grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
It’s now an accepted norm that college coaches, whatever the sport, should be given not the formerly accepted three years, but 4-to-5 years to build a program. Former Griz coach Wayne Tinkle, for instance, went 48-432 over his first three years. But for the next 5 years his record was a sterling 110-47, with three Big Sky championships and one tourney second place finish.
Travis DeCuire, who inherited a solid group of players recruited by Tinkle, led the Griz to the championship game his first two years. Entering his third year as a coach, he told the Missoulian’s Bob Meseroll that the Griz had the talent and potential to once again play in the Big Sky’s conference title game. I respect that attitude from a coach. Why?
He’s already proven himself with two tourney championship appearances (relying on players from the Tinkle era) and a style of play where players are confident and almost always aggressive.
So far his teams have been close but barely short (Gonzaga and Nevada last year as examples).
The Griz are among the TOP FOUR predicted Big Sky teams, with Weber State the clear favorite among most magazine & sports site predictions. But, most interesting to me is the recently released KENPOM hoops statistics ranking, where the Grizzlies are a respectable 157, second only to North Dakota (146) of Big Sky Teams. Weber State is third at 166, while Idaho is fourth at 188. The remainder of Big Sky teams are far back in the standings, giving an indication -- once again -- that the conference has a decided upper tier of teams.
That’s just the frosting to me though. I really like the team Griz coach Travis DeCuire has built for this season. And how he’s done it. In two short seasons he’s built a balanced team of players with unique but complementary skill sets. When Michael Oguine and Alphonso Anderson hit the floor at full strength, this will be perhaps the deepest and most balanced Grizzly team I’ve ever seen. I don’t believe teams will be able to shut the Griz down by double teaming a single player as was done occasionally to Martin Breunig over the past two years.
I’ve heard and read that Montana is probably a year away from mid major upper tier status. Perhaps, but I believe this team has the raw tools and chemistry to get there. Actually, I think that’s up to the players more than the coaches. How tough and competitive they play early may cast the personality of this team. No doubt, DeCuire is challenging this team to do just that with the schedule they play. Either the Griz get tough, or they’ll take some serious lumps. KENPOM believes the Griz are up to the challenge. It has them entering Big Sky play with 6-5 non-conference record.
That’s good enough for me. I can’t wait to see this team create its own signature.
Other thoughts...
• Montana took its final pre-season exam with a scrimmage game at Colorado State, winning by 10. Montana State also had a pre-season challenge: in Butte against Montana Tech (no game results available).
•The Grizzlies are the ONLY Big Sky team to play an all-Division One nonconference schedule. Tonight, for instance, while Montana wages battle against USC in Los Angeles, the other three top-ranked Big Sky teams appear to have it much easier: North Dakota is hosting Mayville State, Weber State entertains Antelope Valley, and Idaho hosts Corban.
• Some say the Griz will have to prove themselves in the front court in the absence of Martin Breunig. True. But junior Fabijan Krslovic has taken on the role of a team leader... and while he struggled offensively last season, played outstanding defense. A larger question mark may well be how Jack Lopez (Jared Samuelson/Gavin DeJong) fill the power forward spot.
• Montana this season will have a player combo not many D1 teams have: two triple threat guards in Ahmaad Rorie and Walter Wright. Rorie, in particular can shoot the trey, slash to the bucket or (a rare skill nowadays) hit the floating midrange jumper while driving straight to the bucket, or at an angle. Wright has also shown that skill and will just get better.
• The Griz have perhaps the most versatile group of wing-style players I’ve ever seen, with Brandon Gfeller, Jack Lopez, as dangerous threats and Mario Dunn, Michael Oguine and even Samuelson as outside threats as well.
Of course they’re relatively young, raw, and unproven. That’s the fun part.
I’m looking forward to see how this all plays out.
Travis DeCuire, who inherited a solid group of players recruited by Tinkle, led the Griz to the championship game his first two years. Entering his third year as a coach, he told the Missoulian’s Bob Meseroll that the Griz had the talent and potential to once again play in the Big Sky’s conference title game. I respect that attitude from a coach. Why?
He’s already proven himself with two tourney championship appearances (relying on players from the Tinkle era) and a style of play where players are confident and almost always aggressive.
So far his teams have been close but barely short (Gonzaga and Nevada last year as examples).
The Griz are among the TOP FOUR predicted Big Sky teams, with Weber State the clear favorite among most magazine & sports site predictions. But, most interesting to me is the recently released KENPOM hoops statistics ranking, where the Grizzlies are a respectable 157, second only to North Dakota (146) of Big Sky Teams. Weber State is third at 166, while Idaho is fourth at 188. The remainder of Big Sky teams are far back in the standings, giving an indication -- once again -- that the conference has a decided upper tier of teams.
That’s just the frosting to me though. I really like the team Griz coach Travis DeCuire has built for this season. And how he’s done it. In two short seasons he’s built a balanced team of players with unique but complementary skill sets. When Michael Oguine and Alphonso Anderson hit the floor at full strength, this will be perhaps the deepest and most balanced Grizzly team I’ve ever seen. I don’t believe teams will be able to shut the Griz down by double teaming a single player as was done occasionally to Martin Breunig over the past two years.
I’ve heard and read that Montana is probably a year away from mid major upper tier status. Perhaps, but I believe this team has the raw tools and chemistry to get there. Actually, I think that’s up to the players more than the coaches. How tough and competitive they play early may cast the personality of this team. No doubt, DeCuire is challenging this team to do just that with the schedule they play. Either the Griz get tough, or they’ll take some serious lumps. KENPOM believes the Griz are up to the challenge. It has them entering Big Sky play with 6-5 non-conference record.
That’s good enough for me. I can’t wait to see this team create its own signature.
Other thoughts...
• Montana took its final pre-season exam with a scrimmage game at Colorado State, winning by 10. Montana State also had a pre-season challenge: in Butte against Montana Tech (no game results available).
•The Grizzlies are the ONLY Big Sky team to play an all-Division One nonconference schedule. Tonight, for instance, while Montana wages battle against USC in Los Angeles, the other three top-ranked Big Sky teams appear to have it much easier: North Dakota is hosting Mayville State, Weber State entertains Antelope Valley, and Idaho hosts Corban.
• Some say the Griz will have to prove themselves in the front court in the absence of Martin Breunig. True. But junior Fabijan Krslovic has taken on the role of a team leader... and while he struggled offensively last season, played outstanding defense. A larger question mark may well be how Jack Lopez (Jared Samuelson/Gavin DeJong) fill the power forward spot.
• Montana this season will have a player combo not many D1 teams have: two triple threat guards in Ahmaad Rorie and Walter Wright. Rorie, in particular can shoot the trey, slash to the bucket or (a rare skill nowadays) hit the floating midrange jumper while driving straight to the bucket, or at an angle. Wright has also shown that skill and will just get better.
• The Griz have perhaps the most versatile group of wing-style players I’ve ever seen, with Brandon Gfeller, Jack Lopez, as dangerous threats and Mario Dunn, Michael Oguine and even Samuelson as outside threats as well.
Of course they’re relatively young, raw, and unproven. That’s the fun part.
I’m looking forward to see how this all plays out.
