The speculation that Dorsey will not return next year only emphasizes for me that Phase I of the DeCuire era is over. We are clearly into Phase II. To wit:
Of last year's roster, seven do not return. They include: Oguine, DeCuire's first major recruit; Rorie, probably the most heralded transfer in the history of Montana hoops; Moorehead, another key early recruit; and both Akoh and Dorsey, two more high-profile transfers. Gone too are all the bigs from Phase I who might have been around to lead the team next year, but instead washed out of the program: Anderson, Besovic, Nicholas, Kramer and Carter.
And, yes, Phase I was glorious: Two trips to the Big Dance, and two players who will one day be in the Montana Hall of Fame, Oguine and Rorie.
Enter now Phase II: Eight new players. One redshirt: Egun; three "fabulous frosh:" Carter-Hollinger, Owens, and Vasquez; and four transfers, Hardnett, Selchuk, Samuelson and Miller. You might even make the case that Mack Anderson will be a new player, a true frosh last year who clearly could have used a redshirt year to bulk up to D1 standards.
So what do I think about Phase II?
That next year, despite the adjustments, we'll be very good. And that by season's end, we'll be in a position for another trip to the Big Dance.
But that the year after that, with all the adjustments made, the freshmen all a year older, and Steadman joining the mix--watch out! The Sky is not the limit.
Of last year's roster, seven do not return. They include: Oguine, DeCuire's first major recruit; Rorie, probably the most heralded transfer in the history of Montana hoops; Moorehead, another key early recruit; and both Akoh and Dorsey, two more high-profile transfers. Gone too are all the bigs from Phase I who might have been around to lead the team next year, but instead washed out of the program: Anderson, Besovic, Nicholas, Kramer and Carter.
And, yes, Phase I was glorious: Two trips to the Big Dance, and two players who will one day be in the Montana Hall of Fame, Oguine and Rorie.
Enter now Phase II: Eight new players. One redshirt: Egun; three "fabulous frosh:" Carter-Hollinger, Owens, and Vasquez; and four transfers, Hardnett, Selchuk, Samuelson and Miller. You might even make the case that Mack Anderson will be a new player, a true frosh last year who clearly could have used a redshirt year to bulk up to D1 standards.
So what do I think about Phase II?
That next year, despite the adjustments, we'll be very good. And that by season's end, we'll be in a position for another trip to the Big Dance.
But that the year after that, with all the adjustments made, the freshmen all a year older, and Steadman joining the mix--watch out! The Sky is not the limit.
