mtgrizrule
Well-known member
Well, just got home from the game, and tired as I can get, but GRIZNATION convinced me to post tonight. I am still on adrenaline from that game.
Anyway, 1st off.........Win or Lose, I was going to mention this. Kudo's to UNC and their fans. Seriously, that was one hell of a basketball atmosphere for a small venue. That team has that community behind it 100%. It was a fun atmosphere. I have never said that about any BSC venue outside of the GRIZ for a long long time. We sat 3 rows behind the GRIZ bench. One of their front row fans was really getting under my skin. They took the lead with a hoop and harm play, he stood up and did some kind of Billy Whiteshoes Johnson gun routine with both hands. I patiently waited and tried staying calm. Soon after they scored on another hoop and harm, their big guy started chest thumping. That did it for me, hell with being quiet as a visitor. He stepped to the line with dead silence. As he was going into his ft shooting motion, I yelled "miss". He look around the crowd to see who in the hell did it, and few UNC fans laughed and a few others gave me evil stares. Next trip to the line was one on one, another FT shooter, I yelled again "you 2 will miss". Sure enough, another player shocked to hear anything from the crowd, and he missed. UNC fans stared me down again, but oh well. I loved it. After the game, a few UNC fans shook my hand and said "Great game, congrats on the win." One even said "Can we recruit you to be our fan on the road?" So thanks to the UNC fans for showing class in the spirit of competition.
On to the game, I was seriously shocked and disappointed Cherry was sitting. I was equally intrigued to see what Stockton could do though, and had no idea what to expect. 1st of all, kudos to the GRIZ for a brilliant opening series set play. Tinkle ran Staudacher through 3 picks to get him an open shot, granted we missed, but I loved they did something right off the bat I had been wanting them to do. As it turned out, the GRIZ finally ran a lot of off ball screens for Stauds, and even a few for Taylor. Some picks were very good, others were not so good. I hope the GRIZ stick to the screens though, because it made a world of difference in Stauds getting just a split second more time to get off his shot, and the results were excellent. Apparently, it looked as if the coaches noticed some the same things mentioned here.
It also looked like a fire was lit under everyone's ass. Every player busted ass and worked hard all game. I can honestly say, "Not one time did I see anyone take a play off on either end of the court." Speaking of busting ass and attitude, Stockton and McGillis are as gritty and annoying as it gets for opponents. These 2 really brought some in your face attitude tonight. Stockton was overly intense, he was called for fouling the shooter a few times, but it was not because of bad defense, it was because he was putting his ass into them for position as soon as the shooter's feet touched the ground. He was damn determined not to let anyone beat him or get the ball back. That kid is all attitude and learned a few tricks from John.
Tinkle said help defense had to improve. Once again, another aspect the team responded to after being challenged by the coaches. There were a few let downs by Qvale and/or Selvig, they were over anticipating the middle cutter, both dunks were backdoor cuts, just like the CATS had done. I am actually impressed we did not get beat more by cutters, because they ran 1, 2, and even 3 (a few times) in their set offense, Qvale got beat 2 times, and Selvig one time. Jack did too, but he gave foul before they could get the ball or shoot. Perimeter defense was much better, except 2 letdowns, for open 3's. One time it was great ball movement by UNC catching in between switches or zone coverage. Another time either Stauds, Taylor, or Stockton lost their man entirely running baseline. I could not see who because Tinkle blocked my point of view.
I have been saying all year, and many of you chimed in that shooting had to get better or consistent. This is a no brainer with this team. If they even shoot average they win, because their defense is that damn good. Tonight the team worked hard to get Stauds looks, and Stauds even took some tightly guarded shots he normally would turn down. It appears to me we may finally be telling him to be a shoot 1st player. He was really looking to shoot it tonight. Taylor was also more ready to shoot, but his opportunities were not there with Stauds on.
AJ was asked to be aggressive again, tonight he was dropping quick shots off one or 2 dribbles, he was driving, and he had the determination not be denied. In a nutshell he was AJ again. :thumb:
We said we needed more contributions from our bigs Qvale, well Selvig was not roaming the perimeter very often. They used him a few times down low, but he was basically 15 feet out from the hoop most the night in most the sets, on both ends of the court. It made a difference, he was fighting for most every rebound. I am guessing he had close to a double double. He turned the ball over more than normal, but UNC just could not match up on him. He also did a good job clogging the paint. He effected many shots, and had 2 blocks I think. Selvig basically did everything I have always thought he could do, and had the most impact of anyone in the game. Selvig even got to the line and looked good shooting FT's. Ward did well on the boards, played good defense, but got real nervous when he got the ball a few times (experience will cure that). Despite Qvale having about as bad a game as he could have, our bigs came through, which was much needed.
