Eyre Hands Out Grades for Big Sky Basketball Recruiting

June 20th
To be thoroughly candid, this is the first time that I have ever attempted a project like this, and I hope it turns out to be fair, honest, and balanced, unlike The Bergers' favorite news media outlet; Fox. I'm sure Cheese or one of the twins will take offense to that line, but nonetheless, it is definitely true.

So, here is my disclaimer...I am a huge Weber State fan, especially basketball, and for me, it is extremely difficult to say that someone else in the conference, or state, had a better recruiting season than the Wildcats. With that being said, I am determined to be honest and impartial. For me, the best way to accomplish this feat is to see what each team needs for it to be successful. That's done by looking at what each team accomplished last season, and the teams remaining players. Recruits are supposedly to plug holes. Of course none of us know how good a player really is until the season starts. The purpose of this piece isn't to talk about players that have left a Big Sky program, or who have graduated. The purpose of this piece is to analyze each school's 2009 recruits. Some schools I will be able to talk more about, since I have been able to learn more about their respective program. Unfortunately, there are a number of programs that I haven't been able to gather much information on, so I won't be able to be as thorough as I would want to be. Regardless, I have been able to find out about each programs' recruits and will be able to grade them accordingly.

What needs to be stated is the fact that the Big Sky is improving. Last season the Conference's RPI jumped from 23 (2007-08) to 17, and if MSU would have beaten Cal State Fullerton in the bracket buster, then the Sky would have finished 16 barely edging the Big West out. Automatically, one can then assume that the Big Sky will only get better this season. You can argue this, because of two reasons. First, and most important, each Big Sky team is returning the majority of their impact players. Only Weber State lost its team leaders. Second, the Sky is starting to compete more effectively with the bigger programs. PSU's victory over No. 7 Gonzaga and Idaho State's win over Utah are clear examples of the Sky's ability to compete with bigger schools. Even though wins are a clear indicator of improvement, close victories can also be indicators. There were a number of close, or overtime games with DI majors that can also be signs of how the Big Sky is improving. Anyway, here goes:

Easter Washington D+
Former Weber State assistant Kirk Earlywine led the Eagles to an overall 12-17 record, compiling a 6-10 mark in conference play. Their conference record earned them a 7th place finish and an early offseason. EWU went through some stretches, which should be familiar to many Wildcat fans, where the team seemed to lose focus and played poorly (Coaching?). Earlywine's team has adequate talent, and actually returns 2 of the Big Sky's best players in guard Benny Valentine and center Big Baldy (Brandon Moore). Other than that the Eagles roster is composed of glue players who play their roles well at times. For Kirk Earlywine's team to compete for a tournament spot it is in desperate need of a stronger and deeper backcourt. Earlywine, due to his seasons at Weber State, recognizes the affect good guards can have on a Big Sky team. Success in the Sky happens because of a team's guards. Earlywine went out and found a number of guards who will add depth to the lineup, but they don't look to be anything special; right now. Of course, with some experience and development each recruit has the potential to being really good. None of them will ever be considered great that would be a definite exaggeration. Unfortunately for the Eagles, a number of their signed players ended up not qualifying academically, which has caused Earlywine to scrounge for players after the late signing period had ended. Earlywine was able to sign 4 guards in the early signing period, but only one of them Jeffrey Forbes qualified. Fortunately for him, he was also able to steal a player who had agreed to play for PAC-10 powerhouse Arizona, in JC transfer Tremayne Johnson. Along with Johnson EWU signed Lorin Griffin who was a teammate of Johnson. Along with Johnson and Griffin, in the this late period EWU has been able to sign Sean Fischer, Alden Gibbs, and Glenn Dean who Earlywine says "is as talented as the most talented of the Sky" (Wishful Thinking?). None of the incoming guards wowed scouts. Most scouts actually say that Earlywine has been forced into his plan B option.

