The current portal total is 6. Every player 6-0 or taller is gone plus Sullivan who's 5-11. We have added a 6-0 5th year Guard from Akron.
I am sure that they are nice folks, but I don't care if the roster does a complete turnover. If you set a record in going winless in the amount of games they played, you need a large change.
Any player on this team that leaves an 0-32 team is not a significant loss.
2 recent signees
Kylee Norkus 5-10 R So from Evansville, started her first 4 games 2 seasons back averaged 10 and 5.5. ACL injury ended the season. Got better as last year progressed. Averaged 3.6 and 2.6 but was a big part of their 3 wins in the MVC tourney. Her last 8-10 games looked much better than earlier in the season probably due to recovery
Denza Allen 6-1 R Fr from Bowling Green. She is a complete mystery. Signed early but by the time the season began she was not listed on the roster or mentioned. On3.com which seems to chart the portal pretty completely has 1,561 in the portal including 8 from BGSU though she in not on the list.
@azvalpo very excited about Norkus, she was a key contributor for UE and even had 19 against Murray State near the end of the season. With the ACL injury giving her an extra year, she could potentially have up to 3 years here if she stays. Gets her closer to home too - she's from Naperville.
Allen is a big question mark, but her high school film is intriguing especially defensively. Always helps to have a lefty as well.
Another signee this week is Hillary Offing, a 5'11 forward transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne with 2 years of eligibility left. Shot 53.5% this season in 27 games for a very good PFW team, averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 8.6 minutes per game off the bench, but there is clearly some efficiency there. Was 83% (20-24) from the free throw line too.
With the portal now closed to new entries, here is how the roster looks right now for next year:
Freshmen: G Nuala Connolly (R-Fr), G/F Dani Guedet, F Denza Allen (R-Fr)
Sophomores: G Isabella Anderson, G Autumn Dibb, G Allia von Schlegell, G Kylee Norkus (R-So)
Juniors: G Raeven Raye-Redmond (R-Jr, could even have one more year than that if 2024-25 is not counted, played 11 games before Achilles tear), G Mor Shabtai (expected redshirt), F Hillary Offing
Seniors: G Maci Rhoades (R-Sr)
5th Year: G Maddie Vejsicky
So probably a maximum of 3 open spots left, I assume the focus will be on getting a center or two. Notably, every non-freshman on this roster has played their entire career at the D1 level, except for Offing, who averaged 17 and 10 as a freshman at the USCAA level. Clear roster shift from last year.
Vejsicky is a 6-0 wing with stops at Virginia Tech San Diego and Akron. 2 years ago at Akron she averaged 8.8 but last year only 3.3.
we currently have a roster that would make Evans proud. We desperately need size. Probably need a PG since Raye-Redmond missed last year and Shabtai is currently hurt.
Here's some size: 6'4 forward Osade Igbinedion transfers from UTEP to Valpo. Limited playing time in 2 seasons at UTEP. Film on her makes me think that she is a quicker, more agile version of Kam Winch, which gives her a high rebounding ceiling. If there is another center incoming that Igbinedion can play a useful backup to, this is an excellent find. Would struggle to see her having success as a starter though.
Here's some size: 6'4 forward Osade Igbinedion transfers from UTEP to Valpo. Limited playing time in 2 seasons at UTEP. Film on her makes me think that she is a quicker, more agile version of Kam Winch, which gives her a high rebounding ceiling. If there is another center incoming that Igbinedion can play a useful backup to, this is an excellent find. Would struggle to see her having success as a starter though.
Full name per UTEP is Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi, got to be the longest name in team history. She has played in 47 games about 6.5 minutes per game. Raw but 6-4.
Why do other schools announce their transfers and we keep them secret?
Another signee this week is Hillary Offing, a 5'11 forward transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne with 2 years of eligibility left. Shot 53.5% this season in 27 games for a very good PFW team, averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in just 8.6 minutes per game off the bench, but there is clearly some efficiency there. Was 83% (20-24) from the free throw line too.
Notably, every non-freshman on this roster has played their entire career at the D1 level, except for Offing, who averaged 17 and 10 as a freshman at the USCAA level.
Ottong has finally been announced. I had to research the USCAA. 80 schools maybe 5-6 are JUCOs. 12 of the 80 are Penn State Satellites. She played at PSU Lehigh Valley. My question is does that year count? Might she have 3 years remaining. Sitting today she is probably the starting center at 5-11.
Valpo just added Denza Allen, a 6'1" wing transfer from Bowling Green. Should have three years of eligibility, I can't find stats so she may have red-shirted last year.
@vu72 finding it funny how slow WBB is to announce their official signees - Denza committed a month ago! She did redshirt last year and will have all four years of eligibility remaining.
One signee that I have seen neither a personal post nor team announcement for is 5'7 PG Jana Nogues. Nogues played for the Spain U18 3x3 World Cup team, and averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.9 APG this season in the LF Challenge, the second division of Spanish women's basketball.
The roster as of today, in terms of eligibility left:
Freshmen: N. Connolly, Guedet, Allen, Nogues
Sophomores: Anderson, Dibb, von Schlegell, Norkus
Juniors: Raye-Redmond, Offing, Igbinedion, Shabtai (?? - status unclear whether or not still with team)
Seniors: Rhoades
5th-year: Vejsicky
Possibly 1-2 open spots still, but would not be surprised if this is the roster for next year. Vastly improved, but still uncertain about how it will shake out, especially inside.
So today Woman's coach said Valpo will open the season against Michigan State and will get Wisconsin to come to the ARC! Sounds like they have added several pieces including two players from Spain.
So today Woman's coach said Valpo will open the season against Michigan State and will get Wisconsin to come to the ARC! Sounds like they have added several pieces including two players from Spain.
Not sure after going 0-32 that getting your brains bashed in game 1 makes much sense.
So today Woman's coach said Valpo will open the season against Michigan State and will get Wisconsin to come to the ARC! Sounds like they have added several pieces including two players from Spain.
Not sure after going 0-32 that getting your brains bashed in game 1 makes much sense.
Gotta build up the WBB NIL account? UW Madison, though, is a bit of a head scratcher. B1G teams don’t usually travel without some sort of payout. Maybe it’s a personal favor thing? Regardless, baving both on the schedule (and getting UW to the ARC!) is cool.