AJ finally had good scoring support from Stauds and Selvig. Our role players finally did well. The difference in this game and the turning point though was Will Cherry. Tinkle had no choice but to get his ballhandling into the game. AJ could not do it on his own, Taylor did alright, Stockton was not ready for that kind of pressure in the 2nd half. Cherry came in, and the 1st time he got the ball in fullcourt pressure, he confidently waived his teammates off and signaled them to clear out and head down court. I could not believe that, but loved it. After he came in the game the fullcourt pressure was nothing, rather they played it or not, that was when we made our run, and we missed 4 points when Cherry or AJ went to the basket, dumped to Ward, both times he bobbled the ball and they were turnovers. Had he held onto the ball they were sure baskets or at least FT's.
UNC's guards are quick and pesky as BSC guards get, yet they had no answer for Cherry's ballhandling or his defense. He stole the go ahead basket late and forced them into turnovers from being in their face. Cherry is flatout amazing, and has no fear when it comes to making big plays. He drives to the hole or pulls up with quick jumpers or floaters with ease. He makes defense look easy, and we all know defense is not easy. Taking nothing away from any guard on that court, but Cherry was the best overall guard on that court tonight, and Selvig was by far the best big on the court tonight.
By the way, the GRIZ are not slow!!!!!!!! UNC tried to push the ball many times, and not one time did they beat us down the court. Even our bigs were down there defending. I am not saying we are quick collectively either, but most definitely not slow. I also learned this GRIZ team is one damn good defense, and they are capable of contesting most every shot. 4 or 5 breakdowns over 40 minutes is great defense. Especially with guards and shooters like UNC has.
Overall a great game, and one that I am very proud to have seen in person. The GRIZ are capable of being the best team in the BSC. The question is "Can they finally find the consistency?" I am not worried about the turnovers. We will not face that kind of pressure again in BSC play, and with Cherry available pressing teams should not hurt us. So for me being hard on this team this last week, I give credit when credit is due. That was one impressive GRIZ team tonight with so much potential.
Thanks for the great game both teams. I became an UNC fan tonight too.
Anyway, 1st off.........Win or Lose, I was going to mention this. Kudo's to UNC and their fans. Seriously, that was one hell of a basketball atmosphere for a small venue. That team has that community behind it 100%. It was a fun atmosphere. I have never said that about any BSC venue outside of the GRIZ for a long long time. We sat 3 rows behind the GRIZ bench. One of their front row fans was really getting under my skin. They took the lead with a hoop and harm play, he stood up and did some kind of Billy Whiteshoes Johnson gun routine with both hands. I patiently waited and tried staying calm. Soon after they scored on another hoop and harm, their big guy started chest thumping. That did it for me, hell with being quiet as a visitor. He stepped to the line with dead silence. As he was going into his ft shooting motion, I yelled "miss". He look around the crowd to see who in the hell did it, and few UNC fans laughed and a few others gave me evil stares. Next trip to the line was one on one, another FT shooter, I yelled again "you 2 will miss". Sure enough, another player shocked to hear anything from the crowd, and he missed. UNC fans stared me down again, but oh well. I loved it. After the game, a few UNC fans shook my hand and said "Great game, congrats on the win." One even said "Can we recruit you to be our fan on the road?" So thanks to the UNC fans for showing class in the spirit of competition.
On to the game, I was seriously shocked and disappointed Cherry was sitting. I was equally intrigued to see what Stockton could do though, and had no idea what to expect. 1st of all, kudos to the GRIZ for a brilliant opening series set play. Tinkle ran Staudacher through 3 picks to get him an open shot, granted we missed, but I loved they did something right off the bat I had been wanting them to do. As it turned out, the GRIZ finally ran a lot of off ball screens for Stauds, and even a few for Taylor. Some picks were very good, others were not so good. I hope the GRIZ stick to the screens though, because it made a world of difference in Stauds getting just a split second more time to get off his shot, and the results were excellent. Apparently, it looked as if the coaches noticed some the same things mentioned here.
