My scouting report preview will be brief, not because I don't have anything to write. But, simply put, the Montana Grizzlies face "must-win" games from here out because of a strangely perplexing bugaboo: shooting percentages.
So the scouting report could read: if the Montana Grizzlies shoot their season average from the field and three-point range and the Grizzlies can beat the Idaho State Bengals in Pocatello.
That appears to be a growing challenge for Montana players.
First it was the mysterious disappearance of any form of consistency from the free throw line. Most recently, in a home-court loss to Northern Arizona last week, the Grizzlies gave-away a game they played well enough to win, but lost because they simply missed open three-point shots against the Lumberjacks.
Montana's recent loss at Weber State is even harder for me to comprehend (though I did not see any video or game-cast). Any college team that shoots 32.8% from the field and a staggering 16.7% from three-point range is usually a cellar-dweller. Montana's season-long and conference statistics INDICATE they should be at the top of the Big Sky.
But the Grizzlies have not been able to win a single crucial close game, much less a "must-win" game.
Every time I watch this team play and practice, I see a group capable of playing at the highest levels of Big Sky Conference competition. So, I'm puzzled by the inconsistencies.
No matter. Montana players certainly realize they need a minimum of two wins to secure a spot in post-season play. Idaho State plays exactly the kind of defensive game that has given the Grizzlies fits so far in conference play. But this is a game the Grizzlies can win. I still believe they match up well against the Bengals. We'll soon find out.
You can read my detailed SCOUTING REPORT here.
