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Griz vs EWU Game Thread

I know that Weber has the league's best player but I find it hard to imagine that they can put 5 players on the court to match EWU's starting five. The Weber - EWU game is one that I certainly want to watch on Big Sky tv.

We played better as a team, but I don't think that there is a position on the court where we are better other than at the post. If Eastern had a pound it in big man, they would be big time.

I think that the Griz are going to pay for not developing the young players when we had a chance in the preseason. When we had to put in both Wood and Stockton today, we couldn'g handle Eastern. If we aren't going to seriously play the young guys, why didn't we redshirt them. This is looking as foolish as using Jordan Johnson's redshirt year for a dozen meaningless plays.

Otherwise, I liked the fine coaching job by Tinks and crew. It is interesting to see how the assistants have input and aren't afraid to offer it.
 
Just got back home from the game, it was a fun one and EWU is a very talented team. They sure whined a lot and at times seemed more busy talking trash than anything else. They'll be tough to beat in Cheney and yeah that EWU/WSU game will be a beast.

Great game from Ward and some solid contributions as well from Steward getting some points and even having a few nice blocks also Stockton off the bench provided a bit of scoring help. It was a good mix today, and a very good win.
 
I am happy we won, as always. I am pissed it was an afternoon game, and had to miss. In the last 10 years, I have listened to, watched on TV/internet, or in person, every game, but 2. Those being the weekday afternoon games. Note to staff and AD, please no more weekday afternoon games. It pisses me off, when I have to miss a GRIZ game. Why? I love my GRIZ basketball that much!!!!

Based on what I seen against PSU, then have heard about the EWU game, it appears our paint defense is getting better than it was just a few weeks ago. Selvig, Ward, Hutchison, Jamar, and Steward are all stepping it up when asked, inside on defense. That has been my biggest concern all year.

Shooting, and offensive consistency have come around the last 3 weeks. I figured that was just a matter of time, as is with most levels of basketball. Offense from JR High on, is hard to find it every game, and part of the game. Even the better programs go through shooting woes, now and then. Shooting should never be an expected given for any team, at any level, and the exact reason why Defense, depth, taking care of the ball, rebounding, and ball movement are always emphasized for consistent winning basketball.

Maybe Ward has found the consistency to give himself confidence. He has always struggled against bigger bigs. Thankfully, with age, and experience comes knowledge, and confidence. He seems to be doing the little things right, such as anticipating position for rebounds, finding holes in the defense, with good off the ball movement, and at the very least getting a hand in shooters face. All this is beginning to pay off for him. I thought that big would be Reader, but due to recent news, we know the main reason why he has been in the doghouse.

Hutchison is giving solid minutes. He is nowhere ready to be an offensive threat, but does have the build, and attitude to focus on rebounding, and paint defense. He appears to becoming much more consistent in his role too. Offense will come around for him with experience. Speaking of offense, I hope Tinkle saves Strait videos, on productive offensive post play without being real big. Strait was great at moving without the ball to get position, then know what post moves to use when, depending on matchups. Size aside, I would show Strait videos to every one that would see time posting up. Strait's post moves, with and without the ball, were text book. Defensively, Strait held position well, but I honestly think Ward is more athletic than Andrew was, and to boot has a perimeter shot out to 3.

As a coach, and fan, the GRIZ have to be elated they were in the game with EWU's 1st half shooting assault. It sounded pretty amazing based on the stats, and the posts. Many teams cannot hold up to a shooting display like that, without being buried at half time. Kudos to the GRIZ for staying mentally strong in the 1st half. That had to be frustrating on the defensive end.

It looks like after week 1, our rotation personnel is Selvig, Ward, Steward, Jamar, Cherry, Stockton, Hutchison, Wood, and everyone else sprinkled in. As encouraging as it is without Reader, we will eventually need him to fill minutes. We need him to get his grades up. I would be surprised if Selvig, Ward, Hutchison big rotation can hold up with that many minutes, as the season progresses. Back ends of road trips could be brutal with that kind of paint rotation, for any team. Post wise, without Reader, the GRIZ cannot afford foul trouble, and/or injury.

