We have our first offer with a 2018 recruit! From South Bend Adams HS and the NBA's LaPhonso Ellis, Walter Ellis:
http://verbalcommits.com/players/walter-ellis (http://verbalcommits.com/players/walter-ellis)
That would be a first for me... I believe...
I did introduce LaPhonso in the "Miracle" game; and I don't think I have ever introduced a father and son combination....AS PLAYERS...I'm trying to come up with past father-son combinations who have played in games at Valpo...? drawing a blank. (I've only been announcing since 1986...)
There is a father-son that Valpo has played against during the Drew era. The winner gets my two tickets for a game in the upcoming season.
Quote from: chef on August 10, 2015, 09:29:04 PM
There is a father-son that Valpo has played against during the Drew era. The winner gets my two tickets for a game in the upcoming season.
The McCallums?
Quote from: chef on August 10, 2015, 09:29:04 PM
There is a father-son that Valpo has played against during the Drew era. The winner gets my two tickets for a game in the upcoming season.
There's actually at least two pairs from the Bryce Drew player era:
(http://img.deseretnews.com/images/article/mcontentimage/1041561/1041561.jpg)
(http://www.pacific.edu/Images/athletics/Bob%20Thomason/Thomason-Bob_1.jpg)
OK, let me clarify, both the father and son PLAYED against Valpo during the Drew era. Ray McCallum SR did not play against Valpo during the Drew era. Still looking for the correct answer.
Bryce played against the father and was head coach when Valpo played against the son.
Marty Simmons and son
great guess, but not correct. Marty played collegiately before the Drew era.
Quote from: chef on August 10, 2015, 11:01:52 PM
Bryce played against the father and was head coach when Valpo played against the son.
This won't meet the "played against Valpo" criteria, but Larry Johnson (Bryce in the NBA) and Larry Johnson, JR. (at YSU).
My first guess would have been Tony Freeman and Tony Freeman, jr., but I don't think we played Iowa or S. Ill during Jr's timeframe. And it doesn't meet the played against Bryce, Bryce was HC against son criteria.
This is not easy.
Thought I had one on a technicality - Bryce coached against the son, Kory Alford, although still on a redshirt, when Steve Alford was at New Mexico. Scott coached against Steve Alford when at Iowa, but Valpo never played Missouri State (Steve Alford's team at the time) when Bryce was playing.
Quote from: covufan on August 11, 2015, 11:51:32 AM
Quote from: chef on August 10, 2015, 11:01:52 PM
Bryce played against the father and was head coach when Valpo played against the son.
This won't meet the "played against Valpo" criteria, but Larry Johnson (Bryce in the NBA) and Larry Johnson, JR. (at YSU).
chef said "Bryce played against the father", not "played against Valpo". I think you nailed it!
Remember Bryce played against the father, in a collegiate game. The father played high school and college in the state of Indiana. Both father and son had very accomplished collegiate careers.
Deshaun Thomas and father
It's Travis Trice Sr. and Jr. Senior played at the university in Indy that shall not be named. :lol:
Nice job Kyle. Message me during the season if you need two. I'll give a weekly trivia question when we get closer to the season.
That would mean that the father is a contemporary of Bryce and played during Bryce's 4 years at VU (94-98). If he was Bryce's age and had a son immediately after graduation that son would be 17 this year -- too young. So, he probably was an upperclassman when Bryce was a freshman or soph. Who did we play in those first two years that might have that father as a player whose son now has played against us? This is intriguing.
[EDIT] Oh shoot, Kyle got it on the board while I was typing.
But wait -- not being a real Indiana BB follower -- who did/does Junior play for?
Gah, good job
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 11, 2015, 03:09:46 PM
But wait -- not being a real Indiana BB follower -- who did/does Junior play for?
Jr. played for MSU and we faced him in the tourney. He played in the Summer League for Miami most recently.
Quote from: chef on August 11, 2015, 03:08:49 PM
Nice job Kyle. Message me during the season if you need two. I'll give a weekly trivia question when we get closer to the season.
Thanks, go ahead and donate them to the next trivia question or to a group or something. I'm renewing my season tickets and won't need them :)
Quote from: Kyle321n on August 11, 2015, 02:52:51 PM
It's Travis Trice Sr. and Jr. Senior played at the university in Indy that shall not be named. :lol:
Quote from: chef on August 11, 2015, 03:08:49 PM
Nice job Kyle. Message me during the season if you need two. I'll give a weekly trivia question when we get closer to the season.
Here is Butler info for 1994-95, when Bryce played there as a freshman:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/butler/1995.html (http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/butler/1995.html)
Here is junior's info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Trice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Trice)
Junior was born while Dad was in college.
TT Sr. was some assist and steal machine.
Quote from: vufan75 on January 16, 2016, 10:31:25 PM
Tweeted today by Trevor. Andershock of INBasketball recruiting service. Hope young man enjoyed game and ARC atmosphere while at game.
South Bend Adams wing Walter Ellis [2018] is at Valparaiso for their game against Green Bay. @ny2lasports
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Sorry for 1st post
Figuring out new phone still. But Walter Ellis post is one I wanted to share.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Quote from: vufan75 on January 16, 2016, 10:49:23 PMSorry for 1st post Figuring out new phone still. But Walter Ellis post is one I wanted to share.
You can go to the "modify" button in the top right. Then scroll down and take out the part that you didn't want in your post. Any post can be edited. That way you don't need to apologize. Just fix the mistake.
Thanks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Former NBA star LaPhonso Ellis passing on lessons to travel team
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/07/10/former-nba-star-laphonso-ellis-passing-lessons-travel-team/29978993/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/07/10/former-nba-star-laphonso-ellis-passing-lessons-travel-team/29978993/)
~~Name Drop Warning~~
Nice to chat with LaPhonso after the game... Homer was taking him around. His handshake is something else! He's been to the ARC several times as color commentator since the Miracle Game in 1988...
2018 Recruit:
Looks like he's one of the potential top recruits in Illinois.
https://twitter.com/Coachmcmurray/status/757289205336645632
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/756935951004213248
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/756953686102847488
"Kevin Caldwell 5-10 PG Alton/SW Jets – Exciting player to watch lil fella, got mad squabbles, he's a clever play-maker who can score & dish, he's actually a pretty good outside shooter. Plays with more maturity and experience than some of the other point-guards in the class."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2015/08/top-2018-prospects.html
"Kevin Caldwell 5-10 PG Alton – ""Lil fellow got mad squabbles, he's clever and entertaining, has perimeter shooting to go with a strong floor game." Currently a stellar football player."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2015/09/top-20-2018-prospects.html
"Kevin Caldwell 5-11 PG Alton
Widely considered one of our state's top gifted athletes. "Big time football player." Kevin is a special athlete in hoops as well, he's lightening quick and capable of jumping over the top of opponents. Shrewd general, has struggled shooting from the field thus far. Plays on a talented team. NFL could be in his future."
http://illinois-spotlite.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-back-court-players-in-2018-class.html
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6846466/kevin-caldwell-jr
2018 offer reported per Trevor Andershock of INBballsource.
2018 Terre Haute South (IN) G Deavion Washington received an offer from Valparaiso. (HT @g3risingstars) @deman3320 https://t.co/GPJCv3b8Zp
https://www.twitter.com/deman3320/status/779764681363849216
In case you want to follow Terre Haute South (also known as South Vigo-because Terre Haute is in Vigo County) here is a website that reports on many of the Braves sports teams.
THSHS is in a conference with many Indy schools.
http://thsouthsports.com/boys_basketball
Terre Haute South dropped the Regional Championship game 74-44 against Southport. DeAvion Washington had 10 points to lead South. South shot 11-45 as a team.
South concluded the season 22-7.
Terre Haute South defeated Danville, IL 64-62 to close out the 2015-2016 regular season. Jesse Brown and DeAvion Washington had 17 points to lead South, while Chase Mahurin added 11.
South opens Sectional play Tuesday at Terre Haute North against Mooresville (Matt Kenney's HS) at 6pm.
Quote from: M on December 11, 2016, 06:47:23 PM
Saw Walter Ellis was offered by Cal. He'd be a nice get for Coach Lottich.
We first offered Walter Ellis in August of 2015. A year later IUPUI offered, then Indiana St. in Sept, and Ball St. in November and now Cal. Would be a good signing for Valpo!
Walter Ellis has been a scoring machine this year. Please come to Valpo, we are going to need some offense.
QuoteWalter Ellis has been a scoring machine this year. Please come to Valpo, we are going to need some offense.
I second M! We will also need his athleticism. I've heard he's been lighting it up. His Dad played in the NBA. Our athletic wings: Tevonn, Max, Shane will all have graduated. Micah is quick and has surprising hops but needs a good summer hitting the weights.
I've heard Bakari is pretty athletic. Parker Hazen is a pretty athletic forward. Mileek I haven't seen enough to judge his athleticism, and apparently he is still adjusting to his new height.
Who is Walter Ellis' father? Is it Dale Ellis? He was one of my favorite players to watch when I was still a Denver Nuggets fan, before adopting the losing Dallas Mavericks franchise a few years after our move in the mid-90's.
LaPhonso Ellis
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/823248047694114817
Xavier Pinson is the other athlete who was at the game against UIC. One offer so far from Chicago State. He's suppose to be a very good 3pt shooter.
https://twitter.com/_chicago_joe/status/822992860333150208
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/822646153695162369
https://twitter.com/YorkAthletics/status/815009730137624576
skinny kid. Only a Junior.
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/813843196962885632
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/813538523437473793
https://twitter.com/AthleticKonnect/status/810609028007137281
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/810198504203227137
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/809951411777708032
https://twitter.com/_chicago_joe/status/808863491662684165
https://twitter.com/_chicago_joe/status/807409100602609665
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/805511406644842496
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/805507315994689536
https://twitter.com/InTheGymHoops/status/796583235409022976
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/796398706249650178
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/791444099920437248
https://twitter.com/ny2lasports/status/791113326197473280
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/791025121934782464
https://twitter.com/CoachWalt_W/status/790207434484703232
https://twitter.com/CoachWalt_W/status/790207867743723520
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/789895941360852992
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/776274350764912640
https://twitter.com/youngballerztv/status/775413800262520832
https://twitter.com/HoopsClassical/status/749447149360787456
https://twitter.com/HoopsClassical/status/746148628675334144
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI-UOGn6OXY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmY83ed9P-Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VzAIh8acI0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GEnzpA4ouA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY7UrRPhZ5I
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.
Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.
When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.
Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PM
Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.
When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.
Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
Now that I've had a good laugh at my own expense...when outside of last year!?!? 🤔
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PM
Quote from: M on January 25, 2017, 08:07:11 PM
These guys look pretty skinny. Hit the weight room the next few years so we don't have another rail thin guard getting banged around.
When's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.
Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
Last year Skara, Vashil, Nickerson, Carter left.
In came the two freshman Sorrola and Bradford. Transfers Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn were added.
After this year we have Davidson, Hammink, Jubril, and Peters leaving. Parker Hazen and Mileek McMillan signed ... So 2 scholarships open, or am I missing something?
Edit - forgot about Darien Walker - that must have been filled by Middleton, who's scholarship is open now.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PMThink we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
The hope is that Sasha Stefanovic is unable to get an offer from Purdue, and inks this spring. If not, we'll probably see a JUCO SG, a traditional transfer (sit out one year) and a graduate transfer at the PF position.
This is just a guess.
Quote from: covufan on January 26, 2017, 09:25:33 AM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 25, 2017, 09:38:35 PMThink we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
The hope is that Sasha Stefanovic is unable to get an offer from Purdue, and inks this spring.
Better yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.
QuoteWhen's the last time we had (5) scholarships open in 1-year? Appears we have (2) signed with (3) open for 2017.
Think we use all (5) for 2017? Predictions?
I feel like a lot of the eggs are in the Sasha Stefanovic basket. He is a huge priority for the program right now. Taylor Bruninga is also a strong possibility.
I think the coaching staff will look at the transfers available for next offseason. Valpo has a successful history of developing transfers who needed an opportunity and Shane and LaVonte are to really good examples.
I still think there is a decent chance that Kizer is going to get one of the open scholarships. Just from the small minutes I've seen so far I'm not sure I'd burn a scholarship on Kizer. I know people have made some comparisons to Matt Kenney but Kizer isn't as athletic or quick as Kenney was. We really haven't seen enough to fully evaluate as fans imo.
Also keep in mind we could go into next season and carry an open scholarship to try and land guys who transfer midseason. The Australian SMU transfer Tom Wilson chose Boise State over Valpo was because Boise State had an open scholarship so he could enroll in the spring semester. Unfortunately when John Middleton transferred and the NCAA doesn't allow that scholarship to be freed up till next fall.
QuoteBetter yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.
I don't want to be a downer but I don't think thats going to happen. His parents are John Purdue Club Members which is a boosters club for Purdue Athletics. My co-workers kids go to Crown Point and he said it's not a well kept secret that he wants an offer from Purdue. I'm not sure if Purdue will offer, but Coach Painter has definitely scouted Sasha. He was just at one of Crown Points games last week I believe.
I feel like many players love the cache of saying you play for a Big Ten school but I think getting the opportunity of playing as a freshman and getting the in game development when you are younger is better then riding the bench on a Big Ten squad. I think you can make the case that Alec, Rowdy, Tevonn, others have benefited from getting playing time as a freshman and sophomore, and that served them well in their development and became better players from the experience they gained.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 26, 2017, 10:28:08 AM
QuoteBetter yet, let's hope he gets a Purdue offer, and turns it down in favor of Valpo. Alec continued to pile up offers after he was offered by Valpo (including late offers from D-1 Majors), and still chose Valpo. There has to be something validating to be able to tell your friends and classmates that you could have gone to a Big 10 school (especially an in-state school that a lot of NWI people slobber over), but chose not to.
I don't want to be a downer but I don't think thats going to happen. His parents are John Purdue Club Members which is a boosters club for Purdue Athletics. My co-workers kids go to Crown Point and he said it's not a well kept secret that he wants an offer from Purdue. I'm not sure if Purdue will offer, but Coach Painter has definitely scouted Sasha. He was just at one of Crown Points games last week I believe.
I feel like many players love the cache of saying you play for a Big Ten school but I think getting the opportunity of playing as a freshman and getting the in game development when you are younger is better then riding the bench on a Big Ten squad. I think you can make the case that Alec, Rowdy, Tevonn, others have benefited from getting playing time as a freshman and sophomore, and that served them well in their development and became better players from the experience they gained.
You're kind of helping make my point. You are describing what may well have been Alec's rationale. He waited until he got the "big" offers, but opted in the end for a top mid-major program where he knew he would start and contribute from minute-1. In the process he pacified the masses of shallow thought that think if you don't get an offer from a "big-time" program, you are a 2nd class talent. Sasha may in fact be doing the same thing, despite Mom and Dad's apparent affection for Purdue. Go through the motions, get an offer, pacify Mom and Dad, please the shallow friends, then pull the trigger on Valpo. It doesn't take a rocket scientist's IQ to know that if you haven't been offered by this time, you're a fallback to preferred candidates that they've already offered and hope will accept so they don't have to settle for you.
wh, agreed. Not sure recruits look at the big picture sometimes. Hope he sees the benefit. Opportunity to play at one of the best Mid-major programs in the nation in your backyard in front of family/friends/NWI community, great education, great coaches, opportunity to play/contribute from the get go and to accelerate his development.
Not sure how serious the interest is but I've heard the coaching staff has checked out St. Charles East (IL) 2018 SG/SF Justin Hardy a few times this season. Could be a target for 2018. He even visited this summer. Thought I'd share now that Sasha is out of the picture.
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/760134832890507264
WH, great point. But reading VU2014's second sentence between the lines, these are 18-19 yr old kids and we know they don't always make the best choices. They sometimes go for the shiny thing in front or they have been coddled by coaches and parents who make them think they're better than they are and think they'll start in no time for the bigger program and end up being a 4 year bench / role player or getting frustrated and transferring after a couple of years.
That's also the bane of these AAU programs. If shoe company A sponsers both an AAU program and State School U, and the coach of the AAU program steers a recruit toward State School U, that coach will receive a bonus in next year's sponsorship check. It's a kickback that's perfectly within both law and NCAA rules.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 26, 2017, 10:28:08 AMI think you can make the case that Alec, Rowdy, Tevonn, others have benefited from getting playing time as a freshman and sophomore, and that served them well in their development and became better players from the experience they gained.
As will Micah Bradford, Derrik Smits and Jay Sorolla benefit greatly from their freshmen starting exposure.
Quote from: wh on September 27, 2016, 02:25:15 AM
https://www.twitter.com/deman3320/status/779764681363849216
Have we heard anything new from TH South's DeAvion Washington as far as his Valpo offer? Is he expected to go to a higher level school? He is listed by Verbal Commits as a 2 star recruit. I remembered seeing this story around the end of year about his TH South team getting upset by class A power Linton-Stockton in a Terre Haute area tournament.
http://www.tribstar.com/sports/first-financial-wabash-valley-classic-linton-knocks-off-terre-haute/article_b0806536-cca1-11e6-9eb6-3fce172bf91d.html
"That was a really good team we played tonight," Hart said later. "I'm a huge Jaylen Minnett fan, and De'Avion Washington is probably the most improved player there — and he was good to begin with."
Minnett had 25 points, four assists and even two big blocked shots in the fourth quarter to lead the Braves, and Washington scored 12. Jevan McCoskey had nine early points, and Brown got in foul trouble, but hung around to score five of his seven points in overtime.
"I told [the Braves after the game] that games like this build character," coach Maynard Lewis of the Braves said, "and losses like this are tough. What's important is how are they going to come back [today].(http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tribstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/00/7000f1ac-ccb9-11e6-b547-6bad4e8144b6/58634547bacec.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C910)
If you think free throws aren't important think again. Both teams could have won this game in regulation if they had made their last minute free throws.
But Linton put together a 22-9 run at that point, taking a 54-50 lead with 3:43 left in regulation time and could have salted the game away except for missing three free throws in the last minute. Two of the misses came with 7.5 seconds left, and South sent the game into overtime by hitting one of two from the line at 1.6.
One of the kids that we are in on recruiting 2018 SG 6'5 Justin Hardy St Charles East is taking his second visit to the Green Bay this weekend... just a heads up. I have a family friend who has a son who plays for St Charles East so I've been keeping tabs on their games and Hardy is a impressive. Much improved 3pt shot this season and he's only a JR. He took an unofficial to valpo last summer.
https://twitter.com/WolvesILL/status/834776323822387201
https://twitter.com/WolvesILL/status/760134405268594688
I think visiting Valpo in August beats visiting GB in February!
Some interesting names that Valpo could involved in the process. Walter Ellis and Deavion Washington are key targets.
Adrian Nelson is a 6-4 SG out of Pickerington, OH. Currently unranked by major scouting services (still only a JR).
Currently has offers from: Detroit, Air Force, and Stony Brook.
https://twitter.com/VCCOhioWarriors/status/809886781189607424
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmUorCY6YIc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBxZC-aOgZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eU_U5LzbZs
My favorite 2018 recruit I've heard about so far is Logan Logan Swackhammer (awesome name: I could see Todd Ickow having fun with this name lol). Just from the "highlights" I've seen kid looks like he can ball, a high motor and a very smart kid with a 4.2 GPA.
He's a 6-2 PG based out of Chillicothe, OH.
Current offers are: Urbana and St. Leo.
Showing interest: Valpo, Colgate, and Stony Brook.
He took a visit to Valpo back in November. I believe he was at the Trinity (IL) game. Not are greatest showing.... We were still working out the kinks in the Offense/Defense being the 2nd game of the year and we took it east against a non D1 school but whatever.
Picture of him at the ARC: https://www.instagram.com/p/BM3ijwpga_l/
Have to check out the Hudl page. I was really impressed with his handles and shot making ability. Looked really good to me at least.
http://www.hudl.com/profile/4926914/logan-swackhammer
One thing to note in this interview is that he said he'd like to play around the North Carolina area, because has family in the area. Could have been an off handed comment but maybe a deciding factor next year where he choses to go to school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9_39yMsfcE
Another one of Logan's teammates came on the visit: Cameron Brooks-Harris - 6'7/F-G
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMWX3G9An9-/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6xQh66vg1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8r1kjaDb3I
https://twitter.com/PocketCityBball/status/778400480586194944
Mekhi Lairy
Positions: PG
Height & Weight: 5'8" 135lbs
Class of: 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw8wPNglbOg
https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/791101824711352320
Jeffrey Reynolds 6'6" 170lbs. SF, Greenwood, IN
http://www.hudl.com/profile/4760002/jeffrey-reynolds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIHBhoy0fcY&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqu7IcIedjc
Walter Ellis is visiting April 19th.
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/849713230746456066
http://www.hudl.com/profile/4153447/walter-ellis
Quote from: VU2014 on April 05, 2017, 03:21:36 PM
Walter Ellis is visiting April 19th.
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/849713230746456066
http://www.hudl.com/profile/4153447/walter-ellis
I think our coaches will be visiting Adam Amin's former broadcast partner's home.
Walter can really put up points and would be a real nice get. He has quite a few offers and I will be pleasantly surprised if or coaches can lure him here.
Quote from: M on April 05, 2017, 06:24:30 PM
Walter can really put up points and would be a real nice get. He has quite a few offers and I will be pleasantly surprised if or coaches can lure him here.
I'd also be surprised, the lure of major offers is quite enticing at his age. I can't say many demonstrate the foresight of Alec Peters. It's a rare gift to have parents and a family support structure that keeps the ego out of the decision making process.
[tweet]849829951457153025[/tweet]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o)
Quote from: valpopal on April 06, 2017, 12:19:45 AM
[tweet]849829951457153025[/tweet]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o)
That kid is built like a 7ft tank. Interesting if he were to come to Valpo. 3 7footers? Maybe they are just doing due diligence or maybe they may just preparing for potential transfer.
TCU has positioned themselves well for the future, with their recent NIT title. Dixon has that program on the upswing, for the first time since 1998.
Quote from: VU2014 on April 06, 2017, 08:42:56 AM
Quote from: valpopal on April 06, 2017, 12:19:45 AM
[tweet]849829951457153025[/tweet]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o)
That kid is built like a 7ft tank. Interesting if he were to come to Valpo. 3 7footers? Maybe they are just doing due diligence or maybe they may just preparing for potential transfer.
Didn't somebody post somewhere that Smits could graduate after next season? If he has a breakout year next year I wouldn't blame him for leaving and playing high major ball somewhere for a few years. Maybe his breakout year isn't until his junior year. Either way, I could see him leaving eventually on good terms with fans and coaches.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on April 07, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on April 06, 2017, 08:42:56 AM
Quote from: valpopal on April 06, 2017, 12:19:45 AM
[tweet]849829951457153025[/tweet]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o)
That kid is built like a 7ft tank. Interesting if he were to come to Valpo. 3 7footers? Maybe they are just doing due diligence or maybe they may just preparing for potential transfer.
Didn't somebody post somewhere that Smits could graduate after next season? If he has a breakout year next year I wouldn't blame him for leaving and playing high major ball somewhere for a few years. Maybe his breakout year isn't until his junior year. Either way, I could see him leaving eventually on good terms with fans and coaches.
I'd predict he'd transfer for playing time at a smaller school before a P6 bench warmer. I like his upside, but he is too slow afoot for P6 starter at this point.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on April 07, 2017, 09:57:42 AM
Quote from: SanityLost17 on April 07, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on April 06, 2017, 08:42:56 AM
Quote from: valpopal on April 06, 2017, 12:19:45 AM
[tweet]849829951457153025[/tweet]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EYlJiaD5o)
That kid is built like a 7ft tank. Interesting if he were to come to Valpo. 3 7footers? Maybe they are just doing due diligence or maybe they may just preparing for potential transfer.
Didn't somebody post somewhere that Smits could graduate after next season? If he has a breakout year next year I wouldn't blame him for leaving and playing high major ball somewhere for a few years. Maybe his breakout year isn't until his junior year. Either way, I could see him leaving eventually on good terms with fans and coaches.
I'd predict he'd transfer for playing time at a smaller school before a P6 bench warmer. I like his upside, but he is too slow afoot for P6 starter at this point.
Agreed. Smits really struggled against more athletic bigs this season. Doesn't mean he can't be played against more athletic lineups but he needs to be quicker at identifying opposing teams plays and knowing be in better position on defense. He was out of position a lot last year. For some reason he tended to drift away from the paint on offense, which him in horrible position to rebound the ball.
I'm going to give last year a bit of a mulligan but I am expecting next year will tell a lot about Smits potential. This is a BIG offseason for him. He'll be fully healthy and can really hit the weight room and battle with Jay and Coach Gore in the post. There is a lot of potential with Derrik. You can see flashes of it with some of his post moves. He just needs to learn to absorb contact and learn to battle a little more in the post.
I think that Derrik and Jay have tremendous potential. I just want to see an attitude change in both of our bigs. They seem to rely so much on their physical attributes that they (Derrik in particular) take it for granted that they can get a shot off or get the rebound over another player. IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY! There should be no talk of finesse, I want to see them try and rip the rim off of the backboard every time they make a post move. I want them to block out so completely that the ball will hit the floor before it is recovered. I want to see snarls on their faces and their forearms and biceps rippling with definition. For some reason last year both of them played soft, I don't think any of our opponents were intimidated by them... and they NEED TO BE INTIMIDATED on both ends of the floor.
With all the MVC possibly adding Valpo, Murray State and Belmont, I thought this was interesting. Belmont is recruiting the same recruit Valpo is: SG Walter Ellis. He's suppose to be coming in for a visit on April 19.
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/849766654414385152
In home, I'm pretty sure, means they are going to visit him.
Something to keep in mind...there are always more and it's always easier to recruit competent smaller backcourt or mid size front court personnel than good "big" men. In my opinion if a big man along the lines of AP is available, we should jump at the opportunity. Guys in the 6-3 to 6-5 range are always around...guys like Alec are rare birds. Let's go for "Big Bru".
Quote from: valpo64 on April 10, 2017, 10:24:30 AM
Something to keep in mind...there are always more and it's always easier to recruit competent smaller backcourt or mid size front court personnel than good "big" men. In my opinion if a big man along the lines of AP is available, we should jump at the opportunity. Guys in the 6-3 to 6-5 range are always around...guys like Alec are rare birds. Let's go for "Big Bru".
What was it Frank Layden used to say "Can't coach 7' "
Quote from: covufan on April 10, 2017, 12:27:53 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on April 10, 2017, 10:24:30 AM
Something to keep in mind...there are always more and it's always easier to recruit competent smaller backcourt or mid size front court personnel than good "big" men. In my opinion if a big man along the lines of AP is available, we should jump at the opportunity. Guys in the 6-3 to 6-5 range are always around...guys like Alec are rare birds. Let's go for "Big Bru".
What was it Frank Layden used to say "Can't coach 7' "
I thought it was teach, not coach..."You can't teach seven feet tall!!!"
According to Scout.com Valpo is showing interest in:
-in Jimmy Beane (18') SF 6'5" 185lbs. Clay HS, South Bend, IN. (really wish his last name was Beame instead of Beane)
-Aaron Henry (18') G/SF 6'6" 205lbs. Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN.
https://indiana.rivals.com/news/three-star-in-state-forward-aaron-henry-has-big-ten-big-east-interest
https://twitter.com/ScoutingINBoys/status/851253876326100992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YCbj53FA2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFfQtBAV2-A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jk_gVlWAfc
Even if Smits graduates early, he needs to get playing time experience, not sitting on the bench even if it is at a P-5 team. I would think that his practice time with "J" and sharing of playing time here would be more valuable for him in the long run.
Quote from: cornonthe on April 10, 2017, 01:11:07 PM
Quote from: covufan on April 10, 2017, 12:27:53 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on April 10, 2017, 10:24:30 AM
Something to keep in mind...there are always more and it's always easier to recruit competent smaller backcourt or mid size front court personnel than good "big" men. In my opinion if a big man along the lines of AP is available, we should jump at the opportunity. Guys in the 6-3 to 6-5 range are always around...guys like Alec are rare birds. Let's go for "Big Bru".
What was it Frank Layden used to say "Can't coach 7' "
I thought it was teach, not coach..."You can't teach seven feet tall!!!"
I've also seen "You can't coach height" or "You can't teach height". Also attributed to Red Auerbach. Who really knows???
2018 recruit of interest Axel (7'0") has disappeared from the Verbal Commits website on the Valpo page. Wonder where or why?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on April 10, 2017, 10:42:19 PM
2018 recruit of interest Axel (7'0") has disappeared from the Verbal Commits website on the Valpo page. Wonder where or why?
Not sure, either we pulled the offer, or he accepted somewhere in Canada?
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/axel-okongo
https://twitter.com/deman3320/status/854151724751257601
https://twitter.com/CoachWarnerFC/status/854153035899129856
I thought Coach Warner's tweet was pretty telling. Deavion Washington is a really important recruit to our program. He's so underrated right now.
[tweet]856150444908974080[/tweet]
One of Valpo's priority recruits for the class of 2018 Deavion Washington is starting to draw interest from larger schools like DePaul, Pitt, & Temple. Something to keep an eye on. He just landed an offer from UNC-Greensboro
https://twitter.com/g3risingstars/status/859365803833135104
https://twitter.com/g3risingstars/status/859361069508288512
I wouldn't consider DePaul as being larger. Their quality is below ours ;)
Agreed on quality, but they still are in a 6 or 7-bid Big East with every game on national TV, plus a brand new 10,000+ seat arena opening in the city next year. I would not be shocked if DePaul basketball became a factor again in a hurry.
People have been saying that for the last 15-20 years ;)
Oh, absolutely. But that was never going to happen while they were still playing 45 minutes from campus in the suburbs. The new arena is two L stops away from DePaul's Loop campus, where a couple thousand students now live and any student majoring in business, communications, law or technology has the majority of their classes. The term "game-changer" gets thrown around a lot, but this sure feels like it.
Deavion Washington just picked up an offer from Temple.
https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/859942936733253632
Javon Freeman-Liberty just received an offer from the Valparaiso Coaching Staff
Currently ranked as a 2-star but he's definitely a fast riser. I know Loyola has been all over him in recruiting and recruiting him pretty hard.
Current Offers: Valpo, Loyola-Chicago (first to offer: 10/11/2016), Drake, Toledo
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/870410222057246722
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etjjrYtKUDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82JzUDoTD8Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruN53byPZNA
6-4 shooting guard, skilled ball handler, plays up-tempo, likes to get to the rim, doesn't shy away from contact, athletic, likes to dunk, plays against serious competition. If he also wants to play for a dominant program in a supercharged environment in front of family and friends, we have a match made in heaven. Come on over, Javon!
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/870434261584793600
Recruits like Liberty and Washington, assuming they continue to develop, have long evaded us. I go back and forth on saying to myself "Go get em, Lottich!" and "The first offer that comes from a major program and we never hear from them again."
This is an important type of recruit. The Drews were never able to consistently bring these guys in. You nab 2 or 3 of these caliber guys in one class, and they stick around and develop, you could really get that next level boost.
https://twitter.com/castaneda_x/status/870622637344600064
Just posted 40 minutes ago. Already has an offer from Iowa State
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on June 02, 2017, 07:45:24 AM
Recruits like Liberty and Washington, assuming they continue to develop, have long evaded us. I go back and forth on saying to myself "Go get em, Lottich!" and "The first offer that comes from a major program and we never hear from them again."
This is an important type of recruit. The Drews were never able to consistently bring these guys in. You nab 2 or 3 of these caliber guys in one class, and they stick around and develop, you could really get that next level boost.
Not sure what you mean. We have landed several high major recruits over the years. Cory Johnson, Brandon Wood, Ben Boggs, Will Bogan, Bobby Capobianco, E. Victor Nickerson, to name a few. Lottich has continued to get top rated guys with Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn. Oh, you meant out of high school...never mind. ;)
Quote from: crusader05 on June 02, 2017, 08:29:27 AM
https://twitter.com/castaneda_x/status/870622637344600064
Just posted 40 minutes ago. Already has an offer from Iowa State
This kid will be challenging Alec Peters for the most D1 offers. I count 9 so far including Valpo.
