The Big Picture

[citygriz]

I think it's time to step back and look at the bigger picture of Montana basketball.

Important to remember that Tinkle was hired late by Oregon State--May 18. Thus Decuire was forced to play entirely with Tink's recruits; it wasn't his team. Fortunately, Tinks left some gems. Breunig emerged as an all-Big Sky player; Krslovic was a pleasant surprise as a true freshman; Michael Weisner was a serviceable big who had a nice three-point shot; Chris Kemp played some good minutes off the bench; and of course, there was the wonderful scrappy Jordan Gregory, one of my all-time fave Griz players. DeCuire proved he could coach, we signed a few great recruits, and we were on our merry way, right?

Except that, among DeCuire's guys, Anderson and Pridgett haven't arrived yet. Oguine and Moorehead are still freshmen, (and remember the famous Al McGuire quote, "The best thing about freshmen is, they become sophomores"), while Walter Wright is still adjusting to D1 ball. In a way DeCuire is still heavily dependent on Tinks's guys, and those guys, for the most part, are not contributing. Let's count the ways: Dunn, hurt; Lopez, Gfeller and Bradshaw, simply not where we hoped they'd be as juniors; Boehning and DeJong, still extremely raw, even after a redshirt year.

In summary, I think if we're to judge DeCuire, we have to judge him on his guys--and his guys either haven't arrived yet, or are sitting out a redshirt year (Rorie) or are true freshmen adjusting to the college game, or are a junior college transfer adjusting to the D1 game. I think it's safe to say now, the frustration here is our expectations, not the reality of what this team is. Which is, still a year or two away. Important now we keep the faith.

 

[NorthEndZoneDan]

I can see what you are saying about waiting until TD's guys get into the system. But at the same time Tinks didn't exactly leave the cupboards bare. There is some serious talent on the roster and its not working, for what ever reason. I havent the foggiest idea why. Is some of it trying to learn a new system, adapt to new coach. Is it expecting the competition to simply roll over? Is it trying to use square pegs for round holes? Again, I haven't the foggiest idea. But I still believe this team has serious talent and something isnt' clicking. Yet.

 

[citygriz]

I can see what you are saying about waiting until TD's guys get into the system. But at the same time Tinks didn't exactly leave the cupboards bare. There is some serious talent on the roster and its not working, for what ever reason. I havent the foggiest idea why. Is some of it trying to learn a new system, adapt to new coach. Is it expecting the competition to simply roll over? Is it trying to use square pegs for round holes? Again, I haven't the foggiest idea. But I still believe this team has serious talent and something isnt' clicking. Yet.

I agree. The San Jose game was terrible. My guess is, this team lacks an experienced floor leader. Like a Will Cherry or a Jordan Gregory. I thought it would be Wright, but I think he has his own issues, adjusting to a higher level of competition. Oguine is not a demonstrative type and he's still a freshman. Maybe Dunn will fill that role. But again, next year, I think that guy is Rorie. With him, Pridgett and Anderson on the floor, I think you'll see plenty of fire on this team.

On another note. A major Bay Area four-star commit to Cal just de-committed. I see no mention that Oscar Frayer, a 6'7" small forward, is interested in Montana, but then too I can't imagine that DeCuire, Dunn and Pridgett don't know all about him. He will take trips during the winter and announce a decision in the Spring. I would imagine DeCuire is anxious to get as many of his players into the program as quickly as possible.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Excellent, perceptive analysis in all comments above. Since coach DeCuire inherited the core of his team from Wayne Tinkle, it's also instructive to note:
•••Wayne Tinkle inherited players from both Pat Kennedy and Larry Krystkowiak and had records of 17-15, 14-16 and 17-12 before his true breakout season as a coach in 2009-10 (his fourth year) when the Griz went 22-10.

What if Tinkle had been on the line after year 2 when the Griz lost more games than they won? (Actually, he was hit by a lot of criticism, especially after the Griz were spanked by Ken Bone's Portland State team in Missoula his second season) Thankfully for Montana fans, Jim O'Day put his full trust in Tinkle's vision. So too, should we sit back and assay DeCuire's building of his Griz. No matter what the D1 college sport, coaches must be allowed to build their team, which usually takes four full seasons... and, I believe, five seasons in football.

I have heard that one priority of Montana coaches over the next several months is to recruit a power forward and/or post. Until then, it's simply unfair to judge this coach on his team's overall record.

That said, I see this team developing character over the next month, when we'll see some on-court leadership emerge. Whether that's Wright, Oguine or Dunn we'll then see how this team shapes up.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

I dont think there are big negative long term conclusions to be drawn about TD or the team at this point. I definitely think the guards played like freshmen last night. I dont expect them to play like they have a lot of experience at this point but was hoping to see at least one of them to find a way to impact the game more than they did last night. Regardless this team is young and I think we can still be optimistic about this season and even moreso over the next two to three seasons.

 

[PlayerRep]

Good comments, but I have heard zero criticism of DeCuire. People seem to think he is somewhere between good and great.

 

[Long Gone]

The only consistent theme we have seen this year is foul trouble. Every game has seen Martin and/or Fabian in foul trouble along with at least one of the guards. The coaches have not had the luxury of playing the lineups they prefer, as foul trouble has greatly impacted the rotations this season. We need to adjust to the new emphasis in officiating, and the sooner the better.
Roles are still being established and our offense has obviously lacked flow and consistency. Right now we don't have lot of scoring threats off of the bench as our depth has not been developed. Our lack of proven depth heightens our need to minimize our fouls. The ripple effect of our foul trouble has caused several players to play out of position on both offense and defense each game which has amplified our struggle to build any continuity on offense.
Yet I believe that by the time conference rolls around this team will have more scoring balance than we have seen in many years. We have several players than can be explosive scorers on any given night, but I believe that come January our top 5 (and 6 assuming Mario returns) will all be capable of scoring in double figures any given night. It might seem like a long ways from here, based on the past couple of games, but the best way to get there is by getting our core players on the floor with each other for long stretches.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I agree that DeCuire's "program" won't be fully in place for a few years, and he seems to be making some excellent moves. In fact, he may be hampered a bit by a few of Tinkle's recruits. But maybe he will bring them around. It's too early to write anybody off at this point.

