PUZZLE OF THE WEEK – is most certainly Montana’s first half against Idaho State on Jan. 17, during which the Grizzlies made only seven of 21 field goal attempts for 33.3 percent. The Griz were equally inefficient on defense, allowing the Bengals to make 12 of their 20 field goals... good for a 60 percent success rate.
The half follows a disturbing Montana pattern over the past two years where -- in a minimum of six games -- Montana has fallen behind their visiting opponents by as many as 13 points before rallying, usually to lose in the final minute of play. In those six games Montana beat only one opponent: Weber State, last year, in overtime.
Can’t think of a more efficient way to chase would-be Griz fans to the exits.
SOME PERCEPTIVE READER COMMENTS – There are some excellent reader comments about Montana’s 
68-67 loss to Weber State at the end of my scouting report for the game. Despite the Griz loss, the comments are quite positive because of significant changes in Montana’s lineup and play.
WHO'S GONNA STOP THIS GUY? Montana freshman center Brian Qvale shoots over Weber State center Arturus Valeika.
Most comments focused on the development of freshman center Brian Qvale, who played well and changed the flow of the game before he collected his fourth foul and rode the pine for the remainder of the game. Another comment noted how Cam Rundles showed some of his “frosh-phenom” form at wing and two-guard, away from the task of running the squad. That would be good, because the Griz need Cam’s outside shooting touch. You can read the comments at the end of this story.
SHOOT RYAN! – We caught a slight glimpse of Ryan Staudacher’s long range shooting skill yesterday. Wayne Tinkle has indicated to me more than once that Staudacher needs to take open threes. Sunday Staudacher made four of his six attempts and was instrumental in keeping the Griz apace with Weber State. Several readers have commented that Montana will start winning when the outside shooting game returns. I’m 
convinced that Staudacher is the guy to ignite the Griz. Someone tell #3 to shoot it.
TAKE THE REINS, JUNIOR – The Griz are still looking for a true “go-to” guy, someone who’ll put the team on his back and carry them. I nominate Ceylon Elgin-Taylor. There’s no doubt he’s now the Griz floor general. 
Now he needs the encouragement to take things a step farther. The Griz desperately need that floor general to take the ball to the bucket on the last play of the game yesterday. Instead, ET -- with an open lane to the basket -- passed to a thoroughly covered Matt Martin. Who knows? Junior may not have been able to make the play. But Montana needs a guy who wants control of the ball and the game in the final seconds of play.
PHOTOS: Ryan Staudacher (middle photo) drives against Weber State's Daviin Davis. The Griz need to get the ball into Ceylon Elgin-Taylor's hands when the game is on the line (bottom photo). Taylor looks for a pass in the final minute. Dezmon Harris guards.
THE CALL THAT CHANGED THE GAME – Early in the season I wrote an analysis on Big Sky Conference referees entitled: How Do Big Sky Hoops Officials Rate? I wrote the piece out of a concern that the 2006-07 standard of officiating in the Big Sky Conference was suspect. I had good recall of several games last season in which the officiating either made a mess of the game or -- in two instances -- had a direct negative impact upon the outcome of the game.
Since making that post, I can easily say that officiating for Montana’s home games is dramatically improved over last season. Beyond the occasional blown call, the officiating has been of a consistently high standard.
I’ve been close enough to the game action this year to observe that most refs are also quite personable with players, coaches and even fans. In some cases, officials have gone out of their way to defuse potential confrontations with coaches. I’ve even heard some candid admissions from ref in tense situations: “Coach, I tried my best to call it right, but I didn’t see it clearly,” said one ref. On another occasion I heard an official say, “Coach, I may have made a mistake on that one.”
Nonetheless, there will always be calls that may swing critical phases of a game one way or the other.
One took place in Sunday’s game with approximately 25 seconds remaining when Montana post Andrew Strait was stripped of a rebound by Weber guard Kellen McCoy and -- in the ensuing scramble -- the Wildcats were awarded the ball out of bounds, which forced Montana to foul. A potential tie game (had Strait been awarded free throws for a play several Montana players were convinced was a foul) turned into a four-point Weber State lead when Dezmon Harris made two free throws.
I didn’t see the play and don’t have an opinion. But a replay of the crucial action on Altitude Television -- in which announcers Phil Buck and former Montana coach Don Holst questioned the call -- clearly shows McCoy tumbling out of bounds with the ball. What’s not clear was if McCoy signaled a timeout before falling out of bounds. I’ve seen that particular play called numerous times this year and most referees require a clear stop of action and a clear player signal before awarding a timeout. The replay simply didn’t show the action clearly enough for me to tell.
I’ll be clear with one judgement: the the officials for Sunday’s game -- Eric Curry, Michael Houston and Bryne Haskins -- called an excellent overall game that allowed for physical play, but clearly enforced contact and possession infractions.
That was not the case on Thursday’s loss to Idaho State, where one official was “out of his league.” Two of the referees called an exceptional game. But the third referee repeatedly made calls that baffled players and coaches. All I can say is I hope he has a better game the next time he’s in town.