To be candid, I believe it's lucky he was able to sign anyone this late. The Eagles have been a very difficult team to track. This class brings the Eagles players who actually qualified academically. F. D'Vonne Pickett PG (combo) (ESPN 72) Non-QualifierF. Jeffery Forbes PG (ESPN 70) F. Sean Fischer Combo Guard (Gonzaga Prep) F. Chris Holmes SG (combo) Non-QualifierJr. Stevie Hendrick PG (Land of Lakes CC) Non-QualifierSoph. Tremayne Johnson PF (Southwest CC) *Top Recruit*Soph. Lorin Griffin (Southwest CC) Soph. Glenn Dean

Idaho State A-
Idaho State made huge strides this past season with a fairly young team. The Bengals made it to the Big Sky tournament and beat the Utes for the first time in 40 years. Fortunately for the Bengals, Joe O'Brien's team is senior laden and will bring back 7 veteran players. The 2009-10 team would have had 9 seniors on the team; yet, former Colorado and senior to be Kal Bay left the team in April and Phillip Taylor -backup PG- has opted to red-shirt this next season in hopes of improving his academic standing. Unfortunately for the Bengals, ISU loses senior star Matt Stucki to graduation. Stucki, along with guard Amorrow Morgan were the Bengals most consistent players last season. Already, the Bengals will start the season down, since senior to be, and the best three point shooter on the team, Austin Kilpatrick, has had surgery and will not be able to play or shoot till October. No matter, the Bengals will return as one of the most dangerous and athletics teams in the Big Sky field. Coach O'Brien knew what he needed for the team to find success -a true PG-- and went out and got two players who will, hopefully, automatically make an impact. Eric Segert is being tabbed as one of the best recruits to go to Pocatello, since Ron Boone the witless blinker. Segert is a two-star recruit who is a definite long range threat. The other recruit is a JC transfer from Frank Phillips CC and will provide the Bengals with an experienced veteran PG to backup sophomore Sherrod Baldwin. If Orlando Little is cleared to play by the NCAA...LOOK OUT! This class brings toughness to the listless Bengals. Maybe Ron Boone will make the trip to the Potato Barn to watch his beloved Bengals.F. Eric Segert SGJr. Broderick Gilchrist PG (Frank Phillips CC) Jr. Orlando Little (Memphis) Hasn't been cleared to play, but looks mean and good.

Montana A-
Tinkle can recruit, but the question shouldn't be how good of a recruiter is he but whether or not he can coach and develop the players once they have been recruited. To be fair to Wayne, he inherited a bunch of players that excelled as under-classmen for the coach that recruited them, but were merely average as upper-classmen for Wayne. Fortunately for Tinkle, he has the services of AJ: Anthony Johnson for another year. All Tinkle needed to do was to bring in a number of players who could automatically help Johnson. He might have done that, but with Freshmen one never knows how they will turn out. Yes, Montana has, most likely, next season's Freshman of the Year on the team, but will the returning and role players contribute enough to help the Griz get over the hump? I don't think Montana fans should get overly excited yet. Of course, I'm not a prognosticator --I am a pugilist-- but in my opinion Montana has an amazing veteran player, but a lot of under-classmen that haven't been tried or haven't shown their potential as of yet. There really isn't anyone else on the Montana team that has the experience, talent, and athleticism needed to make a run. In a few years that might be different. I'm giving Montana an A- because Tinkle needed more veterans to help this years team; however, Tinkle, did get 3 recruits who should be playing next January at bigger schools and in more prestigious leagues. This class brings athleticism to the Griz. F. Eric Hutchinson (ESPN 85 C) F. Will Cherry (ESPN 80, rivals.com have him as a three-star PG) F. Thurman Woods (ESPN 79 PF) Jr.
Rassum Young: he hasn't signed, but the UM faithful are pretty sure he will, if he qualifies. (Haggerstown JC. PG)