I too have been disappointed in the minutes of the younger guys. With that said, hard to argue with the results the last 6 games, though. Like it, or not, What the GRIZ are doing now is working consistently, and that is what really counts.

GREAT W's this week to start out conference play. Keep it going, Boys!!!! GO GRIZ!!!!!
 
I am happy we won, as always. I am pissed it was an afternoon game, and had to miss. In the last 10 years, I have listened to, watched on TV/internet, or in person, every game, but 2. Those being the weekday afternoon games. Note to staff and AD, please no more weekday afternoon games. It pisses me off, when I have to miss a GRIZ game. Why? I love my GRIZ basketball that much!!!!
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I love your passion Rule, and certainly understand your point. But there weren't a lot of options this year. With the LG tournament tonight, and with tomorrow being NYE, they either scheduled today in the afternoon, or risked poor attendance on New Year's Eve. Attendance was very good today, so maybe some people got to see them who normally don't.
 
EverettGriz said:
I am happy we won, as always. I am pissed it was an afternoon game, and had to miss. In the last 10 years, I have listened to, watched on TV/internet, or in person, every game, but 2. Those being the weekday afternoon games. Note to staff and AD, please no more weekday afternoon games. It pisses me off, when I have to miss a GRIZ game. Why? I love my GRIZ basketball that much!!!!
Click to expand...

I love your passion Rule, and certainly understand your point. But there weren't a lot of options this year. With the LG tournament tonight, and with tomorrow being NYE, they either scheduled today in the afternoon, or risked poor attendance on New Year's Eve. Attendance was very good today, so maybe some people got to see them who normally don't.
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You are right, but I hate missing GRIZ basketball. All is better, while watching the MSU/PSU game, I clicked on VOD tab at Bigskytv, guess what game I am watching now, or hope to watch all of it, GRIZ/EWU replay on the VOD feature, at no cost. If, I get all the way through, I will be happy. :thumb:
 
The Griz just beat a very athletic and talented team. EW had a ton of quickness, great leapers and great shooters. That was an outstanding win. I'm sure they'll want to settle the score when UM goes to their place. Many players did their part but Ward, Cherry and Steward were the main reasons the Griz pulled this one out.
 
Eastern is going to win a lot of games in this conference. They played an extremely difficult nonconference schedule, and that's really going to help them I think.
 
That was a fun game to watch! I had to watch the on demand version, but it was great none the less. Probably less choppy that way, too. So glad Ward established himself. He has such a great mid-range shot and that helps him close to the basket, too. Just when i thought the Griz had figured out there FT shooting issues, they had a 2nd half stretch where they (mostly Jamar) couldn't hit. At least they got it righted down the stretch and pulled away. AWESOME dunk for Ward at the end. Great end of the night for him! Go Griz!
 
EverettGriz said:
Eastern is going to win a lot of games in this conference. They played an extremely difficult nonconference schedule, and that's really going to help them I think.
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You bet your bippy! Right on all three counts.

EWU Losses (Opponent's record) [margin of loss] ... all losses on the road
Gonzaga (10-2) [ -8]
Oregon (10-3) [-8]
Wash State (8-5) [-26]
Cal-Fullerton (9-3) [-15]
UCLA (7-6) [-13]
St. Mary’s (12-2) [-16]
Griz (10-5) [-8]

EWU wins, selected (record) [Margin of victory] ... also all on the road
Hawaii (8-5) [ +17]
Idaho (7-6) [ +7]
MSU (6-7) [ +16]

The Eags losses have been against opponents with a combined 66-26 record (including the Griz). Only one of those could be considered a real blow-out (-26 to WSU). So don't be fooled by their season record so far.

BTW, the Griz beat Idaho, at home, by just 5 points. We have no other common opponents.
 
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