Griz@UNC

[mporter]

Well,I say this is disappointing. I expected the Griz to win tonight. Guess I am just going to have to lower my expectations for the Griz.

Well, good chance of having another home game in Missoula.

And a good chance for us not to.

 

[diacanthus]

Is there an opposite word for "gamers"

 

[Bear Axed]

Well,I say this is disappointing. I expected the Griz to win tonight. Guess I am just going to have to lower my expectations for the Griz.

Well, good chance of having another home game in Missoula.

The chance to spank the :laugh:kittens 3 times in one year doesn't come around often enough!
So, I for one will enjoy it immensely. :birth:

 

[WILDCATFAN]

This is not good for the Grizzlies, I know this is unheard of for UM fans, but if you want that 1st round bye, you need to cheer for MSU to beat UNC, and EWU to beat PSU.

 

[BelierPeaux]

Well, with the way they played tonight, they don't deserve the #2 seed.

 

['68griz]

And, try as I may, even when it may benefit the Griz, I can never bring myself to root for the Bobcats. I just don't root for the team they're playing against either.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Well, I just got back from the game. After reading the comments here, I am realizing GRIZNATION is more critical than I thought. Before I get too far into my observations, I want to comment on Tinkle and the coaches. I spoke to Tinkle, Nate, and Andy after the game. Many of you will be surprised they echo much of what is being posted here on more things than GRIZ fans would think. Yet not quite as extreme on other areas. I do not know what Tinkle said on post game, but the coaches summed it up this way to me. They were upset about the bad start on offense. The difference was mainly FT shooting, inconsistent offense, and a few uncharacteristic turnovers (all of which is spot on with EGRIZ comments.) Basically UNC hit their shots and we did not.

I also noticed a huge difference for the better in Tinkle's pride in this team since the CSU game. After the CSU game, the coaches in general were not very talkative, outright upset, and one could tell there were more questions than answers for this team. After the UNC game, despite the loss Tinkle is very proud of a few things that I feel will be a staple in this program for now on. He is proud of this team's unity/chemistry, work ethic, and defense. Tinkle, his coaches, and team are confident, and without a doubt know they need the offense to step up to be the cream of the conference. I seen no hanging heads, no bad attitudes, and seen everyone encouraging everyone. For anyone that has the impression that Tinkle is soft, you are dead wrong. He chewed ass a few times for turnovers, missed shots, not rotating right. As a coach, I feel he got on the players for good reasons, and made his point. He was more assertive than he was the last 2 years. Now onto my thoughts of the game.

This defense is DRASTICALLY improved. The rotations are consistent, help defense, spacing, and assignment responsibilities are all there. Are they perfect? Hell no, they have an occasional breakdown, but for the most part this a very good defensive team. They could still improve a few things. Good passing teams can beat them weakside because they are so focused on ball side and help defense. AJ, CET, McGillis should gamble more when Qvale is in the game. Qvale is to this defense what AJ is to the offense. Qvale had 6 blocks, most of which were from help defense. As a whole this team has to realize what their strengths and weaknesses are defensively depending on the personnel on the court. Meaning, Qvale is a difference maker. His presence always has an offense wondering where he is at. Quite often the defense forces the offense toward Qvale, and it is very effective. So what is the problem? The few breakdowns come when they try the same thing when he is not in the game. Without Selvig also manning the paint, the others just are not as effective shutting down the paint.

Speaking of Qvale, he has improved more than I thought on both ends of the court. I noticed things I would never notice from an internet feed. Last year he relied on his size and got alot of blocks just because the ball was in his area on lose rebounds etc, but he did not cover much space or help defense. He also was too easily posted up last year. This year, his head is on swivel, very seldom out of position, covers just about as much space as Selvig (who is quicker),and is alot more aware of where the ball is at. Last year, he was lost and had difficulty recovering. This year he is also denying the ball to the post man much much better. Offensively, he is starting to get touch to go along with solid moves. To be honest, he is on the verge of becoming a double digit scorer, and almost as effective as Sharp. Sharp has better range and a knack for being near the ball on the boards. I do not know if Qvale will develop those things. This team is missing Selvig defensively to spell Qvale and his passing. Speaking of Selvig, he will not be back this year.

