Moving Forward Men's and women's Basketball

[mslacat]

Need I say I went a little longer than I expected?

As we near the end of the 2024-25 basketball season, I want to share my thoughts on both the men's and women's teams. While the women are still competing, this reflection is based on my perspective, with a particular emphasis on recruiting. These thoughts are very preliminary, as the transfer portal will be a major factor, and many uncertainties remain.

Men's Basketball – Coach Logie

This season was disappointing, primarily due to the team’s inconsistency from game to game. What frustrated me most was that this lack of consistency was not what I expected from a Coach Logie-led team. To his credit, he made a bold move by benching arguably the team's best player, Brandon Walker (an Honorable Mention All-Big Sky selection), for the final four games. The team responded positively, playing much better as a result. That decision took guts, though opinions may vary. Given the circumstances, it wasn’t surprising that Walker entered the transfer portal.

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season and beyond, Logie needs to elevate his recruiting efforts—both in evaluating talent and closing the deal with commitments. With the departures of Walker and Kolly via transfer, along with Lecholat’s graduation, there is a significant void in the frontcourt. However, I believe the number one priority for next season is signing a high-quality, dynamic point guard. In the current Big Sky Conference, the point guard position is the most critical. We need someone who can run the team, be a serious scoring threat, and create havoc on defense—similar to former Bobcat standouts like Bishop, Brown, and Ford.

As of now, by my count, we have eight confirmed open scholarships (out of 13), with the potential for that number to grow. This means we have needs across the board. This fall, Logie signed two high school seniors: 6'7" wing Howie Keene and 6'3" guard PJ Purdie. Keene should be a strong addition, averaging close to 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. He fits Logie’s mold of a big man who can shoot from deep but also play in the post. Coming from a basketball family—his father was a McDonald’s All-American who played at Illinois, and his brother is a starter at Boise State—he brings solid pedigree. Purdie, on the other hand, is more of a mystery. He played for one of the top high school teams in the country in North Carolina but averaged only about 7 points per game. He is also the cousin of NBA player CJ McCollum. Their contributions will depend largely on who Logie and his staff can sign this spring.

If this recruiting period resembles last year’s, I expect Logie to prioritize JUCO and transfer players with most, if not all, of the remaining scholarships. Last year, his transfer recruiting was a mixed bag—some solid additions, but also a few players who simply weren’t Big Sky-caliber. If we’re going to bring in transfers, they need to be ready to contribute immediately; otherwise, it’s a wasted scholarship that would be better used on a high school recruit for development. So far this spring, the Bobcats appear to be casting a wide net, following several JUCO prospects and aggressively scouting D-II transfers. With the D-I transfer market set to explode in the coming weeks, I expect the Bobcats to be very active. Logie and his staff have a massive task ahead. If we want to climb the conference rankings, we need a strong recruiting class. A repeat of last year’s recruiting results could put us in deep trouble.

Women's Basketball – Coach Bin

The women’s team is currently at 30 wins and counting as they enter the NCAA Tournament—a program record and arguably the best team in Bobcat women’s history. They are in a very different position than the men. The team has utilized a deep rotation of 11-12 players this season, with 3-4 bench players who likely could have started for most other Big Sky teams. Additionally, they have a couple of young players who look like future stars, and their freshman class is outstanding. However, this depth could also be a double-edged sword.

The Bobcats will lose four seniors, with Conference MVP Morales being the biggest departure, followed closely by Martin, who did it all for the team. Deden and Janssen never quite returned to their pre-injury form but will also be missed. This past fall, Binford signed four high school recruits to replace the graduating seniors: 5’10” guard Brianne Bailey (Idaho), 5’8” guard Kadynce Couture (Missoula), 5’8” guard Grace Hitz (Washington), and 5’7” guard Jamison Philip (Washington). Philip, the sister of current Bobcat Dylan Philip, plays a similar style but is slightly more highly regarded coming out of high school. Hitz was a big-time scorer and ranked as the No. 2 player in Washington heading into her junior year before suffering a knee injury. Unfortunately she reinjured that knee this past winter. If healthy, she could be the star of the class and make an immediate impact. Couture and Bailey are athletic, stat-sheet-stuffing players who garnered significant interest from Big Sky programs before committing to the Bobcats. Their roles in 2025-26 will depend on how deep Binford chooses to go with her rotation.

