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New coach, same problem........

M

mtgrizrule

Well-known member
Why isn't there much news, updates, summaries, updates, etc regarding GRIZ Basketball????
I am so frustrated and upset. This is a problem every year, no matter who the coach is!!!

Would a weekly practice update and press conference video be that hard, and too much to expect? I love and appreciate the efforts made towards GRIZ football. As a big GRIZ basketball fan, I would like even 1/2 that effort toward GRIZ basketball. I thought the coverage would be better this year with DeCuire, after all his major is marketing! I find it hard to believe the lack of GRIZ basketball information is his fault.

I'd love to see more coverage and information about GRIZ basketball. I click on gogriz.com daily in hopes to find some new, updates, coverage, or anything. Yet, most times I am disappointed!!! No wonder this program struggles for fans and loses interest to football. The school does not care enough to allow fans to get to know the basketball program, coaches, and players!!!

What needs to be done to get better GRIZ Basketball coverage for the fans? It really would help draw more interest to the program too. What are your thoughts? Am I over reacting and expecting too much? Who else would like more time and effort dedicated to GRIZ Basketball?

This is not me being upset at DeCuire or Tinkle (when he was here). Wayne is someone who I consider a friend, someone I respect personally and professionally. I don't know Travis well, but sure hope to get to know him, his staff, and players in time as I did Wayne. Travis is definitely smart, articulate, creative, great personality. Someone explain and justify the lack of commitment to GRIZ basketball coverage.
 
Football, football, football, football. That's why.

I tried to talk up Griz, Bobcat and Big Sky conference basketball when I lived in Montana and my coworkers and friends looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't seem to be part of the culture.

Maybe basketball needs to start all-day tailgating like football?
 
I am sure it would be of great help if our EGRIZ basketball fans would kindly post and support more coverage for GRIZ basketball. We have a dynamic new coach, great staff, players, and history. The basketball fans are much less in number than football. The fans have a great product,players, and coaches to support.

Seriously, everyone that is a GRIZ basketball fan, be heard through this forum. You never know who could be paying attention.
 
"I am so frustrated and upset." Really, who do you think you are? Why don't you talk to someone in the athletic department. Make some constructive suggestions.
 
Frankly, I don't think this problem is specific to UM. Believe me, you're not hearing anything about Pac12 BB here in the PNW either. Now, maybe if you're in Tuscon or the Technology Triangle in North Carolina. But pretty much everywhere else, it's football season, and that's where the attention is focused.

I'm not saying that's right. But it is a fact.

That said, I'd love more info on GRIZ BB!
 
i'd say this is a two-part problem: factors outside our control; factors within our control.

factors outside:
1. title nine. this allowed women to participate with men on a virtually equal basis, and the result is that women have become a huge fan base for all sports, both collegiate and professional. there's nothing more compelling than watching a pro athlete do what you tried to do--or couldn't do yourself. but with the rise of women's collegiate basketball, a good number of fans both male and female that might have supported the men's program now support the women's programs. in fact, if you combine the attendance of the lady griz with the men, your attendance figures might rival the even the heyday of montana basketball.
2. the media landscape. any sport, anywhere, anytime, available to you on demand in the comfort of your home within steps of the fridge and the beer. i used to go to giants games; now i'd rather watch them on tv. plus, tv has become "reality." if its not on tv, it doesn't exist. and montana basketball is not really on tv, so it really doesn't exist for a lot of people.

factors within our control:
1. first thing tinks did at oregon state was go out on campus and almost literally drum up enthusiasm. did he ever do that at montana? did he ever reach out to egriz? did anybody at montana even update the roster until days before the new season? do they yet? the devil is in the details.
2. hire griz rule to move to missoula! one of the great appeals of the football board is brint wahlberg, and his incredible enthusiasm for griz football. brint alone keeps me going to that board. here we are into the basketball season, and i have a million questions: how are the freshmen looking? will any play this year? what will be decuire's redshirt policy? which of the returnees show the most improvement? sure, we got a few hints from decuire's press conference, but it'd be great to have our own eyeballs on scene. it's just incredible to me that nobody in missoula is even remotely interested in griz basketball.
 
citay said:
i'd say this is a two-part problem: factors outside our control; factors within our control.