Quote from: crusader05 on June 02, 2017, 08:29:27 AM
https://twitter.com/castaneda_x/status/870622637344600064
Just posted 40 minutes ago. Already has an offer from Iowa State
Xavier Castañeda
Year: 2018 (HS JR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Whitney Young Magnet High School
Current Offers: Valpo, Iowa State, Missouri, Tusla, Kent State, UIC, Miami (OH), Drake
Currently Ranked: 2-star recruit (won't be a 2-star when they update the rankings next Fall)
Plays for the same AAU Team that Jubril use to play for: Meanstreets
https://twitter.com/Tony_Or_Anthony/status/858095815092559873
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/858091191623143424
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/855260787132289024
https://twitter.com/ChiTribPreps/status/841858132338958336
https://twitter.com/coachSPham/status/841827772603457537
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGfA8J85U1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xc4LVkVRAk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHVC32RcdUc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttwZPcJrFyA
Guy I respect a whole lot tells me Freeman would be a real nice get. Real smooth player, long, makes plays.
Cory Johnson, Brandon Wood, Ben Boggs, Will Bogan, Bobby Capobianco, E. Victor Nickerson, Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn
These players all came to Valpo after trying out the majors. How does Valpo get high school seniors to choose Valpo when they get several offers from majors but will most likely end up at a mid-major like Valpo. Players such as Xavier Castañeda, Justin Boyd and DeAvian Washington would be better off in the long run choosing Valpo in the first place.
Quote from: bbtds on June 02, 2017, 12:20:17 PM
Cory Johnson, Brandon Wood, Ben Boggs, Will Bogan, Bobby Capobianco, E. Victor Nickerson, Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn
These players all came to Valpo after trying out the majors. How does Valpo get high school seniors to choose Valpo when they get several offers from majors but will most likely end up at a mid-major like Valpo. Players such as Xavier Castañeda, Justin Boyd and DeAvian Washington would be better off in the long run choosing Valpo in the first place.
Now that we have Alec Peters as an example of someone who turned down other offers to have his whole career at Valpo, I'd use that in recruiting. He was getting looks from the NBA after his junior year, and has shown that there is a path that doesn't necessarily include the Power conferences.
Quote from: covufan on June 02, 2017, 12:43:49 PM
Quote from: bbtds on June 02, 2017, 12:20:17 PM
Cory Johnson, Brandon Wood, Ben Boggs, Will Bogan, Bobby Capobianco, E. Victor Nickerson, Joe Burton and Bakari Evelyn
These players all came to Valpo after trying out the majors. How does Valpo get high school seniors to choose Valpo when they get several offers from majors but will most likely end up at a mid-major like Valpo. Players such as Xavier Castañeda, Justin Boyd and DeAvian Washington would be better off in the long run choosing Valpo in the first place.
Now that we have Alexc Peters as an example of someone who turned down other offers to have his whole career at Valpo, I'd use that in recruiting. He was getting looks from the NBA after his junior year, and has shown that there is a path that doesn't necessarily include the Power conferences.
Having the opportunity to talk about playing in the Missouri Valley Conference has a lot more push, when these Chicago kids could come to Valpo, and their parents and friends can go to Loyola, Bradley, and Illinois St. for road games, instead of long drives to Green Bay, Detroit, Youngstown, Dayton, or Cleveland. Chicago, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal will be a matter of a few hours over an all day-all night/two-day trip. Plus, the television exposure of the MVC on local cable and satellite plans will get Valpo on tv a bit more in Chicago, especially with a local flavor Loyola-Valpo matchup at Gentile or the ARC.
Quote from: valporun on June 03, 2017, 08:40:04 AM
Having the opportunity to talk about playing in the Missouri Valley Conference has a lot more push, when these Chicago kids could come to Valpo, and their parents and friends can go to Loyola, Bradley, and Illinois St. for road games, instead of long drives to Green Bay, Detroit, Youngstown, Dayton, or Cleveland. Chicago, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal will be a matter of a few hours over an all day-all night/two-day trip. Plus, the television exposure of the MVC on local cable and satellite plans will get Valpo on tv a bit more in Chicago, especially with a local flavor Loyola-Valpo matchup at Gentile or the ARC.
And Valpo continues to draw large numbers of students from not just Chicago but also all over Illinois. It is much more likely that a Valpo student will have friends studying at Illinois State, Loyola or SIU then Cleveland State, Youngstown State or Green Bay.
Holy cow. The Juniors beat the Seniors in the Indiana All-Star game (I think a few seniors were missing because they left school after HS graduation but still impressive).
The Juniors were led by Valpo recruit De'Avion Washington. He is a very impressive player.
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/872262837045006336
https://twitter.com/TribStarTodd/status/872263129119551491
https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/872251201307508736
https://twitter.com/Jon_Blau/status/872247052268445696
https://twitter.com/insidethehall/status/872263172710948864
Some of the other Junior Indiana All-Stars that Valpo has had rumors to be interested is:
-PG: Mekhi Lairy (5'8") He average 23pts and over 8 assists his junior year. Finished with 8pts tonight.
-G/F Aaron Henry (6'6") 205lbs
Javon Freeman scouting report.
https://twitter.com/MidwestHoopsSL/status/872145001085624320
"Javon Freeman ('18 Whitney Young HS IL): The tall athletic wing stands at 6'5" and has a refined offensive game. Freeman uses his size, quickness and creativity to penetrate the lane and collapse the defense. His array of offensive skills include a soft floater, a paralyzing pump fake and a euro step that allow him to score from different angles on the basketball court."
One of the other top performers in that article mentions Xavier Pinson who took an unofficial to Valpo last season.
He was at the Valpo vs UIC game at the ARC where we literally obliterated UIC.
Love when potential recruits come see Valpo Basketball at its best.
https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/823248047694114817
Just an update. Walter Ellis is taking a visit to Toledo & Ball State the next few days.
Walter's current offers:
-Valpo
-Indiana State
-Ball State
-IUPUI
-Cal (Cuonzo Martin offered (his Dad is very good friends with Walter's Dad) & he's moved on to Mizzou)
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/876798948228431874
We seem to be recruiting a lot of the same players as the Ball State, Indiana State, Evansville, IPFW, IUPUI. A little unsurprising I guess. Personally I think we are the premier Mid-Major Program in the State of Indiana but there are some solid mid-major programs in Indiana. Ball State is starting to get some talent & rebuilding that program the last few years.
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/877264525850013696
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/874985312686145536
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/860921232513941505
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/866008993260388353
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6'0 - 6'1
Year 2018
AAU Team: Indiana Blaze
http://www.270hoops.com/roster_players/15533884
http://www.270hoops.com/news_article/show/793259?referrer_id=
Settled In: Tre Baumgardner evolving as all-around point guard
By Zach Fleer, 05/16/17, 10:15AM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- High school basketball hasn't always been easy for Tre Baumgardner. For the first two years of Baumgardner's career, it was an up and down journey for one of the area's premier guards. With the turbulence of the past behind him, Baumgardner enjoyed a breakout junior season that started in the winter when the point guard commanded the Africentric backcourt.
"I'm happy to be in one spot in AAU and school because I don't have to worry about anything else except playing the game I love and continuing to get better," Baumgardner told 270 Hoops.
Beginning his career at the now-defunct City Prep Academy on Columbus' east side, Baumgardner was part of a celebrated freshman class in the fall of 2014 that included Pickerington North's Jerome Hunter and Eastmoor's Stanley Williams. As issues with the school's legitimacy and academic standing caused a mass exodus, Baumgardner would move on to Africentric.
With a virtually wasted freshman year, Baumgardner would struggle to find minutes as a sophomore with the Nubians. As Africentric featured a deep senior class during Baumgardner's second year with the Nubians, the guard would have to wait his turn.
The patience paid off, especially in the summer of that season, when Baumgardner made the switch to Team Blaze Select in the AAU season. Running alongside four-star recruit Musa Jallow, Baumgardner was able to focus on being an all-around point guard.
That shift in play style greatly benefit Baumgardner, as he took the momentum of last summer's AAU season into the winter. Returning to Africentric, Baumgardner had a chance alongside senior Landon Martin and junior Jah Bennett to represent the new era of Nubian basketball. And Baumgardner did just that - even if he is humble about.
"I feel that my performance [last year] was okay," Baumgardner said. "It was basically my first year and I was adjusting the whole season so I couldn't really be consistent. This year, I want to be more consistent and keep a high motor for the whole game."
Averaging 17.1 points and starting every game, Baumgardner was consistent - as far as the stat sheet goes - for most of the season, pouring in a career-high 30 points vs. Walnut Ridge in January. Never scoring below nine points in any game last season, Baumgardner officially made his mark as one of the area's top point guards, as his production matched his skill level for the first time in his career.
While Africentric would fail to win a district title for the first time since 2013, falling to eventual state runner-up Wellington by two points, Baumgardner closed the chapter of a breakout junior season.
Back with Team Blaze Select for the summer, Baumgardner has enjoyed a strong AAU season by all regards.
"It's going real well so far," Baumgardner said. "With this team, I have to be more of a true point guard because I have other people around me that can score at different levels, so I set the table first before I think to score and just let the game come to me."
Excelling as a facilitator and especially on the defensive perimeter, Baumgardner has not disappointed this spring. College coaches have also taken note, too.
While Baumgardner admits his recruitment has been a "little slow" so far, programs are still inquiring about the 6-foot-1 point guard.
"I've still been talking to Valparaiso and Alderson-Broaddus is talking to me heavy right now," Baumgardner said. "[Alderson-Broaddus] wants me to come to their invite-only camp in June and same goes for Miami (OH)."
A bit of a Division II-I tweener, Baumgardner can greatly help his recruitment for the rest of the summer leading into a senior year where the guard is looking to improve as a leader.
"To be successful this year I am going to have to lead by example, which starts on defense," Baumgardner said. "I feel that if I lock down my man 94 feet, my teammates will do the same. And also just show the passion for it and they will follow me and give their all if they see me, as a leader, giving my all. It all starts from the top."
As Africentric's unquestioned leader coming into this season, Baumgardner has embraced what comes with the territory of being 'the man.'
"The biggest challenges are that other teams watch a lot of film on you and study your game and tendencies," Baumgardner said. "Also in the City League, I got denied from the jump to the final buzzer, which was hard to get used to initially but once I figured out how to get freed up from being denied, it wasn't that much of a problem."
Most confident about his IQ, defense and play-making ability, Baumgardner will need to bring those qualities to the floor in each and every game for the Nubians.
In a City League-South division that should be as good as nearly any in Central Ohio, each game will be a battle for Africentric. For a player like Baumgardner, who has defeated adversity for his entire career, you can bet that he will be ready.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6861029/manning-tre-baumgardner-iii
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uonSqOXK22E
Strange. The Tweet saying he was visiting Valpo this week was deleted.
The Nubians? That's a first. I was looking at our team and recruitment and realized that the class of 2020 will be a huge challenge for us as we will have SEVEN spots to fill. Bakari, Derrik, J, Kiser, Ryan, Markus and Micah. Talk about rebuilding!! :o
Too hard to predict that far ahead. You never know what will happen between now and then.
Guys transfer, we could bring in red-shirt guys, we could land 1 or 2 of these high level/potential impact recruits then it doesn't seem like a rebuild.
But agreed, its not an ideal situation to have 7 scholarships come up in 1 offseason. My guess is that won't be the case but we'll see. It's going to be important for the coaches to land the next big impact player (ex: AP/Rowdy) for the program. Maybe those guys are already on the roster. We just don't know yet.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/877940430821761024
https://twitter.com/IlliniSwami/status/877644319821185025
http://ilprepbullseye.com/Illini_Insider_Late_June.html
Look At The Top 5 2018 Prospects In Illinois
Date: June 21, 2017
By Ryan Evan--Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye Recruiting Contributor
..........
5) Javon Freeman-Liberty 6'4 WF Chicago (Whitney Young)
There is a lot of talent in 2018 and this fifth spot could of went a few different ways. I believe this kid earned it by his play in
the state tournament along with helping MeanStreets qualify for the Peach Jam. In Indianapolis Freeman-Liblerty single-
handledly kept them in a couple games when his teammates were struggling. He has superior athleticism in relation to the
other four players on this list and attacks the basket relentlessly. Freeman-Liberty can finish with contact and is aided in
this area by his incredible length. I believe he is a high major prospect and will continue to get better over the next 12
months. Right now Freeman-Liberty has offers from Toledo, Loyola, Valparaiso, Drake, Bradley and Chicago State.
He also told me that Tulsa and Syracuse have expressed interest . I expect many more offers to come, as basketball is
in his blood and he's a competitor. His uncle is former Illini great Marcus Liberty. Even though I don't expect an offer from
Illinois, that doesn't mean that Freeman-Liberty won't ultimately land offers from other high major programs. He is certainly
worth keeping an eye on as he tries to lead Whitney Young back to the state finals in Peoria again next season.
........
2020 class will be huge!
I don't watch a lot of Indiana High School Basketball but it's nice to see a few Valpo recruits on the list and another handful that we know Valpo has been rumored to be showing interest in.
I'd love to hear what you guys think about this list.
https://twitter.com/MattGlenesk/status/881610213928747008
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/07/02/insider-2018-indiana-high-school-basketball-player-rankings/443315001/
Insider: 2018 Indiana high school basketball player rankings
By: Kyle Neddenriep , kyle.neddenriep@indystar.com
Date: July 2, 2017
"There is little doubt about the No. 1 spot in the 2018 in-state basketball recruiting rankings. The rest of the top 20 is up for debate. Here are the updated 2018 rankings from Preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep:"
1. Romeo Langford, New Albany:
2. Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon:
3. Damezi Anderson, South Bend Riley
4. Eric Hunter, Tindley:
5. Aaron Henry, Ben Davis: (Valpo has been rumored to show interest)
The 6-5 Henry averaged 14.3 points per game as a junior and led Ben Davis to a run to the Class 4A state championship. The versatile forward was recently offered by Butler and also has a number of other offers, including Ball State, Evansville, Indiana State, Akron, Bradley, Florida Gulf Coast, Miami (Ohio), Oakland and more. Henry is also picking up interest from Big Ten programs and could see his recruitment take a jump in July.
6. Musa Jallow, Bloomington North:
7. Kevin Easley, Lawrence North:
8. Gavin Bizeau, Plainfield:
9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)
The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.
10. Walter Ellis, South Bend Adams: (Has an offer from Valparaiso)
The 6-5 Ellis, son of former Notre Dame star and NBA forward LaPhonso Ellis, averaged 19 points per game at South Bend Adams as a junior. Ellis' scholarship offers include Ball State, Fort Wayne, Indiana State, IUPUI, Toledo and UNC-Greensboro. He's receiving interest from high-major programs as well.
11. Jarron Coleman, Cathedral:
12. Austin Boucher, Fort Wayne North Side:
13. De'Avion Washington, Terre Haute South: (Has an offer from Valpo and is a priority recruit. He's a game changer from everything I've heard/read)
The 6-3 Washington showed his pedigree as a scorer and 3-point shooter for the Junior All-Star team. For his junior season, Washington averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and shot 46 percent (38-for-84) from the 3-point line. Washington's offer list includes Ball State, Indiana State, IUPUI, Valparaiso, East Carolina, Temple, UNC-Greensboro and Western Illinois.
14. Caleb Brown, Broad Ripple:
15. Robin Duncan, Evansville Harrison:
16. Jamal Harris, Crispus Attucks:
17. DeAndre Gholston, Gary 21st Century:
18. Myja White, Brebeuf Jesuit:
19. Chance Coyle, Bloomington South:
20. Tony Hopkins, Howe:
Five more on the radar:
-Johnny Bernard, Merrillville; (Mileek McMillan's Former Teammate)
-Antwaan Cushingberry, Lawrence North;
-Jack Hansen, Guerin Catholic;
-Caleb Middlesworth, Oak Hill;
-Chaz Birchfield, Hamilton Southeastern
Johnny B was at the elite camp hosted by Valpo a few weeks back. Not sure of any interest by either party.
Well Javon Freeman-Liberty's recruitment blew up today... offers from VCU, SLU, and Akron. He's definitely getting noticed and drawing more interest.
Just took a look at the amount of offers VCU and SLU's have each and its jaw dropping. They have both have 18 offers to just Shooting Guard recruits alone. If I'm a recruit and I see that I would almost get insulted. An offer to many of the bigger program are just a sign of interest and not a true offer.
We're starting to see a lot of kids committing early. A couple big names from the State of Indiana just committed. Parker Hazen committed to Valpo on July 11, 2016. I wonder if we'll see any of our current offers commit early.
Quote from: VU2014 on July 03, 2017, 08:59:27 PM
9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)
The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.
Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.
https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560
Also PF Jack Hansen just committed to IUPUI. He was widely consider a Top 10-20 in the State of Indiana for the 2018 class. Didn't have an offer from VU either.
https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/886265749651828740
Quote from: VU2014 on July 03, 2017, 08:59:27 PM
9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)
The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.
Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.
https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560
Miami O new coach is Jack Owens who was an assistant at Purdue. He is and will recruit Indiana hard. This is the 5th Indiana recruit in his short time there.
Quote from: IndyValpo on July 16, 2017, 12:03:15 PM
Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.
https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560
Miami O new coach is Jack Owens who was an assistant at Purdue. He is and will recruit Indiana hard. This is the 5th Indiana recruit in his short time there.
Seems like every Indiana D1 program has renewed interest in recruiting the State harder then the past. It seems like more kids are stay home and playing for Indiana schools lately. One thing I really like about this new Valpo Staff is that they are recruiting Indiana harder then I remember the Drews did.
I'm hoping Coach Dildy can also help us navigate the Chicago Public/AAU recruiting circuit like Coach Powell did for us. So many politics (AAU coaches/shoe company sponsorships, etc) involved with recruiting Chicago & also is a good coach to boot.
Javon Freeman Liberty's unlce Marcus Liberty (former Illini star/NBA player) just tweeted this out.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/888821879758258178
Great advice from his unlce and we all know Valpo only offers to priority recruits (they don't offer for just having interest like most schools). We will only have 1 true shooting guard (Markus Golder who can also play SF) on our roster after this upcoming season, so he clearly would have a opening for playing time & early development on our team as young player.
Maybe this is a hint that he may be looking to commit early? Keep in mind Valpo has also offered his High School/AAU teammate Xavier Castañeda who plays Point Guard. Both are considered one of the best players in the State of Illinois landing either one would be a terrific player for Valpo and have the potential to be impact guys.
Valpo only has 5 outstanding offers for the 2018 & 2019 class currently compared to many program that have 18-20 "offers" for one class and even in some cases one position for one class.
Quote from: VU2014 on July 22, 2017, 01:53:48 PM
Javon Freeman Liberty's unlce Marcus Liberty (former Illini star/NBA player) just tweeted this out.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/888821879758258178
Great advice from his unlce and we all know Valpo only offers to priority recruits (they don't offer for just having interest like most schools). We will only have 1 true shooting guard (Markus Golder who can also play SF) on our roster after this upcoming season, so he clearly would have a opening for playing time & early development on our team as young player.
Maybe this is a hint that he may be looking to commit early? Keep in mind Valpo has also offered his High School/AAU teammate Xavier Castañeda who plays Point Guard. Both are considered one of the best players in the State of Illinois landing either one would be a terrific player for Valpo and have the potential to be impact guys.
Valpo only has 5 outstanding offers for the 2018 & 2019 class currently compared to many program that have 18-20 "offers" for one class and even in some cases one position for one class.
How would you classify Joe Burton if not a 2/3? I suppose Kiser would also fall into those spots
Quote from: vu72 on July 22, 2017, 03:11:52 PM
How would you classify Joe Burton if not a 2/3? I suppose Kiser would also fall into those spots
Joe could play the 2/3, but I think he will main play the 3 next season. I wouldn't put Kiser on athletic or quick 2s. You'd really be only playing John at the 2 in a pinch. Ryan Fazekas is listed as a SF but could also effectively be utilized as a stretch 4 and space the floor. Interestingly (oddly) Providence listed him as a guard ??? http://www.friars.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ryan_fazekas_973747.html
Point being is that whoever commits to Valpo from that 2018 class at the guard position is going to definitely get opportunities to play & develop. We were close to landing the Stefanovic commitment but Purdue entered his recruitment at the last minute.
My gut says as of right now greatest competition for Javon Freeman-Liberty will be Loyola, but they'll have 8 other guards on the roster barring any transfers when he'd be a freshman (6 Shooting Guard & 2 Point Guards). Also I think Akron is a threat.
Freeman-Liberty's Current Offers: Valpo, VCU (offered 20 other guys), SLU (offered 20 other guys), Loyola, Akron, FCGU, Drake, SIU, Toledo, UWM, NKU, La Salle, Green Bay, Chicago State.
If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.
While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on July 23, 2017, 09:18:09 PM
If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.
While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.
Don't you think that Loyola has just as good a connection to Javon as one that says "his uncle played high school ball with the cousin of one of the assistant coaches?" That's not that great of a connection. It sounds like, "the assistant's neighbor's daughter babysits for the brother of the player's grade school coach."
Quote from: bbtds on July 23, 2017, 10:06:17 PM
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on July 23, 2017, 09:18:09 PM
If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.
While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.
Don't you think that Loyola has just as good a connection to Javon as one that says "his uncle played high school ball with the cousin of one of the assistant coaches?" That's not that great of a connection. It sounds like, "the assistant's neighbor's daughter babysits for the brother of the player's grade school coach."
bbtds you're right and Loyola was the first school to offer him. Being first to offer matters to some kids. I just get the sense that he has a good relationship with their staff. Loyola the last year or two has done a good job of entering kids recruitment early on compared to many schools particularly in the Chicagoland area.
I just think as of right now we are the better fit when you compare rosters for him right now. But you never know what is most important to kids. Early playing time? Player-Coach relationship? School size? Conference? etc.
New Valpo offer: Israel Barnes
Year: 2018
Position: SG
Weight: 170
Hometown: Wichia, KS
High School: Wichita Southeast High School
Star Rank:
ESPN: 3 star
Rivals: 3 star
Scout: N/A
247 Sports: 3 star (2nd best player from Kansas in the class of 2018)
Current Offers: Valpo, Weber State, Tulsa
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/israel-barnes
https://twitter.com/Ilb_12/status/889277343772143617
https://twitter.com/TheHoopFocus/status/889185574455738368
A good interview if you want to give it a listen. He says his greatest strength is his lock-down defense. He also says he's looking for a program that has strong academics and a team that is like a family. That pretty much screams Valparaiso.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCTvpRDlmM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HcMxcHrZU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-Dh9tAji0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hfcR1nfJRw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKLkhgx81gY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCH_4UcFWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HcMxcHrZU0
Odd they list his weight but not his height
Yeah it is pretty weird. Most sites have him listed as 6'4" or 6'3".
Quote from: VU2014 on July 22, 2017, 01:53:48 PM
Great advice from his unlce and we all know Valpo only offers to priority recruits (they don't offer for just having interest like most schools).
Quote from: VU2014 on July 22, 2017, 03:46:47 PM
My gut says as of right now greatest competition for Javon Freeman-Liberty will be Loyola, but they'll have 8 other guards on the roster barring any transfers when he'd be a freshman (6 Shooting Guard & 2 Point Guards). Also I think Akron is a threat.
This pretty much what happened to Bakari Evelyn at Nebraska, they had a whole slew of guards, recruited Glynn Watson over top of him and brought in two guard transfers, including Anton Gill from Louisville. Not exactly what you want to see as a freshman sitting on the bench.
I would tell both player and parent to do their homework and not get caught up in the hype of some schools padding their depth charts.
Guard offer for the 2018 class.
Name: Trevon Faulkner (any relation to Northern Kentucky PG Mason Faulkner?)
Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Hometown: Harrodsburg, KY
High School: Mercer County High School
Rank: currently unranked by ESPN/Rivals/Scout but 247 Sports ranks him as a 3 star.
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Current Offer: Valpo, Murray State, UL Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, Wright State, Western Kentucky
https://verbalcommits.com/players/trevon-faulkner
https://twitter.com/MercerTitansBB/status/892735358747672576
https://www.hudl.com/profile/3529781/trevon-faulkner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GLvNxwGyi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiVEMIJpq6w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRPe3Ib-XHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TE3Z-uTh5c
Add Israel Barnes
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=2221.125
Quote from: covufan on August 02, 2017, 02:42:50 PM
Add Israel Barnes
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=2221.125
Quote from: VU2014 on July 23, 2017, 10:38:26 PM
New Valpo offer: Israel Barnes
Year: 2018
Position: SG
Weight: 170
Hometown: Wichia, KS
High School: Wichita Southeast High School
Star Rank:
ESPN: 3 star
Rivals: 3 star
Scout: N/A
247 Sports: 3 star (2nd best player from Kansas in the class of 2018)
Current Offers: Valpo, Weber State, Tulsa
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/israel-barnes
https://twitter.com/Ilb_12/status/889277343772143617
https://twitter.com/TheHoopFocus/status/889185574455738368Quote from: VU2014 on July 23, 2017, 10:38:26 PM
Is it really that big of a deal? ???
I don't know that it is a big deal, just unusual to insert a video of another player into a post about VU offering a completely different player. If you had made it the last video of the four and inserted a note saying " Here is a video of Mason Faulkner", then I wouldn't have thought twice about it.
Reversed it and put it as the last vid.
https://twitter.com/MOvering/status/895333741656027138
http://www.amnews.com/2017/08/09/mercer-county-two-sport-star-trevon-faulkner-excited-to-be-back-on-the-gridiron/
Mercer County two-sport star Trevon Faulkner excited to be back on the gridiron
By Matt Overing
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Trevon Faulkner is happy to be back on the football field.
The Mercer County two-sport star is a favorite for Mr. Basketball and will be one of the top playmakers on the gridiron in Class 4A.
Mercer County basketball coach Josh Hamlin kept using one word to describe Faulkner: Unique.
"He's not only a really, really good player. He's an exceptional kid, a great person," Hamlin said. "He's one of the most hard-working kids I've ever been around. If you were around him, you'd never guess he was a Mr. Basketball candidate. The way he handles himself, the way he goes about his business — he doesn't want all of the attention. That's why this college thing is unique for him. He just wants to go out and play football and basketball, hang out with his friends and at the end of the day make a decision.
"It's unique when you get a kid that is as talented and humble as he is. That's what I take away from it. He works hard for everything he gets, and he deserves it."
....
Very good article. I recommend you give the whole article a read.
https://twitter.com/xpinson4/status/894934771733860352
I believe Valpo only has interest at this point. Xavier Pinson took a unofficial visited to Valpo back in January. He was at the game vs UIC at the ARC when Valpo absolutely crushed them 96-65 and the walk-ons got some run in the game.
Xavier Pinson is seen as a sleeper recruit by many. There was some "controversy" last month when he decided to transfer High Schools for his Senior year in Chicago. He transferred from transfer from St. Patrick's (a very good program) to Simeon (a Basketball Powerhouse) on the south side. Some speculate that he transferred to Simeon to "get more exposure". Problem is some people think he won't get the same amount of playing time he would have at St. Patrick's where he was the Star player.
Current Offers: Indiana State, Evansville, Drake, Buffalo, George Mason, Hofstra, Cleveland State, IPFW, Toledo, Kent State, UWM, SIUE, WIU, Chicago State
He may be a steal for someone. I knew Valpo was showing interest but I'm not sure if we will offer. I really like the group of guards they've offered for the 2018 class. They all seem to be high ceiling guys. To be honest my favorite player they've offered is Alex Hemenway who is in the 2019 class. He is a straight up sharp-shooter. He's been getting high major interest but I'm hoping he loves Valpo and the staff & sees the opportunity at Valpo.
Xavier Pinson
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 160
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Simeon Academy
Rank:
Rivals: NA
ESPN: NA
Scout: NA
247: NA
Xavier Pinson Highlights Vids:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq99oX46k6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mSlr4bC6Wo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgki380aiNU
Sounds like Valpo has offered 2018 PG Shakur Daniel.
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/895355397032357889
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/895355930568781824
Shakur Daniel
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-5
Weight:
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
High School: Carlisle School
Rank
Rivals: NA
Scout: NA
ESPN: NA
Current Offers: Valparaiso, Southern Utah, North Florida, Abilene Christian
Interest (according to the reporter above): Arkansas, Iowa State, Arizona State, Little Rock, Akron, South Florida
Maybe he's a diamond in the rough. He's from Canada but the last year or so he's played his High School ball and AAU ball in Arkansas. Sounds like he a floor general type PG with some size and excellent court vision.
He mentions in this video from April that he was being recruit by Missouri and a few other High Major programs. My guess is Coach Emanuel is very familiar with Daniel from his time at Mizzou before he joined the Valpo Coaching Staff.
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/854167061613998081
Shakur with the lookahead pass.
https://twitter.com/AlamoCityHoops1/status/822916806528684032
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/823733979513753605
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/823756762167803904
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/824803290441457665
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/824824567315185664
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830253902343847936
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830255733904117761
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830288428935815168
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830289123609034752
https://twitter.com/sully7777/status/830291090905452544
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830526132617375744
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830533914397724677
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/830534460030480384
https://twitter.com/CliveDanielUTO/status/846897622195449859
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/854124020656205825
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/09/10/canada-basketball-shakur-daniel-andrew-wiggins/15386179/
Shakur Daniel: The next product of Canada's basketball blueprint
By: Eric Prisbell
USA TODAY Sports
Date: Sept. 10, 2014
Shakur Daniel, a 15-year-old from the Toronto area, is following an increasingly successful basketball path.
LAS VEGAS — By the time Andrew Wiggins shook commissioner Adam Silver's hand at June's NBA draft, the creation of the next Andrew Wiggins was already well underway.
It began in early summer of 2012, as the Canadian Wiggins garnered attention that would make him the most touted amateur player in a decade. A Toronto man named Ro Russell, an influential and polarizing summer-league powerbroker who boasts of training Wiggins in middle school, sat down with a 12-year-old and his dad.
"Here is the Andrew Wiggins blueprint," Russell told the spindly adolescent, Shakur Daniel, and his father before explaining in exhaustive detail how Daniel could follow in the footsteps of a teen-ager who was virtually unrivaled in athleticism and hype. "Shak, I'm not talking about you being the next random high-major college player. Wiggins will be the number one pick and will go down in Canadian history — you can be the same.
"Are you ready to sacrifice your friends and girls and time? Are you ready to listen and be that guy because your life is not going to be the same? You are not going to have a regular life that everybody else has."
Regardless of how Daniel's career unfolds, his story illustrates the extent to which some influencers go to try to re-create not only a phenom but also a phenomenon. The ingredients: the guiding hand of a controversial summer-league coach, a father's leap of faith on a secondary school whose courses currently lack NCAA approval and a teen-ager's conflicting desires to be both extraordinary and ordinary.
STARTING FIVE: Previewing the 2014-15 NCAA hoops season
It also represents the inevitable next step for a country in the midst of a basketball boom. Already home to the past two number one NBA draft picks — Anthony Bennett in 2013; Wiggins in 2014 — and three of the top 18 picks in June's draft, Canada is now mimicking America's basketball world in another respect: engaging in the often-elusive chase for the next homegrown prodigy.
"Trying to be a number one draft pick is a great idea, but the path to get there is always tougher than people think," says Melvin Ejim, the former Iowa State standout who played for the Canadian national team at the 2013 World University Games. "You have to do it reasonably. The reality and weight on your shoulders have to be realistic."
With an uneven (at best) track record, Americans have long tried to anoint the next transcendent basketball star, those quests littered with cautionary tales. For Canada, where amateur basketball has flourished in recent years, here is a prospect in Daniel — now 15 and considered among the top players in the high school class of 2018 — who has been placed on a regimen to try to follow a once-in-a-generation high school talent in lockstep.
