Weber State

[wildkyle]

I am suprised there is nothing about tonight Montana Weber game here tonight. I think it will be a good game. You came off a tough loss last game and I am afaid you will beat us for revenge.

 

[GrizWhiz]

I am suprised there is nothing about tonight Montana Weber game here tonight. I think it will be a good game. You came off a tough loss last game and I am afaid you will beat us for revenge.

I wish it was that simple!

 

[Evizzerate]

Wyld One, Thanks for checking in but all six of us BBall fans on the board are out for breakfast.

 

[mtgrizrule]

The Weber State game is huger than we ever thought it would be this year. I honestly expected us to be 3-0 in conference coming into this game. Come on GRIZ, we have to get this one!

 

[weberwildcat]

Yes, this is a big game. And somehow ISU just got lucky I think.

 

[weberwildcat]

weberhoops.com:


1/2/10
Tonight: Montana at Weber
On New Year's Eve Weber State played its first day game since the 90s and beat Montana State. Tonight WSU will conclude the New Year's weekend games by hosting the Montana Griz who last won at the Dee in 2003-04. The game will be Weber's 107th all-time meeting between the 2 schools. The Wildcats have played Montana and Idaho State 106 times each and Montana State the next most at 105 meetings.

2008-09 In Ogden
Last year at the Dee, WSU beat UM 71-55. Kellen McCoy and Daviin Davis each scored 18 points. Damian Lillard chipped in with 17. WSU hit 24-of-30 from the charity stripe. In the game UM took an early lead, but WSU went on an early run outscoring UM 16-2 in the first half to take an 18-11 lead. The 'Cats biggest lead, 62-43, came on a layup by Lillard with 5 minutes to go in the game. The Griz then scored 8 in-a-row to get within 11 but it would not be enough at the Dee. For the Griz, Anthony Johnson scored 21 points and Jack McGillis added 16.

2008-09 In Missoula
When Weber traveled to Montana, the 'Cats were 6-0 on the road with 2 to go to finish with a perfect 8-0 on the road; a conference record. Lillard scored 16 and Steve Panos added 13 to help WSU beat UM (69-58) for the second straight in Missoula. Daviin Davis added 12 points and seven boards in WSU's clincher for the Big Sky title with a 12-1 record. Lillard's 12 points at halftime put WSU ahead 33-27 at intermission. Davis scored on two consecutive layups to increase WSU's lead to 54-38 with 11 minutes to go. Weber was up by as many as 19 points before winning by 11. Anthony Johnson led the Griz with 17 and was the only player on his team to score in double figures.

Weber/Montana Stats
WSU is off to a 2-0 start in conference play for the second time since 2003. The 2003 team went 16-0 and the 2009 team went 15-1. The 'Cats have won 15 straight conference regular season games and 9 straight conference road games. Montana is 1-2 in conference play after hosting NAU and Northern Colorado a few weeks ago, the Griz beat NAU and then lost to UNC. Montana played in Pocatello 2 nights ago and lost to Idaho State on a last second shot by the Bengals for the 67-65 win. The W was just the second against DI opponents so far this year for the struggling Bengals who have 8 seniors on the roster.

Weber's all-time record against Montana is 63-43 overall, 38-13 in Ogden, and 25-30 at UM. Of all the schools in the Big Sky, Montana has the best record against Weber State.

Randy Rahe is 11-4 against the Montanas, 6-3 vs MSU and 5-1 vs UM. WSU's last loss to Montana was in January of 2007 in Missoula. Montana's Wayne Tinkle is 58-48 overall has a head coach with 3 years of experience at UM. In his 3 years with the Griz he has led his teams to 3rd, 4th and 2nd place finishes.

So far this year Weber State has played 6 home games and 8 away. UM has played 9 home games and 6 away. WSU is averaging 74.4 ppg and 67.1 for UM. WSU allows 71.6 ppg and UM allows 58.3. UM is 2-5 away from Missoula while WSU is 3-5 away from Ogden.

