In the interest of getting a Grizzly basketball blog going, let’s start talking hoops.

Twenty years ago, finding someone to talk football in Missoula would have been a chore. Now, the roles have switched. I’m not sure how many Grizzly basketball fans who are out there still, but we’d love to hear from you. I have a feeling this might be met with resounding silence, but who knows, maybe a few of us who still love Montana basketball can get something going.

Not that this is a great season to start. What once promised to be an interesting year is slowly dissolving into a train wreck. It’s not over, but the Griz better get their act together if they’re going to make the postseason tournament.

I would be most interested in finding out what kinds of fixes you think should or could be made to get this team back in the hunt.

Primarily it starts with the guards. I think we’ve got the best big-man tandem in the Big Sky with Hasquet and Strait, but our guards are so inconsistent that it kills us. Without naming names, we’ve got guys who can penetrate but can’t shoot, guys who can shoot but can’t penetrate or defend, and guys that are just average at both. When we play a team with big guards (like Idaho State) we really struggle.

Personally, I think we need to model ourselves after Washington State. When forced to play at a slower pace, Montana stuck with the Cougars – an extremely good team. I’m not sure the coaching staff or the guards are disciplined enough to enforce that, but, to me, it would go a long way in creating better opportunities down low, and, in turn, better kick-out jumpers for the guys who can shoot.

That’s just a small example of how I think we could get better, but I’m more curious to see your ideas.

Send ‘em in.