half games

[citygriz]

i know, i know, all coaches schedule these cream puff games, and i know, i know, all the loyal toadies here will defend them--"gives the bench kids a chance to play," "helps depth in the long run"--but i'll be damned if i like them. last night our kids played one half, which was plenty against a montana state northern, but that doesn't cut it against southern illinois, gonzaga, kansas, et. al., who play all-out, non-stop for forty minutes. that's the mindset we have to be in, that basketball has become all-out trench warfare for forty minutes, that defensive pressure is much more intense that it was a generation ago, that you can't get by playing games for one half, while games against teams named the northern lights do little to prepare you for that. bring on gonzaga, washington state, air force, the record be damned. that's where we'll learn to play basketball.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

Agreed. I think part, but not all of it, has to do with the students not giving any support until the second half. Also GU has been playing some half games as well. They didn't look as strong in the second half against us (because the game was over) and they didn't play well in the first half against Idaho.

 

[Lou]

i know, i know, all coaches schedule these cream puff games, and i know, i know, all the loyal toadies here will defend them--"gives the bench kids a chance to play," "helps depth in the long run"--but i'll be damned if i like them. last night our kids played one half, which was plenty against a montana state northern, but that doesn't cut it against southern illinois, gonzaga, kansas, et. al., who play all-out, non-stop for forty minutes. that's the mindset we have to be in, that basketball has become all-out trench warfare for forty minutes, that defensive pressure is much more intense that it was a generation ago, that you can't get by playing games for one half, while games against teams named the northern lights do little to prepare you for that. bring on gonzaga, washington state, air force, the record be damned. that's where we'll learn to play basketball.

You have a great point here city. However, I think every team needs at least a few "easy" games at the beginning of the season for a few reasons. 1) For the coach to assess who plays well together and who plays well in a game situation, not just practice. 2) For the team to run their sets, to see which plays will work effectively. 3) To build confidence in your players. If you scheduled an extremely tough schedule then the players will start to get upset, because winning is what builds confidence. :twocents:

I do think you have a good point though, in order to get better you must play against the best and learn how to compete. The Griz will get there it just takes time.

 

[GrizBBIsKing]

I'll be damned if I don't agree with you City as a fan.

But Zach Graves played the most minutes against Northern, and because of that he will get more minutes in the near future instead of fighting for any kind of minutes at all.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

I'll be damned if I don't agree with you City as a fan.

But Zach Graves played the most minutes against Northern, and because of that he will get more minutes in the near future instead of fighting for any kind of minutes at all.

Agreed. It gave him an opportunity and it gave Tinkle an idea of what he can do. It definitely helps us in the long run.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I wish North Carolina would quit scheduling cream puffs like Davidson.

 

[Bowlesman]

I wish North Carolina would quit scheduling cream puffs like Davidson.

Would hardly call Davidson a "creampuff" They made it to the NCAA Tournament last year as a 13 seed. Their record was 29-5 last year and they only lost two players from last years team. Those two players both averaged less than 3 minutes per game. I would say that Davidson was a good team last year and they are even better this year.

So maybe you were being sarcastic and if you were sorry.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Agreed. I think part, but not all of it, has to do with the students not giving any support until the second half. Also GU has been playing some half games as well. They didn't look as strong in the second half against us (because the game was over) and they didn't play well in the first half against Idaho.

I think if the team needs 1,000 18 and 19 year olds wearing matching t-shirts jumping up and down and making noise to play well then they're in trouble. I think that a strong student section follows winning, not vice versa.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

Agreed. I think part, but not all of it, has to do with the students not giving any support until the second half. Also GU has been playing some half games as well. They didn't look as strong in the second half against us (because the game was over) and they didn't play well in the first half against Idaho.

I think if the team needs 1,000 18 and 19 year olds wearing matching t-shirts jumping up and down and making noise to play well then they're in trouble. I think that a strong student section follows winning, not vice versa.

No, but it helps.

 

[Lou]

I think if the team needs 1,000 18 and 19 year olds wearing matching t-shirts jumping up and down and making noise to play well then they're in trouble. I think that a strong student section follows winning, not vice versa.

Well said Turd. There is a direct correlation between great programs and high attendance. Can't make a team great with just a lot of people in the stands.

 

[mtgrizrule]

As a former basketball player and current coach, for me I can honestly say, "A rowdy crowd helped get me going, with or against my team." For us, I had no fear and did not want to let them down. Against us, my motivation was shut them up. As a coach, most of my players prefer to play with more fans and rowdier atmospheres too. Granted teams and players should be motivated to begin with, no arguements there. However the fan base make a difference in taking it up a few more levels and gives an extra boost. When a team is playing on the road, crowds do not get into the head of better players. However, on most teams the better players are usually number 1 to 3. Most coaches rotate 7 to 8, that means impacting 4 to 5 other players seing court time. Exactly why, sports have a thing called home field/court advantage!

The rowdier and intimidating the crowd the bigger the advantage. For those that disagree, fine I respect that. I am only speaking in my opinion and experience, and that of about 60 to 70% of my former teammates and players I have coached. As a coach at the hs and jr high levels, I have only coached 1 player over the years that honestly zoned out the environment home or away. IT did not matter for him, he always performed at a level that your average players at the given level did not. Atmosphere does make a difference for your average players. It pushes players to step it up and energizes them more.

As for the GRIZ, I expect them to play hard all the time regardless of environment. As for the fans, Yes I do expect the students and non students the desire to step it up and be the X factor. The fans are the X factors in such programs as Kansas, Duke, NC, IU, Gonzaga. Hell even the players said the team fed off student atmosphere against CSU. I have talked with a few basketball fans at that game, they told me the atmosphere added to the enjoyment for your casual fan. My buddy who has boycotted basketball thanks to Kennedy finally went to a game. He told me he will back every home game this year, and was impressed by the efforts of the student body. He admitted they have a way to go, but that comes with time.

I really do hope the student support continues and the atmosphere increases. It would be great for the University! :thumb:

 

[Swillbury]

I wish North Carolina would quit scheduling cream puffs like Davidson.

Are you serious......Davidson is not a "creampuff"

 

[AllWeatherFan]

No, I’m not being serious. Jesus!

But I do raise a good point, if I do say so myself. Do you think UNC fans were happy with their close game? Do you think they saw Davidson as a good team to schedule?

Let me give you the answer: No.

For the favorite, nothing good can come from such a game. If they win big, the fans say, “So what, we should have won even bigger.” If they barely win, the fans say, “Wow, what the hell happened?” If they lose, the fans say, “Fire the Coach!”

So what would happen if all teams, including Montana, never scheduled weaker opponents? For one thing, good teams would only play against each other. There would be no Cinderella stories. Basketball would be a lot more boring.

In other words, that door swings both ways.