Preseason Polls
In the Big Sky preseason polls Montana was picked 2nd by the coaches and media. Montana also had 3 out of 8 possible 1st place votes by the coaches while Weber had 4 votes. In the media, UM had 3 votes out of the posssible 28 and WSU had 23 votes. Lindy's College Basketball magazine picked Montana to finish 3rd with Weber in 2nd and Montana State 1st. Lindy's also selected UM's Anthony Johnson as Big Sky MVP and WSU's Franklin Session as Newcomer of the Year.

Lindy's take on UM: The Grizzlies bounded into Big Sky title contention last year following several difficult seasons. They should be back in the hunt this year behind the play of guard Anthony Johnson, last year's Big Sky Newcomer of the Year. Johnson is arguably the Big Sky's top player and has a nice supporting cast with sharp-shooting guard Ryan Staudacher and rugged forward Jack McGillis. Low post is a major concern in Missoula, however. Coach Wayne Tinkle needs junior post Brian Qvale to step up. Expect the Grizzlies to be in the hunt for the conference title in the regular season and postseason tournement.

Probable MSU Starters
C-41 Brian Qvale 6-11 255 Jr Williston, ND (10.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.9 bpg)
F-44 Jack McGillis 6-6 215 Sr Missoula, MT (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.8 spg, .281 3P%)
G-2 Raason Young 6-6 175 Jr Washington, DC (5.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .538 3P%)
G-3 Ryan Staudacher 6-3 210 Sr Kirkland, WA (8.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, .418 3P%)
G-23 Anthony Johnson 6-2 210 Sr Tacoma, WA (16.8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.3 rpg, .366 3P%)

A newcomer on the Griz squad is freshman Will Cherry. UM fans are very excited about this young player who was rated very high by ESPN recruiting standards. Cherry was rated as an 80 and is a 6'1" guard from Oakland, CA.

Probable WSU Starters
C-40 Steve Panos 6-8 240 Sr Salt Lake City, UT (10.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
F-3 Kyle Bullinger 6-6 210 So Mountain View, WY (10.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .340 3P%)
G-12 Franklin Session 6-2 175 Jr Los Angeles, CA (9.1, 7.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.8 bpg)
G-12 Nick Hansen 6-4 200 Sr Pocatello, ID (9.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, .344 3P%)
G-1 Damian Lillard 6-2 180 So Oakland, CA (18.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.6 rpg, .326 3P%)

UM Bio
Established: 1893
Undergraduates: 11,799
Graduates: 2,059
Location: Missoula, MT
Nickname: Grizzlies
Colors: Maroon & Silver
Stadium: Dahlberg Arena (7,500)

UM Schedule
Nov 13 North Dakote W 61-37
Nov 14 Boise State W 95-82
Nov 15 Loyola Marymount W 64-63
Nov 19 @ Denver L 56-49
Nov 23 @ Oregon W 68-55
Nov 29 @ Washington L 63-59
Dec 4 Northern Arizona* W 71-54
Dec 5 Northern Colorado* L 59-48
Dec 10 @ Loyola Marymount W 82-73
Dec 12 @ Colorado State L 62-61
Dec 16 Montana St-Northern W 57-43
Dec 19 UC-Riverside W 67-52
Dec 21 Fresno State W 59-56
Dec 23 Great Falls W 100-52
Dec 31 @ Idaho State* L 67-65
Jan 2 @ Weber State*

 

[IronMountainGriz&Cat]

Some of us are still demoralized by how Thursday loss falls into the pattern, losing the close ones on the road and not beating the league favorites at home (how could one not think Northern Colorada is a favorite). The other pattern is add more talent every year but results stay the same. Oh well it's a new year and a new decade.

Go Griz and Lady Griz

 

[weberwildcat]

RANDY RAHE QUOTES
ON MONTANA: “They have played really well this season against really good teams. They beat Oregon on the road then lost a five point game at Washington. Anthony Johnson is a great all-around player and Ryan Staudacher has the ability to pull the trigger from anywhere on the court with success. Brian Qvale is one of the most improved players in the league this season and has become a prominent force in the middle. Coach Tinkle’s teams are always aggressive, especially on the defensive end, and they don’t give you any cheap baskets.”

