Busy schedule pushing Griz cagers into regular season
12/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Rapid-fire scheduling in this year's preseason hasn't allowed Montana men's head coach Don Holst to fine tune his team.
"Between watching game film from one game and preparing for another, I haven't had as much time to tinker with the little details as I'd like," said Holst.
In a time frame of nine days between Dec. 2 and Dec. 10, the Griz will play four games, two at home and two on the road.
"A schedule like that is grueling for anybody," Holst said. "But that's just how the preseason works, games right after another bang, bang, bang."
After dropping a 77-64 decision Sunday to Pacific, the Griz have had two days to regroup before they take on the University of Nevada Wolf Pack at 7:35 on Wednesday night.
Last season's game was nip and tuck between the two with the Griz losing by one point, 86-85, in over-time. Griz grad Jared Buckmaster paced Montana with 21 points, while Ryan Slider added nine.
Nevada has four starters returning, including last year's leading scorer, shooting guard Terrance Green, who averages 17.2 points per game this season.
Nevada ended its eight- year affiliation with the Big West Conference and stepped up to the Western Athletic Conference in July of 2000. Last year, the Pack finished at 3-13 in their conference, but lost six conference games by six points or less.
The Wolf Pack usually goes with a three guard lineup, featuring Garry Hill-Thomas, Green and sophomore point guard Andre Hazel. Nevada coach Trent Johnson will have two gunners from outside with Green and Hill-Thomas around the perimeter. Hill-Thomas is the Wolf Pack's leading scoring threat, averaging 19 per game.
But it is the threat from underneath that Holst is concerned with.
The last time the two played, the Griz out rebounded Nevada 50-44, but ripping down boards and protecting the ball is what Holst will focus on Wednesday.
"They rebound very well, so we'll have to scrap for boards underneath," said Holst. "We'll have to step up our intensity on defense and make smarter play-making decisions."
Wednesday's game is the Griz's last home game until Dec. 30, and Griz will begin conference play after Christmas break on Jan. 5 against Weber State.
"Between watching game film from one game and preparing for another, I haven't had as much time to tinker with the little details as I'd like," said Holst.
In a time frame of nine days between Dec. 2 and Dec. 10, the Griz will play four games, two at home and two on the road.
"A schedule like that is grueling for anybody," Holst said. "But that's just how the preseason works, games right after another bang, bang, bang."
After dropping a 77-64 decision Sunday to Pacific, the Griz have had two days to regroup before they take on the University of Nevada Wolf Pack at 7:35 on Wednesday night.
Last season's game was nip and tuck between the two with the Griz losing by one point, 86-85, in over-time. Griz grad Jared Buckmaster paced Montana with 21 points, while Ryan Slider added nine.
Nevada has four starters returning, including last year's leading scorer, shooting guard Terrance Green, who averages 17.2 points per game this season.
Nevada ended its eight- year affiliation with the Big West Conference and stepped up to the Western Athletic Conference in July of 2000. Last year, the Pack finished at 3-13 in their conference, but lost six conference games by six points or less.
The Wolf Pack usually goes with a three guard lineup, featuring Garry Hill-Thomas, Green and sophomore point guard Andre Hazel. Nevada coach Trent Johnson will have two gunners from outside with Green and Hill-Thomas around the perimeter. Hill-Thomas is the Wolf Pack's leading scoring threat, averaging 19 per game.
But it is the threat from underneath that Holst is concerned with.
The last time the two played, the Griz out rebounded Nevada 50-44, but ripping down boards and protecting the ball is what Holst will focus on Wednesday.
"They rebound very well, so we'll have to scrap for boards underneath," said Holst. "We'll have to step up our intensity on defense and make smarter play-making decisions."
Wednesday's game is the Griz's last home game until Dec. 30, and Griz will begin conference play after Christmas break on Jan. 5 against Weber State.
2006 Griz Basketball Flashback: NCAA Tournament Win Over Nevada
Monday, March 30
Name As Many 90's NBA Players: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
Dairy Challenge: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
Name As Many Dinosaurs: Griz Basketball
Monday, March 30
