Montana

[silvermaroon]

Montana's "rough" December (losing Breunig and Weisner to injury and losing promising jc off-guard Edmonds to grades) has changed the look of the Griz somewhat.

Kemp is starting to flourish in DeCuire's system and showing some of his touted small-post strength. But the two most improved Griz (in my view) are Austrailan underclassmen. Soph Jack Lopez is a rangy small forward who plays pretty good D and will see minutes. True frosh post Fabijan Krslovic plays like a... "true frosh," but will be a good one for the Griz. It'll be fun to see how Krslovic defends against WSU's formidable (by my est.) front court and, especially Bolomboy.

It'll also be interesting to see how coach DeCuire handles his team on his first return to Ogden since he played for the Griz.

 

[hawkssb04]

Montana's "rough" December (losing Breunig and Weisner to injury and losing promising jc off-guard Edmonds to grades) has changed the look of the Griz somewhat.

Kemp is starting to flourish in DeCuire's system and showing some of his touted small-post strength. But the two most improved Griz (in my view) are Austrailan underclassmen. Soph Jack Lopez is a rangy small forward who plays pretty good D and will see minutes. True frosh post Fabijan Krslovic plays like a... "true frosh," but will be a good one for the Griz. It'll be fun to see how Krslovic defends against WSU's formidable (by my est.) front court and, especially Bolomboy.

It'll also be interesting to see how coach DeCuire handles his team on his first return to Ogden since he played for the Griz.

God, these two teams are so different, now. It's hard to wrap my head around.

 

[oldrunner]

There were a lot of positives to take from this game. We defended well all night long. We rebounded well, and shared the ball well.

The only negative I saw was our press breaking.

I think that our shooting will improve on Saturday. We seemed a little tight at first, and then settled down as the game went on. Ryan Richardson is continuing his maturation. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[flylikeasparrow]

We seemed a little tight at first, and then settled down as the game went on. Ryan Richardson is continuing his maturation. :thumb: :thumb:

But he gets rewarded when he make a shot but sitting on the bench. He should have been in there at the end of the game. He is confident that his shot will go in no matter what.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

We seemed a little tight at first, and then settled down as the game went on. Ryan Richardson is continuing his maturation. :thumb: :thumb:

But he gets rewarded when he make a shot but sitting on the bench. He should have been in there at the end of the game. He is confident that his shot will go in no matter what.

Absolutely! I wouldn't say he's a defensive liability either. That was a head scratcher. Even though there were some times that were a little frustrating (especially during the last 8 minutes) I, too, thought the team looked better on both ends of the floor.

Bolomboy and Hill were exciting. Richardson continues to impress (when he's not banished to the bench). I loved seeing Hunter drain a long 3-- shot with confidence. Senglin played with much better control and shared the ball more. Hajek gave the minutes we need and had at least one nice pass out of a double team. Gittens was high-energy tonight and played better D. I haven't looked at the box score yet but it seemed like they crashed the boards better than in recent games.

The bad for me tonight was the last 3-4 minutes. They are horrible when they try and run clock and don't get a decent look and chuck up a bad shot or turn it over. I know there are times when you want/need to take time off but this team is turnover prone and just bad in that situation. I wish they'd keep the energy up in that situation and run a more deliberate but patient offense.

That was a good, needed win even if Rahe doesn't care about their record. Get another one Saturday, and even it up.

 

[hawkssb04]

We seemed a little tight at first, and then settled down as the game went on. Ryan Richardson is continuing his maturation. :thumb: :thumb:

But he gets rewarded when he make a shot but sitting on the bench. He should have been in there at the end of the game. He is confident that his shot will go in no matter what.

That was a good, needed win even if Rahe doesn't care about their record.

Oh he does. That's a politically correct cop-out every time he says it.

 

[Da Bears]

We seemed a little tight at first, and then settled down as the game went on. Ryan Richardson is continuing his maturation. :thumb: :thumb:

But he gets rewarded when he make a shot but sitting on the bench. He should have been in there at the end of the game. He is confident that his shot will go in no matter what.

That was a good, needed win even if Rahe doesn't care about their record.

Oh he does. That's a politically correct cop-out every time he says it.

