This is the first in a series of four posts on the Griz men’s basketball team, discussing the past season and a look ahead to next season. I want to try to do them in smaller bite size segments as apposed to one large post. Part 1 Season Wrap up, Part 2 Look ahead: Big men, Part 3 Look Ahead: Wing players and Part 4 Look Ahead: Recruits.

While the Grizzly men’s team may have ended their season with a little bit of a thud, this team did show some remarkable progress this season. In the preseason this team really was in search of an identity. Loads of talent but somewhat lacking a rudder. That all changed when the conference season started and Anthony Johnson was inserted into the starting line up, after Elgin-Taylor was suspended from the team. Johnson went on to give the Griz team, more than just a floor leader, but was also force of nature on the floor. Johnson was clearly a player who would not accept losing, and inserted in to a leadership role the team followed. Johnson went on to finish second in the Conference MVP voting but in my opinion no one player had a bigger impact on the conference than Mr. Johnson. Clearly Anthony Johnson is a very special player, and one that will be playing for money after he graduates. The only unanswered question in my mind is how a player of this caliber sits on the bench for the entire preseason averaging less than 20 minutes a game.

Looking a head to next year the Griz will have quite a few hole to plug, but their biggest asset will be back next year Anthony Johnson. Johnson averaged 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assist from the game, but more importantly was the engine behind the Griz run to a third place finish in conference.