Next up 1/9 vs. Sac. St.

[Griz Man]

Thanks for the great summary and post! Love that Lopez had a breakout game. Him starting over Krslovic has obviously helped the team.

Hate to hear that Dunn's wrist is hurting. Would suck if it's reinjured, but it doesn't sound like there's much concern about that. Knock on wood!

 

[EverettGriz]

Yeah I hate that there are 4 separate ndsu threads on the FB board and about a dozen posters here talking about this great BB team.

 

[UMGriz75]

Yeah I hate that there are 4 separate ndsu threads on the FB board and about a dozen posters here talking about this great BB team.

Just ten posts total at Wombat Nation on their BB game, mostly rending of garments and gnashing of teeth, but 2200 people actually attended the game. On the other hand, school is in session there, not much student support ....

 

[UMGriz75]

I was very impressed with Martin Breunig's rebounding and leadership as well. He was very vocal and has very high expectations of every team member.

It's terrific to see his college career peaking. At UW, things looked pretty washed up for him, but he's really been able to shine at UM. He's naturally shy and it is always gratifying to see "sport" bring out personality and leadership skills. He socializes with some of my students and he is very well-liked, the "Giant German." Missoula has become a terrific place for him to develop as a player and as a young man.

 

[UMGriz75]

Surprised there is not more post game chat about this game. I just got home from the game. WOW, that was one of best displays offense and ball movement I have witnessed by the GRIZ.

It really was something. Wright and Oguine are playing far above what I would have expected for freshmen recruited to Big Sky Conference basketball. Like, "wow," how did we get them?

Sac State had three players attempt three pointers, but only one player actually made one. Just one.

UM had five players make three pointers.
Wright 3/4
Oquine 3/6
Lopez 5/8
GFeller 1/7
Moorehead 1/5

That's 39 points from three point range, out of 77 points scored. And Gfeller was having a bad night!

Montana, at 4-0, is currently top of the conference followed by the only other unbeaten school, Weber, at 3-0. MSU is 2-2.

Weber is having a strong season; also has five guys that can put up three pointers, putting up 12 against South Dakota State, a 99-95 win for Weber.

 

[UMGriz75]

I don't see much let down due to how cohesive this team has become the last 2 weeks.

I noted earlier in the season that the Griz looked like five guys playing basketball. Now, they really are playing as a "team" and it really does show.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I don't see much let down due to how cohesive this team has become the last 2 weeks.

I noted earlier in the season that the Griz looked like five guys playing basketball. Now, they really are playing as a "team" and it really does show.

The way they are playing as a team with great defense, passing, and ball movement is pure gold to watch. Amazing thing is, it took an injury to an all conference level starting pg for this team to mold into what we are seeing. This was supposed to be Dunn's team to run, with Wright and Oguine being brought along gradually and rotating at PG. Instead, Wright is playing PG as well as any GRIZ has in years. His combination of scoring and passing is absolutely amazing. The team runs so damn well under him, it is hard to even give the guy a few minutes to rest. Oguine also creates well and is plenty capable of running the team. If Dunn has learned more with his time on the bench with this injury, the GRIZ just may find themselves with 3 all conference level PG's.

I tell you these guards are truly special as is. Hard to believe they all have more years here to develop and Ahmad Rorie looked to me to be the best of the bunch then. With the new guys coming in, the GRIZ could have one of the best backcourts in the nation over the next few years. Athletically, they are capable of playing with any guards in the nation. Come tournament time, they will fare much better against quality opponents than they did against Kansas as they were learning. For those who have been wondering why Bradshaw is not seeing minutes? It comes down to how loaded and talented the guard personnel is. Bradshaw has improved in the off season as well. Athletically, Wright, Oguine, and Dunn are quicker and jump out of the gym. Nobody expected Oguine and Wright to be playing at the levels they are so quickly into their GRIZ careers. Even Dunn will be hard pressed to get significant minutes when he is back close to 100%.

It is too early to know what their pro stock is, but collectively these guards are an excellent unit and very rare to have at this level. GRIZ fans, sit back and enjoy, preferably in the confines of Dahlberg. These boys are well worth the price of admission, then some. What Travis has brought in at guard is truly special. Take it in as often as possible. :thumb:

 

[PlayerRep]

The Griz played 2 very good games on Thurs and Sat, and Sat was the most consistent and complete game I've seen them play. I still liked the Boise St game better, because they fought so hard and came back to beat a good team.