Just as Wiggins did when he attended Huntington Prep (W.Va.), the 6-foot-4 Daniel, a combo guard proficient in fundamentals, plans to play high school basketball in the United States to benefit from the best competition and most exposure. His father, Clive Daniel, is so committed to that plan that he left his job in Toronto more than a year ago to move — without a full-salaried job — to the Phoenix area, where his son plans to join a fledgling basketball program, Elite 1 Academy for Academics & Athletics, beginning in the fall of 2015.
Elite 1-affiliated players take classes at a three-year-old charter school, The Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies. Odyssey is "fully accredited," says Russell, who later adds that he is unaware if the school's courses have already been approved by the NCAA.
.........
An interesting article. Give it a click & a read.
Some Valpo Recruits on this list.
https://twitter.com/MidwestHoopsSL/status/895046681716297728
http://midwesthoopsspotlight.com/rankings/
2018 Midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana) Top 100 Rank:
18. Javon Freeman Whitney Young High School (IL) 6'4'' SG
21. Xavier Castaneda Whitney Young High School (IL) 5'11'' PG
26. Deavion Washington Terre Haute South High School (IN) 6'3'' SG
39. Walter Ellis South Bend Adams High School (IN) 6'4" G/F
Valpo recruit from South Bend Walter Ellis will spend his final year of high school at a boarding school named Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. I'm assuming this move is being made to put a greater focus on basketball and get more attention & offers. Seems like more & more kids are doing this these days.
https://twitter.com/iamwalterellis/status/897238927752519680
Quote from: VU2014 on August 14, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
Valpo recruit from South Bend Walter Ellis will spend his final year of high school at a boarding school named Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. I'm assuming this move is being made to put a greater focus on basketball and get more attention & offers. Seems like more & more kids are doing this these days.
https://twitter.com/iamwalterellis/status/897238927752519680
Could be telling those that recruited him, thanks but no thanks. Mark it up to another delusions of grandeur young man. Oh well, not the first recruit to have bigger dreams.
As I recall, this is the same move that Vashil made. Doesn't mean we won't get him and, it could be academics as well as another year to play at a higher level.
Very tough situation. "Grant felt he was lied to by the Indiana staff & not given a chance"
As far as I know Valpo hasn't pursued the local prep product Grant Gelon nor did we have any scholarships available. He's only going to have 2 years of eligibility left after next year at community college. The coaching staff is most likely very familiar with Grant. I'm not sure he's a fit here but I've heard some fan chatter/speculation on twitter that maybe he'd land at Valpo. I think he'd be ideal walk-on player and then maybe earn a scholarship but I can't blame him for want to find a scholarship somewhere. Our coaching staff has been recruiting some high ceiling guards for the 2018/2019 class.
His High School Coach said, "Grant's a tough kid, a great competitor. This would be tough on anybody. I wanted to let him know he had options. He got beat up his freshman year at a Big Ten school with a program like that," Swan said. He was trying to keep his head above water. He got better. I know how competitive he is. He wanted to go there and give it a go. I know it hurt him. It was frustrating. I absolutely know he has D-I options."
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/indiana-university/crown-point-s-grant-gelon-unhappy-about-treatment-at-indiana/article_bfe85faa-0936-5407-b1c0-11ef2705bec9.html
https://twitter.com/nwi/status/899073600392581120
We have a big time official visit set with Javon Freeman-Liberty for September 1-3.
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/899683806281650177
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/899743469912170496
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/08/javon-freeman-sets-trio-officials/
Javon Freeman Sets Trio of Officials
...........
Freeman told us briefly what he likes about each program
Valpo: "It's close to home."
Akron: "Have a coach connection with the coaches."
Florida Gulf Coast: "I love that the school is in Florida and on the beach."
What will the smooth wing be looking for on these visits?: "Gyms, the dorms, the environment."
Freeman mentioned that VCU and Drake are still in the mix as well. He does not have a timetable for a decision at this time. Freeman helped lead the Dolphins to state title last year and played a key role for Meanstreets run to a Peach Jam bid.
He currently ranks as the #7 overall prospect in the state's 2018 class.
Quote from: VU2014 on August 21, 2017, 12:33:37 PM
We have a big time official visit set with Javon Freeman-Liberty for September 1-3.
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/899683806281650177
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/899743469912170496
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/08/javon-freeman-sets-trio-officials/
Javon Freeman Sets Trio of Officials
...........
Freeman told us briefly what he likes about each program
Valpo: "It's close to home."
Akron: "Have a coach connection with the coaches."
Florida Gulf Coast: "I love that the school is in Florida and on the beach."
What will the smooth wing be looking for on these visits?: "Gyms, the dorms, the environment."
Freeman mentioned that VCU and Drake are still in the mix as well. He does not have a timetable for a decision at this time. Freeman helped lead the Dolphins to state title last year and played a key role for Meanstreets run to a Peach Jam bid.
He currently ranks as the #7 overall prospect in the state's 2018 class.
ESPN has him No.4 in the state.
http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/226203/javon-freeman
Quote from: VU2014 on August 21, 2017, 12:33:37 PMFlorida Gulf Coast: "I love that the school is in Florida and on the beach."
We better hope that it is not unseasonably cold and overcast when he leaves Chicago for the FGCU trip. Otherwise, the beach, warmth, sun and coeds may win out.
Quote from: covufan on August 21, 2017, 08:32:05 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on August 21, 2017, 12:33:37 PMFlorida Gulf Coast: "I love that the school is in Florida and on the beach."
We better hope that it is not unseasonably cold and overcast when he leaves Chicago for the FGCU trip. Otherwise, the beach, warmth, sun and coeds may win out.
The only beach FGCU has is self created on a man made lake on campus. But nice beaches are within a 30-45 minute drive. That school seems to be where well healed snow birds hatchlings attend.
From the first day Homer Drew arrived on campus and continuing today, what Valpo has to offer is a coaching staff with a burning desire to prepare every player (without regard to basketball ability) for a lifetime of success as well balanced men of great character, and players and coaches who genuinely love and support each other - on and off the court. Beaches and warm weather don't hold a candle to that.
Quote from: wh on August 21, 2017, 11:22:55 PM
From the first day Homer Drew arrived on campus and continuing today, what Valpo has to offer is a coaching staff with a burning desire to prepare every player (without regard to basketball ability) for a lifetime of success as well balanced men of great character, and players and coaches who genuinely love and support each other - on and off the court. Beaches and warm weather don't hold a candle to that.
To well centered mature recruits that set aside glitz and prestige.....bingo. But what % of high school seniors have such mature characteristics? Or more than likely an adult that can keep them centered.
Quote from: wh on August 21, 2017, 11:22:55 PM
From the first day Homer Drew arrived on campus and continuing today, what Valpo has to offer is a coaching staff with a burning desire to prepare every player (without regard to basketball ability) for a lifetime of success as well balanced men of great character, and players and coaches who genuinely love and support each other - on and off the court. Beaches and warm weather don't hold a candle to that.
I realize this, many former players can attest to this, but sometimes 17-18 year olds don't always share the same viewpoint. These points do intend to impress the parents and other adults in the equation.
Well put and thanks!
Quote from: covufan on August 22, 2017, 11:34:00 AM
Quote from: wh on August 21, 2017, 11:22:55 PM
From the first day Homer Drew arrived on campus and continuing today, what Valpo has to offer is a coaching staff with a burning desire to prepare every player (without regard to basketball ability) for a lifetime of success as well balanced men of great character, and players and coaches who genuinely love and support each other - on and off the court. Beaches and warm weather don't hold a candle to that.
I realize this, many former players can attest to this, but sometimes 17-18 year olds don't always share the same viewpoint. These points do intend to impress the parents and other adults in the equation.
Well put and thanks!
This sounds a lot like LaVonte Dority, who found the warm weather and white sand of South Florida too appealing but later realized that being close to Chicago was the better fit.
Hope the team and staff can show him a bit more to be excited about besides "it's close to home".
Quote from: vu72 on August 22, 2017, 11:53:20 AMThis sounds a lot like LaVonte Dority, who found the warm weather and white sand of South Florida too appealing but later realized that being close to Chicago was the better fit.
If someone knows him or has some connection, he ought to be hooked up with a link or recording of LaVonte Dority's interview last week on Union Street Hoops. His words should make for a great recruiting tool!
The ESPN rankings are pretty terrible. At least once you get passed the Top 100-150. ESPN has really fallen off the map in terms of what the quality of their "recruiting services" use to be. It shows in the Illinois ranking. Just trying to give reference to the "#4" in the state ranking. Freeman is a great prospect but he's isn't a consensus #4, but is definitely Top 10 guy and would be a great get for Valpo.
ESPN's Illinois list is missing obvious top talents like Conditt, Talen Horton-Tucker, Griffin, Peterson, etc.
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/900449822032965632
https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/900508216999763972
"Interesting Notes":
-Finke may land with Bryce down in Vandy if he doesn't end up with the Illini
-Zion Griffin - His recruitment has absolutely blown up. Valpo got involved a little later in his recruitment and was reported to have talked to him and saw him a few months ago. He just cut offers down the the final 4: Kansas, Iowa State, Pitt, &... fellow MVC team Illinois State. 4 star guy
-Kezo Brown - surprised everyone and committed Chicago State
-Darius Beane - One of the top PGs in the state committed to SIU (his Dad is an assistant at SIU)
-Ryan Davis - it was reported that Valpo was showing interest. Hard to see him landing at Valpo.
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/851598452714766337
Some news on Valpo offer Xavier Castaneda who is High School teammates with Javon Freeman-Liberty.
http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/08/07/henricksen-july-rewind/
State champion point guard with solid July:
"Fresh off leading his team to a state championship this past March, Young's Xavier Castaneda followed that up with a strong July on the club circuit while playing with Meanstreets.
Calm and cool with the ball in his hands, the 5-11 senior point guard is poised under fire, makes those around him better and continues to make the right play and the correct pass.
South Florida and coach Brian Gregory extended an offer in July and has made Castaneda a priority. Wichita State jumped in with an offer as a whole bunch of mid-major programs –– from Loyola, Valpo, Kent State to several others –– hope to hang on and be there in the end.
Castaneda says he so far has visits planned for South Florida, Wichita State and Kent State."
It's going to be a big weekend for Valpo Basketball. I hope Javon enjoys his time at Valpo this weekend.
https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/902219154605965312
Weather
Friday: 75/55 Partly Cloudy
Saturday: 81/61 Partly Cloudy
Sunday: 83/63 Sunny
Well Trevon Faulkner just committed to NKU. A really good get for NKU. He's going to play with his cousin Mason. The class of 2018 can't sign their 'letter of intent' till November.
2 scholarships currently available for the class of 2018
Current Outstanding Offers:
2018:
SG:
-Javon Freeman-Liberty (visiting this weekend)
-Deavion Washington
-Walter Ellis
-Israel Barnes
PG:
-Xavier Castañeda (he set 3 official visits to: Wichita State, Kent State, University South Florida)
-Shakur Daniel
2019:
SG:
-Alex Hemenway
https://twitter.com/nikemeanstreets/status/902329591255138306
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/902362901905895424
Terre Haute native Deavion Washington SG is going to be making his official visit in a few weeks.
https://twitter.com/g3risingstars/status/903252472248107008
Whoever wrote this tweet butchered Valparaiso and Terre Haute.
As well as the date
Quote from: VU2014 on August 31, 2017, 12:27:03 PMWhoever wrote this tweet butchered Valparaiso and Terre Haute.
Quote from: M on August 31, 2017, 01:28:15 PM
As well as the date
With tweets I don't normally worry about spelling - even the most well intentioned tweeters can fat thumb spellings. The dates are out of whack, though.
http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/08/30/henricksen-breaking-top-dozen-prospects-class-2018/
Henricksen: Breaking down top dozen prospects in Class of 2018
By: Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
Aug. 30 9:19 a.m.
.........
4. Xavier Castaneda, 5-11, PG, Whitney Young
Often the forgotten player in the class and a little under-appreciated for the player he is, but it's Castaneda who led his team to a state championship last year in Class 4A. Smart, poised, calm and with a sneaky burst in the open floor who gets others involved –– just the type of ingredients you want in a point guard.
Castaneda has scheduled visits with South Florida, Wichita State and Kent State and has Valpo heavily involved.
........
6. Javon Freeman, 6-3, WF, Whitney Young
A long, active and athletic wing who took off during the second of half of his junior season in helping lead the Dolphins to a Class 4A state championship. Freeman is a slasher and finisher at the rim, especially in the open court, and has the potential to be an impact defender down the road. Freeman will visit Akron, Valpo and Florida Gulf Coast.
........
The Coaches are even acknowledging it publicly. This Javon Freeman-Liberty visit is huge for Valpo Basketball!
https://twitter.com/emandildy/status/903623668143726592
https://twitter.com/CoachRagsVU/status/903629123469418496
Looks like the Coaches nailed the visit
https://twitter.com/Kennethpittman_/status/904151532874203137
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/904151102026915842
This is a big time commit for Valpo Basketball!!! Great news!!!
https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/904154711309393920
https://twitter.com/CoachRagsVU/status/904147325580345345
https://twitter.com/emandildy/status/904154702660739073
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/904153696883417089
https://twitter.com/chilandprephoop/status/904156861494153220
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/904156661304188929
https://twitter.com/IlliniSwami/status/904158461440733184
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/904157616003264513
His uncle & former NBA player Marcus Liberty.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/904161548775645189
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/904162630327205888
https://twitter.com/TheReal_MG3/status/904193070387912704
https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/904162208388669441
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/09/javon-freeman-valpo/
Javon Freeman to Valpo
By Scott Burgess
Posted On: 09/2/17 8:30 PM
Whitney Young 2018 shooting guard Javon Freeman has committed to Valparaiso while on his official visit. He announced the commitment on his twitter page. He told us why they were his choice.
"Close to home and I love the coaches. We have a good connection."
Freeman noted that the environment on his official visit this weekend played a huge part in his decision along with how he will be used.
"I will be able to fit in and start."
Valpo has recruited Chicago hard for years and it continues with this commitment. Assistant coach Emanuel Dildy has ties in the Chicago area and played a factor in this commitment.
Freeman is a slick two guard that transferred over to Whitney Young last season when his previous school Seton closed. He slowly got into rhythm with his squad as the season went along and was a major reason they won a state championship. Freeman is smooth with the rock in his hands and has the ability to get to the rack as well as be a good passer from the wing position.
He played with Meanstreets on the Nike EYBL circuit. Freeman is currently the #7 overall prospect in the 2018 class and #3 shooting guard.
Great early get!! No doubt he will influence others in his class!
3 stars, baby!
https://verbalcommits.com/players/javon-freeman-liberty
Wow his announcement of his commitment to Valpo caused him to be on the of Top Trending Topics in Chicago right now.
https://twitter.com/TrendsChicago/status/904179382658494464
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXEZatG1E-A
https://twitter.com/CSNChicago/status/904365583407472640
http://www.csnchicago.com/preps-talk/whitney-youngs-javon-freeman-commits-valparaiso
Whitney Young's Javon Freeman commits to Valparaiso
By Scott Phillips
September 03, 2017 10:09 AM
Whitney Young senior guard Javon Freeman became the first major domino to fall in the local Class of 2018 on Saturday night as he committed to Valparaiso.
The 6-foot-4 Freeman helped lead the Dolphins to an IHSA Class 4A state championship last season as he was one of the most potent scorers in the state.
...........
Great VC news!! Another Top 10 Illinois player coming to Valpo! Super job by coaching staff. No doubt this staff CAN recruit. Congrats to all and welcome to Valpo Javon!!
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Whitney Young guard Javon Freeman-Liberty commits to Valparaiso
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-javon-freeman-liberty-st-0904-20170903-story,amp.html
So we have one scholarship left for the 2018 class now right? That should put some pressure on these kids to sign pretty quickly in the early period here if they are serious about Valpo.
Quote from: wh on September 03, 2017, 09:57:31 PM
Whitney Young guard Javon Freeman-Liberty commits to Valparaiso
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-javon-freeman-liberty-st-0904-20170903-story,amp.html
I few interesting things I took from this article on what Javon's future role may be.
"The Crusaders like his winning mentality, athleticism and skill set."
"
They told me I can be a combo — guard and wing," Freeman-Liberty said. "They told me I'm a leader and I'll have the
ball in my hands to score."
Quote from: M on September 03, 2017, 11:01:12 PM
So we have one scholarship left for the 2018 class now right? That should put some pressure on these kids to sign pretty quickly in the early period here if they are serious about Valpo.
Now we need Whitney Young's other 3-Star -
Xavier Castaneda (4th ranked IL senior) - to commit and we can put a wrap on 2018. Javon and Xavier would would be a very dangerous backcourt combination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xc4LVkVRAk
Agreed with WH here. Landing both Xavier & Javon would be a recruiting coup for Valpo basketball! This duo lead Whitney Young to win a State Championship when both of them were only Juniors.
It may be tough to land Xavier though. He is set to visit Wichita State (this upcoming weekend), Kent State, & USF, but apparently Valpo is still very heavily involved. I'm sure it also doesn't hurt Valpo's chances that his good friend high school teammate & AAU teammate is committed to Valpo. It would be a dynamic duo. One stumbling block may be that we have 2 PGs (micah & Bakari) on the roster which may be a negative to him when he looks at the roster formation when it comes to early playing time, but if he's a stud I'm sure the coaches would play him his Freshman year at VU. The best players play and I've heard Bakari could play as a combo 1/2 guard in most lineups.
Someone mentioned to me that Xavier Castaneda is Keith Carter 2.0 with better hops. He's a special player if thats true. He's a floor general type point guard who is also dynamic enough to be a real scoring threat.
K. Carter was the best guard we ever had a Valpo. Complete shame we didn't see him in more games.
Quote from: oklahomamick on September 05, 2017, 12:23:23 PM
K. Carter was the best guard we ever had a Valpo. Complete shame we didn't see him in more games.
You might be forgetting someone. (Hint: his jersey is hanging from the rafters.) ;)
Was he a true point guard? I thought more of a 2.
Quote from: oklahomamick on September 06, 2017, 11:26:16 AM
Was he a true point guard? I thought more of a 2.
Your original post just said guard. He is still the career assists leader for Valpo (will be tough to pass). Might also be career assists/game (if one is so inclined to compute).
From this article on twitter yesterday, sounds like we are still in the mix for 2018 PG Xavier Castenada with an official visit scheduled for later this month.
This would be a great "get" as like Javon he is from Whitney Young in Chicago. 3* ranking from what I recall.
http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3926
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Quote from: vufan75 on September 07, 2017, 11:57:12 AM
From this article on twitter yesterday, sounds like we are still in the mix for 2018 PG Xavier Castenada with an official visit scheduled for later this month.
This would be a great "get" as like Javon he is from Whitney Young in Chicago. 3* ranking from what I recall.
Things that won Javon over could well be important to Xavier. He obviously values family, which of course is what the Valpo men's basketball program lives and dies by. It's 50 miles from WMY to Valpo. That's as close to being next door as it gets at the college level for family and friends to attend home games and stay involved. We're recruiting for athleticism and team speed, which appear to be components of Xavier's game. He and Javon know each other like brothers - (hopefully they love each other like brothers). ;) We're recruiting at a high level and should maintain our status as a top mid major program. I won't be surprised if we end up with 2 great young men from Whitney Young on next year's roster.
Not surprising once Javon Freeman-Liberty committed to Valpo last week. Both are Shooting Guards. Deavion Washington Washington only had 2 official visits scheduled: Indiana State this weekend and Valparaiso was suppose to be next weekend, and this was before Javon committed. Deavion Washington is also a hometown kid from Terre Haute.
It will be interesting to see the two have some battles in the MVC together. Valparaiso recruited both of them pretty hard but not surprising to see his commitment Indiana State once Javon committed. Both kids are very talented. Deavion game sounds pretty similar to Javon's but Deavion has a very good 3pt shot (shot 45% from 3). When Deavion is on he can be an electric scorer.
http://www.tribstar.com/sports/local_high_school_sports/th-south-s-washington-commits-to-sycamores/article_d9e71852-035b-5df7-b289-ab324bc83a00.html
"Most of the state's mid-major programs had made an offer to Washington. The most intriguing competitor for Washington was Valparaiso.
Former ISU assistant Dave Ragland, now on Valpo's staff, was a presence at Washington's games and Ragland had first witnessed Washington during Washington's middle school career when Ragland was still on ISU's staff. They had a long relationship similar to the one Lansing had with Washington. The intrigue only went up when the Crusaders joined the Missouri Valley Conference in June.
However, the pull of playing at home won out and Washington is pleased his recruitment is behind him."
https://twitter.com/MidwestHoopsSL/status/906577111535767553
https://twitter.com/TribStarTodd/status/906525947402358784
Now with Deavion Washington committing elsewhere we has 3 outstanding offers out for the class of 2018:
1-Scholarship left for the class of 2018.
Class of 2018:
PG
-Xavier Castañeda (3*) (Visits Valpo on the last weekend of september. Homecoming Weekend (that should tell you who the priority is right there))
-Shakur Daniel
SG:
-Javon Freeman-Liberty (3*-Committed)
-Israel Barnes (3*)
-Walter Ellis (2*)
Class of 2019:
SG:
-Alex Hemenway
Quote from: VU2014 on September 09, 2017, 01:19:03 PM
Not surprising once Javon Freeman-Liberty committed to Valpo last week. Both are Shooting Guards. Deavion Washington Washington only had 2 official visits scheduled: Indiana State this weekend and Valparaiso was suppose to be next weekend, and this was before Javon committed. Deavion Washington is also a hometown kid from Terre Haute.
It will be interesting to see the two have some battles in the MVC together. Valparaiso recruited both of them pretty hard but not surprising to see his commitment Indiana State once Javon committed. Both kids are very talented. Deavion game sounds pretty similar to Javon's but Deavion has a very streaky 3pt shot. When Deavion is on he can be an electric scorer.
Assuming your assessment is accurate that the 2 are close in ability, I would much prefer Javon over Deavion. Getting a 3-star player out of the Chicago Public League is a huge win for the program in multiple ways. For one, landing Javon gives us a better chance of landing fellow 3-star teammate Xavier. For another, it sends a clear message that Valpo remains a player in one of the top recruiting hotbeds in the nation in the post-Drew era.
Sounds like Javon is more of a smooth 2/combo guard and excels at slashing and attacking the rim, with the upside to become a very good defender. I'm not really sure which player is better to be honest, because I haven't seen them play enough to have a great opinion. I just know what I've read and heard. I'm really excited Javon chose Valpo. Deavion sounds like he's going to be a very good player for ISU. Both are high ceiling players.
I agree with WH that its nice to see Valpo continuing to recruit Chicago so well in the post-Drew era. It also doesn't hurt that Javon committed to Valpo and we are also heavily recruiting his teammate and friend Xavier Castaneda. It may help.
If Valpo could land both Javon and Xavier it would be an absolute Coup. Xavier has went on the record that he wants to sign in November the early signing period so we should know probably pretty soon after his Visit to Valpo where he will chose to attend school and play his college ball. I think Valpo would be a great spot for him.
vufan75 found that great article about him breaking down his recruitment. http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3926
Valparaiso has the final scheduled official visit during the final weekend in September. "Their coaches have been recruiting me for a while now," he said. "They've kept it real from the beginning. They had a pro enter the draft last year."
"Having my parents attend the official visits is the most important part to me."
Two programs that could snag an official? Georgetown and Georgia Tech, who both have jumped in with late interest. "They're in great conference and will compete at a high level," he said. "There's also an opportunity to play there the first year."
Castaneda plans to sign in November. "I'm looking at the way I'd fit in with the team and the coaching staff," he said. "Just a playing style that suits me. Academics are important to me as well."
Valpo Offers:
-Good Basketball Program in one of the best Mid-Major Conferences
-A very close knit team
-Ability to play close to home and have Family & Friends watch all your home games and many of you're away conference games are close to home.
-Valpo has always tried to give its freshman playing time regardless if they are ready or playing well. Coaching staff always tries to build confidence and give them experience. If Xavier is as good as everyone thinks he can be, he will undoubtably get playing time his freshman year and may even get more playing time then Micah depending if Micah can step up his game by the time Xavier was a freshman. It sounds like Bakari could also play off the ball and could pretty good scorer in a combo guard role. So Xavier and Bakari could play with each other.
-Valpo's offenses have always relied heavily on the PG. Ex: Keith Carter was the glue of the offense his last 2 years at Valpo and was key to offense. Xavier could play that floor-general role at Valpo.
-Strong Academics is also something Valparaiso offers. Valpo's team was one of the only schools in the nation to earn a perfect 1000 APR score from the NCAA last year.
-Ability to play with and attend school with one of his friends Javon. They already have built chemistry on the court so you could definitely imagine a them being relied on their freshman year together on the court at the same time.
From twitter again, a nice drive to the hoop and dunk by Javon!
https://twitter.com/uncvrdprospects/status/906631837002366979
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https://twitter.com/uncvrdprospects/status/906620350829666310
https://twitter.com/barrybradford3/status/906632975248392194
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/906643070732685312
At a hoops showcase yesterday Freeman-Liberty took home the Co-MVP award.
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/906906043581693957
Derek Ellison is a very well respected prep scout in the Chicagoland & greater Illinois area. He mentions Javon, "gave a preview of his new improved range". That is something that is actually pretty key and nice to hear.
When I looked up his AAU stats this summer his 3pt% was 22.7% on 5 made of 22 attempts in 16 games played at the NIKE EYBL. During the Peach Jam later in the summer he shot much better from 3 at a clip of 35.3% on 6 made of 17 attempts in 5 games. In total he finish last season with a 3pt% of 28.2%. He's going to need to keep on improving on his 3pt shot. If he can space the floor and force defenders to press a little more in man to man it will allow him to find more driving lanes and penetrate and create more open shots for his teammates.
Another interesting stat is his Free Throw %. In AAU this summer he had a Free Throw % of 64.7% on 54 made on 84 attempts in 21 games. He averaged 4 attempts per games in AAU this summer. In college teams will know just hack at him when he drives to the hoop if he can't get that FT% up.
His Field Goal % is really impressive for a Shooting Guard though. He finished the summer with a 57.1% FG%! His bread and butter is when he is attacking the rim and collapsing the defense.
He finished the AAU season averaging 12.1 PPG and averaged 18.1 minutes per game.
Two stat lines I'll be following in his senior year for Whitney Young season will be his 3pt% and his FT%. It sounds like his 3pt shot is improving which is nice to hear.
http://www.d1circuit.com/roster_players/17820264
Deavion Washington opts for Indiana State. Offer from Valpo but never took the visit. Some of the explanation for that is in the comments.
[tweet]906525719567720448[/tweet]
Well this is a bummer... Xavier Castaneda was suppose to visit on homecoming weekend. The risk of being the last official visit. Xavier is going to be a really good college player.
I'm wondering if we don't just hold onto the last scholarship and we pick up a transfer. I haven't heard of any other official visits scheduled for this Fall yet. The two I heard about was for Javon and Xavier. I'm curious if we have anything else in the works.
Current Offers for 2018:
PG
-Shakur Daniel (2*)
SG:
-Javon Freeman-Liberty (3*-Committed)
-Israel Barnes (3*)
-Walter Ellis (2*)
Class of 2019:
SG:
-Alex Hemenway
https://twitter.com/castaneda_x/status/907751086697717760
Quote from: VU2014 on September 12, 2017, 07:30:05 PM
Well this is a bummer... Xavier Castaneda was suppose to visit on homecoming weekend. The risk of being the last official visit. Xavier is going to be a really good college player.
I'm wondering if we don't just hold onto the last scholarship and we pick up a transfer. I haven't heard of any other official visits scheduled for this Fall yet. The two I heard about was for Javon and Xavier. I'm curious if we have anything else in the works.
Current Offers for 2018:
PG
-Shakur Daniel (2*)
SG:
-Javon Freeman-Liberty (3*-Committed)
-Israel Barnes (3*)
-Walter Ellis (2*)
Class of 2019:
SG:
-Alex Hemenway
https://twitter.com/castaneda_x/status/907751086697717760
To quote the great Tom Petty, "Love is a long, long road."
S. Florida home games - 1200 miles from Chicago to Tampa.
Closest away game - 300 miles from Chicago to Cincinnati.
Give him a year. He will flat out miss the snow. ;)
Valpo coaches were at Simeon yesterday.
I'm sure they were checking out Xavier Pinson their class of 2018 PG (transferred from St. Pats). Simeon is a Chicago Public School basketball powerhouse. There is some talented players on that team.
https://twitter.com/leonardthomas62/status/907770699258978305
A possible diamond in the rough? I wonder if he is scheduled to take a visit. It sounds like he dealt with a injury which caused him to miss part of the summer AAU season and wasn't playing 100% so some schools may have overlooked him.
http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2017/sep/07/southwest-christian-loaded-talent/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
https://twitter.com/ArRecruitingGuy/status/905856969843412992
The Recruiting Guy:
Southwest Christian loaded with basketball talent
By: Richard Davenport
Date: September 7, 2017
............
Returning senior starting point guard Shakur Daniel (6-5, 181 pounds) was named an NACA All-American. He's drawing interest from Arkansas, LSU, Iowa State and others.
"He's lightning fast with the basketball, can shoot it," Baker said. "He makes great decisions."
It was expected scholarship offers would come his way during spring and summer basketball, but an injury most likely ended his chances.
"He pulled a hamstring two days before the EYBL season started, and I tried to get him not to play, but he felt like he couldn't pass it up," Baker said. "He was out there on one leg all spring and summer, and the more he played, the worse he got. He's thinking, 'Well, you know, at least they'll know I'm trying to fight through it,' and I was trying to explain to him they don't even know you're hurt."
Daniel is 100 percent healed and is expecting a big year.
"There's no doubt he's an SEC or Big 12 talent," Baker said. "If he's not the best player in Arkansas, he's one of them."
...........
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/907689583919366144
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/907739964623998976
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/907755957287092225
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/895355397032357889
Although he is listed as a 2018 shooting guard, 3-star Zion Young, originally from nearby Merrillville, has transferred to Simeon this year as well and is worth consideration.
Quote from: VU2014 on September 13, 2017, 09:22:56 AM
Valpo coaches were at Simeon yesterday.
I'm sure they were checking out Xavier Pinson their class of 2018 PG (transferred from St. Pats). Simeon is a Chicago Public School basketball powerhouse. There is some talented players on that team.
Quote from: vu72 on September 13, 2017, 06:44:06 AM
Give him a year. He will flat out miss the snow. ;)
We'll never know but facilities may have been a factor in this instance. USF's Sun Dome compared to the ARC is like an Executive Suite at the Ritz compared to a broom closet.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USF_Sun_Dome#Renovations
Quote from: wh on September 14, 2017, 12:42:31 PM
Quote from: vu72 on September 13, 2017, 06:44:06 AM
Give him a year. He will flat out miss the snow. ;)
We'll never know but facilities may have been a factor in this instance. USF's Sun Dome compared to the ARC is like an Executive Suite at the Ritz compared to a broom closet.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USF_Sun_Dome#Renovations
It may have been if hearing your sneakers squeak during games was a deciding factor. USF's Dome seats something north of 10,000 but their average attendance in 2016 was 3,098!!! :o
Valpo's over the same period was 3,572. Their school has 50,000 students.
So this is a situation where the draw of Florida most likely was the deciding factor together with assured playing time for a team that finished 1-16 in conference and 8-23 overall. Seriously, for a home game against Memphis they drew 2,563. For a home game against UConn they drew 3,238. They are the YSU of the AAC. He will get to play against Tulane twice a year! :rotfl:
Ironically he chose the school LaVonte Dority transferred to Valpo from.
