2015-16 Roster up at GoGriz

[grizbud]

Camel is trying to walk on but if I remember correctly he has some transcript/credit/eligibility issues with getting enrolled at UM. Travis is open to having a large team with more walk-ons than we are used to. This kid had a good attitude and work ethic and would be a positive addition as a walk-on if things work out

Having more walk ons makes sense. That depth is needed for practices and scrimmages to keep the main players fresh. It also can develop guys from within that can earn a scholarship. Maybe this is the best way for Travis to build the MT talent. When he was 1st hired, he told me he really would like create more opportunity for the in state kids, and restore basketball in the state. At the time, I just thought that meant creating more interest in basketball w/in the state, and developing the HS talent with the HS coaches.

Maybe, the easier approach in terms of time, money, and resources is to target the in state kids willing to walk on, with the potential to become a div 1 player and have the GRIZ develop them under their wings. Those players will get a lot better just by scrimmaging, practicing, and competing with the scholarship players. That is exactly what happened to me when I got to college. By playing against the college players in open gyms every day, I improved dramatically. My ball handling, awareness, and passing became much better. Prior to that, I was a solid scorer, great defender, lousy ball handler, and really did not understand the importance of the little things that don't show up in the stat sheets. Granted, it did not lead me to a div 1 scholarship, but I could certainly hold my own from then on when I played with/against better competition.

The point being, just like football, Montana has a lot of talented basketball players, but lack great competition to become the players they have the potential to become. The only way some players can get that opportunity is by walking on with the GRIZ or Cats. It would be great if the GRIZ developed a great in state walk on reputation. I hope to find out if this is part of DeCuire's master plan, or not? It sure looks like it based on the incoming in state players last and this year, and possibly the addition of Camel also.

As for Camel, I hope it works out. I'd love to see another Camel suit up for the GRIZ!!!!

I do like the idea of players getting a chance to prove themselves. I myself, always thought I had something to prove as a player and played better when I had a chip on my shoulder. That being said, I don't think he will work his way into a scholarship or playing role, in my opinion.

My next point, one I never understood being from out of state, is that the fans like to see Montana kids on the team/court and show that by coming out to the games and supporting. When I played we went 10-0 vs the atrocious cats (who we didn't see as our biggest rival in the league) and that seemed to be the game that everyone wanted to go to...mind boggling

As far as competition goes in Montana, I don't think colleges in the state giving walk-ons opportunities will make the state turn out more D-1 players. The fact of the matter is, Montana will continue to produce 1-2 D-1 players a year simply off the law of averages..and there's not that great of competition compared to other states.