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Portland Game Thread

I for one would rather have the growing pains of Big Men such as Vanderjagt and Qvale. We have plenty of capable scorers in Martin, Strait, and Hasquet. Why not at least shut down the paint with the likes of Vanderjagt and Qvale at Center? If a team gets hot from the perimeter like CSF did, so be it. Those games are few and far between. I am always an advocate of having someone to patrol the paint. Check my posts last year, I wanted to see if our defense would be better with Vanderjagt inside. This year add Qvale to this request. Sorry but I think we should take a more intimidating approach and use our big guys while we have them. It would help much more than hurt.
 
The Griz will live and continue to die until they go Big-Qvale,Strait,
Hasquet. Run some offense.
The league and everyone else can match up just fine with our
3ball shooters until we capitalize on ramming the ball inside time
after time instead of firing shots up with abandon. It doesn't
work! :shocked:
 
The positives. 83% ft, 6 turnovers, 5 blocks and 7 steals.

The negatives. 27 for 79 fg (28%) and (22 ) 3pt shots. Why?

Since I wasn't at the game may I ask how many shots were attempted/completed in the paint? Is this a team that's going to try and make a living shooting the 3 pointer? Over the course of a season that's a low percentage shot and I hate it because of that.

Remember how Boston College made a living on us working the ball inside then used the perimiter when we tried to shut down the paint. Inside/outside, inside/ouside. How much of that did the Griz attempt tonight.

I ask cus it's hard to get a handle on what's happening listening to Mick.
 
And my point was......

If the Griz can't beat U of flippin Portland @ home and you expect them to beat Santa Clara or Pacific or Fullerton ON THE ROAD....you better get a grip on Griz hoops. The Griz are not are NOT that good people.
 
Before the loss to UCSF, Montana Gym Rat posted Griz's RPI rank was 19.

Well, after two losses at home with 1 of the losses to a team ranked 210 (Portland), Griz are headed for a free fall. Griz were ranked 84 before this game. I figure they will fall well below 100 for sure, maybe mid-100s? Find out tomorrow at www.kenpom.com.
2.8 was added to the loss column the past two home games in the win-loss percentage formula.

Man, I am still bummed. The only meaningful game Griz won at home in non-conference was against CSU. That really isn't the best way to attract more fans to the sport of Griz Basketball. And when UM scheduled so few games at home in non-conference, Griz can't blow them like they did today.
 
BBKing...couldn't agree more. Griz hoops and the Tinkle era is not good. You can't beat U of Portland AT HOME? Give me a break!!!
The folks who say Griz hoops will win on the road soon are dreaming,and those same people are calling for a change in the football staff!!!!!!!!! GIVE ME A BREAK
 
tonights game, flat, no real excitement, energy both on and off the court. maybe I or we expect too much, this team needs a leader...thinking that it may be hasquet as no one else seems to fit the position.
 
There has been no defensive intensity the last two games. You can't let teams shoot above 40% from 3pt range, and you can't let them shoot 45% from the field on your own floor.

Yes, the offensive output wasn't impressive - but a solid defensive effort can overcome a poor shooting night. Sometimes they happen.

The Griz also settled for 22 3pt shots tonight. That's waaaay too many. Especially when you have Strait, Hasquet, Qvale, etc. Basketball works from the inside out, not the other way around.

No discipline. Talented teams without discipline lose ball games.
 
Mslacat said:
What's up with Rundles. He seems to be a shadow of expectations were. Sophomore slump? Out of position?
Click to expand...
Did not start last two games due to injury. Not sure thats the problem but the last two games were frustrating. I know its boring but I like to get the ball to Strait. Looks like Qvale has to go get the ball for himself. (Not sure anybody realizes how good he really is.) Jordan in the first half was trying to make his shots too difficult as he did at the start of the season. He corrected that in a hurry this time.

I think I would look at some video and see how easy it was for Martin to get the ball to Strait two years ago.
 
BARN BALL said:
Mslacat said:
What's up with Rundles. He seems to be a shadow of expectations were. Sophomore slump? Out of position?
Click to expand...
Did not start last two games due to injury. Not sure thats the problem but the last two games were frustrating. I know its boring but I like to get the ball to Strait. Looks like Qvale has to go get the ball for himself. (Not sure anybody realizes how good he really is.) Jordan in the first half was trying to make his shots too difficult as he did at the start of the season. He corrected that in a hurry this time.

I think I would look at some video and see how easy it was for Martin to get the ball to Strait two years ago.
Click to expand...

If you watch some video, you will see Kevin Criswell and Virgil Matthews.
 
DoctorBBall said:
Last years team suddenly isn't looking so bad
Click to expand...

