grizfromhel
Well-known member
I don't live in Mizzoo so don't get a chance to the Griz play routinely--have to pick my spots. Last year, towards the end of the season, the Griz were playing in Bozeman. Lady Griz Saturday night, then the men's game on Sunday afternoon.
So I motored down to Boze from Helena, excited to see my first live version of the Griz under the guidance of Larry K.
Boy was I disappointed. They looked horrible and got soundly thumped by the Cats. Criswell, in particular, looked terrible, launching one after another 3-point shots, most of which were contested, and few of which went in. Lots of one-pass and shoot offensive sets.
I have since learned from several sources that that game brought the team together more than anything else. No, Kevin, you don't have to carry the team on your shoulders, particularly when the opposing team has designed their defense to be in your face.
Finally, it seemed, the team was so embarrased and humbled that they were willing to play a style of basketball that Coach K wanted (and has become their trademark): patient offense, lots of motion away from the ball, making the extra pass, not caring who got the basket, and everyone playing within their capabilies.
As Paul Harvey says, you know the rest of the story. But I was there, and witnessed the disaster, that led to the team "buying in" to Coach K's style of basketball.
The rest, as they say, is history.
So I motored down to Boze from Helena, excited to see my first live version of the Griz under the guidance of Larry K.
Boy was I disappointed. They looked horrible and got soundly thumped by the Cats. Criswell, in particular, looked terrible, launching one after another 3-point shots, most of which were contested, and few of which went in. Lots of one-pass and shoot offensive sets.
I have since learned from several sources that that game brought the team together more than anything else. No, Kevin, you don't have to carry the team on your shoulders, particularly when the opposing team has designed their defense to be in your face.
Finally, it seemed, the team was so embarrased and humbled that they were willing to play a style of basketball that Coach K wanted (and has become their trademark): patient offense, lots of motion away from the ball, making the extra pass, not caring who got the basket, and everyone playing within their capabilies.
As Paul Harvey says, you know the rest of the story. But I was there, and witnessed the disaster, that led to the team "buying in" to Coach K's style of basketball.
The rest, as they say, is history.
