Next up at #10 Gonzaga 12/8

[Potomac Griz]

My total was 23-34 not 22-34. From 52-79 we were up 22-21. Then it got a little ugly, 1980-present 1-13.

We did win in '96 in overtime though! That was our last win against the Zags I think and right before they became a mid-major power.

It shows as a home game for the Zags on sports-reference.com...but I thought that was a home game for the Griz. At least I think I remember playing them here and beating them in the early to mid 90s. I think it was in one of those tournaments we used to host. I could be wrong though. I vaguely remember attending a game here though against the Zags when we beat them. Also remember us beating Washington here around the same time (who had a former Griz player on that team).

EDIT: Looks like the win against Washington here I was remembering was the 91-92 season. The transfer was Andy Woods who was a Griz but transferred to Washington. I can't find the win against Gonzaga here though on that site.... I see the one on the road in the '96 season but none at home in the 90s. Hm...

 

[cmtgrizzly]

Yep 1996 was the only year we won since 1980. We have not played them every year though and there was a pretty long gap (several years I think) somewhere in there that we didn't play them.

 

[Potomac Griz]

Yep 1996 was the only year we won since 1980. We have not played them every year though and there was a pretty long gap (several years I think) somewhere in there that we didn't play them.

I'd really like to see a game against Gonzaga become a fairly common thing again... Even if we had to travel most of the time. Maybe we'd get a home game every once in a while. Last time we had a home game against them was in the early 2000s I think when Kennedy was here.

It makes sense with both schools being pretty close to each other, mid major teams, and former conference foes. The atmosphere here for a game against the Zags would be awesome.

 

[citygriz]

Sort of an eerie echo of the famous Montana-UCLA game of 1975, in that:
--we lose by three;
--and our star freshman guards (Micheal Ray Richardson back then, Michael Oguine today) hardly contribute to the score. (M.R. two points, Oguine zero.) In three years we'll look back on this game and say, "What? Oguine didn't score?"

 

[cmtgrizzly]

Yeah we should go back to playing them more regularly. If we beat or threaten to beat them they may not like that idea as they have little to gain given our current status. I do think we are on the rise and possibly on the path to being better than we ever have been. Oguine may turn out to be instrumental in the rise. To rival MRR though, that would be more than welcome but a tall order. Hope one of these young promising guards can do it.

 

[marooncoloredglasses]

We shouldn't play them or any other team unless they're willing to come to Missoula. This time we did our part to renew the relationship. It's not like football where there's large payoff

 

[acehunter65]

Unless Montana gets their RPI to a respectable number there is no way Gonzaga is going to go to Missoula. Zags already have enough low RPI teams in the WCC.

 

[Potomac Griz]

We shouldn't play them or any other team unless they're willing to come to Missoula. This time we did our part to renew the relationship. It's not like football where there's large payoff

We'll have to travel a lot in order to get these types of games though and likely wont get any home games until we start winning some of the road ones and become a very good mid-major team that's consistently beating big conference teams. If we require some kind of agreement where the other team comes here we'll be stuck just playing other mid major teams and rarely if ever play a top 20 team or a team from a big conference.

 

[EverettGriz]

So I'm a student who was lucky enough to attend this game due to a friend in the program..and I just want to say that I was really impressed by the Gonzaga fans. Many stopped and had great conversations with us and wished us luck as we continue towards our conference season, even after we nearly took them down in a game that I would imagine would have been terrifying for them to watch. Got to chat with coach and several players afterwards...tough loss but there is a lot to build on from this... I even ran into Nigel Williams-Goss after the game and got to chat with him and his dad. Really nice, genuine guys. Said we had a good team and that he told Martin to go get UW (as I'm sure most of you know they both played @ Washington).

Looking forward to UW and then us coming back home. I can tell you we are working on trying to make our student section larger and more passionate. I saw some things from their student section that I would like to see us implement...sadly most students just don't care as much as myself, my friends or any of you... I was somewhat surprised their student section was only about half full..though granted I know it's dead week for them also. But I mean if myself and friends can drive from Missoula to Spokane during dead week...well perhaps I should focus more on grades :lol:
Driving back was a bit dicey, didn't get back to my dorm until 3 AM. Totally worth it though. :thumb:
You can find me at every home game with a few guys just to the left (your right) of the basket in the student section near where the players come out of the tunnel. Now with the cardboard cutout heads of players and coach. Go Griz!

Keep working it, SC2. We need the ZOO to return. Major ups to the students who do attend games. Just gotta get more and get that place a rockin'!

 

[mtgrizrule]

So I'm a student who was lucky enough to attend this game due to a friend in the program..and I just want to say that I was really impressed by the Gonzaga fans. Many stopped and had great conversations with us and wished us luck as we continue towards our conference season, even after we nearly took them down in a game that I would imagine would have been terrifying for them to watch. Got to chat with coach and several players afterwards...tough loss but there is a lot to build on from this... I even ran into Nigel Williams-Goss after the game and got to chat with him and his dad. Really nice, genuine guys. Said we had a good team and that he told Martin to go get UW (as I'm sure most of you know they both played @ Washington).

Looking forward to UW and then us coming back home. I can tell you we are working on trying to make our student section larger and more passionate. I saw some things from their student section that I would like to see us implement...sadly most students just don't care as much as myself, my friends or any of you... I was somewhat surprised their student section was only about half full..though granted I know it's dead week for them also. But I mean if myself and friends can drive from Missoula to Spokane during dead week...well perhaps I should focus more on grades :lol:
Driving back was a bit dicey, didn't get back to my dorm until 3 AM. Totally worth it though. :thumb:
You can find me at every home game with a few guys just to the left (your right) of the basket in the student section near where the players come out of the tunnel. Now with the cardboard cutout heads of players and coach. Go Griz!

Keep working it, SC2. We need the ZOO to return. Major ups to the students who do attend games. Just gotta get more and get that place a rockin'!

Last years Big Sky tournament was absolutely nuts when the GRIZ played. I loved that environment. That is the wildest the students have been since the ZOO was truly the ZOO.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I finally watched this game on DVR. That was absolutely the best defense the GRIZ have played in years. If Travis can get that kind of defense and effort every game, the GRIZ will be in great shape this season. They absolutely did not back down from Gonzaga. What I found encouraging? (1) No matter how the offense was doing, the defense played with attitude and focus all game. (2) Breunig and Wright proved they can play among the best in the nation. (3) This team is consistent 3 point shooting from being terrific.

I am 100% convinced when Gfeller finds his 3 point consistency, this team will be dangerous. IF he continues to struggle, maybe it is time to get Moorehead and Lopez some of his 3 point shots. They are both looking solid from 3 in limited opportunities.

I have a feeling the GRIZ break out of their shooting woes against UW this weekend.