Intersquad Scrimmages: Bobcat Men

OK three intersquad scrimmages have been completed and only one, the Bobcat women, have yet to hold theirs. Previously this week I made it to the three that were held and thought I would let you guy’s know what my thoughts were.

Now when I go to an intersquad scrimmage I usually go to check out new players and see what if anything the returnees have added to their games. The format that I am going to use is to just comment on thing that I observed that I did not know or that surprised me about the player. For the most part I am not going to repeat what I have already written elsewhere in this blog. The other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes a player will have a bad night or they may play well above their pay rate in the scrimmages. These are impressions from a single night of basketball, actual results may vary.

General Notes:
I saw something very positive from every player on the court. There are in my opinion the top tier of 8-9 players, but after that there is a log jamb of the next 6-7 players who are all look like they could contribute next year. Redshirting is going to get interesting for Huse. The guy’s I thought might be candidates for a redshirt certainly are no longer sure things.

Did not play:
Casey Trujeque – Casey was ill and was suited up but did not play. Saw him after the game and he did not look well at all.
Ryan McIntyre- Also sat on the bench dressed up but did not play. I am not sure if he was injured or ill.
Steven Davis – Was not at the scrimmage, but did show up afterwards
Erik Rush – Technically Erik was on the floor for a few minutes but was struggling with an ankle problem and Huse pulled him.

Bobcats lose Salley and sign Anderson

A few weeks back the Bobcats basketball program was hit with some bad news from the NCAA Clearing House, but took the opportunity to make the best of an unfortunate situation.

With school already underway the NCAA clearing house notified the Bobcats men’s coaching staff and freshman post player Jordan Salley from LaVerne, Los Angeles that they were ruling Salley a “Non-qualifier” for NCAA Division 1 purposes. What this meant is that he would not be allowed to compete for the Bobcats or any other D-1 program until he completes an associate degree from a junior college.

Salley was already enrolled and taking classes at MSU when the news broke. Salley has since transferred to Santa Rosa Junior college in Northern California, and will compete for then the next two years.

As I understand it Salley came up short by the slimmest of margins and that his situation is very similar to that of former Griz basketball player (for about 3 weeks) Thurmond Woods last year.

Preseason Predictions: BSC Men Basketball

Did I mention how much I hate doing preseason predictions?

Well I did not manage to get my Big Sky Conference men’s prediction out before the media and coaches polls were released yesterday. But any way this is how look at it. There will be a few key injuries that will screw this whole thing up but who want to predict that.

1. Weber State – Clearly the top team coming into the season. With reigning Big Sky conference MVP Damian Lillard returning and a solid cast behind him Weber is on everybody’s list to take the league title. Weber’s backcourt should be one of the best in the league. The front court has a lot of returning pieces to build from, but aside Kyle Bullinger it will take a while for Weber to work out their rotation.

2. Montana – In a year where most Big Sky teams are going to be perimeter oriented the Grizzlies should have the best front court in the league. I think Qvale, Selvig, and Ward should really give quite a few programs fits this year. Will Cherry is one of the better young guards in the conference should help bring some stability and punch from the back court which will be untested.

3. Northern Arizona- NAU should have top to bottom the best back courts in the conference. They should have 3-4 perimeter scorers who could put up 20 points on any given night. Don’t be surprised if they have 3-4 guards on the court at any given time. Their post play is somewhat suspect at this point but they do have some nice pieces to build on.

Preseason Predictions: BSC Women Basketball

With the Preseason Big Sky Conference media and coaches polls about ready to come out I have been asked a few dozen times to give my predictions on how the conference will shake out. I have always shied away from doing these predictions because one I am obviously a little bias, and tend to give my Montana State Bobcats the benefit of the doubt that the other teams don’t get, and second I think I know Montana and Montana State real while other schools not so well. Last night though I was once again asked to give my opinion to a friend, so I went a head and gave it a shot. Here is my educated guess. I will be real interested to see how it compares when the official coaches and media polls come out.

First up the Women’s Programs.

1 EWU – Clearly the number one team coming into the season. EWU finished the regular season at #1 and lost only two players off that team. They have the reigning league MVP returning in Piper to go along with the co- defensive player of the year. This was the easiest pick of the bunch.

