mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Good news, I did watch the game. Bad news, I did not have internet access to be posting on egriz during the game. My mother chose have us go gamble with her for her 72nd birthday. I watched the game in the bar of the Kwataqnuk (sp?) at Polson.
I was very disappointed in the 1st 10 minutes of the game. I felt we forced a lot of shots. Way too much dribbling, and not enough crisp quick ball movement. I was not surprised nor disappointed in the missed shots. I was disappointed and frustrated at why the offense was in funk. In the exhibition games ball movement was exceptional, and actually better than I was expecting early in the season. Offensively was not our only struggle. Defense had very little continuity, out of sync, and in turn giving up too many good looks to CSU. Granted CSU shot a higher percentage from their looks than most teams will hit, even against a struggling defense. I doubt the GRIZ see that hot of shooting from an opponent very often this season. When a team is that aggressive on defense, each player has to be much more aware of their individual defensive responsibilities. I am confident defensive awareness and continuity will improve as the season progresses.
I was impressed this team did not give up and they fought for 40 minutes. Unfortunately without consistent 3 pt shooting, the hole they dug early was way too deep to dig out of. I liked the versatility and leadership Gregory and Weisner played with. I felt a move involved Breunig from the get go would have been a huge factor. He is a damn good player. He needs to be the player we consistently focus on getting the ball to. He has no weakness offensively. He can even handle the ball better than many 6'3 to 6'4" players at this level. This offense will work well, but it takes great ball movement and a threat of an inside game. The 1st half was way too much of putting up 3 point shots, and a few too many not within the design of the offense. Hell the best play of the 1st half was last play of the half. Gregory broke down the defense. Breunig saw the help defense emerging on Gregory, Breunig went to the basket, Gregory found him with a perfect pass. That, is what needs to be done more in this offense. Even in an half court set, I will put my money on Breunig finding open men when defenses focus on him. I would also put confidence in our perimeter shooters delivering great results when they get shots within the design of the offense.
The positive of this game was playing with a solid CSU team for 30 minutes. Travis has plenty of game film to stress the importance of better perimeter defense and defensive awareness. Offensively, the GRIZ played about as bad of a 1st half as possible in this offense. I am sure it won't take much coaching for the players to realize the importance of better ball movement more selective shooting, and knowing when to put the ball on the floor.
The next game I hope to see much better continuity on both ends of the court, fewer forced shots, and fewer open looks for our opponent. Offensively, I'd love to see more inside out focus.
As for this fan, the 1st 10 minutes were rough, disappointing, and frustrating. After that, a lot to be happy with. The problems after the 1st 10 minutes were more of what is to be expected early in the season, and nothing really alarming. GO GRIZ, let's beat Boise State in the next game and have the kind of game many of us know we can put together.
I was very disappointed in the 1st 10 minutes of the game. I felt we forced a lot of shots. Way too much dribbling, and not enough crisp quick ball movement. I was not surprised nor disappointed in the missed shots. I was disappointed and frustrated at why the offense was in funk. In the exhibition games ball movement was exceptional, and actually better than I was expecting early in the season. Offensively was not our only struggle. Defense had very little continuity, out of sync, and in turn giving up too many good looks to CSU. Granted CSU shot a higher percentage from their looks than most teams will hit, even against a struggling defense. I doubt the GRIZ see that hot of shooting from an opponent very often this season. When a team is that aggressive on defense, each player has to be much more aware of their individual defensive responsibilities. I am confident defensive awareness and continuity will improve as the season progresses.
I was impressed this team did not give up and they fought for 40 minutes. Unfortunately without consistent 3 pt shooting, the hole they dug early was way too deep to dig out of. I liked the versatility and leadership Gregory and Weisner played with. I felt a move involved Breunig from the get go would have been a huge factor. He is a damn good player. He needs to be the player we consistently focus on getting the ball to. He has no weakness offensively. He can even handle the ball better than many 6'3 to 6'4" players at this level. This offense will work well, but it takes great ball movement and a threat of an inside game. The 1st half was way too much of putting up 3 point shots, and a few too many not within the design of the offense. Hell the best play of the 1st half was last play of the half. Gregory broke down the defense. Breunig saw the help defense emerging on Gregory, Breunig went to the basket, Gregory found him with a perfect pass. That, is what needs to be done more in this offense. Even in an half court set, I will put my money on Breunig finding open men when defenses focus on him. I would also put confidence in our perimeter shooters delivering great results when they get shots within the design of the offense.
The positive of this game was playing with a solid CSU team for 30 minutes. Travis has plenty of game film to stress the importance of better perimeter defense and defensive awareness. Offensively, the GRIZ played about as bad of a 1st half as possible in this offense. I am sure it won't take much coaching for the players to realize the importance of better ball movement more selective shooting, and knowing when to put the ball on the floor.
The next game I hope to see much better continuity on both ends of the court, fewer forced shots, and fewer open looks for our opponent. Offensively, I'd love to see more inside out focus.
As for this fan, the 1st 10 minutes were rough, disappointing, and frustrating. After that, a lot to be happy with. The problems after the 1st 10 minutes were more of what is to be expected early in the season, and nothing really alarming. GO GRIZ, let's beat Boise State in the next game and have the kind of game many of us know we can put together.
