mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I am watching Gonzaga/Wazzu game now. This game started absolutely ugly. I am not sure if it is 2 great defenses, or bad offenses. Although WAZZU is finally hitting shots. Both teams play at high pace, but have very little patience when it comes to working for a good shot. The 1st half has been marked by many forced and undisciplined shot selection, on both sides.
This game combined with GRIZ shooting struggles, UCLA's anemic offense, Idaho's pathetic showing has me wondering a few things. (1) Are there less pure high percentage perimeter shooters in the Western USA? (2) Are defenses that much better these days? (3) Have the GRIZ narrowed the gap compared to the more recognized teams regionally? (4) Where does our foursome of Cherry, Qvale, Selvig, and Jamar/Steward combo rank amongst programs west of the Mississippi River? (5) Is discipline and ball movement being coached less at the HS levels, and more difficult to instill at the collegiate level?
As the season progresses, we shall see what the answers are to these questions. As for #4, I will take the GRIZ key players at PG, SF, PF, and C against most any team in the western region. Qvale and Selvig paint combo is very good. We are fortunate to have them. Cherry does more for the GRIZ than any PG, and might be the best defensive PG in the west. If and when we get consistent SG play, the GRIZ will be much better.
After seeing other programs, I realize many other programs struggle with offense and shooting too. The bigger more known programs have more talent to fill their depth charts. Other than that, the GRIZ are on par with most regional programs, and are narrowing the gap with them. The GRIZ also play with more discipline and know how to work the ball for open shots better than many teams. If we ever start hitting the open shots consistently, that would help.
I am going to try watching more regional teams. I am thinking we stack up better now regionally now than we have in a long time. As far as Gonzaga and WAZZU, I sure wish we had any combination of Thompson (wazzu guard), Casto (wazzu F/C), and Gray (Gonzaga G/F). Gray or Thompson as a GRIZ SG would complete us nicely. :thumb:
BTW 30-24 WAZZU at the half.
This game combined with GRIZ shooting struggles, UCLA's anemic offense, Idaho's pathetic showing has me wondering a few things. (1) Are there less pure high percentage perimeter shooters in the Western USA? (2) Are defenses that much better these days? (3) Have the GRIZ narrowed the gap compared to the more recognized teams regionally? (4) Where does our foursome of Cherry, Qvale, Selvig, and Jamar/Steward combo rank amongst programs west of the Mississippi River? (5) Is discipline and ball movement being coached less at the HS levels, and more difficult to instill at the collegiate level?
As the season progresses, we shall see what the answers are to these questions. As for #4, I will take the GRIZ key players at PG, SF, PF, and C against most any team in the western region. Qvale and Selvig paint combo is very good. We are fortunate to have them. Cherry does more for the GRIZ than any PG, and might be the best defensive PG in the west. If and when we get consistent SG play, the GRIZ will be much better.
After seeing other programs, I realize many other programs struggle with offense and shooting too. The bigger more known programs have more talent to fill their depth charts. Other than that, the GRIZ are on par with most regional programs, and are narrowing the gap with them. The GRIZ also play with more discipline and know how to work the ball for open shots better than many teams. If we ever start hitting the open shots consistently, that would help.
I am going to try watching more regional teams. I am thinking we stack up better now regionally now than we have in a long time. As far as Gonzaga and WAZZU, I sure wish we had any combination of Thompson (wazzu guard), Casto (wazzu F/C), and Gray (Gonzaga G/F). Gray or Thompson as a GRIZ SG would complete us nicely. :thumb:
BTW 30-24 WAZZU at the half.