I am extremely excited to see Pridgett, Anderson and Rorie in maroon and silver in 2016. Along with Moorehead, Dunn, Oguine, Krslovic, Gfeller, etc., the new recruits will breathe some new life into the program. Hang on tight - it's gonna be a helluva ride!

 

[grizzlyjournal]

I agree that DeCuire's "program" won't be fully in place for a few years, and he seems to be making some excellent moves. In fact, he may be hampered a bit by a few of Tinkle's recruits. But maybe he will bring them around. It's too early to write anybody off at this point.

I am extremely excited to see Pridgett, Anderson and Rorie in maroon and silver in 2016. Along with Moorehead, Dunn, Oguine, Krslovic, Gfeller, etc., the new recruits will breathe some new life into the program. Hang on tight - it's gonna be a helluva ride!

I agree 100%. Montana has had 3-star recruits over the year who have made a huge impact of course. But the horizon projects quite a few more "stars." Next season four Griz will have been named three-star recruits by at least one projection service and two others (Moorehead and Samuelson) just shy of three-star ratings. A helluva ride is a good way to put it.

 

[UMGriz75]

Good comments, but I have heard zero criticism of DeCuire. People seem to think he is somewhere between good and great.

I think that comes from "fan myopia." I suppose that's what fans are for. However, I do think it leads to unrealized expectations and often irrational decision making. The Exhibit A of such fan bases are the Wombats, and the public firing of someone who is, by most standards, a successful collegiate football coach and who did everything asked of him, save one: defeating their hated rival, which is really all that football is all about in that benighted little enclave of deranged infection.

To me, DeCuire has been an assistant coach, never a Head Coach. I understand who he assisted, and that he no doubt has the extraordinary fortune of that experience, but as a "Head Coach" for the first time, well, who knows? I hope for the best, but elevated expectations so early in a season and a career strikes me as celebrating victory before the war has been fought. Few coaches can make that transition as fast and as dramatically as Jud Heathcote, when he finally got out from Marv Harshman's shadow, and it is unrealistic to expect it automatically just because "Griz."

Even more so because this team does not have Jordan Gregory and does not have "a" Jordan Gregory. I just don't see it out there. JG got everyone's attention just sitting on the bench his freshman year; the passion and enthusiasm could not be contained.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Good comments, but I have heard zero criticism of DeCuire. People seem to think he is somewhere between good and great.

I think that comes from "fan myopia." I suppose that's what fans are for. However, I do think it leads to unrealized expectations and often irrational decision making. The Exhibit A of such fan bases are the Wombats, and the public firing of someone who is, by most standards, a successful collegiate football coach and who did everything asked of him, save one: defeating their hated rival, which is really all the football is all about in that benighted little enclave of deranged infection.

To me, DeCuire has been an assistant coach, never a Head Coach. I understand who he assisted, and that he no doubt has the extraordinary fortune of that experience, but as a "Head Coach" for the first time, well, who knows? I hope for the best, but elevated expectations so early in a season and a career strikes me as celebrating victory before the war has been fought. Few coaches can make that transition as fast and as dramatically as Jud Heathcote, when he finally got out from Marv Harshman's shadow, and it is unrealistic to expect it automatically just because "Griz."

Even more so because this team does not have Jordan Gregory and does not have "a" Jordan Gregory. I just don't see it out there. JG got everyone's attention just sitting on the bench his freshman year; the passion and enthusiasm could not be contained.

Do the GRIZ miss Gregory? Hell yes. You are right. Gregory played with tons of passion and enthusiasm. I
give you his enthusiasm is rare. However, the GRIZ have a lot of passionate players. I have 1st hand witnesses the hours and hard work put in by Breunig and Dunn. Those 2 live and breathe basketball. I also have no doubt that Oguine and Rorie are passionate players. I honestly believe they each will have a Will Cherry or Kareem Jamar like career . The only problem they have is youth and inexperience. It took Cherry, Jamar, Gregory, Qvale, Selvig, Hasquet, etc awhile to blossom. These 2 will be great GRIZ as well. As this season progresses we will see him develop into the best young guard in the conference. Also, don't sell Wright short, the kid is quick and can fill up the score board quickly, when needed. He too is adjusting. We just need patience with these kids. They are so young,but all so good. :thumb:

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Quote by MtGrizRule:

"Do the GRIZ miss Gregory? Hell yes. You are right. Gregory played with tons of passion and enthusiasm. I
give you his enthusiasm is rare. However, the GRIZ have a lot of passionate players. I have 1st hand witnesses the hours and hard work put in by Breunig and Dunn. Those 2 live and breathe basketball. I also have no doubt that Oguine and Rorie are passionate players. I honestly believe they each will have a Will Cherry or Kareem Jamar like career . The only problem they have is youth and inexperience. It took Cherry, Jamar, Gregory, Qvale, Selvig, Hasquet, etc awhile to blossom. These 2 will be great GRIZ as well. As this season progresses we will see him develop into the best young guard in the conference. Also, don't sell Wright short, the kid is quick and can fill up the score board quickly, when needed. He too is adjusting. We just need patience with these kids. They are so young,but all so good."


Very well put!! The kids are young, but the future is bright. :thumb: