherry will be in the NBA. His defense is already NBA caliber.
Depth wise, I am on Reader's bandwagon as having the potential to be an all conference big when he is a JR and/or SR. I really do not know what to think of Hutchison yet. We really do need to get consistent guard play beyond Cherry. Wood did show me he is capable, but can he do it consistently? I still want to see us build Autry though when the opportunity presents itself. When the game comes down to FT shooting can we get the ball in Stockton's hands for teams to foul?
Offensively, I still have my doubts. It is refreshing to know we are capable of executing like we did against UCLA. If and when we find our perimeter game consistently, this team is very dangerous, and as shown against UCLA capable of playing anyone in the nation. Honestly though, it is hard for me to imagine teams consistently shooting below 35% against any decent or better defense. Then again, not many teams have 2 defensive performances (Idaho and UCLA) any year the GRIZ have had to date this year. Is that bad offense or bad offense as a result of excellent defense? You be the judge.
Speaking of UCLA, as a major college basketball fan with some coaching experience, I am very unimpressed with UCLA coming out flat, very little desire or pride to pick it up, no signs of leadership from players, bad decision making, bad execution offensively and defensively, and very little cohesiveness. If I were an UCLA fan or coach, I would be raving mad and very disappointed. I will not be surprised to see UCLA continue to struggle. They have a LONG way to go in many aspects, but the talent is definitely there.
As for the GRIZ, we had the better players at C, PF, and PG. As a team we were the better team. I think the GRIZ are better than most fans, media, and programs will give us credit for. As a coach, Tinkle has to want the UCLA performance to become the norm, no matter the opponent. I believe his players will buy into that and believe it too. If there is any player that does not believe it, I expect Cherry, Qvale, and Selvig to correct any believes ASAP. These guys are great leaders, but all in a different way. They all learned from Anthony Johnson. Tinkle's plan to have AJ teach these guys, especially Cherry is playing out better than ever expected.
Finally, despite this big "W", I am trying to keep my expectations of a normal young and inexperienced team. It is hard to curb the enthusiasm though when a team plays this nasty of defense. I hope they continue playing this way all year, every second, every game. I so want them to continue me praising them every game, and in time admit this years GRIZ is not a normal young and inexperienced team. It is truly amazing how far ahead they are in terms of defense, attitude, unity, and execution. Keep it up boys, and this could be a truly amazing season again.
As for our fans, "what is wrong with everyone in Missoula?" This team has all the ingredients well worth getting your asses to home games. This is the team that will always give all out on the court, and take care of business. They will not flatter you with great offense yet, but everything else is there. I really do not see how anyone can ask or expect more form these kids and coaches. This is the team that can potentially bring back "THE ZOO" atmosphere. They are and will do their part. I challenge every GRIZ fan to now do their part. NO EXCUSES!!!!! :thumb: :thumb:
Going into the game, I thought if we could execute offensively, our defense could keep us in another game, with a chance to keep it respectful. I expected us to matchup well in the paint with them. At best, I was expecting a 5 to 10 points UCLA victory. The result was that range, but with the GRIZ winning. I honestly feel with better shooting we could have won by 20, as is the 9 point victory was not indicative of how thoroughly the GRIZ dominated. It was an outright dominating and impressive game by the GRIZ.
Speaking of impressive, last year and this year, I am more and more impressed by the GRIZ defense every game they play. After seeing the Idaho game in person, and the replay of UCLA in HD on 52 inch screen, this team and Tinkle has me officially sold on our defense going from good to excellent. Defense has officially arrived as a staple and definition of GRIZ BASKETBALL. One of my favorite basketball books of all time is "The Carolina Way", and the GRIZ have taken that as a blueprint to success. Simple rules are play hard, play smart, and play together all for the good of the team. Every game the GRIZ do all that the majority of time, and like any team will have a few lapses. It is amazing a few years ago, the team would fold when the offense was not up to par. No longer is that the case. Tinkle has his teams committed to defensive excellence, and any offense is just icing on the cake.
