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Joe O’Brien: B
The Idaho State coach has one year remaining on his contract, and in my opinion he’s done enough to earn at least a one-year extension. The soon-to-be junior class he recruited, along with soon-to-be senior Matt Stucki, are looking too good for Idaho State not to lock him up until the end of their college careers.
Yes, his scheduling can sometimes be a bit much, his coaching style rubs some people the wrong way and his recruiting last offseason was atrocious. But the Bengals, with Donnie Carson, Amorrow Morgan and Stucki leading the way, should have the best guards of any team in the Big Sky next year. They will be experienced, and with a better recruiting class this time around could make a run at the Big Sky title in 2009 and 2010. Idaho State needs to give O’Brien enough job security to coach with an open mind during that time. If his teams deliver, reward him with a long-term deal. If they can’t do better than 8-8 in conference play, then take a look at him. But he shouldn’t be feeling any pressure next year. Remember, a .500 league mark was the best Doug Oliver could ever manage, and he was in Pocatello for eight years. So far, that’s the worst O’Brien has done.
Logan Kinghorn: A
To come up with double-double efforts the way this senior did down the stretch, and willingly move from his desired position on the perimeter to the power forward spot, was exactly what Idaho State needed to win big games. Standing just 6-foot-5, he led Idaho State in rebounding and willed his way to points inside. People talk about Tyler Hansbrough giving more effort than anyone in the country, but I doubt he plays any harder than Kinghorn did this season.
Cory O’Brien: B-minus
I hear fans complain about the coach’s son more than anyone else on the team, but my question is why? Granted, he never was all-conference material like his junior college teammate Carlos Taylor, but he played solid defense, didn’t turn the ball over and amazingly did an adequate job when asked to play center. For a walk-on, that’s pretty solid production.
Matt Stucki: A-plus
Stucki emerged as an all-conference player on a team that badly needed him to step up. He led Idaho State in scoring and assists. He was also an excellent floor general. I swear, there are a lot of possessions when he’s the one coaching the Bengals instead of O’Brien. His senior season is going to be a joy for locals to watch.
Lucas Steijn: C-plus
O’Brien often said his biggest mistake was labeling Steijn as a back-to-the-basket player. He’s seven-feet tall, sure, but he doesn’t have the mindset to go hard for rebounds or try for put backs. O’Brien asked him to be a center anyway. So, it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise that he struggled at times. I expect the coaching staff will try to move him to the power forward position next year and bring in a more rebound-oriented center. If that happens, watch for Steijn to excel. When he was allowed to step outside and shoot the ball, no one could guard him.
Chron Tatum: D
Tatum hurt his grade by playing so well at the beginning of the season. The way he looked against BYU, scoring left and right in front of a hostile crowd, he showed flashes of being one of Idaho State’s best players. But his game deteriorated as the season went along. He lost his spot in the starting lineup, he lost his spot in the playing rotation and he suffered from an odd virus that kept him out of practice for a while. He showed progress at the very end of the season, and if he can play more of an inside/outside role next year I expect him to be quite good.
Amorrow Morgan: A
Morgan came to Idaho State expecting to play as a small forward. Instead, he was told to be Idaho State’s only point guard as a sophomore. The Memphis native handled the new position extremely well under the circumstances. He was rough at times, but by the end of the year he was a strong ball handler and looked like a legit Division I guard. Expect big things out him next year.
Donnie Carson: A
The improvements that Carson made — going from never used practice player to arguably Idaho State’s top scoring option — were phenomenal. He came through with a game-winning shot at Montana, clinched a game with free throws at Sacramento State and pleased everyone in Holt Arena with high-flying dunks. I view him as a Big Sky MVP candidate next year if he continues to progress. He’s Idaho State’s best on-ball defender, he can slash to the basket and he can shoot jumpers. There were times when he disappeared from games, and that’s why he didn’t get an A-plus, but there were other games when he looked like the best player on the court.
Austin Kilpatrick: C
Kilpatrick won the home game against Weber State with a clutch 3-pointer, but there weren’t all that many other notable moments in his sophomore year. That was somewhat disappointing considering how good he looked as a freshman. He needs to return to form in year No. 3. With a true point guard running things again, that could easily happen.
Demetrius Monroe: B-minus
Monroe was instant offense during the time he played as a sophomore. Every moment he was in the game, he was knocking down a last-second shot or winning the game with a put back. That trait alone was impressive, but he also found incredible ways of getting open in the paint. But he still didn’t play all that much. He needs to improve his jump shot and free-throw delivery for his PT to improve.
Tom Taylor: C
O’Brien said that Taylor was Idaho State’s most improved player after Christmas this year, and that’s saying a lot. He came off the bench and gave the Bengals some quality minutes inside at the end of the season. My guess is he will continue to improve. His offseason goal, though, needs to put on more muscle. He’s still far too skinny to be a banger.
Steve Anderson: I
Looking back, Anderson could have benefited from a red shirt this season. He rarely played, and served little-to-no purpose outside of practice. But he’s about to go on a LDS Mission, and ISU coaches wanted to use his red shirt when he returns so he can rebuild muscle. I can understand that. I still expect big things out of Anderson. But we won’t know truly how good he his for another three years.
Robert Crompton: A
I don’t know what other grade to give him. Coaches asked him to come help play point guard in practices, and he did that. He even made it into a game for the good part of a minute. There’s no telling if the American Falls sophomore will be asked back next year, but he at least did his job this year.
