Griz get first league home game tonight against Idaho State
Feels like it's been forever since the Griz have played a game at home. The last home game was December 30th against NAIA Montana Tech. I'm going to assumer there weren't a ton of people there. Before that, the last regular D1 home game was a devastating loss to Portland on December 7. Well, they're finally back for a D1 game against Idaho State.
Here's an excerpt from the Missoulian's preview on the game:
Even though home-court advantage doesn't directly translate into wins, the Griz have to convert as many opportunities as they can. Home games during the conference season are like free-throws. You have to convert on them or they've going to come back and bite you hard. Probable somewhere around the calf/ankle area. Not just nip. Home conference losses will take most of your lower leg and you'll be forced to play catchup in the standings on half of a leg road games. Not fun. Here's the thing: the Griz are terrible at making free throws.
For more pre-game insight, the grizzlyjournal always has great scouting; this game is no exception.
Here's an excerpt from the Missoulian's preview on the game:
“A slight bit of frustration has moved off of their shoulders,” said Griz basketball coach Wayne Tinkle, whose team notched its first Big Sky Conference victory last Saturday at Sacramento State while winning for just the second time in nine games. “There's also been a little bit of eagerness; they've been a little owly. I think they're looking forward to the league (home) opener here (Thursday) night.” [...]As evidenced by two losses earlier in the season to Cal-State Fullerton and Portland, home-court advantage does not automatically translate into a win. Tonight they should be extra-wary as a huge turnout is less than likely. I say that because a majority of students haven't made their way back to Missoula yet, myself included (had to work). Hopefully the community can pick up the slack but these Thursday night games are rough.
Tinkle has warned his team that playing a home game is no magic potion.
“That was the first thing we said when we came together as a team on Monday,” Tinkle said. “Home-court advantage is only an advantage if you make it so. You have to do that by playing with energy, a sense of urgency and physical play. If you come out and establish all those things right away, you can get things going.”
Even though home-court advantage doesn't directly translate into wins, the Griz have to convert as many opportunities as they can. Home games during the conference season are like free-throws. You have to convert on them or they've going to come back and bite you hard. Probable somewhere around the calf/ankle area. Not just nip. Home conference losses will take most of your lower leg and you'll be forced to play catchup in the standings on half of a leg road games. Not fun. Here's the thing: the Griz are terrible at making free throws.
For more pre-game insight, the grizzlyjournal always has great scouting; this game is no exception.
