2009-10 Recruits

[PatKraning]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

In some respects, Coach Nagy has already done some of that. I do not think that most people understand how good Chad White from Madison can be. I look at Chad and see a kid that would have been a Northern Iowa or Creighton type player had he gone through the recruiting process and not been injured this summer. The fact that SDSU got him early took some luster off the recruiting lists but not the player. I watched him last Sunday and has his "bounce" back and I see him playing right away for the Jacks. Tony Fiegen was the best player this past summer at the Elite Camp, which included some kids that were being recruited by more established DI programs. I think that the verbal from Zach Horstman from Winner will turn out to be the same type of signing by the time he graduates. In these cases, SDSU has "beat" other programs by offering early. It is harder to get out of area kids to take that jump early. That will come with more on the court success.

Coach Nagy is getting more and more talent on the roster and his current staff works very hard at identifying players. I can tell you first hand as I watched the summer basketball circuit as a parent - no one is out-working the SDSU staff.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

I think the biggest challenge we have is a 4 year generation of not winning and how that has affected the confidence of the players,coaches and fans. We have to develop that tradition of expecting to win again like we had in the DII era and when that happens good thins will happen with the current roster and the recruiting will improve as well. I do believe there are some very good players who have the ability to play at the DI level like Nate Wolters who will get recruited heavily by the area DII's because they know he has expressed an interest in playing in the region. The DII's are trying to steal a recruit that may be a little out of their reach just like we are from the top mid-majors.

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

My expectation is that SDSU makes it to the Summit League tournament this year. If that happens, who knows? Maybe they get hot and win three games in a row in Sioux Falls, and get to play Duke at 11 a.m. on Thursday of the tournament?

That would be the most entertaining 25 point blowout loss in the history of SDSU athletics. Its actually the first thing that I started telling my buddies when SDSU announced the DI move years ago, "Just wait until the day when the Jackrabbits qualify for the NCAA tournament as a 16-seed and get to face Duke or Kansas, etc in the first round of the Big Dance. They'll get it handed to them by 25 points and it will still be the funnest thing ever."

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

I think the biggest challenge we have is a 4 year generation of not winning and how that has affected the confidence of the players,coaches and fans. We have to develop that tradition of expecting to win again like we had in the DII era and when that happens good thins will happen with the current roster and the recruiting will improve as well. I do believe there are some very good players who have the ability to play at the DI level like Nate Wolters who will get recruited heavily by the area DII's because they know he has expressed an interest in playing in the region. The DII's are trying to steal a recruit that may be a little out of their reach just like we are from the top mid-majors.

I think that is one of the things that could potentially be the best thing about having Austin Hansen on the staff now. He can't relate to the DI level per se, but he can sell to these players that if they buy in and give the kind of committment that Coach Nagy asks, that coach can take them were they need to go.

So Hansen's best work may be going on right now if he can relate to this group of players and make them really believe. He can help bridge the gap between the time when SDSU basketball was excellent and the present which is a work in progress.

[Cadsev]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

What bothers me is the "fans" perception that SDSU can't win by recruiting the talent in the region and more specifically SD home grown talent. In reality SDSU has some outstanding talent from SD coming down the pipeline. They have verbals from arguably the three most talented basketball athletes in the 2009 and 2011 classes (White, Fiegen, Horstman). Still I hear that there is pressure from boosters to go outside the area as the perception is that a kid from NY, CA, TX or other state is better than what might be here in the "back yard". (Side note....Chad White has his bounce and swagger back...)

Ponder for the moment, what if the roster last season had some of the SD HS athletes who played DI last season:

Paige Paulson
Matt Martin
Joe Krabbenhoft
Adam Templeton (sat out last year after transfer to Drake)
Michael Tveidt
Sam Willard
Zach Finley
Dale Moss
Anthony Cordova
Steven Smith (remember he went to Creighton first before USD)

Obviously Krabbenhoft is a stretch as he is a High Major DI athlete but the others either did go to SDSU or turned down the opportunity for more established programs. Yet any of these athletes would have helped the program succeed.

When you overlook the talent in the state you regret it in the long run. The Summit League can be conquered with regional talent. Talent that grows up SDSU fans, has an identity with the university and doesn't bolt when the going gets tough. Talent that is low maintenance and not "high risk", kids who get it done in the classroom as well as on the court.

