Even though I am as disappointed as the rest of the UM basketball fans I have to put in my two cents. Andrew Strait had an incredible career, even though he did not end up being a leader that most thought he should be. His quiet, hard working presence did more than being a loud, vocal leader. Being constantly double teamed after his freshman year had to have been very difficult, yet he still managed to be a dynamic scorer on the team. And his FT % was very improved this year in the conference season, contrary to the rest of the team.
And Matt Martin was also fun to watch, even though I don't personally think he will be as difficult to replace. He proved to be a fiery guy and when he was asked to put the team in front of his personal agenda, he did so. He could have transfered two years ago and been a star in the frontier or another smaller conference but chose to stick it out and I am very happy he did.
Even though there is some room for improvement I have found myself as supportive as I have ever been with the UM basketball program. Personally, I would rather have a guy like WT here that is an honorable man, great ambassador to the University, and father-like figure to the players that put academics first over some knucklehead like Pat Kennedy that brings more players from outside Montana that have no affiliation to UM. It is more important for me to see kids graduate and be leaders in the community than to see kids come here and play basketball and then leave having left no or little mark on the community while they were in Montana. Wayne Tinkle is a great guy and he deserves an opportunity to coach this basketball team. He has more professional basketball experience than most on this board have total experience playing/coaching basketball. And I am not saying that this experience is automatic in making WT a great coach, but it allows for his experience to be used. Once again, thanks Andrew and Matt, and congrats on a great basketball career in Missoula.
And Matt Martin was also fun to watch, even though I don't personally think he will be as difficult to replace. He proved to be a fiery guy and when he was asked to put the team in front of his personal agenda, he did so. He could have transfered two years ago and been a star in the frontier or another smaller conference but chose to stick it out and I am very happy he did.
Even though there is some room for improvement I have found myself as supportive as I have ever been with the UM basketball program. Personally, I would rather have a guy like WT here that is an honorable man, great ambassador to the University, and father-like figure to the players that put academics first over some knucklehead like Pat Kennedy that brings more players from outside Montana that have no affiliation to UM. It is more important for me to see kids graduate and be leaders in the community than to see kids come here and play basketball and then leave having left no or little mark on the community while they were in Montana. Wayne Tinkle is a great guy and he deserves an opportunity to coach this basketball team. He has more professional basketball experience than most on this board have total experience playing/coaching basketball. And I am not saying that this experience is automatic in making WT a great coach, but it allows for his experience to be used. Once again, thanks Andrew and Matt, and congrats on a great basketball career in Missoula.
