Now that most non-conference schedules are complete, I thought it would be a good time to check-in on former Griz. I give a verdict on their decision based on basketball related issues. I obviously have no idea if people were homesick, hated Montana, needed a change of scenery, wanted to go to an HBCU, etc. so I try to be respectful of the fact that I am not walking in their shoes. I haven’t watched any of the Non-D1 guys, but I have seen enough of the D-1 guys to feel comfortable in making an assessment. I honestly hope everyone is happy with their decision.
Eddy Egun - Regis (CO) D2 (Record 5-6)
Started 7/11 games. Averaging 9.7/3.7/1.0.
Verdict: No brainer move for him. Playing almost 25mpg at a level better suited for him.
Freddy Brown: Central Washington-D2 (4-7)
Started 1/11 games. 3.9/2.2/0.5
Verdict: No brainer. Already graduated from Montana. Averaging 12mpg and has played in every game at a level better suited for him.
Darius Henderson - Corban (OR) NAIA (8-3)
Started 11/11. 18.0/7.6/1.3. Shooting 60/39/85. 25mpg.
Verdict: Clearly had to leave Montana if he ever wanted to play so that was a no brainer. However, I think he is a skilled big man that probably should have landed at a D2. But, having already transferred twice I can see the desire for guaranteed playing time with a guaranteed big role.
Robby Beasley - UC Davis (7-5; KenPom #188)
Started the lasted 9 games after starting 1 out of the first 3. 10.4/4.1/1.2. Shooting 48/45/69 and 28mpg.
Verdict: From the outside this move was perplexing as he seemingly was given the keys to the Program as a sophomore. Beasley gets less possessions at Davis but has been more efficient as he leads the Big West in True Shooting percentage and is 9th in 3 pointers made. Davis plays at one of the fastest tempos in the country which was probably a big selling point and once one of the other guards graduates you can see him taking on a much bigger role which bodes even better for him in the future. However, I can’t help but thinking what could have been. With a potential 5 year Griz career his name would have been all over the record books and he potentially could have left as one of the all-time greats.
Derrick Carter-Hollinger - Bethune Cookman (4-8; KenPom #345) zero starts. 5.3/3.8/1.1. 58/40/91. 21.1mpg (exact same as last year).
Verdict: Not sure I understand this one as his new role appears to be exactly the same as his last. Watching him he still doesn’t appear to be 100% healthy. He left Montana to play for one of the worst teams in one of the worst conferences with one of the worst facilities and budgets in all of D-1 basketball. But if that’s the move, an HBCU in Daytona Beach is not a bad landing spot!
Kyle Owens - UC Riverside (7-5; KenPom#161)
9/12 starts (now seems to be full-time starter) 8.2/4.2/0.8. 46/20/86. 24mpg.
Verdict: For reasons I have never understood, this was a no brainer move. Never seen a player go from team’s leading scorer and HM All-conference to barely playing. He is a better man than I because at least on the bench last year he appeared to have an excellent attitude and was a supportive teammate. He looks comfortable at Riverside and played very well in their defeat of Portland and other games.
Cam Parker - Portland St. (6-7; KenPom#240)
12 starts (DNP - Portland Bible). 14.7/3.3/5.4. 50/40/86. 33mpg.
Verdict: No brainer. Considered by some websites to be playing at an all-conference level, Parker is 11th in conference in scoring, 2nd in assists and tied for 1st in FT%. His 76 FTM is 3rd in the country (by comparison Bannan leads the Griz with 39). According to KenPom, PSU has played the country’s 41st toughest schedule. Finishing his nomadic college career at home is a plus.
Eddy Egun - Regis (CO) D2 (Record 5-6)
Started 7/11 games. Averaging 9.7/3.7/1.0.
Verdict: No brainer move for him. Playing almost 25mpg at a level better suited for him.
Freddy Brown: Central Washington-D2 (4-7)
Started 1/11 games. 3.9/2.2/0.5
Verdict: No brainer. Already graduated from Montana. Averaging 12mpg and has played in every game at a level better suited for him.
Darius Henderson - Corban (OR) NAIA (8-3)
Started 11/11. 18.0/7.6/1.3. Shooting 60/39/85. 25mpg.
Verdict: Clearly had to leave Montana if he ever wanted to play so that was a no brainer. However, I think he is a skilled big man that probably should have landed at a D2. But, having already transferred twice I can see the desire for guaranteed playing time with a guaranteed big role.
Robby Beasley - UC Davis (7-5; KenPom #188)
Started the lasted 9 games after starting 1 out of the first 3. 10.4/4.1/1.2. Shooting 48/45/69 and 28mpg.
Verdict: From the outside this move was perplexing as he seemingly was given the keys to the Program as a sophomore. Beasley gets less possessions at Davis but has been more efficient as he leads the Big West in True Shooting percentage and is 9th in 3 pointers made. Davis plays at one of the fastest tempos in the country which was probably a big selling point and once one of the other guards graduates you can see him taking on a much bigger role which bodes even better for him in the future. However, I can’t help but thinking what could have been. With a potential 5 year Griz career his name would have been all over the record books and he potentially could have left as one of the all-time greats.
Derrick Carter-Hollinger - Bethune Cookman (4-8; KenPom #345) zero starts. 5.3/3.8/1.1. 58/40/91. 21.1mpg (exact same as last year).
Verdict: Not sure I understand this one as his new role appears to be exactly the same as his last. Watching him he still doesn’t appear to be 100% healthy. He left Montana to play for one of the worst teams in one of the worst conferences with one of the worst facilities and budgets in all of D-1 basketball. But if that’s the move, an HBCU in Daytona Beach is not a bad landing spot!
Kyle Owens - UC Riverside (7-5; KenPom#161)
9/12 starts (now seems to be full-time starter) 8.2/4.2/0.8. 46/20/86. 24mpg.
Verdict: For reasons I have never understood, this was a no brainer move. Never seen a player go from team’s leading scorer and HM All-conference to barely playing. He is a better man than I because at least on the bench last year he appeared to have an excellent attitude and was a supportive teammate. He looks comfortable at Riverside and played very well in their defeat of Portland and other games.
Cam Parker - Portland St. (6-7; KenPom#240)
12 starts (DNP - Portland Bible). 14.7/3.3/5.4. 50/40/86. 33mpg.
Verdict: No brainer. Considered by some websites to be playing at an all-conference level, Parker is 11th in conference in scoring, 2nd in assists and tied for 1st in FT%. His 76 FTM is 3rd in the country (by comparison Bannan leads the Griz with 39). According to KenPom, PSU has played the country’s 41st toughest schedule. Finishing his nomadic college career at home is a plus.