Hoops watcher said:
DPGriz said:
Hoops watcher said:
Yes, he is. And he has the perfect makeup and leadership skills to shepherd this young team where they want to go. It's really impressive to watch, he will go far in life no matter what he chooses to do.
Absolutely love his game and was really blown away by how he stepped up last year after the Akoh injury. To be able to fit in as a role player for several years behind a few excellent seniors and then immediately flip the switch and be an elite player after the Akoh injury was so impressive.
Really hope the rest of the team continues to grow around Sayeed so he can get the coronation he deserves during conference play.
He was a steady presence last year and really stepped up his scoring when Akoh was lost or even when Mike or Ahmad were having an off night. One thing that should help in the development of the new guys is that he doesn't have to have the ball in his hands all the time to be effective as he's a very efficient offensive player.
I spend a little time most games just focusing on what he's doing. He never takes it easy on D, hits the glass hard and always seems to have his head in the game. It's a great example for one of the best players in the league to show the younger guys what it takes to succeed. You can see him encourage them when they make a good play and when they take a bad foul or turn it over. He's like a coach and mentor on the floor, I just think it's impressive. It's these qualities and maturity that could make him a possible coach down the road if he wanted. He's rapidly rising on my all time favorite Griz list, just MHO.
THIS is a perfect thread and ample illustration that we're watching one of the "Best" Montana Grizzly hoops players in the history of the program. Right now. This year. I believe the record books will serve as proof at the end of this season. If you live in Missoula, get out and watch him in person.
I emphasized "best" above, because Sayeed is a rare player that considers all his teammates as important and equal both off and on the floor. He always encourages. He sometimes demands. But his game is the best proof: If there's an open player, he probably gets more personal satisfaction out of dishing the assist than he might if he made a stellar play on his own (example: his first half dish to Timmy Falls for a corner trey). Over the last few games, teams have been double and triple teaming Sayeed (otherwise no one can stop his paint post moves)... and so I think he's now figuring out how to adjust his game even more. When he gets things in focus, I believe this team will steadily get better. This year. I'm still amazed that Sayeed, at 6'5, scores so often in the paint -- many times by posting up like a center -- and scores with ease over players 5-6 inches taller than him. Next play down the floor, he blows by two defending guards for a deft bank-shot layup on a drive. I know the younger players on the floor respect him. Now, it’ll be up to those players to start taking advantage of their own roles in making this team better. It’ll be fun to see if this young team can grow up around Mr Pridgett. By all standards, the odds against a team this young competing for the Big Sky championship would probably be too high (and the Big Sky is tough this year). With this Sayeed-led team, I believe they just might have the moxie to do it. Go Griz!
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