Now comes the question of potential transfers. When a team has a record-setting season, plays 14 players, and returns 11, some players might get antsy about their roles or future playing time. While I won’t speculate on names, there are a couple of players I could see considering a transfer to seek a more prominent role elsewhere. Additionally, a few players have struggled with injuries and may decide to step away from the game. It seems inevitable that after the NCAA Tournament, we could lose an underclassman or two. If that happens, I expect Binford and her staff to explore the transfer portal. However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers. If a scholarship spot opens up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pursue another high school player instead of relying solely on the portal.

The transfer portal has completely transformed college basketball, making roster management an ongoing challenge. Both the men’s and women’s teams could find themselves in drastically different positions based on the portal’s impact. Right now, the programs are in opposite situations: the men’s team is essentially rebuilding for 2025-26, while the women’s team is focused on maintaining its high level of success. The next 2-3 months will be fascinating to watch, as their success next season will hinge on how well they navigate this critical recruiting period.

[MSU01]

I've been waiting for this post, you always bring the great info! Unlike the past two seasons I'd love to see Logie figure out the best version of next year's team before the calendar turns over to March. His recruiting has definitely been a mixed bag so far, his biggest win was convincing Robert Ford to withdraw from the portal and come back to MSU for his senior year. He had some good players this year but the glaring absence, as you say, is a guy like Brandon Whitney for the Griz. But having a 5th year PG who has played his whole career in your system is going to be an increasingly rare luxury moving forward in today's landscape of college basketball and Logie simply hasn't the time yet to recruit and develop a player like Whitney. They just never seemed to have that one guy this year who was the calming presence on the team who you felt confident would be the guy to make a big play when they needed that. I felt like McMahon was growing into that role but never really had the time to get there, hopefully he stays next year as I think he'll be an all Big-Sky player if he does.

I can also see a couple of women's players transferring out or hanging it up due to injuries. The one player I really hope stays is Bunyan, she was languishing deep on the bench for most of the season but she has been doing a great job in her increased playing time after Dylan's injury. Hopefully she's building more confidence, as I gather from Binford's comments about her that this has been an issue. The other hope is that MSU doesn't lose any of its talent from the top end of the depth chart, I can think of two young players in particular who some power schools would love to have.

[wapiti]

Nothing to see here. Content removed

[aucat]

Here's the thing. Is there a mid major program anywhere that supports its women's program better than Montana State? If I was a player I would want to be at a top rated academic school (like MSU,) one with a top of the line coach and staff (like MSU,) one that has great fan support which includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, etc. If I am already at MSU, why would I want to leave just so I can get a few more minutes playing time?

If you were at the Big Sky Tournament you could see that Montana State stood head and shoulders over all of the other schools regarding support from fans, the band, cheerleaders, etc. We even had a good bit more fans than UM which has an extremely good men's team.

It's for the above reasons that I am concerned about our men's program. Look at the teams that UNC has had, yet they had few fans to show up in Boise, plus they like several other schools, didn't even send their band. Logie has a lot to sell to potential recruits. As for the team this year it was a total enigma. There was A LOT of talent on this team. The first game we played against Idaho State in the tournament was an example of what our team was capable of all year. And then the very next night we stink the place up. So puzzling. But as I say, given our institution, facilities, fan support, and support by the administration (that includes lots of things but includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, Champ the mascot, etc. etc.) MSU deserves a men's program on the leve of what Coach Binford has built.

[MSU01]

Here's the thing. Is there a mid major program anywhere that supports its women's program better than Montana State? If I was a player I would want to be at a top rated academic school (like MSU,) one with a top of the line coach and staff (like MSU,) one that has great fan support which includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, etc. If I am already at MSU, why would I want to leave just so I can get a few more minutes playing time?

