Recruiting: 2017

[wh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxqX7TBIT1A

[SanityLost17]

Fazekas had offers from both Northwestern and Valpo.  Guessing it will be one of those two programs.

[VU2014]

Fazekas had offers from both Northwestern and Valpo.  Guessing it will be one of those two programs.

Its early but the two leading schools are Valpo and Vandy. Both coaching staffs have a previous relationship from recruiting Ryan when everyone was on the Valpo staff.

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/844738291429785601
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/844740906469216257

[IndyValpo]

Fazekas would be a really nice get for Valpo.  This could be that 6'8" shooter. Looked like he was going to make a real impact at Providence his Freshman year before falling ill and missing a month, then didn't get back in the groove after a decent start this year. Maybe was already not happy, coach seemed to hold him out of games the last 1/4 of the year. Sitting out next year, gaining maturity and strength and then I think he helps a lot.

Someone needs to make sure he hears the Union Street Hoops edition interviewing Bobby Capobianco (sp). He did a wonderful job of explaining why Valpo is a good choice.

[VU2014]

Someone needs to make sure he hears the Union Street Hoops edition interviewing Bobby Capobianco (sp). He did a wonderful job of explaining why Valpo is a good choice.

I could mention him in the tweet. An pass it along with him but idk. In that podcast Bobby talks about Bryce & Roger a lot and we know that they are directly vying for his service too. What do you think? It was a great podcast and I think it painted Valpo in a positive light landing spot for transfers and positive experience for their development but I don't want to give a Bryce/Roger an edge either.

One thing I notice is that Ryan recently followed: Coach Lottich, Coach Gore, Coach Warner & Paul, but his most recent person he started following on twitter was a Wright State Assistant Coach... Brian Cooley. It would be a bummer to lose a local kid to a conference rival. Maybe they also reached out to Ryan. Would be great to land Ryan. Paul and Parker talked about him in his most recent podcast. He also follows Jake Diebler on twitter (Vandy Assistant), former Valpo coach/player.

[VULB#62]

IF.....   it works out that we receive an MVC bid and  IF Valpo accepts.......  would we get an immediate boost to our 2017 (and 18 for that matter) recruiting?  In other words, if there are kids out there we are pursuing and they haven't quite made up their mind, would a move like this likely make us all the more appealing?

[FWalum]

IF.....   it works out that we receive an MVC bid and  IF Valpo accepts.......  would we get an immediate boost to our 2017 (and 18 for that matter) recruiting?  In other words, if there are kids out there we are pursuing and they haven't quite made up their mind, would a move like this likely make us all the more appealing?

I would think that the perception of the average high school player would be that the MVC is a better conference with wider exposure than the HL.  Does that translate to an immediate boost in recruiting is anybody's guess, it may be too late in the game for 2017 with maybe the exception of the potential transfers.

[VU2014]

IF.....   it works out that we receive an MVC bid and  IF Valpo accepts.......  would we get an immediate boost to our 2017 (and 18 for that matter) recruiting?  In other words, if there are kids out there we are pursuing and they haven't quite made up their mind, would a move like this likely make us all the more appealing?

I don't really think there is an "If" on if Valpo got offered would we accept? I'm almost sure we would definitely accept.

But I do think moving to the MVC would have a small boost to recruit. The MVC may not be what it use to be but there are still competitive teams and it has much more "brand recognition" than the Horizon League. When Loyola made the switch to the MVC it definitely helped with their recruiting.

[wh]

The MVC's image will undoubtedly take a another hit with the departure of WSU, so it's hard to say that potential recruits would find the MVC a more attractive option than the HL based on image and profile. That said, 5 of 10 MVC programs reside in Illinois and Indiana. Valpo would be the 6th. That's 6 markets instead of 2 in the states where we recruit the heaviest. That's a lot more awareness and familiarity, easier for family members to attend road games, etc. I actually think this geographic factor could be a difference-maker.

[SanityLost17]

The MVC's image will undoubtedly take a another hit with the departure of WSU, so it's hard to say that potential recruits would find the MVC a more attractive option than the HL based on image and profile. That said, 5 of 10 MVC programs reside in Illinois and Indiana. Valpo would be the 6th. That's 6 markets instead of 2 in the states where we recruit the heaviest. That's a lot more awareness and familiarity, easier for family members to attend road games, etc. I actually think this geographic factor could be a difference-maker.

