Midnight Madness Count Down!!!!!

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:21 pm

So do you think I am going to do a post every day to count down to Midnight Madness (the very first minute college basketball teams can practice)!!!! Nawww................ I don't know if the Cats will even have a Midnight Madness this year, but here is a link to a count down clock.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball

It is not very big but it is still there!!

CatFamily · Post by **CatFamily** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:26 pm

Mslacat... ugh! I am way to excited about the upcoming football season to think much about the Start of basketball. Now you have me confused

But I still enjoy the discussions about the Cats and the recruits! The Cats should be in the thick of things in just about every sport... and that is the way I like it! Maybe another Presidents Trophy in the horizon!

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:10 am

This should be a GREAT year for Bobcat men's basketball! It is never too early to discuss all the possibilities! Any opinions on the starting lineup and players that will get quality playing time and contribute? Who will redshirt?

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:56 pm

To be honest for a starting line up I have to start where we left off.

Miller -2g/pg
Jefferson- 2g/pg
Dissly - sf
Moss - pf
Beye - c

BUT these are some thought based on what I have heard in talking with folks and my own opinion.

Dissly, and Moss are a lock to start. There is not a person on campus who can match / compete with these guys. Dissly many feel is league MVP material the only thing holding him back is himself. Moss is not far behind, he could be the top Power forward in the league next year.

Jefferson is right behind Dissly and Moss as a lock for a starting position. I will be pretty shocked if he is not in the starting line-up. He is a proto type Durham guard. Does everything pretty well and is consistent game in and game out. Can play both guards, will do the dirty work or hit the big shot (right Griz fans), and is a leader.

Miller has loads of talent but had somewhat a disappointing season, with his inconsistently. Remember he was thought to be the best recruit from last years class. If he starts to live up to his potential he could actually lead this team in scoring, and assists.

Beye, is the type of center we have not had in the 25 or more years I have been following Bobcat basketball. Athletic, tall, and oozing with potential. The thing about Beye is that he has always been the oddity, role player every where he has been. It was not until 1/3 through last season when the coaches decided to see if he could be a "centerpiece" center that we got to see a glimpse of his true potential. That was the first time any one has ever asked him to go out and score. He succeeded quite well last year, (well for Bobcat standards) and that has been the focus of his off season workouts. His big downside is his durability. I think we really need to be looking at him as a 20-25 minute a game player. Anymore than that and I think he is going to be worn down or maybe even injured by the end of the season. Every time he takes a charge this year I am going to have my fingers crossed.

There are two players that, I think, have the most potential to push players for a starting position.

Ted Morris At 6-10 and 245 he gives us a nice contrast to Beye. Even if we assume Beye is injury free this year. Morris wants to start. Morris has asked the coaching staff if he will be given a legitimate shot at earning a starting spot, and was assured that he would. Morris started multiple games at Indiana State during his Freshman year and Sophomore year. Morris was a pretty highly regarded high school recruit coming into Indiana. I have also heard that Morris is working very hard this off season, and has been in close touch with Johnny Brown about areas of improvement. I don't know what the results are going to be like but you gotta like it when a kid has talent, sets goals and works to complete those goals.

Derrick Edmonds the 6-1 JC guard we signed last fall. I think he could push for a guard spot. I have not heard from anyone in Bozeman to give me a review of Edmonds, but From what I have heard elsewhere is that he is mentally very similar Jefferson. He can be a big time scorer or a defensive stopper. His biggest strength is his shooting. 42% from three point land, and his range is from half court in. I am told the Cats want to exploit their inside game and wanted a 3 point shooter who could open up the interior. If Miller or Jefferson falters early on from the perimeter, Edmonds could step in win himself a spot.

Over all not only do we have our top players back for next year, but the returning players have so much untapped potential and room improvement. Dissly, Beye, Miller, and Holmes are guys I think of as that we have not seen what they are truly capable of.

BTW: MSU88 the check is in the mail

CatFamily · Post by **CatFamily** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:33 pm

Mslacat... have you heard if anyone will not be returning from last years roster? And thanks... that was a great analysis. Who do we have as backup forwards? Sounds like we also will have size and backup size for a change. Depth at guard and post are great assets down the stretch.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:42 pm

We also have Taylor Pratt who came alive at times last year along with Durr (is he transfering to Billings or just his dad?), then we also have Holmes and Durham at the guard positions. I think that we will have an incredibly deep team this year. We should be even better than last year's team.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:31 pm

wbtfg wrote:We also have Taylor Pratt who came alive at times last year along with Durr (is he transfering to Billings or just his dad?), then we also have Holmes and Durham at the guard positions. I think that we will have an incredibly deep team this year. We should be even better than last year's team.

I thought my post was getting pretty long as it was so no offence to those I did not mention, but since you mentioned it........

Yea Pratt should give us some solid Minutes off the bench, but I hope he is see most of his minutes at the power Forward and Beye, Morris, and one of the freshmen at the third center. Pratt does ok at the 4 but we lose a lot when he is at center (I also hope Moss does not spend a lot of time at center.)

I am very anxious to here what Durr has been up to this summer, and what he has added to his game. He could actually steal some minutes away from Pratt with a good summer. From what I hear the only thing holding Carson back from bring one of the first guy's off the bench is his scoring. If he can become a legitamate scoring threat (not big numbers, but enough that someone has to guard him) his playing minutes could increase quite a bit. He is a favorite in the program becuase he works so hard plays defence and runs with the offence quite well, but he allows other teams to double team Dissly or Moss. I have heard from a source (although a very bias source) that Durr's offence will be very solid this year. I think most of Durrs problem are confidence issues.

I like what I saw of Holmes last year. A decent perimeter shooter and a physical post up guard, a lot of confidence, I think he is going to be one of those guards that kill you in multiple ways.

Durham will be a year older and a little more seasoned.

Dispite what Durham has said, though, I would put good money on that one of the Freshman Johnsons will play. Beye is too, slight, and the team takes to big of a hit when Moss and/or Pratt has to play the center. I also think Pratt is the weak link in the 4 and 5 position. Historically, injuries to the center / power forward seems to follow MSU season after season. We have more depth than I can ever remember at the 4 & 5 lets not cut ourselves thin

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:21 am

mslacat wrote:BTW: MSU88 the check is in the mail

?????????

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:51 pm

wbtfg wrote:We also have Taylor Pratt who came alive at times last year along with Durr (is he transfering to Billings or just his dad?), then we also have Holmes and Durham at the guard positions. I think that we will have an incredibly deep team this year. We should be even better than last year's team.

Only Carson's dad is in Billings. He is the Dean of Students at Billings West High School after several years in Roberts. Carson is happliy staying at MSU to play ball and get his degree.