After Montana’s remarkable comeback win over South Dakota State, I suggested to Griz beat writer Fritz Neighbor that “unbelievable” doesn’t cover what Marc Mariana does on the football field anymore.
From now on, when he does something spectacular with a kick return, a pass reception, a block, or whatever, I – for one – will refer to it as “Marianish.” Like Fritz said, it would be like “Ruthian,” a term tied to slugger Babe Ruth.
And to get it started, how about the Marianish effort by Andrew Selle in the second half Saturday. Shoot, that was almost “Peyton Manning-ish!”
And how about that Griz men’s basketball team at Washington. More on that later.
- Bill Schwanke
Reading through the press release describing the new recruiting class for Griz volleyball almost gives one the impression that UM should be fighting for a national crown rather than just the Big Sky Conference championship over the next few seasons.
Obviously that’s a major stretch, but even given the fact that such releases often tend to overstate the credentials and possibilities of recruits, the credentials and possibilities of these five young ladies go beyond the norm.
While we’ll have to wait and see, just like coach Jerry Wagner and his staff will have to wait and see, this wait-and-see period of time should be exciting.
And good luck to this year’s Griz volleyball team at the upcoming Big Sky Conference tournament.
-Bill Schwanke
I hate to say it but I, like probably a lot of other people who have watched Griz basketball lately, was listening to the second half of last night’s game at Oregon, waiting for the bottom to drop out.
It did, but for Oregon, not Montana.
The Griz handed the Ducks a 68-55 loss at Mac Court in Eugene. I haven’t checked the record book, but I’ll bet you could count on one hand Montana wins in Eugene since the two schools began playing each other many years ago.
I’ve only seen the men in person once this year, but it was easy to notice some differences.
One, the way they compete. Two, the fact that it doesn’t seem to matter which combination of players is on the floor at any given time. Three, solid effort at the defensive end. And four, a certain aura of confidence.
It doesn’t hurt to have Anthony Johnson’s motor pushing the train along, but it’s obvious lots of other players on this year’s team have a pretty high-test motor as well.
Can they do the same at 14th-ranked Washington Sunday night? Needless to say it will be a bigger challenge than winning at Oregon, but I’ll bet the Grizzlies will compete.
- Bill Schwanke