2 (tied) MSU – The Bobcat’s return 4 of their five starters. Two All-conference players including co-defensive player of the year Sarah (Strand) Balian. Balian is such a well rounded player that she could challenge Piper for MVP this year. Bussey needs to play more consistent this year. When Bussey is on her game few players in the conference can score the ball like she can. The biggest question is who will replace All conference point guard Erica Perry. The Bobcats have a lot of options at the point, but someone needs to stake a claim to the spot. The Bobcats should have a much improved post game but, may not a lot of depth there.

2 (tied) UM – There is a lot of talent on the Lady Griz roster, but also a lot of injury questions. Katie Baker has all conference talent but is coming off a knee injury. She could have a big impact for the Lady Griz. The Griz graduated its two point guards last season, and it appears the reins of the program will be handed over to true freshman Lexi Nelson. True freshman Torry Hill and redshirt freshman Ashley Ferda could also be a factor at the point but both are also coming off of knee injuries. Watch the point guard spot, if the Lady Griz gets solid play there they will be off to the races.

More info Bobcat Commit: Jamie Stewart

Last week it was reported that the Bobcats received a commit from Jamie Stewart from Henry Ford Junior College in Michigan. I have done a little more research and talked to a few people about Mr. Stewart and thought I would do an update Mr. Stewart.

From the very few people I talked in Michigan, to a person almost all were surprised that he committed to the Bobcats when he did. Most thought he had mid to high major talent and thought he sign at a higher level.

Before he signed with the Bobcats he had offered on the table from UTEP, Duquesne, Central Michigan, University of Detroit, Bowling Green, and George Washington, but a lot of other schools showing a great deal of interest.

Below is his highlight reel for 20009-09 at Livonia Clarenceville High School and the second one is his 2009-10 high light reel from Henry Ford Junior College. What stuck out to me was the improvement in his three point game from over a twelve month period.

***Breaking News Henderson Commits***

Some breaking news here.  I have heard from multiple sources that Kevin Henderson from Auburn high school from the state of Washington committed to the University of Montana last night.  Henderson is a 6-3 shooting guard who is the deep threat three point shooter the Griz have been looking for this fall.

Practice Underway for Lady Griz BB

Due to the new women’s basketball practice rules the Lady Griz have been practicing since the start of October, and are well a head of where they were last season at this time. Everyone who I have talked to likes the new practice rules recently implemented by the NCAA. Here is a little run down cheat sheet of what to expect in the coming weeks before the season gets underway.

Practices: Generally in the late afternoon

Scrimmages: Maroon will be on October 26th 2010

Exhibition Games
11/3/2010 – Carroll College (Missoula 7:00 PM)

Practice Underway for Bobcats WBB

Due to the new women’s basketball practice rules the Bobcat Women have been practicing since the start of October, and are well a head of where they were last season at this time. Everyone who I have talked to likes the new practice rules recently implemented by the NCAA. Here is a little run down cheat sheet of what to expect in the coming weeks before the season gets underway.

Practices: Generally in the evenings

Scrimmages: They will be scrimmaging this Saturday at 10:00 am in the Field House against a male scout team. They are also hoping to scrimmage on October 22nd and 30th. Their official Blue/Gold game has not been officially scheduled.

Exhibition Games:
11/2/2010 – Montana Tech (Bozeman 7:05 PM)

Practice Begins for Grizzly MBB

Practice gets underway this Friday evening October 15 for Men’s college basketball and the Grizzlies are scheduled to start their season that evening. The men are allowed some limited practice and conditioning opportunities by the NCAA from September to October 15th but are not allowed to go all at it until this date. Here is a little run down cheat sheet of what to expect in the coming weeks before the season gets underway.

Practices: I am not sure, last season they were generally in the early morning.

Scrimmages: Silver Maroon will be on October 26th 2010

Exhibition Games
11/4/2010 – Lewis & Clark State

First Regular Season Game:
11/13/2010 – Nevada (Reno NV – 3:00)

Practice Begins for Bobcat MBB

Practice gets underway this Friday evening October 15 for Men’s college basketball and the Bobcats are scheduled to start their season that evening. The men are allowed some limited practice and conditioning opportunities by the NCAA from September to October 15th but are not allowed to go all at it until this date. Here is a little run down cheat sheet of what to expect in the coming weeks before the season gets underway.

Practices:
Generally in the late afternoons, weekdays variable. Most should be open to the public.

Scrimmages:
The Blue – Gold game is tentatively scheduled for October 27 at 7:00PM

Exhibition Games:
11/5/2010 – Mayville State (7:05 PM)