Lineup is set in big wins over EWU and NoCo
Seven games into the conference season, Tinkle has his rotation set. To be fair, he had the new lineup pencilled in when the Griz were 1-4 and heading into a must-win matchup against the Eagles. It paid off. The Griz blew them out by 19 then rode the new lineup to a 14-1 run in the first few minutes against Northern Colordao. Griz ended up winning that one by 11.
The argument undermining the quality of these wins is that the Eagles and Bears are terrible and small. Well, remember, going into the EWU game, the Eagles had two more conference wins than the Grizzlies. And the Bears? They beat first-place Weber played close games against Montana State and Portland State. Very capable of beating an inconsistent Montana team.
Now the other argument, that they're small and our bigs should dominate easily. OK, if someone proposed this lineup to you before these couple games, what type of teams would you be most afraid of? Small quick teams like EWU and NoCo or big teams who run closer to our speed? It'd be EWU and NoCo. Going into the game, I was terrified of what Adris DeLeon—coming off a 42 point effort against NoCo—would do to this big and slightly slower lineup. After the game I thought DeLeon was a prick and our big lineup was more than capable of defending guards like him.
Looking forward to seeing how these guys do on the road against PSU. Also, anyone know where I can get a #44 Montana jersey?
The argument undermining the quality of these wins is that the Eagles and Bears are terrible and small. Well, remember, going into the EWU game, the Eagles had two more conference wins than the Grizzlies. And the Bears? They beat first-place Weber played close games against Montana State and Portland State. Very capable of beating an inconsistent Montana team.
Now the other argument, that they're small and our bigs should dominate easily. OK, if someone proposed this lineup to you before these couple games, what type of teams would you be most afraid of? Small quick teams like EWU and NoCo or big teams who run closer to our speed? It'd be EWU and NoCo. Going into the game, I was terrified of what Adris DeLeon—coming off a 42 point effort against NoCo—would do to this big and slightly slower lineup. After the game I thought DeLeon was a prick and our big lineup was more than capable of defending guards like him.
Looking forward to seeing how these guys do on the road against PSU. Also, anyone know where I can get a #44 Montana jersey?
I agree with your egriz take on the guard position. Glad you know longer feel we cant win without cam being the main kog. last year he played well at times on offense but got beat badly on defense, and could not handle the press or double team. I felt that this year he would be much improved and be a leader but after watching him against colo st. I knew we had problems still but that he had improved. What I didnt like was his attitude and the people around me were also complaining about it. You can not bitch about every foul called on you and get on other players screwing up when you are strugling with your game. The refs have this guys number and are calling close fouls on him they let others get away with. C am and matt are a step slow and tend to get beat off the dribble alot. With the big lineup in there this will be less of a problem. Both cam and matt bring us some good minutes off bench especially if cam will calm down and keep emotinally stale out there. He is only a soph and has the stengh factor on most guys on him and does make some great passes at times. he has a ways to go to be a starting point on this team but who knows what the future holds.
Nice to see you back posting good articles colon. Keep it up you are a true grizzly basketball guy and we need people like you if this program is ever going to get back to were it should be.
p.s. Ithik tinks is making some big strides on becoming the super coach we need.
The debate on the starting lineup is academic since Tinkle won't give up the ridiculous idea he's had of building an offense around big men he hasn't had.
With the addition of Qvale, he could build a GOOD offense like Washington State.
It would be nice if he did, because then we wouldn't be the Big Sky bottom dwellers he is rapidly turning the Griz into.
Amazing how it's only taken Tinkle one and a half years to destroy what it took Krisko two years to build.
Tony Bennett dropped his Dad's olden days so called Big Man offense at Washington State, even though he had TWO GOOD BIG MEN.
As soon as Tony took over, Washington State started winning, because he understands the importance of guard play, of which Tinkle has no idea.
Tinkle could learn a lesson from Washington State. He could give up the pathetic excuse he has for an offense, and watch some Coug's tapes, and then DO IT !!!
Low---------- 6ft 2in----14.1 points
Baynes------- 6ft 10in---11.9 points
Weaver------- 6ft 6in----11.1 points
Rochestie---- 6ft 1in---- 9.1 points
Harmeling---- 6ft 7in---- 7.6 points
Cowgill------ 6ft 10in--- 7.1 points
The Griz could build the team shown above right now, and Martin is the only one we have capable of playing the Derrick Low position
Washington State's newfound success was built around defense.
Yes, Defense --- but -- even more important, they quit that silly, "Pound it into the bigs", nonsense.
Washington State always had good defense. No matter who they played, the score was low on both sides.
They held their opponents score down very well. They just couldn't do any scoring themselves until Tony made their biggest change, from big slow ball to running and gunning from out.
Colin, I know you don't like these stats/FACTS, but, again, they do prove my point.
The Wash State defense was always there, but no offense.
Take a look at what happened as Tony moved from assistant to Head Coach. The opponents average score is basically the same, but Wash State offense went up substantially.
Tony Bennett
07-08 average points scored
Wash State.... 68.2
Opponent...... 53.9
Tony Bennett
06-07 average points scored
Wash State.... 66.9
Opponent...... 59.5
Dick Bennett as Tony moved in
05-06 average points scored
Wash State.... 58.2
Opponent...... 57.7
Dick Bennett
04-05 average points scored
Wash State.... 55.9
Opponent...... 56.9
Dick Bennett
03-04 average points scored
Wash State.... 57.9
Opponent...... 59.7
They always defended pretty good.
Until Tony took over they just didn't scored very good