Griz get a big walk-on

[Mslacat]

Credit to Bob Meseroll of the Missoulian for the scoop

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/article_a6286d84-b4a4-11df-bf79-001cc4c002e0.html

The Grizzlies have picked up a walk-on big man in Taylor Farnsworth, a 6-7 forward from Mead High in Spokane.

I have a little more info on my blog.

http://mslacat.wordpress.com/

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

The Grizzlies have picked up a walk-on big man

Geez, my first impression was that 'big man,' was meaning someone about 7'2" 250 to 280 lbs., perhaps one of those European refugees or perhaps from South America, considering the lateness of the notification. Does Cuba play basketball?..maybe a deflector somewhere in the cargo hold. Glad we got a walk-on, granted, the Griz need all the help they can get, but my interpretation of 'big man' these days is soemwhat different than what "Mslacat" lets on I guess. Hope all turns out O.K. and successful careers abound.

Then again maybe "Mslacat" was mindful of his avatar at the time and that anyone 4'10" or taller is quite naturally "bigger,"so subsequently...Division I NCAA sometimes has teams that have guards that are 6'5" to 6'7" at times these days; even a 6'9" point-forward.

 

[Mslacat]

WyomingGrizFan

When I mentioned "Big" I was thinking position rather than size, but to me @ 5-11, 6-7 is pretty big standing next to me.

By my definition even Kamar Davis from a few years ago, listed at 6-7 but closer to 6-4 was a big.

You better get used to a smaller definition of a big man because that is the direction Big Sky basketball is going. I remember the days when the Griz program under Montgomery/Morrill/Taylor would sign at least one and sometimes more 6-9 or better players every year. The Big Sky has always been a place where coaches made a choice between the athletic big man or the tall big man. If a player had both he most likely went on to the Pac-10. Every so often a program would luck out and land a Kystowiak who had both but it has been rare. In the last 5-10 years though the pace of the games in the Big Sky has picked up and athleticism has become a priority. The true big men have become a rarity in the Big Sky. Qvale is a rarity and if he had played his high school ball in Minnesota and not North Dakota and he right now might be playing for a Big 10 school. Even incoming freshman 6-9 Billy Read is pretty athletic.

Given the choice right now most Big Sky coaches would chooses a slightly smaller but more athletic big man of the taller less mobile big man of the past.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

I remember the days when the Griz program under Montgomery/Morrill/Taylor would sign at least one and sometimes more 6-9 or better players every year. The Big Sky has always been a place where coaches made a choice between the athletic big man or the tall big man. Every so often a program would luck out and land a Kystowiak who had both but it has been rare. In the last 5-10 years though the pace of the games in the Big Sky has picked up and athleticism has become a priority. The true big men have become a rarity in the Big Sky.

I guess I was going by, with my first impression, what the media enhanced way of referring to the 4- and 5-positions would imply, not necessarily Big Sky Conference alone. More like straight across the board type of 'Big,' considering the BSC still as an NCAA approved conference for Division I purposes playing teams from other conferences in the OOC scheduling format. I remember those days you refer to of some time ago. Somewhat different seemingly the coaching philosophy in the early eighties (Marty Green, Tim Knight, Craig Larsen, Steve Vanek, etc.) than my first exposure to Griz/Big Sky Basketball when there was a Donny Wetzel, Dave Gustafson and Ray Howard, who at 6'7" out of Great Falls may have been the tallest player on the team at that time; can't quite remember. While the Bobcats had a Jack Gillespie @ 6' 9"out of Great Falls as well a couple years after. Then again I do remember L. Krystkowiak being listed @ about 6' 7 1/2" and 195 lbs. his freshman year right out of hs; then 6'9" 235 lbs his sophomore year till his senior year of 6'10" 240 lbs., so that's as luck would have it.

 

[Coug Nation]

Ive seen this kid play...don't get your hopes up! Don't expect him to see the floor...ever

 

[Grizbacker1]

Ive seen this kid play...don't get your hopes up! Don't expect him to see the floor...ever

I have seen no less than 5 guys like that at UM, and end up being All Big sky players. Jeremy Lake, Mike Warhank, and Kirk Walker, to name a few. They flat out sucked as freshmen. It happens. If the coaches think the player can develop, then what is the risk?

 

[Coug Nation]

There is no risk since there not wasting a scholarship on him, although there may have been better options of players to grant a walk on spot too but who really knows.