Play by play coverage of the season’s first scrimmage is of secondary importance to the evaluation of things more important: chemistry, fitness and team depth.
Nonetheless, senior guard Matt Martin showed clear signs of a solid rebound from last year's moderately sub-par season. Martin scored 24 points, made five of his seven 3-point shots -- one during the critical final minute of play -- and immediately demonstrated a physical quickness that was missing through much of last year.
The 3-point margin of victory for the men’s "varsity" Maroon squad is notable because the “second” string silvers made it a down-to-the-wire contest. Assembled in second half play of freshmen, redshirts and transfers, the silver squad actually outscored the varsity by 10 points in the second half before fading in overtime. There were many promising signs.
PHOTO: Zach Graves (12) intercepts Cameron Rundles.
Martin is ready: After knocking down three long range threes early in the game, Martin paced his squad with efficient ball control, and displayed a quickness and energy that was missing most of last season.
Martin said he started this season 14 pounds lighter than at this point last year.
“Last year they (coaches) wanted to make me big because I was playing the two, so I did a lot of weight work.” said Martin. “But my shooting percentage didn’t go up until midway through the season.
“This year I spent the whole summer working with my father (high school coach Jim Martin), and did a lot of running,” he added. “It’s definitely working out already.”
Martin’s final three of the game in the last minute of overtime gave his team the margin it needed to put the game on ice.
Brian Qvale is beefing up the lane. The true frosh post from Williston ND, is making redshirt decisions very tough for coach Wayne Tinkle. Qvale matched post Andrew Strait in scoring with 12 points, many on true post-power moves quickly into the paint. Qvale snared 8 boards while Strait had 7. Tinkle hinted earlier in the year that his freshmen would be candidates to redshirt. Derek Selvig is also raising eyebrows, displaying quickness, versatile play and a broad shooting range, shooting 2-3 and notching 5 points. But the competition at power forward might be harder and minutes tougher to grab for the promising 6'-10" forward-wing.
But Qvale is shaping up as a contender at back up to Andrew Strait. It's probably actually too early to tell, because sophomore post Dave Vanderjagt has been ill and didn’t see action, and so comparisons can’t be made.
But Qvale, a true post in size, stature and strength has surprising endurance for a freshman and gave Strait all he could handle.
Jack McGillis is also ready. It’s just that McGillis will have to sit out the year as a redshirt because of his transfer ineligibility. McGillis scored a team-best 26 points on 9-13 attempts, several on breakaways or early O after forcing a turnover. In my estimation, McGillis has the ball-control and driving skills necessary for the wing position. But, most impressively, McGillis’ “Eric Hays” intensity on defense is rare. The rangy 6'-6" wing proved often that he’s a game-changer on defense.
Griz guard depth is perhaps the team’s most pleasant surprise. Beyond the obvious capabilities of projected starters Martin and sophomore Cameron Rundles, thick in the battle for playing time are Ryan Staudacher, redshirt frosh Zach Graves and JC transfer Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, all who show promise that they will serve as capable backups. All will probably mount challenges for more playing minutes as the season progresses. Junior wing Greg Spurgetis is developing into a three-point threat.
Like McGillis, Graves brings a defensive "attitude" to the court that I haven's seen since... well Kevin Criswell played here. And so, that brings me to...
Improved defensive intensity. Too tough to accurately measure at this point of the season, but this year’s squad seems obviously better prepared both mentally and physically to employ Tinkle’s in-your-face style of man-on defense from tip to final buzzer. It may simply be that this team is already in solid physical shape. It may be that Tinkle is demanding much more earlier in the season (which is a very good thing). Whatever the formula, the Griz hit the floor ready to play some D.
Simply put, this was the most fun I’ve had at a first scrimmage in years.
