Walk Ons

[jackmd]

Re: Walk Ons

Isn't this the case for every guy on the roster?

Different for a walk-on, I've been in a similar position. No scholarship, no "connection" to a recruiting staff member, the "walk on" stigma. Expectations are different and yet the same. You better show up for every work out, every practice and every team function (unless you aren't invited). You better give 110% regardless of what task you are asked to perform and you better do all that without any guarantee you will dress for the game or see the court.

I suppose you could say that the same expectation should be present with scholarship players but it isn't the same. I don't know that it can be explained but it takes something different, not necessarily better or more, to be a successful walk-on player. I think its a combination of factors. Coaches don't necessarily know exactly what they want from you, you aren't sure what your role is, the other players don't really know how to handle your presence on the team. It's just different, that's all I'm saying.

[Nidaros]

Re: Walk Ons

Isn't this the case for every guy on the roster?

I would think so. If Coach Nagy is looking for players the old fashion way, whoever gets the walk on opportunity will never pick and choose about anything.

[huskon4ever]

Re: Walk Ons

TJ was good at every stop along his career. Originally out of Waubay along with older brother Derrick, he transferred to Lower Brule from the Dragons when Derrick transferred to Aberdeen Central his senior year ('04). Of course after LB, he transferred to Pierre, then LW. At one point, he was being recruited by BHSU as a package deal with his brother, but didn't meet requirements so he ended up in Bismarck. Obviously, as you can see the stats, he lit it up @ BSC - was always making highlights which was good to see. I know NDSU had taken a look at him, but I do not know the reasons why things broke down there. I would think SDSU would like to have him if he was willing to walk-on as he has decent athletic ability and can flat-out pour it in from anywhere when things are going well. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing him catch on with SDSU.

By the way, does anyone know what happened to Derrick? After going to BHSU, I can't find him in any of the box scores following 2008.

[NebraskaJack]

Re: Walk Ons

I hope everything works out great for TJ. As Huskon4ever stated, he has been very good at every stop of his career. I did a little research on his last season in Bismarck.....his team finished somewhere around 21-14. He averaged 23.9 pts per game (7th in Div. II), 6 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, and 3.5 steals per game(5th in Div. II). Those were good enough for first team All-American.

After a pretty mobile HS career (4 schools in 4 years), it was nice to see him plant some roots in Bismarck. I'm not sure all of this equates to a Division I basketball player, but at the bare minimum, he would appear to be a very solid practice player that will push the starters to be better. I personally, am hoping it turns out to be more for TJ.

[SDHoops]

Re: Walk Ons

TJ was good at every stop along his career. Originally out of Waubay along with older brother Derrick, he transferred to Lower Brule from the Dragons when Derrick transferred to Aberdeen Central his senior year ('04). Of course after LB, he transferred to Pierre, then LW. At one point, he was being recruited by BHSU as a package deal with his brother, but didn't meet requirements so he ended up in Bismarck. Obviously, as you can see the stats, he lit it up @ BSC - was always making highlights which was good to see. I know NDSU had taken a look at him, but I do not know the reasons why things broke down there. I would think SDSU would like to have him if he was willing to walk-on as he has decent athletic ability and can flat-out pour it in from anywhere when things are going well. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing him catch on with SDSU.

By the way, does anyone know what happened to Derrick? After going to BHSU, I can't find him in any of the box scores following 2008.

I believe Derrick left BHSU after the 2008-09 academic year. He 'retired' from basketball during the 2007-08 school year. I heard (at the time) that he was headed East River to finish his degree but not sure how that worked out.

[SDHoops]

Re: Walk Ons

Welcome to the newest Jackrabbit, T.J. McCauley. Not listed on the roster yet but my source, on a scale from 1-10 is a 10, said that he made it.

[Nidaros]

Re: Walk Ons

Welcome to the newest Jackrabbit, T.J. McCauley. Not listed on the roster yet but my source, on a scale from 1-10 is a 10, said that he made it.

Good news, this young man seems like a good choice for a walk on.

[jacks1]

Re: Walk Ons

Welcome to the newest Jackrabbit, T.J. McCauley. Not listed on the roster yet but my source, on a scale from 1-10 is a 10, said that he made it.

I likey

[ringthebells]

Re: Walk Ons

Hopefully he won't attend as many colleges as he did high schools. The kid can certainly play though. He's a great addition.

[Nidaros]

Re: Walk Ons

Hopefully he won't attend as many colleges as he did high schools. The kid can certainly play though. He's a great addition.

Not if his girl friend attends SDSU. Seems like his family was making geographical moves right and left. The moves may not be this young man's fault.

[jacks1]

Re: Walk Ons

TV's latest blog pretty much squashes the TJ McCauley rumors...

[SDHoops]

Re: Walk Ons

TV's latest blog pretty much squashes the TJ McCauley rumors...

They better tell him that then, since they've had him working out with the team the past few weeks and is still as of today.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Walk Ons

They better tell him that then, since they've had him working out with the team the past few weeks and is still as of today.

He's still not listed on the roster.

Could it be he is just working out with the players since there aren't any "formal" practices? Or possible Nagy can't confirm a walk-on until practice begins.

If Nagy can confirm a walk-on it would seem odd he wouldn't give that info to Terry.

[Jacked_Up]

Re: Walk Ons

Wasn't there going to be a walk-on from Brookings High, too? Only 12 players are listed on the roster so far. That seems pretty thin.

[zooropa]

Re: Walk Ons

Or possible Nagy can't confirm a walk-on until practice begins.

I'm thinking there's something to this.

The coaching staff can't monitor, schedule, or interfere in any team practices, so one would think that the players themselves can choose to allow anyone to practice with them.

This kid practicing with the team doesn't mean anything yet--but it may mean something in the future.