factors outside:
1. title nine. this allowed women to participate with men on a virtually equal basis, and the result is that women have become a huge fan base for all sports, both collegiate and professional. there's nothing more compelling than watching a pro athlete do what you tried to do--or couldn't do yourself. but with the rise of women's collegiate basketball, a good number of fans both male and female that might have supported the men's program now support the women's programs. in fact, if you combine the attendance of the lady griz with the men, your attendance figures might rival the even the heyday of montana basketball.
2. the media landscape. any sport, anywhere, anytime, available to you on demand in the comfort of your home within steps of the fridge and the beer. i used to go to giants games; now i'd rather watch them on tv. plus, tv has become "reality." if its not on tv, it doesn't exist. and montana basketball is not really on tv, so it really doesn't exist for a lot of people.

factors within our control:
1. first thing tinks did at oregon state was go out on campus and almost literally drum up enthusiasm. did he ever do that at montana? did he ever reach out to egriz? did anybody at montana even update the roster until days before the new season? do they yet? the devil is in the details.
2. hire griz rule to move to missoula! one of the great appeals of the football board is brint wahlberg, and his incredible enthusiasm for griz football. brint alone keeps me going to that board. here we are into the basketball season, and i have a million questions: how are the freshmen looking? will any play this year? what will be decuire's redshirt policy? which of the returnees show the most improvement? sure, we got a few hints from decuire's press conference, but it'd be great to have our own eyeballs on scene. it's just incredible to me that nobody in missoula is even remotely interested in griz basketball.
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Citay, I am in Kalispell, which is terrific. I decided to just move back to the area. So far the better job offers are in the Kalispell area. I am waiting for a decision for a management position, could be in Kalispell or Missoula. Until that is known, I am working 2 jobs in Kalispell, one temp job, and one seasonal job.

As for GRIZ practice, word is the practices have been closed to the public. That is part of the reason there is so little information available to us at this point. I understand that. The more Travis can control from public knowledge the less information there will be available for our opponents as well. The one weekend I did spend in Missoula was the team camp. Travis and his staff were extremely accommodating, nice, cordial, professional, excited, etc. At that stage, he was pretty honest about needing to evaluate the players, and determining who can do what. He was pretty focused on being able to implement a strategy. His desires were to play up tempo with a lot of pressure defensively. Based on Martin not being on the team, I am guessing he plans to have that style implemented immediately. Rebounding is his main concern that needs improvement. He touched on that in his 10/7 press conference.

I have also heard he and the staff are really focused on early recruiting. They are hoping to secure some rather higher rated than average talent than the GRIZ normally pursue. Michael Oguine appears to be one hell of a verbal commit. He will likely draw more attention from bigger schools as his SR year advances. I will not be surprised to see him be among the top 10 PG's in CA this year, and a solid 3 star recruit. We are also 1 of 3 final schools for Austin Paris. At this stage, he is rated higher than Oguine. He will also have bigger schools coming harder at him as his SR season plays out. Both these guys are impact players for our program. Very understandable on the focus in getting these guys to commit 100%.

Travis and his staff are heavily focusing in CA. They have very strong connections and a potential pipeline there. Also we have been focusing on international talent as well, which is out of the ordinary. I hear the Australian kid is quite the scorer and would be a great reach too. I would not be surprised if somehow we get in with some Canadian areas. Canada has some great prospects that fly under the radar. Montana borders Canada. It is a market we have not recruited in the past. This is a market that would make a lot of sense for this staff to get into.

I have a feeling they are pretty focused on laying the foundation for the next few years more than appeasing the fans. They have much more control over those things. That makes sense too. Better recruits= Better results, which would mean fan support falling into place with program progress.

I do hope the practices become open to the public, or someone gets some access soon. I am sure they are being pretty diligent who they give access to and the amount of access they give. I have a good feeling, sooner than later we will be getting better coverage. If I could do it, I would be watching practice as often as possible. Not sure if it is in the cards this year due to my personal situation and Travis being guarded with access to start out.

This is not anything I have been told from anyone tied to the program, just some common sense guesses based on the little I know of Travis and his staff. Access or not, I have a great feeling about this season, and the future. The GRIZ got the right man for the job. I just wish Andy Martin were still part of the equation moving forward.

