The Toyama Grouses have experienced both ends of the emotional spectrum over the past seven-plus months.

First, there was the euphoric ride of coming one win away from a storybook ending in the spring. Coach Bob Nash led them to a bj-league championship game appearance for the first time in May at Ariake Colosseum, where the Ryukyu Golden Kings closed out the final chapter in league history by capturing their fourth championship, winning 86-74.

Now, in the upstart B. League, a combined circuit featuring teams from the disbanded bj-league, NBL, and NBDL, the Grouses have stumbled to 22 defeats in 25 games. They had the worst record in the 18-team top division entering Christmas weekend.