I guess he didn't listen to Paul's podcast before making his decision ;)
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/897502497392152576
Quote from: VU2014 on September 14, 2017, 02:23:54 PMIronically he chose the school LaVonte Dority transferred to Valpo from.
I guess he didn't listen to Paul's podcast before making his decision
I was thinking the same thing. Listening to that podcast may have made a difference... Maybe it still can in a year or two.
It's hard to say why kids choose a certain schools over others. Facilities, weather, relationship with the coaches, etc.
It may have come down to early playing time. Maybe he thought USF could provide that and he looked at Valpo's roster and saw we have 2 sophomores in Bakari & Micah and thought the competition would be stiff for minutes his freshman year.
http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3926
In the article when I read: "They've (coaches) kept it real from the beginning." It made me think the coaching staff was being honest about playing time early on & his role his freshman year, which may not have been what he was looking for. Maybe I'm reading into that comment too much, either way I appreciate hearing our coaches are being honest with recruits about their potential roles.
Quote from: VU2014 on September 14, 2017, 04:54:51 PM
It's hard to say why kids choose a certain schools over others. Facilities, weather, relationship with the coaches, etc.
It may have come down to early playing time. Maybe he thought USF could provide that and he looked at Valpo's roster and saw we have 2 sophomores in Bakari & Micah and thought the competition would be stiff for minutes his freshman year.
http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3926
In the article when I read: "They've (coaches) kept it real from the beginning." It made me think the coaching staff was being honest about playing time early on & his role his freshman year, which may not have been what he was looking for. Maybe I'm reading into that comment too much, either way I appreciate hearing our coaches are being honest with recruits about their potential roles.
Seems like immediate playing time is really important to kids these days. Makes recruiting a challenge for a team like Valpo that has so much young talent on their current roster. You have to find kids who are either willing to wait their turn for playing time or who are confident enough to believe they can compete for playing time right away.
Valpo is showing interest in Guard Zeke Moore.
It looks like he played his freshman year at SLU but then transferred to Tennessee Tech last school year? I'm not sure of his eligibility status. I believe he'd be a redshirt.
https://twitter.com/AddayaMoore/status/910152432575029251
https://twitter.com/AddayaMoore/status/910150469921763329
Zeke Moore
Status: transferring
Year: 2016 (SO)
Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 175
Hometown: Florissant, MO
High School: Riverview Gardens High School
Ranking:
Rivals: NR
Scout: NR
247: NR
espn: NR
He had offers out of HS from: SLU, Illinois State, UMKC, Indiana State, Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Western Illinois, Northern Illinois, Drake
https://verbalcommits.com/players/zeke-moore
https://archauthority.com/2017/03/21/saint-louis-billikens-swingman-zeke-moore-transferring/
Stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/zeke-moore-1.html
-He is a good 3pt shooter. He shot 39.1% on 2.4 attempts per game in freshman season at SLU.
-Averaged 20.8 minutes per game.
The last transfer we had from SLU worked out pretty well with Keith Carter. Ironically the coach that recruited Zeke was Jim Crews who was fired & Zeke stuck with the new coaching staff his freshman year. Carter was recruited by Rick Majerus but he sadly passed away & Crews took over the program & Keith stuck it out with SLU. If you remember Crews was the coach that refused to allow Keith Carter red-shirt his freshman year even though he was injured & barely played. Crews and the SLU athletics department were pretty classless & cost Keith his extra year of eligibility. Just a bit of irony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHUAKh_JNzM
Love this kid! We haven't had a point guard with this size since Ali Berdiel. Great wing span. I'm guessing he discovered he is better than he thought originally and our membership in The Valley made us an attractive landing spot as he is from Missouri.
Quote from: vu72 on September 19, 2017, 10:47:57 AM
Love this kid! We haven't had a point guard with this size since Ali Berdiel. Great wing span. I'm guessing he discovered he is better than he thought originally and our membership in The Valley made us an attractive landing spot as he is from Missouri.
Looks like a great pickup!
I noticed Coach Lottich and Coach Gore followed Zeke on twitter over the weekend. Saw he transferred from SLU and went to TTech. Did not see he was on a visit to Valpo and apparently leaving TTech. Hope it works out for Valpo! Wonder as well about his eligibility status and if he would have to sit a year? #GoValpo #ValpointheValley
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Quote from: vufan75 on September 19, 2017, 11:41:25 AM
I noticed Coach Lottich and Coach Gore followed Zeke on twitter over the weekend. Saw he transferred from SLU and went to TTech. Did not see he was on a visit to Valpo and apparently leaving TTech. Hope it works out for Valpo! Wonder as well about his eligibility status and if he would have to sit a year? #GoValpo #ValpointheValley
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I assume he would have to sit a year, but Valpo could always file for a hardship waiver (may depend on why he left Tenn Tech after just a few months).
Article from TTU after transfer from SLU announced.
http://www.ttusports.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/20170503qc2bw0
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He was due to sit out this year at TTU, so would assume he would have to sit out here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no open scholarship for this year. Wouldn't that mean he'd have to be a walk-on or wait till next year. I'
m assuming he wants to transfer this year.
We need to be very careful in handling this SLU transfer so that this student/athlete or Valpo doesn't get screwed over by SLU again.
Quote"I chose to come to Tech because I have built a relationship with Coach [Steve] Payne and his staff that has similar qualities to that of my family, which I really respect and honor," Moore explained. "This is the right system for me to become the best ball player, as well as the best man, I can be.
"The basketball program and I share visions and goals to become elite in the near future, and I want to be a big part of that. I expect to build Tech into a title contender in the OVC [Ohio Valley Conference] in the upcoming years and will do my best to make sure that happens."
This situation must be very strange, not sure we should want to be in the middle of things unless we really understand the recruit and the situation. The article about his transfer to Tennessee Tech is still on the rotating news intro page for the basketball program, but his name is not on the roster page. Anybody have any idea what happened??? Some pretty strong statements to be making and then just leave. Has he been released by TTU? I am not sure how a double transfer like this would affect his eligibility.
Quote from: FWalum on September 19, 2017, 12:54:41 PMThis situation must be very strange, not sure we should want to be in the middle of things unless we really understand the recruit and the situation.
I ain't scared of nobody or nothing but something about this situation is making me very nervous. :o. Caution! Caution!
He played for his father in high school so is "a coaches son". Also, just looked at his Twitter account. References to God. Perhaps was uncomfortable with what he found at TTech and why he is considering Valpo.
We currently are at max-scholarships for the 2017-2018 season so I don't know how it would all work. I believe the other school he is visiting Tulsa is at max-scholarships as well.
Maybe he walks-on? Also the school year has already begun & I believe we are passed the last day registration. Maybe he enrolls in the Spring Semester & declares as a walk-on for one semester with a promise for the last 2018 scholarship? I'd actually prefer we use the last 2018 scholarship on a PG rather then a SG to keep roster in a good position to land Alex Hemenway for the 2019 class and maybe the coaching staff can make in road with another high ceiling wing/forward like Quincy Guerrier. I also think we could use a PG with some size in the MVC and the coaching staff obviously thinks he'd be a good fit on/off court. He looks like a talented kid with some good handles for a player his size.
The late transfer does make me wonder what happened, but it all may have come down to fit. Once he decided to transfer from SLU he committed pretty quickly to TTU and may have chose where to attend a little too quickly before looking at all the options (arguably better options).
He really seemed to emphasize wanting to play for a winning program. Tennessee Tech hasn't exactly been great under its current HC. Never had a 20 win season and his W-L is below .500 in his seasons as a HC.
Side Note: Ironically Valpo offered a JUCO Guard with 1 year of eligibility left named Shaq Calhoun and he chose TTU over VU. I'm assuming because of playing time & because he originally committed TTU coming out of high school but then decommitted & went JUCO instead. He had a prior relationship with their staff.
This a pretty good article about his transfer: http://herald-citizen.com/stories/tech-inks-freshman-transfer-for-golden-eagles,20880
Tech inks Saint Louis University transfer
April 24, 2017
BY SCOTT WILSON
HERALD-CITIZEN Sports Staff
.........
"Zeke is a big long guard. I will call him a combo, but I think he's going to play a lot of point guard at Tennessee Tech," said Payne. "He's the kind of guy that's going to be front and center in everything in the program from a leadership standpoint, from a quality of play standpoint.
"He's the type of guy that recruits other players, that you want players to be like him. Zeke has personality, energy and a lot of talent. I want him to have a great career here and win a lot of games because he could have gone a lot of places."
Moore will sit out the 2017-18 season and will have three years of eligibility.
"Tech came into the recruiting picture because coach Payne had called me, literally about two hours after my transfer release went public," said Moore. "He knew everything about me and I was in shock. (Really) I felt loved and off the jump I knew I had a good relationship with coach Payne. He would drive up and see me and that's when I knew I wanted to go to Tech, because of the love and support."
............
He signed to play basketball for coach Jim Crews out of high school, but Crews was replaced at St. Louis before the season by former Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford. Moore played in 29 games last season for the Billikens and averaged just over 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. He said he talked it over with his family at spring break and decided to transfer.
"Zeke is a 6-foot-7 point guard and he will be a point guard here from the first day," Payne said. "If we get in a pinch, we could play him at the two or the three. He's a good shooter, a good passer and he defends well. I think we're going to be excited he's here."
Payne said Moore's defense is so solid that he became a lockdown defender for the Billikens.
"I think my strength is shooting the ball. I hit 40 percent from 3 this year," Moore said. "I can get to the rim, but that's not my strength. I can get out in transition and finish above the rim. I like to make plays for others and want to get my teammates involved. (But) I have a lot to learn."
Moore said playing time at Tech never crossed his mind during the recruiting process. He said he liked the team when he had a chance to visit and liked the philosophy Payne has about basketball. "I just want to be part of a winning program," Moore said. Payne said next season will be crucial for Moore as he learns the Tech system and takes steps to develop his game.....
.......
https://twitter.com/zeke_moore23/status/869253909579268102
I wonder if the Valpo Coaching Staff is showing any interest in Tim Finke (4 star). His older brother plays at Illinois & use to play for the same AAU program that Peters did 'Illinois Irish', but this summer decided to play Meanstreets and was teammates with Javon Freeman-Liberty this summer.
He apparently had a rough summer of AAU ball with some trouble with the 3 ball but is still a good shooter and is still good player but "his stock is down". He has offers from "high major" programs like:
-Illinois (not in their "plan A")
-Vandy (may be out b/c Bryce/Roger landed a big 2018 verbal today)
-Notre Dame (not likely because of other 2018 commits)
-Ohio State
-Oregon
Apparently Loyola-Chicago is trying to swoop in last second and making a hard push to try and get a commitment from him while the high-majors may be losing some interest. He could possibly be an absolute steal. I wonder if the Valpo staff will make a push. He's listed as a shooting guard but he can also play SF and could play along Javon and would definitely benefit from Valpo's offensive ball movement.
Alec Peters AAU coach (Tim Finke's former AAU coach previous to this summer):
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/910184868096724992
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/910185291436249088
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/910185569031983110
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/910185983307640835
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/910186935062319104
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JNk5M-jyk
I'm not sure I quite understand Zeke Moore's situation. Has there been any information coming from TTU? Has he been released?
In March he decided to transfer from SLU, probably because of change of coaches from his original commitment. Six weeks later he inks a deal with TTU. Now, less than a full month into the fall semester, and only four months from signing with TTU, he has decided to transfer?
Playing 20 minutes a game at SLU as a freshman should translate well into the MVC.
So seeing Javon in a few these Showcases did have me a little nervous because obviously other Coaches were going to be there to scout/recruit players and I was nervous other college coaches would try & talk him out of his commitment (it happens all the time unfortunately). Also don't want to see him get injured. I honestly think Javon is just a competitor and wants to play/compete.
This tweet really rubbed me the wrong way... (Nobody overreact and respond to this tweet & give it any attention on twitter)
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/910213723616415744
It's Derek's showcase & he may be trying to get as many college coaches there as possible & having a Top 5-10 player in the State there will probably get more coaches to come. The way I read the tweet is him saying "hey come play in the showcase and try & get more offers from other coaches after you already verbally committed." If I'm interpreting it correctly it may (unintentionally or intentionally, I don't know) have been in poor taste.
Javon is very lucky to have role model in his life like his uncle who is actually looking out for his best interest. He tweeted this out after seeing that tweet.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/910233237674500096
I cannot open this link or article as not a Rivals subscriber. But the link has more info on Zeke Moore and his next visit to Tulsa.
Former St. Louis guard @zeke_moore23 will visit #TulsaMBB this weekend. Full story... ($) #ReignCane https://t.co/X5Cv9lpYuJ
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I don't remember where the Grant Gelon talk was at but he has decided inn missouri state.
Zeke Moore chooses Tulsa MBB over Valpo per twitter reports.
Let's get it! @TUMBasketball @FrankHaithTulsa https://t.co/33Zoq7g31r
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Dang... I have to think playing time is playing a role. We have 2 young PGs on the roster already. He seemed like he would have been a nice add.
Quote from: VU2014 on September 24, 2017, 12:46:13 PM
Dang... I have to think playing time is playing a role. We have 2 young PGs on the roster already. He seemed like he would have been a nice add.
Scholarship availability strikes me as the biggest hurdle to have cleared...
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on September 24, 2017, 01:07:51 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on September 24, 2017, 12:46:13 PM
Dang... I have to think playing time is playing a role. We have 2 young PGs on the roster already. He seemed like he would have been a nice add.
Scholarship availability strikes me as the biggest hurdle to have cleared...
Now I see he's a 2018 recruit? What does he do for this school year? Hadn't Tulsa also been at max scholarships too?
Good point. But I believe Tulsa was full with 13 scholarships taken for the 2017-2018 & he'd be Red-Shirt this upcoming season anyways & I'm not sure he'd be able to enroll during the Fall Semester (at least at Valparaiso because I believe we are well past the registration date). Maybe its different at Tulsa but I believe he won't be enrolled in classes during the Fall semester either.
A few more details regarding Zeke Moore selecting Tulsa
Apparently attending juco this year. Article says 3 years eligibility remaining. Not sure how that works. Also has known a coach on Tulsa staff for awhile. Oh well. We move on to another player or bank scholarship maybe?
Full story on @Zeke_Moore23's commitment to #TulsaMBB. #ReignCane https://t.co/TL685kzJoW
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Quote from: vufan75 on September 24, 2017, 03:17:04 PM
A few more details regarding Zeke Moore selecting Tulsa
Apparently attending juco this year. Article says 3 years eligibility remaining. Not sure how that works. Also has known a coach on Tulsa staff for awhile. Oh well. We move on to another player or bank scholarship maybe?
Full story on @Zeke_Moore23's commitment to #TulsaMBB. #ReignCane https://t.co/TL685kzJoW (https://t.co/TL685kzJoW)
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According to Verbal Commits, Tulsa was also one of our competitors for 2018 3-star guard Israel Barnes. Perhaps this takes them out of the running for Barnes, leaving only Valpo, Weber State and UAB.
I wonder if we are still serious contenders for another Shooting Guards in the 2018 class. Once Javon committed I'm not sure the priority is the SG position anymore for this class. Once Javon committed it seems the focus has been on landing another PG, Xavier Castaneda & Moore.
Maybe we bank the last scholarship and hold it for a mid-season transfer or for red-shirt next season. Try and position the roster to land Alex Hemenway or another 2019 recruit.
Quote from: VU2014 on September 25, 2017, 04:27:14 PM
I wonder if we are still serious contenders for another Shooting Guards in the 2018 class. Once Javon committed I'm not sure the priority is the SG position anymore for this class. Once Javon committed it seems the focus has been on landing another PG, Xavier Castaneda & Moore.
Maybe we bank the last scholarship and hold it for a mid-season transfer or for red-shirt next season. Try and position the roster to land Alex Hemenway or another 2019 recruit.
Our interest in Israel Barnes should remain since he is a 3-star who can play shooting guard or point guard. In fact, his highlights video lists him as a PG and shows him playing that position.
I just saw Coach Lottich just followed Israel on twitter (and Israel followed him back). Definitely a sign we're still pursuing him and maybe he's coming in for a visit soon. All the guards the coaching staff has offered have had good ball-handling skills. Always nice to see the versatility from players. On a few sites he's list as a combo guard.
It looks like he's visited UAB & Weber State recently. He also received an offer from Cleveland State a few weeks ago.
I know I'm a bit biased but I think we're a better school/program/in a Conference then those other teams.
According to 247 sports says he has offers from: Texas Tech, Pennsylvania, Tulsa, UAB, & Valpo, but their "crystal ball" predicts he 50% chance he attend Kansas & a 50% chance he attends Texas Tech
Interest: Weber State (obviously offered), Kansas, Drake, Kansas State, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Wichita State
http://247sports.com/Player/Israel-Barnes-82653
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXJWUrQ7Z5E
I wonder how the Adidas scandal will shuffle recruitment around the country. Auburn just lost their top commitment (probably more to come) & Louisville is now seeing kids decommit. I'm sure we'll see other kids decommit from the other schools as well.
I don't think Valpo will land any of these schools top recruits that decommitted (nor do I want kids or kids whose parents/AAU coaches were involved in that shady business to come to Valpo) will chose to go somewhere else and then some other kids will get "bumped" out of their scholarships or spots & maybe there will be a trickle* down affect to mid-majors landing kids in this very strange 2018 recruitment period.
I'm just wondering how this whole shake up in the sport of college basketball will affect recruitment for the 2018 class across the country as more schools potentially get caught cheating. This will not be a normal recruitment year for the sport. I wonder what the macro impact will be.
Quote from: VU2014 on September 27, 2017, 01:02:54 PMmaybe there will be a tickle down affect to mid-majors
I guess we'll all be giggling... ;)
Quote from: humbleopinion on September 27, 2017, 02:27:05 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on September 27, 2017, 01:02:54 PMmaybe there will be a tickle down affect to mid-majors
I guess we'll all be giggling... ;)
The real Tickle down effect.
https://giphy.com/gifs/elmo-BstmojEi81qg0/
I love How this group bust chops!!! Tickle effect is awesome.
But let's compare 2 coaches, both from Chicago who played and excelled at higher learning institutions, played at very cerebral colleges who have had success. One is Chris Collins from Norhwestern and the other Matt Lottich who coaches our Crusaders. Look at what they've done from a recruiting standpoint. Collins is getting 4/5* kids going to NU. Beat our own Bryce Drew in the NCAA's last year. While we aren't in a P5 conference like Collins, we are getting solid 3* kids here. We have a well balanced staff from a legacy and inner city perspective. The comparison deserves note as we will continue to have a balanced roster. We've made hires that make sense like both schools and we do things the right way.
My point is this, we will surpass Loyola if we have not already as the Chicago area's MVC school. We may not get the caliber player from a rating standpoint that Collins gets but we will get pretty darn close. We are looking at guys that want to play for Valpo for what we are. Dildy will lock down the CPS and gets kids overlooked by the bigger programs. Majerus did it at Lou for years and with success McCall comes to mind immediately. We will continue to hone in on Indiana and Illinois cultivating the next Peters. We have an international reach that even most big schools don't have and we take care of our own. Eventually with some name recognition we can go broader nationally over time.
Our recruiting is coming to the point where we can starting being more selective rather than taking P5 schools seconds. This FBI investigation will help that in the "trickle" down short term I assure you.
And bbtds I never gave you squat with the Dildy comment that was akin to the babysitter's mom being friends with Javon's sister (paraphrasing) with respect to the Javon recruitment but let me say this, the CPS is incentuous. They like doing "business" with their own if there is no ends for them. Javon was being recruited by Loyola for sure but their lead recruiter was Mullins who's dad runs the IL Wolves. Javon played for Tai Street's Mean Streets and he is a product of the CPS (Streets that is and if anyone knows Tai Streets was a stud WR at Michigan). Dildy played in the CPS for Chicago Academy, his cousin is a CPS legend and landed a stud from Simeon to Chicago State. My point was we are in better than most. I would,never guarantee he was coming here but we all know the end result.
I live in Chicago near Curie HS and know a few people. I can tell you, Cliff Alexander who fizzled in college was a highly touted recruit out of Curie and his recruitment was a little more North of shady. Kansas ended up getting him on some terms that weren't on the level of what the NCAA preaches and quite frankly I hope they end up on the FBIs most wanted list with respect to this investigation as does the NCAA for that matter.
But here's the rub, if you got guys scouting basketball players that want to play for you and your university, you win. Alexander was way higher ranked than Peters and they are near the same class. Who got drafted?
Israel Barnes visited this weekend.
https://twitter.com/Ilb_12/status/914606577935699968
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Quote from: valpotx on October 01, 2017, 08:40:27 PM
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Yeah I see kids posting pictures in University gear all the time on their official visits. Israel has taken a picture in every uniform of the schools he's visited. Weber State, UAB & now Valpo.
Quote from: VU2014 on October 01, 2017, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: valpotx on October 01, 2017, 08:40:27 PM
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Yeah I see kids posting pictures in University gear all the time on their official visits. Israel has taken a picture in every uniform of the schools he's visited. Weber State, UAB & now Valpo.
Israel Barnes thanked VU for his official visit and ended the tweet with this...〽️...what in the works does that mean?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on October 02, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on October 01, 2017, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: valpotx on October 01, 2017, 08:40:27 PM
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Yeah I see kids posting pictures in University gear all the time on their official visits. Israel has taken a picture in every uniform of the schools he's visited. Weber State, UAB & now Valpo.
Israel Barnes thanked VU for his official visit and ended the tweet with this...〽️...what in the works does that mean?
After doing some Google-Fu... Apparently it's called a "Part Alternation Mark." In traditional Japanese music, it's used to signify the beginning of a singer's part.
Quote from: swiftmutiny on October 02, 2017, 09:55:17 PM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on October 02, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on October 01, 2017, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: valpotx on October 01, 2017, 08:40:27 PM
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Yeah I see kids posting pictures in University gear all the time on their official visits. Israel has taken a picture in every uniform of the schools he's visited. Weber State, UAB & now Valpo.
Israel Barnes thanked VU for his official visit and ended the tweet with this...〽️...what in the works does that mean?
After doing some Google-Fu... Apparently it's called a "Part Alternation Mark." In traditional Japanese music, it's used to signify the beginning of a singer's part.
And that's precisely why I'm asking our younger posters. I'm not connecting the dots on intended meaning. As is normal, our younger generations are creative outside of the actual meaning of the word. When I pulled that up on my Google-Fu...let's just say I felt less informed!!!
Any clarification on its meaning
〽️
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on October 03, 2017, 05:47:20 AM
Quote from: swiftmutiny on October 02, 2017, 09:55:17 PM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on October 02, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on October 01, 2017, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: valpotx on October 01, 2017, 08:40:27 PM
I never knew that an official basketball visit allows them to wear the school's uniform, and to workout in the gym. Interesting.
Yeah I see kids posting pictures in University gear all the time on their official visits. Israel has taken a picture in every uniform of the schools he's visited. Weber State, UAB & now Valpo.
Israel Barnes thanked VU for his official visit and ended the tweet with this...〽️...what in the works does that mean?
After doing some Google-Fu... Apparently it's called a "Part Alternation Mark." In traditional Japanese music, it's used to signify the beginning of a singer's part.
And that's precisely why I'm asking our younger posters. I'm not connecting the dots on intended meaning. As is normal, our younger generations are creative outside of the actual meaning of the word. When I pulled that up on my Google-Fu...let's just say I felt less informed!!!
Any clarification on its meaning
〽️
Obviously, it can mean whatever the user wants it to mean. I've seen it used after #gomichigan, as it looks like the football helmet logo from 3/4 view. More universally, it seems to be used as an "M" by someone whose name begins with "M" and also quite popularly as "McDonald's" which, in Israel's case may mean "I'm lovin' it!" or "Can you believe they tried to bribe me with a Big Mac?"
I have no clue what it means but my best guess is its a M which stands for his AAU team which is named 'Mokan'.
If we are fortunate enough to land Israel Barnes that'd be big. But if he commits elsewhere, I'm for leaving the last scholarship open for transfers or other opportunities.
Thoughts?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on October 03, 2017, 08:07:15 PM
If we are fortunate enough to land Israel Barnes that'd be big. But if he commits elsewhere, I'm for leaving the last scholarship open for transfers or other opportunities.
Thoughts?
I might be with you on this one. It might be best to just hold onto the last scholarship. If Barnes commits elsewhere the only other outstanding offer that we know of is Walter Ellis (SG) & Shakur Daniel (PG). Walter Ellis transferred to a pretty well respected Prep School for developing aspiring D1 kids Brewster Academy. It seems he wants to focus more on basketball and wants to try and attract more offers. It doesn't seem like he will commit anywhere this Fall and he'll be a Spring signing period recruit. I've heard almost nothing about Shakur Daniel.
Maybe they hold onto it and try and pick up a mid-season red-shirt transfer or save it for next years class. The rumor is that the 2019 Illinois class isn't very deep but the 2019 Indiana class is pretty deep with talent.
One thing that I saw that was interesting is a article about Sasha Stefanovic. Apparently the Purdue coaches are still considering Red-Shirting him for the 2017-2018 season. If he red-shirts maybe he decides to eventually transfer if he wants a bigger role somewhere else. Purdue just received a commitment from another big Indiana 2018 Shooting Guard recruit name Eric Hunter. Something to monitor. He was apparently close to committing to Valpo but Purdue got involved at the last minute in his recruitment.
https://twitter.com/MrPUHoops/status/909961759452102657
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2017/9/16/16320758/55-days-purdue-basketball-sasha-stefanovic
2017-18 Projection: Possible redshirt"Will Sasha redshirt this year? With Dakota Mathias and Ryan Cline as the resident "Never Leave the White Guys Open" shooting guards there may not be a lot of minutes for Sasha this year. He projects as a reserve for those two guys and both are established upperclassmen that are going to play the majority of minutes at the 2 or the 3.
Still, Sasha is making coach Painter's decision difficult. He got to play quite a bit in Taiwan and he ended up looking the best of Purdue's freshmen. He averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for Crown Point last season and this summer, taking a massive step up in weight class, had a few big games at the World University Games. Is it worth not redshirting him if he only plays 5-10 minutes a night, but gets to come in and knock down open threes?
That is coach Painter's decision."
Would be nice to have Sasha aboard.
If I'm the Valpo Coaching Staff I'm getting on the phone to see if Cooper Neese has any interest in coming to Valpo or trying to set up a visit at least.
Cooper is a Indiana native and was one of the best players in the state for the class of 2017. He'd be a huge get for Valpo.
Year: 2017 (FR)
Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 175
Hometown: Cloverdale, IN
High School: Cloverdale High School
AAU Team: Grassroots Indiana Indy Hoosiers
Offers: Butler, Ball State (1 SG on roster past next season), Indiana State (3 SG on roster past next season), Evansville (5 SG on roster past next season)
-Valpo as of right now would only have Marcus Golder who is more of a wing/forward & Javon Freeman-Liberty for the 2018-2019 season
-the only reason he doesn't have more offers is because he committed to Butler way back in December 08, 2015
Ranking:
ESPN: 3-star
Rivals: NA
Scouts: NA
247 Sports: 3-star (Nationally: 233, PG Rank: 46, IN Rank: 10) He's list as a PG on their site but he's really SG/combo
https://twitter.com/kyleneddenriep/status/917018310893494273
https://twitter.com/kyleneddenriep/status/917018707242520576
https://twitter.com/bkitch1bodie/status/917021882184032257
https://twitter.com/kyleneddenriep/status/917023967977783296
https://twitter.com/bkitch1bodie/status/917028769663279106
https://twitter.com/kyleneddenriep/status/917029557168857088
He seems pretty close to his hometown of Cloverdale, so maybe he wants to stay close to home in Indiana. May give an advantage to schools like Indiana State that is only an hour away. Valparaiso is 3 hours away. Evansville is 2 1/2 hours away. Ball State is around 2 hours away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZxyt2Hud4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAz-Ck6UNfw&t=135s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55l92HexlA
Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel Sports Editor, Butler alum, and general Butler journalism lackey basically saying that Cooper Neese did not have what it takes to play at Butler and the Big East. Recruit Obviously Doesn't Fit With Bulldog Program (http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/2017/10/08/column-butler-recruit-obviously-doesnt-fit-with-bulldog-program/)
Quote from: FWalum on October 08, 2017, 09:52:22 PM
Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel Sports Editor, Butler alum, and general Butler journalism lackey basically saying that Cooper Neese did not have what it takes to play at Butler and the Big East. Recruit Obviously Doesn't Fit With Bulldog Program (http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/2017/10/08/column-butler-recruit-obviously-doesnt-fit-with-bulldog-program/)
Tom Davis would worship the Devil if he was wearing a Butler shirt. If the kid is deemed to not be a good fit before he even suits up, that's on on Butler, not him. They courted him, not the other way around. Obviously, they told him he would be a good fit, that he could play at the Big East level, or he would never have signed on. If there were red flags going back to the All-Star game, they should have told him then. Instead, they wait until after the semester starts, ruining his entire Freshman season. What a bunch of jamokes.
Quote from: VU2014 on October 08, 2017, 10:23:45 AMIf I'm the Valpo Coaching Staff I'm getting on the phone to see if Cooper Neese has any interest in coming to Valpo or trying to set up a visit at least.
Cooper is a Indiana native and was one of the best players in the state for the class of 2017. He'd be a huge get for Valpo.
Year: 2017 (FR)
Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 175
Hometown: Cloverdale, IN
High School: Cloverdale High School
AAU Team: Grassroots Indiana Indy Hoosiers
Offers: Butler, Ball State (1 SG on roster past next season), Indiana State (3 SG on roster past next season), Evansville (5 SG on roster past next season)
-Valpo as of right now would only have Marcus Golder who is more of a wing/forward & Javon Freeman-Liberty for the 2018-2019 season
-the only reason he doesn't have more offers is because he committed to Butler way back in December 08, 2015
Ranking:
ESPN: 3-star
Rivals: NA
Scouts: NA
247 Sports: 3-star (Nationally: 233, PG Rank: 46, IN Rank: 10) He's list as a PG on their site but he's really SG/combo
It was Cooper Neese's Cloverdale team that beat Taylor Bruninga's Illini Bluffs team in a tournament in Alec Peters' high school gym, Washington, IL, at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. I remember a small story about it in the Indy Star and the writer being impressed that Cloverdale was able to beat a tough Illini Bluffs squad that included Bruninga.
http://www.pjstarforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=101922
TAYLOR BRUNINGA- ILLINI BLUFFS
by Dirtbags » Mon Nov 21, 2016 9:38 pm
Taylor Bruninga goes off for 42 points and 22 rebounds tonight. He will be playing tomorrow night at the ToC at 8:30 against Cloverdale, Indiana and their All-America guard Cooper Neese (30 ppg). It should be a great game!!!
========================================================================
Re: TAYLOR BRUNINGA- ILLINI BLUFFS
by sirtoxic4 » Tue Nov 22, 2016 2:54 pm
Cloverdale should not have anyone that can handle Taylor, but will IB have anyone that can contain Cooper Neese. Wish I could make the drive back. Our local sports reporter is making the drive back to watch. Cloverdale is 6 miles away from where I live now.========================================================================
Re: TAYLOR BRUNINGA- ILLINI BLUFFS
by Disturbed » Tue Nov 22, 2016 11:55 pm
Cloverdale wins 76-68. Bruninga with 37 points and 17 boards. Neese had 24 at halftime and finished with 30. Great small school game. IB played basically without 3 starters for most of the game due to injury.http://www.pjstar.com/sports/20161230/illini-bluffs-big-man-taylor-bruninga-sets-records-at-macomb-holiday-tournament
Bruninga scored 28 points to set the four-game tournament record with 134 total points. The previous mark belonged to David McGinnis of Illini Central, who scored 129 points in 1990.
