2025 Recruiting

[bigticket1]

LetsGoRabbits asked me what brought me to South Dakota State and I never answered him. A man is interested in what he controls. Having no control over sports, I determined I wouldn't invest my time in a team unless I thought it was led well. I began to play basketball late. As a senior in high school, as I was improving my game, I decided I should follow college basketball and chose Indiana. I was an IU basketball fan until Coach Cam Cameron (the football coach) got fired. (I cheered for IU for one basketball season after Coach Knight was fired. I had invested in the players.) Coach Cameron won four of his last five games at IU beating Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State, and Kentucky (the last rescheduled because of 9-11), and losing only to Coach Paterno's Penn State team. IU had no business firing him; I concluded they fired him because he was Coach Knight's friend and determined that if IU were playing the USSR I would say "Go Soviets."

Coach Bob Knight got hired at Texas Tech and I became a Texas Tech fan. He passed the reins to his son, but Patrick lost control of the team. I was watching a game and heard a Texas Tech player on the floor cuss out Patrick Knight. I turned the game off and sought a team in which to invest my fanaticism for men's college basketball. I chose Butler. I had been aware of Butler for some time. (When I was an IU fan and Butler beat IU I had enjoyed greeting my friends who were IU fans with some statement about Butler.) I decided I could cheer for Coach Brad Stephens. Butler went to the championship game twice. When Coach Brad Stephens went to the Celtics, the team was in serious trouble until Coach Holtman came and saved the team. (DePaul, being a Big East school, was aware of every detail and hired Coach Holtman as soon as Ohio State fired him.)

When Coach Holtman went to Ohio State the next coach wasn't worthy. Things built for six years as Mr. Sean McDermott was recruited; he was sick in high school and played sick. (He had a staff infection. I took more than a decade shaking such an infection.) Most of the members of the board said he would be at Butler one year and transfer to Division II. I said he should start. They thought I was crazy but this accusation of insanity went viral when I said he should start at the point. He, still fighting his infection, redshirted his first year. Interest in Butler Basketball was at an all time high as we waited for his first game. I never back down when I believe something. Coach Jordan started a true freshman at the point. (This man couldn't shoot the basketball. He was a great athlete who overpowered his opponents in high school. Sean McDermott was in the NBA last I heard. (I ignore the NBA. I lost all interest in it when referees said they would ignore fouls Michael Jordan committed and then call them on one of the Bulls' centers. I have no idea how long Mr. McDermott was in the NBA.) When Mr. McDermott was a junior, he and another forward brought the ball up the floor against the press. So much for Coach Jordan's chosen point guard. When Mr. McDermott graduated, I sought a team to cheer.

I had been aware of South Dakota State since the days of Mr. Nate Wolters. I thought South Dakota State played bad basketball in Mr. Daum's senior year (particularly Mr. Daum and the sophomore hot shot.) I thought Skyler (the 6'6" senior whose last name escapes me) had a very good senior year. When Coach Henderson was hired, I thought he was one of the best coaches in the country. (This was before his first game as head coach.) That was when I became a South Dakota State fan. Mr. Douglas Wilson was the starter at center.

Now Mr. Peterson is the head coach. I expect him to be great. (Did he win a national championship at JUCO? I think he did.)

The best description I can give of this board is "lock jaw." I hope this answered your question adequately, LetsGoRabbits. I fear I said more than is palatable to this board.

You are thinking of Skyler Flatten, and Bryan Petersen won not just one, but two JUCO natty's. Good to have you on the board !

[Sonbog]

LetsGoRabbits asked me what brought me to South Dakota State and I never answered him. A man is interested in what he controls. Having no control over sports, I determined I wouldn't invest my time in a team unless I thought it was led well. I began to play basketball late. As a senior in high school, as I was improving my game, I decided I should follow college basketball and chose Indiana. I was an IU basketball fan until Coach Cam Cameron (the football coach) got fired. (I cheered for IU for one basketball season after Coach Knight was fired. I had invested in the players.) Coach Cameron won four of his last five games at IU beating Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State, and Kentucky (the last rescheduled because of 9-11), and losing only to Coach Paterno's Penn State team. IU had no business firing him; I concluded they fired him because he was Coach Knight's friend and determined that if IU were playing the USSR I would say "Go Soviets."

Coach Bob Knight got hired at Texas Tech and I became a Texas Tech fan. He passed the reins to his son, but Patrick lost control of the team. I was watching a game and heard a Texas Tech player on the floor cuss out Patrick Knight. I turned the game off and sought a team in which to invest my fanaticism for men's college basketball. I chose Butler. I had been aware of Butler for some time. (When I was an IU fan and Butler beat IU I had enjoyed greeting my friends who were IU fans with some statement about Butler.) I decided I could cheer for Coach Brad Stephens. Butler went to the championship game twice. When Coach Brad Stephens went to the Celtics, the team was in serious trouble until Coach Holtman came and saved the team. (DePaul, being a Big East school, was aware of every detail and hired Coach Holtman as soon as Ohio State fired him.)

When Coach Holtman went to Ohio State the next coach wasn't worthy. Things built for six years as Mr. Sean McDermott was recruited; he was sick in high school and played sick. (He had a staff infection. I took more than a decade shaking such an infection.) Most of the members of the board said he would be at Butler one year and transfer to Division II. I said he should start. They thought I was crazy but this accusation of insanity went viral when I said he should start at the point. He, still fighting his infection, redshirted his first year. Interest in Butler Basketball was at an all time high as we waited for his first game. I never back down when I believe something. Coach Jordan started a true freshman at the point. (This man couldn't shoot the basketball. He was a great athlete who overpowered his opponents in high school. Sean McDermott was in the NBA last I heard. (I ignore the NBA. I lost all interest in it when referees said they would ignore fouls Michael Jordan committed and then call them on one of the Bulls' centers. I have no idea how long Mr. McDermott was in the NBA.) When Mr. McDermott was a junior, he and another forward brought the ball up the floor against the press. So much for Coach Jordan's chosen point guard. When Mr. McDermott graduated, I sought a team to cheer.

I had been aware of South Dakota State since the days of Mr. Nate Wolters. I thought South Dakota State played bad basketball in Mr. Daum's senior year (particularly Mr. Daum and the sophomore hot shot.) I thought Skyler (the 6'6" senior whose last name escapes me) had a very good senior year. When Coach Henderson was hired, I thought he was one of the best coaches in the country. (This was before his first game as head coach.) That was when I became a South Dakota State fan. Mr. Douglas Wilson was the starter at center.

Now Mr. Peterson is the head coach. I expect him to be great. (Did he win a national championship at JUCO? I think he did.)

The best description I can give of this board is "lock jaw." I hope this answered your question adequately, LetsGoRabbits. I fear I said more than is palatable to this board.

[OldHare]

After catching up on the chatter, I would add that whoever bumps Jackson down the order will need to bring some great defense to the court. Jaden was fierce on defense. He also brought offense to the court. Coach Pete has stacked some talent for this team during the transition.

[Sonbog]

A word about mobile big men, learning curves, and walkons. I should probably shut up my mouth for a few days, but I am excited about this year. I think this could easily be the best men's basketball team SDSU has ever had. (I may convince some of you I have a screw loose today.)

The 1980-81 Indiana team had a rocky start with some shocking losses early (including to American University). The team figured things out. Coach Bobby Knight said at the end of the season it was the best team he had at IU. He said they could have played indefinitely in the Tournament and they wouldn't lose. I remember coaches speaking of IU's mobile big men after they lost. Here is one quote: "Tolbert and Turner are two of the most mobile big men in the Big 10." I saw some video of Mr. Caleb Delzell. "Mobile big man" describes him very will. He is also a good shooter. I claim he would start for most Summit League teams. He may start for us. If he does and Mr. Wilkinson comes of the bench, we still have the same quality big men. IU had two mobile big men. Counting men named. Delzell, Squires, and Kern, we have three mobile big men who are 6'9" or taller.

Mr. Wilkinson earned three state championships, the first two with Mr. Garry as a teammate. Somehow, when Coach Henderson offered a scholarship, Alex got it while Coach Henderson ignored Damon. Then something happened that TURNED Coach Henderson's head. Coach Henderson decided he MUST have Mr. Wilkinson, even though he had ignored him when a scholarship was available. Therefore, I claim Damon Wilkinson has a high learning curve. Based on his learning curve, I postulate an excellent sophomore year. We heard very little about Damon when he came. Nobody raved about him at practice. He wasn't the back up center when the season began but he took that spot and never gave it up. If he is our starting center we are in good hands. If Caleb starts at center Damon will still get plenty of minutes.

Mr. Squires was rated third in his class early in his senior year of high school. Some time about January, I read he was rated second in his class, after Mr. Rock. At the end of the basketball season he was rated the best in his class. I can say for sure his learning curve is higher than that of the two guys he passed. He was on scholarship before Coach Henderson wanted Mr. Wilkinson. Coach said he gave Alex several tips and Mr. Squires used every one of them. We have heard little about him in the year he has been here but a man who improves as he has will not be concealed.

When the 24 season ended and I evaluated the team, I said Mr. Mors was better than Mr. Barnhart, but I couldn't justify my claim based on that year because they were neck and neck. This last year that changed. Here is another steep learning curve. By a remarkable coincidence, this is my starting front line.

Mr. Trey Buchanan walked on at Iowa. When he committed to us, I sought information. According to the internet, he was rated the 28th best player in his class in Indiana. The article said he was "tough minded" or words to that effect. Players at this level are not Indiana All Stars. Therefore what I read was early in his junior year. He passed about 15 of those players to become an Indiana All Star. Here is another high learning curve. Trey is a threat to start. Do not let "walk on" fool you. Coach McCaffery recruited him; he just didn't have a scholarship available. For all we know he was the apple of Coach McCaffery's eye..., but the coach was fired and Mr. Buchanan came to us.

Last year, Coach Henderson had already taken the team picture when Mr. Jensen turned his head. Here is a true walk on. Coach gave him no thought when the team picture was taken. When he added Mr. Jensen to the team, he took the team picture again. What did Coach Henderson see? Whatever he saw is still there. Mr. Haertle was probably recruited to Wisconsin. I heard he is a great athlete.

I see a lot of talent. This team has a chance to be very good. Mr. Davis Kern can play from shooting forward through center. He is a mobile big man. Throw men named Garry, Saylor, Jackson, Alvarez, and Burton into the mix and this team has more depth than any SDSU team I remember. I forgot Mr. Jaden Rogers; I expect he will red shirt but I don't know anything.

Things can always go down hill. They may do so this year but this team has a chance to win the Summit going away and do some good things in the tournament. I fully expect Mr. Mors and Mr. Kern to both play a lot of minutes at shooting forward, with a few at power forward.

[Sonbog]

I need to give a better illustration of the "chip on the shoulder." When Mr. Baylor Schierman was a freshman, an incident occurred several times which got my attention. He would hit a difficult shot, get fouled, play would stop, and he would have a look of utter disbelief on his face as if he hadn't accepted the fact that he belonged in major college basketball. The look of disbelief would be replaced by a big smile as if he were beginning to believe. If this happened after his freshman year, I missed it. He put a big chip on his shoulder. He believed he he was the man of the hour, the man who must take the difficult shot. Without this attitude, I claim he wouldn't have been drafted by the NBA.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Interesting what brings someone from Gary, Indiana to this board or causes you to pay attention to SDSU basketball?

someone could theorize that all I did was predict that the 5 players with the most returning minutes played will be the 5 starters next year. that would be true. that is NOT exactly what I did. all of them have proven that they can succeed playing in the Summit League

most or all of them have also had some struggles. i DEFINITELY think we have some talented incoming players who have plenty of confidence in themselves and they will be pushing to take PT and possibly starting positions. I would probably even go so far as to argue that the program will probably be better off if some of them prove that they should be starting!!

if the 5 returning players play at the same level they did last year, AND they are the clear 5 best players, this program could have its worst season in quite some time. some players are going to have to step forward and find another level. I do believe that can and will happen

[Sonbog]

I certainly do not think you are off your rocker. I claim the probability of my starting lineup is below 25%, but the probability of any other starting lineup is lower. Lots of players will have some say in this. I would like to think all of them think they have a shot.

You have Mr. Mors at power forward. If that is the case, your starting five is a very good one.

I need to make some disclaimers. I live in Gary Indiana. I know nobody at South Dakota State. I take hypotheses and deduce. I watch as much as I can but I have no access to things happening as the men prepare. Perhaps you do. It is interesting that you have Mr. Jackson ahead of Mr. Sayler. Mr. Jackson was the consensus Nebraska Mr. Basketball. We know he is good but he played behind Mr. Saylor last year even though I thought Mr. Sayler didn't play up to his ability..., I don't think he was close. This is a poor argument because Mr. Jackson can raise his PPR. (PPR is a performance over potential ration. Both of these men have a large denominator.)

You gave good information concerning minutes. I didn't look any of that up. I was shooting from the hip.

This board seems to think Mr. Sayler is overmatched at the point. I have a big thing about arrogance..., I mean confidence. The great players were all full of themselves. Larry Bird was an Indiana all star on a team where the coach didn't think he was good enough to play. Coach told him to go in at the end of the game and Mr. Bird refused with these words: "I am not a garbage time player." I think Mr. Sayler and Mr. Jackson both need to put enormous chips on their shoulders and dare any man to knock them off. This confidence issue is important at every upping of position. Mr. Sayler was already struggling when Mr. Larson was injured. He had a confidence check to see if he could handle the point and another confidence check following a player (I disremember his name) who played as well as our freshman point guard played last year. If these two men can find some arrogance..., I mean confidence, they will both be fine point guard options.

I know very little about Mr. Haertle. A poster on this board (perhaps you) said he is a great athlete. He has as good a chance as anybody else. Ditto for Mr. Burton.

Concerning your question, you definitely made me think. I have little information. I value every opinion on this board.

Let me finish this post by saying I became in Indiana basketball fan when Mr. Knight became the coach. I told friends in 74 that IU had some "fine looking forwards." In 1975, Scot May was the player of the year. I didn't see it coming. Any man on this team might raise his level far above what any of us would expect. That is why men's college basketball and college football are so addicting; we see men develop and improve.

[LetsGoRabbits]

LetsGoRabbits said some things I thought about, but my thinking was more with Mr. Barnhart. (When Mr. Larson got injured, Mr. Hadnot moved to guard and Mr. Barnhart got on the floor at power forward. Therefore, he is better than Mr. Whorton.) Last year we had two centers who didn't play one minute at power forward. As we think of the decisions Barnhart and Whorton made to not come back, remember they could have changed their minds when we heard men named Larson, Hadnot, Bahl, Goodbarry, and Kern would move on. Mr. Kern stayed but there was some time we didn't know this. Therefore, who outclassed Barnhart and Whorton so badly they didn't think they had a chance? I claim Mr. Alex Squires overmatched them at center and power forward. We remember two years ago when men named Mayo, Mims, Easley, and Garry played all 120 minutes at the three non power positions. Men named Wilkerson, Squires and Mors can easily play all 80 minutes at the two power positions.

I want Jackrabbit fans to compare two pairs of names: Wharton and Wilkinson on one side against Burton and Squires on the other. I believed what I read two years ago. I penciled Mr. Whorton into the starting lineup as a true freshman but he redshirted. I did it again last year, but he didn't start and faded to the end of the bench. Before May 19 I had Mr. Burton in the starting lineup, but I asked a question so shocking it rearranged everything I thought I understood about the 25-26 season. I will state that question at a later post. After I had that thought, I made this comparison. We all remember the headline at an early game: Whorton struggles, Wilkinson surprises. We don't know what Mr. Burton can do..., at least I don't, but I no longer have him in the starting rotation

By deduction, the five SDs will start. (An SD is a man from South Dakota.) That statement forces either Mors or Squires to play shooting forward, by hypothesis the first. By hypothesis, Mr. Caleb Delzell was recruited so Mr. Mors could move to shooting forward.

that is TRUE, I did forget about Barnhart getting a bit more PT after the Larson injury. I dont think that is hard to understand. he was a fairly significant contributor the year before. I would disagree with your assertion that Hadnot played the 3 and Barnhart got all of the minutes backing up Mohrs

Larson got hurt in the KC game
Barnhart did not play a single second in that game
next ORU- Barnhart played 10 minutes
UD- Barnhart played 12 minutes
- Cluff had foul trouble in that game, but Barnhart actually played more minutes than Wilkinson did (12 to 11)
- I will not say I remember that game perfectly. I probably tried unconsciously to erase it completely. IT WAS UGLY. we played bad and I would say the subbing and rotation was weird

next game SLT vs UND
Barnhart played 2 minutes

so YES, Barnhart did play more and he was quite clearly ahead of Whorton.
he did NOT get Larson's minutes while Hadnot moved to Larson's perimeter spot. Jaden Jackson DID take Larson's spot. I would also say Lindsey played more in those final 3 games (the games without Larson)
I would have to do more research than I want to to know WHAT were Hadnots minutes before Larson got hurt and after he got hurt. I suspect Hadnot might have picked up an additional minute or two, but he played some minutes at the 3 all year long. we had time in many of the games when Cluff, Mohrs, and Hadnot were on the floor together. that certainly happened both BEFORE and after the Larson injury.


at this point, anything is possible and little would surprise me, but-

1. I highly doubt we will start 5 SDs, as you call them
2. I think it is nearly a guarantee that Jaden Jackson is a starter. I also hope for and expect him to have a nice year
3. I very much hope that Burton will be the player that many think he can be. that will be a huge key to what this team can be, in my mind. if he is good to very good, this team could be very good. if he is not ready, we are going to need some big contributions from others. I believe Davis Kern is another player who could make a critical difference. I VERY MUCH hope one or both of Burton and Kern will be ready to be big time players, but I am NOT prepared to make any guarantees and I think they could be anywhere from minimal contributors to all conference players

4. I am FAR MORE skeptical that Squires will be ready to contribute next year. at this point, I think it is much more possible that Burton and Kern play than Squires. I could DEFINITELY be wrong!!


this is kind of unnecessary, but since you predicted we would have 5 SD starters, I will make KIND OF a prediction

Kalen Gary is almost a 100% lock to start as long as he is healthy. nothing in my mind is a total lock, but Gary is as close as it gets.
I suspect the most likely other starters are

Jackson
Mohrs
Sayler
Wilkinson

I probably see the likelihood in the order they are listed.

the most likely players to take starting spots from one or more of the top 5 PT returners are

Haertle
Burton
Kern
Delzell
probably in that order, but there is significant uncertainty about any / all these players

Sonbog, I found your thoughts interesting. I am not sure what you were saying about my thoughts and not saying you need to clarify that, but you could have been saying-
they made you think
you mostly agree with some differences
you very much disagree
or you think I am completely off my rocker- far from an invalid theory))!!!

[Sonbog]

LetsGoRabbits said some things I thought about, but my thinking was more with Mr. Barnhart. (When Mr. Larson got injured, Mr. Hadnot moved to guard and Mr. Barnhart got on the floor at power forward. Therefore, he is better than Mr. Whorton.) Last year we had two centers who didn't play one minute at power forward. As we think of the decisions Barnhart and Whorton made to not come back, remember they could have changed their minds when we heard men named Larson, Hadnot, Bahl, Goodbarry, and Kern would move on. Mr. Kern stayed but there was some time we didn't know this. Therefore, who outclassed Barnhart and Whorton so badly they didn't think they had a chance? I claim Mr. Alex Squires overmatched them at center and power forward. We remember two years ago when men named Mayo, Mims, Easley, and Garry played all 120 minutes at the three non power positions. Men named Wilkerson, Squires and Mors can easily play all 80 minutes at the two power positions.

I want Jackrabbit fans to compare two pairs of names: Wharton and Wilkinson on one side against Burton and Squires on the other. I believed what I read two years ago. I penciled Mr. Whorton into the starting lineup as a true freshman but he redshirted. I did it again last year, but he didn't start and faded to the end of the bench. Before May 19 I had Mr. Burton in the starting lineup, but I asked a question so shocking it rearranged everything I thought I understood about the 25-26 season. I will state that question at a later post. After I had that thought, I made this comparison. We all remember the headline at an early game: Whorton struggles, Wilkinson surprises. We don't know what Mr. Burton can do..., at least I don't, but I no longer have him in the starting rotation

By deduction, the five SDs will start. (An SD is a man from South Dakota.) That statement forces either Mors or Squires to play shooting forward, by hypothesis the first. By hypothesis, Mr. Caleb Delzell was recruited so Mr. Mors could move to shooting forward.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Never understood why Whorton did not get more playing time. Don't blame him for leaving.

1. we had a total stud who played a lot at the 5. he must have been pretty good, I think he got like a million bucks to go play for some team in the big 10
2. Wilkinson became more than a solid backup to the starting 5
3. Mohrs and Hadnot played pretty much all the minutes at the 4
4. he was a RS Freshman
5. I could probably come up with more reasons and NONE of them are an insult to Whorton in any way
6. 2 of the players playing ahead of him at the 4 and 5 are now gone. IF PT was the reason for leaving, there is an obvious availability of PT unless he feels sure that incoming players will pass him

[JACKGUYII]

Whorton now to Memphis. Probably a step up in terms of competition and NIL both. Interesting.

Never understood why Whorton did not get more playing time. Don't blame him for leaving.

[Jackrabbit2012]

What, wut?

He has to be walking on doesn't he?

[salemjack]

Whorton now to Memphis. Probably a step up in terms of competition and NIL both. Interesting.

What, wut?

[GoJacks2011]

Whorton now to Memphis. Probably a step up in terms of competition and NIL both. Interesting.

[Jackrabbit2012]

The Jacks and Omaha would appear to be in the best shape with 3 returning starters. The losses are big though with Oscar and Larson for us and Sutton and White for the Mavs. The two ND schools return two starters each, while St.Thomas, KC, USD and ORU all bring back one. Denver returns no one after the dumpster fire coaching situation. Lots of star power lost on the first and second all-Summit teams to the portal and graduation.

St Thomas had some big time portal additions. I think they will be the clear preseason favorites