MBBALL THE MONEY SPECULATION

[citygriz]

This is a big deal, not only for Money for but for our men's basketball program.

Will he get drafted? Did his performance in the tournament elevate him to a second round consderation in the draft?

I thought so. I thought he was gone. But I've had a "belated clarification of my previous thinking." Why?

--He is not included in any NBA mock draft that I can find.

--He is not listed among ther Top 100 draft prospects by ESPN.

--The team that I'd most like to see him go to, the Trailblazers, the team he worked out for pre-draft last year, does not have a second round pick. (Though Houston, the other team he worked out for, does have two in the second round.

--Money is as real under the radar talent with a huge upside in my opinion, yet pro teams often go instead for the "safe" pick so as not to be questioned later. The Warriors recently picked James Wiseman at #2 and Jonathan Kuminga at #7, and neither is still with the team, while other players drafted later have emerged as huge stars. I believe Money is one of those players.

--Finally, it could be that it is in Money's best interest to return. To work on his game, turn in a stellar senior year, and move into serious late first or early seocnd round consideration. But that too is a risk, especially if he gets injured.

Curious to know what anybody is hearing that's closer to the team than I am.

 

[UncleRico]

This article came out this morning. Even if he was drafted I recently read that only about 20% 2nd Round picks end up making NBA rosters. A lot end up bouncing back and forth from G League Rosters and short term contracts. Unless they are lottery picks a lot more players are staying in college because they are making more $$$ with NIL than they would if they were 2nd Round picks. And they get the opportunity to improve their draft stock. I think declaring for draft would not be a good choice for Money. Either staying at UM or testing the portal and earning a good pay day and playing with and against better talent could improve his stock. I wish him luck. He seems like a great kid that has been through a lot the last couple years.

Why seniors are appealing in the NBA Draft again: 12 to watch in the NCAA Tournament

The final 30 to 40 picks of the NBA draft could be a parade of seniors, and they’re likely to be better prospects than those in the past.

www.nytimes.com

 

[nicktaber58]

Hopefully Money returns, and they improve the lineup around him. It would be huge for Money personally if he can produce like he did this year, but have a team that won big nonconference games, won the big sky, and went into the tournament with a reasonable seed, say 12 or 13. His recognition would skyrocket.

 

[gotgame75]

Hopefully Money returns, and they improve the lineup around him. It would be huge for Money personally if he can produce like he did this year, but have a team that won big nonconference games, won the big sky, and went into the tournament with a reasonable seed, say 12 or 13. His recognition would skyrocket.

Wishful thinking imo. Dude is gonna get offered a bag from higher profile programs that have the ability to improve his draft stock significantly more than we can. And tbh, with his family situation, he should take the $. He's been more than loyal.

 

[grizjumps45]

This is a big deal, not only for Money for but for our men's basketball program.

Will he get drafted? Did his performance in the tournament elevate him to a second round consderation in the draft?

I thought so. I thought he was gone. But I've had a "belated clarification of my previous thinking." Why?

--He is not included in any NBA mock draft that I can find.

--He is not listed among ther Top 100 draft prospects by ESPN.

--The team that I'd most like to see him go to, the Trailblazers, the team he worked out for pre-draft last year, does not have a second round pick. (Though Houston, the other team he worked out for, does have two in the second round.

--Money is as real under the radar talent with a huge upside in my opinion, yet pro teams often go instead for the "safe" pick so as not to be questioned later. The Warriors recently picked James Wiseman at #2 and Jonathan Kuminga at #7, and neither is still with the team, while other players drafted later have emerged as huge stars. I believe Money is one of those players.

--Finally, it could be that it is in Money's best interest to return. To work on his game, turn in a stellar senior year, and move into serious late first or early seocnd round consideration. But that too is a risk, especially if he gets injured.

Curious to know what anybody is hearing that's closer to the team than I am.

He needs to transfer to a high market team to get nba eyes on him. They just aren’t watching montana basketball.

 

[Griz til I die]

He needs to transfer to a high market team to get nba eyes on him. They just aren’t watching montana basketball.

Why not? You don't think they were paying attention to what he did at the BSC Tourney? Or what he did against UNLV and Texas A&M this year? If you're good, they'll find you. Acting like NBA scouts have no idea who you are cause play in a mid major conference is one of the more ridiculous statements I've seen in a while.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I will be very surprised if Money finds his way back to Missoula in the Fall.

 

[mtgrizrule]

If I were Money, I'd be testing the transfer portal. Normally, I'd encourage a player to stay with Montana. Considering the circumstances, he's helping raise his siblings. A P4 offer could be no less than $250K for him. With a great SR year at a p4, he could help his NBA stock more.

