Changing of the Guards Hurt Griz In One Projection
The Griz will return next season as defending Big Sky champs and a Mid-Major darkhorse coming off an NCAA Tournament win. They'll also play their first game in the den at Dahlberg looking a bit different having lost starting guards Virgil Matthews and Kevin Criswell.
This is the reason they don't show well in an initial projection by CollegeHoops.net:
The front-court strength, already bolstered by junior Andrew Strait and sophomore Jordan Hasquet (can he play the two?), is only going to get better with incoming recruits.
The Griz have a dominant frontcourt that is only getting better so if the guards can do anything besides making themselves a liability, I don't see them finishing third in the conference. Northern Arizona may or may not maintain the form they showed last year and Stuckey will definitely be a force, but neither team match the talent level of the Griz.
This is the reason they don't show well in an initial projection by CollegeHoops.net:
The backcourt lacks experience and will have to depend on Bryan Ellis and Max Martin. Ellis is a speedy guard who will look to shine after spending last year as a backup. Martin saw his starts decrease as a sophomore and will need to regain his freshman form. The frontcourt, on the other hand, is deep and talented and will be the strength of the Montana team.Once you stop sauntering down the court and hoisting Jason Williams-esque threes early in the shot clock then they get your name right...but you can do what you want and still have your mug on this site.
The front-court strength, already bolstered by junior Andrew Strait and sophomore Jordan Hasquet (can he play the two?), is only going to get better with incoming recruits.
Coach Larry Krystkowiak is bringing in a very good recruiting class led by junior college transfer Gus Chase. Chase, a 6-4, 245 pound power forward, has a knack for rebounding. The big man is one of the top forwards at the juco level and will compete for a starting job from day one. Incoming freshman Dave Vaderjagt, a 7-0 center, has plenty of experience playing for the youth Australian national teams. Vanderjagt will need some time to gain strength, but with his size, he’ll soon become an impact player for the Grizzlies.Here's a look at their final projection and I'm going to have to say I disagree.
The backcourt has some cause for concerns, which knock the Griz down to 3rd in the Big Sky. If Ellis and Martin can prove they can be the leaders Coach K needs them to be, and Rundles can develop into a solid option off the bench, Montana can make the NCAA Tournament again and beat a five seed again.They also were ranked 144th overall by the site.
The Griz have a dominant frontcourt that is only getting better so if the guards can do anything besides making themselves a liability, I don't see them finishing third in the conference. Northern Arizona may or may not maintain the form they showed last year and Stuckey will definitely be a force, but neither team match the talent level of the Griz.
