MBB: BIG five days for Huse!

[mslacat]

The next 4-5 days are going to be very big days for the Bobcat team.

1) On Wednesday the national letter of intent early signing period starts and lasts until next Wednesday it appears we have two solid commits from Montana players, and 2-3 very strong prospects for signing looking at the Cats. I have heard our priority for this period were/are #1 Sign Bobby Howard, there after the other thought process was to look at a few JC player to try to even the classes and add a few members to the existing Sophomore class (next years Juniors), we appear to be looking at bigMEN and wings at the JC level. At the high school level, point guards, and bigMEN appear to be the main targets, but also any position, for the really talented athlete. We have 3 seniors, so three scholarships available, but by the end of the season do not be surprised if another scholarship opens up. It is the normal evolution of a new team developing under a new coach.

2) Huse needs to make his redshirt choices or lack there of by Thursday (before the Utah Valley State game). I have heard from sources that Huse is really at a dilemma at what he wants to do. He has seriously considering not redshirting anyone, or going heavy into to redshirting. One thing is for sure Rush will not be redshirted. Malloy and Piepoli will essentially be playing the same role this year as a Guard / forward most likely being 9-11th player. Are they an either or situation? On the flip side the 2g/sf is one of the easier positions on the court to make the high school to D-1 transitions. Derochowski seems like a logical choice due to his lack of minutes in the exhibition games, but if you listened to Huse on last nights post game show I do not know how many times he said the phrase " I was very proud of Travis" he also complimented his hustle, rebounding and ability to change shot. I think Travis is becoming a favorite of Huse's. Travis is also, the only true wide body we have after Morris. Desin boy what a walk-on. He is a solid Big Sky conference freshman point guard. He could play this year and give us some quality solid minutes. Maybe not a world beater yet but, solid play at the most important spot in D-1 ball. There will be quite a few less talented reserve points this year in the Big Sky. Are we, though deep enough at the point to afford redshirting him? Davis is struggling learning the offence a possible red shirt? Maybe, but I highly doubt it.

3) First game against Utah Valley State. Huse said again on the Post game show that the Exhibition season has opened his eyes to some of the weaknesses and strengths of this team, and he wished he had a full week to make some changes and tweak the offence and defense systems, before facing their first D-1 team. Well coach you got 4 days. BTW I love it when a coach is willing to admit his schemes are not right and is willing to change his system to compliment the player at hand.

A lot of work for the coaches the next few days, but boy I have never been more confident that we have the guys to get the job(s) done.

[4everacatfan]

The next 4-5 days are going to be very big days for the Bobcat team.

1) On Wednesday the national letter of intent early signing period starts and lasts until next Wednesday it appears we have two solid commits from Montana players, and 2-3 very strong prospects for signing looking at the Cats. I have heard our priority for this period were/are #1 Sign Bobby Howard, there after the other thought process was to look at a few JC player to try to even the classes and add a few members to the existing Sophomore class (next years Juniors), we appear to be looking at bigMEN and wings at the JC level. At the high school level, point guards, and bigMEN appear to be the main targets, but also any position, for the really talented athlete. We have 3 seniors, so three scholarships available, but by the end of the season do not be surprised if another scholarship opens up. It is the normal evolution of a new team developing under a new coach.

I am really looking forward to Weds. I think Bobby is going to have a great career here at MSU and he will be a perfect fit for this new coaching staff.

2) Huse needs to make his redshirt choices or lack there of by Thursday (before the Utah Valley State game). I have heard from sources that Huse is really at a dilemma at what he wants to do. He has seriously considering not redshirting anyone, or going heavy into to redshirting. One thing is for sure Rush will not be redshirted. Malloy and Piepoli will essentially be playing the same role this year as a Guard / forward most likely being 9-11th player. Are they an either or situation? On the flip side the 2g/sf is one of the easier positions on the court to make the high school to D-1 transitions. Derochowski seems like a logical choice due to his lack of minutes in the exhibition games, but if you listened to Huse on last nights post game show I do not know how many times he said the phrase " I was very proud of Travis" he also complimented his hustle, rebounding and ability to change shot. I think Travis is becoming a favorite of Huse's. Travis is also, the only true wide body we have after Morris. Desin boy what a walk-on. He is a solid Big Sky conference freshman point guard. He could play this year and give us some quality solid minutes. Maybe not a world beater yet but, solid play at the most important spot in D-1 ball. There will be quite a few less talented reserve points this year in the Big Sky. Are we, though deep enough at the point to afford redshirting him? Davis is struggling learning the offence a possible red shirt? Maybe, but I highly doubt it.

Piepoli and Derochowski both should redshirt I think if they played this year it would be a waste of a year for them they need more seasoning. Can you imagine these two and Howard the next four years along with Rush a year ahead of them

3) First game against Utah Valley State. Huse said again on the Post game show that the Exhibition season has opened his eyes to some of the weaknesses and strengths of this team, and he wished he had a full week to make some changes and tweak the offence and defense systems, before facing their first D-1 team. Well coach you got 4 days. BTW I love it when a coach is willing to admit his schemes are not right and is willing to change his system to compliment the player at hand.

Ditto

A lot of work for the coaches the next few days, but boy I have never been more confident that we have the guys to get the job(s) done.

I agree this staff will get it done this year it might be a rough start but they will definitely be peaking by the end of the season. the future is definetly bright for MSU Men's Basketball

[NoGriz]

Seems like it might be a decent year to play Desin and save his redshirt year for when we have more depth at the point. This year he's not beat up from a full season of FB and his performance on Sunday looked like he's ready to be a contributor right away.

I'm not sure we have the luxury to sit Derochowski cuz you just can't teach that size. It would be great to let him mature for a year but I think we may need him to contribute some minutes.

Peopoli might be a good redshirt choice. I think he's going to be a great fit in the years to come but he could stand to gain 20 pounds and we have lots of wing depth.

[mslacat]

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I am really looking forward to Weds. I think Bobby is going to have a great career here at MSU and he will be a perfect fit for this new coaching staff.

I have to agree, of the three Montana players that will sign in the next week with D-1 teams Bobby is the can't miss prospect. The only question about Bobby is can he adjust to playing on the wing, and from what I have heard from AAU coaches this summer he proved himself quite well on the wing this summer. Worst case is that he plays the power forward spot for the Cats and no doubts he can be a dominate power forward in the Big Sky level

Edwards will have the luxury of being able to take a redshirt year next year, and feel very confident by his sophmore year will be a contributer.

[4everacatfan]

I have to agree, of the three Montana players that will sign in the next week with D-1 teams Bobby is the can't miss prospect. The only question about Bobby is can he adjust to playing on the wing, and from what I have heard from AAU coaches this summer he proved himself quite well on the wing this summer. Worst case is that he plays the power forward spot for the Cats and no doubts he can be a dominate power forward in the Big Sky level

Edwards will have the luxury of being able to take a redshirt year next year, and feel very confident by his sophmore year will be a contributer.

From what I saw Bobby can in Huse's system play the 4 and they run the power forward through the high post and with his 3 point range he can present a lot of match up problems for traditional power forwards. Some may question if he can guard a power forward but again against some of the best competition he seemed like he held his own and he rebounds well he is one of the few high school boys I have seen actually put a body on someone block out then go for the ball, he must get that from his mom.

Also what I saw of him this summer he has made the transition to the wing very well.

I think your right Edwards will need that redshirt year before he is ready to go that is why I thought they would be looking more for a J.C. player rather than a third Freshman.

Well it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow with that third scholarship or if Huse waits till the spring.