grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
devThe Griz debut the 2015-16 season with high expectations from their coaches... and from numerous preseason articles and polls. Very few predictions, however, show the Griz having much success with a monster nonconference schedule, including against #32 ranked Boise State.
The biggest setback is having no Mario Dunn (junior all-conf point guard) suited up to lead the team. That's a huge setback, because the team was already faced with replacing all-conference guard Jordan Gregory's scoring and leadership skills.
So, Key #One seems clear: JC transfer Walter Wright, a classic point guard, will have to hit the court ready to roll. And he'll likely need help from junior Riley Bradshaw (visually much improved from last season) and freshman Michael Oguine, a Griz star in the making. They need to account for Gregory's and Dunn's lost production and play solid defense. Fouling out is not an option.
Key #2: Senior power forward Martin Breunig and sophomore post Fabijan Krslovic cannot foul out. Solid backup is in the making, and junior forward Jack Lopez is an excellent defender and decent rebounder (at 6-5), but Gavin DeJong (high hopes) cannot be expected to fill in so soon and it's not known if Bryan Boehning is recuperated from illness and ready to play.
Key #3: Defense. Coach Travis DeCuire said he's building on defense and it'll be needed against Boise State's versatile attack. All five starters are capable of knocking down the three, so Montana will, at a minimum, have to produce the same defense against the 3 as they did toward the end of season last year. I believe that Oguine, Lopez, and DeJong will be crucial as defenders for the Griz to be competitive.
Key #4: Breunig an all-conf, all-west offensive force, is likely to be double teamed. The Griz will need to score from the perimeter, so Brandon Gfeller will need to produce. Montana shows promise of an improved perimeter offense (more long-range sharpshooters) but Gfeller is the key. But a huge promise is Wright's promise as a penetrator and disher. If he can split the D, both Breunig and Krslovic may have inside opportunity extending even beyond the regular set offense.
Key #5: Rebounding, as always... and turnovers. Both may spell the difference.
If I'm looing at individuals who could make the difference between winning and losing I'd pick Oguine stepping up as a first-line sub who can cause defensive havoc AND Riley Bradshaw having a breakout game as a scorer.
That said, this will be a very tough game for the Griz. I'll let others predict the score.
The biggest setback is having no Mario Dunn (junior all-conf point guard) suited up to lead the team. That's a huge setback, because the team was already faced with replacing all-conference guard Jordan Gregory's scoring and leadership skills.
So, Key #One seems clear: JC transfer Walter Wright, a classic point guard, will have to hit the court ready to roll. And he'll likely need help from junior Riley Bradshaw (visually much improved from last season) and freshman Michael Oguine, a Griz star in the making. They need to account for Gregory's and Dunn's lost production and play solid defense. Fouling out is not an option.
Key #2: Senior power forward Martin Breunig and sophomore post Fabijan Krslovic cannot foul out. Solid backup is in the making, and junior forward Jack Lopez is an excellent defender and decent rebounder (at 6-5), but Gavin DeJong (high hopes) cannot be expected to fill in so soon and it's not known if Bryan Boehning is recuperated from illness and ready to play.
Key #3: Defense. Coach Travis DeCuire said he's building on defense and it'll be needed against Boise State's versatile attack. All five starters are capable of knocking down the three, so Montana will, at a minimum, have to produce the same defense against the 3 as they did toward the end of season last year. I believe that Oguine, Lopez, and DeJong will be crucial as defenders for the Griz to be competitive.
Key #4: Breunig an all-conf, all-west offensive force, is likely to be double teamed. The Griz will need to score from the perimeter, so Brandon Gfeller will need to produce. Montana shows promise of an improved perimeter offense (more long-range sharpshooters) but Gfeller is the key. But a huge promise is Wright's promise as a penetrator and disher. If he can split the D, both Breunig and Krslovic may have inside opportunity extending even beyond the regular set offense.
Key #5: Rebounding, as always... and turnovers. Both may spell the difference.
If I'm looing at individuals who could make the difference between winning and losing I'd pick Oguine stepping up as a first-line sub who can cause defensive havoc AND Riley Bradshaw having a breakout game as a scorer.
That said, this will be a very tough game for the Griz. I'll let others predict the score.