ON WEBER STATE: “I am running out of half time motivational speeches. We need to concentrate better in the first half on rebounding and defending. We need to get more baskets off turnovers overs. I still like our attitude and out togetherness, but we can’t live on second half surges. We need to establish ourselves in the first half and make our opponents play catch up.”


(wsu has been behind at halftime in 12 of our 14 games so far)

 

[Evizzerate]

C'mon Tinkle get your sht together...this year is real danger of becoming a real cluster fack. With a loss tonight and a split next weekend at home with EWU and PSU ( a real possibility ) we could be 2-4 in conference before going on the road for 4 games to finish out the month...

 

[Sugar Bear 16]

Maybe they may peak at the right time and make a surge. However, it does need to happen real soon. If it doesn't and they fail to get into the semi's or title game in the Conference tourney I think it's time for a new head coach or for O'Day to have real serious meeting with Tinks and tell him either produce results or goodbye. The talent is there for sure and I think depending on how recruiting goes and how well younger guys improve around a player like Qvale they can be even more talented than this year's team. This years team needs to get to the title game in my opinion for the program to return to the level it was under Krysko with less talent.

 

[BelierPeaux]

Maybe they may peak at the right time and make a surge. However, it does need to happen real soon. If it doesn't and they fail to get into the semi's or title game in the Conference tourney I think it's time for a new head coach or for O'Day to have real serious meeting with Tinks and tell him either produce results or goodbye. The talent is there for sure and I think depending on how recruiting goes and how well younger guys improve around a player like Qvale they can be even more talented than this year's team. This years team needs to get to the title game in my opinion for the program to return to the level it was under Krysko with less talent.

I am hopeful, too, but under Tinkle so far there has been no such thing as a late season surge. Like it or not I think O'Day will stick with Tinkle until his contract is up in two more years barring a disasterous season. The talent is there, for sure, but so far this year's team is looking no different from any other Tinkle lead team; some good wins and some equally embarassing losses. Man, I hate to see this talent wasted! Get some heart, Griz!

 

[GrizWhiz]

Maybe they may peak at the right time and make a surge. However, it does need to happen real soon. If it doesn't and they fail to get into the semi's or title game in the Conference tourney I think it's time for a new head coach or for O'Day to have real serious meeting with Tinks and tell him either produce results or goodbye. The talent is there for sure and I think depending on how recruiting goes and how well younger guys improve around a player like Qvale they can be even more talented than this year's team. This years team needs to get to the title game in my opinion for the program to return to the level it was under Krysko with less talent.

"under Krysko with less talent"?.....I disagree. Krysko's last team included Criswell, Strait, Matthews and Hasquet. Krysko was a heckuva coach but talent wise, I would take these four guys over any four from the current team. A key factor with talent means being able to produce consistently. These four guys did just that during Krysko's final year. We do not have any conisistency with more than two players (Johnson and Qvale) with this year's team and that is a big part of the problem.

 

[Montanan]

hate to say it, but under Coach Tinkle lack of consistency has become a trait. PSU maybe my last game this year.

 

[MT Jack]

hate to say it, but under Coach Tinkle lack of consistency has become a trait. PSU maybe my last game this year.

I've never understood this when one is supporting their alma mater/favorite college. If you're a fan you're a fan whether win or lose. Supporting a Big Sky conference team isn't going to put one in the poor house like basketball tickets for some big name ACC/Big East programs, is it?

The Griz have solid wins this year. That's multiple solid wins. I just can't rationalize fans' - either pro or college - demands for constant perfection and dominance.

Be thrilled Griz mens bball beat U of Oregon, nearly beat U of Washington and are playing competitive games up to this point in a league that's far from being set playoff-wise.

A few friends have wondered what will happen if the Griz football programs starts to lose a few games here and there..... the more I think about it the more I believe that all people have to do is look at support for the mens basketball program. A program that is far from being the dregs of the Big Sky Conference and is able to at least be consistently competitive.

Appreciate what Griz fans have going there in Missoula - a beautiful facility, some definite talent on the court and a coaching staff that's shown stability and wins more than they lose.

 

[Montanan]

hate to say it, but under Coach Tinkle lack of consistency has become a trait. PSU maybe my last game this year.

