Griz Written/Oral Commits

[FootballGuru]

Grizzlies target shooters
By BOB MESEROLL Missoulian sports editor

Shooters were at the top of Larry Krystkowiak's shopping list this recruiting season.

That's one thing the first-year Montana men's basketball coach can check off as done.

The Griz have received commitments from three recruits who are all threats from the perimeter. Two, Ryan Staudacher of Kirkland, Wash., and Kyle Sharp of Hollister, Calif., made oral commitments before the early signing period opened Wednesday. The other, Austin Swift of Santa Cruz, Calif., made his commitment official Wednesday by signing a letter of intent.

"In looking at our roster, it was maybe athletic, but doesn't have a lot of great shooters," Krystkowiak said. "Some good shooters, but not great shooters. One of the things we wanted to find was someone we felt couldn't be left open. That was one of the things we chased down."

Staudacher fits that bill. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard averaged 14.7 ppg for Lake Washington High School as a junior. He led the Friends of Hoop squad to the title at the Nike Main Event in Las Vegas last summer.

Sharp, a 6-7, 218-pound wing player, averaged 21 points and eight rebounds a game for San Benito High School as a junior. Sharp, a self-described shooter, was the MVP of his league last season.

Krystkowiak had not received the letters of intent for Staudacher and Sharp by Wednesday afternoon, preventing him from commenting on those players.

Swift is a 6-6 guard who averaged 13 points, six rebounds and five assists a game for Santa Cruz High School last season. His team finished 30-3.

"He's a great wing who can play the one through the three," Krystkowiak said.

Krystkowiak, who will lose only Kamarr Davis to graduation at the end of this season, said he wasn't able to comment on whether the Griz would have additional signings this year.

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Sound like 3 outstanding players! Woah...

 

[Mung]

I thought Krysko was going to raise the native quota on our team. The Griz are turning into Cal State Missoula.

 

[BWahlberg]

Maybe he just didn't see enough talent coming out of graduating classes this year. I wouldn't look into it too much

 

[Mslacat]

Both Durham and Kysco agree that the next couple of years the D-1 talent level in Montana highschools is pretty slim pick'ins. I will say this, though, Durham did offer two Montana athletes this fall, one that Kysco could have had at a drop of a hat. In Kysco's defence though, he is tring to change a team he inherited to one that fits his style, and he does not have a lot of scholarships to work with.

 

[Grizfan-24]

Mslacat, who could have he had at a drop of a hat? Missoula kid? I would agree there isn't much basketball tallent here in the state this year, at least D 1 quality. The two regions that I am familiar with Northwest and North Central, there isn't a lot around at all. At least a kid that is going to go out and drop 20 a game consistently.

I know Cox is a good ball player as mentioned before. I think this is the first time in a while, that I couldn't name any discernable name other than Cox when it comes to high school ball.

 

[Mslacat]

********* Rumor Alert **********

I here that Durham offered Kellen Hasquet this fall on a official visit to MSU. I also hear that Durham has not pulled that offer, and will be watching him be keeping track of him this winter, and would most likely re-offer him if he is still available (Yale, and Northern Colordo are also said to be recruiting Kellen) in the spring. I hear that Kysco has told Hasquet that he would sign him as a walk-on this fall, but for a scholarship he would really have to have a great winter, and they would talk in the spring. The same was told to Jack MiGinnis, of Missoula Hellgate (I do not believe Durham is recruiting MiGinnis at all) and Charlie Cox to a lesser degree. I have heard that if Kysco had offered Kellen this summer he would have signed this week, he is pretty much a free agent know.
Now i don not want to come on to a Griz board and seem like I am ripping a Griz coach,( unless of cource, you rip a Cat coach first), but Durham has a long history of signing what some may consider marginal Montana talent to great success. I think he has an eye for spotting hidden gem on the recruiting trail. Danny Sullivan, Carson Durr, and PJ Owsley come to mind off hand. Durham has that luxery being in his 15th season, the program is his, top to bottom. Krysco, though, is in his first year, with a program with Kennedy's stamp all over it and very few scholarship available to make adjustments needed to run the program he envisions.
I guess what i am saying is that Durham has made a commitment in his program to signing Montana kids even if it means looking a little harder under the rocks. I do not believe Kennedy had that commitment. I have confidence Krysco's commitment to signing Montana players is strong, but give him a little time.

BTW If I got anything wrong here please feel free to correct me.

 

[Grizfan-24]

Mslacat, I don't dissagree. I know that Durham has done a great job developing marginal talent. With McGillis, I really thought a year ago that he was a legitimate d1 talent. At least to get a sniff of UofM and MSU. I really like the way he plays, honestly. Same with Cox, both really smart basketball players...

As for Kellen, I really couldn't tell you. He isn't the player the his brother is, but again they have two different styles. I think honestly, if Kellen plays well this winter, Krysko will be pressured to find a way to get him to come to the UofM. Then again, I don't know he can wait that long either.

I think to a degree Krysko is in a different boat, he needs to repair a team that wasn't much of one last year. Yes, there is tallent returning, but he has a long way to go to reshape the team. I think kennedy did no real favors at all.

My best guess, is that the UofM will model itself after the teams of the 80's where post play is preferred, and we see the return of the great post players of the 80's. I personally would love the return of defensively solid basketball program that did the little things really, really well. The last few years have done more to ruin those traditions and pride. Frankly the past five years have been absolutely terrible. Poor shooting, poor defense and poor attitudes. Something that I would never had thought possible, but, Krysko is going to have to reinvent the philosophy that was so prevalent in the Heathcote, Montgomery, Morrill eras. I am damn excited actually, more than I have been over the past few years. It sucks really that i am in Simms and I am not able to pick up many games.

Durham, honestly right now (being stung by the 5 a year rule) has the ability to suck up anyone with marginal talent, because frankly he has to. He has no depth at all, and needs to build some. He is probably the best fundamentals coach in the BSC. He is able to make lemonades out of lemons. HOnestly, it is real difficult to hate MSU in basketball, because Durham is such a solid guy.

 

[loyalgriz]

I can tell you that at least the AA is a little short on overall talent this year. I don't think Kellen is anywhere near his brother's ability, but I have to say Cox is very good. If Lynch can play point guard in the Big Sky then Cox is a cinch in my mind. I know Lynch shot better in high school, although Cox shot almost 40% last year from three. All other aspects weigh heavily towards Cox.

 

[Ballhog]

Coach K will always have to to out of state in order to elevate the program to a Gonzaga like program. The State just does not have the critical mass to get to D-1 level talent year in and year out.
Montana is a great school-there is no reason they cannot be very good.
P.S. If the Griz need outside shooting give the rock to Strait A-he can
bury the 3.

 

[GrizBiz]

This Staudacher kid is evidently a heck of a football player as well. He made the Seattle Times "All Area" team as a QB. He was also the King County 4A player of the year in football. He's the second one down on this list:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/highschoolsports/2002106725_offensecaps02.html



Sounds like a tremendous athlete and a good get for MT basketball.