Bruninga also set the tournament record with 57 free throws made, destroying the previous record of 33 set by Canton's Hunter Rhodes in 2013. Also, Bruninga's 65 free throw attempts were 22 more than the previous record set in 1970 by former VIT and Bradley player Mark Dohner.This is what happens when a Lutheran kid from the farm belt gets rejected by the national Lutheran university. It's going to be painful to see him score in large numbers against Valpo twice a year for 4 years with Illinois State.
There is a very short clip of Bruninga scoring and getting fouled by Neese in this video of Taylor from WEEK-TV in Peoria. Watch for the Cloverdale green uniforms.
http://www.week.com/story/35183118/illini-bluffs-star-taylor-bruinga-updates-his-recruiting
This is starting to feel a lot like when Gordon Hayward, now with his college coach and the Boston Celtics, a Lutheran kid, got away to Butler.
Quote from: bbtds on October 08, 2017, 11:41:01 PM
This is what happens when a Lutheran kid from the farm belt gets rejected by the national Lutheran university. It's going to be painful to see him score in large numbers against Valpo twice a year for 4 years with Illinois State.
There is a very short clip of Bruninga scoring and getting fouled by Neese in this video of Taylor from WEEK-TV in Peoria. Watch for the Cloverdale green uniforms.
http://www.week.com/story/35183118/illini-bluffs-star-taylor-bruinga-updates-his-recruiting
This is starting to feel a lot like when Gordon Hayward, now with his college coach and the Boston Celtics, a Lutheran kid, got away to Butler.
I liked Bruninga's game a lot too and was pretty disappointed that the staff didn't offer him. I also think he has the potential to be one those "ones that got away players" but lets slow down with the Gordon Hayward comparisons lol. He hasn't played a single minute of college basketball yet.
As for Cooper Neese, my gut says he lands with Indiana State or Ball State. Both are close to home for him. And between the two I bet on him landing at Indiana State because they actually have 1 scholarship left for the 2017-2018 season. So he could transfer there in January for the Spring semester.
This is why it is beneficial to generally hold onto 1 scholarship for situations like these.... Valpo has 0 scholarships available for the 2017-2018 schedule and only 1 more available for the 2018-2019 season.
Quote from: wh on October 08, 2017, 10:20:40 PM
Quote from: FWalum on October 08, 2017, 09:52:22 PM
Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel Sports Editor, Butler alum, and general Butler journalism lackey basically saying that Cooper Neese did not have what it takes to play at Butler and the Big East. Recruit Obviously Doesn't Fit With Bulldog Program (http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/2017/10/08/column-butler-recruit-obviously-doesnt-fit-with-bulldog-program/)
Tom Davis would worship the Devil if he was wearing a Butler shirt. If the kid is deemed to not be a good fit before he even suits up, that's on on Butler, not him. They courted him, not the other way around. Obviously, they told him he would be a good fit, that he could play at the Big East level, or he would never have signed on. If there were red flags going back to the All-Star game, they should have told him then. Instead, they wait until after the semester starts, ruining his entire Freshman season. What a bunch of jamokes.
Quote from: wh on October 08, 2017, 10:20:40 PM
Quote from: FWalum on October 08, 2017, 09:52:22 PM
Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel Sports Editor, Butler alum, and general Butler journalism lackey basically saying that Cooper Neese did not have what it takes to play at Butler and the Big East. Recruit Obviously Doesn't Fit With Bulldog Program (http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/2017/10/08/column-butler-recruit-obviously-doesnt-fit-with-bulldog-program/)
Tom Davis would worship the Devil if he was wearing a Butler shirt. If the kid is deemed to not be a good fit before he even suits up, that's on on Butler, not him. They courted him, not the other way around. Obviously, they told him he would be a good fit, that he could play at the Big East level, or he would never have signed on. If there were red flags going back to the All-Star game, they should have told him then. Instead, they wait until after the semester starts, ruining his entire Freshman season. What a bunch of jamokes.
Quote from: wh on October 08, 2017, 10:20:40 PM
Quote from: FWalum on October 08, 2017, 09:52:22 PM
Fort Wayne's News-Sentinel Sports Editor, Butler alum, and general Butler journalism lackey basically saying that Cooper Neese did not have what it takes to play at Butler and the Big East. Recruit Obviously Doesn't Fit With Bulldog Program (http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/2017/10/08/column-butler-recruit-obviously-doesnt-fit-with-bulldog-program/)
Tom Davis would worship the Devil if he was wearing a Butler shirt. If the kid is deemed to not be a good fit before he even suits up, that's on on Butler, not him. They courted him, not the other way around. Obviously, they told him he would be a good fit, that he could play at the Big East level, or he would never have signed on. If there were red flags going back to the All-Star game, they should have told him then. Instead, they wait until after the semester starts, ruining his entire Freshman season. What a bunch of jamokes.
Well said WH. I take what Davis says with a grain of salt. He always has a motive and is trying to spin a story one way or another.
Tom Davis also thought,as did Butler, that Alec Peters was not quite up to the caliber of offering him a scholly at first chance. And according to another article I recently read , Butler is already lamenting that they have not been able to secure their first choices for recruits for the coming year. Poor Butler.
Butler also said our Smits wasn't good enough for them.
This is another case that seems to be a head-scratcher. If you read this article from the Indy Star his leaving Butler would seem to be inconceivable. Cooper Neese was born to be a Bulldog (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2017/02/17/butler-recruit-cooper-neese-born-bulldog/97847980/)
QuoteHe had a breakout summer before his junior season, and caught the attention of Butler coach Chris Holtmann and then-assistant Michael Lewis. When Neese played for Indy Hoosiers, players on opposing teams shouted, "Shooter!" as soon as he crossed half-court.
Uncharacteristically, Butler made an offer to Neese early in his junior season (December 2015). By then, Neese had pestered Andrew Smith so often with questions that he knew everything there was to know about the program. He had played in open gyms with Butler players, proving himself to them — he once made eight successive 3s — and building rapport.
He committed on the phone, on the spot.
"He came back and said, 'It's different playing with these guys,'" his father said.
QuoteThe Butler connection was too tight.
Neese already has befriended Bulldog players, including senior Avery Woodson, who has gone fishing on Neese's stepfather's property. Samantha Smith, widow of Andrew, accompanied the Roeders to Neese's summer tournaments. Samantha considers Neese a little brother, irrespective of how tall he is.
He seemingly fits two components of the Butler Way, humility and servanthood. His family regularly volunteers at two Downtown Indianapolis homeless shelters. When a couple of club teammates needed transport to practice, it was Neese who drove the 40-plus miles to pick them up in Indy.
Smits hasn't proved them wrong...yet
I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.
Quote from: valpo64 on October 09, 2017, 11:44:37 AM
I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.
The bar is set pretty low. The player Butler chose over Derrik, Nate Fowler (6-10, 240, from Cincinnati), hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first 2 seasons:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3908904/nate-fowler
Quote from: M on October 09, 2017, 10:45:41 AM
Smits hasn't proved them wrong...yet
Smits & Micah should have a chip on their shoulders this season. They have a lot to prove their sophomore seasons.
Quote from: FWalum on October 09, 2017, 10:42:08 AM
This is another case that seems to be a head-scratcher. If you read this article from the Indy Star his leaving Butler would seem to be inconceivable.
I feel like every article I read about Butler Basketball from Indiana Sports Media (particularly their local beat) seems to praise them and the reporters talk about them with a sense of false "reverence". It all just feeds to the Butler fans' egos. Yes Butler is in the BE and has had past success but they are not Duke or anything. It's been a few years now since the Brad Stevens days... I respect what they have accomplished but I do not respect the arrogance of their fan-base & some of the media that cover their team.
I just can't stand all the garbage about "the butler way" & the looking down on certain players like Cooper who the fans & media think isn't a "butler player" and suggests he/others don't have "what it takes". Just so much egotistical garbage spewed out of Hinkle Fieldhouse these days. They have an superiority complex about themselves down there.
This is a local Terre Haute Sports Anchor. I found his tweets to be a interesting on why he chose to leave.
"Difficult finding happy median in basketball, classroom and with friends at Butler"https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917023879251529728
https://twitter.com/AndrewBahr5/status/917023901972094976
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917024300959502336
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917024156906131462
https://twitter.com/WZIS_CoreyClark/status/917062996966432770
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917082001219424256
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917085772532117514
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917085908448538627
Quote from: wh on October 09, 2017, 01:10:23 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on October 09, 2017, 11:44:37 AM
I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.
The bar is set pretty low. The player Butler chose over Derrik, Nate Fowler (6-10, 240, from Cincinnati), hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first 2 seasons:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3908904/nate-fowler
To be fair we are now comparing the Fowler sophomore numbers with Derrik's freshman venture. Derrik if healthy would not have played much as a freshman either and had he done so it would place their overall numbers pretty close in alignment. That said I would now bet that Derrik has the greater college upside potential from here going forward. My conclusion is far from a sure thing but that is where I would place my bet. :thumbsup:
Well sounds like Cooper Neese may be headed to Indiana State... ISU has potentially locked up 2 really good guards within the last month with Deavion Washington and now potentially Neese.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/917462859788935168
Not surprising, Reading between the lines I got the Homesick vibe in regards to why he was leaving. Sounds like college adjustment in general was rough for him and maybe being closer to home will help. Reminds me of a Clay Yeo situation. Can have the talent and opportunity but if overall the college experience is not what they are meshing with for whatever reason, girlfriend, family, bigger school, etc. None of that matters. Good on him for recognizing it early.
Quote from: crusader05 on October 09, 2017, 02:53:20 PM
Not surprising, Reading between the lines I got the Homesick vibe in regards to why he was leaving. Sounds like college adjustment in general was rough for him and maybe being closer to home will help. Reminds me of a Clay Yeo situation. Can have the talent and opportunity but if overall the college experience is not what they are meshing with for whatever reason, girlfriend, family, bigger school, etc. None of that matters. Good on him for recognizing it early.
I've got no inside information, but can add that his mom lives in the west suburbs of Indy, so the homesickness theory doesn't seem likely. Whatever the reason, I'm sorry things didn't work out because he seems like a very nice kid with a lot of talent. I'll also agree with previous posters that taking shots at a kid (like Tom Davis did) for deciding a school wasn't for him is unnecessary and counterproductive.
I hope he finds a place where he's comfortable and has a successful career.
speaking of Clay Yeo, did he graduate?
Quote from: valpo64 on October 09, 2017, 07:11:04 PM
speaking of Clay Yeo, did he graduate?
Yep I believe he graduated last year from Bethel.
Well its official. That was quick. I'm willing to bet this may have been in the works for a while. I've never seen someone decide so quickly if it were the case.
https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/917544333959671808
Stereotypical Classless Butler fan...
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/917549934529957888
And totally illogical. Coming from a "small high school" he is leaving a SMALL college for a large state U campus. It has nothing to do with academic rigor at this point. How the hell can you compare that criterion after just a couple of months on campus?
Quote from: VU2014 on October 09, 2017, 07:42:44 PM
Stereotypical Classless Butler fan...
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/917549934529957888
I agree that comment is way off base ... speculating on something like that is uncalled for. FWIW, anyone I've talked to and 99% of "arrogant" posters on the Butler board are disappointed to see him go, but wish him well.
I'm curious ... how do you know the guy posting that on Twitter is a Butler fan?
Quote from: zvillehaze on October 09, 2017, 09:10:06 PM
I'm curious ... how do you know the guy posting that on Twitter is a Butler fan?
Everyones comments are public on twitter. I'm assuming he's a Butler fan when he makes comments like this comparing Butler to Duke: https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/873009627709009921
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/816827511774605312
Maybe I'm being too harsh on BU fans. I shouldn't paint with such a broad brush but I've had some not so flattering experiences with many die-hard Bulldog fans at Hinkle and on twitter (which twitter probably isn't the always the best platform to judge a fan-base). Maybe I'm not being fair.
I guess you're right. Still a stupid comment from him, IMO.
All fans overestimate their own school or team's importance. Happens at Butler, happens at Valpo, happens everywhere. The internet's a horrible place to establish a baseline for "typical" fans or people in general. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with Butler fans in the past.
Cooper had the opportunity to move close to Indy during high school and his parents were willing to do it to help out his basketball career. He didn't want to do it then, and it appears that the move now didn't work out for him. Whether that's because he's homesick, didn't like how he was going to be utilized as a player (it didn't appear that he was going to play much this year), or was having trouble in school, it's better that he recognizes it now and moves on if he doesn't think it's the best spot for him. I transferred schools during college and I can say it was without a doubt the best move for me. Hopefully it will be for him as well, because at least on the surface, he seems like a good kid and this move doesn't make him less of a student, basketball player or person.
Javon Freeman-Liberty makes IL Prep Hoop's 'Area All-Star Teams: Chicago Public League'
SG: Javon Freeman (Whitney Young) Freeman is a slick two guard that has a well-balanced game and his full game will be utilized on this team.
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/10/area-star-teams-chicago-public-league/
Israel Barnes chooses Weber State per his twitter post.
#savetheschollie
#WEAREWEBER [emoji171][emoji459] https://t.co/W3FrE2I0Aj
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
That leaves only Walter Ellis left and maybe Shakur Daniel left as currently outstanding offers that we've given for 2018 class. 1 scholarship remains. I just hope we don't "settle" with this last scholarship. Maybe role it over into next year for a mid-season transfer or a red-shirt next offseason.
Quote from: vufan75 on October 13, 2017, 06:51:08 PM
Israel Barnes chooses Weber State per his twitter post.
#savetheschollie
#WEAREWEBER [emoji171][emoji459] https://t.co/W3FrE2I0Aj
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Congrats to Israel, he would've been a strong addition to our program. Maybe most as a man of faith and morals.
That being said, (2) 3-star recruits at SG in one class could've been iffy. Just look at UIC...transfer city.
Hoping we leave the final spot open for a proper fit. Whether that's a spring signing OR transfer.
https://twitter.com/xpinson3/status/919261745906057216
Some recruiting news. I'm not sure it will directly affect Valpo but I know Valpo had interest in Xavier. His final 2 were Drake & Kent State. He just committed less then a week ago and now decommitted. I'm not sure of Valpo will offer at this point but we did just strike out on Israel Barnes (combo guard) and Xavier Castanada who both are higher level prospects, according to all of the recruiting services.
Quote from: VU2014 on October 14, 2017, 01:08:00 PMhttps://twitter.com/xpinson3/status/919261745906057216 Some recruiting news. I'm not sure it will directly affect Valpo but I know Valpo had interest in Xavier. His final 2 were Drake & Kent State. He just committed less then a week ago and now decommitted. I'm not sure of Valpo will offer at this point but we did just strike out on Israel Barnes (combo guard) and Xavier
Castanada who both are higher level prospects, according to all of the recruiting services.
If you look at his Videos. He has mad ball skills. Running, Dribbling, Penetrating, and No-Look pin point Passing. Some of the best you''ll see in HS. Don't think He's a big scorer but I think He makes up for it in assists.
Found this info regarding Xavier Pinson on twitter. Maybe Valpo gets involved in a bigger way now that two other recruits made other choices, one being a PG.
Might be tough sell though with Micah and Bakari being juniors in terms of eligibility in 18-19 season.
The steal of 2018 may be PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon) heading to Kent St. EVERY evaluator raved about his playmaking and IQ. ELITE player. https://t.co/FRLTbzlIVS
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
It sounds like playing time may been a factor in choosing Kent State for Israel Barnes, especially with having another highly touted shooting guard in Valpo's 2018 recruiting class. He also says, "really just blown away at how great everything was at Weber."
http://www.standard.net/Weber-State/2017/10/14/weber-state-basketball-recruiting-israel-barnes-commit-wichita-kansas-mokan-2018-class
"The most important thing for me was that it was just a great fit for me," Barnes told the Standard-Examiner. "I feel Weber is the best place where I can make a big impact really quick ... Me and family were really just blown away at how great everything was at Weber."
FWIW, I've heard and seen others raise maturity concerns about Xavier in the past.
To me this sounds like a couple teams may have reached out last minute or even post commitment showing interest. Or maybe he just hand second thoughts. Roy Schmidt is a Illinois recruiting insider and he doesn't mince words with what he thinks.
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/919263750565367809
I'd love to see the coaching staff recruit Tim Finke who is one of the best players from the state of Illinois but who had a really bad AAU performance this summer. Before this summer he was being recruited by Illinois, Ohio State, Vandy, and Notre Dame, but his recruitment has complete reset and a lot of those power conference teams have burned that bridge.
247 had him pegged as the 153 best recruit in the nation. He is a obvious Spring signing so the coaches would have time to start working on him in recruitment. He also seems to have the versatility to play SG & SF.
Finke is a central Illinois kid and knows the Peters family. He played for the same AAU program. He could be an absolute steal.
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/921017086398300161
https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/921018579436306432
https://twitter.com/jthompson247/status/921078876335431680
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/921086032497520641
There are Finke(s) that are members of Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign. If someone knows one of his parents first names we could look it up. If he has the German last name and knows the Peters family that could mean another high major recruit Lutheran kid. Of course it also may not mean anything too.
Quote from: bbtds on October 21, 2017, 02:17:17 AM
There are Finke(s) that are members of Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign. If someone knows one of his parents first names we could look it up. If he has the German last name and knows the Peters family that could mean another high major recruit Lutheran kid. Of course it also may not mean anything too.
Not Lutheran. http://www.teamfinke.com/About-TeamFinke/Jeff-and-Laura (http://www.teamfinke.com/About-TeamFinke/Jeff-and-Laura)
Good to hear!
https://twitter.com/HoopReview/status/923392004075036672
I hope Javon signs in the early signing period, because it sounds like Valpo got an absolute steal in landing a commitment from Javon. He's going to be an exciting player to watch next season.
https://twitter.com/BallisLifeCHI/status/761000109647679488
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/mr-basketball-candidate-javon-freeman/
Good article about 2018 commit Javon
Quote from: VUBBFan on November 04, 2017, 12:20:15 PM
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/mr-basketball-candidate-javon-freeman/
Good article about 2018 commit Javon
Could you please copy and paste? Thanks!
Aren't we getting close to the early signing period? Does anyone know who our "top" prospects are and the probablility of them signing with us?
Quote from: valpo64 on November 06, 2017, 12:52:12 PM
Aren't we getting close to the early signing period? Does anyone know who our "top" prospects are and the probablility of them signing with us?
As of right now we have 2 scholarships available for the 2018 class. Our only commitment is Javon Freeman-Liberty who is a high ceiling 3-Star Shooting Guard from Chicago. Javon is a big recruit for our program. His uncle is Marcus Liberty who was the Illini great and played in the NBA for a few years. I'm hoping Javon signs in the early period but I haven't heard anything on that front yet.
We have 1 other available scholarship barring any transfers. The only other outstanding offer that we know about it is 2-star South Bend native SG Walter Ellis. Walter is spending his last year of HS at a prep school called the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. He sounds like a Spring signing recruit.
Anything new on Shakur Daniel and Xavier Pinson? Did Valpo jump in in any significant way once Pinson reopened his recruitment? I know we were in on him a bit earlier but haven't heard a lot since Also heard a lot of good things about Daniel and then all of a sudden nothing
I just checked...the early signing period for 2018-19 is November 8-15, so hopefully we will hear some favorable news soon.
Quote from: valpo64 on November 06, 2017, 03:54:47 PM
I just checked...the early signing period for 2018-19 is November 8-15, so hopefully we will hear some favorable news soon.
Javon seems pretty firmly committed to Valpo if you follow his twitter. I'd be a little nervous if he doesn't sign in the early signing period though.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on November 06, 2017, 01:39:53 PM
Anything new on Shakur Daniel and Xavier Pinson? Did Valpo jump in in any significant way once Pinson reopened his recruitment? I know we were in on him a bit earlier but haven't heard a lot since Also heard a lot of good things about Daniel and then all of a sudden nothing
I heard anything about Xavier Pinson or Shakur Daniel. I know the coaching staff is very familiar with Pinson's game. I'm not sure we'll offer. As for Shakur I saw on twitter he was apparently getting interest from High Majors but I don't think any of them have offered yet. I only saw that one mention of Valpo offering. It's curious that it never got picked up by 'Verbal Commits'. It sounds like he's going to be a Spring signing for which ever school he commits to.
https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/925576873656176640
https://twitter.com/valpocompliance/status/927725276171309057
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/927920153693708289
Quote from: VU2014 on November 07, 2017, 09:28:38 AM
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/927920153693708289
He and teammate Xavier are signing at 11:15AM.
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/national-signing-day-times-3/ (https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/national-signing-day-times-3/)
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on November 07, 2017, 05:53:55 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on November 07, 2017, 09:28:38 AM
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/927920153693708289
He and teammate Xavier are signing at 11:15AM.
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/national-signing-day-times-3/ (https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/national-signing-day-times-3/)
For those who may be interested, I just looked into my crystal ball and see exciting times ahead for Javon. Signing day tomorrow, back-to-back state championships for WY, All-State honors, and a successful debut in his first official college game as part of next year's Sweet-16 team.
A big day today for Valpo Basketball! Javon Freeman-Liberty is signing his NLI today at 11:15 AM.
The Chicago Sun-Times came out with their Preps Signing Day Review.
https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/11/07/henricksen-signing-day-primer/
Henricksen: Signing Day review
Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
Nov. 7 11:38 p.m.
Recruiting breeds drama and storylines while creating intrigue around high school and college basketball. There was no shortage of that when it came to the recruitment of the Class of 2018 in Illinois.
...........
Biggest recruiting steal: Javon Freeman to Valpo
The recruitment of the 6-3 wing from Whitney Young, along with his commitment to coach Matt Lottich and Valparaiso, flew under the radar a bit.
Freeman helped lead the Dolphins to a Class 4A state championship last March and is among the top six senior prospects in Illinois. He's an active and productive player who still possesses a tremendously high ceiling.
........
Best uncommitted prospects: Libertyville's Drew Peterson, Simeon's Xavier Pinson and Conant's Ryan Davis
While Champaign Central's Tim Finke may be the best uncommitted player remaining in the state, the trio of Peterson, Pinson and Davis are the best unsigned seniors locally. Peterson is a versatile 6-7 wing, Pinson a pure point guard and at 6-8 Davis is a wide-bodied big man with skill.
I'd love for Valpo to get involved in Tim Finke and Drew Peterson's recruitment. Peterson is a 2-guard but he is a completely different player then Freeman-Liberty. Both Peterson and Finke could both play the 2 and the 3. I know the VU coaching staff has scouted both Ryan Davis and Xavier Pinson. Davis sounds like a really good player but I don't think he's a roster fit with us having 3 freshman forwards on the roster. The coaches are very familiar with Pinson and know him but we haven't offered so far so it makes you wonder if they think he's just not a fit with the current roster. We'll see I guess.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-st-1108-20171107-story.html
With Freeman-Liberty in the fold, the Crusaders would have one scholarship left in the Class of 2018, with Montreal natives Joseph and Tevonn Walker seniors this season.
"I told our guys, it's a home run or we're waiting for a transfer," Lottich said.
I think Finke would be that home run. I'm not even sure if they are recruiting him. I know he just took a unofficial visit to GCU last week. Maybe one of those other guys like Peterson is homer. Love that we're not settling though.
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/928353431609331723
https://twitter.com/emandildy/status/928402573794729989
Quote from: VU2014 on November 08, 2017, 02:10:51 PM
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/928353431609331723
He said he wants to be a part of a family. Check. He wants to contribute right away. Check. He wants to win. Double check. I have a feeling we're going to love Javon!
As the title of this thread is Recruiting 2018, I thought it would be OK to point out the newest Women's tennis signee, who just happens to be a Ford model when not playing! Hope you guys don't mind me posting this! ;)
http://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/sports/local/article_91e33690-6a0a-11e4-9789-afc23aa8dd0d.html
Quote from: VU2014 on October 20, 2017, 09:55:46 AMI'd love to see the coaching staff recruit Tim Finke who is one of the best players from the state of Illinois but who had a really bad AAU performance this summer. Before this summer he was being recruited by Illinois, Ohio State, Vandy, and Notre Dame, but his recruitment has complete reset and a lot of those power conference teams have burned that bridge.247 had him pegged as the 153 best recruit in the nation. He is a obvious Spring signing so the coaches would have time to start working on him in recruitment. He also seems to have the versatility to play SG & SF.Finke is a central Illinois kid and knows the Peters family. He played for the same AAU program. He could be an absolute steal.
Quote from: VU2014 on November 08, 2017, 10:26:24 AM"I told our guys, it's a home run or we're waiting for a transfer," Lottich said.I think Finke would be that home run. I'm not even sure if they are recruiting him. I know he just took a unofficial visit to GCU last week. Maybe one of those other guys like Peterson is homer. Love that we're not settling though.
Yes, this Finke could be that home run. Does anyone know that Finke's recruiting really opened up recently and why?
Two of his fathers HS teammates graduated from VU.
Tim Finke would be a solid get for VU. We don't need all world athletes at all positions. If he has good basketball acumen and can shoot from mid range and three....score!
Can he athletically Guard the college SF though? Alec had difficulty at the three at times last year. Is Tim Finke more or less athletic than AP?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on November 08, 2017, 07:06:00 PM
Tim Finke would be a solid get for VU. We don't need all world athletes at all positions. If he has good basketball acumen and can shoot from mid range and three....score!
Can he athletically Guard the college SF though? Alec had difficulty at the three at times last year. Is Tim Finke more or less athletic than AP?
I think he'd be a sufficient defender at the 3. Finke isn't a stretch 4 like Peters was. From the highlights I've seen of him he's quicker and is more of a ball handler then AP. Finke's bread and butter is his jump shot and he was very streaky this summer and was missing shots in his AAU season this summer and thats what caused his stock to drop.
He was AAU teammates with Javon on Meanstreets this summer. Maybe his poor performance on Meanstreets squad causes him to think he wouldn't be a fit on the same team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JNk5M-jyk
Quote from: VU2014 on November 09, 2017, 10:42:03 AM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on November 08, 2017, 07:06:00 PM
Tim Finke would be a solid get for VU. We don't need all world athletes at all positions. If he has good basketball acumen and can shoot from mid range and three....score!
Can he athletically Guard the college SF though? Alec had difficulty at the three at times last year. Is Tim Finke more or less athletic than AP?
I think he'd be a sufficient defender at the 3. Finke isn't a stretch 4 like Peters was. From the highlights I've seen of him he's quicker and is more of a ball handler then AP. Finke's bread and butter is his jump shot and he was very streaky this summer and was missing shots in his AAU season this summer and thats what caused his stock to drop.
He was AAU teammates with Javon on Meanstreets this summer. Maybe his poor performance on Meanstreets squad causes him to think he wouldn't be a fit on the same team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JNk5M-jyk
Unless I missed it, Valpo is not among the 19-25 schools that have offered Fenke. That tells me that not only does Matt not see him as a home run, he doesn't even see him as a single. By the way, 247 Sports shows him as a 3, not 4.
Quote from: wh on November 09, 2017, 12:18:45 PM
Unless I missed it, Valpo is not among the 19-25 schools that have offered Fenke. That tells me that not only does Matt not see him as a home run, he doesn't even see him as a single. By the way, 247 Sports shows him as a 3, not 4.
The thing about Finke is that his recruitment completely hit a reset button after the summer. Many mids weren't going to waste their time recruiting him because he was previously thought to be an unattainable recruit because schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Illinois were all showing serious interest but after the struggles in AAU they stopped and it hit a bit of a reset. I know Loyola jumped in his recruitment this Fall after the High-Major interest started to drop.
Maybe the Valpo coaching staff just aren't interested or don't think there is a fit. I think the absolute grand-slam recruit for the 2019 class would be Alex Hemenway. He has picked up some offers from High Majors the last months, so I'm not sure if Valpo has realistic shot anymore. I'm hoping the Valpo coaches have built a strong relationship with him. He'd be a program altering player for us.
2014, you hit the nail an on the head with Finke's recruitment. He was being pursued big time by the previous Illinois staff (Groce). He was a definite Illinois lean for sure but his summer AAU production took a lot of bigger programs off and opened up their respective recruitment elsewhere. Everything I understand about this kid is he is definite D1 but viewed more as a roster filler with the the higher D1s.
Illinois under Underwood is looking towards the city of Chicago for more or better home run recruits and feels they should and could get them. Not sure anyone pulled their "offers" for him per se but we know there are contingent offers made and he is one of those kids that was probably a contingency given his summer performance. Personally, I think he would be a great get for Valpo and would be a higher touted Peters if he came.
That being said, Alec had a GREAT career and developed because of staff and work ethic. If Finke put in the work and developed he could be a steal.
His brother will be key member this season at Illinois
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice graphic. It's nice to know we're replacing Tevonn with another athletic SG next season. He won't as ready as a senior Tevonn is but it sounds like Javon will play a big role on this team just like Tevonn did his freshman year.
https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/929074419041005570
I see S Stefanovic has yet to play in a regular game for Purdue...have to assume red-shirting. As for next year I think he will have more problems getting floor time. It would have been great to see a local kid like him at Valpo where I think he would seen major playing time.
Quote from: valpo64 on November 13, 2017, 09:52:50 AM
I see S Stefanovic has yet to play in a regular game for Purdue...have to assume red-shirting. As for next year I think he will have more problems getting floor time. It would have been great to see a local kid like him at Valpo where I think he would seen major playing time.
Yeah he was unfortunately redshirted. Yep next season they will have another very crowded back court with Eric Hunter Jr. signed. Minutes will probably be tight and it makes you wonder if he'll consider transferring down the road. The problem is that if he transfers he'll have lose a year eligibility because he just redshirted this year. So it seems like if were to eventually transfer he'd be a grad transfer. so either after his RS-SO or RS-JR year he may be able to transfer and play immediately depending on how quickly he graduates. Many coaches these days aren't allowing kids to take a certain credits each semester because they don't want kids becoming grad transfers.
I still will never understand why kids want to become bench players/role players later in him their careers if they have the potential to be impact guys at the mid-major level and get very valuable early playing time. He could very well have a very nice playing career at Purdue but he'd play a huge role at Valpo early on. At Purdue they view him as the future "don't leave the white guy open role". Oh well. Wish him nothing but the best but I'll be watching to see how his career/role develops.
Edit: Just saw Paul answered this question a few days ago.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/929144291913551872
I'm sure that Stefanovic could be a good addition, but given that he is currently under scholarship elsewhere, I'm restricting my thoughts about him to the idea that I'd like to beat his team, badly.
Word is Finke to Grand Canyon State and Dan Majerle y'all!!! :o A buddy connected to Chicago and Illinois recruiting just texted me that. All I can say if true, WOW. And Grand Canyon is a for profit university.
But if you look at it he kinda fits in the Dan Majerle image. I thought he fit in the Lottich image as well and figured if he came here he could give a big middle finger to his detractors. Makes me wonder how much Valpo was really on him.
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on November 14, 2017, 07:54:18 PM
But if you look at it he kinda fits in the Dan Majerle image. I thought he fit in the Lottich image as well and figured if he came here he could give a big middle finger to his detractors. Makes me wonder how much Valpo was really on him.
Majerle has done a great job a GCS. My question would be how long he stays there, and what they become if he leaves.
Wow. I knew he took a visit to GCU but rumor was it was still unlikely he'd probably end up there. A very big get for Dan Majerle. Finke is going to destroy WAC competition. This could be a "one that got away" prospect for many bigger named schools.
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on November 14, 2017, 07:54:18 PM
Makes me wonder how much Valpo was really on him.
I'm not even sure our coaches were pursuing him even after the reset in recruitment. Maybe they weren't interested or thought it was too late to jump in his recruitment because it was unlikely he'd commit here.
As for our recruiting situation with that last 2018 scholarship, Coach Lottich went on the record and said, "I told our guys, it's a home run or we're waiting for a transfer." Maybe we go the transfer route or they find a Spring signing guy they really like.
One interesting transfer is Scott Drew's former guard Wendell Mitchell who transferred from Baylor after his Redshirt Freshman year and he is now playing at JUCO Trinity Valley. He is a 3-4 star guard from TX. He led the State of Texas in scoring his senior year of HS. He offers coming out of HS from Maryland, Butler, Kansas State, SMU, etc. He'd be a great pick up especially with the graduation of Tevonn and Javon would still be a freshman.
https://www.diehards.com/baylor/baylor-basketball-guard-wendell-chuck-mitchell-transfer
Since he announced his transfer he has picked up offers from: UTEP and New Mexico
Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3615127/5721b7380dcb0d12f8509a14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cFcwG0zClI&t=34s
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on November 14, 2017, 07:42:37 PM
Word is Finke to Grand Canyon State and Dan Majerle y'all!!! :o A buddy connected to Chicago and Illinois recruiting just texted me that. All I can say if true, WOW. And Grand Canyon is a for profit university.
Quote from: zvillehaze on November 14, 2017, 09:10:52 PM
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on November 14, 2017, 07:54:18 PM
But if you look at it he kinda fits in the Dan Majerle image. I thought he fit in the Lottich image as well and figured if he came here he could give a big middle finger to his detractors. Makes me wonder how much Valpo was really on him.
Majerle has done a great job a GCS. My question would be how long he stays there, and what they become if he leaves.
Quote from: VU2014 on November 14, 2017, 10:24:49 PMWow. I knew he took a visit to GCU but rumor was it was still unlikely he'd probably end up there. A very big get for Dan Majerle. Finke is going to destroy WAC competition. This could be a "one that got away" prospect for many bigger named schools.
I'm a little shocked, but this appears to be true:
https://verbalcommits.com/players/tim-finke
There were rumors that Majerle might be headed to the Suns come next spring/summer. I'm sure the Finke's got some sort of commitment from Majerle for the next few years (verbally, of course).
Quote from: covufan on November 15, 2017, 11:49:07 AM
I'm a little shocked, but this appears to be true:
https://verbalcommits.com/players/tim-finke
There were rumors that Majerle might be headed to the Suns come next spring/summer. I'm sure the Finke's got some sort of commitment from Majerle for the next few years (verbally, of course).
Majerle is making bank at GCU. GCU is a for-profit private University so they literally have used their Basketball program as a marketing tool and they spare no expense on their basketball team. It's sort of a genius business strategy. They've literally made their Basketball games into a college party themed atmosphere and that is definitely going to sell to certain recruits. Not only that but GCU is one of the very few mid-majors that is willing to shell out for 'buy-games' in the non-conference which gives them a competitive advantage. But they are still in the WAC which means you essentially need to win the Conference Tourney to make to the big dance every year (this is the 1st year they'll be eligible).
GCU badly wants out of the WAC and into the WCC. But the the WCC admin have apparently scoff at the idea because they are for-profit University and a lot of faculty politics at Universities come into play there. Also GCU's academic reputation is pretty poor. Liberty University has faced similar issues trying to join a new conference but for different reasons.
https://twitter.com/GCU_MBB/status/900937012294713344
https://twitter.com/NBCSPreps/status/931262805382180864
https://twitter.com/usatodayhss/status/930111541869010945
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/917949218253361153
2 things that hurt GCSU is they are for profit University and do not have the endowments and 2 they can try and get into bigger conferences but have no football. Football as we know it today rules the roost.
A strong opening night for javon freeman liberty.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/933281472181653506
Javon has been tearing it up in his first week of the HS season.
https://twitter.com/JonathanJames23/status/934166908055818241
https://twitter.com/HSBasketballBR/status/934251706132713472
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/934162993314533376
https://twitter.com/HSBasketballBR/status/933915538069258240
https://twitter.com/JonathanJames23/status/933732661981564928
https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/933547444717195270
https://twitter.com/JonathanJames23/status/933692310793187328
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/933409764851310592
Of course, all of these games for Javon were happening in my hometown, none of these schools he played at were ones I went to, but are in the same conference as my high school, and I didn't get to any of them because my crazy holiday week work schedule wouldn't allow it. Not many highlights from the local tv stations involving Javon, but a lot of showing Castaneda's passing ability close to the rim. I'm going to see if the local tv station that covered some of the Thanksgiving tourney games have these archived because they did have a couple of games that featured the local schools playing Whitney Young. If I find anything, I'll link the websites for it, so any of you can catch them.
That would be nice, thanks.
https://thecube.com/event/whitney-young-vs-auburn-high-school-760931
Here is the link to the unofficial championship game of the RPS (Rockford (IL) Public Schools) Tipoff Classic.
Javon played well in this game, but don't take my word for what your opinions are of #0 in orange.
https://thecube.com/event/whitney-young-vs-jefferson-high-school-760930
This link is from an earlier game in the tournament. Both opponents are from the RPS schools, and a couple of the top teams in the conference, although small compared to the depth and height of Whitney Young.
Quote from: VU2014 on November 24, 2017, 11:23:31 PM
https://twitter.com/JonathanJames23/status/933732661981564928
Be like Mike!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zN3TrqFpc
Quote from: wh on November 26, 2017, 01:53:12 PM
Be like Mike!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zN3TrqFpc
(https://emojipedia-us.s3.amazonaws.com/thumbs/160/apple/81/goat_1f410.png)
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/934962222685704193
https://twitter.com/chilandprephoop/status/934968048972427264
https://twitter.com/NBCSPreps/status/934949232796192778
https://twitter.com/TheCubeDotCom/status/934963172037005312
https://twitter.com/illscoopRyan/status/934969374414376960
https://twitter.com/TheCubeDotCom/status/934966224685076480
https://twitter.com/NBCSPreps/status/934965636790390784
https://twitter.com/RyanBakerMedia/status/934963311837401088
https://twitter.com/NBCSPreps/status/934961892828774400
https://twitter.com/TheCubeDotCom/status/934957414650179592
https://twitter.com/TheCubeDotCom/status/934943560650158083
Javon Freeman was on a Chicago Morning TV show. video in the link.
http://www.wciu.com/videos/thejam/coach-ty-and-javon-freeman-of-whitney-young-high-school-chat-about-the-chicago-elite-classic
https://twitter.com/ChiEliteClassic/status/935911812528254976
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/936037457560330240
https://twitter.com/evanFmoore/status/936026327076962305
https://twitter.com/312Hoops/status/936691584531353601
2018 PROSPECT RANKINGS
December 1, 2017
Here are the top-10 senior prospects in the Chicago-area according to 312 Hoops. This list will be updated as the season progresses.
1. AYO DOSUNMU
PG – 6'4″ – Morgan Park
College: Illinois
2. TALEN HORTON-TUCKER
SF – 6'5″ – Simeon
College: Iowa State
3. ZION GRIFFIN
SF – 6'6″ – Hinsdale South
College: Iowa State
4. JAVON FREEMAN-LIBERTY
SG – 6'4″ – Whitney Young
College: Valparaiso
Javon Freeman-Liberty is a dynamic athlete with stellar quickness and knack for slicing to the basket. He also has an improving all-around game and outside shot.
5. GEORGE CONDITT
C – 6'11" – Corliss
College: Iowa State
6. XAVIER CASTANEDA
PG – 6'4″ – Whitney Young
College: South Florida
Castaneda is everything you want in a high school point guard. He's a floor general with a great feel for the game, setting up teammates, and scoring when his team needs it.
7. TY MOSELY
SG – 6'5″ – Orr
College: Wisconsin-Milwaukee
8. TAMELL PEARSON
PF – 6'9″ – Orr
College: UAB
9. DREW PETERSON
SF – 6'7″ – Libertyville
College: Undecided
Peterson is a long, sharp shooting, 6'6″ wing who has improved his ability to score off the dribble. Peterson is also an excellent rebounder at the high school level.
10. MAURICE COMMANDER
PG – 6'0″ – Curie
College: Chattanooga
Quote from: VU2014 on December 01, 2017, 07:12:32 PM
https://twitter.com/312Hoops/status/936691584531353601
2018 PROSPECT RANKINGS
December 1, 2017
Here are the top-10 senior prospects in the Chicago-area according to 312 Hoops. This list will be updated as the season progresses.
1. AYO DOSUNMU
PG – 6'4″ – Morgan Park
College: Illinois
2. TALEN HORTON-TUCKER
SF – 6'5″ – Simeon
College: Iowa State
3. ZION GRIFFIN
SF – 6'6″ – Hinsdale South
College: Iowa State
4. JAVON FREEMAN-LIBERTY
SG – 6'4″ – Whitney Young
College: Valparaiso
Javon Freeman-Liberty is a dynamic athlete with stellar quickness and knack for slicing to the basket. He also has an improving all-around game and outside shot.
5. GEORGE CONDITT
C – 6'11" – Corliss
College: Iowa State
6. XAVIER CASTANEDA
PG – 6'4″ – Whitney Young
College: South Florida
Castaneda is everything you want in a high school point guard. He's a floor general with a great feel for the game, setting up teammates, and scoring when his team needs it.
7. TY MOSELY
SG – 6'5″ – Orr
College: Wisconsin-Milwaukee
8. TAMELL PEARSON
PF – 6'9″ – Orr
College: UAB
9. DREW PETERSON
SF – 6'7″ – Libertyville
College: Undecided
Peterson is a long, sharp shooting, 6'6″ wing who has improved his ability to score off the dribble. Peterson is also an excellent rebounder at the high school level.
10. MAURICE COMMANDER
PG – 6'0″ – Curie
College: Chattanooga
Context:
Chicago Metro population: 9.5 million (> 39 states)
The best athlete for the Greenwood Woodmen, public school in the town of Greenwood ,not the rural area of Center Grove HS, is Clyde Hope, a RHP, on the Woodmen's baseball team. But just behind him is part of the resurgense of Woodmen basketball, Jeffrey Reynolds, who's mom, I understand, is a member at rural, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, but will not have a great influence over her son's college choice because it's the father that is helping the son making those choices. This is all speculation from people I know who go to Concordia Lutheran, Greenwood.
Quote from: wh on December 01, 2017, 07:38:35 PMContext:
Chicago Metro population: 9.5 million (> 39 states)
There are billions in both China and India and just a handful of those play in the NCAA. There must be an infustructure of good coaches and parents that want their kids to succeed at the sport. Urban Chicago people sometimes feel that is the only way out of the hood and for those families it becomes a generational persuit to get the extended family out of the hood no matter how bad the odds. The 99% that don't make to a high paying pro league are the really sad cases.
Quote from: bbtds on December 02, 2017, 08:25:02 PM
Quote from: wh on December 01, 2017, 07:38:35 PMContext:
Chicago Metro population: 9.5 million (> 39 states)
There are billions in both China and India and just a handful of those play in the NCAA. There must be an infustructure of good coaches and parents that want their kids to succeed at the sport. Urban Chicago people sometimes feel that is the only way out of the hood and for those families it becomes a generational persuit to get the extended family out of the hood no matter how bad the odds. The 99% that don't make to a high paying pro league are the really sad cases.
My point was that Javon being ranked as the 4th best player in the Chicago Metro area is especially impressive given its massive population and prep bb reputation. I'm still trying to understand your point. :crazy: ;D
Quote from: wh on December 02, 2017, 09:06:30 PM
Quote from: bbtds on December 02, 2017, 08:25:02 PM
Quote from: wh on December 01, 2017, 07:38:35 PMContext:
Chicago Metro population: 9.5 million (> 39 states)
There are billions in both China and India and just a handful of those play in the NCAA. There must be an infustructure of good coaches and parents that want their kids to succeed at the sport. Urban Chicago people sometimes feel that is the only way out of the hood and for those families it becomes a generational persuit to get the extended family out of the hood no matter how bad the odds. The 99% that don't make to a high paying pro league are the really sad cases.
My point was that Javon being ranked as the 4th best player in the Chicago Metro area is especially impressive given its massive population and prep bb reputation. I'm still trying to understand your point. :crazy: ;D
My point is that population doesn't make the difference. The area must have an infrastructure that facilitates the ambitions of these families that see their family members as the way to exit the economic situation their families have been in for generations. I'm not degrading the idea that Javon is an exceptional human who is succeeding in a large population trying to claim the same position in city basketball circles.
At the same time let's not crown Javon the 4th best before he even scores a point in college basketball. These are evaluations that really don't separate the rated who all qualify as top players from the city. Maybe Javon is the #1 recruit from Chicago and maybe Javon is down towards 100 or 200 in rank. This still is not bad at all. I shudder when an evaluated player does not live up to his ranking. It doesn't mean he hasn't accomplished something great but it can lead to a player who doesn't perform to expectations to be incredibly dissappointed that he doesn't accomplish what he really was capable of doing. Let's check our expectations and let Javon be simply Javon, a great human being, athlete, and student.
Would this kid be classified as a "homerun" transfer? Curtis 'Cujo' Jones a 4-star shooting guard is currently at IU but is transferring after the season. He is a sophomore but would have 2 years of eligibility left after a red-shirt next season. I don't typically watch a lot of IU basketball but I'm sure some on this board watch their games occasionally? Any thoughts? Seems like he has the pedigree.
https://twitter.com/JeffRabjohns/status/937433990172233728
Status: On Scholarship at Indiana
Year: 2016 (SO)
Position: SG
Height6-4
Weigh: t175
Hometown: Highland Springs, VA
High School: Huntington St. Joseph's Prep
AAU Team: Boo Williams
Offers from: IU, wvu, longwood, Mizzou, Georgetown, Pitt, Penn State, NC State, Texas Tech, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, VCU, Richmond, Tulane, Wake Forest, Old Dominion, Cincy
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/curtis-jones
SEASON TEAM MIN FGM-FGA FG% 3PM-3PA 3P% FTM-FTA FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
2017-18 IND 11.4 1.0-3.7 .269 0.6-2.6 .222 0.4-0.6 .750 1.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 3.0
2016-17 IND 11.2 1.2-3.3 .352 0.6-1.8 .350 0.5-0.8 .720 1.3 0.9 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.7 3.5
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4066359/curtis-jones
He's averaging only 11 minutes this season but didn't play in the Duke game. He had 15 points vs Kansas last season. He just seems to be struggling to get minutes to prove himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU3e287HiMM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeUW5RIBreM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 04, 2017, 12:05:31 AM
Would this kid be classified as a "homerun" transfer? Curtis 'Cujo' Jones a 4-star shooting guard is currently at IU but is transferring after the season. He is a sophomore but would have 2 years of eligibility left after a red-shirt next season. I don't typically watch a lot of IU basketball but I'm sure some on this board watch their games occasionally? Any thoughts? Seems like he has the pedigree.
He's leaving after 1st semester.
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 04, 2017, 06:25:19 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 04, 2017, 12:05:31 AM
Would this kid be classified as a "homerun" transfer? Curtis 'Cujo' Jones a 4-star shooting guard is currently at IU but is transferring after the season. He is a sophomore but would have 2 years of eligibility left after a red-shirt next season. I don't typically watch a lot of IU basketball but I'm sure some on this board watch their games occasionally? Any thoughts? Seems like he has the pedigree.
He's leaving after 1st semester.
That probably rules Valpo as a possible landing spot because we don't have an open scholarship for him.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 04, 2017, 12:05:31 AMAny thoughts? Seems like he has the pedigree.
Pedigree is one thing and "fit" is another. Unless you can make a case for him as a fit, I will not even take the time to watch his highlights. I think we are looking for a "home run" transfer only.
Quote from: justducky on December 04, 2017, 09:04:53 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 04, 2017, 12:05:31 AMAny thoughts? Seems like he has the pedigree.
Pedigree is one thing and "fit" is another. Unless you can make a case for him as a fit, I will not even take the time to watch his highlights. I think we are looking for a "home run" transfer only.
I agree needs to fit first.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2017/12/03/iu-basketballs-curtis-jones-transfer-end-semester/917847001/
IU basketball's Curtis Jones to transfer at end of semesterZach Osterman
Published Dec. 3, 2017..........
Jones' decision was confirmed by a news release from the school, and comes on the heels of the 6-4 guard's diminishing playing time. Jones has played just 10 combined minutes in IU's last three games, and never saw the court against Duke.
According to the release, Jones has already left the men's basketball program.
"I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the IU basketball program," Jones said in the release, "and look forward to finding a new situation where I can achieve the goals I have as a basketball player and as a student."
Recruited as a sharpshooting, high-scoring guard out of Huntington Prep, Jones is originally from Richmond, Va. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game as a freshman, and shot 35 percent from behind the 3-point line.
..........
But Jones never quite found the scoring form that saw him average 20 points per game at Huntington. He elected to stay with the program through the coaching change this offseason, but will now move on. Jones becomes the second Hoosier to transfer under new coach Archie Miller, following former Crown Point standout Grant Gelon.
.........
Jones averaged three points and 11.4 minutes per game over seven games this season.
The Nebraska Head Coach is on a very hot seat right now and they have a new AD who may want "his own guy" in the head coaching position. If Tim Miles were to leave look out for potential transfers. Nana Akenten is a freshmn there and was recruited by Valpo. He hasn't got much court time yet. He's only played in 5 games and is averaging 3.6 minutes per game. He was one of the best players from the State of Illinois last year. He'd seem to be a good fit and he could replace Joe at the SF position after he graduates. I'm definitely looking way ahead but he'd be the type of player that would be a "home run", imo.
https://twitter.com/CoachingChanges/status/937693631326060545
https://twitter.com/CoachingChanges/status/937703617594830849
I'm not sure I would consider any player who sits at the end of the bench on a team we would beat 9 times out of 10 to be a home run. In fact, for those of us who consider Javon Freeman-Liberty a home run, the players you're referring to are strike outs looking on 3 pitches down the middle.
Bakari Evelyn struggled to find minutes at Nebraska too. Just saying. I'll trust the High School numbers over a freshman year where a player struggles to see the floor which is very common at P5 programs (even bad ones)
I wouldn't consider Nana a strikeout. He was thought very highly thought of coming out of high school. He's a true freshman and has only play 5 games in very limited minutes. Miles is in win now mode & so he probably has all his freshman on very short leash. He's not interested in developing young guys because he's interested in saving his job.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 04, 2017, 11:21:41 AM
I wouldn't consider Nana a strikeout. He was thought very highly thought of coming out of high school. He's a true freshman and has only play 5 games in very limited minutes. Miles is in win now mode & so he probably has all his freshman on very short leash. He's not interested in developing young guys because he's interested in saving his job.
I was objecting to the assertion that getting Nana would be the "home run" in the Matt L. context that "we're going to hold the 2nd scholarship open unless we find a "home run." Nana was a 2-star HS'er (Bakari was a 3), who had all mid- and low-major offers with 1 exception - Nebraska, the armpit of B10 basketball. It might been a home run a few years ago, when getting any former player from any Major program for any reason was exciting, but I think the "home run" bar has been raised significantly in the past couple of years.
Recruiting stars aren't everything though. Ask UNI how much they mean. The Panthers consistently finish in the bottom of that metric yet near the top of the MVC. Coaching and program trump everything. Luckily we have a good one in Coach Lottich because good coaching in a strong program with talented players can lead to truly special results.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 04, 2017, 02:30:47 PM
Recruiting stars aren't everything though. Ask UNI how much they mean. The Panthers consistently finish in the bottom of that metric yet near the top of the MVC. Coaching and program trump everything. Luckily we have a good one in Coach Lottich because good coaching in a strong program with talented players can lead to truly special results.
The Pittsburgh Steelers draft players that are system fits = decades with success.
Valpo has a solid culture of winning, if Coach keeps honing his system AND then recruits well within that mold we can be something special.
This year is going to have big ups and downs without consistent scoring to lessen the droughts. My real concern is that a good system dominated Mid-Con, Summit and HL...is that enough in a deep and stable MVC? The commuter schools of our previous conferences lacked stability.
A lot of our competition was filled with juco All-Stars that couldn't sew together a team consistently. The MVC appears to get those Juco All-Stars, however, their system (4-year) players remain in control of the team culture.
This years team is 2-seniors and 10 Juco All-Stars/Transfers/Under classmen. It'll take a miracle for consistency in the offensive side of the ball. We are, structurally, far more similar to the flash in the pan commutter schools TODAY.
Truly proud of our record, but there is no worldly chance we end this year as OOC 13-0. And even less of a chance that we are Regular Season and Tournament champs in the valley this year.
Consistency is elusive on this young offense, but I'm excited for the journey.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 04, 2017, 02:30:47 PM
Recruiting stars aren't everything though. Ask UNI how much they mean. The Panthers consistently finish in the bottom of that metric yet near the top of the MVC. Coaching and program trump everything. Luckily we have a good one in Coach Lottich because good coaching in a strong program with talented players can lead to truly special results.
I'm not sure why this is so hard. lol
Of course recruiting stars aren't everything, and of course lower rated recruits can turn into star college players, and of course it takes more to win than just recruiting- and everything else you said - none of which is in dispute.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Matt L. said he was was going to hang on to our last 2018 scholarship - unless we came across an obvious home run. IMO the coach of a team that has been recruiting 3 and 4-srar players would not consider a 2-star backup player at Nebraska the "gotta have him home run we've been waiting for." Again, that doesn't mean that the kid might not become the next Alec Peters. It only says he not at the "Chris Matthews thrill up my leg" level right now. But hey, if you and 1314 have a different view of what "hit it out of the park" means at the announcement of a new recruit, more power to you. :thumbsup:
I think that everyone is sort of correct here. Holding on to the last scholarship (especially with a promising roster) is the right move. You obviously want get the best talent with that one spot, but you also want to find someone that will fit in well. In other words, sometimes you find a guy that is being overlooked and you are confident that he will fit and you can help him develop. In that vain, I trust Coach L and his staff to make those judgements far more than I trust my own.
Quote from: vu84v2 on December 04, 2017, 05:45:54 PMI think that everyone is sort of correct here. Holding on to the last scholarship (especially with a promising roster) is the right move. You obviously want get the best talent with that one spot, but you also want to find someone that will fit in well. In other words, sometimes you find a guy that is being overlooked and you are confident that he will fit and you can help him develop. In that vain, I trust Coach L and his staff to make those judgements far more than I trust my own.
Amen! When Matt connects with one that is headed out of the park, then and only then will I start celebrating. So my thumbs are down until Matts thumbs are up.
Life can be so simple when it is properly broken down. :)
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 04, 2017, 10:44:09 AM
Bakari Evelyn struggled to find minutes at Nebraska too. Just saying. I'll trust the High School numbers over a freshman year where a player struggles to see the floor which is very common at P5 programs (even bad ones)
You're talking to "wh" not "just sayin."
Quote from: justducky on December 04, 2017, 07:10:51 PMSo my thumbs are down until Matts thumbs are up.
Who are you guys? Siskel and Ebert?
It sounds like Merrillville's Johnny Bernard has looked very good his first couple games. Does anyone know if Johnny has any offers yet?
https://twitter.com/bopat10/status/938428871128633344
https://twitter.com/bopat10/status/938434303444254720
One of the Top 5-10 Illinois recruits from Illinois has his recruitment still open. He's suppose to be a dead-eye shooter with some size. Valpo may not be interested because he and Fazekas seem to have similar skill sets and Ryan figures to be a huge part of this team the next few seasons. I'm really excited to see Ryan play because he had some tough luck at Providence with getting mono his freshman year and with some injuries. He'll be able to show his full potential at Valpo and get big minutes.
Jim Peters from the NWI Times makes a very good point. We REALLY could have used a player like Sasha Stefanovic last night...
Can we please find a guy who is a 3-&-D type player... maybe not even an elite defensive player but a guy who is a dead eye shooter that can pull you back into games against high major teams like Purdue. Good Lord could we not make shots last night. I know those players don't grow on trees but I think we should be on the lookout.
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938928948569870339
https://twitter.com/noaccess2702/status/938929234080235520
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938930487426510849
If the staff doesn't think Mileek or Parker will take the next step by next season, maybe we should look into the grad transfer market for a reliable PF that we can have as a bridge guy till they're more developed.
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938928948569870339
Um, did you forget that a guy named Ryan Fazekas will be eligible next year? heard he is a pretty good shooter! ;)
Definitely could have used Ryan last night. He's the 3pt threat this team needs. Joe is a nice 3pt shooter, Bakari can makes 3s but I wouldn't call it a strength in his game. Tevonn is a great player but he's just not a consistent guy from 3. Kiser surprisingly has been better from 3 but he couldn't get separation to get an open look last night. Golder has been able to hit 3s when he gets his feet set.
The team definitely could have used a player with Sasha's skill set. If we want a shot at beating High Major teams that have better pure athletes we'll probably need knock down shooters that can carry us in those special hot shooting nights.
No question about more offense needed. We need a top flight shooter who is a go-to guy like A P has been.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 08, 2017, 09:31:22 AM
Jim Peters from the NWI Times makes a very good point. We REALLY could have used a player like Sasha Stefanovic last night...
Can we please find a guy who is a 3-&-D type player... maybe not even an elite defensive player but a guy who is a dead eye shooter that can pull you back into games against high major teams like Purdue. Good Lord could we not make shots last night. I know those players don't grow on trees but I think we should be on the lookout.
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938928948569870339
https://twitter.com/noaccess2702/status/938929234080235520
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938930487426510849
If the staff doesn't think Mileek or Parker will take the next step by next season, maybe we should look into the grad transfer market for a reliable PF that we can have as a bridge guy till they're more developed.
https://twitter.com/jp8185/status/938928948569870339
If Peters nickname isn't Captain Obvious, it should be. I wonder why he thinks Matt recruited Stefanovic so hard (which he conveniently left out of his tweet). Guys like Peters and Hutton (criticized ml for not hiring Vucic instead of lambasting the M'ville prep school puppet master for convincing Skara to transfer) should leave all mention of Valpo men's basketball to Oren and Osipoff, and focus on their specialty - NWI HS sports.
I don't remember Peters ever criticizing Coach Lottich for not hiring Vucic. That was all Hutton who wrote that puff piece for then Post-Trib.
I think it was inferred that Matt recruited Sasha really hard. He was the priority recruit for Valpo Basketball last Fall. That was a complete gut punch when Purdue entered his recruitment at the last second. I don't think there was any ill intent with that tweet. It was just stating that Sasha would have very useful or a great fit for our team. Peters is a Purdue guy and doesn't hide it but didn't really take offense to the tweet.
I'm not going to lie I looked towards the end of Purdue's bench and saw Sasha in warmups (red-shirting for them) and thought "what if" a few times. He wouldn't have been the difference maker in winning that game but he would have a huge part of the team from the get-go.
I did see a few "Deer in Headlights" moments from Parker and even Micah and at times, Bakari. No excuse for Max who also had a few mental mistakes... but... it's over... and moving on...1pm in Muncie... glad they don't have to stew on that game for more than a day and half.
Sounds like a pretty a good player.
https://twitter.com/NBCSPreps/status/939384183633469440
http://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/video/wintrust-athlete-week-drew-peterson
Quote from: VU2014 on December 08, 2017, 09:31:22 AMIf the staff doesn't think Mileek or Parker will take the next step by next season, maybe we should look into the grad transfer market for a reliable PF that we can have as a bridge guy till they're more developed.
To be honest we have talent but it disappeared against Purdue. Walker, Burton, Evelyn just didn't show up enough between the 3 of them to win. Sasha and Fazekas both would have been needed.
Quote from: bbtds on December 09, 2017, 01:49:04 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 08, 2017, 09:31:22 AMIf the staff doesn't think Mileek or Parker will take the next step by next season, maybe we should look into the grad transfer market for a reliable PF that we can have as a bridge guy till they're more developed.
To be honest we have talent but it disappeared against Purdue. Walker, Burton, Evelyn just didn't show up enough between the 3 of them to win. Sasha and Fazekas both would have been needed.
Agreed we definitely have but its inexperienced talent. This team is still learning to play together and the guys looked like the moment and stage got to them. I'd also probably argue we were overmatched in certain position. Purdue is really good and has some veteran stud. Their defensive pressure really got to us, but the turnovers weren't just cause by them. It was mental errors from us. That's part of being young and have so many key players being new.
Random but I know we touch on Nebraska earlier this weak: That's a rivalry game...
https://twitter.com/dannyobyrne/status/939514035116167168
Drew Peterson of Libertyville, IL is lighting it up his senior season and is turning heads. He's a high level shooter with size. We are a pretty up and down 3 point shooting team. We shot well from 3 against Ball State but shot 18.8% against Purdue and 15.4% against USU.
The coaching staff has said it has to be a "home run". I wonder what type of HR player they're looking for? Another guard? Small Forward? A power forward?
A 4-star freshman combo guard named C.J. Roberts from Mizzou has decided to transfer a few days ago. He was recruited and committed to Mizzou on September 2016 during the Kim Anderson tenure. Coach Dildy may have a relationship with C.J. since he committed to Mizzou while he was still an assistant coach there.
He was red-shirting his freshman year but decided to transfer because he wanted playing time. I'm assuming he'd need to sit out next season if he were to have a mid-season transfer? Or maybe he'd be eligible next season since he's already red-shirting this season but he might lose a season of eligibility. I'm quite sure what his status would be.
I'm not sure we're a fit but it would be interesting to see if we reach out.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article188662719.html
Point guard C.J. Roberts to transfer from Mizzou basketball team, father says
BY ALEX SCHIFFER
aschiffer@kcstar.com
DECEMBER 07, 2017 04:58 PM
"Missouri freshman guard C.J. Roberts is planning to transfer, his father, Craig Roberts, told The Star.
Roberts, a 6-foot combo guard from Irving, Texas, has not played in the regular season. Tigers coach Cuonzo Martin, after the Tigers' second game of the season, announced that Roberts would redshirt.
"He loves the school, he loves his teammates, but he wants to play," Craig Roberts said Thursday. "He wants to look for a situation where he can play."
Originally recruited under former Missouri coach Kim Anderson, C.J. Roberts was a four-star recruit out of high school and considered a top-100 player by Rivals.com. Roberts committed to Missouri in the fall of 2016 and stayed on with the program after Anderson was fired and ultimately replaced by Martin. In the spring, Missouri added the likes of Michael Porter Jr., Jeremiah Tilmon and Blake Harris, giving the Tigers a top-five recruiting class."
............
Considered an undersized shooting guard, Roberts was behind wings Kassius Robertson, Jordan Barnett and Cullen VanLeer this season. Missouri signed a pair of wings for next season in Javon Pickett and Torrence Watson, a consensus top-50 recruit.
Roberts could explore a junior-college option next semester, but his father said nothing has been set.
.............
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/c-j-roberts
Status: Transferred from Missouri
Year: 2017 (FR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX
High School: Richland High School
Offers: Mizzou, UTA, SMU, TCU, Illinois, Baylor, LSU, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Purdue, Lamar, VT, Arizona, Rhode Island, Rutgers, South Carolina, Fresno State, LA Tech
I doubt Matt is looking for a 6' guard to fill the last spot. With Freeman and Fazekas being added next year and with all the talent coming back playing time will be hard to find. I'm guessing it will go to a freshman who will be more willing to wait than a four star with big expectations of one's self.
Quote from: vu72 on December 12, 2017, 03:26:48 PM
I doubt Matt is looking for a 6' guard to fill the last spot. With Freeman and Fazekas being added next year and with all the talent coming back playing time will be hard to find. I'm guessing it will go to a freshman who will be more willing to wait than a four star with big expectations of one's self.
I was thinking the same thing but we were all in on Xavier Castañeda who is 6'0" also and would have been a true freshman. Roberts played primarily PG in High School but he's labeled a combo guard. I'm assuming he wants big minutes but we have Bakari and another high level freshman SG coming in who is expected to get big minutes.
It's pretty late in the recruiting process to land freshman but tbh the coaching staff could be working on a recruit that we have no clue about right now. Just my gut feeling but I think the last scholarship is most likely going to go to a high-major transfer.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 12, 2017, 04:06:51 PM
Quote from: vu72 on December 12, 2017, 03:26:48 PM
I doubt Matt is looking for a 6' guard to fill the last spot. With Freeman and Fazekas being added next year and with all the talent coming back playing time will be hard to find. I'm guessing it will go to a freshman who will be more willing to wait than a four star with big expectations of one's self.
I was thinking the same thing but we were all in on Xavier Castañeda who is 6'0" also and would have been a true freshman. Roberts played primarily PG in High School but he's labeled a combo guard. I'm assuming he wants big minutes but we have Bakari and another high level freshman SG coming in who is expected to get big minutes.
It's pretty late in the recruiting process to land freshman but tbh the coaching staff could be working on a recruit that we have no clue about right now. Just my gut feeling but I think the last scholarship is most likely going to go to a [homerun] high-major transfer.
I fixed for you. ;)
Very cool, he is from my general area. Not many basketball players come from Richland HS.
We don't have any scholarships available for the rest of this season but this is a list of the best mid-season transfers available. Maybe we could convince one of these guys to wait to till the 2018-2019 season, which we have a 1 scholarship available. The coaching staff says whoever gets that scholarship would need to be a "home run". Kevin Sweeney does a nice little write up on each player.
https://twitter.com/CBB_Central/status/944328871402463233
https://cbbcentral.com/2017/12/22/notable-midseason-transfer-tracker/
There may be 2 scholarships open come the end of the year right depending on what happens with JB?
If Chairback is correct, lets make that 2 "home run" recruits with the 2 available scholarships. We need impact talent. Let's not waste these scholarships on role players because we have enough of those of the roster as it currently stands. It's going to need to be a pivotal recruiting class for this coaching staff. We can't afford to miss on these scholarships.
Quote from: Chairback on December 31, 2017, 03:54:00 PM
From what I understand he's (Joe) gone and not coming back.
Did anyone else notice that Gary, IN native Davon Dillard was dismissed from Oklahoma State a few days ago? He's a former Top 100 recruit (ESPN), #3 in the State of Indiana, former teammates with Joe Burton and also was recruited and received a scholarship from the Valparaiso Coaching Staff.
Do you think the Staff would reach out and try and recruit him as a transfer? He's a 3-4 star recruit. I'm just throwing it out there.
I don't know what he was dismissed from Oklahoma State for but would you offer? I've never seen him play but I'm sure some others on this board have. I'm not sure we're in a position to take a risk on character or would want to. We've had a pretty chaotic roster the last few years that has nothing to do with bad character.
https://twitter.com/mark_cooperjr/status/941377584516030465
https://twitter.com/OpticanOliver/status/941770867893092352
Probably a pass for me. Violating team rules on multiple occasions...I know being close to home can sometimes straighten a guy out but it also can bring other distractions when your old friends are back in close with you.
I think bernard is worth a look at Merrillville, dude is a lights out shooter. I know he was at Valpo's camp over the Summer so we either aren't interested, have others in front of him, or JB night yet be back.
And then there are academic admission standards.
With Joe likely no longer with the team. We now have 2 available scholarships for 2018.
Does anyone see any possible transfers on this team? My gut says no, but I'm curious what others think.
What type of player would you like to see added to next years team? Shooter? Power Forward? Small Forward? Best available Transfer?
I don't want to speculate on current guys who might transfer. I'd like to see Valpo use one of these two for a transfer from a high major in either a grad transfer role or a sit one play 2 type thing. Would like a 2 guard or a big strong 4 if it's a grad transfer. With the other one I'd like them to grab a high school senior or maybe just sit on it and look for a mid season transfer next season.
We need prolific shooters and scorers....any class, transfer, whatever...a go-to guy on offense like Alec was. The 6-4 and 6-5 swing guys are a dime a dozen, the in-betweeners who sometimes don't have the speed or are not quite big enough to play up-front. In either case they often have problems scoring on a regular basis.
My guess for the two remaining scholarships is one graduate transfer and one P5 transfer that has to sit out a year, or a JC transfer with 3 years remaining (like Golder). Both will be the best basketball players we can get, regardless of position. If we don't get the grad transfer, we have no senior for next season.
Quote from: covufan on January 09, 2018, 12:56:26 PM
My guess for the two remaining scholarships is one graduate transfer and one P5 transfer that has to sit out a year, or a JC transfer with 3 years remaining (like Golder). Both will be the best basketball players we can get, regardless of position. If we don't get the grad transfer, we have no senior for next season.
Don't those kind of players move UP from mid-major to P-5 and not the other way around? Where would we find a lights out shooting grad xfer for next year? Wouldn't that type of player be attractive to other P-5 teams? Just wondering.
Quote from: covufan on January 09, 2018, 12:56:26 PM
My guess for the two remaining scholarships is one graduate transfer and one P5 transfer that has to sit out a year, or a JC transfer with 3 years remaining (like Golder). Both will be the best basketball players we can get, regardless of position. If we don't get the grad transfer, we have no senior for next season.
Good point on lack of seniors. Anyone else hoping we find ways to spread out our graduation dilemma? This is if no transfers occur:
2019/20 Class
(6) available scholarships
2020/21
(3) available scholarships
If we allow this to happen, we are going to have big rebuilding years consecutively. (Much like right now)
We will likely lose a player to transfer, but still (9) players graduate in 2-year period. Having a (0) recruit class is sort of a problem.
If we take on a Juco player with 2 or 3 years left it further compounds the experience puzzle.
Not saying this is the only consideration, available talent trumps all....but to borrow someone's handle..."Just Sayin"!
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 09, 2018, 01:22:28 PM
Quote from: covufan on January 09, 2018, 12:56:26 PM
My guess for the two remaining scholarships is one graduate transfer and one P5 transfer that has to sit out a year, or a JC transfer with 3 years remaining (like Golder). Both will be the best basketball players we can get, regardless of position. If we don't get the grad transfer, we have no senior for next season.
Good point on lack of seniors. Anyone else hoping we find ways to spread out our graduation dilemma? This is if no transfers occur:
2019/20 Class
(6) available scholarships
2020/21
(3) available scholarships
If we allow this to happen, we are going to have big rebuilding years consecutively. (Much like right now)
We will likely lose a player to transfer, but still (9) players graduate in 2-year period. Having a (0) recruit class is sort of a problem.
If we take on a Juco player with 2 or 3 years left it further compounds the experience puzzle.
Not saying this is the only consideration, available talent trumps all....but to borrow someone's handle..."Just Sayin"!
The way I'm figuring it, we will have seven juniors next season - Eveyln, Bradford, Golder, Kiser, Fazekas, Smits and Sorolla - all graduating in 2020. Foresight will be needed to replace seven scholarships in one year.
Tough to say what will happen with that 2020 graduating class because you never know if someone will transfer or need Red-Shirt. etc but 7 player is an abnormally large recruiting class. Some how it feels like Valpo has these cycles of graduating big class like last season's seniors and then the next year we go into a "rebuild" mode. Its like a 3-4 year cycle. Same thing happened with losing Broekhoff, Van Wijk, Boggs, Bogan, & Kenney in 2012-13. After graduating those huge senior class the coaches absolutely need to hit on the incoming freshman class which they did with Peters, Jubril, Lexus, & Clay Yeo. Clay Yeo was a pretty good player but his college career was hampered by 2 serious knee injuries after he transferred to Bethel. This 2017-18 freshman class is TDB how good they can be. They certainly more raw then 2013-14 class.
I just don't see us finding the next generational (Peters/Broekhoff/Drew, etc) Valpo talent with these 2 available scholarships unless a high level transfer falls into our lap and I'm pretty pessimistic we'll be signing another freshman this offseason for the 2018 class.
At the mid major level I don't think that having a large recruiting class every 4th year is a bad thing (of course you have to hit on the majority of those recruits). Having an upperclassmen dominant team 2/4 years seems like a good thing in the mid major ranks.
Quote from: M on January 10, 2018, 11:51:08 AM
At the mid major level I don't think that having a large recruiting class every 4th year is a bad thing (of course you have to hit on the majority of those recruits). Having an upperclassmen dominant team 2/4 years seems like a good thing in the mid major ranks.
Agreed, M. The veteran Mid-Major squads are the ones that typically make runs in the Tourney and have strong seasons. We just really need to nail those classes and land future great players those offseasons after we graduate big classes.
Drake is a perfect example of being a successful team with veterans. 5th most experience roster in the country.
The Canadian recruit visiting last night was point guard named Daniel Sackey aka "The Winnipeg Jet" and it was a Official Visit so clearly we're very interested.
https://twitter.com/Canada_Elite/status/954887491907043328
He's built like a Kay Felder. Strong upper-body for a HS kid. It's interesting to see Valpo pursuing another point guard. Maybe that signals they aren't happy with Micah as the backup? It's also could be that we're trying to space the PGs. By the time Bakari & Micah graduate Daniel would be a Junior the next season. It sounds like he is destroying competition at the level he's at right now.
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/950804637648498689
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/950463640301268993
https://twitter.com/TheHoopGroup/status/887886604588654592
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/950853356549009408
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/950852978356957184
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/954889740700004353
A interesting article about his former prep-academy: https://deadspin.com/how-a-bootleg-prep-school-profited-by-ripping-off-teens-1820603652
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: PG
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Hometown: Winnipeg, Canada
High School: Thornlea Secondary School
Club: Canada Elite
Rank:
Scout: NA
Rivals: NA
ESPN: NA
247: NA
OFFERS: Western Kentucky, Evansville, Niagara, Stony Brook, Winthrop, Kent State, New Orleans, Stetson
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/daniel-sackey
I'm struggling to find stats for him. But it looks like he competed in the FIBA U17 tournament and the adidas Nations tourney. He doesn't appears to not be the strongest 3 point shooter but is gift at attacking the paint and can find the open guys. Seems like a strong player.
https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Daniel-Sackey/Summary/108190
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/daniel-sackey/4_Ut59zOEeaT-Oz0u-e-FA/gendersport/basketball-stats.htm
http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=198471909&client=1-10309-157927-315479-21120085
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMCRQJjsixo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnPcN2nRA4A
Here is the answer!
Recruit a player who already is on scholarship at Valpo, 6'0" and shooting 52% from the 3 and is better looking than anybody currently on the team!
http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/roster/2017-18/9155/grace-hales/
Meet Grace Hales!!
"Fastest Canadian point guard in the past 10 years"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PzWL1dQp2g
Quote from: wh on January 26, 2018, 09:39:49 PM
"Fastest Canadian point guard in the past 10 years"
Not buying he's the quickest but that 1st step reminds of Buggs. It looks like he has some elevation when he gets to the paint which is important for a 5-10 guard. Looks like he could have the physical tools to be a pretty good player.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 26, 2018, 10:41:46 PM
Quote from: wh on January 26, 2018, 09:39:49 PM
"Fastest Canadian point guard in the past 10 years"
Not buying he's the quickest but that 1st step reminds of Buggs. It looks like he has some elevation when he gets to the paint which is important for a 5-10 guard. Looks like he could have the physical tools to be a pretty good player.
http://northpolehoops.com/2016/08/27/video-daniel-sackey-fastest-canadian-pg-in-last-decade-young-ty-lawson/
Did you have someone else in mind?
I'm not saying he isn't fast but that seems like just a catchy youtube title to get clicks. He looks like a tremendous athlete & is no doubt very very fast. Canada has produced some stud athletes the last few years. Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, Trey Lyles, Cory Joseph, and Tyler Ennis. Even former Valpo recruit Marcus Ottey is another stud athlete. We definitely could use Sackey and he'd get an opportunity at significant playing time next season with losing Tevonn and Max Joseph. I'm assuming the Staff has already offered if he's taking an official visit but it hasn't publicly announced yet.
He's taking 5 official visit. https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/954889424726298624
Also noticed that he gave Paul Oren and Michael Osipoff a follow on twitter.
I have heard that this kid could definitely be heading our way.
He would be a Fantastic addition and will be very much needed as we graduate two guards and currently only have one coming in. We are short handed at guard as it is. Love his court vision and would compliment Javon very nicely. PLEASE!!!!
Daniel "the Winnipeg Jet" Sackey has officially committed to Valpo via his Twitter.
https://twitter.com/dsackey_4/status/957735592820920321
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/957737869333934081
https://twitter.com/HoopReview/status/957747576274501638
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/957756409424351232
Now after Daniel Sackey's commitment we have 1 more scholarship available for next season (barring any transfers...). What do you think would be the best use of that scholarship? High level Redshirt transfer? Grad-transfer? Another Freshman? Role it into next season in hopes of landing a midseason transfer?
Before Joe Burton left school he said whoever gets the final scholarship will need to be a "home run". Sackey may have been the home run he was referring to. He looks like he has a bright future. I wonder what we'll do with that last scholarship.
Roster breakdown for 2018-19:
PG: Evelyn, Sackey, Bradford, Helm (WO but he's going to be serving his Mormon Mission next season)
SG: Freeman-Liberty, Golder (can both the 2-3)
SF: Fazekas, Kiser
PF: McMillan, Hazen
C: Smits, Sorolla, Linssen (I'm hoping Marty can eventually play with 1 of the 7 footers)
Current Outstanding Offers by Position:
2019:
SG: Brandon Newman, Alex Hemenway, Quincy Guerrier
Great find! Just who we need to complement Javon in the backcourt. Here's to hoping Daniel will be our answer at the point for the next 4 years. Go Crusaders!
Excellent! A much needed shot of good news in what has been a tough season. If Fazekas and the freshmen can hit the ground running and play well from the jump we've got a great shot at turning the corner very soon! Go Valpo!
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 04:23:05 PM
https://twitter.com/dsackey_4/status/957735592820920321
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/957737869333934081
https://twitter.com/HoopReview/status/957747576274501638
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/957756409424351232
Great news for the Valpo program! Good to see the coaching staff getting a verbal from a target recruit. Kudos to them!!! #GoValpo
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
For the remaining scholarship I'm thinking a grad transfer from a P5 program who is looking for playing time and can bring some leadership. Thinking a stretch 4 if Fazekus is a 3 (I thought he was a 4) or any 3 point shooter type. This would open a scholarship for 2019/20 which I believe we wouldn't otherwise have unless someone transfers out.
Of course if the second coming of Rowdy/Peters should appear as a freshman recruit, I wouldn't exactly complain.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 05:29:19 PM
Now after Daniel Sackey's commitment we have 1 more scholarship available for next season (barring any transfers...). What do you think would be the best use of that scholarship? High level Redshirt transfer? Grad-transfer? Another Freshman? Role it into next season in hopes of landing a midseason transfer?
Before Joe Burton left school he said whoever gets the final scholarship will need to be a "home run". Sackey may have been the home run he was referring to. He looks like he has a bright future. I wonder what we'll do with that last scholarship.
Roster breakdown for 2018-19:
PG: Evelyn, Sackey, Bradford, Helm (WO but he's going to be serving his Mormon Mission next season)
SG: Freeman-Liberty, Golder (can both the 2-3)
SF: Fazekas, Kiser
PF: McMillan, Hazen
C: Smits, Sorolla, Linssen (I'm hoping Marty can eventually play with 1 of the 7 footers)
Current Outstanding Offers by Position:
2019:
SG: Brandon Newman, Alex Hemenway, Quincy Guerrier
We need a 6'5" or 6'6" utility player than can play 2-3-4 slots. Ideally no more grad transfers or P5 cast offs. At some point we need players to develop in our system for at least 3-years for continuity, right?
Continuity is a primary downfall of this years team. And it's exacerbated by Juco (Golder), P5 transfer (Bakari), P5 sitting out (Fazekas), P5 leaving our program (Burton) and now Helm transferring into our program.
That's (5) bodies with limited continuity. I know this years team was a perfect storm of NEW (5 aforementioned + 3 freshmen + MVC year 1). Yowza, it's a wonder that we ever expected Top 5 finish in this league with all that going on. AND I EVEN FORGOT 2nd year HC Lottich.
In a program that's had a Drew at the helm since the 1980's man this year had the recipe for turbulence.
That being said, show progression to finish out this year. And get a SF/SG that's long, 6'5" to 6'7" on next years roster in an ideal world.
Quote from: wh on January 28, 2018, 05:40:34 PM
Great find! Just who we need to complement Javon in the backcourt. Here's to hoping Daniel will be our answer at the point for the next 4 years. Go Crusaders!
I agree. On a side note, it's amazing how much talent is coming out of Canada these days ... 20 years ago, it was rare to see Canadians playing at DI schools.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on January 28, 2018, 06:00:26 PM
Excellent! A much needed shot of good news in what has been a tough season. If Fazekas and the freshmen can hit the ground running and play well from the jump we've got a great shot at turning the corner very soon! Go Valpo!
That hope sounds very familiar.
Quote from: EddieCabot on January 28, 2018, 06:09:17 PM
Quote from: wh on January 28, 2018, 05:40:34 PM
Great find! Just who we need to complement Javon in the backcourt. Here's to hoping Daniel will be our answer at the point for the next 4 years. Go Crusaders!
I agree. On a side note, it's amazing how much talent is coming out of Canada these days ... 20 years ago, it was rare to see Canadians playing at DI schools.
How many Toronto Raptors are Canadians?
Quote from: bbtds on January 28, 2018, 06:17:08 PM
Quote from: EddieCabot on January 28, 2018, 06:09:17 PM
Quote from: wh on January 28, 2018, 05:40:34 PM
Great find! Just who we need to complement Javon in the backcourt. Here's to hoping Daniel will be our answer at the point for the next 4 years. Go Crusaders!
I agree. On a side note, it's amazing how much talent is coming out of Canada these days ... 20 years ago, it was rare to see Canadians playing at DI schools.
How many Toronto Raptors are Canadians?
Zero. England, RO the Congo, Brazil, Austria, and the rest USA (including a former UWGB Phoenix athlete and Holy Cross athlete).
I wonder what kind of lineups this opens up. Certainly points to seeing Evelyn off the ball more. Think we'll be going small more often?
Also this could potentially light a fire under Bradford and get him to improve his play. If he doesn't he'll probably see his role drastically reduced and many of his minutes going to Sackey next year
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 28, 2018, 06:07:17 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 05:29:19 PM
Now after Daniel Sackey's commitment we have 1 more scholarship available for next season (barring any transfers...). What do you think would be the best use of that scholarship? High level Redshirt transfer? Grad-transfer? Another Freshman? Role it into next season in hopes of landing a midseason transfer?
Before Joe Burton left school he said whoever gets the final scholarship will need to be a "home run". Sackey may have been the home run he was referring to. He looks like he has a bright future. I wonder what we'll do with that last scholarship.
Roster breakdown for 2018-19:
PG: Evelyn, Sackey, Bradford, Helm (WO but he's going to be serving his Mormon Mission next season)
SG: Freeman-Liberty, Golder (can both the 2-3)
SF: Fazekas, Kiser
PF: McMillan, Hazen
C: Smits, Sorolla, Linssen (I'm hoping Marty can eventually play with 1 of the 7 footers)
Current Outstanding Offers by Position:
2019:
SG: Brandon Newman, Alex Hemenway, Quincy Guerrier
We need a 6'5" or 6'6" utility player than can play 2-3-4 slots. Ideally no more grad transfers or P5 cast offs. At some point we need players to develop in our system for at least 3-years for continuity, right?
Continuity is a primary downfall of this years team. And it's exacerbated by Juco (Golder), P5 transfer (Bakari), P5 sitting out (Fazekas), P5 leaving our program (Burton) and now Helm transferring into our program.
That's (5) bodies with limited continuity. I know this years team was a perfect storm of NEW (5 aforementioned + 3 freshmen + MVC year 1). Yowza, it's a wonder that we ever expected Top 5 finish in this league with all that going on. AND I EVEN FORGOT 2nd year HC Lottich.
In a program that's had a Drew at the helm since the 1980's man this year had the recipe for turbulence.
That being said, show progression to finish out this year. And get a SF/SG that's long, 6'5" to 6'7" on next years roster in an ideal world.
Really? Other than the kid who transferred in from Rice, who had serious medical issues, give me some names that haven't worked out? Obviously Joe didn't but that was academic issues not talent. He is the only one who failed academically. Seriously, we could go all the way back to Casey Schmidt and David Redmon but how about Cory Johnson or Brandon Wood or Ron Howard or Bobby Capobianco, or Ben Boggs, or Will Bogan or...well, you get the point! ;)
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on January 28, 2018, 06:31:10 PM
Also this could potentially light a fire under Bradford and get him to improve his play. If he doesn't he'll probably see his role drastically reduced and many of his minutes going to Sackey next year
This is great news indeed. Not only great speed and talent
but he seems to be a vocal leader from the interviews posted. Coach has mentioned several times that as a group this team is pretty quiet personality wise. We sure needed a dose of excitment! Great News indeed!!! :cheers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbR2xJVm5BY
Daniel Sackey did a interview right after his commitment. Sounds like he may be the vocal floor general we've been missing on the court this season. Interview begins at the 1:07:57 mark.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/957778866378067968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=832&v=njgc31OL74g
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/957781770992340992
https://twitter.com/mrmckee/status/957788480033251329
Wow, I didn't think that we would end up with him. Good to see that our terrible season is not affecting our ability to get quality recruits. Let's just hope that they live up to the hype!
Also, when did EddieCabot decide to become a more serious poster? It used to be that 99% of his posts were just to make fun of us, but he makes a lot more serious posts nowadays.
All right, here is my attempt to contribute optimism to the board. Am I the only one hoping to be pleasantly surprised whenever Helm gets onto the court and thinking he is the best kept secret in Valpo basketball? At Carroll College he shot 47% from the 3-point line and 94% from the free throw line. He led Valparaiso High School to a 20-7 record as MVP his senior year with a 16 ppg average and 3.5 assists. He was an area all-star and Hoosier Top-60 player. He also was a champion 400-meter track star in high school for which he was recruited by colleges. He is a national honor student, Eagle Scout, mature, and devout Mormon. He is 6'2" and his father is a college basketball coach, while his mom, a former volleyball player at Brigham Young and college head volleyball coach, is a professor of Exercise Science at Valpo. As a walk-on, he doesn't take away a scholarship spot, so any contribution by him would be a bonus. He will bring in local followers who know him from the high school. He sounds like he was created by Hollywood central casting and too good to be true, but he could be the finest walk-on Valpo has had.
Quote from: vu72 on January 28, 2018, 06:33:27 PM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 28, 2018, 06:07:17 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 05:29:19 PM
Now after Daniel Sackey's commitment we have 1 more scholarship available for next season (barring any transfers...). What do you think would be the best use of that scholarship? High level Redshirt transfer? Grad-transfer? Another Freshman? Role it into next season in hopes of landing a midseason transfer?
Before Joe Burton left school he said whoever gets the final scholarship will need to be a "home run". Sackey may have been the home run he was referring to. He looks like he has a bright future. I wonder what we'll do with that last scholarship.
Roster breakdown for 2018-19:
PG: Evelyn, Sackey, Bradford, Helm (WO but he's going to be serving his Mormon Mission next season)
SG: Freeman-Liberty, Golder (can both the 2-3)
SF: Fazekas, Kiser
PF: McMillan, Hazen
C: Smits, Sorolla, Linssen (I'm hoping Marty can eventually play with 1 of the 7 footers)
Current Outstanding Offers by Position:
2019:
SG: Brandon Newman, Alex Hemenway, Quincy Guerrier
We need a 6'5" or 6'6" utility player than can play 2-3-4 slots. Ideally no more grad transfers or P5 cast offs. At some point we need players to develop in our system for at least 3-years for continuity, right?
Continuity is a primary downfall of this years team. And it's exacerbated by Juco (Golder), P5 transfer (Bakari), P5 sitting out (Fazekas), P5 leaving our program (Burton) and now Helm transferring into our program.
That's (5) bodies with limited continuity. I know this years team was a perfect storm of NEW (5 aforementioned + 3 freshmen + MVC year 1). Yowza, it's a wonder that we ever expected Top 5 finish in this league with all that going on. AND I EVEN FORGOT 2nd year HC Lottich.
In a program that's had a Drew at the helm since the 1980's man this year had the recipe for turbulence.
That being said, show progression to finish out this year. And get a SF/SG that's long, 6'5" to 6'7" on next years roster in an ideal world.
Really? Other than the kid who transferred in from Rice, who had serious medical issues, give me some names that haven't worked out? Obviously Joe didn't but that was academic issues not talent. He is the only one who failed academically. Seriously, we could go all the way back to Casey Schmidt and David Redmon but how about Cory Johnson or Brandon Wood or Ron Howard or Bobby Capobianco, or Ben Boggs, or Will Bogan or...well, you get the point! ;)
Read my comments about continuity. I'm referencing players that only get a couple years in the program or less. We could benefit from some on-Court familiarity with recruits that are Valpo from the ground up.
Our P5 recruits have been very solid for us, agreed. But 1/2 the team being transfers COULD become problematic.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 06:54:54 PM
Daniel Sackey did a interview right after his commitment. Sounds like he may be the vocal floor general we've been missing on the court this season. Interview begins at the 1:07:57 mark.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/957778866378067968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=832&v=njgc31OL74g
Great find, 2014! Very impressive young man!
Helms Mom is a professor at the university? Tuition remission to the rescue and saves a scholarship. Need more university employees to have (or adopt) athletic children!
Something that I was reminded of that I learned during a visit to Winnipeg on business is that the inclusion of Manitoba as a Canadian province in 1870 turned Canada from an evenly divided nation between Francophones and Anglophones into an English dominated country. Since the time New France (Quebec) was established by the government of European France it was a majority French speaking country. When Britain took over New France and Ontario after the defeat of the French in the Seven Years War Britain ruled over a majority French speaking country. It became Canada in 1867. When Manitoba was admitted in 1870 suddenly Canada was majority English speakers and the government in Ottawa changed significantly. Just a little info for you north of the border followers.
Quote from: bbtds on January 29, 2018, 12:27:26 AM
Something that I was reminded of that I learned during a visit to Winnipeg on business is that the inclusion of Manitoba as a Canadian province in 1881 turned Canada from an evenly divided nation between Francophones and Anglophones into an English dominated country. Since the time New France (Quebec) was established by the government of European France it was a majority French speaking country. When Britain took over New France and Ontario after the defeat of the French in the Seven Years War Britain ruled over a majority French speaking country. It became Canada in 1867. When Manitoba was admitted in 1881 suddenly Canada was majority English speakers and the government in Ottawa changed significantly. Just a little info for you north of the border followers.
Thanks for the history lesson, eh? It's nice to hear from someone who knows what he's talking aboot, eh? Personally, I would really like a doughnut right now don't ya know.
Helm would have a hard time in supplanting Dwayne Toatley as the best walk-on in Valpo history.
Quote from: valpotx on January 29, 2018, 02:14:34 AM
Helm would have a hard time in supplanting Dwayne Toatley as the best walk-on in Valpo history.
Yes, you are correct. I looked back at a list of all the walk-ons since Valpo turned D-1, and Toatley would be the benchmark. Nobody else comes close. I enjoyed Toatley's important contributions to a very good Valpo team as a junior and senior. Toatley was a starter his senior year in every game, and he raised his average to 9 points and 4 rebounds. However, Toatley was a scholarship player his senior year, and in my eyes Helm would not have to fully match Toatley's stats to be highly regarded, since Helm would most likely remain a true walk-on. Plus, he would not be a starter and he would be achieving his accomplishments in the Missouri Valley rather than the Mid-Continent. Still, as you say, Toatley is the high standard for all Valpo walk-on players.
Quote from: wh on January 28, 2018, 08:40:05 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on January 28, 2018, 06:54:54 PM
Daniel Sackey did a interview right after his commitment. Sounds like he may be the vocal floor general we've been missing on the court this season. Interview begins at the 1:07:57 mark.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/957778866378067968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=832&v=njgc31OL74g
Great find, 2014! Very impressive young man!
In doing a little background on Daniel I found that he has had a circuitous path to Valpo having played for 22ft Academy in South Carolina as well as St. Louis Christian. In an interview from March 8, 2017 he said that he had offers from Winthrop, Kent State, Evansville and Stoney Brooke with interest from Texas, Butler and Utah. He was a member of the Canadian National U17 team.
Clearly one advantage that Valpo possesses over similar programs is the fact that it is a Christian school and that Matt is a Christian coach. Same went for Homer and Bryce. Daniel is quick to thank God in his interviews and this may have been one of the key factors in his decision.
Anyone else wondering what he is talking about when he mentions the situation @ his prep school and just being happy he's eligible?
Academic?
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 29, 2018, 08:30:54 PM
Anyone else wondering what he is talking about when he mentions the situation @ his prep school and just being happy he's eligible?
Academic?
His prep school last year was pretty shady. I believe it got shut down for scamming kids and their families. I bet they were worried about eligibility because I think it got shut down. You never know about the NCAA. Luckily he's eligible and it sounds like there was no problems.
A very interesting read:
- https://deadspin.com/how-a-bootleg-prep-school-profited-by-ripping-off-teens-1820603652
- http://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2017/06/09/founder-basketball-academy-may-look-elsewhere-housing/383112001/
- http://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2017/12/06/founder-basketball-academy-based-anderson-faces-federal-charges/926822001/
A great article on Daniel Sackey with some quotes in here. It sounds like Coach Gore was the primary recruiter who discovered Daniel.
He references minutes at PG as a big factor in his decision. Micah better step up his game or else he's going to get buried on the bench because Bakari clearly is going to get big minutes next season. Competition sometimes brings out the best out of people and exposes others.
Also nice to hear that Sackey has the potential to be a vocal leader on the court. Something that is badly being missed this season. He sounds like a workhouse with a strong work ethic.
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/958316363403051008
Valpo Commit Daniel Sackey Chimes In On College Decision
Elias Sbiet
January 29th, 2018
http://northpolehoops.com/2018/01/29/valpo-commit-daniel-sackey-chimes-college-decision/
Pipe dream scenario (emphasizing the pipe dream), what if Daniel Sackey's friend and former teammate SF Emmanuel Akot decided to transfer to Valpo. Akot is a Winnipeg native who is a current freshman at Arizona but is having a tough freshman season with some DNPs. I've seen some speculation that he may might transfer away from Arizona. He's a 4-5 star recruit. He was Top 3 recruit from Canada in his class. Daniel Sackey is apparently good friends with him. Like I said totally pipe dream and I'm just totally throwing the idea out there. Valpo had 1 great Arizona transfer in Casey Schimdt back in the day. If he ever decided to transfer it would be interesting to see if Valpo would try and reach out and take a moonshot to see if he's interested.
https://twitter.com/CatCountry1580/status/950466785211396096
Now THAT would certainly qualify as a home run
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958510360390262785
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958510547435212800
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958510589164359680
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958510895155568640
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958510937618747392
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958511192355622918
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958511384349769728
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958511666580410369
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958511724159696897
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958511986815488001
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958512221344141313
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958512414542180352
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958512449954701312
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958512685297098753
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958512997626007553
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958513068383920128
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958513144728571905
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958514044784259072
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958514137520398339
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/958514402172571649
I was listening to USH and they brought up the commitment of Sackey. Paul and Parker also touched on what they think they'll do with the last scholarship. I'm very curious if anyone might transfer off the team and open up an additional scholarship. Paul said, "You can at least expect 1 scholar open from the Joe Burton scholarship available" and he hit on how transfers happen every year... makes you wonder. He also talked about a possibly a 5th year grad transfer.
Listen at 41:20 for this part: http://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/union-street-hoops/podcast-union-street-hoops-baptized-in-the-valley/audio_9e82a838-060e-11e8-a741-77922083a2ce.html
Quote from: VU2014 on January 31, 2018, 11:34:07 AM
I was listen to USH and they brought up the commitment of Sackey. Paul and Parker also touched on what they think they'll do with the last scholarship. I'm very curious if anyone might transfer off the team and open up an additional scholarship. Paul said, "You can at least expect 1 scholar open from the Joe Burton scholarship available" and he hit on how transfers happen every year... makes you wonder. He also talked about a possibly a 5th year grad transfer.