Is it time to cut the strings on the JC experiment? Golden should be backing up Richardson and Coston just doesn't have the size to contribute. Rahe is being Rahe!

I think we just contributed to Bruenig's all conference resume!

 

[WSUProf]

The first half had to be Bolomboy's best half of the season so far. Hill as well had probably his best showing. Nice to see him grab 8 boards and put up 9 points.
Richardson is showing himself to be our best shooter. Loved his ability to knock down the 10-12 footer. But I think he does need to work on his defense, particularly his ability to move his feet and maintain better position while guarding. 4 fouls in 14 minutes. I like him coming off the bench, though, rather than starting. As for him not being in at the end, Rahe clearly went with Hunter at the end because of his ball handling and passing skills. Nice to see Hunter step up and make two big foul shots at crunch time. I do have to disagree about him making that 3-pointer in the first half "with confidence." He was reluctant to let that one go. And then he launched another airball from the corner in the 2nd half. He does need to get some confidence in shooting from the 3, especially at the top of the key. Teams are going to back off of him when he is out there unless he shows he will take and make that shot.
It does look like Rahe is finding an 8-man rotation, with Hajek, Richardson, and Hunter off the bench. Johnson-Coston only went in after Hill picked up his 2nd foul in the 1st half. and only totaled 4 minutes for the game.

As for Rahe "not caring about their record," folks need to see that in the context in which he said it. He was talking about dropping two games on the EWU - Idaho road trip, a trip he said lots of teams are going to come home from without a win. In that sense, Weber didn't likely lose ground in the standings. Did he want to grab one or two wins on that trip? You know he did. But going 0-2 on that trip is not the end of the world.
Weber has 7 more road games. In order to compete for the top of the conference I think Weber will need to go at least 5-2, while protecting the home court. Both of which are doable.

 

[Itiger]

Thought we played a lot better. They are progressing, but we still haven't had the dominating game against D1 talent! I know everyone likes to win the conference, but isn't the focus winning the tourney? Unless everyone is pulling to win the conference to get home court advantage?

 

[catscratched]

I thought Hajek had a great game. He scored, rebounded and played solid D. Bolomboy played great in the first half, but got in a little foul trouble in the second half. Senglin is getting more and more comfortable at the point, and played a solid floor game. Gittens wasn't shooting like we have seen, but the rest of his game was solid. Hill did it all. He was rebounding, scoring and playing good D. Richardson continues to make a statement for starting. I'm not sure what is happening at practice, but his play in games is getting better and better.

It was good to see their press this early in the season. Maybe it can be a learning experience. Hunter did seem to have a good handle on breaking it. That is probably why he was on the floor instead of Richardson at the end of the game.

I was very impressed with Montana's big man. He looks like a 'next level' type of guy to me. I hope we can find a way to defend him a little better the next time. His mobility, and shooting ability were giving us fits. We had the rest of their team handled well.

 

[WeberSki]

Thought we played a lot better. They are progressing, but we still haven't had the dominating game against D1 talent! I know everyone likes to win the conference, but isn't the focus winning the tourney? Unless everyone is pulling to win the conference to get home court advantage?

Hey newb. You sound like a Sac or EWU fan. It's vital to win the regular season title. Seeding Advantage, first round bye, and Obviously Home Court. Besides Home court, 2 games in two nights at home is such an easier path than 3 in 3 in Cheney or Missoula/Moscow.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

...
I do have to disagree about him making that 3-pointer in the first half "with confidence." He was reluctant to let that one go. And then he launched another airball from the corner in the 2nd half.
...

I saw it differently, I did not see a hesitation and it was shot in the right situation at the right time. Yeah, the air-ball in the 2nd was kinda ugly but has nothing to do with the first which looked good to me. I don't want to see Hunter in the corner shooting the 3 anyway.

...
As for Rahe "not caring about their record," folks need to see that in the context in which he said it. He was talking about dropping two games on the EWU - Idaho road trip, a trip he said lots of teams are going to come home from without a win. In that sense, Weber didn't likely lose ground in the standings. Did he want to grab one or two wins on that trip? You know he did. But going 0-2 on that trip is not the end of the world.
...