Hiring a new coach is always a growing and learning experience for everyone involved. The access and publicity is slow to come around with many programs. I believe future years will be better for fans. Got to have faith, right?
 
I used to go to practice quite often when it was at a consistent time (Mid-afternoon) and in the Adams Center. There were always bunch of the old guys there--Kermit Schwanke, Chalkie Miller, Bob O'Conner. Talking to them was as much fun as practice. They are all gone now.
After 9-11, they pretty much locked down the big arena unless there was a publicized scrimmage. It continues that way.
I go to practice very infrequently when I can find out it is being held in the auxillary gym. When you come in the door, it always makes a noise and practice about stops as everyone looks at you like you are intruding. I never feel very comfortable.
But I do go to all public scrims and ALL games, both men and women.
 
maroonandsilver said:
I used to go to practice quite often when it was at a consistent time (Mid-afternoon) and in the Adams Center. There were always bunch of the old guys there--Kermit Schwanke, Chalkie Miller, Bob O'Conner. Talking to them was as much fun as practice. They are all gone now.
After 9-11, they pretty much locked down the big arena unless there was a publicized scrimmage. It continues that way.
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There was always a bunch of regulars, Whitey Garnaas too. Afternoon practice was a bit of a regular social event; it was a tradition, now lost.
 
how about rivalries. nothing sparks interest like a good rivalry. remember idaho? boise state? nevada? those were great rivalry games. remember the bobcats? they used to be good. always had a great player or two. not so under brad huse. but idaho is back, and the new cat coach figures to be a sharp upgrade. good rivalries, good for the program.
 
I don't know if this would help garner any interest in fans, but I have a Facebook basketball fan page that I created a while back. I really know very little about basketball (I understand the game for the most part, sans the schemes that are run), but I am a fan of watching it. But if there's anyone here that would be interested in using it to promote games and/or provide news/statistics for the basketball season, I can set someone up as an administrator to help run that page.

If anyone is interested, go ahead and PM me and we can get something going.

https://www.facebook.com/MontanaGrizBasketball" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
I just received a response from Kent Haslam regarding basketball coverage. This is something he is aware of, and something he and Travis each would like improving. Right now it is a matter of transition, limited time, personnel, and money. This being Guffey's last year before retirement also comes into play some. It sounds to me we need to be patient on this. It looks to me this may not improve until after we get new personnel in place and/or get more resources to dedicate the needed time to Basketball coverage.

Football is the main focus because of the revenue it brings in. All that is understandable, in my opinion. What I am posting is my interpretation of Kent's response, not his exact words. With that said, I have faith, with patience basketball coverage will improve.

Either way, I am 100% on board with basketball, as I always have been. I do feel better coverage would help bring in additional fans to the program(s). So much of our community don't know anything about Travis, or the program. Added efforts are needed to increase the fan base. I cannot wait for the season to tip off.

I hope other GRIZ basketball fans will be patient, understanding, and take the time to write Kent their concerns regarding the basketball coverage.
 
MT Jack said:
Football, football, football, football. That's why.

I tried to talk up Griz, Bobcat and Big Sky conference basketball when I lived in Montana and my coworkers and friends looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't seem to be part of the culture.

Maybe basketball needs to start all-day tailgating like football?
Click to expand...

Hello? Is that even a question? :lol: :lol:
 
The rise and exponential growth of football and our first class fcs facility continues to overshadow bb program. Those of who recall the Richardson et all era, pre dahlberg remodel where the place would be packed and energized certainly feel the difference.

Been a regular to all sports and recall also almost 9000 attending griz cat bb games, even with lot less seats we still struggle to get the place filled!

We certainly have had some very good years recently, but fan fervor is just lacking. Lots of reasons why but who has an answer to bring it back.
 
first11 said:
We certainly have had some very good years recently, but fan fervor is just lacking. Lots of reasons why but who has an answer to bring it back.
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Going 29 - 0 for the regular season could possibly help. I think this year the Griz are going to surprise people.
 
Those giant football posters outside of the stadium are constant reminders of "football." They should have one of those for basketball outside of Adams Center.
 
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