If you were at the Big Sky Tournament you could see that Montana State stood head and shoulders over all of the other schools regarding support from fans, the band, cheerleaders, etc. We even had a good bit more fans than UM which has an extremely good men's team.

It's for the above reasons that I am concerned about our men's program. Look at the teams that UNC has had, yet they had few fans to show up in Boise, plus they like several other schools, didn't even send their band. Logie has a lot to sell to potential recruits. As for the team this year it was a total enigma. There was A LOT of talent on this team. The first game we played against Idaho State in the tournament was an example of what our team was capable of all year. And then the very next night we stink the place up. So puzzling. But as I say, given our institution, facilities, fan support, and support by the administration (that includes lots of things but includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, Champ the mascot, etc. etc.) MSU deserves a men's program on the leve of what Coach Binford has built.

I agree with your last paragraph, but at the same time Binford has had 20 years to build her program and Logie has had 2, including being left with an absolutely decimated roster when he was hired. It's definitely a year to year sport these days with all the transfers but it also takes a time to build a program that can contend year in and year out. I think Logie will get there in time.

[grizzh8r]

Here's the thing. Is there a mid major program anywhere that supports its women's program better than Montana State? If I was a player I would want to be at a top rated academic school (like MSU,) one with a top of the line coach and staff (like MSU,) one that has great fan support which includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, etc. If I am already at MSU, why would I want to leave just so I can get a few more minutes playing time?

If you were at the Big Sky Tournament you could see that Montana State stood head and shoulders over all of the other schools regarding support from fans, the band, cheerleaders, etc. We even had a good bit more fans than UM which has an extremely good men's team.

It's for the above reasons that I am concerned about our men's program. Look at the teams that UNC has had, yet they had few fans to show up in Boise, plus they like several other schools, didn't even send their band. Logie has a lot to sell to potential recruits. As for the team this year it was a total enigma. There was A LOT of talent on this team. The first game we played against Idaho State in the tournament was an example of what our team was capable of all year. And then the very next night we stink the place up. So puzzling. But as I say, given our institution, facilities, fan support, and support by the administration (that includes lots of things but includes a great band, cheerleaders, spirit squad, dance team, Champ the mascot, etc. etc.) MSU deserves a men's program on the leve of what Coach Binford has built.

I agree with your last paragraph, but at the same time Binford has had 20 years to build her program and Logie has had 2, including being left with an absolutely decimated roster when he was hired. It's definitely a year to year sport these days with all the transfers but it also takes a time to build a program that can contend year in and year out. I think Logie will get there in time.

The really crappy thing is this portal madness. It's not good for anyone. Especially a coach who's trying to build a roster from scratch...

[lutecat]

Logie won't gradually build. He'll either build and be gone to the next job. Or not be able to build.

We had a cold shooting night that not even a high school team would have. We had shots that were high percentage shots not fall. As Falco on the Replacemtns would call it...quicksand.

[aucat]

Logie won't gradually build. He'll either build and be gone to the next job. Or not be able to build.

We had a cold shooting night that not even a high school team would have. We had shots that were high percentage shots not fall. As Falco on the Replacemtns would call it...quicksand.

It is amazing how NIL allows teams to "appear out of nowhere" or of course "disappear." Take Louisville. They were 12-52 over the last two seasons. Bottom of the barrel. This year they ended up winning 21 of their last 23 games and gave Duke a run. Louisville ended up ranked 10th in the nation in the AP, though they inexplicably got a 8 seed and now have to play number one seed Auburn. This kind of a magical turnaround used to be impossible.

Trish built the program up the old fashioned the way from the ground up. No quick easy fixes, though the addition of Esme this year was obviously a key. It is indeed a crazy and different landscape for college basketball now.

[msu_agfan]

I think we mostly can agree we need a dynamic point guard. Not saying Jed Miller wont be a key player at that position next year, a senior year can often improve a players leadership and confidence; and I sure hope so because i've enjoyed watching Jed mature and give it his all. Many players of the past have been mentioned, but I wanted to add another player who I feel should be mentioned with the others. Marcus Colbert. Man was kind of like Ford in that his last year he was the guy. I loved watching him scramble around amongst the trees down by the basket. Literally he would run circles around them!