How good is this defense now? The break downs are very few and far between now. Every player knows where to be and what do. I can honestly say again, "we do not have a defensive liability". Teams very seldom get uncontested looks, and it takes an unbelievably hot shooting team (see Portland's 1st half) to beat us. This team does not beat itself. Better yet, the new faces can only get better with playing time and experience. I honestly did not expect them to be this cohesive defensively until January, if lucky. Kudos to the players and coaches for great attitude, commitment, and leadership.
As for personnel, I feel we still have a few holes in terms of depth and consistency we need to develop (guard depth and consistency). I do feel we have 4 players that could play for most programs in the nation. Cherry, Qvale, Selvig, and Jamar are all very talented. Qvale is still getting better, and will have pro career somewhere with an outside shot at the NBA. Selvig has intangibles and smarts well beyond most guys his size. Jamar mature beyond his age and experience. Qvale and Selvig are long and make our defense what it is. Qvale and Selvig are tough matchups and big problems for most any program. Selvig is not even close to being as good as he can be yet. As for Cherry, game in and game out, he is proving he is the best guard on the floor most games. I have posted a few times has NBA potential. I have not backed down from that, and am convinced if he continues to lead and improve, Cherry will be in the NBA. His defense is already NBA caliber.
Depth wise, I am on Reader's bandwagon as having the potential to be an all conference big when he is a JR and/or SR. I really do not know what to think of Hutchison yet. We really do need to get consistent guard play beyond Cherry. Wood did show me he is capable, but can he do it consistently? I still want to see us build Autry though when the opportunity presents itself. When the game comes down to FT shooting can we get the ball in Stockton's hands for teams to foul?
Offensively, I still have my doubts. It is refreshing to know we are capable of executing like we did against UCLA. If and when we find our perimeter game consistently, this team is very dangerous, and as shown against UCLA capable of playing anyone in the nation. Honestly though, it is hard for me to imagine teams consistently shooting below 35% against any decent or better defense. Then again, not many teams have 2 defensive performances (Idaho and UCLA) any year the GRIZ have had to date this year. Is that bad offense or bad offense as a result of excellent defense? You be the judge.
Speaking of UCLA, as a major college basketball fan with some coaching experience, I am very unimpressed with UCLA coming out flat, very little desire or pride to pick it up, no signs of leadership from players, bad decision making, bad execution offensively and defensively, and very little cohesiveness. If I were an UCLA fan or coach, I would be raving mad and very disappointed. I will not be surprised to see UCLA continue to struggle. They have a LONG way to go in many aspects, but the talent is definitely there.
As for the GRIZ, we had the better players at C, PF, and PG. As a team we were the better team. I think the GRIZ are better than most fans, media, and programs will give us credit for. As a coach, Tinkle has to want the UCLA performance to become the norm, no matter the opponent. I believe his players will buy into that and believe it too. If there is any player that does not believe it, I expect Cherry, Qvale, and Selvig to correct any believes ASAP. These guys are great leaders, but all in a different way. They all learned from Anthony Johnson. Tinkle's plan to have AJ teach these guys, especially Cherry is playing out better than ever expected.
Finally, despite this big "W", I am trying to keep my expectations of a normal young and inexperienced team. It is hard to curb the enthusiasm though when a team plays this nasty of defense. I hope they continue playing this way all year, every second, every game. I so want them to continue me praising them every game, and in time admit this years GRIZ is not a normal young and inexperienced team. It is truly amazing how far ahead they are in terms of defense, attitude, unity, and execution. Keep it up boys, and this could be a truly amazing season again.
As for our fans, "what is wrong with everyone in Missoula?" This team has all the ingredients well worth getting your asses to home games. This is the team that will always give all out on the court, and take care of business. They will not flatter you with great offense yet, but everything else is there. I really do not see how anyone can ask or expect more form these kids and coaches. This is the team that can potentially bring back "THE ZOO" atmosphere. They are and will do their part. I challenge every GRIZ fan to now do their part. NO EXCUSES!!!!! :thumb: :thumb:
