-
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts access private forums and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
griz vs NAU
- Thread starter bobaloo
- Start date
WTF is wrong with this team? They shot 13-21 from the FREE THROW LINE!!! Were they THROWING them up there LEFT HANDED or something???!!! Man the Griz are seriously lacking from the CHARITY STRIPE (they call it that for a reason, IT'S EASY POINTS!) at times this season.
Where's the fire in this team? Big game a rivalry game of sorts, AT HOME nonetheless, and you go down like that? Wow!
“It was just a lack of energy coming out at the beginning and I can't put my finger on it,” said junior Andrew Strait, Montana's leading scorer who was limited to just eight shots. “It's something that's going to end up being the downfall of our team if we don't figure it out. We're going to have to do some soul searching to figure out where we're at.”
Find the fire soon boys, or watch the big dance (teams with fire) from your living room. :thumb:
Where's the fire in this team? Big game a rivalry game of sorts, AT HOME nonetheless, and you go down like that? Wow!
“It was just a lack of energy coming out at the beginning and I can't put my finger on it,” said junior Andrew Strait, Montana's leading scorer who was limited to just eight shots. “It's something that's going to end up being the downfall of our team if we don't figure it out. We're going to have to do some soul searching to figure out where we're at.”
Find the fire soon boys, or watch the big dance (teams with fire) from your living room. :thumb:
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
IntuitiveGriz said:
Very true, and Andrew could not be anymore accurate, and he put it well without offending anyone. If this team is watching the big dance, does anyone think they could do that as a group? My guess is 3 or 4 small groups. Where has the unity been?
I respect Wayne and players for keeping things "inhouse", but honestly, I would :clap: :clap: Tinkle and any player to chew ass in public. I wonder how often Tinkle, Strait, Hasquet, Ellis have bit their tongues? It would be interesting to hear exactly what they are thinking in term of certain player attitudes and lack of heart! If any of the players or coaches let lose I would not blame anyone. Hasquet came the closest when he was T'd up this year. I could tell that was pure frustration, and he could not hold back any longer! Amazing how his game picked up after that! I applauded and smiled when Jordan got T'd. It showed me at least one player on this team cared enough to let lose.
No matter how this year ends, future looks bright. If everyone is back.
Strait, Martin, Chase- 1 year left
Hasquet, Swift, Sharp, Spurgettis- 2 years left
Vanderjagt, Staudacher. Cox- 3 years left
Graves, Selvig, Qvale- 4 years
Even better, we get taller and more versatile in 07/08. Also Tinkle will have 1 year under his belt, which alone should be beneficial. Here is to hoping we have a few better opponents in 07/08 too!
For now though, Boys swallow some pride, play hard, play smart, and play together. Then enjoy the Big Dance again! :thumb:
GrizWhiz
Well-known member
This isn't all about "certain player attitudes and lack of heart". The run of easy inside layups by NAU came primarily against our starting post players. Our interior defense has been awful and led to incredible shooting % success by the opposition. Unless the Griz get a handle on this right away, the season will be over way too quickly. :twocents:mtgrizrule said:
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
GrizWhiz said:
I agree grizwhiz, regarding this year's team D. Exactly why I think Vanderjagt defending the paint would be a huge help to the D. Team him with other good sized forwards/lineup. I think he would do well with Strait-PF, Hasquet-SF, Mayes or Dloughy- 2, and Ellis or Rundles-1. Have him be responsible for paint, in a zone match up, 2-1-2, 2-3, or 3-2. Strait,Hasquet, and Sharp are stong enough to D up opposing posts, problem is we cannot afford foul trouble for Hasquet or Strait. With Vanderjagt's height and footwork I think he would be extremely effective by lessening him having to play post up "D", but be more of a shadow on opposing teams best inside scorer. Fact is, opponents have finally figured out we do not have enough height to defend inside. Strait and Hasquet are very valuable to our offense, therefore cannot afford the foul trouble. Vanderjagt would take alot of defensive pressure off these 2 and allow our perimeter players be more aggressive. They cannot be as aggressive now because we do no have a consistent shotblocking presence inside.
Jordan, Strait, and Sharp all have their moments, but just are not much more than 1 block a game types. Vanderjagt appears to me as 2.5 plus type with the footwork to cover a lot of space. He is not a slow 7 footer. I am begging and pleading the griz to just try this with our defense for 5 minutes with these players. I believe the results would be every bit as good as Mayes' insertion in the line up has been.
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Ballhog said:
I expect Strait, Hasquet, Rundles are definates to be back. They are now and will be our 3 biggest keys next year.
Makes no sense for Martin or Chase to leave being they will be SR's. Unless they want to sit out 1 year or play at a smaller college. I have a feeling Martin will be back.
Vanderjagt commented on his playing time and future about a month ago. It sounded to me he is committed here.
Spurgettis is a walk on and great for team chemistry, and certainly accpeting of his role. Why would he not come back? He had to come to U of M for reasons beyond the court, being part of the GRIZ is icing on the cake for him and the GRIZ. I wish every player had Spurgettis' attitude and heart!
Cox and Graves, I expect to be back. I have seen and heard very good things about Graves.
Staudacher is not a problem and Tinkle is the reason he came back here this year.
I would think that leaves Swift and Sharp as the biggest "?".
With Mayes and Dlouhy leaving, Swift should have a huge opportunity next year for 2,3, and maybe 1 minutes.
Sharp willl get pressed for Minutes by the new big men, Selvig and Qvale. ? is if Sharp wants to compete for PT or not? Selvig's presence should be felt 2 through 5 positions due to his versatility and well rounded game. Qvale will be competing for 4 and 5 positions.
Worse case, I expect 1 or 2 defections unless Tinkle decides to clean house. Tinkle though strikes me as very loyal though. If anyone leaves it will be the decision of a player(s). Either way it will be nice to have some length coming in next year. I am sure Strait and Hasquet are both looking forward to that. I know I am excited about the newcomers. :thumb:
GrizWhiz
Well-known member
I strongly hope both Selvig and Qvale will redshirt. Regardless of Martin's whereabouts on the bench, I have to wonder why Spurgetis came in (twice) instead of Swift. Austin is a heckuva defender. I also think Sharp will be back and play a bunch. He also is a potential 3. His one off game (and he was not alone) should not offset the fact that he has come on very strong lately.
GrizWhiz
Well-known member
We were strong enough last year to defend in the paint (with the exact same guys). I also remember the emphasis Larry K placed on taking a charge. This year, our posts have not done nearly as good a job of getting in proper position to defend the post. Probably the guy that's done the best job in this regard is Chase (and he gives up a ton of height). I do agree that we don't seem to have much to lose (at least defensively) by giving Vanderjagt some time at the 5.mtgrizrule said:
This is what we have in common with Cub's fans - wait 'till next year.
There is some odd disfunction going on this year - I will be rooting for them, but maybe we are better off investing most of the emotional energy on the Lady Griz.
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I like Sharp's nose for the ball. He is versatile too, he can play big 3, 4 or 5 (small lineup). Offensively he can score inside or from deep. He is a combination of Strait and Hasquet. Do not get me wrong, I hope he is back. Ditto Swift, but I have been wondering the whole 2nd half of the year about his status.
As for Chase, wouldn't it be great if he worked on his range and ballhandling? then he could be a true 3! He is not a 4 or 5 at this level.
As for the same players back this year from last year in the paint, I am puzzled in the defensive difference too. Is it possible that Strait and Hasquet banging with "BIG JOHN" the previous 2 years in numerous practices (prior to his injury) was a huge help for each" God knows I seen Seyfert throw both around like rag dolls many times over. Seyfert is the biggest reason for Hasquet having toughened up at the collegiate level. LK gave Hasquet and Strait no choice but to bang with Seyfert and Davis previously. As strong as Sharp, Hasquet, and Strait are, it still is not anything like Seyfert.
Just a thought worth considering. Would be interesting to hear if Tinkle thinks that could be part of the reason for the defensive paint struggles. Also Criswell and Matthews were unreal in helping out. Those 2 would never give an inch. Ellis and Martin are not as strong as the other 2.
Defensively, Ellis strength is on the ball defense. Martin is best getting in the passing lanes.
As for Chase, wouldn't it be great if he worked on his range and ballhandling? then he could be a true 3! He is not a 4 or 5 at this level.
As for the same players back this year from last year in the paint, I am puzzled in the defensive difference too. Is it possible that Strait and Hasquet banging with "BIG JOHN" the previous 2 years in numerous practices (prior to his injury) was a huge help for each" God knows I seen Seyfert throw both around like rag dolls many times over. Seyfert is the biggest reason for Hasquet having toughened up at the collegiate level. LK gave Hasquet and Strait no choice but to bang with Seyfert and Davis previously. As strong as Sharp, Hasquet, and Strait are, it still is not anything like Seyfert.
Just a thought worth considering. Would be interesting to hear if Tinkle thinks that could be part of the reason for the defensive paint struggles. Also Criswell and Matthews were unreal in helping out. Those 2 would never give an inch. Ellis and Martin are not as strong as the other 2.
Defensively, Ellis strength is on the ball defense. Martin is best getting in the passing lanes.
Strait and Hasquet are both undersized posts in the BSC. I think Hasquet plays much better post defense than Strait - that's probably why he always has to guard the opposing horse. Neither of these guys are going to be able to stop an good opposing big guy all by themselves without getting into foul trouble. This team gets NO HELP with post defense. Criswell and Virgil used to always turn around and help when the ball went into the post.
This year that just doesn't happen. In fact, this year there seems to be a steady stream of opponents beating our perimeter defense and driving into the key - causing more foul trouble for our posts.
Jordan plays pretty good post defense, but you can tell he has to give room so he doesn't end up getting in foul trouble and sitting down - which I can't argue with, they can't afford to lose him. What is wrong with protecting him a little bit? Play a little help defense or have Strait alternate on the opposing horse. Sharp plays great post defense, but he knows Tinkle won't play him long enough to foul out, so he plays much more physical - but still gets alot of fouls.
I wouldn't mind seeing Tinks experiment with Vandy down there. If we're going to keep leaving our posts on an island, I don't think we have much to lose having Vandy play behind a post and make him shoot over the 7-footer.
The defense on this entire team stinks, but in my opinion, it is weakest on the perimeter. A little pressure on the wings would make the entry pass into the post quite a bit harder as well. We don't do that very well this year either.
This year that just doesn't happen. In fact, this year there seems to be a steady stream of opponents beating our perimeter defense and driving into the key - causing more foul trouble for our posts.
Jordan plays pretty good post defense, but you can tell he has to give room so he doesn't end up getting in foul trouble and sitting down - which I can't argue with, they can't afford to lose him. What is wrong with protecting him a little bit? Play a little help defense or have Strait alternate on the opposing horse. Sharp plays great post defense, but he knows Tinkle won't play him long enough to foul out, so he plays much more physical - but still gets alot of fouls.
I wouldn't mind seeing Tinks experiment with Vandy down there. If we're going to keep leaving our posts on an island, I don't think we have much to lose having Vandy play behind a post and make him shoot over the 7-footer.
The defense on this entire team stinks, but in my opinion, it is weakest on the perimeter. A little pressure on the wings would make the entry pass into the post quite a bit harder as well. We don't do that very well this year either.
Our guards can not stop penetration. Martin has slow feet, and Ellis is just too small. To magnify things, our weak side help is poor. Team defense is not what it needs to be. Kryto taught great, helping, team defense. Doesn not look like the same bunch of kids out there this season, even though most played under Krysto last year. Definately a regression on defense.
AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen
Well-known member
As far as defense goes, something has to be done or we'll be in real trouble next season with our two best perimeter defenders (BE and Stu) graduating.
GrizBBIsKing
Well-known member
'68griz said:
If you check the actual spelling of Krystkowiak's name, you will notice that there is a 't' in the name.