Odds and Ends 9-23-10

I have not gone on another extended holiday, I have just been slammed the past week. Hopefully by next Monday I will back and running and finally finish the my basketball previews with The Lady Griz

• During these times when I get bogged down in real world stuff, if you need a recruiting fix check out my Twitter to get your fix. Typically I will post rumors as I hear them and ahead of the blog, while I do my research.

• If you were following my Twitter feed you would have heard that Montana State men’s basketball has offered Brandan Walton a 6-2 guard from Casper Junior College and Reggie Shaw from Snow Junior College in Utah. I will have more info on both these guys here on my blog when I get a little more time.

• Former Bobcat walk-on point guard Brian Louff, who left the program this past spring has transferred to Clark College a NAIA basketball program located in Iowa. Louff will be on scholarship at Clark College and is close to where he played his junior college ball.

Bobcat Women pick a 4th Commit

ESPN / Hoopgurlz are reporting that Tricia Binford’s Montana State Women Bobcats have picked up another commitment from Symone Brown of (Richard) Gahr high school in Paramount, California. Brown is a 5-9 wing player who ESPN identifies as a guard prospect but I could also see her playing the small forward spot in Binford’s system.

Last season for Gahr high school she averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds 2 steals and 2 assists a game. She also shot close to 50% from the field, 74 % from the free-throw lines. I do not have her three point shooting percentages but she seems to be a solid three point threat but little streaky from that range. For her efforts she was named First team San Gabriel as well as First team ALL CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION / SCIBCA.

Brown plays much bigger than her 5-9 size. She has a nice combination athleticism and strength that allows her to over power other wing down low or take out side. Aside from scoring she is a solid rebounder and a very good defender.
Division One Scout (D1scout.com) Ranks her as the #19th “Top Recruits” in California 2011 class this year.

Montana Men’s Basketball Preview (part 2)

This is the second part of my two part series looking at the Montana State women’s basketball program players. In this post I am looking at the front court players that included the power forward (4) and the center (5). .

Front Court (power forward and center)
The Griz have a solid three person front court rotation in Qvale, Selvig and Ward, but they are going to need to develop a little more depth by the time conference rolls around.

Brian Qvale 6-11 (C)
Qvale is one of the best true big men I have seen in the Big Sky in many years. He has great footwork and mobility underneath that along with his size can make him unstoppable. His biggest and best games came against the better competition last season. His performance in the NCAA tourney last year out standing. The problem is that at times he can just disappear in other games. Qvale does tend to have problems against smaller, athletic centers, but I think Tinkle need to get him more help in those situations this year. I look for a big senior year this year.

Derek Selvig 7-0 (PF, C)
Selvig has a combination of shooting, passing, ball handling, defensive skills all wrapped in a very mobile seven foot frame that we seldom see in the Big Sky Conference. Despite this he has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons that really hurt his development. I would like to see Selvig be a little more aggressive in the post where he and Qvale could make a great 1, 2 power punch. He should start at the power forward spot, and play some at the center spot. If his conditioning is back and he stays healthy the Griz could have the best front line in the conference.

Mathias Ward 6-7 (PF)
The only other Griz big man with any college experience will be counted on to play major minutes this season. He coming off a decent freshman campaign but the Griz are hoping for a lot more off him this year. Ward is solid scorer and good rebounder, and a big upside. He should be the first big man off the bench and I think an offensive spark as well.

Eric Hutchison 6-9 (PF, C)
Hutchison is coming off a redshirt freshman year and the Griz hope he can provide some solid minutes off the bench. Hutchison is not quite as offensive player either Ward or Reader but he is more of a complete player than either. Physically he is bigger than booth and a better rebounder.

Billy Reader 6-9 (PF, C)
Reader has the biggest up side of Ward, Hutchison and himself. He has 6-9 frame but the agility and lateral movement of a smaller player. In high school he could be a very explosive scorer and big time rebounder. He was though inconsistent. From whom I have talked to he still could use a little refining, and would benefit from a redshirt year under Tinkle. He could challenge Hutchison for the 4th big man.

Montana Men’s Basketball Preview (part 1)

Now that all of the players are on campus, I am going to get started previewing the four Montana State and Montana basketball programs players. This is a look at the Montana Grizzly men’s program players. Part 1 will cover the Back Court,- point guard (1), shooting guard (2) and the small forward (3) positions.

Back Court (guards and wings)

The Griz return only two back court players from last year’s team. To rebuild the back court they will have at their disposal an all conference honorable mention player, a back up returnee, three junior college players and two highly touted freshman recruits. I am confident that the Griz have the type of players to make them successful, but the real question is, which of these players will earn minutes in the regular guard rotation, and which are relegated to the bench or a redshirt.

