MBB: Griz first game .... Aug. 31 ???

[Mslacat]

Found on the net:

........

Coward and the rest of the recruits will get their first real taste of college ball when the Dinos host their fourth NCAA Division 1 school in three years over the Labour Day weekend.

The University of Montana Grizzlies, out of Missoula, Mont., are this year's opponent in the Battle of the Border men's tournament.

The Dinos and Grizzlies will tangle twice, on Aug. 30 and Sept. 1 at Jack Simpson Gym, while SAIT and the University of Lethbridge will also play Montana on Aug. 31.

.........

Whole article:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=e40aed61-c134-4c2a-bd47-d1fad8218751

Comments?

 

[HighLineGRIZ]

U of Alberta has one of the best dunkers in the world. Henry Bekkering. You tube him. He's from just north of the border, a small town called Taber.

 

[grizindabox]

My take is that if the Griz are getting some games in that early, then it will be nothing but a positive. To play what looks like 4 games before the first weekend in September gives them a great head start over most teams.

 

[SuperHornet]

NCAA teams are authorized to take international tours during the summer every four years or so. UOP is taking such a tour of Canada now; a similar tour of Europe netted star Christian Maraker and cult fave Jasko Korakic. The two-fold purpose of these trips are to promote team chemistry in real-game competition and to scout the international scene for new recruits. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if this were what Montana was doing, though it could also merely be an NCAA-approved pre-season tournament.

 

[Gallatin Griz]

How does that work as far as practice? Are the Griz allowed to hold "organized, coached" practices to prepare for this clash with canucks? Any info. from a knowledgable source appreciated.

Go Griz! Maul'em! :thumb:

 

[Mslacat]

NCAA teams are authorized to take international tours during the summer every four years or so. UOP is taking such a tour of Canada now; a similar tour of Europe netted star Christian Maraker and cult fave Jasko Korakic. The two-fold purpose of these trips are to promote team chemistry in real-game competition and to scout the international scene for new recruits. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if this were what Montana was doing, though it could also merely be an NCAA-approved pre-season tournament.

Actually there is a 6-5ish g/f from either Calgary or Edmondton who the griz are after so it makes sence.

When team go on "international" tours I believe they are allowed to 1-2 weeks of official practice to prepare. Also if the tour takes place before prior to the start of classes (summer) they can only take players who were on last years team (no new recruits) if the tour takes place after the start of classes they can take the current years roster.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Kudos to Tinks and O'day for making this happen. With so much turnover from last year and so many 1st year players this year getting into the mix, this is GREAT. It will allow Tinkle to evaluate much better than practices and allow them to gain some early experience. I hope they work on pressure defense and post play the most. We know what Hasquet can do, but beyond him we need the other post players to get better. I hope Qvale and Selvig get ALOT of minutes for this time. I really do not care if Hasquet sees much time. He only needs enough time to jell with teammates and to work out the rust, that is it!

As for the Guards, I hope Tinkle experiments with playing Brian Taylor at the 1-3 positions, gets Stockton, Johnson, and Binny good minutes. I have confidence that McGillis, Staudacher, and CET will be just fine.

In a nutshell, let get 50/50 playing time for everyone. We need to build our depth in this, and better our team defense. :thumb:

I will not be evaluating the team based on W/L's.

 

[wbtfg]

U of Alberta has one of the best dunkers in the world. Henry Bekkering. You tube him. He's from just north of the border, a small town called Taber.

Excellent hops...not a good player.

Played a few years at EWU contributed very little. However, it was worth getting to the games a bit early just to watch him dunk during warmups.

 

[vsbills]

as far as practice time is concerned...the NCAA allows them to practice starting 10 days before the Canadian tournament. So they'll be getting in the gym together in a couple weeks

 

[citygriz]

gives the team and bill evans more time to bond.

 

[Mslacat]

This is going to be so helpful for Tinkle to get a gauge for his players before the official season starts. I believe all players will be able to play with out losing their redshirt year. It will also allow the new recruits to get a preview of what D-1 ball is all about and give them an opportunity to work on things after the tour. it will also allow the coaches to preview the team and then customise a game plan. The only down side is that the competition will not be as good as the regular season still though, hopefully the coaches will also get to look at the young guys.

 

[Potomac Griz]

Any chance these games will be on the radio?

 

[Gallatin Griz]

vsbills wrote, "as far as practice time is concerned...the NCAA allows them to practice starting 10 days before the Canadian tournament. So they'll be getting in the gym together in a couple weeks"


Thanks for the info. Sounds like a great opportunity for the Griz to get somewhat of a head start on working together and building the necessary chemistry for a promising season. :thumb: