The Bobcat Nation

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State coach Mick Durham added depth and athleticism to the Bobcat front-line Wednesday, signing a pair of
Oklahoma junior college transfers to National Letters-of-Intent.
Alioune Beye, a 6-11, 210 lb center from Eastern Oklahoma Junior College, and 6-7, 200 lb forward Taylor Pratt from Northeastern
Oklahoma, join the Bobcat program next fall, Durham said. "Al and
Taylor give us some athletic ability inside, and they'll really help our depth," Durham said. "They're both long, and they are both capable defensive players. The Oklahoma junior college league is one of the better junior college leagues in the country, so both of these guys have seen some outstanding competition and should be battle-tested."
Beye, originally from Dakar, Senegal, comes to Bozeman as an accomplished defensive player, according to Eastern Oklahoma coach
Jimmy Voight. "He's a versatile athlete, thin, wiry strong," Voight said. "He's a pure post player. When this kid came over from Senegal he was 164 lbs the first time we weighed him. He's made great strides in his two years in our program. Like most African kids that come over here, he was much more advanced defensively than offensively. He has the ability to block shots, the ability to defend the low post. We continue to see improvement offensively." Voight indicated that Beye won the school's Larry Stone Award for athletic accomplishment, leadership, citizenship, and character.
Durham is impressed with Beye's athleticism and wingspan. "Al is long and athletic, and gives us a different look than what you see a lot of in this conference," Durham said. "We desparately needed another center in our program, and Al is a shot-blocker who runs the court well. He's made great strides in the two years he's been in Oklahoma. He's a player with great upside. I love the type of person he is, too. He is an excellent student and a good person who will be a nice addition to our program."
Pratt also brings an athletic presence to the Bobcat frontcourt as a power forward, Durham said. "I've been intrigued by Taylor since I saw him last summer. He's an undersized four man who can run and is very athletic. He's a developing player, but he'll add good depth at the power forward spot. He's a solid student, and he'll be a good fit for us."
Pratt, from Will Rogers High in Tulsa, brings good defensive credentials to the Bobcat program, said NEO coach Jason Turk. "Taylor is a really nice athlete who runs the floor very well," Turk said. "He has outrageously long arms and gets his hands on a lot of balls. He's a really good offensive rebounder and a very good shot blocker, and he shoots the basketball well. He needs to continue to put on some weight, but if he can continue to do that he'll have a good career there. He's a really good kid, too."
Pratt and Beye join spring signee Marvin Moss, a power forward, to add depth and versatility to the MSU front line. The addition of guards Ja'Ron Jefferson, signed this spring, and Branden Miller, who signed last fall, gives MSU a more versatile and athletic backcourt, as well. The 'Cats could sign at least one more player this spring, Durham said.

Damn! Scooped again!

Alioune Beye Height: 6' 11" Weight: 211

http://www.eosc.edu/news/2004/pr_feb04_whos_a_e.html


http://www.neoam.cc.ok.us/~mbasketball/ ... _pratt.htm



Taylot Pratt

mslacat wrote:Damn! Scooped again!

That's what the Comical says every morning

hey Mslacat, are these guys legitimate "players" or last minute "fill the roster" replacements. It seems to me that at this late date, the legitimate players have been scarfed up. Like is stated in the articles Mick talks about "projects" How many years do you think it will take them to play against BSC teams and make a difference?

I was wanting to ask the same question. Other than Miller and Moss, are any of these guys difference makers? What about some high school kids? Everybody I have heard of are JCs - in other words, bandaids.

If these JCs are projects, we dont have time to develop JC "projects" like we do high school "projects". If a program is keying on a JC kid, that kid should be fully expected to contribute, and contribute right now. And being as some of your JCs typically dont pan out anyways, where does this leave us with Durham's incoming class?

Is there any future for MSUs basketball program? Right now it looks pretty bleak.

Keep in mind that the players they are signing now are just gravy -- they weren't even possible prior to the repeal of that stupid rule. If they are projects, and one pans out and does well, we are still in a net positive position.

This is just my silver lining way of saying that we are better off now than we were a couple weeks ago. And you can never have too many 6'11" guys (especially ones who will play every day of the week), even if they are projects.

That is a good point BAC, and I see your logic, I just dont consider them gravy.

I think Durham was playing with 3 less schollies this year than he should have been due to that stupid rule. Well, when he found out the 5-8 rule was repealed, then Durham should have been targeting more talent, not more prospects. Especially when the hoops team is so low on talent and so high on prospects with the current standing of its roster.

If by chance Coach is happy with the current roster, and was looking at using the extra scholarships for prospects, then how about using it on high school prospects instead of JCs. That way when a kid develops after a redshirt and 2 years of minimal playing time, then they havent used up all their eligibility. Unless a JC is coming in with a chance to redshirt or 3+ years eligibility left, I dont particularly care to take a chance on developing him.

Just my opinion, but I dont care for JCs. Bringing in as many Jucos as MSU has over the last couple years is a direct reflection on the success and future of this program. The better programs develop high school kids to replace graduating players, maybe filling in one or two jucos if a developing high school kid doesnt pan out. But to bring in, what, 5?!?! this recruiting season alone is rediculous!!!

Off my soap box, thank you, and sorry.

Here's another (admittedly strange) way to look at it. As a result of the 5/8 rule, there were clearly a lot of kids who weren't able to play D-1 ball due to the explicit reduction in scholarships that were available nationwide, which I assume pushed a lot of kids who were otherwise D-1 talent to the JC ranks. With the repeal of the rule, this presumably normalizes things.

So maybe there are some hidden gems out there in the JC ranks that could have an impact? I don't know anything about any of these players, so I have no idea who will pan out and who won't, but I'm just happy to see some bodies in the program, especially tall ones.

As for the JC/high school split, I agree in theory. I am not a big fan of JC-heavy teams, but I am guessing that there aren't many quality high school players left who haven't already committed. It's probably easier to unearth some overlooked talent in the JC ranks with the strange timing of these newfound scholarships.

I hope to see a lot more high school guys signed going forward as well.

I think we are in for a very long basketball season, and I dont see any relief in sight. Thankfully next season doesnt get started for another 6 months.

I have a sneaking suspision that last years 14-13 season could be an overachieving mark in '04-'05.

There should be no reason whatsoever that MSU basketball cannot compete in the top 3 of the conference every year. Granted you cant do it every year, even Weber was down last year....but, missing the conference tourney 2 years in a row is reprehensible!

*************Warning Mslacat gives his opinion *****************

Durham was/is recruiting high school talent. but with the repeal of the 5-8 rule coming 1
1/2 weeks into the signing period in April, Durham had to go with where his strengths
were. Recruiting of players takes place from October to Mid April that is where you
really zoom in on who your prime targets are. With MSU signing Miller and Owsley in
the fall Durham only had one scholarship available, and he focused on Moss and a few
back up players in case Moss did not come through. The indication that the 5-8 rule
really was going to be repealed never really came until early April and it moved fast. As
early as this January there was a vote of support for the rule. Durham and his assistants
were concentrating their effort on the JC ranks and more particular it seems Oklahoma.
That said Durham and his assistant have been looking real hard at high schoolers also.
We had a commitment from a walk-on center from Canada Kyle Landry, but after the 5-8
rule was repealed Northern Arizona offered him a scholarship and he committed. I hear
MSU called him also but the Kid jumped so fast on NAU that we were too late. We
have an Arizona Highschool Point guard coming in this week who may be the last signie.
I also will be posting shortly an article on a 6-9 center from California who was also
brought in. If the 5-8 rule was repealed a little earlier I think thing would have gone a
little differently. BTW We even lost a recruit to PSU when he heard we signed Moss he
decide he did not want to compete.
Schools are only allowed a certain number of visits by athletes and that also work against
us. Currently I hear we will have one highschool Kid in and One Calif. JC small forward
in to visit and that will be it. I hope we sign the Highschool Guard. If any of them want
to commit we will sign them. We can sign 7 total if one is left open we will use it next
year.

As far as the other Recruits, I think Jefferson will be a real solid or better player. Adding
him to the back court will give us quick on quick guards. He can play either Guard
position. Durham knows Guards and I have no doubt he is a solid pick up. Taylor Pratt,
I like this pick up, he played behind two high D-1 players and one future D-1 player. He
scored and rebounded very well in high school double figures in both. Once score 35
points in a game. Very very athletic, as an extra body behind Moss I think he will work
out just find. I have a feeling Beye will either be a fan favorite, where did Durham find
this guy or another Greg Walters, where did Durham find this guy. Big time Hit or Miss,
but a 6-11 guy who can run the court the way he can you have to take a chance, even
more so if Owsley does not return.