Joe O’Brien: B
The Idaho State coach has one year remaining on his contract, and in my opinion he’s done enough to earn at least a one-year extension. The soon-to-be junior class he recruited, along with soon-to-be senior Matt Stucki, are looking too good for Idaho State not to lock him up until the end of their college careers.
Yes, his scheduling can sometimes be a bit much, his coaching style rubs some people the wrong way and his recruiting last offseason was atrocious. But the Bengals, with Donnie Carson, Amorrow Morgan and Stucki leading the way, should have the best guards of any team in the Big Sky next year. They will be experienced, and with a better recruiting class this time around could make a run at the Big Sky title in 2009 and 2010. Idaho State needs to give O’Brien enough job security to coach with an open mind during that time. If his teams deliver, reward him with a long-term deal. If they can’t do better than 8-8 in conference play, then take a look at him. But he shouldn’t be feeling any pressure next year. Remember, a .500 league mark was the best Doug Oliver could ever manage, and he was in Pocatello for eight years. So far, that’s the worst O’Brien has done.
Logan Kinghorn: A
To come up with double-double efforts the way this senior did down the stretch, and willingly move from his desired position on the perimeter to the power forward spot, was exactly what Idaho State needed to win big games. Standing just 6-foot-5, he led Idaho State in rebounding and willed his way to points inside. People talk about Tyler Hansbrough giving more effort than anyone in the country, but I doubt he plays any harder than Kinghorn did this season.
Cory O’Brien: B-minus
I hear fans complain about the coach’s son more than anyone else on the team, but my question is why? Granted, he never was all-conference material like his junior college teammate Carlos Taylor, but he played solid defense, didn’t turn the ball over and amazingly did an adequate job when asked to play center. For a walk-on, that’s pretty solid production.
Matt Stucki: A-plus
Stucki emerged as an all-conference player on a team that badly needed him to step up. He led Idaho State in scoring and assists. He was also an excellent floor general. I swear, there are a lot of possessions when he’s the one coaching the Bengals instead of O’Brien. His senior season is going to be a joy for locals to watch.
Lucas Steijn: C-plus
O’Brien often said his biggest mistake was labeling Steijn as a back-to-the-basket player. He’s seven-feet tall, sure, but he doesn’t have the mindset to go hard for rebounds or try for put backs. O’Brien asked him to be a center anyway. So, it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise that he struggled at times. I expect the coaching staff will try to move him to the power forward position next year and bring in a more rebound-oriented center. If that happens, watch for Steijn to excel. When he was allowed to step outside and shoot the ball, no one could guard him.
Chron Tatum: D
Tatum hurt his grade by playing so well at the beginning of the season. The way he looked against BYU, scoring left and right in front of a hostile crowd, he showed flashes of being one of Idaho State’s best players. But his game deteriorated as the season went along. He lost his spot in the starting lineup, he lost his spot in the playing rotation and he suffered from an odd virus that kept him out of practice for a while. He showed progress at the very end of the season, and if he can play more of an inside/outside role next year I expect him to be quite good.
Amorrow Morgan: A
Morgan came to Idaho State expecting to play as a small forward. Instead, he was told to be Idaho State’s only point guard as a sophomore. The Memphis native handled the new position extremely well under the circumstances. He was rough at times, but by the end of the year he was a strong ball handler and looked like a legit Division I guard. Expect big things out him next year.
Donnie Carson: A
The improvements that Carson made — going from never used practice player to arguably Idaho State’s top scoring option — were phenomenal. He came through with a game-winning shot at Montana, clinched a game with free throws at Sacramento State and pleased everyone in Holt Arena with high-flying dunks. I view him as a Big Sky MVP candidate next year if he continues to progress. He’s Idaho State’s best on-ball defender, he can slash to the basket and he can shoot jumpers. There were times when he disappeared from games, and that’s why he didn’t get an A-plus, but there were other games when he looked like the best player on the court.
Austin Kilpatrick: C
Kilpatrick won the home game against Weber State with a clutch 3-pointer, but there weren’t all that many other notable moments in his sophomore year. That was somewhat disappointing considering how good he looked as a freshman. He needs to return to form in year No. 3. With a true point guard running things again, that could easily happen.
Demetrius Monroe: B-minus
Monroe was instant offense during the time he played as a sophomore. Every moment he was in the game, he was knocking down a last-second shot or winning the game with a put back. That trait alone was impressive, but he also found incredible ways of getting open in the paint. But he still didn’t play all that much. He needs to improve his jump shot and free-throw delivery for his PT to improve.
Tom Taylor: C
O’Brien said that Taylor was Idaho State’s most improved player after Christmas this year, and that’s saying a lot. He came off the bench and gave the Bengals some quality minutes inside at the end of the season. My guess is he will continue to improve. His offseason goal, though, needs to put on more muscle. He’s still far too skinny to be a banger.
Steve Anderson: I
Looking back, Anderson could have benefited from a red shirt this season. He rarely played, and served little-to-no purpose outside of practice. But he’s about to go on a LDS Mission, and ISU coaches wanted to use his red shirt when he returns so he can rebuild muscle. I can understand that. I still expect big things out of Anderson. But we won’t know truly how good he his for another three years.
Robert Crompton: A
I don’t know what other grade to give him. Coaches asked him to come help play point guard in practices, and he did that. He even made it into a game for the good part of a minute. There’s no telling if the American Falls sophomore will be asked back next year, but he at least did his job this year.
