grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
Well, here we are. Three-plus years after taking the controls of the Montana men’s basketball program, this is the team that Travis DeCuire has built to play his style of hoops. Though it’s missing at least one expected impact player in Donaven Dorsey (out with injury), incoming players – transfer Jamar Akoh and freshmen Karl Nicholas and Timmy Falls – have already had a major impact to round out the strength of the team at every position.
The future looks very good. In a conference preview story in today’s Missoulian, written by Frank Gogola, the tone of coach DeCuire’s comments indicate that he believes this team is capable and ready. Now.
“We always knew that we’re talented enough to compete for a championship,” DeCuire said before the Griz lost to Washington. “But the new defensive strategy that we’re playing, I think we’re just now getting comfortable with it. The consistency of being where we need to be when we need to be there and doing it with the level of intensity and confidence and trust in each other is still in question.
“But, I know we can do it. I think now these guys are starting to believe they can do it. I’m excited to see what happens.”
The really intriguing thing is that this still-young team – barring any major setbacks or injury – is nowhere close to what it can become. Since DeCuire’s teams have always showed steady incremental improvement, that’s pretty cool.
So... best wishes to Coach DeCuire, his Griz players and assistants. Here’s hoping that they continue to improve game by game and are in position to challenge for the Big Sky championship... both regular season and tourney. This year.
It won’t be easy. I’ve followed Big Sky basketball since its early days and I can’t remember the league having combined national rankings as high as this season (ranked 21st by Kenpom, 23rd by Sagarin, and 18th in conference RPI by the NCAA). That means the battle tor the top in what is still probably a one-bid conference, will be royal. As noted by North Dakota coach, Brian Jones (below) the Big Sky could be won this year by a team with 5 conference losses. Two senior-laden teams (Idaho and Portland State) are legit favorites. The Griz are bunched with several teams (Montana State, Eastern Washington, Weber State and especially Northern Colorado) capable of winning the Big Sky.
Can’t fret about that. It should be fun. Right now, I’m hoping the Griz get off to a good start. I remember more than one road trip to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah that turned sour. Regardless of the standing of the opponents, this is a very tough road loop.
I do solidly believe one important thing: This year’s team has a very high ceiling. If they continue to get expected production from their veterans (Fabijan Krslovic, Ahmaad Rorie, Michael Oguine, Bobby Moorehead, Sayeed Pridgett) and steady improvement from junior Akoh and freshmen Nicholas and Falls, they’ll be legit mid-major upper-tier. (I, like others, hope 1-2 other backups can start contributing even a few important minutes.)
Championship teams are built to peak by mid-February. This team has all the tools capable to do just that.. I wish them the best. Go Griz.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/FrankGogola/status/946213963171356672[/tweet]
The future looks very good. In a conference preview story in today’s Missoulian, written by Frank Gogola, the tone of coach DeCuire’s comments indicate that he believes this team is capable and ready. Now.
“We always knew that we’re talented enough to compete for a championship,” DeCuire said before the Griz lost to Washington. “But the new defensive strategy that we’re playing, I think we’re just now getting comfortable with it. The consistency of being where we need to be when we need to be there and doing it with the level of intensity and confidence and trust in each other is still in question.
“But, I know we can do it. I think now these guys are starting to believe they can do it. I’m excited to see what happens.”
The really intriguing thing is that this still-young team – barring any major setbacks or injury – is nowhere close to what it can become. Since DeCuire’s teams have always showed steady incremental improvement, that’s pretty cool.
So... best wishes to Coach DeCuire, his Griz players and assistants. Here’s hoping that they continue to improve game by game and are in position to challenge for the Big Sky championship... both regular season and tourney. This year.
It won’t be easy. I’ve followed Big Sky basketball since its early days and I can’t remember the league having combined national rankings as high as this season (ranked 21st by Kenpom, 23rd by Sagarin, and 18th in conference RPI by the NCAA). That means the battle tor the top in what is still probably a one-bid conference, will be royal. As noted by North Dakota coach, Brian Jones (below) the Big Sky could be won this year by a team with 5 conference losses. Two senior-laden teams (Idaho and Portland State) are legit favorites. The Griz are bunched with several teams (Montana State, Eastern Washington, Weber State and especially Northern Colorado) capable of winning the Big Sky.
Can’t fret about that. It should be fun. Right now, I’m hoping the Griz get off to a good start. I remember more than one road trip to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah that turned sour. Regardless of the standing of the opponents, this is a very tough road loop.
I do solidly believe one important thing: This year’s team has a very high ceiling. If they continue to get expected production from their veterans (Fabijan Krslovic, Ahmaad Rorie, Michael Oguine, Bobby Moorehead, Sayeed Pridgett) and steady improvement from junior Akoh and freshmen Nicholas and Falls, they’ll be legit mid-major upper-tier. (I, like others, hope 1-2 other backups can start contributing even a few important minutes.)
Championship teams are built to peak by mid-February. This team has all the tools capable to do just that.. I wish them the best. Go Griz.
[tweet]https://twitter.com/FrankGogola/status/946213963171356672[/tweet]
