Grizzly Journal MVPs -- Week 1

Senior guard Matt Martin: It would help if Martin’s 37% field goal percentage edges upward into the mid-forties, but the versatile back-court senior guard has already made major strides from last year in his overall floor game. While playing at off-guard, Martin has worked quickly off the ball and is creating open creases for precise perimeter shot angles, particularly from the baseline. While playing point, he’s shown ball-control temerity in both penetrating into the key and in ripping lateral passes to open teammates. If Martin continues at this pace, he’ll be a central cog in the Griz offensive machine, particularly via key penetration, thus creating space for Andrew Strait. More than any Griz in Sunday”s loss to Gonzaga, Martin battled the larger and (usually) more aggressive Bulldogs tooth-to-tooth. A team-high 18 points against Gonzaga is impressive enough, but Matt might soon have a breakout game where assists & steals may be more important than points scored.

Reserve forward Kyle Sharp -- Despite playing about half the minutes of most Griz starters in the first two games, Sharp currently leads the team in rebounds, with 7 against Colorado State and 8 against Gonzaga. Sharp, projected as a reserve at the 3 and 4 positions (freshman post Brian Qvale is the backup at the 5 position) has provided the team a solid rebounding boost. The muscular 6’-7” forward has already shown he won’t back down in the thick of the fray. Sharp has also scored on several putbacks off of offensive rebounds. With further game experience, Sharp will give the Griz a matchup against teams with frontcourt size and perhaps a matchup advantage against some teams. Look for a breakout offensive game (10+) soon from "Sharpie" (the name his coaches & teammates call him).