Uh-Oh

It’s official.  You can pencil me in as concerned.  After Oakland’s less-than-impressive 67-53 win over Rochester College, I’m left with only three conclusions about this Grizzlies team.

1) They can’t play run-and-gun.  For evidence, I refer you to the games against Duquesne, Xavier, UMKC, Southern Utah and Michigan. 

2) The Grizzlies apparently can’t play half-court offense very well, either, as they let a non-DI program hang with them in the O’Rena.  See the aforementioned Rochester College sleeper.

3) Oakland can’t play much defense regardless of what offense they choose to run.  Pick almost any game. 

Harsh?  Yeah, it is.  But, seriously, what other conclusions can we come to? 

I know it’s probably totally unfair to say that the Grizzlies can’t play slow-it-down hoops based on one game.  However, that one game was against Rochester College.  I don’t care if Coach Kampe installed a shotgun offense twenty minutes prior to the tip, OU is much, much better than the lads from the RC. 

Letting RC hang around, and a 14 point win is hanging around, in your own barn is simply a poor performance.  They should have dominated every single facet of the game and the score should have reflected that. 

How in the world can I expect Oakland to beat Oregon or Toledo, for that matter, with a half court offense if they struggle to polish off a vastly inferior Rochester College side? 

If they opt to give up on the half court offense in favor of a return to up-tempo ball, aren’t we looking at another Michigan-like result versus the Ducks?  (Wouldn’t that help recruiting?)

You do see why I’m concerned not only about tomorrow night’s game, but about the rest of the season.  The Grizzlies just seem lost.  I’m so disillusioned, I’ve even begun the search for my “Wait Until Next Year” button.  I haven’t found it yet, but I’m reserving the right to push it at any moment after conference play resumes. 

I’m going to try and regain some hope prior to the Oregon game based on two simple thoughts.  First, anything is possible.  Second, I still believe this team has talent, even if it’s void of chemistry. 

I’ll state the obvious — a win tomorrow night would be huge.  It would increase the program’s visibility (and with the game on an ESPN network, you have to think they will run highlights often), earn OU some credibility, help recruiting and, perhaps, most importantly, it would give the team something positive to build off of. 

One win, even one honkin’ big win, might not give this team an identity, but it sure would help confidence in Grizzlyland right about now.  Go Grizzlies!