Recruiting 2010/2011

[bincitysioux]

Are you sure there are two scholarships available? I thought it was only one?

I think he's meaning this year and next year. One this year, and then one next year after Mitchell graduates..................

[sioux2013]

I think he's meaning this year and next year. One this year, and then one next year after Mitchell graduates..................

Thats exactly what I meant. Thank you

[UND92,96]

Lenny Austin from Vanier Prep in Montreal has committed to UND: http://www.flagrantfouls.com/2011/04/lenny-austin-has-lots-to-celebrate-vanier-guard-commits-to-north-dakota/

[Hambone]

Maybe for 2012 we can add this guy He'd be a big guy to man the middle......

http://www.flagrantfouls.com/player-profile/high-school/sim-bhullar.html

[UND-1]

Lenny Austin from Vanier Prep in Montreal has committed to UND: http://www.flagrantfouls.com/2011/04/lenny-austin-has-lots-to-celebrate-vanier-guard-commits-to-north-dakota/

Kid looks good. He has a pretty smooth jumper too. Welcome Lenny!

[sioux2013]

Lenny Austin from Vanier Prep in Montreal has committed to UND: http://www.flagrantfouls.com/2011/04/lenny-austin-has-lots-to-celebrate-vanier-guard-commits-to-north-dakota/

No disrespect to this players cause he looks like a very good player but WHY another guard. He looks more like a point guard in the video that can shoot, so we now have 7 point guards and off guards on our team. How has this improved us for the Big Sky when our weakness is underneath. We needed a big man for this freshman class not another guard. Dont understand what the coaches are thinking because we definately did not make a move forward with this scholarship. If Austin plays this coming year and doesnt red-shirt then which freshman from this past year rides the bench. To me thats breaking up real good team chemistry. Oh well time will once again tell, but not exactly what we needed. You might see some kids leave now and open up room for a BIG. Go Sioux

[UND92,96]

No disrespect to this players cause he looks like a very good player but WHY another guard. He looks more like a point guard in the video that can shoot, so we now have 7 point guards and off guards on our team. How has this improved us for the Big Sky when our weakness is underneath. We needed a big man for this freshman class not another guard. Dont understand what the coaches are thinking because we definately did not make a move forward with this scholarship. If Austin plays this coming year and doesnt red-shirt then which freshman from this past year rides the bench. To me thats breaking up real good team chemistry. Oh well time will once again tell, but not exactly what we needed. You might see some kids leave now and open up room for a BIG. Go Sioux

I'm just wondering if this move signals an underclassmen's impending departure, which would open up a scholarship so that a juco big could still be brought in. I have a hard time believing that Ingram was the only juco recruiting target, and that once he signed elsewhere the decision was made to sign a high school guard instead.

[the green team]

I realize that we need some size as we move forward, but if Lenny can make us better at a position that we are already strong at over the long haul. I say welcome Lenny. Wouldn't it be great if we got a healthy Archer playing at a higher level, along with a healthy Wilmer and both ended up making us eat humble pie over the next 2 years. I'm not saying it will happen, but it would be great if it did. And I would happily take a second slice.

[GeauxSioux]

I realize that we need some size as we move forward, but if Lenny can make us better at a position that we are already strong at over the long haul. I say welcome Lenny. Wouldn't it be great if we got a healthy Archer playing at a higher level, along with a healthy Wilmer and both ended up making us eat humble pie over the next 2 years. I'm not saying it will happen, but it would be great if it did. And I would happily take a second slice.

It's hard to turn away talent regardless of position. Watching the video it is evident that Austin can create his own shot and hit 3s. With the lack of quality big guys out there, it appears the Sioux tact is loading up on shooters and try winning games with the long ball rather than the inside game.

Welcome to the Fighting Sioux, Mr. Austin.

[star2city]

I'm just wondering if this move signals an underclassmen's impending departure, which would open up a scholarship so that a juco big could still be brought in. I have a hard time believing that Ingram was the only juco recruiting target, and that once he signed elsewhere the decision was made to sign a high school guard instead.

Wonder that too. Like could a player or two transfer to Benedictine to join Ryan Moody? Since Benedictine is an NAIA school, transfers and scholarships shouldn't be an issue.

[sioux2013]

Wonder that too. Like could a player or two transfer to Benedictine to join Ryan Moody? Since Benedictine is an NAIA school, transfers and scholarships shouldn't be an issue.

Good point. That would be a possibility but would Moody do that to Jones if it was not a mutual agreement between all parties.

[UND92,96]

Good point. That would be a possibility but would Moody do that to Jones if it was not a mutual agreement between all parties.

Let's be honest--Jones probably wouldn't be disappointed if some of the kids who don't really fit into the projected eight or nine-man rotation for next season moved on so as to open up some scholarships to be used for a juco big man this year, and one or two big kids for 2012-13. As I see it, the rotation for next year will likely consist of the five starters from this season, plus Anderson, Allard, Wilmer and Gentry if he doesn't red-shirt. If Gentry does red-shirt, maybe you move Goodman into that role as a backup to Huff and Schuler. Not sure whether Benton and/or Austin will red-shirt, but I hope they do. That leaves at least two, and perhaps three scholarship juniors who likely aren't going to play much. If they're satisfied with being primarily practice players, that's fine. If not, maybe they move on to a smaller school to actually get to play extensive minutes.

[UND92,96]

In the weekly live chat on the Herald site, I asked whether recruiting was done for this year, and Wayne Nelson answered that it was, and that everybody is expected back next year. I'm not sure about the wisdom of this course of action, i.e. not adding any new big kids to the roster, but I guess we'll see next year.

He also indicated that Austin is expected to be an impact player right away, and that Gentry and Benton will likely red-shirt.

[UND92,96]

Benton and Austin Antwi (that's his full name I guess) have signed their LOI's: http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=205140255

Also, regarding Gentry:

Gentry just earned MVP honors in the Eric Gordon Super Shootout this past weekend in Indianapolis after scoring 28 points to lead the County All-Stars to a 129-128 overtime victory.

[Hambone]

Benton and Austin Antwi (that's his full name I guess) have signed their LOI's: http://www.fightingsioux.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=205140255

Also, regarding Gentry:

Looks like Benton won't be a scholarship player until 2012 - 2013 season. So does that leave us with an open scholarship?

[UND92,96]

Looks like Benton won't be a scholarship player until 2012 - 2013 season. So does that leave us with an open scholarship?

I don't think so. As I recall, the plan was always for Benton to be a walk-on his first year. The only way a scholarship opens up now is if somebody leaves. And at this point, it may be too late to add a likely contributor anyway.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but if the plan is to award Benton a scholarship for 2012-13, I assume it would be Mitchell's. Doesn't that mean that there are potentially no scholarships available to bring anybody else in for 2012-13?

[GeauxSioux]

Looks like Benton won't be a scholarship player until 2012 - 2013 season. So does that leave us with an open scholarship?

I think it is an error in the story.

This is in the picture caption...

Guards Shane Benton (left) and Lenny Austin Antwi (right) will join the Fighting Sioux for the 2011-12 season.

Second paragraph...

Shooting guard Lenny Austin Antwi (Montreal, Quebec) signed his National Letter of Intent after visiting campus this past weekend, while fellow guard Shane Benton (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) will also join the roster and receive a scholarship starting with the 2012-13 academic year.

and last paragraph...

Austin and Benton will join Indianapolis native Josh Gentry on campus this fall to give Jones three players in the 2011-12 Fighting Sioux recruiting class. Gentry just earned MVP honors in the Eric Gordon Super Shootout this past weekend in Indianapolis after scoring 28 points to lead the County All-Stars to a 129-128 overtime victory.

[GeauxSioux]

Guards dominate recruiting class

[star2city]

Also, regarding Gentry:

This guy may just be a diamond in the rough, that really didn't a chance to display scoring ability in high school, as three of his teammates were scoring machines:

Marquis Teague, a big time PG committed to Kentucky

R. J. Hunter, a Junior and son of IUPUI's former coach, who has offers from Vandy, Wake Forest, Va Tech,

Zavier Hunter, a Sophomore, and all-city,

Thought Gentry's strength was in the transition, but appears he can hit outside shots:

The City looked like it might win in regulation after a tiebreaking 3-pointer by Josh Johnson (Arlington) with 23 seconds left. Josh Gentry (Pike) hit a 25-footer with 13 seconds remaining, however, to tie it at 113.

"I was hot," said Gentry, who was named the game's MVP. "I had hit like three 3s, so when I got the ball, there's no doubt in my mind I was shooting. I had a feeling if I could hit that shot, there's no way we could lose."

Indy Star link

[sioux2013]

If indeed Benton is given a scholarship for 2012-13 then we have no scholarships available until the 5 red-shirt sophomores graduate, which leaves us with no big man addition for our first year into the Big Sky. Unfortunately thats what we needed the most. Watching video's Austin looks more like a point guard. We will basically have 3 points guards so Im wondering who gets the bump to the bench if Austin is as good as they say. Maybe a pure 4 guard offense and play only 1 big. Its definately going to be crowded at the 1,2 and 3 positions for the next several years with no hopes of a BIG. Go Sioux

[UND92,96]

If indeed Benton is given a scholarship for 2012-13 then we have no scholarships available until the 5 red-shirt sophomores graduate, which leaves us with no big man addition for our first year into the Big Sky. Unfortunately thats what we needed the most. Watching video's Austin looks more like a point guard. We will basically have 3 points guards so Im wondering who gets the bump to the bench if Austin is as good as they say. Maybe a pure 4 guard offense and play only 1 big. Its definately going to be crowded at the 1,2 and 3 positions for the next several years with no hopes of a BIG. Go Sioux

This is from today's Herald article:

The Sioux had considered recruiting a big man with their final scholarship, but couldn

[GeauxSioux]

Benton's team ended up #8 in the country on the MaxPreps list.... Linn-Mar High School Celebrates National Ranking

For the second time in five years, Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) High School has been recognized as one of the best boys basketball teams in the country.

Head Coach Chris Robertson called it "a great honor." Athletic Director Scott Mahmen's said it "was a huge thing for the school." Local television sports broadcaster John Campbell hailed it "as another great honor for a great team." And parents, faculty and players lauded it as a crowning achievement for one of the best teams in Iowa high school basketball history.

The annual 5th Annual MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard stopped at Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) on Tuesday, April 26 to recognize the undefeated state champion Lions as the No. 8-ranked team nationally for the 2010-2011 season. The team finished a perfect 26-0 this season, its third state title in the past eight years, defeating Des Moines Hoover 56-42 in the 4A Championship Game.

Defensive specialist Shane Benton, who has signed with Division 1 University of North Dakota, said, "This is very special. It was an incredible year and we feel very blessed to be able to accept this award."

[homer]

Congrats to Shane and his team. That is a pretty neat accomplishment.

I know we are missing a big or two in our last few years of recruiting but I will give Jones credit that he is finding talent and has been able to pull it from some good programs. The improvement has been noticeable.

[the green team]

I know talent is the biggest thing you want when bringing a player to a program. But a player that knows winning and how to win is a nice intangible for a player to have. Having that type of attitude in our young players, may not be the biggest thing when it comes to success on the college hardwood, but it certainly won't hurt.