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MSU men's basketball: Holmes, Miller gone
By JEFF WELSCH, Chronicle Sports Editor
For better or for worse?
That was the question dogging the Montana State men's basketball team, which was down two point guards entering its non-conference game Monday night against Portland.
Sophomore Ryan Holmes, who hadn't played since starting against Wayland Baptist in the team's home opener Nov. 27, finally called it quits and returned home to Phoenix.
That wasn't a surprise.
What was a surprise was Monday's revelation that senior guard Branden Miller, who had his share of struggles with grades, personal issues and confrontations with coach Mick Durham, was academically ineligible.
Both are done for the year.
"We have no choice but to step it up," said sophomore guard Casey Durham, whose half-court buzzer-beater gave MSU a 70-68 victory in the first of eight consecutive home games.
What's changed?
"Nothing," senior forward Marvin Moss said. "We saw Branden earlier. Everybody was sad about it, but we had to get over it. We'll be all right. We're in good shape."
Indeed, though Holmes had improved enough to earn the starting job while Miller sorted through his issues early, and Miller gave MSU a 3-point threat, it's conceivable that the 'Cats might be stronger for it.
Until Monday, Mick Durham had the challenge of finding time for 11 competent players, leaving some, Holmes and Miller included, unhappy about their playing time and number of shots.
"It's no secret that Branden and I battled all fall," Durham said.
Durham lifted the redshirt of promising freshman guard Jacques Wilson, meaning the 'Cats are one body down, but unlike Holmes and Miller, Wilson will be content with whatever he gets.
He played six assertive minutes in the first half, showing enough acceleration and defensive tenacity to earn applause from a Brick Breeden Fieldhouse crowd of 3,010.
Wilson was informed of MSU's dilemma Monday morning. He didn't hesitate.
"Coach," he told Durham, "I came here to play."
Wilson called his father, Idaho State assistant coach Louis Wilson, and prepared for his debut, in which he scored his first collegiate point.
"Jacques is good, probably our best defender," Moss said. "He's going to be real good."
Meanwhile, Edmonds had been relegated to the bench behind rock-solid Ja'Ron Jefferson, seeing occasional playing time or none at all.
That changed Monday, and he responded with 13 points and four rebounds, though he has yet to dial in from 3-point range.
"Both of those guys are tremendous players," Edmonds said of Miller and Holmes. "I've got to answer the call. I know I'll get more minutes; I'll do what it takes. Whatever it takes to succeed, that's my mindset."
Until the final seven minutes, the Bobcats were at the crispest and most energetic Monday night, perhaps because they had a rare home game but also, perhaps, because roles are more defined.
"We definitely know who our go-to guys are now," Casey Durham said, referring to Jefferson and Moss.
The next seven games, starting Thursday against Denver, which defeated MSU 69-66 on Dec. 3, will reveal more about whether the two departures are for better or worse.
"Sometimes," Mick Durham said, "things work out in a strange way for the better."
By JEFF WELSCH, Chronicle Sports Editor
For better or for worse?
That was the question dogging the Montana State men's basketball team, which was down two point guards entering its non-conference game Monday night against Portland.
Sophomore Ryan Holmes, who hadn't played since starting against Wayland Baptist in the team's home opener Nov. 27, finally called it quits and returned home to Phoenix.
That wasn't a surprise.
What was a surprise was Monday's revelation that senior guard Branden Miller, who had his share of struggles with grades, personal issues and confrontations with coach Mick Durham, was academically ineligible.
Both are done for the year.
"We have no choice but to step it up," said sophomore guard Casey Durham, whose half-court buzzer-beater gave MSU a 70-68 victory in the first of eight consecutive home games.
What's changed?
"Nothing," senior forward Marvin Moss said. "We saw Branden earlier. Everybody was sad about it, but we had to get over it. We'll be all right. We're in good shape."
Indeed, though Holmes had improved enough to earn the starting job while Miller sorted through his issues early, and Miller gave MSU a 3-point threat, it's conceivable that the 'Cats might be stronger for it.
Until Monday, Mick Durham had the challenge of finding time for 11 competent players, leaving some, Holmes and Miller included, unhappy about their playing time and number of shots.
"It's no secret that Branden and I battled all fall," Durham said.
Durham lifted the redshirt of promising freshman guard Jacques Wilson, meaning the 'Cats are one body down, but unlike Holmes and Miller, Wilson will be content with whatever he gets.
He played six assertive minutes in the first half, showing enough acceleration and defensive tenacity to earn applause from a Brick Breeden Fieldhouse crowd of 3,010.
Wilson was informed of MSU's dilemma Monday morning. He didn't hesitate.
"Coach," he told Durham, "I came here to play."
Wilson called his father, Idaho State assistant coach Louis Wilson, and prepared for his debut, in which he scored his first collegiate point.
"Jacques is good, probably our best defender," Moss said. "He's going to be real good."
Meanwhile, Edmonds had been relegated to the bench behind rock-solid Ja'Ron Jefferson, seeing occasional playing time or none at all.
That changed Monday, and he responded with 13 points and four rebounds, though he has yet to dial in from 3-point range.
"Both of those guys are tremendous players," Edmonds said of Miller and Holmes. "I've got to answer the call. I know I'll get more minutes; I'll do what it takes. Whatever it takes to succeed, that's my mindset."
Until the final seven minutes, the Bobcats were at the crispest and most energetic Monday night, perhaps because they had a rare home game but also, perhaps, because roles are more defined.
"We definitely know who our go-to guys are now," Casey Durham said, referring to Jefferson and Moss.
The next seven games, starting Thursday against Denver, which defeated MSU 69-66 on Dec. 3, will reveal more about whether the two departures are for better or worse.
"Sometimes," Mick Durham said, "things work out in a strange way for the better."
