Garrett Stutz

[The Mad Hatter]

Well, how far up on the food chain is SMU? Wouldn't he get more exposure and playing time here than SMU? I really don't know anything much about SMU basketball.

I read that Garrett has a 7'2" wingspan, and that he could end up an inch or 2 above 7'. At 225 lbs, Kerry would need to work on him some, but would be a good 4 year player.

Plus the fact that we have sellout crowds, a great new winning record coach, and we are much closer to his home, which would mean his family could probably watch him play much more often, and that TV games would be more available for his family.

SMU has Matt Doherty and play in Conference USA. The Conference USA is not as strong as the MVC is in basketball with the defections to the Big East a few years back, but Doherty is a good coach that is doing good things with that program.

[RoyalShock]

It appears SMU is hauling in some pretty good players, based on what I saw in my research. C-USA is also a league with a lot of potential. There's Memphis, UAB, Houston, Tulsa and UTEP. I suspect SMU, with Doherty, will join them soon.

That league isn't very different from the MVC. They've been down since the exodus, but I would not be surprised if C-USA ends up being as good or better (according to conference RPI) than the MVC this year.

I still think WSU is a better fit for Mr. Stutz!

[rrshock]

I agree with Royal. C-USA isn't the best conference and probably shouldn't be ranked above the MVC, but Doherty is a good coach (had some bad luck) but is still good IMHO.

But what Royal mentioned is unmatchable by SMU. Like I mentioned before, with EO going to be here, he would have a good (from what has been said by coach) biggen to work against every day and that can only make him better. If he has the wingspan over 7' and they think he isn't done growing, then KR would be a perfect match for him.

[calfan]

It looks like Stutts has narrowed his list to SMU and WSU. he has lowered Kentucky to medium interest or raised SMU and WSU to high interest.

[J&J-Ryan]

Hopefully he doesn't verbal this weekend to SMU on his visit.

[RoyalShock]

I just noticed this blurb on a UK blogger site from three days ago:

Garrett Stutz, the 7-footer from Kansas City, visited UK’s Big Blue Madness with the expectation of discussing a scholarship offer.

Back home this week, he said that he spoke with the UK coaches during the visit. No offer was made.

UK coaches told him to let them know when he’s “serious” about the Cats, then there can be a serious scholarship discussion.

Stutz, a prospect who’s risen from nonentity to project, said he’s down to four schools: Wichita State, Marquette, SMU and UK.

He’s planning visits to SMU and Marquette in the next few weeks.

Interesting that after he visited UK suddenly became his favorite, yet the Wildcats don't want to discuss a scholarship offer until he's "serious". Then on Scout.com his interest level in UK drops (or stays, I'm not sure) to medium, with WSU and SMU and high interest.

And Marquette has dropped to low interest.

I guess things could have changed in the last few days.

[RoyalShock]

One other note. SMU has four scholarships available for next year and has already received four verbal commitments.

[RoyalShock]

More on SMU:

They play in a 50 year-old, 9000-seat arena. In looking at some box scores from last year, their attendance ranged between 1300 and 3000, with most games hovering around the 2000 mark.

They do have a new basketball practice facility opening next month.

[SubGod22]

I do expect to see SMU turn it around. Doherty is a good coach and should have success down there. I still think Stutz should come here.

[newshock1234]

as each day goes by, the better feeling i have about this kid coming to WSU

[tropicalshox]

Stutz's father doesn't believe Marquette is very interested. They canceled their home visit and Coach Crean has never had a conversation with Garrett. Garrett however thinks there is some interest due to an assistant's calls, so they remain somewhat in the picture in Garrett's mind. I haven't doubled checked, but I think Marquette's recruiting is pretty much over without "over-recruiting."

I think Kentucky's serious scholarship discussion is probably offering a scholarship after a walk-on year, or at best waiting until Spring to see about scholarship availability. More than likely, Rivals' interest level for Kentucky is based upon lack of an offer, although Stutz said they were his first choice after his visit there.

[forevershockerfan]

Another Paul Miller clone here? He is taller, and improving by leaps and bounds. Somehow, I wonder if we are also after another big man or 2 that we may not be aware of on here, which is rare. November will be here before we know it and the Early Signing Period.

[tropicalshox]

Three power forwards and two centers have been added to our known '08 recruits within the last week or so. I'm sure we are interested in one more big man, but haven't been able to figure out a name. Then there are several Juco big men that probably will not start their visits until after the season is over. All of these could be back up plans in case we don't get Stutz or if EO never makes it over.

[RoyalShock]

This guy sounds like he's more skilled than Paul was coming in. I've also read that he has a good feel for playing the post. That was something I don't think Paul had coming in and was one of his greatest areas of improvement over his career.

From recent articles, Stutz's dad has stated he's now nearly 7'1" (9'2" reach), doesn't turn 18 until February and could grow another inch or two. His dad grew 3 inches (from 6'5" to 6'8") after his senior year of HS. And he was only 5'7" as a freshman.

[rrshock]

I'll take a 7'2" center. It does sound a little bit better that WSU can land this kid. It would be nice to get him, then our recruitment can basically be over, with looking still taking place in case someone doesn't return.

Can he play facing the basket?