This has been a stated issue largely since the first couple years after NIL and the portal opened. The high major coaches largely dont see any reason to invest in high school talent when they could be leaving after a couple seasons. They can leave the high schoolers to lower divisions and Mid/Low majors and take them after the coaches spent time developing their skillset. Hence why contracts are going to be a must if college athletics is to survive
D2 and NAIA are now the G League for mid majors.
Meanwhile, D3 teams are looking for mid-major players who are sitting on the bench and have a year or two of eligibility left, in the event they'd like to be bigger fish in smaller ponds and rack up playing time for D3 tourney contenders.
No crystal ball but excited for next year, looks like a talented group — and one made up of genuinely good-hearted guys with the kind of edge and hunger you need to compete. Coaching staff has done a great job recruiting without super strong NIL like a state school, players come to play and build a winning team (unfortunately within one year in the current landscape).
and you know they are "good-hearted" how exactly? by a tweet ..cmon man these dudes are in it for themselves -dont get it twisted..nothing wrong with it just dont act like they care about anything else
I knew that HS players had gone under recruited by D1 schools, but I was dumbfounded that an Indiana All-Star would received zero D1 offers.
@rezynezy I tend to agree, and your example is spot on. I mean Cooper did not have a D1 offer outside of Valpo late. With FOY and a second season of development under his belt and he is off to Power 5. Same with All, little recruitment but came in and is now at a much bigger school. The game is different; the game plan includes a much higher % of 3's now which also changes the players recruitment and team chemistry.
From all the info Ive been able to find regarding these players I have a feeling; an opinion forming. It seems size and athleticism and shooting % we have upgraded every position except 1 (giving Cooper his credit). Should be noticeable at both wings and (no offense to Sepp) we have larger more athletic and skilled bodies coming that should be a marked improvement. Several of these players have D1 experience. At guard seems we have potential nice pieces- who wins the minutes who gets disgruntled? Interesting: getting this group to gel maybe RP's biggest challenge yet. I believe Top to bottom the roster has the most pedigree and talent yet assembled in his tenure. But I thought Scroggins was gonna be good and that Stafford would surely be back so take my thoughts with a tablespoon of salt...
Paul mentioned that Tucker was an Indiana All-Star in his post on X. Yet, he had no D1 offers last year. So, apparently this new model for college basketball is that unless you are the elite of elite HS player, you go under-recruited and end up going the D2 route, put up good numbers as a freshman, enter the portal and hopefully land a D1 scholarship. Find the right opportunity and potentially cash in, in another year or two for NIL money.
Tucker appears to be good get. How often has Valpo landed an Indiana All-Star? I know it has happened a number of times, but likely only once every few years.
Based on highlights, he has pretty good footwork and passing ability inside which can really be a plus on a team in which ball movement is going to be a requirement. Doesn't appear too many are get their own shot guys.
