UM vs. SAC

[Montana Gym Rat]

Welcome to BSC basketball. It doesn't matter how much better one team seems or what the expectations are. Everybody beats each other up until playoffs - and even then the best team doesn't always step up.

All the Griz need to do is make the playoffs. Anything can happen from there, just look at the last two years.

 

[Montana Gym Rat]

Also....

The key to the Griz success in the past was moving the ball and getting good looks. The best stat to check for that is assists. I tabulated this last year and I think 95% of the time that the Griz had 15+ assists, they won.

It starts with keying in on getting more assists than turnovers (13 assists and 19 turnovers last night). Once that starts happening on a consistent basis, you turn your focus on trying to acheive that 20 assist mark. You hardly ever see a team get 20 assists and lose.

Secondly, perimeter defense has got to improve. This was a weakness I noticed in the game I watched early in the season and it appears to remain a major problem. They've got to address this or else teams will keep lighting them up.

Free throw percentage is terrible. Just practice and focus - they really aren't that difficult. The last two items have to do with discipline and hard work. You hate to see aspects of the game hurt you that you have control over.

 

[cclarkblues]

It almost seems that the Griz BBall offense picked up where the Griz Football offense left off - inconsistent and unreliable, plus they don't have the defense to pull their fat out of the fire.

They got no mojo.

 

[ronz]

The big problem is that they need to get more scoring from someone other that Strait on a consistance basis. Really need to get going from the outside.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Also....

The key to the Griz success in the past was moving the ball and getting good looks. The best stat to check for that is assists. I tabulated this last year and I think 95% of the time that the Griz had 15+ assists, they won.

It starts with keying in on getting more assists than turnovers (13 assists and 19 turnovers last night). Once that starts happening on a consistent basis, you turn your focus on trying to acheive that 20 assist mark. You hardly ever see a team get 20 assists and lose.

Secondly, perimeter defense has got to improve. This was a weakness I noticed in the game I watched early in the season and it appears to remain a major problem. They've got to address this or else teams will keep lighting them up.

Free throw percentage is terrible. Just practice and focus - they really aren't that difficult. The last two items have to do with discipline and hard work. You hate to see aspects of the game hurt you that you have control over.

If you were in attendance at the game, then you know TURNOVERS cost the Griz the game. The Griz got plenty of good looks at the basket, they just didn't knock down the shots. Someone mentioned FT's as the reason the Griz lost the game, not true. Even if the Griz shot 80% they still lose the game. In fact, the Griz nearly went the entire game without being in a bonus situation. The misses were not front ends of 1-1 situations. That doesn't diminish the fact the FT shooting needs to improve. It isn't just Strait, but he shoots the most FT's so the percentage drops considerably.

The poor defense in my opinion has nothing to do with talent. It has to do with effort. Defense is a mindset. You have to want to get into your opponent and refuse to let him beat you. The entire team has to play D, and help out when someone gets beat. There needs to be communication on the floor as well, something that is missing right now.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Sac State almost gave this game away tonight... I know you're all hurtin' but here's a couple observations I took away from this game...

I think the Griz finally starting playing hard and forced some mistakes.

1. This is not the Grizzly team I saw last year. The BIGGEST thing i noticed was a lack of discipline in pregame. There were players goofing off and half-assing their warm ups (something I didn't see as much of with Larry K). When they did lay up lines, half the guys threw lobs, others threw up crazy "non-game" shots. It just looked weird...

I saw plenty of the same on Sac team warmups. I have seen teams look like they were in the military in warmups and stink up the gym. I don't put that much stock into it.

2. Does Mr. Tinkle know that he's the head coach? I haven't seen a HC sit down for that much of a game in a while...

If standing and ranting is the making of a good coach, someone forget to tell some of the better coaches in America. Coach K, Mark Few, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, to name a few don't stand the whole game like some coaches do. They need to be themselves, not imitate some coach on TV.

3. Does Strait ever have a bad game? He was a beast on the boards and got a ton of put backs.

Strait comes to play, the entire game.

4. Matt Martin just pisses me off. Start Ellis over his whiny ass...

Matt is an enigma. He can look like he is all BSC one game, and Intramural caliber the next. I wonder what goes on inside that kids head.

5. Lots of Montana fans at the game, good to see. Anyone go?

Was there with my sister and niece.

6. Dlouhy needs to get his act together and the poster who mentioned that Hasquet should be an 18 and 7 guy is right. He has tremendous potential.

Dlouhy got off to a nice start, was hustling, going to the glass, then he missed some open looks and his attitude went south. He got back into it mentally late in the game, but he was AWOL much of the game.

7. Lastly, you guys could have won this game. I think UM will still be in the top 2 or 3 at worst when Conference play is over.

The Griz could have won the game by simply playing hard for 40 minutes. There is not a doubt in my mind the Griz are better than Sac, no disrespect Kadeezy, but you had no answer for Strait and the Griz only get him 11 shots of whihc he makes 9. The Griz could have gone to him all night. He should get 35 and 12 against you guys every game.

 

[Kadeezy]

35 and 12 every time? Give me a break. Strait is probably the best big man in the BSC, but c'mon Brokebacker1, get off his jock!

 

[Grizbacker1]

35 and 12 every time? Give me a break. Strait is probably the best big man in the BSC, but c'mon Brokebacker1, get off his jock!

You get real. He shot 11 shots and had 21 points. Who the hell have you ever had that could stop him? Strait schooled Fazekas in the NCAA's in case you forgot and Fazekas is 3X the post player you guys ever had.

As for jocks, at least I wore one. :dance:

 

[ronz]

Yes defense is a mind set and it is where you should be working yur hardest. What the Griz really need is a guy who can catch and shoot, like a Redick or a Morrison. You really need the inside outside game and they just don't have it going yet but they do have the players to do it.

 

[Kadeezy]

35 and 12 every time? Give me a break. Strait is probably the best big man in the BSC, but c'mon Brokebacker1, get off his jock!

You get real. He shot 11 shots and had 21 points. Who the hell have you ever had that could stop him? Strait schooled Fazekas in the NCAA's in case you forgot and Fazekas is 3X the post player you guys ever had.

As for jocks, at least I wore one. :dance:[/quote

Strait has only gone for 30 once in his entire career. He's never gone for 35 and 12 against Sac. Seriously, you need a reality check. He's first team all big sky and the best 5 in the league, can't you live with that?