It is one frick'n game!!! You Griz need to learn that after a big upset itis time to support the team, not to pile on. This is pathetic!!! :lame:
 
Mslacat said:
DoctorBBall said:
Last years team suddenly isn't looking so bad
Click to expand...

It is one frick'n game!!! You Griz need to learn that after a big upset itis time to support the team, not to pile on. This is pathetic!!! :lame:
Click to expand...

Mslacat is right on the button. Go look at that team from 2005 that won the Big Sky Tourney in Portland. It's nice to jockey for position and hope for that 12 or 13 seed, but realistically the OOC schedule is only to get the team ready for conference. That's when it really matters.

Lots of talent still. They just need to learn how to put complete games together on a consistent basis. Plenty of time left for that.
 
The frustration/disappointment lies in only playing 1 complete game this year, CSU. I do feel we played against WSU too, despite the outcome. We have a no business losing to Portland. I can handle the L's, but getting outrebounded by Portland and CSF is ridiculous!

Rest of this month, I want to see a few things. (1) Get the damn ball inside. (2) Ball pressure CET, Graves, and Rundles (when healthy). (3) GO Big, with Qvale getting more minutes, and working Vanderjagt into the mix. Seriously, have only those 2 play center for 30 minutes. Let them develop, let them grow. (4) We have a luxury of size unlike any BSC team, if we want an identity, establish that identity of being big and intimidating. Not only are Qvale and Vanderjagt legit 7 footers, but they both can move for big men. I honestly do not care how many points they average together. I cannot help but think the defense, rebounding, and intimidation alone would make this team much better.

As it is, signs of late appear the GRIZ are struggling and slow. If we are going to be slow and struggle, what does it hurt to go BIG?
Qvale has proven to be a very solid rebounder and shotblocker. I have seen Vanderjagt play often enough in practice and limited gametime to have seen he too is solid rebounding and shotblocking. Problem is he is not as strong as they would like. That may come with time or not. Fact is one cannot coach 7'. An average strength Vanderjagt is more effective than a 6'3" 2 man.

Use Staudacher strictly as a 2, and run picks for him to get him free for what he does best. Get Staudacher in there when teams have collapsed in the paint. Until he learns to use the dribble better, he is ineffective in the role they have him in now.

If we go big why not go box and 1 or triangle and 2? CET, Graves, and Rundles (healthy) have what it takes to be pain in the ass defenders on and off the ball. Take away the passing lanes with these guys, if they get burned so be it, Qvale has proven to me he patrols the paint well, and I believe Vanderjagt could too if the GRIZ would just let him play.

I felt this way last year and feel it this year too. We have to give big a chance. Without a true 3, we have to get creative this year. In 08 this is not a problem, McGillis, Taylor are both more than capable of being the 2/3 swingman. Selvig, I do not care what position he would play, just get him on the court. As for Hurley, his size is perfect for the 3. Mathias Ward also has the skill set for a 3.

If the GRIZ do not get creative sooner than later we will struggle this year. This very well could be a big rollercoaster ride this year. I am hoping for the best. God Knows we have the talent, it is just a matter of utilizing it properly with the absence of a true 3. Please Wayne, GO BIG rest of OOC schedule! :thumb: :beer2:
 
the problem with the pre-season is, you never know how good your opponents will turn out to be. the lady griz lost at boise state, to some consternation on this board, but last night boise beat washington of the pac 10 by 20 points. irvine might turn out to be a very good team, and eric reveno has clearly used his stanford connections to recruit a solid young nucleus at portland. i think the pilots are going to surprise some people this year.

as for us, i think we lack a true point guard, have a huge gaping hole at the three with the departure of watson, and do not have the overall team athleticism we had with matthews, criswell and dhlouy. i agree with ballhog: let's go big. we have three superior big in hasquet, qvale and strait, with sharp and vanderjagt in reserve, and i think we need to play to our strength. qvale needs to play more than 17 minutes a game. we simply don't have the talent to get by with a three-guard offense.

finally, there's always the "charlie weis factor." weis had a lousy year, but he also had the best recruiting class in the country by a country mile. tinks's recruiting abilities have already been proven, and the players in the pipeline are so good that two and possibly four players in that pipeline will be starters next year.

let's just hope it's premature to invoke charlie weis.
 
Well we helped turn a 2-6 team into a 3-6 team. This is beginning to feel a little like last year. I hope that changes.
 
I don't pretend to know squat about hoops. But the way the Griz shot against Portland was not good. Could have carrying bricks around to help keep their hands up on D have messed with their shooting? Just a thought I had. Either way, Go Griz. Carry on.
 
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