mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Well that is the season, and what a season it has been. The GRIZ exceeded GRIZNATION expectations this season. I do not recall anyone in the preseason, picking the GRIZ to go 15-1 in conference, be over 20 wins, or winning the Big Sky conference regular season, or conference tournament. :thumb:
First of all, before I get too wrapped up in this, Congrats to Wisconsin. Your team, and fans are very classy, and made a great impression on me. After the game, I spoke to some Badger fans. They commented how they expected a much closer game (so did I). Several fans from New Mexico, Baylor, and Wisconsin, asked about or commented on, Henderson and Weisner. They loved how well they played defense, and how athletic they looked. The consensus from Badger fans this was the rare game where their perimeter game stayed hot all game long. They were worried they would have a 2nd half let down, being they shot so well in the 1st half. To be honest, I was expecting them to cool down too, and they never did.
Speaking of Wisconsin, their defense was every bit as advertised, if not better than advertised. Other than a few fast break buckets, the GRIZ did not see one uncontested, or open shot. That frustrated me as a fan, and I am sure frustrated our players too. That Wisconsin defense was one the best defenses I have seen all season. Athletically, their players were more athletic than I expected, just from seeing them on TV a few times. Offensively, not only did they hit their shots, but they did what few teams have done against the GRIZ defense, they made quick decisions with the ball, and the GRIZ had no time to execute traps, create loose balls, and get to shooters. It was also nice to see them not sit on the ball, until they got up enough to work the shot clock. I doubt their offense will stay on this kind of roll, but their defense is elite, and it bodes well for them. It will take a great shooting performance to beat them. They are a much better team than I was expecting. A few of their fans are right, they are a much better team than the national media gives them credit for.
Finally, it happened, a game where both Cherry, and Jamar struggled. I wish it would not have ended this way for this season, but this will serve as huge motivation for both them, and their returning teammates. Cherry proved he can get to the hole against anyone, but that does no good when you are not looking to create for teammates. I have not knocked him much this season, but the few times I have, it has been he needs to become a better creator for teammates to take his game to a new level, and that showed today!!! Note to all returnees, you need to try getting open when Will or Jamar take the ball to the hole. There were holes in the Wisconsin defense, but we did not execute in finding them very often. Wisconsin's length helped them, their bigs clogged the lane, allowing their perimeter defenders to say put on our shooters.
Defensively, despite giving up a high fg%, our defense was very good still. GRIZ D just ran into a buzz saw with Wisconsin's shooting. Their shooting, and quick decision making was the reason for their success, not bad defense from the GRIZ.
Despite a hard loss to end the year, I am stoked for next season. We will have much more of paint presence next season, on both ends of the court. We have great perimeter players, which are athletic coming back. Collectively, the returnees need to commit to playing together as often as possible in the off season, and that has to be lead by Cherry, and Jamar. I am not worried about our personnel, or defense whatsoever next season. For the GRIZ to take it to a new level they need to learn to be a team that creates consistently for one another.
Finally, thank you for a great season boys. GRIZ NATION is proud of you. Take a short break from basketball, and work on your games, strength, and conditioning the next 7 months, and you boys will be ready to take this season a few steps further. :thumb:
Final note: I spoke to Tres Tinkle at halftime. I asked him what he was up to for his height now. He confidently commented, " 6',4". " (so we can put that dispute to rest too). I got it straight from the horses mouth.
First of all, before I get too wrapped up in this, Congrats to Wisconsin. Your team, and fans are very classy, and made a great impression on me. After the game, I spoke to some Badger fans. They commented how they expected a much closer game (so did I). Several fans from New Mexico, Baylor, and Wisconsin, asked about or commented on, Henderson and Weisner. They loved how well they played defense, and how athletic they looked. The consensus from Badger fans this was the rare game where their perimeter game stayed hot all game long. They were worried they would have a 2nd half let down, being they shot so well in the 1st half. To be honest, I was expecting them to cool down too, and they never did.
Speaking of Wisconsin, their defense was every bit as advertised, if not better than advertised. Other than a few fast break buckets, the GRIZ did not see one uncontested, or open shot. That frustrated me as a fan, and I am sure frustrated our players too. That Wisconsin defense was one the best defenses I have seen all season. Athletically, their players were more athletic than I expected, just from seeing them on TV a few times. Offensively, not only did they hit their shots, but they did what few teams have done against the GRIZ defense, they made quick decisions with the ball, and the GRIZ had no time to execute traps, create loose balls, and get to shooters. It was also nice to see them not sit on the ball, until they got up enough to work the shot clock. I doubt their offense will stay on this kind of roll, but their defense is elite, and it bodes well for them. It will take a great shooting performance to beat them. They are a much better team than I was expecting. A few of their fans are right, they are a much better team than the national media gives them credit for.
Finally, it happened, a game where both Cherry, and Jamar struggled. I wish it would not have ended this way for this season, but this will serve as huge motivation for both them, and their returning teammates. Cherry proved he can get to the hole against anyone, but that does no good when you are not looking to create for teammates. I have not knocked him much this season, but the few times I have, it has been he needs to become a better creator for teammates to take his game to a new level, and that showed today!!! Note to all returnees, you need to try getting open when Will or Jamar take the ball to the hole. There were holes in the Wisconsin defense, but we did not execute in finding them very often. Wisconsin's length helped them, their bigs clogged the lane, allowing their perimeter defenders to say put on our shooters.
Defensively, despite giving up a high fg%, our defense was very good still. GRIZ D just ran into a buzz saw with Wisconsin's shooting. Their shooting, and quick decision making was the reason for their success, not bad defense from the GRIZ.
Despite a hard loss to end the year, I am stoked for next season. We will have much more of paint presence next season, on both ends of the court. We have great perimeter players, which are athletic coming back. Collectively, the returnees need to commit to playing together as often as possible in the off season, and that has to be lead by Cherry, and Jamar. I am not worried about our personnel, or defense whatsoever next season. For the GRIZ to take it to a new level they need to learn to be a team that creates consistently for one another.
Finally, thank you for a great season boys. GRIZ NATION is proud of you. Take a short break from basketball, and work on your games, strength, and conditioning the next 7 months, and you boys will be ready to take this season a few steps further. :thumb:
Final note: I spoke to Tres Tinkle at halftime. I asked him what he was up to for his height now. He confidently commented, " 6',4". " (so we can put that dispute to rest too). I got it straight from the horses mouth.