Will Cherry 6-1 (PG, SG)
As an All Conference honorable mention player and returning starter, as a true freshman, Cherry is the only player whom seems to already have a starting position locked down. The only question will be will he start at PG or SG spot. The rest of the back court will be built around Cherry, and the players who emerge as the best fit with him, will determine which spot he plays. My guess that given a choice Tinkle would prefer to start him at the shooting guard, but if Stockton can not nail down a starting spot look for him to man the point guard spot, and one of the new players manning the shooting guard spot.

Shawn Stockton 6-1 (PG)
Stockton and Cherry are the only true point guards on the team. Stockton is a solid floor general who is tough quarterback on the floor. He knows Tinkles system and can run it to a tee, and I think this will give him a leg up on landing a starting spot. He is not as dynamic as some point guards but his stability might be exactly what the Griz need. If he falters though there are three experienced JC players and two very talented freshmen who could push him for the starting spot.

Art Steward 6-4 (SG, SF)
Steward in my opinion is the best of the three junior college recruits and is the only true small forward in the bunch. As such I think he will lock down the starting small forward spot. Steward is a very balanced player who can score the ball, rebound, and play solid defense. He is the perfect glue type player that can make the players around him better. While Steward is a little undersized for the 3 spot he makes up for it with his athleticism and hustle. He is also a decent three point shooter which is an area the Griz will need help this year.

Montana State Women’s Basketball Preview (part 2)

This is the second part of my two part series looking at the Montana State women’s basketball program players. In this post I am looking at the front court players that included the power forward (4) and the center (5). .

Front Court (power forward and center)

The Bobcats are going to very thin on the front court this year so they are going to need their returnees to play a lot of very productive minutes, and hope they do not suffer any long term injuries

Sarah Balian (formerly Strand) 6-0 (PF)
Balian who got married over the summer is primed for a great year this year. Coming off of a season where she was named second team all conference and defensive co-player of the year she should be one of the elite players for the Bobcats this year. She averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game last season and the cats are hoping she can improve on those numbers this year. The key stat for her might be minutes played. She averaged 30 minutes a game last year and the Bobcats will need her to match that or slightly even improve on that this year.

Ashley Albert 6-1 (PF)
Albert had a solid freshman year showing a nice offensive touch, and a solid al around game. She showed flashes of being a very dynamic player for the Bobcats and this year I think they will be looking for her to take her game a notch this year. Her natural position in Binford’s system is power forward but expect her to play along side Balian for extended minutes.

Rachel Semansky 6-0 (PF, C)
No body on the Bobcat team improved more and took advantage of opportunities like Semansky. At the beginning of last season she was riding the bench and only getting garbage minuets late in games. When Jamie Thornton went down to an injury in November, and Binford was looking for toughness and rebounding she got her shot at a starting role and never gave it up. She continued improve all season and averaged 8 points 6 rebounds a game in conference. She gives up size to most post players she goes against, but makes up for it with toughness and tenaciousness.

Montana State Women’s Basketball Preview (part 1)

Now that all of the players are on campus, I am going to get started previewing the four Montana State and Montana basketball programs players. This is a look at the Montana State Bobcat women’s program players. Part 1 will cover the Back Court,- point guard (1), shooting guard (2) and the small forward (3) positions.

Back Court (guards and wings)

Again with Binford’s dribble drive offence, her shooting guards and small forward spots are interchangeable, but on the defensive she does, though, like to have a little more size at the three spot. I full expect to see Binford at times this season to go with two point guards in the line up at time.

Katie Bussey 5-8 (SG, SF)
Coming off an Honorable Mention All Big Sky conference season last year, I expect even more this year. When Bussey is on her game few players in the Big Sky can fill up the basket like her. She needs to show more consistency this year in her offence this year. If she can do this she will be one of the elite players in the league.

Lyndi Seidensticker 6-0 (SG, SF)
It seems that Seidensticker has been playing for the Bobcats for about 6 years now. She started 11 games this past season, and I expect her to start at the small forward spot for the Bobcats this season. She has good size for the 3 spot and is an outstanding shooter from three point range. Her perimeter shooting will be a key weapon when teams start to double team Sarah (Strand) Balian.

Ally Schmitt 5-7 (PG, SG)
As All League player Erica Perry’s understudy last year, you have to pencil in Schmitt as the leader out of the gate to twin the starting spot at the point. She also started 10 games last year at the shooting guard spot so I expected her to be a very versatile player for the Bobcats. She is going to have to pick up scoring average this season though if she is to play a major role for the Bobcats.

Grizzly recruit: Roosevelt Scott

I have heard that Wayne Tinkle and the Griz coaching staff are recruiting Roosevelt Scott of Saint Paul Johnson high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Scott is a 6-3, 180 shoot guard who has really been rising on the national recruiting scene since this winter.

