Grizbeer, I see it differently. Despite of a few a stinker games against Portland and USF, this years team is different as for attitude, team work, and cohesiveness.
You are right the W's have not been in the NCAA tourney or a top 10 team, and I understand looking at it that way. Tinkle needed the Oregon State game with our fan base. This is the 1st game our fans turn out in decent numbers, and our team played well in front of them.
In the past, they have played stinkers given the same opportunity. Even before this game, and despite the losses, Tinkle has been gaining support from casual, borderline, and even some naysayers. The UCLA win got their attention. The Oregon State game earned him more supporters, and got fence sitters thinking more favorably of the product.
Speaking of the product, it is very good, with room for growth. They are athletic for a Montana team. They always play with heart, hustle, and attitude. Defense is outright NASTY, and actually fun to watch. In Cherry and Qvale, we have a PG and C that can hang with anyone in the nation at these positions. Fans are getting a taste of something we very seldom witness with these 2. Qvale and Cherry alone are worth the price of admission. In addition, Jamar is another budding star that is a complete SF/3, like Cherry, has a very high ceiling in potential. Selvig when on, does things 7 footers just are not supposed to do. The scary thing is, he has the ability to do more of what 7 footers are supposed to do. If he finds the killer attitude and desire Qvale has found, he could bring his game to a high level. Steward has all the intangibles to go with great athleticism.
How soon this young team has matured is amazing in my book. Tinkle has arrived as a coach this year. The team still has things to iron out and get better at. They struggle with shooting, need better 2/SG consistency, and better bench play. Tinkle has staples in Cherry, Qvale, and defense. Those things are a good combination to see them through maturing and growing pains. Even with inconsistent depth and shooting, this team is outright fun to watch. Even after losses, I come away from games with faith and pride. Why? All of the above, and they play with heart no matter what. There is not a whole more a fan can expect.
Tinkle has grown by leaps and bounds as a coach in his time here. He and his team know damn well how close they are so close to arriving as a team. They know their weaknesses, and what they need to improve. As for the shooting struggles, Tinkle has stopped harping on it. He has wisely compensated for it with team defense, and motivated Qvale and Cherry to realize their true potential. I have no idea, what got into Qvale? I knew he had potential, but did not expect anything like I witnessed against OSU.
I am encouraged as ever with our program under Tinkle. They have a way to go, but if shooting and depth comes around, this team will be damn right scary to play against. As is, I am sold, just a buyer at discount price, but very close to paying full rates.
For those in Missoula, enjoy this team, this year. Next year, we are minus Qvale, and hard to know if we have anyone in the fold capable of doing what he is doing this year. Selvig is a different kind of big. Reader is too young and has to mature. Hutchison is a hard player to read. I have not seen enough to know how much upside he has. Enjoy the Cherry/Qvale show the one year we have it!