What the f _ _ _?

[grizzlyjournal]

I'm not sure mediocre is what I would call this. Mediocre is mid conference finishes every year and little chance to win games in your conference tournament. Only twice in Travis's tenure have they finished lower than third, and until last weekends abysmal road trip to Utah proper and North Utah, they were firmly in the conversation for the conference title.

They are still in convo for a bye, and no matter how average team the UM was last year they still made it to the conference semi-finals. There are literally 200 teams in division 1 basketball every year that aren't in a position to win a conference championship, tournament and get a tournament berth. Travis in his time here has had us in the conversation for all three just about every year. We maybe are in a shit-ass conference and are struggling to making a national impact (even regionally) but this team and his program are far from mediocre.

Mediocre is what we would define MSU before they did the right thing and hired Danny Sprinkle as their coach. If the UM some how turns in four or five years in a row of sub standard results, then maybe we can consider calling the team mediocre. This team we have this year has as good as chance as any at winning the conference tournament and that is with three seniors and a line up that is solidly first or second year college players. I'd be fairly confident about the prospects of this team both in the present and the future.

Does this team have warts? Absolutely. Travis's offense makes the Hickory Huskers offense seem fast paced at times and he clearly values defensive efficiency as his key evaluative metric. He can't seem to recruit a volume scorer on the perimeter that we can count for 20 a night and the post player room has been a barren wasteland of size heft and ability for much of the past four years. Is this all fixable (beyond the offense) absolutely. There are going to be some open scholarships for next year and he'll have the opportunity to dip into the portal to find that elusive wing scorer and more depth in the post.

They laid an epic egg against ISU, but came back and played a great game against one of the two or three best and most talented teams in the conference. They have one tough road game left (@ SUU) and the rest of the difficult games (PSU and MSU) are at home. There is a real chance they run the schedule from here on out, and to be honest there aren't a lot of BSC teams that can say that.

I highlight Grizfan-24's post here, because every point he makes is relevant to this thread.
I went to the game last night and had a blast. Generally speaking, basketball is a game of offense and defense, so I watched both ends of the floor, where the Griz shut down a pretty good offensively oriented team enroute to the win. As a FAN, I believe this specific Griz team has a promising future (short, and especially long-term). As 24 wrote, there's a statistically high probability that Montana will finish in the upper tier of regular season standings, and I expect them to have an impact on the final outcome, possibly as a final 4 or finalist player.
But I recognize I won't be able to convince most of you... so, a suggestion.
I subscribe to NBA League pass and I highly recommend it to all of you who want to watch some good hoops... especially the high-scoring styles. There are a cool dozen teams which average over 110 points per game AND some very talented young teams that I think are especially fun to watch: especially the GRIZZLIES, and the Timberwolves. Go for it. You'd probably be much happier... and I think it's much more fun than watching paint dry.
Oh and, Go Montana Griz!

 

[ordigger]

Ya, I guess most people seem to be just fine with winning the Big Sky a couple of times and getting blown out consistently on the national stage. I was a HUGE fan of his early on, thinking he was the guy to take Montana basketball to the next level. I was definitely wrong.

To make it to the Sweet 16 at Montana will require several things.

First, three consecutive great recruiting classes, such that your seniors are not only skilled but able to provide veteran leadership, while the bench has young talent to fill in while these guys take breaks. That has not happened with either our Junior or Senior classes this year. I mean, DCH was the freshman of the year in the Big Sky. What happened? Owens has had a few great moments during his career, but what happened to him? And is Vazquez anywhere near DeCuire's assist record, as was promised when he was recruited? I love our Sophomore class, but it will take three in a row like that to move the national needle. Anderson was a highly touted big coming out of high school, a late-bloomer with offers from Power Five programs. Yes, he's bloomed, but it took a long time, and he is far from dominant in the paint.

Second, we need a break on the seeding. At twelve, we have a chance; at 15 or 16, no way. I went back and looked at the guys we faced against Michigan. Jordan Poole, on his way to being a big star with the Warriors. Mo Wager, a number one draft choice of the Lakers, now playing for the Orlando Magic. Duncan Robinson, now with the Miami Heat, and setting all kinds of three-point shooting records for them. Finally, the guy who killed us, Charles Matthews. Tore his ACL in a pre-draft wokout and was not drafted. Just got released from a G League team so his career looks shaky. But before his injury, that kid had huge upside, as he demonstrated against us. This is the type of talent you're gonna run into with a 15 or 16 seed.

Finally, my biggest beef: A lousy offense. You go back and read about those Michigan games, and once again, as ever with this program, long stretches where we don't score. If this were the NFL, DeCuire would be recognized as an outstanding defensive coach. But what's the last time you've seen a lob dunk, or scores off backdoor cuts to the basket or along the baseline? There is almost no off-the-ball movement in this offense. If you watch the Warriors night in and night out and then flip over to a Griz game, our offense is unwatchable. We need a coach on that bench with a reputation for offensive efficiency. That would be my focus if I were the A.D.

Someone just ate their young and turned on all their predictions. Good news ….. you’re catching up.

 

[GrizLA]

Considering Montana's lack of a big guy under or near the basket, and the total emphasis on defense and, seemingly, inconsistent offense, I think it is surprising that UM is a threat to compete for the conference tournament. With so much going against them, the Griz hold their own, generally, because the competition is either poor or the team gels to meet the level of competition. But, I do not think this coach utilizes his bench as well as he could. There are some pretty good players who see little action, if any, even though a couple of starters are not playing well. DCH is one. His shot selection can be questionable and every time he is fouled he is so busy complaining to the ref that he allows the offensive team an easy score. On the other hand, he has a presence, but is prone to fouls. As a Griz fan, I hate to point out players by name. But, somethings are needing to be addressed and I think DeCuire is the best coach in the BSC and does so. Whether the players listen or not is up to them. In spite of all, including the most boring game style since Yale or the old North Carolina pass around, UM still has a shot at winning the conf. and if they do, I would not be shocked to see them in a play in game situation in the NCAA.

 

[Zirg]

What love affair doesn't have its rough stretches?

Ya, I guess most people seem to be just fine with winning the Big Sky a couple of times and getting blown out consistently on the national stage. I was a HUGE fan of his early on, thinking he was the guy to take Montana basketball to the next level. I was definitely wrong.

If you REALLY thought we were gonna be the next Gonzaga then that's is on YOU, for having un-realistic expectations. It's easy to criticize after a horrible outcome (maybe his worst loss as a Griz coach), but look at Travis' career. I think he now has the 3rd most Conference wins ever for a Big Sky Coach and almost every other BSC team has gone thru 2 or 3 coaches during his tenure. We are NEVER gonna "go to the next level". If you can't accept that, you are gonna continue to be dis-appointed.

 

[GrizBall]

DeCuire is BSC coach of the year according to ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33289707/coach-year-contenders-every-division-men-college-basketball-conference