National Signing Day in November doesn’t get the attention that the one in February does, but it’s just as important. Dave Richman and Maren Walseth each signed big classes for basketball yesterday, the men’s team highlighted by the signing of 7 footer Jordan Meidinger.
Here’s the story WDAY did on Meidinger back in March.
The Bison added two other players 6’6 or taller, Tyree Eady, out of Middleton, Wisconsin, a guard that can score, he averaged 20 points a game last year. The other is the best name of the class, Rocky Kreuser, a 6’9 forward out of Totino-Grace in the Twin Cities. Richman said that Kreuser fits “the Summit League” model perfectly. I’ll be curious to see who plays when they arrive on campus next year, you can beat Meidinger is not going to see the floor until November 2018.
As you look ahead, AJ Jacobson and Paul Miller will be seniors next year, but the addition of these players, plus this year’s class, makes NDSU as athletic as they’ve ever been in Division 1.
Meanwhile for the women, yesterday could be a big day for the future of the program. After adding six players in last year’s class, most of them guards, Walseth added some much needed height. Macey Kvilvang from Cando stands 6’5. For those that watched the North Dakota Class B State Tournament last year, she’s a difference maker when she’s on the floor. Her team should again challenge for the Class B title. Emily Dietz also joins the Bison, she’s 6-3 and will re-join Sarah Jacobson, the two teamed together to win two state titles at Shanley.
Going forward, the Bison women are going to be a very young squad in 2017-18, with just one senior in Taylor Thunstedt. The players may be better, but this team could struggle some more before the winning comes.