I read the article, I realize the context in which it was stated but I tire of Rahe's coach speak and seeming unconcern with certain loses or teams on the schedule. He's who he is but I'd love to see a little fire from him after disappointing loses or something to make me believe he cares about in-state rivalry, etc. He's probably right that most teams will struggle with that road trip, but there's nothing wrong with showing some competitive emotion about letting two get away that were winnable games instead of blowing it off.

 

[WeberSki]

...
I do have to disagree about him making that 3-pointer in the first half "with confidence." He was reluctant to let that one go. And then he launched another airball from the corner in the 2nd half.
...

I saw it differently, I did not see a hesitation and it was shot in the right situation at the right time. Yeah, the air-ball in the 2nd was kinda ugly but has nothing to do with the first which looked good to me. I don't want to see Hunter in the corner shooting the 3 anyway.

...

Hunter definitely hesitated with the 3 he hit. Pretty obvious he didn't want to take it. His shooting game is pretty bad, but passing ability is off the charts. His no look pass in to Hajek in the 1st half was fantastic.

 

[Webergrad02]

Thought we played a lot better. They are progressing, but we still haven't had the dominating game against D1 talent! I know everyone likes to win the conference, but isn't the focus winning the tourney? Unless everyone is pulling to win the conference to get home court advantage?

Hey newb. You sound like a Sac or EWU fan. It's vital to win the regular season title. Seeding Advantage, first round bye, and Obviously Home Court. Besides Home court, 2 games in two nights at home is such an easier path than 3 in 3 in Cheney or Missoula/Moscow.

There is no longer a first round bye. The host team gets to play the 8 seed starting this year. In this league you really need both the regular season and the tourney.

Hunter has no confidence in his shot and based off his two air balls from last night he probably shouldn't have a lot of confidence.

I want to see Rahe call a time out when Senglin starts feeling the pressure and starts forcing things. There is definatly a pattern between his out of control play and when teams turn up the heat. When he lets the game flow naturally he is brilliant,

 

[WeberSki]

Regarding Richardson, I believe he should be playing 25-30 minutes per. He plays with confidence, is very skilled, can shoot anywhere on the floor. His defense is fine, not a liability at all, and a solid passer. Golden has potential but continues to have the funkiest foot settings when he gets set for a 3. He needs to stay balanced.

I did not like having Richardson & Golden on the bench the last 5 minutes, because at that point we are now playing not to lose. Rahe obviously wanted 2 point guards to help break the press that has always dogged Rahe's teams, but his inability to implement a press breaker that spreads the floor & attacks it, forced him to sit Richardson. 14 minutes the way he was playing was terrible. He got pulled right as he was heating up.

To end the half, 30 seconds left, why play for the last shot when Montana has a bunch of fouls to give.

Bolomboy in the first half looked look last year. Best half he's played.

Rahe has brought the team along ways the last 3 weeks. Deserves all the credit for that. Great job.

 

[WeberSki]

Thought we played a lot better. They are progressing, but we still haven't had the dominating game against D1 talent! I know everyone likes to win the conference, but isn't the focus winning the tourney? Unless everyone is pulling to win the conference to get home court advantage?

Hey newb. You sound like a Sac or EWU fan. It's vital to win the regular season title. Seeding Advantage, first round bye, and Obviously Home Court. Besides Home court, 2 games in two nights at home is such an easier path than 3 in 3 in Cheney or Missoula/Moscow.

There is no longer a first round bye. The host team gets to play the 8 seed starting this year. In this league you really need both the regular season and the tourney.

Hunter has no confidence in his shot and based off his two air balls from last night he probably shouldn't have a lot of confidence.

I want to see Rahe call a time out when Senglin starts feeling the pressure and starts forcing things. There is definatly a pattern between his out of control play and when teams turn up the heat. When he lets the game flow naturally he is brilliant,

Thanks Idaho..

 

[n.ogdencat]

Bolomboy looked great in the first half. He was aggressive and really attacking the boards. The extremely poor reffing took him out of the game in the second half. Also, Richardson's defense isn't bad. It isn't necessarily great, but it is fairly solid. He got whistled for one of the biggest joke calls of the season against Gregory. He had perfect position and was moving great with Gregory, with his hands straight up and then he gets a call. Yikes!! I really think he should be starting. He is playing great right now.