This time of year always comes with the excitement of recruiting and speculating about what the next season will hold for a team. The dark side of it all is the unfortunate reality that every season there are a few players who see their careers with USU come to a premature end, venturing forward to finish their playing years with another program.
Regardless of whatever factors lead to such a departure, it's tough to have to bid farewell to any player who chose to come to USU, put in the work that is demanded of players throughout any season and be a part of the program and university we're all passionate about, only to have that rug pulled out from under them. They go to school, make friends and become part of the community just like everyone else, but when the basketball side of things go away, the rest gets left behind too.
For Adam Thoseby and Igor Premasunac, they are the victims of that unfortunate reality this year. It doesn't take rocket science to see that there are probably greener pastures out there for Premasunac in a lower level where more minutes could be waiting for him. In Thoseby's case, I was a believer that he could eventually develop into a dependable backup with some more seasoning and a redshirt year. But with what looks to be some great talent on the wings next year, as well as younger guys like Quincy Bair, Riley Bradshaw and Jalen Moore coming in over the next two seasons, It's tough to justify having as many as nine wing players on scholarship going into the 2013-14 season. It's a tough situation, but I don't doubt for a second that Thoseby will land on his feet somewhere and make something very good out of his playing career.
Best of luck to both these guys moving forward. It's a shame for it to have to end like this for any guy that wants to be an Aggie.
SO WHO STEPS IN TO FILL THE VOIDS?
We know Spencer Butterfield is coming, and if you ask me, that alone could be a good enough acquisition for USU to be set on the wings next year. Danny Berger would likely hold onto his starting job next to Preston Medlin, with Butterfield being the ace off the bench and Mitch Bruneel as the No. 4 option.
It looks though like Marvin Jean is still very much on the radar, and will be in Logan this weekend. Reports are now that he's deciding between Utah State and Norfolk State. If Jean indeed commits, as he's reported expected to do, he would give the wings some excellent athleticism and length. It feels safe to assume that he would be given the chance to earn a starting role too, with the worst case scenario being a strong addition of depth. Not so bad of a thing considering that the last time USU ran four-deep on the wings, the fourth guy that year was Preston Medlin, and things seem to have worked out just fine for him.
If Jean and Butterfield are in the mix, that would have to indicate a redshirt season for Bruneel, which I think could be a very good thing, both for him, and for the team in the future.
As far as the point guard spot is concerned, if either one of Quan Conner or Tenale Roland come to USU, this team will be loaded with some serious firepower for next season. Either one sounds like they'd also be a great acquisition and a great compliment to Marcel Davis. Conner visits this weekend and is choosing between USU and Morehead State. Roland is visiting Idaho this weekend, and it isn't really known where USU and Idaho fit into his picture, or who else is after him.
(*Side note: If you call yourself an Aggie fan and aren't following Tony Jones on Twitter, and regularly reading his blog, you're doing it wrong.)
No comments:
Post a Comment