I too am excited, and the team has improved significantly so far this season and some players have emerged. It's okay to be giddy, but some perspective might also be in order.

In conference play (4 games), UM is shooting 50% and 48% from 3. UM has 52 of its 120 3's in the last 4 games. That is great, but there is no way that UM is going to shoot that well the rest of the season especially from 3. For the season (15 games), UM is shooting 45% and 35% from 3. Obviously, the season stats include the recent hot shooting streak.

Wright has had 2 terrific games in a row. 12 assists, 1 turnover, and 16 points. 9 assists, 2 turnovers, and 22 points. However in the prior SU game, he had 1 assist, 2 turnovers and 10 points. That certainly isn't very good. Against NAU, he was 10, 4 and 19. Wright has 32 assists in conference play (league leading, by an average of 1), but for the season (15 games) he has 67 assists and 36 turnovers. So prior to conference play, he had 35 assists in 11 games. That's not very good. But in 3 of the last 4 games, Wright has 31 of his 67 assists.

Wright is shooting 69% from 3 in conference play, but only 33% for the season. 40% overall for the season. He obviously isn't going to shoot 69% from 3 the rest of the season. He was shooting under 20% from 3 prior to the conference season.

Now, there is no doubt that Wright is improving and coming on, as are some other guys like Lopez. I think UM is going to have a good season. Overall shooting, shooting from 3, driving, driving and dishing, defending, even rebounding (Breunig and Lopez, and others), Breunig's play in the paint, effort, and consistency, are all working well now. If UM can continue to keep most of these areas going well in all games, they will get alot of wins. However, when the outside shooting cools off, or Breunig gets into foul trouble, or both, the Griz will have to fight very hard for wins, in my view. I don't think the team and season can or should be judged by the past 2 games, but there is certainly reason for considerable optimism.

 

[UMGriz75]

3600 seems light. Looks like a lot more than Thursday night.

Now they are saying 3826.

That's pretty good for the students being mostly gone. Adams Center might be seeing 4500-5000 when the students are back. UM underpromotes BB consistently, and there's a couple of easy fixes or assists, but I don't know why the imagination just doesn't seem to be there for BB.

 

[gotgame75]

How long do games usually take to pop up on the eversport archive?

By the way, Eversport needs to clean up their site in a bad way. It has the most confusing search process I've ever encountered.

 

[citygriz]

Seems DeCuire's recruiting prowess is starting to pay dividends. Wright was a great get for us, and Oguine--well, he is an other-worldly recruit for a mid-major like Montana. I don't know if we've seen athleticism like that since Micheal Ray. And to think that next year we usher in three more three-star recruits...wow. Or four. Because I think Bradshaw will either transfer out or lose his scholarship. He may be improved, but I don't see that he any longer has a role on this team, especially as an upper-classman. Sad how his college career turned out.

But as much as the recruiting, I'm excited about DeCuire as a coach. I want always to be on the side of evolution, and I think DeCuire is, as the game of basketball is undergoing an amazing transformation right now, led by the Golden State Warriors. They are the first team in history to fully exploit the three-point line, and they are leaving mastodons like Charles Barkley and big slow post men in the dust. In trouble, the Warriors "go small." This unit not only out-quicks and out-races opponents, it shoots nearly 50% on three's, while the other team labors against them to shoot even 40% on two's. So it's simple: Do the math.

What makes small-ball possible for the Warriors is that Draymond Green can guard the post and everybody else on that unit, including guards Klay Thompson and even Stephen Curry, can grab rebounds to start the fast break. For the Griz, I see Alphonso Anderson playing the role of Draymond Green, while Michael Oguine and Sayeed Pridgett hit the boards from the guard positions. Oguine is already an outstanding rebounder, and Bobby Moorehead is developing into a well-rounded player, not just a shooter. Two years is my timetable for Griz basketball to be fully where it needs to be, and even then we'll still be young--with Oguine, Moorehead and Rorie as juniors, and Anderson and Pridgett as sophomores--not to mention any new recruits able to step in immediately.

This is gonna be a fun ride! If we can't fill Dahlberg in two years, I'm giving up on Montana as basketball school.

 

[bigforkgriz]

The Griz played 2 very good games on Thurs and Sat, and Sat was the most consistent and complete game I've seen them play. I still liked the Boise St game better, because they fought so hard and came back to beat a good team.

