mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Here is what I posted at bigskyfans.com regarding the GRIZ. How do others feel the conference will play out. I would love to see alot of "BASKETBALL" only posts here. This forum is way to dead for me. Thank you all.
This year will definitely be dog fight and to date I have not a clue how it will play out.
I have a feeling PSU, Montana, WSU, NAU will likely be the top 4. I will not be surprised one bit if MSU somehow becomes a threat by seasons end. Huse is one hell of a coach, and his team WILL only get better each week. MSU better enjoy Huse while they can. I will not be surprised in 5 years he will have made a huge impression and be pursued to move up. Talent and depth alone the GRIZ should be the favorite, but they have some issues that have yet to be proven they can correct. (1) How can they compensate for no true SF? They will have to man that position dependent on matchups each game. (2) Shot selection has been inconsistent at best. They have the best frontcourt in the confenrence, yet at times refuse to pound the ball inside. All this despite the coaches' desire and wish to get the ball inside. (3) Allocating minutes and massaging egos. IMHO the GRIZ are a much better team with True Freshman, Brian Qvale on the court. Defensively he is difference maker and gets 17 minutes a game. His play is deserving of 30 minutes. He could be 12 to 13 point, 7 rebound, 2.5 block per game average guy with 25 to 30 minutes. He is the shotblocker we need and a well above average rebounder.
Another player I am high on and feel would make a positive impact is, Zach Graves (FR Redshirt). He is by far the most athletic GRIZ, penetrator, quick, solid ball handler, and true shutdown guard. How do they distribute minutes to him though? Matt Martin is shooting consistent, leading the GRIZ in steals, and assists. Cam Rundles is injured, yet when healthy and ALL BSC caliber player. Ryan Staudacher is a good shooter, solid defender, and good at getting the ball into the posts. He is averaging 30 minutes per game. I feel he and Martin should be averaging 20 minutes per game. Try working more minutes in for Qvale, Graves mostly and some to Vanderjagt (another agile 7', that can only help rebounding and defense).
(4) Fear of change defensively. Graves, Rundles, and Ceylon Elgin Taylor are all quick athletic guards. Graves an Elgin-Taylor particularly have what it takes to be true shutdown guards. I feel the GRIZ need to press ball handlers quite often with either or both on the court. They need to force some turnovers for a few easier buckets. Most of the time Defense is too passive. Defense is much better with Qvale and Graves seeing minutes.
(5) FT shooting consistency. What a roller coaster this is for the GRIZ, one game they hit better than 80%, the next 50% to 60%.
(6) All the above lead to this, 40 minutes of solid hard play! Like last year, so far this year they turn the switch on and off as they feel is needed. They, the players need to have that switch "ON" for 40 minutes. That and shot selection alone will make the GRIZ the best in the BSC. Problem is the players have yet to prove they are capable of doing those things 40 minutes a night every game.
This year will definitely be dog fight and to date I have not a clue how it will play out.
I have a feeling PSU, Montana, WSU, NAU will likely be the top 4. I will not be surprised one bit if MSU somehow becomes a threat by seasons end. Huse is one hell of a coach, and his team WILL only get better each week. MSU better enjoy Huse while they can. I will not be surprised in 5 years he will have made a huge impression and be pursued to move up. Talent and depth alone the GRIZ should be the favorite, but they have some issues that have yet to be proven they can correct. (1) How can they compensate for no true SF? They will have to man that position dependent on matchups each game. (2) Shot selection has been inconsistent at best. They have the best frontcourt in the confenrence, yet at times refuse to pound the ball inside. All this despite the coaches' desire and wish to get the ball inside. (3) Allocating minutes and massaging egos. IMHO the GRIZ are a much better team with True Freshman, Brian Qvale on the court. Defensively he is difference maker and gets 17 minutes a game. His play is deserving of 30 minutes. He could be 12 to 13 point, 7 rebound, 2.5 block per game average guy with 25 to 30 minutes. He is the shotblocker we need and a well above average rebounder.
Another player I am high on and feel would make a positive impact is, Zach Graves (FR Redshirt). He is by far the most athletic GRIZ, penetrator, quick, solid ball handler, and true shutdown guard. How do they distribute minutes to him though? Matt Martin is shooting consistent, leading the GRIZ in steals, and assists. Cam Rundles is injured, yet when healthy and ALL BSC caliber player. Ryan Staudacher is a good shooter, solid defender, and good at getting the ball into the posts. He is averaging 30 minutes per game. I feel he and Martin should be averaging 20 minutes per game. Try working more minutes in for Qvale, Graves mostly and some to Vanderjagt (another agile 7', that can only help rebounding and defense).
(4) Fear of change defensively. Graves, Rundles, and Ceylon Elgin Taylor are all quick athletic guards. Graves an Elgin-Taylor particularly have what it takes to be true shutdown guards. I feel the GRIZ need to press ball handlers quite often with either or both on the court. They need to force some turnovers for a few easier buckets. Most of the time Defense is too passive. Defense is much better with Qvale and Graves seeing minutes.
(5) FT shooting consistency. What a roller coaster this is for the GRIZ, one game they hit better than 80%, the next 50% to 60%.
(6) All the above lead to this, 40 minutes of solid hard play! Like last year, so far this year they turn the switch on and off as they feel is needed. They, the players need to have that switch "ON" for 40 minutes. That and shot selection alone will make the GRIZ the best in the BSC. Problem is the players have yet to prove they are capable of doing those things 40 minutes a night every game.
