MLEagle said:
Thanks, it was a hard fought game. I think we will represent the Big Sky well.
I think you guys will too. I'm very impressed with your coach and the talent he's brought in. Harvey's step back (from what I saw in the Idaho game & other games) is damn near impossible to defend. When he's on he could make anyone look silly out there trying to guard him. Besides him, you guys have talent all over the place, even off the bench which isn't that common for a mid-major. Bliznyuk impresses the hell out of me. Only a freshman and plays like he's been at this level for years.
As someone who lives and breathes college basketball your type of team is one of those "dangerous" teams in the NCAA tournament. To be honest if you are a 13 I might be picking ya all in my bracket. If you are by some miracle a 12 I'd very likely pick you based on the "good guard play, good 3 point shooting = good upset potential as a 12" factor. Most 5s are very beatable. As a 14...hm....will have to see who you get matched up against. I'd love to pick a 14 vs 3 upset right but damn the 3 seeds are usually bad matchups for a mid major team.
Will be watching that selection show tomorrow hoping for a good seed for you guys.
On a related note, I have a gut feeling that with DeCuire and the talent he's bringing in (and his recruiting ability) along with your coach and his recruiting ability this may be the beginning of a hell of a rivalry in the Big Sky for quite a few years. Weber will get right back in the mix too of course after a down year (they have loads of talent).
Even though I'd obviously love the Griz to win the Big Sky every year, I'm also a big fan of the idea that other programs are on the rise making our conference hopefully more relevant. I REALLY want our conference to become something like it once was and start moving forward again like the WCC did years ago... Hell, we used to beat up on the WCC teams. I remember the Griz hosting Gonzaga years ago and whoop'n them. If their conference can do it, why can't the Big Sky?
With coaches like DeCuire and Hayford & their recruiting abilities & tough non-conference schedules it's a step in the right direction! Murphy and Katz are likely going to move things in the right direction too for their teams. Fish at MSU? Still remains to be seen (wasn't impressed with him this season...). Rahe? Down year but they'll be back in it soon.
So good luck and kick someone's ass in the tournament for the Big Sky! I know some wont be rooting for EWU because ya all aren't the Griz, but I think many of us who want to see the Big Sky gain some respect will be hoping you end up on the front of ESPN.com like the Griz with Criswell, Matthews and Straight owning Fazekas did after they beat Nevada a while back. Or how Weber shocked the CBB world when Harold "the Show" Arcenaux, Eddie "The Thrill" Gill and Weber beat UNC. A win for a Big Sky team in the NCAA is a win for us all in my opinion! Good luck!
Sorry for the long post but this is by far my favorite time of the year even if the Griz aren't in the tournament (better of course when they are)! :rockon:
