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MBBALL Montana Portal Primer

Grizfan-24

Well-known member
Staff member
2026-27 Montana Grizzlies Roster

#NamePosHtWtYearPrevious School
4Tyler ThompsonW6'6195R-So.Vanden HS (CA)
5Amari JedkinsF6'7197R-Sr.Green Bay
10Connor DickG6'3197R-Jr.Hellgate HS (MT)
13Courtney Anderson Jr.G6'5200R-Jr.Colorado
24Kenyon AguinoF6'7222So.Volcano Vista HS (NM)
Jemai LakeCG6'1170Fr.Tualatin HS (OR)
Jackson HagginsPG6'2Fr. Roosevelt HS (CA)
Semaj CarterSG6'5Fr.Rancho Verde HS (CA)

This is Grizzly roster for next year. That the list. Going to be 10 new players on the roster next year. Fun times. Fun Times.

They have 7 roster spots that are going to be filled primarily through the transfer portal over the next two weeks. That is a lot. I don't think it is going to be solely transfers from the portal, as they are on a number of JC players and a few Class of 26 players in the high school ranks. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if they announced at least 1 more HS player in the spring signing period.

Here is what they are likely looking for:

Priority #1: Length and Post Depth. This has been the bane of Montana's existence over the past few years. They only have one true post player on the roster (Aguino) and clearly they are going to need to fill some roster spots with guys who can defend in the post. Could see 2 or 3 guys brought in. Tough market to recruit in because everyone is out there looking for the same things. We know what Travis values in his post players and I'd expect to see 6-9 types with the ability to defend away from the basket and capable of screen setting 20 feet from the hoop.

Priority #2: Perimeter Scoring. Most of the early contacts that Montana has been connected with are high volume SG's at the DII/DIII level. They envison Courtney Anderson being able to take some of the scoring role along with incoming Freshman Semaj Carter, but there is little if any depth on the perimeter that they can truly trust. They have to make up a lot of points and probably want breadth in replacing those numbers they lost with Money departing. Could see them focus on guys who can defend the 2 or 3 as well as a part of their search.

Priority #3: Given the impression that the staff thinks Lake or Haggins could come in an play day 1, but while athletically gifted, they aren't not the most physically imposing players. They are after a ton of PG types in the portal so far. They all have different profiles, but it is clear they need to find someone capable of facilitating and scoring from the PG position this year. Clear weakness from last year and could see them putting a lot of their NIL money into shoring up the PG position.

Priority #4: Division #1 experience. Their current roster is almost devoid of any experience at the D1 level in terms of consistent minutes. Your veterans are two sophomores and two other players who got limited minutes in 2025-26. Unlike last year where they were looking at D1 players who could be here for a couple of years, wouldn't be surprised they wouldn't bring in a PG who has games at the D1 level along with a post player. A couple of 1 and dones wouldn't be a surprise.
 
I will say if there's one silver lining to all this right now, it's that the trio of Thompson, Anderson, and Aguino are great pieces to build around. All 3 of them will likely start next year which is huge! PG IMO is the most important piece to add this offseason. You can still have a good team with a decent/serviceable big man, we've been able to make it work before, but we need a dominant PG for sure. That was the biggest problem for the team this year. Then of course if you can find a dominant big man, then you may really have something next year. Start by replenishing the backcourt and that will make your life easier.

Another thing that will be interesting to follow is who DeCuire hires to replace Chris Cobb. Does he hire someone who has certain recruiting connections? That could be a key piece to building the roster as well. I suspect he's known about Cobb leaving for at least two weeks so he's had time to figure out who to bring in to replace him. Regardless, it should be a pretty interesting couple months for Griz hoops!
 
Here is a thought, what about Marlin Stewart as an assistant hire? He is looking and has a lot of recruiting experience and UM ties....perfect fit!
 
Just bumping this because we are starting to see a trend in who Montana is recruiting in the portal:

Dutro: Comitted-->JC Tall (6'6'') player that can play 3 positions. PG, SG, W. Can score at 3 levels.
Clark: Signed-->PG that is a scorer that can play on ball and off ball as a PG.
Brown: Signed--->PG that is a scorer than can like Clark play on ball and off ball.
Bendinger: Committed:-->6-4'' SG from Boise State that can play both SG and Wing and has ball handling capabilities. Can score at three levels.
Haggins:---> HS player that played 3 positions on the perimeter as a HS player. Comfortable on Ball and off ball.
Carter:---> HS player that naturally had the height for a wing (6'5'') scorer mentality and is good on and off ball. Has Money scoring vibes.
Anderson Jr.---> Recruited to Colorado out of HS at a 6'5'' PG. Brought to Montana as a player who can handle the basketball as a primary ball handler but can attack off the wing. Never healthy enough last year to show it at Montana.

If were you to encapsulate the 2025-26 Montana team they were 1 ball handler and several guys who could be but weren't. There weren't enough permutations on the roster to create the flexibility Travis craves on the perimeter to make week to week adjustments, game to game and minute to minute. This group is going to have that ability in spades. Will allow the HS kids (Haggins and Carter) to be not thrust into high minutes scenarios as on ball guys (we saw how all over the map Money was as a Freshman).

Will it translate into success? Don't know but you can see they were clearly unhappy with the guard room and have fixed it with some very capable guys.
 
Just bumping this because we are starting to see a trend in who Montana is recruiting in the portal:

Dutro: Comitted-->JC Tall (6'6'') player that can play 3 positions. PG, SG, W. Can score at 3 levels.
Clark: Signed-->PG that is a scorer that can play on ball and off ball as a PG.
Brown: Signed--->PG that is a scorer than can like Clark play on ball and off ball.
Bendinger: Committed:-->6-4'' SG from Boise State that can play both SG and Wing and has ball handling capabilities. Can score at three levels.
Haggins:---> HS player that played 3 positions on the perimeter as a HS player. Comfortable on Ball and off ball.
Carter:---> HS player that naturally had the height for a wing (6'5'') scorer mentality and is good on and off ball. Has Money scoring vibes.
Anderson Jr.---> Recruited to Colorado out of HS at a 6'5'' PG. Brought to Montana as a player who can handle the basketball as a primary ball handler but can attack off the wing. Never healthy enough last year to show it at Montana.

If were you to encapsulate the 2025-26 Montana team they were 1 ball handler and several guys who could be but weren't. There weren't enough permutations on the roster to create the flexibility Travis craves on the perimeter to make week to week adjustments, game to game and minute to minute. This group is going to have that ability in spades. Will allow the HS kids (Haggins and Carter) to be not thrust into high minutes scenarios as on ball guys (we saw how all over the map Money was as a Freshman).

Will it translate into success? Don't know but you can see they were clearly unhappy with the guard room and have fixed it with some very capable guys.
Question is, do we have a Center room? Or a Power Forward room?
 
I just can’t believe Travis is not on record about this it’s like none of the media cares to follow or get an interview with TDC least get Flores. Figured least Skyline would. Cobb seemed to do the most with availability.
 
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