Big Sky Recruiting

[n.ogdencat]

It is really hard to get a pulse for this short of thing, but it is fun to try.

YES, the Big Sky was definitely down this year. Can it get any worse? I hope not. Actually, I'm thinking things might be looking up for the Sky. Help is on the way, but in awkwardly unusual places: SAC St?

Personally, I thought that Portland State, Eastern, and Montana State would end up being a lot better than what they turned out to be. Of course, each had extra-ordinary issues afflict them: Eastern's star play was playing injured most of the year, MSU lost two key players during the year, and their star PG recruit wasn't cleared to play till it was too late (Antonio Bigalow); and PSU doesn't have the best HC. Yes, he can recruit, but who cares about that. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you can't coach them and turn them into a team then they, the talent/players, will never be able to match their potential. Each can improve, most likely PSU will get worse, through solid recruiting (even PSU has a chance).

You usually get a pretty good idea how functional a program is by when the program is getting their players to sign. Case in point, Weber and Montana always have Fall/November signees. UNCO, MSU, Eastern all do a fairly solid job of getting a player or two to sign in the Fall. However, on the flip side...ISU, SAC (most cases), and lately NAU brings in the majority of their recruits during the Spring signing period. That isn't terrible, but it usually is a sign that the program isn't "healthy." Regardless, each year there is a lot of change over from the year before. For instance, in the case of Weber, we are experiencing a substantial change, but should maintain our competitiveness. While, PSU is also undergoing significant change, but is less likely to maintain their edge.

Well with that being said...The teams that are changing the most from most change to least are (followed is a + or - signifying how their 2012-2013 team will look based on recruits, transfers, and Redshirts.
1. Eastern + (Two DI transfers and two solid high school recruits and the development of Parker Kelly is what Hayford is hoping for)
2. Weber + (6-8 and 6-7 Joel Bolomoby and Kyndahl Hill will need to grow up fast. Hope that Davion Berry can step into Damian Lillards role)
3. Portland State = (Lamont Prosser 6-8 JC Trans. The hope is that Lateef McMullan improves)
4. Montana + (Montana might have the best signee in the Sky in Jake Wiley a 6-7 3 who can move)
5. Idaho State - (at this time no signees)
6. Southern Utah - (at this time no signees)
7. North Dakota = Sophmore slump by the extraordinary freshmen.
8. Northern Arizona - (at this time no signees: they do have Douglas, Cheek, Rogers, and Salvidar...but no bigs. Their top rebounders are both gone)
9. Montana State + (underclassmen Reid and Dison, if they get some help, could really turn things around in Bozeman, which might save Huse's job. Getting Bigalow, Stewart, and Blount back would too. MSU has most of the pieces...a solid 1, 2, 3, and a 5...)
10. Northern Colorado + (Very young team. Supposedly there is an impressive RS guard, but their whole team are guards. Their best hope hinges in the development of their 3 Huskisson, 4 and 5s.).
11. Sacramento State = (at this time no signees) The Hornets really don't need anyone. They could use another 4, and some role players off the bench, but Garrity, Eberhard, Estrada, Dickson, McCarver, Veteto might be enough).

Next Years...Very Early Rankings:
1. Montana
2. Weber
3. Eastern
4. Sacramento State
5. Northern Colorado
6. Montana State
7. Portland State
8. North Dakota
9. Idaho State
10. Southern Utah
11. Northern Arizona

 

[LarrytheFarmer]

It is really hard to get a pulse for this short of thing, but it is fun to try.

YES, the Big Sky was definitely down this year. Can it get any worse? I hope not. Actually, I'm thinking things might be looking up for the Sky. Help is on the way, but in awkwardly unusual places: SAC St?

Personally, I thought that Portland State, Eastern, and Montana State would end up being a lot better than what they turned out to be. Of course, each had extra-ordinary issues afflict them: Eastern's star play was playing injured most of the year, MSU lost two key players during the year, and their star PG recruit wasn't cleared to play till it was too late (Antonio Bigalow); and PSU doesn't have the best HC. Yes, he can recruit, but who cares about that. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you can't coach them and turn them into a team then they, the talent/players, will never be able to match their potential. Each can improve, most likely PSU will get worse, through solid recruiting (even PSU has a chance).

