Swillbury
Well-known member
COACH AND PROGRAM
Perhaps it wasn't a stunning turn of events -- a successful mid-major coach leaving for greener pastures. But the timing was sudden. Montana coach and favorite son Larry Krystowiak up and bolted for an assistant's job with the Milwaukee Bucks in June.
Krystowiak, who played for the Bucks in his decade-long NBA career, was a hometown hero in Missoula, for many reasons. One, his playing days at UM were legendary -- he finished as the school's all-time leading scorer. Two, he's from Missoula. And three, the last two years were golden for the Griz under his watch. He led Montana to two straight NCAA appearances, and last year the Grizzlies drilled a very good Nevada team, 87-79, in the tournament's first round, before falling to Boston College two days later.
Montana finished the year 24-7, second in the Big Sky, but champion of the conference tournament, where it upset Northern Arizona on its home floor to garner the league's only NCAA berth.
It was no secret Krystowiak was trolling for a new job. He was a finalist at Pepperdine and was at some NBA summer venues networking. Instead of lamenting his departure, UM moved quick and hired long time assistant Wayne Tinkle, another former UM player.
Tinkle coached under the last three Montana coaches -- Don Holst, Pat Kennedy, and Krystowiak. Montana is on its fourth coach in eight years. Tinkle is obviously excited about his new job after paying his dues for nearly a decade as a loyal foot soldier assistant.
PLAYERS
Krystowiak left the program in good shape. Tinkle has some talent to work with, talent he signed as the chief recruiter for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are led by returning All-Big Sky performer Andrew Strait. The 6-8, 245-pound junior led the Grizzlies in scoring and rebounding (16.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg), was the team's MVP, and saved one of his best performances for the NCAA Tournament. Against Nevada, Strait tore up the Wolf Pack's talented front line for 22 points. Strait should be the top inside player in the Big Sky this season. He's springy, aggressive, and a good inside scorer.
Jordan Hasquet (8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), a 6-9, 235-pound sophomore, had a nice freshman year, ending it with a 13-point game in the tournament against Boston College. With Strait, they form the conference's top front line. As good as Strait and Hasquet were last year, Tinkle wants them to turn it up a notch this season.
"Andrew had a great year offensively, [but] he's going to need to rebound the ball a little better," Tinkle said. "Jordan showed some flashes down the stretch, [but] he's going to have to be a more consistent defender and rebounder."
An intriguing new forward is Gus Chase, who stands 6-4, but weighs in at a sturdy 245 pounds. Height, or the lack thereof, wasn't a problem for Chase at Sheridan (Wyo.) Junior College last season, where he averaged 10 rebounds to go along with 19 points a game. He was chosen one of the top five junior college forwards by Lindy's last season, and should be one of the top newcomers in the Big Sky Conference in 2006-07.
"Gus was a top-level junior college player," Tinkle said. "We expect scoring from him, some toughness, and to improve our physicality around the basket."
If there's a question mark for the Grizzlies, it's in the backcourt, where all-conference player Kevin Criswell departs after capping a successful four-year career. Honorable mention all-conference pick Virgil Matthews also graduated. This is the Grizzlies' weak spot, as there is no noted standout in the backcourt.
"Those guys were experienced and tough," Tinkle said. "The backcourt will have to be by committee."
Sophomore Austin Swift (2.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg), a 6-5, 205-pound sophomore, is Montana's most versatile wing player.
Tinkle is also hoping 6-6 senior Matt Dlouhy (7.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-0 junior Matt Martin (6.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg) and 5-10 senior Bryan Ellis (4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg) can combine to replace the contributions of Criswell and Matthews.
Tinkle also mentioned that new freshmen guards Zach Graves, 6-2, and Cameron Rundles, 6-1, may have to contribute.
Can the Griz repeat? It's a good bet as Tinkle at least brings continuity. Even through he hasn't been the head coach, he's been there on the sideline the last five years. Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington loom as strong competitors, but even with a first-year coach on board, the team to beat in the Big Sky is from Big Sky country.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
BACKCOURT: C
BENCH/DEPTH: B+
FRONTCOURT: A
INTANGIBLES: A
Montana needs to address its backcourt problems as top-quality starters Kevin Criswell and Virgil Matthews have graduated. Dlouhy is more forward than guard; Martin and Ellis will need to pick it up, and one freshman guard is going to have to contribute. If someone can just be solid, not outstanding, that might be enough, as long as the Griz big men get the ball.
The Grizzlies have a solid bench. Chavez and Ellis are back, and Tinkle likes the promise of Strait. Senior Stuart Mayes, a 6-5 senior (2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and 6-7 sophomore Kyle Sharp (2.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) should also contribute. Tinkle proclaimed this year's recruiting class as one of the best in several years, so that should help any depth issues.
Montana has the best frontcourt in the conference. Potential league player of the year Strait and excellent sophomore Hasquet anchor the inside. Add JUCO transfer Chase and the Grizzlies should be sensational up front. Tinkle is unproven but Montana's best intangible is a winning tradition and being in the NCAA Tournament the previous two seasons. The Grizzlies could make it a third.
Our Backcourt isnt THAT bad!!!
Cameron Rundles is going to be freshman of the year in the Big Sky