With that said...there is 2009 scholarship sitting there being pondered by two athletes from MN. The one is considering DII schools over SDSU....it bothers me because there is home grown talent being overlooked.....

Kids who can play in the upcoming classes:

2009
Brayden Carlson Brookings (has offers from NSU and SMS)
Dusty Tetzlaff Watertown

2010
Jared Bartling RHS
Adol Aluong RHS
Terrell Newton Huron

Cody Larson heads the 2010 class but is out of reach of SDSU.

Until everyone puts the expectations in order...win the league, win the conference championship, make the NCAA Tournament in that order...the perception is that there is no success. Local, regional talent can get it done at SDSU. The coaches have done a great job of recruiting the local talent and tied up athletes at an early age. They are also smart enough to recognize when talent is beyond their reach, yet they still build a relationship with the athlete in hopes of a fall back opportunity.

SDSU coaches were out in full force all summer long following the SD teams at virtually every game. The roster is improving and the program should see some turn around soon.

[Jacked_Up]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

Great info and insight, Cadsev. Thanks. ... I wonder if the Minnesota players being recruited for 2009 will make a decision any time soon or drag out (and out) their decisions. I really like Fiegen and White. I saw Horstman only briefly but long enough to see him stuff one against high-level competition in a summer game. He kind of reminds me of Dusty Tetzlaff's father, who could dunk in high school and went on to be a heck of a good Jackrabbit player.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

Thanks Cadsev, for putting into words the feelings I have had! Have come to trust your judgment...can't give you many more rep points, but will keep going! I believe Coach Nagy has recruiting goals of getting the best in South Dakota (sure, some will go major D-I through the years: Mike Miller, etal), and then doing their best to compete for Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska players looking for D-I and attracted to a mid-size school.

[YanktonRabbit]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

Chris Halvorsen a 6-8 foward from Henry Sibley High has verbally committed to Valparaiso. I believe we had offered a scholarship to this young man.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

What bothers me is the "fans" perception that SDSU can't win by recruiting the talent in the region and more specifically SD home grown talent. In reality SDSU has some outstanding talent from SD coming down the pipeline. They have verbals from arguably the three most talented basketball athletes in the 2009 and 2011 classes (White, Fiegen, Horstman). Still I hear that there is pressure from boosters to go outside the area as the perception is that a kid from NY, CA, TX or other state is better than what might be here in the "back yard". (Side note....Chad White has his bounce and swagger back...)

Ponder for the moment, what if the roster last season had some of the SD HS athletes who played DI last season:

Paige Paulson
Matt Martin
Joe Krabbenhoft
Adam Templeton (sat out last year after transfer to Drake)


Michael Tveidt
Sam Willard
Zach Finley
Dale Moss
Anthony Cordova
Steven Smith (remember he went to Creighton first before USD)

Obviously Krabbenhoft is a stretch as he is a High Major DI athlete but the others either did go to SDSU or turned down the opportunity for more established programs. Yet any of these athletes would have helped the program succeed.

When you overlook the talent in the state you regret it in the long run. The Summit League can be conquered with regional talent. Talent that grows up SDSU fans, has an identity with the university and doesn't bolt when the going gets tough. Talent that is low maintenance and not "high risk", kids who get it done in the classroom as well as on the court.

With that said...there is 2009 scholarship sitting there being pondered by two athletes from MN. The one is considering DII schools over SDSU....it bothers me because there is home grown talent being overlooked.....

Kids who can play in the upcoming classes:

2009
Brayden Carlson Brookings (has offers from NSU and SMS)
Dusty Tetzlaff Watertown

2010
Jared Bartling RHS
Adol Aluong RHS
Terrell Newton Huron

Cody Larson heads the 2010 class but is out of reach of SDSU.

Until everyone puts the expectations in order...win the league, win the conference championship, make the NCAA Tournament in that order...the perception is that there is no success. Local, regional talent can get it done at SDSU. The coaches have done a great job of recruiting the local talent and tied up athletes at an early age. They are also smart enough to recognize when talent is beyond their reach, yet they still build a relationship with the athlete in hopes of a fall back opportunity.

SDSU coaches were out in full force all summer long following the SD teams at virtually every game. The roster is improving and the program should see some turn around soon.

I think most SDSU fans would love to have as much "local talent" on the squad as possible. The cold reality is the best of the best (Krabenhoft, Miller, Larson and Iverson) are going to choose major conference programs in the forseeable future. The question is do the best of the rest have enough talent to help the program succeed in the Summit League. I like the fact we have gotten some early comittments from local kids who appear on the surface to be capable of being great players for the program. I personally don't want us to extend scholarships to local or regional players for the sake they are local as I think there is a balance. I want us to have the best talent possible regardless of where they come from. What Cadsev and his program do is provide the players an opportunity to showcase their talents and help prepare/ promote the Dakota Schooler players to Colleges. While he does a good job of that on here and elswhere I take most of it with a grain of salt as I don't believe all these players can help the Jacks. If the coaches think they can so be it.

[Billy Hoyle]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

I was at the Net Gain Fall Showcase....Nate Wolters, Trent Lockett and Taylor Filipek stood out amongst the other elite players from MN, WI and IA. I know we can't land Lockett (already committed to Arizona State) but getting Wolters and Filipek would be tremendous. We can't let the DII schools out work us for Wolters (he is a legit DI guy) and don't let Butler or NDSU get Filipek.

[Cadsev]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

I think most SDSU fans would love to have as much "local talent" on the squad as possible. The cold reality is the best of the best (Krabenhoft, Miller, Larson and Iverson) are going to choose major conference programs in the forseeable future. The question is do the best of the rest have enough talent to help the program succeed in the Summit League. I like the fact we have gotten some early comittments from local kids who appear on the surface to be capable of being great players for the program. I personally don't want us to extend scholarships to local or regional players for the sake they are local as I think there is a balance. I want us to have the best talent possible regardless of where they come from. What Cadsev and his program do is provide the players an opportunity to showcase their talents and help prepare/ promote the Dakota Schooler players to Colleges. While he does a good job of that on here and elswhere I take most of it with a grain of salt as I don't believe all these players can help the Jacks. If the coaches think they can so be it.

Promoting athletes on a website doesn't equate into scholarship offers. No coach is scouring the internet message boards reading opinions on athletes to see if they have missed anyone. Give me a break..... I'm am simply giving my opinion on the athletes ability from my first hand perspective after watching kids play outside the states borders against competition arguably much more talented than what they see in state.

Austin Hanson
Matt Jones
Anthony Cordova
Chad White
Tony Fiegen

All scholarship athletes at SDSU from the past or in the future. All played for our summer program....the first two did outstanding at SDSU......Cordova has played one year and trust me Chad White will have an outstanding career as will Fiegen. The Summit League is not a High Major DI league and the late 90's SDSU teams could have won the league with the talent on the team. There are talented athletes in SD (not a ton) that can help SDSU succeed.

Chad White is the best senior basketball player in SD. He's healthy and ready to have a monster senior year. He'll be capable as will Fiegen to step in day one at SDSU and help out the team. They are both Mid Major talents. I've listed athletes above who played DI last year from SD and all could have help SDSU succeed (and it should be noted that not all played for the Dakota Schoolers). There is talent within SD that can help the team. If you don't believe it, then you are too narrow minded and living in a world of denial. Take that with a grain of salt as well if you'd like.

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

Promoting athletes on a website doesn't equate into scholarship offers. No coach is scouring the internet message boards reading opinions on athletes to see if they have missed anyone. Give me a break..... I'm am simply giving my opinion on the athletes ability from my first hand perspective after watching kids play outside the states borders against competition arguably much more talented than what they see in state.

Austin Hanson
Matt Jones
Anthony Cordova
Chad White
Tony Fiegen

All scholarship athletes at SDSU from the past or in the future. All played for our summer program....the first two did outstanding at SDSU......Cordova has played one year and trust me Chad White will have an outstanding career as will Fiegen. The Summit League is not a High Major DI league and the late 90's SDSU teams could have won the league with the talent on the team. There are talented athletes in SD (not a ton) that can help SDSU succeed.