Montana State C-
State got what they were looking for, but not what they needed. They aren't great recruits, and may not even be good enough to help a senior laden team to be more consistent next season. In the long-term (2 or 3 seasons), these recruits may develop into being great additions to the MSU program. As for next season, I don't think so. Fortunately for State, they may not need them for a few years. Due to last seasons remarkable run in the Big Sky tournament --not since Boise State virtually bought a Tournament Championship (1994 BSC), and Weber State behind Longshot Lance Allred, has a 6th seed been in a conference championship-- State should return with some confidence. MSU is a veteran team, and is recruiting hard for the 2010-11 season. MSU went out and got players that could give them needed depth, players who might develop into good role players, and height. However, MSU was looking for an instant impact player. For MSU to be successful they needed to find a player that could take Mbunga's spot, which is virtually an impossible thing to do. So instead of trying to find one to count on MSU got three "Bigs," who might combined, make a new Mbunga. Out of this class, Budinich seems to be the best recruit. Budinich is too young and raw and Swita, yes he is 7'0, but isn't even average. The purpose of this class was to bring depth to the center and power forward position. Without a strong post the Bobcats will struggle. Jeff Budinich (ESPN 70 C 6-10) Marco Bourgault 6-8 FMichel Swita (Northern Idaho JC 7-0 C)

Northern Arizona C
None of these recruits look to be overly impressive. However, "Baldras" (Coach Adras) has a tendency to get the most out of his players. Adras arguably could be the best coach in the Big Sky. He has a reputation for being a coach that gets the absolute most out of his players. Former Lumberjack Kyle Landry is a notable example of Adras's coaching abilities. Landry would have been an average glue player if it hadn't been for Adras's genius. By Landry's senior year he had developed into an all-conference player, and the leader of his team. Landry is only one example. Under Adras's tenure there are many many more. However, Adras will have an extremely difficult time rebuilding his team. Gratefully, he will have a number of his role players returning, only Josh Wilson (one of the Big Sky's best Assist men ever) graduated. For Utahn's, Stallon Saldivar should be a familiar name. Stallon prepped at Judge Memorial and played with future Wildcat Dee Crandall. Fortunately for Stallon, he will not be depended upon to contribute next season as much as the JC signees. For NAU to compete they will definitely need the services of their new JC's, and regrettably for the Jack, none of them look to be that great. None of the JC's were overachievers at their respective schools. What will make or break them is their willingness to follow their coaches instructions. Because of these recruits, I don't see NAU being a force in the Sky next season. With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if they compete for the conference title either. Speed is what this class brings to the Lumberjacks. Not only does this class bring speed, but will be depended upon to paint the giant Paul Bunyon like Lumberjack on the NAU campus. Also, I hope they like Buffalo Wings...F. Stallon Saldivar (ESPN 80 6-0 PG) F. Reid Wallace (ESPN 78 6-6 SF) Jr. De Angelo Jones (Cochise College 6-5 SF) Jr. Isaiah Jackson (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC 6-5 SF) Jr. Julian Olubuyi (Northwest College 5-9 PG)

Northern Colorado A
UNC got exactly what they needed, and became that much deeper due to these recruits. Connor Osbourne and Emmanual Addo are being touted as the best signees in UNC history. These two players along with Unruh and Arnold will be the foundation for UNC success in the upcoming years. UNC is extremely lucky to have the services of perhaps one of the best Mid-Major coaches in Tad Boyle. Along with being one of the best recruits in UNC history, Osbourne is also, possibly, the best recruit coming out of the state of Colorado this year. Connor should be playing at a bigger program, but based his decision on coaching. He really likes Boyles style of coaching and believes that Boyle will help him develop into an excellent players. Also, he believes that UNC has the best chance of success out of all the other Colorado schools. In his opinion, UNC is the best one out of the other DI Colorado programs to make it to the NCAA tournament. Depth is the number one quality that this class gives to the Bears. I hope they like the dancing suga bears...to bad they grow during the year to the point that their uniforms no longer fit, damn that beer. Connor Obsourne (ESPN 83 6-9 C) Emmanual Addo (ESPN 81 6-8 PF) Tate Unruh (ESPN 76 6-2 PG) David Arnold (ESPN 74 6-1 PG)