[Bobcat4Ever]

Women’s Basketball

However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers. If a scholarship spot opens up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pursue another high school player instead of relying solely on the portal.

How soon we forget. Arguably Coach Bin’s greatest transfer and another Big Sky Conference MVP — Fallyn Frieje. Fallyn showed her dedication to MSU basketball by transferring from North Dakota at a time (2018-2019) when she still had to sit out a year. So sit (and practice) she did. By the time 2019-2020 rolled around she was voted the Big Sky Pre-conference MVP, before she had ever played one minute in the Big Sky! Quite an accolade. And she backed it up, leading the ‘Cats to a 19-1 conference record, the only loss to Idaho at home by one point in 2OT. They won their first two Big Sky Championship tournament games, but unfortunately that was it. The team’s season, at that time the best ever, was rudely chopped off by a mysterious virus called covid. I really believe that team would have been Coach Bin’s best chance to win an NCAA tournament game. They had offense to match their defense, scoring an average of 104 points per game during a mid-season four-game conference run. Their record was 25-6 with close losses to South Dakota State, Minnesota, Gonzaga, Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Idaho. The only game in which they did not have a chance to win in the final minutes was at Gonzaga where they succumbed to a 15-point loss.

[BobcatDel]

Women’s Basketball

However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers. If a scholarship spot opens up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pursue another high school player instead of relying solely on the portal.

How soon we forget. Arguably Coach Bin’s greatest transfer and another Big Sky Conference MVP — Fallyn Frieje. Fallyn showed her dedication to MSU basketball by transferring from North Dakota at a time (2018-2019) when she still had to sit out a year. So sit (and practice) she did. By the time 2019-2020 rolled around she was voted the Big Sky Pre-conference MVP, before she had ever played one minute in the Big Sky! Quite an accolade. And she backed it up, leading the ‘Cats to a 19-1 conference record, the only loss to Idaho at home by one point in 2OT. They won their first two Big Sky Championship tournament games, but unfortunately that was it. The team’s season, at that time the best ever, was rudely chopped off by a mysterious virus called covid. I really believe that team would have been Coach Bin’s best chance to win an NCAA tournament game. They had offense to match their defense, scoring an average of 104 points per game during a mid-season four-game conference run. Their record was 25-6 with close losses to South Dakota State, Minnesota, Gonzaga, Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Idaho. The only game in which they did not have a chance to win in the final minutes was at Gonzaga where they succumbed to a 15-point loss.

Fallyn was a great one……but…but…..what about my favorite “toughness personified” player Riley Nordgaard. She came from DII Augustana and sat a year also. Then gave us 2 great years including the NCAA Tourney year against Washington with Peyton Ferris and company. Still the highest 3 point percentage shooter in Bobcat history along with the body parts hanging on the wall from all the loose balls she recovered.

Martha Kuderer and Claire Lundberg both came from Seton Hall when Hall made a Coach change but had to sit a year also. Martha gave us 2 solid years…never flashy but solid and Claire was headed for a 1st team all conference or maybe MVP year…..she was leading the conference in scoring when she tore her knee…that hurt….sat out a year…..was having a banner year and it went to hell in a moment.

[Bobcat4Ever]

Women’s Basketball

However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers. If a scholarship spot opens up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them pursue another high school player instead of relying solely on the portal.

How soon we forget. Arguably Coach Bin’s greatest transfer and another Big Sky Conference MVP — Fallyn Frieje. Fallyn showed her dedication to MSU basketball by transferring from North Dakota at a time (2018-2019) when she still had to sit out a year. So sit (and practice) she did. By the time 2019-2020 rolled around she was voted the Big Sky Pre-conference MVP, before she had ever played one minute in the Big Sky! Quite an accolade. And she backed it up, leading the ‘Cats to a 19-1 conference record, the only loss to Idaho at home by one point in 2OT. They won their first two Big Sky Championship tournament games, but unfortunately that was it. The team’s season, at that time the best ever, was rudely chopped off by a mysterious virus called covid. I really believe that team would have been Coach Bin’s best chance to win an NCAA tournament game. They had offense to match their defense, scoring an average of 104 points per game during a mid-season four-game conference run. Their record was 25-6 with close losses to South Dakota State, Minnesota, Gonzaga, Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Idaho. The only game in which they did not have a chance to win in the final minutes was at Gonzaga where they succumbed to a 15-point loss.

