This is the final in a series of four posts on the Lady Griz basketball team, discussing the past season and a look ahead to next season. Part 1 Season Wrap up, Part 2 Look ahead: Bigs, Part 3 Look Ahead: Wing players and Part 4 Look Ahead: Recruits.

The Recruits

Selvig should have a big recruiting class this year, with at least 5 scholarships to offer. So far he is off to a very good start with the signing last fall of 6-0 Alyssa Smith, 5-11 Kenzie De Boer, and 6-0 Katie Baker. With only 3 of a possible 5 of there scholarships filled so far, this class is already looking like one of Selvig’s best in the past few years. While all three could make immediate impact next year Smith and Baker probably have the best chance, because of the position they play.. Baker brings offence to the table at the power forward spot, and that is something that the Griz will really need next year. Smith is not the offence machine that Baker is but is a much better rebounder and a more athletic option at the power forward spot. De Boer, who is a natural small forward, may find her options more limited beacouse of the depth the Griz will have at her position.. What DeBore will being to the table though is her ablity to score where she excalls, and as I keep repeating like a parrot, this could be an area that she could help them in next year. All three of these players are going to be big time players for the Lady Griz in the future, but there impact next year depends on who puts the work in this summer. They definitely are capable of beating out some of the returnees if they do so.

The other factors on whether they play or not could be who else will Selvig sign this spring. Robin always seems fill all of his scholarships every year so I feel pretty confident that he will sign at least two players this spring. I would have to guess that with only, two true point guards right now on the roster his #1 priority for the spring would be to sign another point guard. The Griz do have a few players that can play the point in a pinch, so it may not be a necessity for next year, but he will need to get someone in the program, who can move up the depth chart, when Johnson graduates next year. With the other scholarship I think Selvig has some options. It would be nice to get another true center in the program, so I would expect that he will be looking there first, but it is really not a necessity. Instead they may also be looking at the proverbial “best athlete available”, although they are pretty stacked at the shooting guard and small forward.

I mentioned above that the in coming freshman will need to put the work in to earn playing time next year, but a good portion of the returnees should also head this warning, because there are some very talented players coming into the program next year, do not assume that your role will automatically increase just because you played next year. Anyone who does so could be find themselves sitting on the bench behind one or more of these freshmen.