Eric Norman is eligible right away

[Gidal Kaiser]

BOZEMAN, Mont. – The immediate frontline help Brad Huse hoped for when Eric Norman transferred to Montana State from SMU this summer became official last week, when the NCAA granted Norman immediate eligibility with the Bobcats.
Norman was granted relief from the NCAA’s transfer rule, which would have required him to miss the 2012-13 season after transferring from one Division I institution to another.
“I’m excited for Eric,” said MSU coach Brad Huse, “and for our program. We have good depth at our post positions now and Erik brings a lot of skill and some Division I experience to those spots.”
Norman, a 6-9 forward originally from San Diego, joins the Bobcat program as a sophomore with three years of eligibility.

I thought he would be eligible automatically because the NCAA is kind of lenient on kids transferring because of coaching changes - or because its from one mid-major conference to another, actually - but as one MSU official told me "You never know with the NCAA." Norman doesn't have much "Division I experience," as Huse said (2011-12 (Freshman): Played in 9 games, averaging 3.0 minutes... Had 1 point, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block...Game Highlights: Had 2 rebounds in 3 minutes vs. Florida Gulf Coast 11/19...Had a point and an assist in the opener vs. McMurry 11/11.) but does give them another body down low, which we've discussed already. I find it interesting - another topic we've discussed before - that SMU's website has Norman at 6-6, 195; MSU's has him at 6-9, 220. http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/m-bas ... ric00.html http://msubobcats.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

[BelgradeBobcat]

I find it interesting - another topic we've discussed before - that SMU's website has Norman at 6-6, 195; MSU's has him at 6-9, 220. http://www.smumustangs.com/sports/m-bas ... ric00.html http://msubobcats.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

First off-Yay! Some good news from the men's basketball team.

I think I saw the kid at the football game. I'd say he's goes about 6'7" to 6'8". No idea on the weight, but he's tall and skinny. Looked kind of like Shawn Fuller-for those who go way, way back.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

If Dison makes the step up from explosive instant offense to explosive team-carrying star, maybe the Cats can compete.

Beyond Dison, the team's starting lineup will consist of four of the following players (the rest will presumably be the team's bench contributors).

Two guys who didn't play because of academics
Super-streaky Christian Moon
One guy who didn't finish the season because he got his face punched in
Three virtual unknowns from juco/dropdowns
A guy who will sit out the beginning of the season for breaking into cars.

In other words, even bigger unknowns than Dison for next year. We have essentially no idea what to expect from this team. I suppose that could be either good or bad.

[dwainegf]

It isn't the start that has been the problem for the Cats. They tend to start well under Huse and then fade badly after Feb 1. Is it conditioning? Lack of creativity in the offense? Too much predictability? I don't know. I just know that they get passed by the other teams as far as winning is concerned.
Here's my starters.
Dison
Biglow
Stewart
Egwwuonwu
Davis, F


Key bench players
Brumwell
Blount
Moon
Coleman


Hopefully Budinich has learned his lesson and performs to a level to earn our forgiveness for his stupidity during the summer.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

Unless I'm mistaken, that starting lineup would easily be the smallest in the conference.

[BelgradeBobcat]

I'm thinking Biglow, Moon, Blount, Davis, and Egwwuonwu.

The good news is, guys like Dison, Stewart, Budnich etc. are probably just as talented as the starters The bad news...the talent level of the starters

I hope I'm wrong and they're way better than we ever expected.