Fallyn was a great one……but…but…..what about my favorite “toughness personified” player Riley Nordgaard. She came from DII Augustana and sat a year also. Then gave us 2 great years including the NCAA Tourney year against Washington with Peyton Ferris and company. Still the highest 3 point percentage shooter in Bobcat history along with the body parts hanging on the wall from all the loose balls she recovered.

Martha Kuderer and Claire Lundberg both came from Seton Hall when Hall made a Coach change but had to sit a year also. Martha gave us 2 solid years…never flashy but solid and Claire was headed for a 1st team all conference or maybe MVP year…..she was leading the conference in scoring when she tore her knee…that hurt….sat out a year…..was having a banner year and it went to hell in a moment.

Agree with all of that. But I was specifically referring back to the one statement that “However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers.” Just a little memory walk and a review for some of our newer members that we’d had another transfer win the Big Sky MVP in their one and only year. If Trish could just put Ferris, Friejie, White, Morales and Nordgaard on the floor …

[MSU01]

Agree with all of that. But I was specifically referring back to the one statement that “However, aside from Morales, Binford has generally had more success developing high school recruits than integrating transfers.” Just a little memory walk and a review for some of our newer members that we’d had another transfer win the Big Sky MVP in their one and only year. If Trish could just put Ferris, Friejie, White, Morales and Nordgaard on the floor …

I think the statement is accurate in that Binford's success in recruiting and developing high school players has allowed her to be fairly selective with transfers and only bring in players who she really thinks will fill a need and be a good fit within the team culture. Binford has had some great successes with transfers, but as always with recruiting there have also been some that didn't work out so well. But unlike with the MSU men's team the success of her team every year never hinges on whether 7 or 8 transfer players all coming in at the same time are actually any good or not, which is nice.

[Cat449yrs]

For those who are worried about replacing Natalie, here's a good article about Jamison Philip, Dylan's sister, that may relieve some anxiety.
A leader, a winner, and she looks like she has some quicks.

https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/pre ... user-share

[Colter_Nuanez]

[Bobcat4Ever]

I remember Dylan saying long ago that she had a younger sister who was better. Be that as it may, if she’s anything like Dylan she’ll be a big plus. I think we saw, after Dylan was injured in the gris game, how much she brings to the game. She’s just highly involved in plays, doing something a little extra a few times a game that change a game. She’s probably one if those players the other team least likes to face. She just brings a whole lot, and the team simply wasn’t as strong with her missing. To me, she’s one of those rare players who not only doesn’t like to lose, but somehow does something that avoids losing. I’m very pleased to have another Dylan on the team!

[MSU01]

Great interview with Coach Binford, she had some very insightful comments as to how MSU can continue to move forward as a program and continue to build on the success they've already had. She seems very optimistic about next year's team and the incoming recruiting class, and something tells me we're going to get a couple very nice surprises in the transfer portal.

[Colter_Nuanez]

[lutecat]

I know you have more inside scoop than you're allowed to share. And I wouldn't expect you to ask her about the departure of the two transfers. But man I was hoping to hear something about them. Lol

[MSU01]

I know you have more inside scoop than you're allowed to share. And I wouldn't expect you to ask her about the departure of the two transfers. But man I was hoping to hear something about them. Lol

I wonder if there are rules that prohibit coaches from making public comments about players in the transfer portal that are similar to the ones that prevent them from talking publicly about any incoming recruits until the player officially signs with the school. Like how the football team does their "BOOM" posts on social media without identifying who the player is, even if the player has already announced the commitment themselves.