Offensively we need to still get more consistency. Fortunately our Defense is good to the point in keeping us in games this year. Right now, I would be playing Michael Taylor more than Stauds and McGillis because we need his offense. His shot is consistent now, can shoot off the drible too, he is a good passer, solid ballhandler, and almost as good defensively as McGillis. As for McGillis, I love his hustle and attitude, but he picks of the stupidest fouls still. As for his offense, I can see he has the talent, but somethings just is not there for him this year. This year he is no more than a shutdown defender. His offense is there , but not as often as it needs to be. McGillis has some work to do to live up to the overhype we (including me) gave him offensively.

I also noticed something in Stauds, and think I might have to rewatch a few games on the DVR. In pregame he was hitting everything with picture perfect form. In the game I noticed he is leaning one way or the other more often than not. Stauds is a square up pure shooter, he is not squaring up as much as he is used to doing.

Overall I am disappointed the GRIZ lost, but unlike the CSU game, I am not pissed. IF the GRIZ hit their shots, this team is good enough to win the title. The offense will determine how well or how bad they do. So in my opinion they do well what we questioned in the past. They play defense, work hard, and have good chemistry. Unfortunately the offense is a rollercoaster this year. GO GRIZ!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WILDCATFAN]

I know its hard for you guys to root for the Bobcats, so I will root for them for you.

Thanks to a dickheaded PSU fan on the PSU blog, I am now rooting for MSU and EWU.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I know its hard for you guys to root for the Bobcats, so I will root for them for you.

Thanks to a dickheaded PSU fan on the PSU blog, I am now rooting for MSU and EWU.

Finally another fan from another team that dislikes this years PSU team or fan as much as I do. I will be pulling for EWU and MSU too.

 

[CatFan22]

I know its hard for you guys to root for the Bobcats, so I will root for them for you.

Thanks to a dickheaded PSU fan on the PSU blog, I am now rooting for MSU and EWU.

Finally another fan from another team that dislikes this years PSU team or fan as much as I do. I will be pulling for EWU and MSU too.

You're not the only ones.

 

[THE BETCH]

Grizrule, enjoyed your lengthy post. Lots of good things can be said of the team and the coaches and you hit most of them. Not happy with the hiccup, however a tournament home game will be a good thing for this team. A lengthy layoff, not so good. Still lots of room for improvement and the first game at home will be a beneficial start. After CSU and PSU who even thought this team would make the tournament, let alone almost contend for first, have a good shot at second, and third is a lock. The Griz semi-rock!

 

[GrizLA]

This game only shows the low quality of basket ball in the BSC....To read well written comments and analysis from obviously people who really know bball is interesting...However, with basically just one game left in this season, it hardly seems relevant to "learn from this game"....the learning curve is wider than usual it seems....I am not a harsh critic, to be sure, but something is lacking in Griz BBall...it isn't the desire, the ability.....but it is hard to watch a favored team perform so badly against equally poor team in the Big Sky....maybe it is a conference issue.....whatever, it is not good....

 

[WILDCATFAN]

I guess it doesnt really matter, Im sure if you dont get the bye, you will beat whoever it is you would play and still have to play PSU in the semi's like you most likely would have if you got the bye, besides I still think the Griz are a overall better team than the Vikings, and when you come to Ogden, it will be like another home game for you, cause Im sure there will be more UM fans there than PSU, and Im sure most WSU fans (including me) will be pulling for you guys to beat those cocky vikings. good luck.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Grizrule, enjoyed your lengthy post. Lots of good things can be said of the team and the coaches and you hit most of them. Not happy with the hiccup, however a tournament home game will be a good thing for this team. A lengthy layoff, not so good. Still lots of room for improvement and the first game at home will be a beneficial start. After CSU and PSU who even thought this team would make the tournament, let alone almost contend for first, have a good shot at second, and third is a lock. The Griz semi-rock!

Betch, I meant to mention the ramifications of this loss. Actually that was one of the 1st things Tinkle mentioned to me. It went something like this. "That loss hurt, it more than likely caused us a bye!" I mentioned to him I guess that is reason for everyone to pull for EWU and MSU this weekend. He honestly thinks PSU will win out.

 

[robomomo]

Well, with the way they played tonight, they don't deserve the #2 seed.

Looked the Griz of last year. NOCO guards were doing whatever the wanted. Glaring weakness is Griz perimeter D.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Well, with the way they played tonight, they don't deserve the #2 seed.

Looked the Griz of last year. NOCO guards were doing whatever the wanted. Glaring weakness is Griz perimeter D.