This is correct. 

We don't recruit much in Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio (where most HL teams are located).   We just don't.   I don't know that we will get higher rated recruits if we join the MVC, but we will be in the media a lot more in the areas that we do recruit in.  So we will have a better chance at the 2-3 star athletes we are currently looking at out on the recruiting trail.   

[SanityLost17]

The MVC's image will undoubtedly take a another hit with the departure of WSU, so it's hard to say that potential recruits would find the MVC a more attractive option than the HL based on image and profile. That said, 5 of 10 MVC programs reside in Illinois and Indiana. Valpo would be the 6th. That's 6 markets instead of 2 in the states where we recruit the heaviest. That's a lot more awareness and familiarity, easier for family members to attend road games, etc. I actually think this geographic factor could be a difference-maker.

This is correct. 

We don't recruit much in Michigan, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio (where most HL teams are located).   We just don't.   I don't know that we will get higher rated recruits if we join the MVC, but we will be in the media a lot more in the areas that we do recruit in.  So we will have a better chance at the 2-3 star athletes we are currently looking at out on the recruiting trail.

Side Thought..   We NEED this MVC thing. 

We have been really good the last 3 seasons and have some real momentum going.  An invite to a better league will help continue that momentum.  With the sad close to this season and what will most likely be a 50% rebuilding year next year.  We risk losing our momentum.  This would be a big announcement and an opportunity for the staff to sell our continued upward trend to recruits. 

[VULB#62]

Side Thought.   We NEED this MVC thing. 

We have been really good the last 3 seasons and have some real momentum going.  An invite to a better league will help continue that momentum.  With the sad close to this season and what will most likely be a 50% rebuilding year next year.  We risk losing our momentum.  This would be a big announcement and an opportunity for the staff to sell our continued upward trend to recruits.

Well said.  We sometimes question here the perception of insufficient institutional commitment.  Yeah, we won't get a renovated and expanded arena over-night, but if the "ifs" become reality, this certainly reflects a solid commitment of the university to upgrading its athletic programs. 

[FieldGoodie05]

IF.....   it works out that we receive an MVC bid and  IF Valpo accepts.......  would we get an immediate boost to our 2017 (and 18 for that matter) recruiting?  In other words, if there are kids out there we are pursuing and they haven't quite made up their mind, would a move like this likely make us all the more appealing?

I don't really think there is an "If" on if Valpo got offered would we accept? I'm almost sure we would definitely accept.

But I do think moving to the MVC would have a small boost to recruit. The MVC may not be what it use to be but there are still competitive teams and it has much more "brand recognition" than the Horizon League. When Loyola made the switch to the MVC it definitely helped with their recruiting.

An example of the recruiting mentality for 18-year olds is Parker Hazen.  He was quoted as saying he didn't know much about VU before Alec (national cred) and the NIT run of 2016.  What have we done lately is a HUGE impactful recruiting tool.  We hurt ourselves badly this year, we need more NCAA and NIT tv time for a lot of these impressionable kids.  BRAND BRAND BRAND

[VU2014]

Edit 1: Maybe he dropped us of his potential list of schools? Verbal Commits said he was offered back July. But this guys tweet made it sound like we may still be in play. So idk.

Edit: Ok so he re-opened recruitment after Keatts left UNCW. So it sounds like we may be back in play now. NC State among a few other P6 programs so maybe his recruiting ticked up the last few months.


Another potential freshman PF? But no offer for Taylor Bruninga? Bruninga is a stretch PF.

Evan Cole seems a bit under recruited. But is starting to get more interest now. He's getting interest from some good teams.

Just from taking a look at his Highlight vids real quick, he looks like he moves/handles to ball really well for a guy who is 6'8". Look at the last vid: only 16 sec.

