Lady Griz face Utah tonight in WNIT

Posted on March 14, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
In other Montan Grizzlies and Utah Utes news, the Lady Griz face the University of Utah tonight in the WNIT. The Lady Griz are looking to get past the disappointment of not making the NCAA tournament and face a team with stifling defense.

However, it seems as though most of the team is still pretty bummed about being left out of the field of 64:
“To be honest, practice (on Tuesday) was less than inspirational,” said UM coach Robin Selvig. “I hope it's because it was in the morning. Obviously, it's been a scramble. But at least we got on the floor and got a little sweat up.”

“Like I told the team, there's a couple 100 teams out there sitting around not playing,” Selvig added. “This is a good deal for us, and we need to take advantage of it.”
Let's hope they don't pull a Drexel and prove the selection committee right.
Tags: ,

Krystkowiak saga goes on as Bucks fire Stotts

Posted on March 14, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
The idea that former Montana Grizzlies head coach Larry Krystkowiak will take over as the next coach is starting look more and more inevitable. After news that the Bucks front office met late last night to discuss making Krystkowiak head to keep him from leaving, current head coach Terry Stotts has been fired.

Here's Krystkowiak's comments on Utah's efforts to land him:

"I'm not going to talk about that at all," Krystkowiak said earlier today of published reports linking him to the Utah job, vacant since Ray Giacoletti resigned on March 2. "I'm an assistant coach with the Bucks; that's what I can say.

"I'm looking forward to finishing the season out (with the Bucks)."

This sounds kind of similar to what he said when there were rumors swirling that he would be leaving the University of Montana.

After all that's happened in this situation so far, it would be hard to imagine anyone other than Krystkowiak taking over as the head coach of the Bucks.

Tags: , , , ,

No, he's mine! Bucks consider replacing Stotts with Krystkowiak

Posted on March 14, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
The Salt Lake Tribune reports today that Larry Krystkowiak interviewed yesterday for the Utah Utes head coaching position and is their top candidate. Because this was mentioned yesterday by ESPN (they probably stole another scoop), the most interesting news in this story is that it has ignited a bit of chaos in the Milwaukee Bucks organization as they ponder making LK their head coach before the Utes can.
Athletic director Chris Hill and other university officials interviewed assistant coach Larry Krystkowiak of the Milwaukee Bucks for the position Tuesday in Milwaukee and they are believed to have offered him the job, sources told The Salt Lake Tribune.
   
The interview ignited a series of meetings involving high-ranking Bucks officials, sources said, which endured into the night and included U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, the team owner. The Bucks were grappling with whether they plan to fire embattled head coach Terry Stotts and replace him with Krystkowiak - a move that presumably would keep Krystkowiak from joining the Utes.
   
However, if Krystkowiak were to quickly accept an offer from the Utes, an announcement conceivably could come today, before Hill is due to attend the NCAA Tournament games Thursday in Sacramento, Calif.
Wow. For all of you that thought Krystkowiak was curiously hired by the Bucks to eventually become their head coach, it's looking like you were right. He's like some hot prospect they don't want to bring up to soon but wouldn't dare let go because they know he'll be good. Ladies and gentleman, Larry Krystkowiak is the Felix Hernandez of 2007. And Terry Stotts is Jamie Moyer.

More information on the Krystkowiak/Chris Hill meeting here.

UPDATE:  AD Chris Hill says he has met with Krystkowiak but has not officially offered him the job. Another meeting is planned.  Here's an interesting clip from that article regarding the Bucks' perspective:
Highly regarded in both college and pro basketball for his engaging personality and basketball knowledge, Krystkowiak is widely known as a favorite of Kohl, one of the most respected owners in the NBA. However, Kohl is said to be torn over what to do about Stotts, who has led the Bucks to a 23-41 record this season but endured a series of devastating injuries.
It always helps when the owner is on your side, just ask Joe Girardi.
Tags: , , ,

Larry Krystkowiak reportedly close to Utah Utes job

Posted on March 13, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
At the end of last season, Larry Krystkowiak said he would never leave the Griz for another college coaching job. Apparently that didn't mean leaving for an NBA team for most of a season then heading back to the college realm.

Michael C. Lewis' Utes Basketball Blog, done in association with the Salt Lake Tribune, has been on this story for quite some time but big news comes courtesy of  ESPN.

According to Andy Katz, reporting via a source close to the situation, LK has met with Utah athletic director Chris Hill and is very interested in the job.

Hill, meanwhile, is on the NCAA Tournament selection committee and would probably like to wrap up the search rather quickly since he must be in Sacramento this weekend and will be busy with the tournament the rest of the month.

The source told ESPN.com that if Krystkowiak is offered the job he is likely to accept and a decision could be made within days.
Of course I'd be happy to see a LK, who has done so much for the program, succeed at any level. However, I really couldn't help but be extremely jealous and wonder what could've been here in Missoula if he goes on to lead the Utes to any semblance of hoops prominence.
Tags: , ,