Either way, he's got to become a better 3 pt shooter, improve going right, and finishing with his right. We could debate his turnovers too. Many of his turnovers were on his teammates too. I think he'd have fewer turnovers playing with more talented players. Lastly, improved defensive quickness is a needed. Quicker guards do well against him.

He has difficult decisions ahead. I wish him the best. I certainly won't fault him for any decision. I'll be rooting for him either way.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I will be very surprised if Money finds his way back to Missoula in the Fall.

Me too.
Biggest factor is his family responsibilities.

 

[Griz til I die]

Me too.
Biggest factor is his family responsibilities.

Ya but we all thought this same thing last year and he ended up surprising us and coming back this year. Now he may very well choose to leave and I won't blame him if he does, but I think the fact that his coaches and teammates and the Missoula community were there for him in his darkest times may have really hit deep for him. The kid up to this point has had a great sense of loyalty and pride in playing for the Griz, and he's been well taken care of with several NIL opportunities while he's been here. Of course he could get way more money somewhere else and we'll see what happens, but I won't be surprised one way or another with whatever decision he makes.

 

[Sport]

Wishful thinking imo. Dude is gonna get offered a bag from higher profile programs that have the ability to improve his draft stock significantly more than we can. And tbh, with his family situation, he should take the $. He's been more than loyal.

It really is a catch22 for Money. I know that he will get the best advice from Travis and not an agent leading him down the primrose path. I think we would, at least the majority of us, prefer Money to do what’s best for his situation. Personally I feel his game still needs work. By going to a higher level team, say Minnesota, or an Iowa, he may not have the chance to actually have game time experience which hurts him in two ways. One, he’s draft potential gos down and his skill improvement does not materialize.
By staying his final year at UM he has risks also. Let’s admit it 2025/26 was not a stellar year for the bb program. With expected transfers and/or voluntary and non-voluntary subtractions he needs a Brandon Whitney type to run the point.
It’s difficult to conjure just what/where Money’s decision will be. Obviously there’s discussions going on the average fan is not privy to.

 

[nicktaber58]

It really is a catch22 for Money. I know that he will get the best advice from Travis and not an agent leading him down the primrose path. I think we would, at least the majority of us, prefer Money to do what’s best for his situation. Personally I feel his game still needs work. By going to a higher level team, say Minnesota, or an Iowa, he may not have the chance to actually have game time experience which hurts him in two ways. One, he’s draft potential gos down and his skill improvement does not materialize.
By staying his final year at UM he has risks also. Let’s admit it 2025/26 was not a stellar year for the bb program. With expected transfers and/or voluntary and non-voluntary subtractions he needs a Brandon Whitney type to run the point.
It’s difficult to conjure just what/where Money’s decision will be. Obviously there’s discussions going on the average fan is not privy to.

Three things they need to surround money with:

1. True point
2. Active big man
3. Knock down 3 point shooter

Literally 2024/25 again

 

[grizjumps45]

Why not? You don't think they were paying attention to what he did at the BSC Tourney? Or what he did against UNLV and Texas A&M this year? If you're good, they'll find you. Acting like NBA scouts have no idea who you are cause play in a mid major conference is one of the more ridiculous statements I've seen in a while.

No, I’m certain they know who he is. Historically, both Montana schools haven’t sent many of their players to the league. I believe he should transfer to a conference where he’ll get regular exposure to NBA talent.

 

[AZDoc]

Wishful thinking imo. Dude is gonna get offered a bag from higher profile programs that have the ability to improve his draft stock significantly more than we can. And tbh, with his family situation, he should take the $. He's been more than loyal.

I was going to say the exact same thing. It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all because of this. Sad of course, but the young man deserves whatever dollars come his way!

 

[5280Griz]

He needs to transfer to a better conference like the Big 12 if he wants to improve his draft stock. The Big Sky is horrible at basketball and seems to just be getting worse. This year’s Griz team had many deficiencies yet still almost won the conference due to the competition level. Idaho who did end up winning the conference finished 7th in the regular season standings. I will be rooting for Idaho to upset Houston tonight but it is most likely going to be another first round blowout and exit for the conference.

 

[Grizfan-24]

If you believe that the Power 4 is the only way to get seen, and that provides Money the only pathway to being a first/second round pick....

There have been 25 players from non-power 5 conferences that were drafted over the past five years. A lot of those have been WCC/MWC players but its a bit of a fallacy to think the only way to increase Money's value to teams is to play in the Big 12 next year. Would it help? Absolutely but it isn't a guarantee.

