Montana, Basketball, and everything in between.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
With the spring signing period starting April 15th I thought I would give you a little scuttlebutt that I am hearing one the 4 Montana D-1 schools. Earlier I talked abut the calendar leading up to the signing period, as well as scuttlebutt on the Bobcat’s. The following is a the same for the Griz.
Grizzly Men’s Basketball – The Griz men I believe will look to sign one player possibly two. Shawn Stockton is gone, so the Griz are really looking over the JC ranks for a point guard who can come in and contribute right away. If they can not find the right JC player look for the Griz to sign another high school point, to go along with fall signee Will Cherry and let them battle it out. Winner gets the back up spot the other a redshirt. On another interesting recruiting note it appears the Griz have been contacting some of the power forwards /center they recruited last fall. They have also been contacting some upper end JC big men to see if they get any bites. I am not sure if they are actively recruiting big men, I do not believe they have offered anyone, or just testing the waters.
Lady Griz Basketball - The Lady Griz will be looking to sign at least two players this spring. I have heard that they are interested in signing a point guard for the future with at least one. I am not sure what they will be looking for at the other spot but the look really stacked at the wing position, so unless someone leaves the program I would guess they will stand pat at the 2 and 3. I am told they have at least one commit already but who and what position I am not clear.
Over all the Griz have been a lot quieter on the recruiting trail. Of the four programs the men’s Griz program is the only one that I have not heard of a possible commit. I think both programs are being pretty picky right now with who they offer. Niether is in a position of absolutely having to sign a particular player, so they can afford to be picky.
6 comments:
Why did Stockton leave? And where do you expect him to end up?
From what i have heard Stockton was upset over playing time, and the fact he burned up a year of eligibility. To a lesser degree he was not happy with Tinkle signing a point guard last fall (Will Cherry) who Tinkle has been calling the Griz point guard of the future. I think Stockton still wants to play D-1 ball, so I would not be surprised if he went the JC route for a year and then trys to bounce back. I believe he only had three offers as a freshman, Montana, Montana State and Eastern Washington so I don't know if there are lot of opportunities for a direct transfer.
Is Vassy Banny staying? I ask this because he did not get much time last year and is entering his senior year.
Since January, I have heard different rumors that Nyandigisi Moikobu may not return, Stockton may not return, Micheal Taylor may not return and/or that Thurmond Woods may not qualify for D-1 ball. On the message board there has been speculation that Banny might not return. The only one that I have seen/heard solid confirmation is Stockton, and that is by his choice. Coaches have to be careful nowadays with kids leaving, because it will effect their APR. Every year there are players who will leave (or be encouraged to leave) because of PT, if you want to get a clue as to who take a look at who the coaches are recruiting. Freshman point guard ... Stockton. Another example, for the Bobcats might be if they sign another big man this spring Cameron Henderson might not be back. As of right now I do not know of any small forwards, Banny's spot, that the Griz are recruiting this spring. Mainly point guards, and some big men.
Thurman Woods had an academically sterling reputation when he was recruited. I know he ultimately was not eligible to play HS ball last year, but I don't think it had anything to do with academics. I think he may be the real "steal" of the incoming class.
Everything I have heard about Woods is that he has very good grades. The only thing I have heard that could be a hitch concerns his technical being a fifth year high school senior. I don't know the history behind him being classified that way in California, but the NCAA just instituted new rules this year concerning 5th years seniors, and there were concerns earlier that all the paper work gets filed correctly with the NCAA clearing house. Like I said earlier though, from what I am hearing everything looks OK on that end, and the Griz coaches seem to be comfortable that he will get through the NCAA clearing house.
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