In the Grizzlies' last outing, a seven-point loss at Utah Valley State, they shot 51 percent from the field, 54 percent from 3-point range, 78 percent from the free-throw line and turned the ball over a season-low eight times.
Trouble is, the Griz surrendered 82 points.
And if the Griz want to make some hay during the nonconference season, this week would be a good time to do it. Montana plays four games in seven days - all at home - starting with Santa Clara on Sunday at 2 p.m.
North Dakota comes in on Tuesday night, followed by Denver and Texas-Arlington on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
Some of the Grizzlies' other positive signs have shown up in the individual stats. Backup guard Anthony Johnson gave a hint at what he's capable of with 19 points at Utah Valley after tallying nine against Duke. Junior Jack McGillis had a season-high 15 points at Utah Valley after also notching nine at Duke. Senior Jordan Hasquet has 50 points in his last three games and junior Ryan Staudacher is shooting an incredible 62 percent from 3-point range.
“It's neat to see that guys are starting to understand their roles,” Tinkle said. “If you watch the games that are going on on TV right now, everybody's saying because the season is starting two to three weeks earlier than it used to, everybody is still searching for their identity.”
Santa Clara brings a 1-4 record into Sunday's game, but the mark is deceiving. The four losses have come by a total of 16 points, including a three-point decision to Arizona and a six-point loss at Georgia.
The West Coast Conference Broncos are led by John Bryant, a 6-foot-11, 275-pound senior who's averaging 19.4 ppg.
“There's no doubt offensively that they want to run everything through big Bryant, as well they should,” Tinkle said. “He's really impressed me. He has great hands, good footwork for a guy that size and he's shooting like 68 percent. Because they have some new guys, they're making him their focal point until those other players get into their groove.”
No one else averages in double-figure scoring for the Broncos, although freshman guards Kevin Foster and James Rahon average 9.4 apiece. Foster had 21 against Arizona.
“The key for us is to try to limit Bryant's impact, but then not allow those other guys to jump up and bite you,” Tinkle said.
NOTES: Bryant has reached double figures in scoring and rebounding in 27 games in his career. ... Bryant had 14 points, 12 boards and four blocks in the Broncos' 60-49 win over the Griz last season in Santa Clara. ... Despite making 21 of 27 free throws against Utah Valley, the Griz still rank next to last among Big Sky Conference teams in free throw accuracy at 62.7 percent. Northern Arizona is last at 56.9 percent. ... The Griz are shooting 48 percent overall and 40 percent from 3-point range. Both marks rank them third in the league.
Sports editor Bob Meseroll can be reached at 523-5265 or at sportsdesk@missoulian.com.
Santa Clara at Montana Griz
Sunday, 2 p.m., Dahlberg Arena (7,321)
Tickets: $6 for general admission, $10-19 for reserved.
Radio: KXGZ 101.5 FM. TV: None.
Web: montanagrizzlies.com.
Records: Santa Clara, of the West Coast Conference, is 1-4. Montana is 2-3.
Last outing: Santa Clara dropped a 69-66 decision to Arizona last Tuesday in Athens, Ga. The Griz fell 82-75 at Utah Valley State last Tuesday.
Series: Santa Clara leads 4-3.
Last meeting: Santa Clara won 60-49 last December at Santa Clara.
Up next: Montana hosts North Dakota on Tuesday.
Probable starters
Santa Clara
10-Ben Dowdell, 6-7, so. 4.2 ppg
54-John Bryant, 6-11, sr. 19.4 ppg
3-Calvin Johnson, 6-1, sr. 2.0 ppg
13-Troy Alexander, 6-1, fr. 1.1 ppg
14-Michael Santos, 6-5, so. 5.8 ppg
Montana
2-Jordan Hasquet, 6-9, sr. 13.6 ppg
44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, jr. 8.6 ppg
41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, so. 7.8 ppg
3-Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, jr. 11.4 ppg
5-Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, 6-2, sr. 4.0 ppg
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