Chad White is the best senior basketball player in SD. He's healthy and ready to have a monster senior year. He'll be capable as will Fiegen to step in day one at SDSU and help out the team. They are both Mid Major talents. I've listed athletes above who played DI last year from SD and all could have help SDSU succeed (and it should be noted that not all played for the Dakota Schoolers). There is talent within SD that can help the team. If you don't believe it, then you are too narrow minded and living in a world of denial. Take that with a grain of salt as well if you'd like.

I would have to agree that there are some very very good ball players in the state of SD. The problem is SDSU has to retain the talent they recruit so they can mature to be able to compete at the mid-major level....most of the kids from SD are not ready to help out a mid-major program straight out of HS. We need to get back to the point where we are red-shirting our freshman and not expecting them to step right in and be a force at the college level. I think we call all agree the mid-major DI players are light years ahead of SD high school basketball. That doesn't mean they can't compete...it just means it may take them a couple years to gain the necessary strength and maturity.

Until Nagy can keep a team intact for a three or four years I believe it is impossible to judge him.

[Cadsev]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

I would have to agree that there are some very very good ball players in the state of SD. The problem is SDSU has to retain the talent they recruit so they can mature to be able to compete at the mid-major level....most of the kids from SD are not ready to help out a mid-major program straight out of HS. We need to get back to the point where we are red-shirting our freshman and not expecting them to step right in and be a force at the college level. I think we call all agree the mid-major DI players are light years ahead of SD high school basketball. That doesn't mean they can't compete...it just means it may take them a couple years to gain the necessary strength and maturity.

Until Nagy can keep a team intact for a three or four years I believe it is impossible to judge him.

Disagree...(not trying to argue but...) Mid Major players aren't lightyears ahead of SD athletes. The kids in SD aren't weeny scrawny kids. Chad White is 6'7" and pushing close to 215 right now. Tony Fiegen is in the same range. Both will step in from day one and contribute. Tetzlaff another 6'7" 200 pound athlete.

There may have been a time when SD kids were smaller, less athletic and couldn't contribute but with the advancement of POWER and Acceleration programs available plus better weight rooms combined with more individual skill workouts available (TIBBS, Warwick etc) kids in SD are as good as any at a comparable level in the country. Again it's naive and misinformed to think otherwise. Mid Majors are High Majors....SDSU beat Northern Iowa last year a team one year removed from the NCAA tournament. It's not unrealistic to expect that every year.

To retain talent...recruit kids who identify with the program....avoid kids from far away that have SDSU as their fall back school...those kids bolt when the going gets tough, get benched for lack of effort, can't take the weather etc. Kids from the region understand the culture, expectations much better and when you build internally then you land a "Blue Chip" athlete from the state that may have looked elsewhere because you lock that kid up at an earlier age before he blows up on a nation scene. SDSU has done a good job of getting verbals recently from local kids, however prior to that stretch they failed miserably and thats why you have seen a mass exodus of top athletes leaving the state.

[Jacks#1Fan]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

Cadsev...I've noted in other posts that I appreciate your insight into the relative abilities of prospective athletes...and I've found those insights to be responsible and accurate.

Having said that, while I agree with most of your post...I don't believe the phrase "SDSU has failed miserably" (in keeping top athletes in state) to be very appropriate. Transition to Division I, particularly in men's basketball, is, indeed, "hell". Certainly your statement wouldn't have been accurate before the move, as pointed out by the athletes we kept in state by your own post. In the early going of the transition, SDSU, indeed, was unable to recruit some of the top in-state talent. You point out that we have made inroads lately in that area. I think "failed miserably" is way too harsh and instead, "has been unable in the move up" is far more accurate IMHO.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: 2009-10 Recruits

The Summit League is not a High Major DI league and the late 90's SDSU teams could have won the league with the talent on the team. There are talented athletes in SD (not a ton) that can help SDSU succeed.

Cadsev,

I respect your opinion an awful lot and your posts are always insightful. That being said, I have to disagree with the above part of your post. I don't believe that any of the '90's teams would have competed for a conference title in the Summitt League. I agree that the Summitt isn't a high major, far from it, but the level of play is a huge step forward from D2. It just simply takes bigger, stronger, and faster athletes.

The teams in the '90's played much better as a team than we have seen. That will change as the teams start to stay together year after year. My expectations are that there will be a big improvement this year for that very reason.

GB, GB, GJ!

SUPERBUNNY