Say he was offered a 1 mill bag to play at Kentucky (like a bunch were this year), and some how he is getting rotational minutes (15-20 mpg) and has limited impact. It is a huge unknown that decidedly is not going to provide players w/ a guarantee other than money. That isn't a reason not to make the leap, but in this NIL era those power 4 schools are just parking brinks trucks up to lower level players without a consideration of fit. There is more green obviously, but players going through that process really have to be discerning about fit. Worked out for Moore at Xavier, but some of the other transfers out of the conference have had a bit of checkered success rate.

I want Money to have the best possible shot at doing what is best for him. If that is in Missoula, then that is great for all involved. I think he has a real shot at some real historical legacy things should he stay. Very much 'get your number retired' type stuff. He's in line for all-time status at the U, and that is a reason to stay but he really shouldn't be listening to 50 year old types like me for future advice.

If he gets offered some absurd cash to leave (and I wouldn't blame him), I hope it is to a program that would build him up. He is such a good person and I'd root for him anywhere he'd go.

 

[5280Griz]

If you believe that the Power 4 is the only way to get seen, and that provides Money the only pathway to being a first/second round pick....

There have been 25 players from non-power 5 conferences that were drafted over the past five years. A lot of those have been WCC/MWC players but its a bit of a fallacy to think the only way to increase Money's value to teams is to play in the Big 12 next year. Would it help? Absolutely but it isn't a guarantee.

Say he was offered a 1 mill bag to play at Kentucky (like a bunch were this year), and some how he is getting rotational minutes (15-20 mpg) and has limited impact. It is a huge unknown that decidedly is not going to provide players w/ a guarantee other than money. That isn't a reason not to make the leap, but in this NIL era those power 4 schools are just parking brinks trucks up to lower level players without a consideration of fit. There is more green obviously, but players going through that process really have to be discerning about fit. Worked out for Moore at Xavier, but some of the other transfers out of the conference have had a bit of checkered success rate.

I want Money to have the best possible shot at doing what is best for him. If that is in Missoula, then that is great for all involved. I think he has a real shot at some real historical legacy things should he stay. Very much 'get your number retired' type stuff. He's in line for all-time status at the U, and that is a reason to stay but he really shouldn't be listening to 50 year old types like me for future advice.

If he gets offered some absurd cash to leave (and I wouldn't blame him), I hope it is to a program that would build him up. He is such a good person and I'd root for him anywhere he'd go.

How many players have been drafted from the Big Sky in the past 5 seasons?

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

If you believe that the Power 4 is the only way to get seen, and that provides Money the only pathway to being a first/second round pick....

There have been 25 players from non-power 5 conferences that were drafted over the past five years. A lot of those have been WCC/MWC players but its a bit of a fallacy to think the only way to increase Money's value to teams is to play in the Big 12 next year. Would it help? Absolutely but it isn't a guarantee.

Say he was offered a 1 mill bag to play at Kentucky (like a bunch were this year), and some how he is getting rotational minutes (15-20 mpg) and has limited impact. It is a huge unknown that decidedly is not going to provide players w/ a guarantee other than money. That isn't a reason not to make the leap, but in this NIL era those power 4 schools are just parking brinks trucks up to lower level players without a consideration of fit. There is more green obviously, but players going through that process really have to be discerning about fit. Worked out for Moore at Xavier, but some of the other transfers out of the conference have had a bit of checkered success rate.

I want Money to have the best possible shot at doing what is best for him. If that is in Missoula, then that is great for all involved. I think he has a real shot at some real historical legacy things should he stay. Very much 'get your number retired' type stuff. He's in line for all-time status at the U, and that is a reason to stay but he really shouldn't be listening to 50 year old types like me for future advice.

If he gets offered some absurd cash to leave (and I wouldn't blame him), I hope it is to a program that would build him up. He is such a good person and I'd root for him anywhere he'd go.

I think beyond the possible bag, it would benefit him to play some place that he goes against better competition game in and game out as opposed to the cesspool that is the BSC.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

How many players have been drafted from the Big Sky in the past 5 seasons?

Not many BSC players get drafted because there aren't many NBA caliber players. If someone is a NBA caliber player, he will get noticed, even in the BSC. Right now, I don't think Money is a NBA caliber player.

 

[5280Griz]

Not many BSC players get drafted because there aren't many NBA caliber players. If someone is a NBA caliber player, he will get noticed, even in the BSC. Right now, I don't think Money is a NBA caliber player.

I don’t think the Big Sky has been producing NBA caliber players. Money’s game would develop more against better competition in the Big 12.