Bobcats Add International, In-State Hoopes Prospects

[rtb]

From MSU

PRONOUNCER: MEE-shell SVEE-tuh, MARK-oh bore-GO


BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State added size and versatility on Thursday,
enhancing its in-state and international presence at the same time,
Bobcat coach Brad Huse announced. The Bobcats signed a pair of France
natives and also landed two Treasure State walk-ons.

Center Michel Swita transfers to MSU from North Idaho College in Coeur
d'Alene, while guard Marco Bougault joins the Bobcats from Europe Shuman
School in France. Whitefish's Colt Idol and Steven Davis from Billings
Skyview join the MSU program as recruited walk-ons.

"We're excited about this group as players and students," Huse said.
"Each has proven academic success, and that's exciting. They're each
good players we expect to have a positive impact on our program."

Borgault brings good size and offensive punch to the Bobcat backcourt.
The 6-5, 200 lb guard comes to MSU from Saint Malo, France. "Marco is a
big guard who can really shoot the basketball," Huse said. "That was a
priority for us in this recruiting class. He has played some point
guard, and has good size for a freshman. He has proven to be a very good
offensive player, which will be valuable to us early in his career."

Swita, at 7-0, 270 lbs, saw little playing time last year at NIC due to
injuries. The Paris native arrives at MSU as a sophomore. "At first look
Michel brings legitimate size to go with Cody (Anderson) at the five,"
Huse said. "It will take Michel some time to get back into playing
again. It was frustrating for him that his playing opportunities were
limited last year, but we'll get him into it early next season. He has
good hands, he runs the floor, and he has a body that can handle
physical play. The kicker for us is that he has three years of
eligibility."

The brother of Montana State football player Leo Davis, Steven Davis is
a 6-7, 225 lb forward who averaged 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while
blocking 29 shots at Billings Skyview. "Steven is proven as an effective
low post player with a body type that will allow him to get stronger,"
Huse said. "He's crafty around the basket, has good hands, and having
another low post player in practice will really help us. He's a hungry
player who is an elite student from a great family, and he will help our
program."

Idol averaged 20.3 points at Whitefish High as a senior. The 6-3, 200 lb
guard earned all-state honors for the third straight year, and was a
Great Falls Tribune Superstate choice, as well. "Colt has proven that he
is one of the top athletes in the state and a very good basketball
player," Huse said. "His best basketball is ahead of him. I hope he
comes in and proves that he can compete at this level. It's a matter of
getting the reps and experience that he needs to adapt to the physical
level and pace of Division I basketball. Colt is a great kid and a great
student."

Huse said that while adding a pair of players from France is a
coincidence, adding two top Montana prep players isn't. "There was no
connection between Michel and Marco coming," Huse said. "We're happy to
have them both, but we didn't get one because we signed the other.

"We are very happy to add two players from Montana," he continued.
"Recruiting good players from Montana is a high priority, and we're very
happy to add Colt and Steven as players and as people."

[SonomaCat]

I may just be lax on my reading of mslacat's blog (which I thoroughly enjoy, by they way), but the French guard is a new name to me. What do we know about him?

[mslacat]

I was just going to post the signings, I do not know much on Marco Bougault but I will try to dig up some info. I am not even sure how many years of elligablity he has.

[SonomaCat]

I was just going to post the signings, I do not know much on Marco Bougault but I will try to dig up some info. I am not even sure how many years of elligablity he has.

It sounds like he has a full career left (4 years) because they refer to him as an incoming freshman.

[GOKATS]

Looks like four solid recruits!

[Cuseadelphian]

Caught up with Brad Huse today... Here's what he had to say about the recruits.

http://www.abcmontana.com/sports/blog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

~ Dave Griffiths
dave@maxmontana.com

[mslacat]

I have some info on Marco Bourgault on my Blog as well as some pictures and video.

http://mslacat.wordpress.com/2009/05/07 ... /#more-218" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[duelalumnicat]

So Bourgault comes as a true freshman?

[mslacat]

So Bourgault comes as a true freshman?

Yes

[grizzh8r]

So Bourgault comes as a true freshman?

Yes

How old is he? He doesn't look like your typical freshman. What a good pickup for the Cats!