Offers:
- UNC-Wilmington
-Kennesaw State

Interest: Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Wofford, Belmont, Furman, Chattanooga, Denver, Drexel, High Point, & YSU (HL rival), etc.

https://twitter.com/DMcDonaldRivals/status/852261013244309506
https://twitter.com/DMcDonaldRivals/status/852260700982571008

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/evan-cole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkLzp4Buow0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnXwGUcSKZ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfeTvcK5gkk

https://twitter.com/Phenom_Hoops/status/765704855474372609
https://twitter.com/AlexRileySN/status/770070819531845633
https://twitter.com/VerbalCommits/status/757013567996436484

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/illinois_irish/status/856713462097072128

[valpotx]

Congrats to him.  With Fazekas joining, it makes sense why we didn't pursue Taylor.

[oklahomamick]

I hope we don't end up regreting that

[VU2014]

http://ilprepbullseye.com/Bruninga_Illinois_St.html

Illinois State Lands Huge In-State Sleeper In 2017 Class

By Roy & Harv Schmidt
April 24, 2017
10:30 P.M. CST

"There is no question that the Illinois State coaching staff does its homework on the recruiting trail.  And one of their foremost strengths in that area is the ability to uncover "hidden gems"--to identify unheralded recruits well ahead of other schools.  Sure enough, they succeeded in doing so again, this time with perhaps the most unsung prospect in Illinois from the 2017 class.

As a result, 6'8 2017 forward Taylor Bruninga of Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford, IL closed out his recruitment tonight by committing to the Redbirds and head coach Dan Muller. Bruninga's commitment was confirmed to us by his travel team coach--Gavin Sullivan of the Illinois Irish.  He chose Illinois State over offers from Loyola and Northern Iowa."

.........

"There is no question that shooting is Bruninga's forte.  He has shown that he can be deadly from 3-point range along the baseline and the top of the circle when given the time to spot up.  However, those coaches that label Bruninga as strictly a shooter have not watched him consistently. That is because he is much more versatile than people give him credit for, as he has athleticism, rebounds well and can defend on the perimeter."

..........

Give the whole article a click & a read.

I hope not offering Bruninga won't haunt us either. I'm glad we landed Fazekas but Bruninga looks like he could be a really good player. We were in on him early but once we P Hazen/M McMillan and Fazekas were in the picture it doesn't look like there was room at his position. He was a late bloomer.

[VU2014]

Potentially another Aussie coming to Valpo? It looks like he's apart of the class of 2017.

6'9" SF/PF with over a 7FT WINGSPAN!

Current Offers: UIC, Southern Utah, Loyola, and Valpo (All offered with in the last 24 hours. He must have really had an amazing workout!)

https://twitter.com/AUSA_Hoops/status/856903732507824128
https://twitter.com/AUSA_Hoops/status/856616222959468546
https://twitter.com/VerbalCommits/status/856665424590536704
https://twitter.com/AUSA_Hoops/status/856616222959468546
https://twitter.com/AUSA_Hoops/status/835022901367603200

http://www.ny2lasports.com/player_details.aspx?playerid=11730
http://www.ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3789

Sebit Reath – 2017 – PF – AUSA Platinum
"A 6-foot-9 forward with a wingspan better than seven feet, Reath is a very intriguing versatile prospect. Reath can step out and shoot the basketball and has a smooth one-dribble jumper. For his size, Reath's ball handling is very unique. Still sort of an unknown commodity in the states, expect there to be a flock new schools that have their eyes opened in Dallas by Reath's upside."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgluVkTdEkI

[M]

Looked promising!

[VULB#62]

[EDIT:   Really, really....] hope Rowdy will does put in a good word for Valpo.

[FWalum]

As someone who has taken a lot of video especially for sports, it drives me crazy  when people take video with the up and down orientation.  WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT???

[wh]

"Better than a 7' wingspan"

Certainly better than Alec's 6-9 1/2. Then there's Vashil's 7-5. 

[FieldGoodie05]

Hope Rowdy will put in a good word for Valpo.

Do we need another PF on this years recruitment!?!???

Coach said from Day 1 that our first requirement is best players available, I get that.

Parker Hazen (PF only based on his skill sets of inside.  Needs to develop outside shot to drift to SF)

Mileek McMillan (PF all day long, though his handles and shot are ok)

Ryan Fazekas (PF with outside shot)

...

[crusader05]

My guess is his size/ability to shoot is the driver. 

Also, we don't have Fazekas for a year and Mileek is supposedly a work in progress which leaves us with Burton and Freshman Hazen. Lottich may want more depth/ability to have multiple scoring threats on the floor to give Tevonn a break