Tinkle comments on Recruiting

[Grizbacker1]

For all you whiners (see city) :thumb: who don't know jack about the recruiting process and why things are not announced on YOUR timetable.

Tinkle, whose first Grizzly basketball team finished 17-15 overall and 10-6 in the Big Sky Conference, said his staff has been working hard to wrap up loose ends with its spring recruiting class.
"We've signed a couple of junior-college players, one from Texas and one from Kansas, who I think will really help us in the backcourt," Tinkle said. "Along with the high school kids we signed in the fall, it really is shaping up to be a pretty darn good class."

Tinkle said he couldn't name names, but that an official announcement is expected today..
"One kid's a 6-1 combo guard. The other kid's a 6-3, 6-4 wing who will add a lot of toughness and athleticism. Both are highly touted players," Tinkle said. "Then we've got a third kid who we've got to go through the process and finish the paperwork on who I think will really add to the class as well. We're pretty excited and looking forward to it."

The NCAA spring signing period started many weeks ago, but recruiting news hasn't been forthcoming from the UM basketball offices.

"I know there's a lot of people anxious. We haven't been trying to hide anything," Tinkle said with a chuckle. "It's just been the way things of gone because of all the paperwork."

The Grizzlies, with veterans Jordan Hasquet, Andrew Strait, Matt Martin and Cameron Rundles leading the way, should be picked high in Big Sky preseason polls next winter.

"We've got a great class of guys coming in to go with a super group coming back," Tinkle said. "Things are looking up for the future."

Tinkle added that his team's schedule, soon to be released, will be challenging.

"We're looking to go over and play Gonzaga in Spokane and it looks like we'll be in a tournament with Washington State in Spokane also," he said. "Air Force and Mississippi Valley will be there.

"We open up with Colorado State in Missoula. So we're going to be challenged the first couple of weeks out of the game, but that's the way we wanted it."

Tinkle said his program has made some huge strides this spring during offseason conditioning workouts.

"We weren't happy with the way things went this year," he said. "Work ethic-wise. Our guys are just champing at the bit to work hard and provide some leadership and set the tone for all the new guys coming in."

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

I think we all just wish the process was a little more transparent. We know these guys committed a while ago but haven't head anything official. If it's one kid holding everything up then why not announce as they commit as some have suggeste?. Celebrate each player, make the whole thing a big deal. This isn't that big of a deal, just a suggestion.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I think we all just wish the process was a little more transparent. We know these guys committed a while ago but haven't head anything official. If it's one kid holding everything up then why not announce as they commit as some have suggeste?. Celebrate each player, make the whole thing a big deal. This isn't that big of a deal, just a suggestion.

I am for one am relieved to hear we at least have 2 definites coming in . More importantly, I like what he said about last year and how spring workouts have gone. Sounds to me the returnees are hungry. I believe Hasquet, Rundles, Strait and Martin will be the chosen leaders this year. Jordan will finally not have to worry about stepping on toes this year. Martin has the most natural leadership qualities from his HS background. Strait as always and will aways lead by example. Rundles' charismatic personality will go a long way too.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Griz add scoring punch to lineup
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor

The Montana Grizzlies have added scoring punch and playmaking panache to their backcourt with the signing of two junior-college guards.

Grizzly head coach Wayne Tinkle said Friday that Sean Watson of Howard (Texas) Community College and Ceylon Elgin-Taylor of Irvine Valley (Calif.) College have signed scholarship offers.


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Watson, a 6-foot-4 wing, averaged 14 points and six rebounds last year en route to all-conference honors. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Watson shot 59 percent from the floor last year and according to Tinkle was being recruited this spring by Texas Tech and St. John's.

"He's a high-level player who can score ball from anywhere," Tinkle said. "He really handles it well and is pretty athletic. What impressed me the most is what a tenacious defender he is. He's hard-nosed that way."
Taylor is a 6-1 guard who earned all-conference honors at Irvine Valley, the same school that produced former Grizzly point guard Derrick Mansell. Taylor averaged about 14 points and five assists for an Irvine team that finiehd 16-14.

"He's another very, very hard-nosed defender," Tinkle said. "He runs the team and distributes the ball, and really sets the tone defensively. He played the point at Irvine and we think he can play both guard spots for us."

Tinkle, who indicated there will be another recruiting announcement in the near future, said his team's defense will improve thanks to the JC transfers.

"We thought we were a little deficient in our defense and toughness on the perimeter," Tinkle said. "Now I think we've improved those areas."

 

[mtgrizrule]

Sounds like very good fits. I posted a few times that I definitely wanted us to sign an athletic, versatile wing 6-4 to 6-6, I am happy that was accomplished. I was also worried about on the ball pressure with Ellis graduating. Sounds as if Tinkle got two recruits than can do that too. I am sure most everyone will agree that our perimeter defense left much to be desired last year.
However, got MUCH better when Mayes got his playing time finally.
My final hope is that the last signee is a larger school xfr or a HS SR that falls to the GRIZ. Would not hurt for it to be a PF/C type, 6'9" to 7' to ensure Strait and Hasquet play no Center except against smaller teams.

I also cannot wait for the entire schedule to be announced. I am already excited to know we are playing Gonzaga, WSU, Air Force, Colorado State. This is the kind of schedule I want more often. Also a very good measuring stick how we stack up against MWC/WAC level teams!!!!!! :clap: Can I be optimistic that this is a sign of things to come for football scheduling? I doubt it.

Anyway, I cannot wait for November. The best month of the year for GRIZ athletics that always keeps me busy. The football team is making their stretch run, and basketball is just getting started. EGRIZ will be back to taking a few hours to get caught up if you miss one day!!!!!! GO GRIZ!!!!

 

[mtgrizrule]

Here is the Missoulian link: I thought Graves could play some PG too. I guess his future is at SG.



http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/06/02/sports/sports01.txt

 

[Grizbacker1]

Irvine Valley College men’s basketball coach Jerry Hernandez announced that sophomore point guard Ceylon Elgin-Taylor has signed with the University of Montana.

The 6-2 Elgin-Taylor was a two-year, first-team all-Orange Empire Conference player. He was considered one of the top community college point guards in the state.


"Ceylon should be able to go there and make an impact right away," Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. "He can definitely play at that level."


Elgin-Taylor averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds during the 2006-07 season and averaged 15.4 points, 4.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds in Orange Empire Conference play. He started all 30 of the team’s games this season.


Elgin-Taylor scored in double figures in 21 games during the 2006-07 season, including a career-high 30 points in Irvine Valley’s win at Santa Ana during conference play. He scored at least 18 points in seven contests and hit the 20-point plateau three times.


And he scored in double figures in eight of 12 conference games, including six of the team’s last seven contests. Elgin-Taylor averaged 18.6 points in those final seven games.


Elgin-Taylor helped the Lasers to a record of 16-14 this past season.


In his two-year career at IVC, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists.


Elgin-Taylor ended up eighth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 675 points over his two-year career and ranks in the top 15 in career scoring average. He also finished among the top-five in career assists in program history.


Elgin-Taylor, who came to Irvine Valley from Pioneer High in the San Jose area, is headed to a Montana team that finished with a record of 17-15 overall and made the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference tournament this past season.
The Grizzlies have made the NCAA Tournament two of the past three seasons.

http://ivc.cc.ca.us/athletics/mbasketball/headlines.aspx?story=1483