The wait is almost over. WSU’s men’s basketball schedule will be released today. No surprises. The exhibition opponent is an unknown. While nobody is confirming or talking about it on either side, WSU is likely to scrimmage Kansas State on Nov. 1 in Manhattan. I want to make sure I credit KGSO for first getting the scrimmage news out there. Those voices are good about crediting the Eagle and Kansas.com, so back at them.
- Mantas Griskenas and A.J. Hawkins are playing pickup games and participating in individual drills. Coach Gregg Marshall is pleased with how both are recovering from their injuries. It’s got to be great for him to be adding players instead of subtracting them. Griskenas, recovering from knee surgery, is bigger and stronger and still shooting the ball very well from outside. Marshall says he has improved his ball-handling in an effort to be less one-dimensional. Hawkins is a little behind in conditioning. His athletic ability seems intact – he converted a lob for a dunk in a pickup game recently.
- WSU may have a spot for a walk-on and is auditioning players during individual drills.
- Bradley picked up a commitment for a big man who might help the Braves this season. After the Orupke saga, I would not get too excited until he gets through the NCAA. However, he could be a big help for Bradley, which desperately needs big bodies.