You usually get a pretty good idea how functional a program is by when the program is getting their players to sign. Case in point, Weber and Montana always have Fall/November signees. UNCO, MSU, Eastern all do a fairly solid job of getting a player or two to sign in the Fall. However, on the flip side...ISU, SAC (most cases), and lately NAU brings in the majority of their recruits during the Spring signing period. That isn't terrible, but it usually is a sign that the program isn't "healthy." Regardless, each year there is a lot of change over from the year before. For instance, in the case of Weber, we are experiencing a substantial change, but should maintain our competitiveness. While, PSU is also undergoing significant change, but is less likely to maintain their edge.

Well with that being said...The teams that are changing the most from most change to least are (followed is a + or - signifying how their 2012-2013 team will look based on recruits, transfers, and Redshirts.
1. Eastern + (Two DI transfers and two solid high school recruits and the development of Parker Kelly is what Hayford is hoping for)
2. Weber + (6-8 and 6-7 Joel Bolomoby and Kyndahl Hill will need to grow up fast. Hope that Davion Berry can step into Damian Lillards role)
3. Portland State = (Lamont Prosser 6-8 JC Trans. The hope is that Lateef McMullan improves)
4. Montana + (Montana might have the best signee in the Sky in Jake Wiley a 6-7 3 who can move)
5. Idaho State - (at this time no signees)
6. Southern Utah - (at this time no signees)
7. North Dakota = Sophmore slump by the extraordinary freshmen.
8. Northern Arizona - (at this time no signees: they do have Douglas, Cheek, Rogers, and Salvidar...but no bigs. Their top rebounders are both gone)
9. Montana State + (underclassmen Reid and Dison, if they get some help, could really turn things around in Bozeman, which might save Huse's job. Getting Bigalow, Stewart, and Blount back would too. MSU has most of the pieces...a solid 1, 2, 3, and a 5...)
10. Northern Colorado + (Very young team. Supposedly there is an impressive RS guard, but their whole team are guards. Their best hope hinges in the development of their 3 Huskisson, 4 and 5s.).
11. Sacramento State = (at this time no signees) The Hornets really don't need anyone. They could use another 4, and some role players off the bench, but Garrity, Eberhard, Estrada, Dickson, McCarver, Veteto might be enough).

Next Years...Very Early Rankings:
1. Montana
2. Weber
3. Eastern
4. Sacramento State
5. Northern Colorado
6. Montana State
7. Portland State
8. North Dakota
9. Idaho State
10. Southern Utah
11. Northern Arizona

All credibility in this article was completely lost with that first line about Suck St, therefore I didn't bother to even read the rest of this article. :roll:

 

[oldrunner]

Everone has been pulling for Sac St to do something, anything, for years and they always let us down. Sure, they get a player or two, get some early season wins to get everyone excited, and then that is where it stops, year in and year out.

I'm with Larry on this one. ISU, SAC, and NAU are all in the same boat, and that boat has a lot of leaks and one padle. MSU has been toying with jumping into that boat. :thumbdown:

 

[wazzuwildcat03]

I actually think Sac St. had some good pieces coming back next year and could be anywhere from 3rd-6th if they can put it together. I actually like their coach and they have some very good players coming back. Its true they do fall apart midway through the season, but if there was a year they could make a push its this year. Its got to be hard to stay motivated playing in a crappy high school gym though with 0 fan support. I agree with Tals predictions for next year, but I would put Idaho State dead last. SUU will be down there too. I would put UNC up higher though. I would put them 3rd. Other than that looks about right.

 

[jon]

Good stuff Tal... one thing on UNC, they actually have some decent bigs - Emmanual Addo is one of the more skilled big men in the BSC, and will be just a junior. Connor Osborne has some good skill down by the basket, it's just a matter of staying in shape and staying out of foul trouble. After that... well, they hope Brandon Keane develops (didn't do much this year) so you are right they don't have much depth up front, but not as critical as say, Northern Arizona. James Davis is the redshirt guard... one of their assistants spoke pretty darn highly of them.

My very early rankings:

1. Montana (should be very good)
2. Weber State (still second most talent in the conference)
3. Northern Colorado (and in 2 years they could be really, really good)
4. Eastern Washington (will be young even with transfers... bringing in lots of guys)
5. Sacramento State (only thing I'm curious about is Brian Katz)
6. Montana State (all depends on Blount and Biglow... if those guys are there, MSU could compete)
7. Portland State (Renado Parker is a first-teamer next year)
8. Northern Arizona (think they were undone by some bad coaching... not that they are great, but good backcourt talent)
9. North Dakota (they didn't improve last year at all)
10. Southern Utah (don't have a good handle on them yet)
11. Idaho State (cupboard looks pretty bare for Evans)

Will obviously go much deeper into each of these teams as the offseason goes on, but that's my quick look at them all...