The things I learned from last nights.
Mslacat: You don't get to mingle as well and as efficiently when you bring two Kids.
That said , though, I feel it was very important to give them some immersion therapy in
Bobcat culture. After having to live in Missoula all of their lives (well all but one year
each). Besides I do not remember them playing together for that period of with out
getting into a fight! The only thing I feel guilty about was as I was talking to our new
basketball coach Tricia Binford and my daughter was doing somersaults down the hill, I
got to watch my daughter plow over the top of Binford's 1 year old. Tricia stops in mid
sentence and said " Did you see that!!" I just mumbled some like "some peoples kids" as
she ran off. Unfortunately I think she later figured it out, so I pretty much screwed with
women’s basketball!!
Tricia Binford (Women’s Basketball): Very very happy she signed Jenny Heringer.
The signing period will end on the 18th but she feels they will be signing a couple “high
quality” players before then. She also said she thinks people will be surprised at the
quality of the recruits the program will sign given the very late start the coaches got. She
also feels that there are three solid young players upon which to build on in the program.
On the hiring process she very nervous about "meet the booster" portion of the interview
but actually, but she was pleasantly surprised by the process.
Johnny Brown (Men’s Basketball): Very energetic, engaging, and personable. He really
feels a need that the men’s program has had for a long time. A coach who gets out there
presses the flesh, talk up the program and who knows how to coach big men. If you
don't believe it just ask him. Of the freshman just recruited, he feels Jacques Wilson and
Branden Johnson will have the best chance of contributing next year. He feels Branden
has a much more well rounded game right now than Chawn. Branden he feels can score
from the low post to 3-pt line going left or right, has a decently rugged body, can
rebound a lick and block some shots. Brown said he thinks if Branden works hard this
summer he could also move ahead of Pratt on the depth chart. When asked about Pratt
redshirting if this happens, Brown said normally they do not redshirt Seniors, but... (smile
raise of the eyebrows shrug of the shoulders). As for Chawn Johnson, one of the most
physically and athletic highschool athlete to come into the Big Sky in a long time (or at
least in the 12 months he has been here -Mslacat
) but right now his offensive skillset , while pretty effective, is limited to, drop left shoulder, hook to the basket, and slam.
Needs to work on diversified his offensive skills, that is what Chawn has been told he
needs to work on over the summer. It should be noted though, that Branden was
Johnny's recruit and Chawn was Carson’s recruit. I do believe. On Ted Morris is a big
physical banger, good scorer and rebounds, but quote: "the only thing he can pass is a
test" he has developed a reputation, of being a wild passing player, passing to players
who do not exist. This is what Brown is working on over the summer. Jacques Wilson
he feels was a steal of steals. Perfect fit for this team it will be tough to keep him off the
court next year. Beye will be are starter no doubt, but he will not be a 35 minutes every
single game player. Fouls, injuries and wear and tear will be a big factor in limiting
Beyes minutes. The player Brown is really high on is 2006-07 freshman Travis
Derochowski Boston College and Utah wants to sign him, but Travis likes the fishing in
Bozeman better. Fishing and the video Dept. landed the guy. 245, 6-10, great hands,
and runs the floor.
Kramer: Shook hands, said hi, but did spend a lot of time with him. sorry. Football guy's take over.
Our school is growing, the region is growing, our kids can find employment in and around their school, and our athletic department understands their role in all of this. A rather extreme example would be the number of applicants to Georgia Tech the year after they tied for the national championship around 90 increased by over 26 percent and many of their alumni relocated to Hotlanta and had several successful start-up businesses. Really excited to see how our new fundraising drive turns out.