I've never understood this when one is supporting their alma mater/favorite college. If you're a fan you're a fan whether win or lose. Supporting a Big Sky conference team isn't going to put one in the poor house like basketball tickets for some big name ACC/Big East programs, is it?

The Griz have solid wins this year. That's multiple solid wins. I just can't rationalize fans' - either pro or college - demands for constant perfection and dominance.

Be thrilled Griz mens bball beat U of Oregon, nearly beat U of Washington and are playing competitive games up to this point in a league that's far from being set playoff-wise.

A few friends have wondered what will happen if the Griz football programs starts to lose a few games here and there..... the more I think about it the more I believe that all people have to do is look at support for the mens basketball program. A program that is far from being the dregs of the Big Sky Conference and is able to at least be consistently competitive.

Appreciate what Griz fans have going there in Missoula - a beautiful facility, some definite talent on the court and a coaching staff that's shown stability and wins more than they lose.

Congratulations MT Jack, when you're right, you're right. Now you'll have to excuse me as i've got some work to do so that we can make the 150 mile drive to Msla for the EWU game. After the game we'll drive 150 miles home feed and perform some maintenance and Saturday drive 150 miles back to Msla for the PSU game, visit friends and then drive home. Again, i'm very happy NAU has fans like yourself.

 

[MT Jack]

Congratulations MT Jack, when you're right, you're right. Now you'll have to excuse me as i've got some work to do so that we can make the 150 mile drive to Msla for the EWU game. After the game we'll drive 150 miles home feed and perform some maintenance and Saturday drive 150 miles back to Msla for the PSU game, visit friends and then drive home. Again, i'm very happy NAU has fans like yourself.

Montanan -

I readily admit I should have thought before I typed (spoke). I apologize for mistaking you for being a disgruntled local fan merely mad the Griz aren't winning every one of their games. I automatically figure that most Griz fans on egriz live in Missoula and forget just how expansive Montana is. The Jefferson River's a good haul away from Missoula and you have that nasty, in winter especially, mountain pass between Whitehall and Butte to contend with.

I have nearly a 3 hour drive to see the Lumberjacks play and can only make it a few times per year.

 

[Montanan]

Congratulations MT Jack, when you're right, you're right. Now you'll have to excuse me as i've got some work to do so that we can make the 150 mile drive to Msla for the EWU game. After the game we'll drive 150 miles home feed and perform some maintenance and Saturday drive 150 miles back to Msla for the PSU game, visit friends and then drive home. Again, i'm very happy NAU has fans like yourself.

Montanan -

I readily admit I should have thought before I typed (spoke). I apologize for mistaking you for being a disgruntled local fan merely mad the Griz aren't winning every one of their games. I automatically figure that most Griz fans on egriz live in Missoula and forget just how expansive Montana is. The Jefferson River's a good haul away from Missoula and you have that nasty, in winter especially, mountain pass between Whitehall and Butte to contend with.

I have nearly a 3 hour drive to see the Lumberjacks play and can only make it a few times per year.

:thumb:

 

[Sugar Bear 16]

Maybe they may peak at the right time and make a surge. However, it does need to happen real soon. If it doesn't and they fail to get into the semi's or title game in the Conference tourney I think it's time for a new head coach or for O'Day to have real serious meeting with Tinks and tell him either produce results or goodbye. The talent is there for sure and I think depending on how recruiting goes and how well younger guys improve around a player like Qvale they can be even more talented than this year's team. This years team needs to get to the title game in my opinion for the program to return to the level it was under Krysko with less talent.

"under Krysko with less talent"?.....I disagree. Krysko's last team included Criswell, Strait, Matthews and Hasquet. Krysko was a heckuva coach but talent wise, I would take these four guys over any four from the current team. A key factor with talent means being able to produce consistently. These four guys did just that during Krysko's final year. We do not have any conisistency with more than two players (Johnson and Qvale) with this year's team and that is a big part of the problem.

I wouldn't say consistancy is a key factor to having or being talented. Those 4 under Kyrsko did a great job of producing results that I agree with, but I think this years team overall is more talented and athletic than those teams. However, they certainly have done a poor job on being consistant.