Scott averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game, while shooting 56% from the floor last season. He is a very athletic and well balanced guard, and has the reputation as a lock down defender.

Scott was recently was rated by MinnesotaPreps.com as the #2 shooting guard in the state of Minnesota. He also got some consideration on the top point guard list before they decided to put him on the Shooting guard list. Here is what they had to say about putting him on the list.

Roosevelt Scott is the best on ball defender in the state. Some consider him one of the premier defenders in the country. He can handle the rock and he can get his teammates easy looks. He has a killer instinct and can impact a game on both ends of the floor. My votes are for Kyle and Roosevelt even though I consider Coleman the best shooting guard prospect. But Roosevelt is closer than you think. Roosevelt is a top five player in the state. No doubt in my mind. Pump N Run played man 90 percent of the time this past year and Roosevelt guarded and handled some of the best. Coleman is a highlight reel but Roosevelt is a better defender and play-maker. Coleman gets his but Roosevelt gets his and makes everybody better.”

Montana State Men’s Basketball Preview (part 2)

This is the second part of my two part series looking at the Montana State men’s basketball program players. In this post I am looking at the front court players that included the power forward (4) and the center (5)

Front Court (power forward and center)
The front court will be very untested this year aside from All-Conference player Bobby Howard there is not a lot of experience there. It will be manned by returnees but the back up will all be new comers.

Bobby Howard 6-7 (PF)
The All-Conference player is going to counted on to play major minutes this coming season and be a big point and rebounding producer for the Bobcats. Howard significantly improved his shooting percentages last season which has always been a problem the previous two year, and he need to continue to be a very effective player for the Bobcats. Reports are that Bobby physically looks the best he has ever looked and playing even better. For the Bobcats to be successful they will need a very productive senior campaign from Howard.

Cody Anderson 6-10 (C)
As the only returning experienced big man on the Bobcat roster Anderson will be looked on to anchor the center position. I have heard that Anderson has slimmed down some since last year, but I do not expect him to be a 30-35 minutes a game player. He will need a solid back up. A good shooter, there is hope that he can become a solid scoring option for the Bobcats. He also has improved his rebounding.

Montana State Men’s Basketball Preview (part 1)

Now that all of the players are on campus, I am going to get started previewing the four Montana State and Montana basketball programs players. First up is the Montana State Bobcat men’s program player. Part 1 will cover the Back Court and for the purposes of these posts that will include the point guard (1), shooting guard (2) and the small forward (3) positions.

Back Court (guards and wings)

In Huse’s system the shooting guard and small forwards are simply considered wings. The bigger player (height or physically) for defensive and rebounding purposes could be considered the small forward while the player with the better ball skills could be considered to shooting guard. Huse is also not averse to playing two point guards at the same time. As a result a lot of players at the 1, 2 and 3 are interchangeable

Erik Rush 6-5 SR (PG, SG, SF)
Put quite simply the most versatile player on the team. He can play all three back court positions and play them well. He has great combination size strength, athleticism, ball skills and the ability to score any where on the court that creates match up problems for opposing teams no matter where he plays. From what I hear he has had a great off season and looks like a beast this season. He will have a great season, but I think the key to having great statistical season that will earn him Big Sky honors may be narrowing his scope. I think if he has jump around between all three positions all season, he may not have the sparkling stats as other players but he will still be the team MVP.

Danny Piepoli 6-6 SR (SG, SF)
It is finally time for Danny to shine. Piepoli has been a terrific role player for the Bobcats the past 3 years, but this year should start, play 30-35 minutes a game, and be one of the important offensive cogs for the Bobcats. Much like Rush I am hearing Piepoli really had a great summer. He should the Bobcat’s dedicated zone buster, and look for him to feast off assists from Rush when teams double team him.

Odds & Ends (9-13-10)

More Odds and ends from last week, and stick around to the end of the post where I unveil a new feature in Odds and Ends.

• As I reported last week Bobcat head coach Brad Huse and Grizzly Wayne Tinkle accompanied by recruiting assistants are out on the recruiting trail meeting with recruits and their parents at their homes as well as checking out work outs and talking to coaches. As a contact period this is the time when the coaches have the most latitude in recruiting and communicating with prospects. I have reports of coaches making appearances in California, Arizona, Colorado and Wisconsin.

• I had a person contact the site and tell me that Colorado point guard Jordon Gregory will be visiting the University of Montana campus this week end. This source is not one of my regulars, so I am trying to confirm.

• I heard last week that Wayne Tinkle has offered point guard Mitchell Farr from Racine Case high school in Wisconsin. Along with Montana, High Point, Jacksonville, and Rhode Island have also offered Farr. I hear Montana either have or will shortly have a home visit with Farr and his family.

• I have added 2 players to MSU football and two to UM Football recruiting lists. Additionally I have updated a few players who I have been told been offered as well as a few players who have committed else where.