I too am excited, and the team has improved significantly so far this season and some players have emerged. It's okay to be giddy, but some perspective might also be in order.

In conference play (4 games), UM is shooting 50% and 48% from 3. UM has 52 of its 120 3's in the last 4 games. That is great, but there is no way that UM is going to shoot that well the rest of the season especially from 3. For the season (15 games), UM is shooting 45% and 35% from 3. Obviously, the season stats include the recent hot shooting streak.

Wright has had 2 terrific games in a row. 12 assists, 1 turnover, and 16 points. 9 assists, 2 turnovers, and 22 points. However in the prior SU game, he had 1 assist, 2 turnovers and 10 points. That certainly isn't very good. Against NAU, he was 10, 4 and 19. Wright has 32 assists in conference play (league leading, by an average of 1), but for the season (15 games) he has 67 assists and 36 turnovers. So prior to conference play, he had 35 assists in 11 games. That's not very good. But in 3 of the last 4 games, Wright has 31 of his 67 assists.

Wright is shooting 69% from 3 in conference play, but only 33% for the season. 40% overall for the season. He obviously isn't going to shoot 69% from 3 the rest of the season. He was shooting under 20% from 3 prior to the conference season.

Now, there is no doubt that Wright is improving and coming on, as are some other guys like Lopez. I think UM is going to have a good season. Overall shooting, shooting from 3, driving, driving and dishing, defending, even rebounding (Breunig and Lopez, and others), Breunig's play in the paint, effort, and consistency, are all working well now. If UM can continue to keep most of these areas going well in all games, they will get alot of wins. However, when the outside shooting cools off, or Breunig gets into foul trouble, or both, the Griz will have to fight very hard for wins, in my view. I don't think the team and season can or should be judged by the past 2 games, but there is certainly reason for considerable optimism.

Pretty much agree. This was the best we have looked. Wright looked very comfortable in tight areas as if he was seeing everything. Very impressive. Lopez shot really well, but I thought his play in keeping things alive and denial of entry passes was as impressive. Which is where our obvious weakness is at. Sac St constantly pounded with their bigs advantage in the first half. We didn't often double or were late. I believe Travis may have tried to adjust in the 2nd half by focusing on denying the entry. I was watching Lopez and he was fronting or cutting off any entry constantly. Our guards defensive quickness also contributed to turnovers and Sac's inability to go inside in the 2nd half. Travis frequent substitution also helped keep us out of foul trouble with Breunig. Our depth at bigs still will be our Achilles heel for this season. Shooting lights out like we did overcame our weakness, unlike earlier games.

 

[PlayerRep]

The Griz played 2 very good games on Thurs and Sat, and Sat was the most consistent and complete game I've seen them play. I still liked the Boise St game better, because they fought so hard and came back to beat a good team.

I too am excited, and the team has improved significantly so far this season and some players have emerged. It's okay to be giddy, but some perspective might also be in order.

In conference play (4 games), UM is shooting 50% and 48% from 3. UM has 52 of its 120 3's in the last 4 games. That is great, but there is no way that UM is going to shoot that well the rest of the season especially from 3. For the season (15 games), UM is shooting 45% and 35% from 3. Obviously, the season stats include the recent hot shooting streak.

Wright has had 2 terrific games in a row. 12 assists, 1 turnover, and 16 points. 9 assists, 2 turnovers, and 22 points. However in the prior SU game, he had 1 assist, 2 turnovers and 10 points. That certainly isn't very good. Against NAU, he was 10, 4 and 19. Wright has 32 assists in conference play (league leading, by an average of 1), but for the season (15 games) he has 67 assists and 36 turnovers. So prior to conference play, he had 35 assists in 11 games. That's not very good. But in 3 of the last 4 games, Wright has 31 of his 67 assists.

Wright is shooting 69% from 3 in conference play, but only 33% for the season. 40% overall for the season. He obviously isn't going to shoot 69% from 3 the rest of the season. He was shooting under 20% from 3 prior to the conference season.

Now, there is no doubt that Wright is improving and coming on, as are some other guys like Lopez. I think UM is going to have a good season. Overall shooting, shooting from 3, driving, driving and dishing, defending, even rebounding (Breunig and Lopez, and others), Breunig's play in the paint, effort, and consistency, are all working well now. If UM can continue to keep most of these areas going well in all games, they will get alot of wins. However, when the outside shooting cools off, or Breunig gets into foul trouble, or both, the Griz will have to fight very hard for wins, in my view. I don't think the team and season can or should be judged by the past 2 games, but there is certainly reason for considerable optimism.

Pretty much agree. This was the best we have looked. Wright looked very comfortable in tight areas as if he was seeing everything. Very impressive. Lopez shot really well, but I thought his play in keeping things alive and denial of entry passes was as impressive. Which is where our obvious weakness is at. Sac St constantly pounded with their bigs advantage in the first half. We didn't often double or were late. I believe Travis may have tried to adjust in the 2nd half by focusing on denying the entry. I was watching Lopez and he was fronting or cutting off any entry constantly. Our guards defensive quickness also contributed to turnovers and Sac's inability to go inside in the 2nd half. Travis frequent substitution also helped keep us out of foul trouble with Breunig. Our depth at bigs still will be our Achilles heel for this season. Shooting lights out like we did overcame our weakness, unlike earlier games.

Interesting observation on the change in 2d half defense by Lopez. Except for letting the big guys get a few early dunks in the first half, the main way SS hurt us offensively, was by having those 2 good-sized muscular guys post up and back in on Lopez and GFeller. Those two smaller defenders seemed to defend fairly well, but still couldn't stop those bigger guys--and those 2 guys finished very well. That didn't happen much in the 2d half, if at all. I was wondering why. In the first half, I had commented to my group that our defenders needed to figure out a way to force those 2 guys out a few feet farther before that go the ball.

 

[montanamagic]

I am glad somebody brought up RIley Bradshaw because I certainly wasn't going to. Last year after defending him I was accused of being his father. Believe me, I am not related to Riley, but I have watched him since he was in grade school and have always liked the kid. Citay is right in saying that his future seems to be coming to an end with the Griz which I think is extremely unfortunate. He is a local kid who has generated considerable interest and excitement from the Bitterroot and Missoula area. When he was put in during mop up time against Portland State on Thursday there was a nice applause from the crowd. I truly believe many want to see him succeed. However, it is been obvious since the beginning of the season DeCuire was not interested in giving Riley a chance. He has gone from earning the most improved player on the team last year to starting this year to now maybe getting 1-2 minutes a game. In no way am I saying he should be starting or even seeing major minutes but in many games when the others have struggled he should at least be given a chance. I have been to many practices and in none of them has be been outplayed or looked out of place. Actually in many he has earned the praise of Bone and other assistant coaches for his play and effort. Regardless of what happens I think what needs to be remembered is college players are still kids and sometimes we as fans and maybe more importantly coaches seem to forget that.

 

[UMGriz75]

I am glad somebody brought up RIley Bradshaw because I certainly wasn't going to. Last year after defending him I was accused of being his father. Believe me, I am not related to Riley, but I have watched him since he was in grade school and have always liked the kid. Citay is right in saying that his future seems to be coming to an end with the Griz which I think is extremely unfortunate.

I tend to agree with what you say. One of the dark sides of coaching talent up is that the kids you play get better and the kids you don't play don't. Take two kids of equal talent and at the end of the season you have a star and you have a bench-warmer. And the starters and the bench get farther and farther apart.

Travis is "extremely" cautious with playing his bench. Yeah, maybe he's punishing them for SUU, but oh gosh, when kids don't play well because they don't play much, well .... he's getting a lot out of Walter Wright and Michael Oguine, but he's losing ground on the other end of what makes a strong team ... it's still early.

 

[citygriz]

Don't misunderstand me on Bradshaw. I think he's a genuine talent, one of the best players to come out of Montana the past decade. I raved about him on this board when he joined the Griz, based on his videos, and was thrilled he transferred back.

But decisions have consequences, and for Bradshaw, the decision to sign out of high school with Utah State was a disaster. First, he lost the better part of two years, when he would have played under the coach that recruited him, Tinkle. Remember, Tinks did not redshirt so Bradshaw might have seen playing time as a true freshman. In a different scenario, he could have been an established starter when DeCuire took over. But second, given the job pressures college coaches are under these days, you have to let each new coach make the roster over in his own vision, and with a recruiter like DeCuire, that has spelled more trouble for Bradshaw. Oguine and Wright are special talents, and DeCuire undoubtedly has a few more three-star recruits in the pipeline.