Overall we could have done better if we would have known in advance that 5-8 rule was
going to be repealed. I know for a fact we would have hit the high school ranks harder.
What we did do though was to get some quality bodies in. Our back court will be
outstanding, and shore up what has always been a problem and that is quality and
quantity in our 3-4 sports. And every single athlete we recruited is an athletic and fast.
Also look at Durham’s record with finding under recruited talent he does an excellent job
at that. What is nice now we maybe able to possibly redshirt Durr or Martrel, now and let
them mature.

Now aren't you sorry you asked!

Actually mslacat, I am glad I asked. Thanks so much for your insight, I trust your opinion with what happens on the hardwood.

So what do you project our starting lineup come November?
1 - Frank Brown
2 - Miller
3 - Dissley
4 - Moss
5 - so help us...Towsley

Or, if this recruiting class is as athletic as you say, would we dare run with an smaller athletic lineup. Press the hell out of people and look to push the ball, I mean really push it, run teams right out of the gym and put some excitement back into MSU basketball. Being as I am not a fan of Towsley, I prefer this lineup. Plus, I'd enjoy the pressure defense and up-tempo games so much more.
1 - Frank
2 - Miller
3 - Jefferson/Dissley
4 - Dissley/Pratt/Owsley
5 - Moss/Beye/Towsley

One last question, how is Martrel Johnson progressing this year. I know it is amazing he is even playing basketball with the kidney, but are we going to be seeing him making any kind of an impact anytime soon?

My prediction:
pg Brown Pencil it in
2g Miller Although Jefferson will give him a run.
sf Dissley Unless a major up set
PF Moss pencil it in
C Owsley (my pick if he returns) Towsley most likely

Off the bench

6 Jefferson will back up at both guard spots.
6.5 Dissley may swing to guard at times or go to 3 guard line up
7 Owsley or Towsley Owsley can swing to power forward or center
8 Woodall mainly power forward but some small forward I think Woodall will be a much better player this year ala Ento.
9 Pratt at PF or center.

Wild cards:
Carson Durr : MSU is real high on him. Can he improve enough to compete as Dissley's back up and some time at guard.
Beyes: I said it before a real force or the next Greg Walter. I could realistically see him start or redshirted.
Durham/Clift: they were penciled in to fight it out as as Brown's back ups now with Miller AND Jefferson can they impress enough to see minutes?
Martrell: I really do not know what to expect from him?
Who else does Durham sign? A JC sf could pencil Durr in for a red shirt. A Highschool Point guard could be Red shirt material or push Durham's son to the end of the bench.

Then lets talk injuries............

I heard the other night that Clift was transfering to Western because he was promised a scholarship and it never happened. Just a rumor, although it's from reliable sources.

I would have loved to see Durr and Owsley redshirt last year. I'd still like to see Durr get a redshirt this season, particularly if he hasnt added more strength. I'd really like to see Owsley put on some weight as well. Currently he is way too slight to bang inside in the Big Sky, he's a perimeter/wing player right now.

I do think both can really be special at MSU.

Any updates on the new assistant search?

A little observation about our last two recruits from someone who has seen them play.

Beye has made tremendous strides in his two years at Eastern. He was really skinny when he first came to USA, still slim but has gained much needed weight. I think he will be a great addition to the program at Montana State. Pratt played off the bench for NEO. I believe Beye is a much better get for Montana State than Pratt.

About Clift: I am sorry to see any player leave MSU unhappy but Clift was pretty one dimensional, though I do appreciate what he contributed to Montana State and wish him good luck.

About our assistant coach search, One of top canidates just took an assistant position with Larry K. at Montana, and no it was not Tinkle, it was Huse.

Yes i also have heard from a really reliable source that clift is leaving the program because he wasn't offered a schollarship here. also, Owsley is deffinantly not coming back. He is living in Arizona now looking for a junior college to play at.

I saw the 6-11 guy on campus today with Mick, he is every bit 6-11 if he has any athletic ability he will be a force on the court. I think that this is a good get for us.