What Will It Take ...

[IdaGriz01]

... for the Griz men to have a good season and grab a high seed in the conference tournament? I pre-suppose, based on their very mediocre non-conference “pre-season” that they have only a minimal chance of winning the regular season. But who really cares? In the end, its mostly about getting a slot in “the Big Dance.”

Over on another thread, we kicked around the contribution that Derek Selvig can/must make to achieve that goal. The coach says he’s important to the team because he provides “senior leadership” -- and I can buy that. I realize he was injured early-on. But, according to his teammates, he’s put that in his rear view mirror. Still -- discounting the game against pathetic Utah Valley -- his recent (3-4 games) stats do not say he can “take over a game” and “carry the team on his back.” That is, he’s not averaging double-digits in anything, and his shooting is only so-so (good from 3-pt, but crap inside the arc). So he does not seem likely to be a difference-maker, although he must surely continue to be a solid contributor.

So I ask again: What will it take? Who has to step up to give the Griz a better-than-OK season?

 

[BelierPeaux]

Reader and the young guns. Tinkle has to allow them to do so, too.

 

[citygriz]

the good teams play exceptional defense. to do that you have to have defense at the basket. qvale gave us that; nobody on this team can. maybe reader eventually, but he's still too young, too foul prone. thank god we don't play in a conference with great big men, or we'd get killed this year. as it is we'll hold our own, but woe be us if we fluke into the big dance and take on one of those higher seeds with those athletic monsters in the middle.

odd this, because for so many years the complaint about montana baskeball, both men and women, was that we didn't have the athletes. now we've got athletes but they're all on the perimter. just no mckenzie, stroeder, krysko, tinks, engellant or qvale at the basket. the hole in this donut.

 

[jon]

I think they certainly have the talent in place to be a top 2 team. Cherry/Jamar are a great duo, especially if Cherry can start to hit a few more jumpers. Those two guys will keep the Griz in most games.

To really take the next step, it has to be the inside guys, I think. That is the weakness of the team, and they need them to step up. Ideally, Reader would step into a bigger role, but we will see if that happens. Agreed also about the young guys... DeShields/Henderson need to start to see more minutes, it is best for the team long-term.

 

[Agent G]

Defense has always been very important and continues to be. It has kept the Griz in many games, especially when they've struggled to hit shots.

One of the most important aspects that has been missing pretty much all year is that all 5 guys on the floor at one time need to be legitimate scoring threats. Usually there are three guys who can score with a couple players who really can't hit shots on a consistent basis. While they may have other strengths that the coaches think warrants their time on the court, the strongest & most successful teams can get points from everyone on the floor when it's needed. I'm not saying that every guy needs to just start throwing up shots the first chance they get...their opportunities still need to come from good offensive ball movement and flow. But in the long run, as the opposing teams get more and more film and knowledge about this Griz team, it will be easier and easier for them to establish defensive schemes to stop them when they know only a limited amount of players can score on a consistent basis.

Related to this, they also need to have crunch time players on the floor at crunch time moments...guys who can hit shots at the most important times to put games away. So far the only player I've seen that can do this is Cherry. Hopefully some other guys can help with this during conference play.

 

[Agent G]

So far it's looking like Ward and Steward are stepping up to be clutch players when it's needed. Good to see.