Bracket Buster: Griz get Pacific in matchup that's been waiting to happen
.png)
As announced yesterday, the University of Montana will face Pacific as part of ESPNU's BracketBusters series. Both teams probably wish this game would've come sooner, after each time had actually busted some brackets.
These two teams almost met last year as the Griz pulled off the 12-5 upset over Nevada and Pacific was close to pulling off an even bigger upset over 4th seeded Boston College. The Tigers were up 6 in overtime before losing in a second OT, which was forced by a controversial call.
The Tigers led 74-72 with five seconds to play in overtime when Christian Maraker fouled Boston College's Craig Smith. Smith, a poor foul shooter who was 3 of 7 on the day, made two free throws to send the game into double overtime. Thomason insisted Maraker hadn't committed a foul and later said video replays provided proof, but the call stood.
This was the second time the Griz and Tigers almost faced eachother in the second round of the tournament. In 2005, the Griz hung with 1 seed Washington for a bit before eventually getting beat by double-digits while the 8th seeded Tigers beat 9th seeded Pittsburgh before losing to UW in the next round.
Many Griz fans see this game as kind of a letdown, as they play a struggling team in a non-televised game but the Tigers are a better foe than most realize. I know they lost a lot of players after last year but this team has made the tournament the last three seasons, and advanced the second round twice in the span. This team is one to be reckoned with, and head coach Tinkle knows that.
"Yesterday, when we walked out of the office, the last thing I said is, 'I sure hope we don't get Pacific,' " Tinkle told reporters Tuesday in Missoula. "My first year here, I think in '01, they beat us by 20 (actually 77-64). They've gotten better. They're just a great, great program."I know they're a little down this year. Their record reflects that, but they're still a very, very talented team, and it's going to be a big challenge for us."
This matchup also means the Griz will have to face Pacific on the road next year. They could combine this with a game or two against a couple good California foes to make an exceptional road trip.