Anybody who downplays this win simply doesn't get it. This win was huge for DeCuire (his first against a Power Five conference), for our kids, for our fan base, for our conference. In fact, if you look at the game within the game, it was two wins--one in regulation, when only a major blunder on our part enabled Pitt to get to overtime, and a second in overtime, when we won it for good. And while it is true Pitt is a young team, it's also true we won despite missing free throw opportunities and bricking several treys on our way to shooting 29% from deep. And while you can't exactly say we were homered, you can say that Pitt was in the double bonus both halves, and there were some curious calls and non-calls, one big one when Rorie was hammered to the floor on a layup attempt with no call. We were far from perfect, but here are more reasons to be elated with this performance:
--Oguine! I've been watching a lot of NBA games these past few years, and let me tell you, Oguine could make several NBA rosters right now. His defense last night was superb--and remember, both he and Rorie were out there for all but one minute of an overtime game. Shooting you can learn, and I hope Oguine becomes a better shooter, because everybody in the NBA can shoot. But his talent--hops, quickness, grit, intelligence--are things you can't teach. Oguine has "it."
--Rorie: Not far behind. Superb all-round floor game, and probably our most reliable three-point shooter. With Oguine, we have a backcourt that can compete with any in the country.
--Pridgett: I said, he was ready for a breakout year, and he showed flashes of that last night. Ability to see open players, get to the hoop, play defense and board (eight last night.) One of the top recruits out of the Bay Area two years ago, Pridgett is going to be a big-time college player.
--Moorehead: Wow, didn't see this coming. After a terrible sophomore year, where he looked tentative and lost, and frankly too skinny maybe to play collegiate ball, he is now in position to be our most improved player. I like his shot. I like his hops. Plus he just seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time--another trait you can't teach. My major disappointment at losing Dorsey for the year has been largely offset by Moorehead's improvement.
--DeCuire: Kudos to him; he can coach. And when was the last time you saw a Montana team that was more athletic than a Power Five team. By almost any standard last night--time of game with the lead, defensive prowess, final score--Montana was clearly the superior team. This win was no fluke. By the same token, I hope Trav lightens up a bit, and remembers always to celebrate his wins. That clip on GoGriz of him in the locker room afterwards looked more like a drill sergeant talking to a group of Marine Corps recruits. Remember my first rule of life, stolen from a blues musician: "Hey, let's have some fun! You only go around once, and when you're dead, you're done!"
--Oguine! I've been watching a lot of NBA games these past few years, and let me tell you, Oguine could make several NBA rosters right now. His defense last night was superb--and remember, both he and Rorie were out there for all but one minute of an overtime game. Shooting you can learn, and I hope Oguine becomes a better shooter, because everybody in the NBA can shoot. But his talent--hops, quickness, grit, intelligence--are things you can't teach. Oguine has "it."
--Rorie: Not far behind. Superb all-round floor game, and probably our most reliable three-point shooter. With Oguine, we have a backcourt that can compete with any in the country.
--Pridgett: I said, he was ready for a breakout year, and he showed flashes of that last night. Ability to see open players, get to the hoop, play defense and board (eight last night.) One of the top recruits out of the Bay Area two years ago, Pridgett is going to be a big-time college player.
--Moorehead: Wow, didn't see this coming. After a terrible sophomore year, where he looked tentative and lost, and frankly too skinny maybe to play collegiate ball, he is now in position to be our most improved player. I like his shot. I like his hops. Plus he just seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time--another trait you can't teach. My major disappointment at losing Dorsey for the year has been largely offset by Moorehead's improvement.
--DeCuire: Kudos to him; he can coach. And when was the last time you saw a Montana team that was more athletic than a Power Five team. By almost any standard last night--time of game with the lead, defensive prowess, final score--Montana was clearly the superior team. This win was no fluke. By the same token, I hope Trav lightens up a bit, and remembers always to celebrate his wins. That clip on GoGriz of him in the locker room afterwards looked more like a drill sergeant talking to a group of Marine Corps recruits. Remember my first rule of life, stolen from a blues musician: "Hey, let's have some fun! You only go around once, and when you're dead, you're done!"