Portland State B+
After losing the "Bone" to the Washington State Cougs, the Vikings did a fairly decent job of keeping most of his recruits. Two of his most sought after recruits decided to stick with their commitments and attend Portland State. Max Jacobsen and Melvin Jones look like 2 excellent recruits. However, Jones is instantly going to feel pressured to play at the same level as the 2 time first teamer and former Big Sky MVP Jeremiah Dominguez. However, with a new coaching staff, and a number of key players returning for the Vikings, I don't think Jones will be too overwhelmed. However, PSU's recent success has virtually been created on the guard line. For PSU to continue being competitive in the future, they will need instant production from their JC transfers. Personally, I think Jones is capable for the task. The quality that this recruiting class brings to the Vikings is depth. These recruits were lured to PSU by the prospect of playing in front of a sold out crowd for each of their home games...too bad for them they weren't told how many sold out means. At PSU sold-out games equals less than 2K. Then again, that's an average arena in the Big West. Chris Harriel (ESPN 74 6-4 SG) Max Jacobsen (ESPN 73 6-7 PF) Melvin Jones (Northern Idaho JC 5-10 PG) Phillip Thomas (College of E. Utah 6-7 PF/C)

Sacramento State C+
Hornets Coach Katz must not have liked his players since he is signing, virtually, a new team. Katz signed 5 JC players, four from the California system that he is so familiar with, that should make an immediate impact on the lowly Hornets. Katz's team was a determined lot, but one that definitely lacked talent and ability. Hopefully these new recruits will make the Hornets more competitive. John Dickson and Dani Lopez are Katz's Freshmen. At Mid season, Lopez was being rated as a mid 80s recruit, but once AAU ball got under way Lopez's marks began to fall. I don't know if it was necessarily his abilities, or the fact that he signed with Sacramento State that dropped his overall numbers. Dickinson; however, is being touted as one of the best pickups for the Hornets in 5 or 6 seasons. He should get minutes as a freshman. The other five are nothing special. Duro Bjegovic could turn out, but the other 4 are merely fillers. The quality that this recruitment class brings to Sacramento State is new faces. John Dickson (ESPN 79 6-5 SF) Dani Lopez (ESPN 73 6-9 C) Walter Jackson (San Joaquin 6-5 SG) Duro Bjegovic (Highland CC 6-7 PF) Alpha N'Diaye (Ohlone CC 6-8 C) David Norris (Riverside JC 6-6 SF) Sultan Toles-Bey (Fresno City College 5-10 PG)

Weber State A-
The defending conference champion Wildcats will have a difficult time replacing the current Big Sky MVP Kellen McCoy and Defensive Player of the Year Daviin Davis. Fortunately for the other members of the Big Sky these 2 players have finished their eligibility, and have graduated; however, unfortunately for the Sky, the Wizard of Weber recruited exceptionally talented players to replace these losses. In my personal opinion I think Weber State has assembled one of its best recruiting classes in a decade. The Wizard has done an excellent job of balancing his class between freshmen and JCs. How Rahe got the three JCs is shocking to me. Franklin Session, Josh Nobel, and Lindsey Hughey all were conference 1st teamers with Session and Nobel attaining MVP honors for their respective conferences. Fulton, Davis, and Coro all are good freshmen players who with good coaching and some experience can really bring toughness and effort to the team. None of these players are quitters, each of them will bring much needed depth and experience to a championship caliber team. Rahe knew that all the other teams would get better in the off-season, and for the Wildcats to continue to compete, Weber had to get some great players who could help the Wildcats stay on top by adding toughness and speed to his lineup. However the qualities the Wildcats have improved on the most through this recruiting class is rebounding and defense. The next thing that the Cats need to improve on is student attendance...Big Papa and Weir best be helping Bev, if not Willie is going to punch them.Blake Davis (ESPN 78 6-5 SG) Byron Fulton (ESPN 74 6-8 PF/C) Dee Crandall (Judge Memorial PG) Pablo Coro (First Chilean DI player) Linsey Hughey (Seminole State College)Josh Nobel (Snead State JC)Franklin Session (Saddleback College JC