Robo, their guards were not doing whatever they wanted. They hit many contested shots or drew fouls. Kudos to them for hitting their shots. The only difference in that game was them hitting FT's and contested shots, and us not hitting shots.

I have played and coached games, and have been on both sides of the outcome. As a coach there is nothing you can do when the shots just do not fall. Prior years this would have been a game the GRIZ would have folded like a tent, and lost big time. Their defense is good enough to keep games close when the offense is not there.

I am convinced if the GRIZ hit their shots, they can be the best program in the conference. Defense has arrived at Montana, and will be a staple for Tinkle's teams every year.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

*

 

[BelierPeaux]

Looked the Griz of last year. NOCO guards were doing whatever the wanted. Glaring weakness is Griz perimeter D.

Robo, their guards were not doing whatever they wanted. They hit many contested shots or drew fouls. Kudos to them for hitting their shots. The only difference in that game was them hitting FT's and contested shots, and us not hitting shots.

I have played and coached games, and have been on both sides of the outcome. As a coach there is nothing you can do when the shots just do not fall. Prior years this would have been a game the GRIZ would have folded like a tent, and lost big time. Their defense is good enough to keep games close when the offense is not there.

I am convinced if the GRIZ hit their shots, they can be the best program in the conference. Defense has arrived at Montana, and will be a staple for Tinkle's teams every year.

I can appreciate that. The griz had too damn many trips down the court at the end of the game that resulted in 1 point while NCU was getting two points a trip at least. I didn't major in Math, but even I know that's trouble...

 

[Evizzerate]

This game only shows the low quality of basket ball in the BSC....To read well written comments and analysis from obviously people who really know bball is interesting...However, with basically just one game left in this season, it hardly seems relevant to "learn from this game"....the learning curve is wider than usual it seems....I am not a harsh critic, to be sure, but something is lacking in Griz BBall...it isn't the desire, the ability.....but it is hard to watch a favored team perform so badly against equally poor team in the Big Sky....maybe it is a conference issue.....whatever, it is not good....

I'm with GrizLa...and have only recently come to reconcile myself with the fact that we do not play D-1 basketball. I dislike the fact that as a supporter of the program I have settled for mediocrity.
Maybe some of you "insiders" can give us fans some suggestions as to what we could do to help the Griz program grow into a real D-1 program. I buy season tickets, am a booster and every now and then send an email to O'day on a potential recruit. Is there anything that any fan can do to help this program step it up?

 

[mtgrizrule]

This game only shows the low quality of basket ball in the BSC....To read well written comments and analysis from obviously people who really know bball is interesting...However, with basically just one game left in this season, it hardly seems relevant to "learn from this game"....the learning curve is wider than usual it seems....I am not a harsh critic, to be sure, but something is lacking in Griz BBall...it isn't the desire, the ability.....but it is hard to watch a favored team perform so badly against equally poor team in the Big Sky....maybe it is a conference issue.....whatever, it is not good....

I'm with GrizLa...and have only recently come to reconcile myself with the fact that we do not play D-1 basketball. I dislike the fact that as a supporter of the program I have settled for mediocrity.
Maybe some of you "insiders" can give us fans some suggestions as to what we could do to help the Griz program grow into a real D-1 program. I buy season tickets, am a booster and every now and then send an email to O'day on a potential recruit. Is there anything that any fan can do to help this program step it up?

Get more people behind the program is the only way to take our basketball program to higher levels. Unfortunately GRIZNATION for the most part has become one that only supports the best of best programs. Our football program has spoiled too many fans in the area. It would also be helpful if we could land the big time athletes to keep them from going out of state (football and basketball). I hate to see the likes of Matt Miller, Osweiller, and soon to be Ben Roberts, all leave our state for more nationally recognized programs.

Our conference really hurts Montana in both basketball and football when it comes to recruiting the "NEXT" level of athlete here. The fact is that Montana has been the only program in both sports that has the fan support and reputation to even be considered by a good recruit. I do think though that Weber State in on the verge in both sports. Portland State in basketball, I do not know what to think of their football program. Jerry Glanville has turned out to be more of a sideshow in football. Montana State is not too far behind, but only average in both sports. Rest of the conference has a long way to go in fan support and program improvements.

As for GRIZ basketball, can a booster teach a team how to consistently hit shots in big games? We need to hire a phenomenal shooting coach. Shooting is the only thing holding back this years GRIZ team as of right now.