In the end, a bad overall scenario for Bradshaw. Life doesn't always unfold the way we'd like.

 

[Mousegriz]

Interesting how sports always "end" for almost all players in every sport at some level. A kid like Bradshaw is a major star his whole "young" career and now faced with lots of pine time, frustration and diminished self confidence. I've got a son having a similar college BB experience and it has to be tough and even a bit embarrassing to not see the floor more. That's sports though and we all have to keep things in perspective. Hopefully Bradshaw is keeping his head up, doing well in school and helping his team be better by showing up with his best in practice every day.

 

[Potomac Griz]

So prior to conference play, he had 35 assists in 11 games. That's not very good.

DeCuire has talked about that a few times in the post game show. When the Griz are shooting very poorly and missing open looks the PG who is getting them those open looks isn't going to have a lot of assists. Gotta make the shots when you get the open looks. How many times have we heard DeCuire say Walter could have easily had 7 or 8 assists out there after a game when he only had a few? So in this case the stats (at least that one stat in particular) doesn't tell the whole story really.

As DeCuire has also mentioned Wright is transitioning from being the main scorer to being more of the main distributor. That's not an easy thing to do. We all I'm sure remember how David Bell was a terrific scorer, but when he was tasked with playing PG his senior season quite a bit his scoring and other aspects on offense took a bit of a hit initially.

Wright is coming along great as a point guard for the Griz and yeah he did have some tough games in non-conference. Though pretty much everyone had multiple rough non-conference games for the Griz. Now we're in conference and the improvements we are seeing right now are exactly what I'm sure DeCuire had hoped for. Having played many tough games on the road, beaten some good teams, been through some adversity and all that is paying off with the team coming together as a team and playing as a team out there now. Because of that we're seeing some great results so far. Hope it continues!

 

[mtgrizrule]

So prior to conference play, he had 35 assists in 11 games. That's not very good.

DeCuire has talked about that a few times in the post game show. When the Griz are shooting very poorly and missing open looks the PG who is getting them those open looks isn't going to have a lot of assists. Gotta make the shots when you get the open looks. How many times have we heard DeCuire say Walter could have easily had 7 or 8 assists out there after a game when he only had a few? So in this case the stats (at least that one stat in particular) doesn't tell the whole story really.

As DeCuire has also mentioned Wright is transitioning from being the main scorer to being more of the main distributor. That's not an easy thing to do. We all I'm sure remember how David Bell was a terrific scorer, but when he was tasked with playing PG his senior season quite a bit his scoring and other aspects on offense took a bit of a hit initially.

Wright is coming along great as a point guard for the Griz and yeah he did have some tough games in non-conference. Though pretty much everyone had multiple rough non-conference games for the Griz. Now we're in conference and the improvements we are seeing right now are exactly what I'm sure DeCuire had hoped for. Having played many tough games on the road, beaten some good teams, been through some adversity and all that is paying off with the team coming together as a team and playing as a team out there now. Because of that we're seeing some great results so far. Hope it continues!

If anyone wants to know the biggest difference in better shooting %, and/or more assists, just ask Travis what he feels? He will tell you, just as he did me and everyone he talked with after the game, "All the players have bought into what they have been are preaching." He told me that after the Sac state game, not those exact words, but close. He also feels this team still can get better at each of the court. I actually agree with him. Consider this, Krslovic has not played well, and capable of better. Dunn is still healthy enough or in game shape to be a huge contributor. We have not yet utilized Breunig's versatility on a consistent basis. Moorehead and Oguine are still getting adjusted to playing at this level and have a lot to learn still. Finally, Dejong and Boehning have not even scratched the surface yet of dramatic improvement. 1 or both of them, could still break out this season.

This team will be damn good. Yes, I expect a few more downs. It is hard to maintain the level of play the GRIZ have played at to start conference play. The highs will by far outweigh the lows though. As I told Travis, I will tell you too, "I am damn proud of this team."

 

[UMGriz75]

He will tell you, just as he did me and everyone he talked with after the game, "All the players have bought into what they have been are preaching." He told me that after the Sac state game, not those exact words, but close. He also feels this team still can get better at each of the court. I actually agree with him.

I think I understand the English translation, but is this the result of a 4:18 a.m. posting?