It also looked like a fire was lit under everyone's ass. Every player busted ass and worked hard all game. I can honestly say, "Not one time did I see anyone take a play off on either end of the court." Speaking of busting ass and attitude, Stockton and McGillis are as gritty and annoying as it gets for opponents. These 2 really brought some in your face attitude tonight. Stockton was overly intense, he was called for fouling the shooter a few times, but it was not because of bad defense, it was because he was putting his ass into them for position as soon as the shooter's feet touched the ground. He was damn determined not to let anyone beat him or get the ball back. That kid is all attitude and learned a few tricks from John.
Tinkle said help defense had to improve. Once again, another aspect the team responded to after being challenged by the coaches. There were a few let downs by Qvale and/or Selvig, they were over anticipating the middle cutter, both dunks were backdoor cuts, just like the CATS had done. I am actually impressed we did not get beat more by cutters, because they ran 1, 2, and even 3 (a few times) in their set offense, Qvale got beat 2 times, and Selvig one time. Jack did too, but he gave foul before they could get the ball or shoot. Perimeter defense was much better, except 2 letdowns, for open 3's. One time it was great ball movement by UNC catching in between switches or zone coverage. Another time either Stauds, Taylor, or Stockton lost their man entirely running baseline. I could not see who because Tinkle blocked my point of view.
I have been saying all year, and many of you chimed in that shooting had to get better or consistent. This is a no brainer with this team. If they even shoot average they win, because their defense is that damn good. Tonight the team worked hard to get Stauds looks, and Stauds even took some tightly guarded shots he normally would turn down. It appears to me we may finally be telling him to be a shoot 1st player. He was really looking to shoot it tonight. Taylor was also more ready to shoot, but his opportunities were not there with Stauds on.
AJ was asked to be aggressive again, tonight he was dropping quick shots off one or 2 dribbles, he was driving, and he had the determination not be denied. In a nutshell he was AJ again. :thumb:
We said we needed more contributions from our bigs Qvale, well Selvig was not roaming the perimeter very often. They used him a few times down low, but he was basically 15 feet out from the hoop most the night in most the sets, on both ends of the court. It made a difference, he was fighting for most every rebound. I am guessing he had close to a double double. He turned the ball over more than normal, but UNC just could not match up on him. He also did a good job clogging the paint. He effected many shots, and had 2 blocks I think. Selvig basically did everything I have always thought he could do, and had the most impact of anyone in the game. Selvig even got to the line and looked good shooting FT's. Ward did well on the boards, played good defense, but got real nervous when he got the ball a few times (experience will cure that). Despite Qvale having about as bad a game as he could have, our bigs came through, which was much needed.
AJ finally had good scoring support from Stauds and Selvig. Our role players finally did well. The difference in this game and the turning point though was Will Cherry. Tinkle had no choice but to get his ballhandling into the game. AJ could not do it on his own, Taylor did alright, Stockton was not ready for that kind of pressure in the 2nd half. Cherry came in, and the 1st time he got the ball in fullcourt pressure, he confidently waived his teammates off and signaled them to clear out and head down court. I could not believe that, but loved it. After he came in the game the fullcourt pressure was nothing, rather they played it or not, that was when we made our run, and we missed 4 points when Cherry or AJ went to the basket, dumped to Ward, both times he bobbled the ball and they were turnovers. Had he held onto the ball they were sure baskets or at least FT's.
UNC's guards are quick and pesky as BSC guards get, yet they had no answer for Cherry's ballhandling or his defense. He stole the go ahead basket late and forced them into turnovers from being in their face. Cherry is flatout amazing, and has no fear when it comes to making big plays. He drives to the hole or pulls up with quick jumpers or floaters with ease. He makes defense look easy, and we all know defense is not easy. Taking nothing away from any guard on that court, but Cherry was the best overall guard on that court tonight, and Selvig was by far the best big on the court tonight.
By the way, the GRIZ are not slow!!!!!!!! UNC tried to push the ball many times, and not one time did they beat us down the court. Even our bigs were down there defending. I am not saying we are quick collectively either, but most definitely not slow. I also learned this GRIZ team is one damn good defense, and they are capable of contesting most every shot. 4 or 5 breakdowns over 40 minutes is great defense. Especially with guards and shooters like UNC has.
Overall a great game, and one that I am very proud to have seen in person. The GRIZ are capable of being the best team in the BSC. The question is "Can they finally find the consistency?" I am not worried about the turnovers. We will not face that kind of pressure again in BSC play, and with Cherry available pressing teams should not hurt us. So for me being hard on this team this last week, I give credit when credit is due. That was one impressive GRIZ team tonight with so much potential.
Thanks for the great game both teams. I became an UNC fan tonight too.