Listen at 41:20 for this part: http://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/union-street-hoops/podcast-union-street-hoops-baptized-in-the-valley/audio_9e82a838-060e-11e8-a741-77922083a2ce.html
Getting an effective 5th year grad transfer on a team that is below 0.500 in a mid major conference SEEMS like a pipe dream. I listened to that statement on their podcast last night, and for the first time in memory, could not disagree more.
I'll eat crow, but no friggin way we get that type of quality PF. Not only that, but for one year NOW is wasteful. Maybe that caliber on a senior laddened team like Alec's Junior and Senior years would be beneficial.
I don't think a solid but not great 5th year grad-transfer PF is out of the realm of possibility. You're not going to find a AP but we can find a "patchwork" guy. The coaching staff will be able to promise playing time. I'm also not so sure this team will be a sub .500 next season. I'd actually take the over.
I'd be a for a 1 year guy. It would give Mileek and Parker time to ease them into the role. The baptism by fire hasn't worked well this season. Maybe it will pay benefits down the road for Mileek but a 5th year grad transfer would be low risk and low commitment. Whatever they do I don't want them to settle for a mediocre long-term commitment.
Ideally I love for them to land a home run redshirt high major transfer.
Kinda early to be looking at next year but I will say that I also expect better than 50% wins. One thing I'm pretty sure will happen is that Bakari will be a better 3 point shooter and he currently is our best. It seems that transfers shoot better their second year for whatever reason. Examples of 3 point percentage improvements their second year: Ron Howard 23.5 to 41.6; Ben Boggs 29.6 to 34.8; LaVonte Dority 31.1 to 42.7.
https://twitter.com/MidMajorScouts/status/961297811596816385
Daniel Sackey scored 46 points in a game a few days ago!
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/963556128914223104
Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association ranks Daniel Sackey the #6 ranked player at that level.
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/963820438768898048
The vocal leader we've been waiting for:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbR2xJVm5BY
Defense optional in that game. Both teams over 100!
From the score book it looks like he can drain the trey.
Gotta love the Canadian accent!!
Good prospect, eh?
Rumor is Illinois' PF Michael Finke is strongly considering transferring after this season. He already graduated in December and will have 1 year of eligibility left. We talked about his little brother Tim Finke who committed to GCU.
He'd be an ideal transfer target, imo. He's a stretch 4 with a lot of B10 experience. He's had a tough year with some nagging injuries this season but he'd be an awesome get, imo. I have no clue if the coaches would be interested. Had the same AAU coach as AP.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/michael-finke-1.html
Quote from: VU2014 on February 25, 2018, 10:34:02 PM
Rumor is Illinois' PF Michael Finke is strongly considering transferring after this season. He already graduated in December and will have 1 year of eligibility left. We talked about his little brother Tim Finke who committed to GCU.
He'd be an ideal transfer target, imo. He's a stretch 4 with a lot of B10 experience. He's had a tough year with some nagging injuries this season but he'd be an awesome get, imo. I have no clue if the coaches would be interested. Had the same AAU coach as AP.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/michael-finke-1.html
Looks like he would really plug a hole in next year's lineup for a 4 that could contribute right away. Would give the two freshman another year to develop plus give them an experienced 4 to practice against and learn from. Hope the rumor has some truth behind it and we'd have a shot.
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
Need to find an experienced 4 man for next year that can play immediately, even if it is for only 1 year. Need some leadership and to give McMillan/Hazen another year to grow.
I finally got around to watching most of the Sackey highlights and am very optimistic he can be a significant contributor his freshman year. That said I am sure it will take some time for him to learn the players and the offense.
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AMDo we a have a scholly for a transfer?
We will have 7 juniors for 18-19 with no seniors. Whoever we pick up with that last scholarship must not add to that mass exodus number. Barring a grad transfer, a 20-21 targeted redshirting junior would have the greatest supply of quality candidates.
I didn't realize we won't have any seniors next year. When was the last time a Valpo team didn't have at least 1 senior? Other than Skara and Smits, who was scheduled to be a senior? Were those the only two we recruited and signed?
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
Wasn't there some info on here that Smits might have a chance to graduate by the end of this summer... or was taking a bunch of summer classes each year and might graduate by the end of this year? I don't remember the details. If so I could see him leaving. I personally don't want him to leave as I think he is due for a breakout year next year. He has shown flashes of brilliance at times.
Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AMI wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
I am not now concerned with losing any key contributors. I am already seeing a top 100 18-19 team without a senior on it. That is not the kind of situation that good players will be eager to leave. As for Smits has he proven himself worthy of steady Power 5 limelight minutes?
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 26, 2018, 09:06:24 AM
I didn't realize we won't have any seniors next year. When was the last time a Valpo team didn't have at least 1 senior? Other than Skara and Smits, who was scheduled to be a senior? Were those the only two we recruited and signed?
Skara arrived with Tevonn and Max. Smits was the only freshman on the '15-'16 team.
Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
Look at the positions with minutes crunches next season and that's where you can guess where there might be a transfer.
PG and C.
The Coaches have been very apprehensive to use Marty at PF with one of the 7 footers. My guess is they think Marty might not be quick enough or doesn't trust him on defense yet. Marty could stand to lose some baby fat and pack on some lean muscle this offseason. Marty needs to work on his footwork. He gets killed when wings attacking him and he ends up picking up a foul.
I think the 2 players that have a chance to refine their physiques is Marty and Mileek. I think Mileek is going to have a great offseason if he puts in the work with coaches and the Strength and Conditioning Coach Derek Bol. Both the 7 footers could stand to add some muscle.
I think at PG next season you can look for Bakari and Daniel Sackey to get some big minutes. Bakari has the ability to slide over to the 2 when needed.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 11:59:00 AMI think at PG next season you can look for Bakari and Daniel Sackey to get some big minutes. Bakari has the ability to slide over to the 2 when needed.
Before yesterday I would have added that Micah will also be a PG and was showing some vast improvement as a distributor. I think Ryan gets the start at the 4 as he is believed to have similar skills to Alec who played the 4. With one of the bigs, it could be Ryan at the 4, Marcus at the 3, Bakari at the 1 and Javon at the 2. I think that will work!
This off season could see some transfer action. Likely candidates could be Parker, Marty or now, Micah. Something weird was going on with Marty. I was thinking they were trying to build some sort of a case for a red-shirt, who knows. Parker will be behind Ryan and Mileek at the 4 and maybe Marty as well.
If we're guessing starters for next year I'll go with Bakari (1) Freeman (2) Fazekas (3) McMillan (4) Smits (5).
Backups: Golder, Sackey, Hazen, Sorolla, Linssen, Kiser, Bradford(?), TBD
I do think one or two of these guys have good chances to transfer away.
Could have anywhere from 1-3 open scholarships for the summer I suppose.
Edit: forgot Kiser, thanks for the reminder
Kiser?
Quote from: M on February 26, 2018, 02:57:57 PM
If we're guessing starters for next year I'll go with Bakari (1) Freeman (2) Fazekas (3) McMillan (4) Smits (5).
Backups: Golder, Sackey, Hazen, Sorolla, Linssen, Bradford(?), TBD
I do think one or two of these guys have good chances to transfer away.
Could have anywhere from 1-3 open scholarships for the summer I suppose.
I thought we'd have 1 or 2 transfers also and I thought Micah was the most likely guy to transfer but after this mess I'm not sure it will happen anymore. His options may be limited after this incident.
Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
How have transfers from Valpo done after they left. I recall one kid a few years back whose parents thought he should be a starter and he transferred to SEMO. Things weren't any different for him there.
I think those who think they deserve more playing time as the main reason to transfer will find that not much will change for them somewhere else, unless of course they move to a weaker conference or to Div. 2.
Disgruntled young players should learn from what the coaches are telling them and will have a better chance to start if they make the improvements they are told to work on in order to earn a starting spot. Otherwise, you transfer, sit out another year, and will likely have the same problems you had at Valpo. That is if the transfer is to a comparably good conference.
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 02:21:18 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 11:59:00 AMI think at PG next season you can look for Bakari and Daniel Sackey to get some big minutes. Bakari has the ability to slide over to the 2 when needed.
Before yesterday I would have added that Micah will also be a PG and was showing some vast improvement as a distributor. I think Ryan gets the start at the 4 as he is believed to have similar skills to Alec who played the 4. With one of the bigs, it could be Ryan at the 4, Marcus at the 3, Bakari at the 1 and Javon at the 2. I think that will work!
This off season could see some transfer action. Likely candidates could be Parker, Marty or now, Micah. Something weird was going on with Marty. I was thinking they were trying to build some sort of a case for a red-shirt, who knows. Parker will be behind Ryan and Mileek at the 4 and maybe Marty as well.
Unfortunately, that ship sailed long ago. He has played in over 22 of 29 games this season.
Redshirt Rules
For an athlete to receive a standard redshirt, the NCAA requires that player not be involved in any competition for the year he is redshirted. Any amount of competition time, even 1 minute on a basketball court during a regular season game, for example, counts as a season of eligibility.
Redshirted athletes are allowed to travel, practice and even dress for competition for their team during their redshirt season, but the minute they step on the playing field, they lose their redshirt status and use a season of eligibility.
Medical Hardship Exemption
The NCAA allows a seriously injured athlete to extend her eligibility period through a medical hardship exemption, commonly referred to by media outlets as a "medical redshirt," though the NCAA does not use this terminology.
An athlete can qualify for this exemption if she has a documented, incapacitating injury or illness that occurred in the first half of the basketball season and the student-athlete has not participated in more than two contests or dates of competition or 20 percent of her team's scheduled contests, whichever number is greater.
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 26, 2018, 03:19:03 PM
Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?
I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.
How have transfers from Valpo done after they left. I recall one kid a few years back whose parents thought he should be a starter and he transferred to SEMO. Things weren't any different for him there.
I think those who think they deserve more playing time as the main reason to transfer will find that not much will change for them somewhere else, unless of course they move to a weaker conference or to Div. 2.
Disgruntled young players should learn from what the coaches are telling them and will have a better chance to start if they make the improvements they are told to work on in order to earn a starting spot. Otherwise, you transfer, sit out another year, and will likely have the same problems you had at Valpo. That is if the transfer is to a comparably good conference.
In general, I agree with you, with 1 notable exception - Lexus Williams. He is a mainstay at 22-6 Boise State, averaging 26 MPG, 9 PPG, 44%FG, 43%3FG. I will NEVER understand why Matt replaced him in the starting lineup last year with Micah Bradford, whose stats were worse then than now (if that's possible). Now, Lexus is killing it on a much better team, and I couldn't be happier for him. All the time he spent at Valpo recovering and rehabbing from a torn ACL, only to be benched in favor of a raw freshman who deserved nothing more than mop-up minutes at that stage of his development. The real kick in the groin is knowing there's no f-ing way we would have finished 6-12 and in last place if Lexus' numbers and VOCAL senior leadership were plugged into the equation. There is no way to sugarcoat or spin it. Matt threw him away, and the team, the fans, and the university paid the price for it at the worst time possible - when we moved to a better conference and needed to make a good first impression. We'll never get that chance again.
It's important to remember this is the first fully health season Lexus has had since his freshman season. I'm happy for Lexus. He probably should have played him more often last season but Coach was trying to see what he had in Micah and probably was trying to get him some experience because he was still thought of as the "future". It hasn't gone as plan for Micah.
Ryan is more of a 3, imo. I think he has the size to play a stretch 4. Maybe when they play small ball next season they slide him to the 4. It will be interesting to see how he's used next season.
The Post had a really good article on Fazekas last week. I didn't know just how bad the shoulder injury was. He apparently had quite a bit of muscles atrophy at one point but he's full go now and back to normal. Ryan has had a ton of bad luck the last few years. He played all last season with the bad shoulder but never took the medical RS. He also had mono his freshman season.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/966124407440773120
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-ryan-fazekas-st-0220-20180219-story.html
"We've been putting in a lot of off-the-dribble stuff, not just catch-and-shoot," Fazekas said. "We're putting me in a lot of ball-screen scenarios, making me get comfortable in that."
QuoteIf we're guessing starters for next year I'll go with Bakari (1) Freeman (2) Fazekas (3) McMillan (4) Smits (5).
Backups: Golder, Sackey, Hazen, Sorolla, Linssen, Kiser, Bradford(?), TBD
I do think one or two of these guys have good chances to transfer away.
Could have anywhere from 1-3 open scholarships for the summer I suppose.
Edit: forgot Kiser, thanks for the reminder
1: Bakari (backup: Sackey, Micah (?))
2: JFL ("backup": Golder (he'll play starter minutes playing the swing 2-3))
3: Fazekas ("backup": Golder (see above), Kiser)
4: McMillan (backup: Parker, maybe Marty can play some 4?)
5: Smits (backup: Sorolla, Marty)
I think we may add a grad transfer PF or a SG. I could see the coaching staff wanting to add a grad-transfer 2G to take some pressure off JFL and to add depth in the backcourt. McMillan needs to take the next step next season and become more reliable on D without fouling so much. Parker needs to take a step.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 03:58:56 PM
It's important to remember this is the first fully health season Lexus has had since his freshman season. I'm happy for Lexus. He probably should have played him more often last season but Coach was trying to see what he had in Micah and probably was trying to get him some experience because he was still thought of as the "future". It hasn't gone as plan for Micah.
Well, I have to stand corrected when I said there is no way to spin it or sugarcoat it. lol
Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 03:59:34 PMI could see the coaching staff want to add a grad-transfer 2G to take some pressure off JFL and to add depth in the backcourt.
A Will Bogan type shooter could provide a lot of benefits and maturity. Next year some help at the 2 may be more important than additional help at the 4.
I hope Lottich has a good sense on all the players intentions as it pertains to staying or transferring. Because that makes a big difference on what position/grade level prospect to go after.
If our sophomore class, aka next years juniors (Sorolla/Smits/Golder/Bakari/Micah/Kiser/Fazekas) all plan on staying for the next 2 years we are going to be lethal during the 2019/2020 season with either the addition of a solid 4 man for or the successful development of McMillan or Hazen.
So if everyone plans on staying perhaps a 1 and done senior grad transfer at the 4 position is not the answer for next year as it would interrupt to progression of McMillan/Hazen, or perhaps you get a transfer 4 man who is sitting next year and is ready to play in 19/20 to complete the last piece of the puzzle for what could be a very good team.
If everyone does not plan on staying then you have to rethink everything.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 27, 2018, 07:32:50 AMI hope Lottich has a good sense on all the players intentions as it pertains to staying or transferring.
One can hope. After the season ends I'm sure all the young men in Division I basketball start getting thoughts into their head, sometimes planted by previous coaches and other people in their inner circle, and that is when things start to happen. I'm sure no person within the program foresaw the Skara transfer two seasons ago. Mid to late April we'll know more.
Recruit a grad transfer Power Foward for Pete's sake
Recruit some refs!
Quote from: VU2014 on March 01, 2018, 10:03:00 PM
Recruit a grad transfer Power Foward for Pete's sake
AMEN!
As a 4th year red shirt junior, who I am sure has already graduated or will graduate this spring, someone should ask John Konchar of Fort Wayne if he wants to play in The Valley, he is the only active player in Division I with 1,300 points, 800 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. I know my friend John Coffman probably won't like it, but programs are going to be approaching Konchar about the possibility...
Quote from: FWalum on March 02, 2018, 07:08:44 AM
As a 4th year red shirt junior, who I am sure has already graduated or will graduate this spring, someone should ask John Konchar of Fort Wayne if he wants to play in The Valley, he is the only active player in Division I with 1,300 points, 800 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. I know my friend John Coffman probably won't like it, but programs are going to be approaching Konchar about the possibility...
If only we knew someone who lived in Fort Wayne who could do this ... hmmm. :-X
Quote from: FWalum on March 02, 2018, 07:08:44 AM
As a 4th year red shirt junior, who I am sure has already graduated or will graduate this spring, someone should ask John Konchar of Fort Wayne if he wants to play in The Valley, he is the only active player in Division I with 1,300 points, 800 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. I know my friend John Coffman probably won't like it, but programs are going to be approaching Konchar about the possibility...
He'd be a great addition to any team but I'm not sure the coaches would recruit him because I believe Coach Gore and Coach Coffman know each other pretty well and there may be mutual respect to not want to hurt the other coach. If Konchar was dead set on transferring then I think it would be more realistic. If it ever did happen I could imagine Tom Davis salivating to write that hit piece. I don't watch too much IPFW basketball but I've seen them play over the years and Konchar did stand out. A really polished player, who can really grab down some rebounds for a 6-5 guard/forward.
It was said in Union Street Hoops that we need to recruit "Valley type players"
I think 2013 team of E victor, Peters, Vashil, K. Carter, Skara, Walker, Hammick, Adekoya, Lexus were "Valley" players. That team would have won the MVC. This is all cyclical....Valpo will be back.
Quote from: oklahomamick on March 02, 2018, 09:00:40 AM
It was said in Union Street Hoops that we need to recruit "Valley type players"
I think 2013 team of E victor, Peters, Vashil, K. Carter, Skara, Walker, Hammick, Adekoya, Lexus were "Valley" players. That team would have won the MVC. This is all cyclical....Valpo will be back.
oklahomamick, nailed it. We need to hit on recruiting and limit "misses"
Ran across this on twitter today. Can't wait to see JFL playing for Valpo.
Too easy for @WYoungBoysBball's @AintuJavon [emoji102] @ValpoBasketball getting a star https://t.co/tSfV2xnwiv
Also noticed Coach Rags liking a tweet about Merrillville star Johnny Bernard.
Johnny Bernard goes for 31pts in @IHSAA1 Tourney on 12-17 shooting. Not too many NATURAL Born Scorers like him. https://t.co/eBBsKMsOcb
We need to hit on all our 2018 recruits for sure. Need to add another shooter IMO to prevent opponents from taking away Ryan and his shooting ability with a gimmick defense.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
A very interesting PF/C grad transfer with 2 years of eligibility just announced his intentions to transfer. Wyatt Walker of Samford. He didn't play against Valpo this season because he was injured all season other then 2 games, so he took the medical RS. He's not a stretch 4 but he's traditional low post guy who is a monster at grabbing rebounds and is a very good passing big man. I'm curious if he'd be someone the staff looks into. I saw a few samford games from a 2016-17 and he stood out. Just a good basketball player.
https://twitter.com/VerbalCommits/status/970713664679391232
Quote from: VU2014 on March 05, 2018, 12:03:09 PM
A very interesting PF/C grad transfer with 2 years of eligibility just announced his intentions to transfer. Wyatt Walker of Samford. He didn't play against Valpo this season because he was injured all season other then 2 games, so he took the medical RS. He's not a stretch 4 but he's traditional low post guy who is a monster at grabbing rebounds and is a very good passing big man. I'm curious if he'd be someone the staff looks into. I saw a few samford games from a 2016-17 and he stood out. Just a good basketball player.
https://twitter.com/VerbalCommits/status/970713664679391232
I think we could use his rebounding - 9.7 rpg in 2016-17 as soph.
Daniel Sackey dropped 30 yesterday.
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/971733327680909313
A very interesting grad-transfer just announced. Tory Miller-Stewart just announced he's going to transfer. He played in at Colorado for 4 seasons but he only played 6 games this season after breaking a bone in his foot. He's 6-foot, 9-inch forward from Kansas City, Kan., Miller-Stewart played in 101 games and Miller averaged 6.2 points and 4.7 rebounds over the first six games of this season.
He had a solid but not spectacular first 4 seasons and it seems that some Colorado fans think he never fully lived up to his potential there. He's a big body PF and could be nice fit for our situation. He has PAC12 experienced and will only have 1 year of eligibility left. He could be a key role player for us at the 4 and it could take some pressure off of Mileek and Parker. The Power Forward was our weakest position this season because of youth.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3134895/tory-miller-stewart
https://twitter.com/adamcm777/status/973665823725244416
A Valpo offer flew under the radar in Late-January without anyone noticing.
https://twitter.com/DirtySouthJuco/status/958790103719186434
Tyshawn Davis
Status: Undecided
Year: 2016 (SO)
Position: SF
Height: 6-6
Weight: NA
Hometown: Brewton, AL
High School: W.S. Neal High School
Junior College: Coastal Alabama Community College Monroeville
Ranking: NA
Offers: Murrary State, FAU, South Alabama, Louisiana-Monroe, Little Rock, UT-Martin, Loyola Marymount, Nichols State
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/tyshawn-davis
https://twitter.com/HoopReview/status/963890565363322880
https://twitter.com/DirtySouthJuco/status/966454776719396867
Tyshawn Davis Is No Longer A Sleeper
"Davis is averaging solid numbers this season, 16.7 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 54.1% from 3PT and 81.7% from the FT line."
https://twitter.com/JockJive/status/971940704376287232
https://twitter.com/acccathletics/status/971839113539223552
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl0Yhf65iFQ
Great digging.
Looks like a thicker Marcus Golder.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 03:59:34 PM1: Bakari (backup: Sackey, Micah (?)) 2: JFL ("backup": Golder (he'll play starter minutes playing the swing 2-3)) 3: Fazekas ("backup": Golder (see above), Kiser) 4: McMillan (backup: Parker, maybe Marty can play some 4?) 5: Smits (backup: Sorolla, Marty) I think we may add a grad transfer PF or a SG. I could see the coaching staff wanting to add a grad-transfer 2G to take some pressure off JFL and to add depth in the backcourt. McMillan needs to take the next step next season and become more reliable on D without fouling so much. Parker needs to take a step.
I think Golder should start and play as many minutes as possible. The way he played to finish out the year and his energy is huge.
All depends on how good JFL is coming in, but if he is as advertised, my starting lineup as of today would be
1. Bakari
2. JFL
3. Golder
4. Fazekas (I know not a true 4, would be fine with the "smaller" lineup)
5. Smits
Would be great to have some good development from the 4's and or a transfer to help fill the gap.
Quote from: vu72 on March 15, 2018, 10:24:13 AM
Looks like a thicker Marcus Golder.
Tyshawn Davis doesn't have near the bounce or quickness that Golder has, but agreed he's much thicker/stronger. He definitely seems like a interesting player. It sounds like his recruitment blew up the last few months.
He looks like a undersized stretch 4. He look like he operates more around the basket but may have the jump shot to stretch the defense. The thing that really stands out is his 54.1 3PT%. That is ridiculously good for a guy that size. Something that needs to be considered is the level of competition he's playing against. If he did choose to attend Valpo it may be a bigger adjustment curve then it was for Golder. Golder admitted how much of a learning curve it was from JUCO to this level. The speed of the game slowed down for him as the season went on.
I expect some of us are wondering how well Daniel Sackey will do at the D1 level, only being 5'10". After watching the Miami -Loyola game yesterday, I think he will do just fine. Anyone else notice Miami's starting point guard? The kid is 5'7"! I looked him up and it turns out ESPN had him ranked in the top 50 in his class! With Daniel's speed and quickness I suspect he will be a real handful particularly if he can shoot consistently from the 3.
Texas Southern's leading scorer is also playing today and is only 5'7""
Per recruiting analyst Jeff Goodman on Twitter today....
"USC Upstate grad transfer Mike Cunningham told ESPN he has his release. Averaged 13.7 ppg and 3.1 apg. Western Kentucky, UAB, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Valpo, Tulane, Wyoming, VCU, South Carolina and Nevada have all shown interest."
Per USC-upstate roster, he is a 6-0 185lb guard.
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Interesting to hear that we're showing interest in a grad-transfer guard. Maybe the coaches know someone is thinking about transferring. We have 1 scholarship left and I would have thought it would have gone to a PF transfer because that was our weakest position by far this season. It could also be that they are expecting a big leap from Mileek, Parker, and Marty next season.
I've heard people say the MVC is a guard league. You aren't going anywhere in this league if you don't have exceptional guard play. We have 2 good guards in Bakari and Golder (swing guy) but Micah just wasn't producing enough even if he played a solid backup PG at the end of the season. Still Micah really struggled to make shots last season and you just can't have that at this level. We have JFL and Sackey coming in but they might not be fully ready to step in and replace Tevonn and Max's production especially on the defensive end of the ball.
Status: Transferred from USC Upstate
Year: RS JR
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: DuVal High School
Stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mike-cunningham-2.html
Can't have too many guards. We have a lot of front court guys, we can argue about how talented/ready they are somewhere else. I think another guard who can put the spherical thing in the round thing is a good idea.
Quote from: VU2014 on March 20, 2018, 08:31:07 PM
Interesting to hear that we're showing interest in a grad-transfer guard. Maybe the coaches know someone is thinking about transferring. We have 1 scholarship left and I would have thought it would have gone to a PF transfer because that was our weakest position by far this season. It could also be that they are expecting a big leap from Mileek, Parker, and Marty next season.
I've heard people say the MVC is a guard league. You aren't going anywhere in this league if you don't have exceptional guard play. We have 2 good guards in Bakari and Golder (swing guy) but Micah just wasn't producing enough even if he played a solid backup PG at the end of the season. Still Micah really struggled to make shots last season and you just can't have that at this level. We have JFL and Sackey coming in but they might not be fully ready to step in and replace Tevonn and Max's production especially on the defensive end of the ball.
Status: Transferred from USC Upstate
Year: RS JR
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: DuVal High School
Stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mike-cunningham-2.html
[/quote
Really good numbers! USC Upstate is a strong (if under the radar) program. He'd be a great addition that could help immediately!
Quote from: EddieCabot on March 20, 2018, 08:58:47 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on March 20, 2018, 08:31:07 PM
Interesting to hear that we're showing interest in a grad-transfer guard. Maybe the coaches know someone is thinking about transferring. We have 1 scholarship left and I would have thought it would have gone to a PF transfer because that was our weakest position by far this season. It could also be that they are expecting a big leap from Mileek, Parker, and Marty next season.
I've heard people say the MVC is a guard league. You aren't going anywhere in this league if you don't have exceptional guard play. We have 2 good guards in Bakari and Golder (swing guy) but Micah just wasn't producing enough even if he played a solid backup PG at the end of the season. Still Micah really struggled to make shots last season and you just can't have that at this level. We have JFL and Sackey coming in but they might not be fully ready to step in and replace Tevonn and Max's production especially on the defensive end of the ball.
Status: Transferred from USC Upstate
Year: RS JR
Position: PG
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: DuVal High School
Stats: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mike-cunningham-2.html
[/quote
Really good numbers! USC Upstate is a strong (if under the radar) program. He'd be a great addition that could help immediately!
It takes some doing to be the worst team in the A-Sun but USC Upstate won it hands down with an RPI of 344. Was this guy a victim or a cause? Some of his numbers do look interesting but others raise questions.
So maybe. I can certainly understand our willingness to give him a closer look. We could use another experienced 3 point shooting guard especially if he can play both the 1 and 2. But ---we have many needs and only one available scholarship.
Just because Valpo shows up on a list of has shown "interest." doesn't mean it's strong interest. It could be nothing more than heard you are transferring, do you have video.
His numbers do not scream show more interest. He is a 3-pt shooter in a lesser conference with not the greatest numbers for that. We could use a Will Bogan-type with some size for a guard and can knock down 40% from 3 or as we have said another power guy. Based on %s, there will be a great deal of people transferring. A 1-year grad transfer is a good transitional player, but a highly talented player with 2-3 years left that want to come back to the Chicagoland area and may have to sit 1 isn't so bad either.
I doubt we'd carry three 7 footers on a roster but I saw it, so I thought I'd share it. Maybe if we offered we'd maybe red-shirt him? The Coaching staff might just be scouting him and keeping in touch.
https://twitter.com/zsmart3/status/976609812212568065
Abraham Makumator
Video highlights from 2017: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7922833/589c769d420fce2e88299ecb
Number 33 in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6KbXgPDI6I
Number 14 in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdD_LErJxxw
I didn't see him show up in too many of those highlights. That said...it's hard to pass on a 7 footer. Even if he's just a rim protector...thats all Vashil was for most of his time at Valpo.
Quote from: M on March 22, 2018, 07:48:56 AM
I didn't see him show up in too many of those highlights. That said...it's hard to pass on a 7 footer. Even if he's just a rim protector...thats all Vashil was for most of his time at Valpo.
Yeah all you can really take from those highlights is that he can catch a lob dunk. He doesn't seem to have as good of hops as Vashil. Vashil at that age was so raw.
How about we get in the mix for this CPL 2018 recruit. Drake recruit but may be taking another look. Apparently Drake HC moving to Colorado State.
Per Roy Schmidt of IL Prep Hoops twitter today....
"It sounds as though Simeon's Messiah Jones may open up his recruitment now that Niko Medved has left for Colorado State although nothing is certain. He may do it to listen to what other schools have to offer, but Drake will remain in the picture as well."
https://verbalcommits.com/players/messiah-jones
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Looks like Grant Gelon reopened his recruitment as well. Not sure he was ever a target or in consideration, but he's a local kid.
Quote from: vufan75 on March 22, 2018, 07:00:19 PM
How about we get in the mix for this CPL 2018 recruit. Drake recruit but may be taking another look. Apparently Drake HC moving to Colorado State.
Per Roy Schmidt of IL Prep Hoops twitter today....
"It sounds as though Simeon's Messiah Jones may open up his recruitment now that Niko Medved has left for Colorado State although nothing is certain. He may do it to listen to what other schools have to offer, but Drake will remain in the picture as well."
https://verbalcommits.com/players/messiah-jones
Would love to bring in Messiah Jones but he already signed his LOI so I'm not sure Drake would let him sign with another MVC team.
Quote from: M on March 23, 2018, 10:34:40 AM
Looks like Grant Gelon reopened his recruitment as well. Not sure he was ever a target or in consideration, but he's a local kid.
If Valpo wasn't showing interest after his transfer from IU, I'd doubt he'd end up here. He's a shooter which is always nice to have in bench depth. Did he sign his LOI with MSU? If he did then he might also be blocked from transferring to a MVC school.
Quote from: VU2014 on March 23, 2018, 10:58:39 AMWould love to bring in Messiah Jones but he already signed his LOI so I'm not sure Drake would let him sign with another MVC team.
I suppose technically if he has asked for a release (as this article implies Jones Decommits from Drake (https://www.prephoops.com/2018/03/messiah-jones-decommits-drake/)) from his NLI they could put on some restrictions, but I think there would be a backlash. Verbal Commits has also changed his status to Undecided.
Yeah I'm not sure we'd want to recruit him for that reason. He's a good player. Apparently he's still keeping Drake as a option but he's just going to reopen his recruitment. If Drake keeps 1 or 2 of their assistants maybe he decides to stay at Drake.
I wonder if the Valpo coaching staff knows that top 20 prospect Keon Brooks is making an unofficial visit to the ARC today. Watching his brother in the LBAA tournament.
Quote from: FWalum on March 23, 2018, 12:45:31 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on March 23, 2018, 10:58:39 AMWould love to bring in Messiah Jones but he already signed his LOI so I'm not sure Drake would let him sign with another MVC team.
I suppose technically if he has asked for a release (as this article implies Jones Decommits from Drake (https://www.prephoops.com/2018/03/messiah-jones-decommits-drake/)) from his NLI they could put on some restrictions, but I think there would be a backlash. Verbal Commits has also changed his status to Undecided.
Is he the second coming of Jesus Shuttlesworth? If he is like that guy, he must have game.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 25, 2018, 02:52:42 PM
Quote from: FWalum on March 23, 2018, 12:45:31 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on March 23, 2018, 10:58:39 AMWould love to bring in Messiah Jones but he already signed his LOI so I'm not sure Drake would let him sign with another MVC team.
I suppose technically if he has asked for a release (as this article implies Jones Decommits from Drake (https://www.prephoops.com/2018/03/messiah-jones-decommits-drake/)) from his NLI they could put on some restrictions, but I think there would be a backlash. Verbal Commits has also changed his status to Undecided.
Is he the second coming of Jesus Shuttlesworth? If he is like that guy, he must have game.
I saw Simeon play twice this season and he seemed like a good player, not a standout but definitely lot's of potential and is a known commodity on the CPL circuit. Simeon is stacked with D1 talent so sometimes kids get overshadowed by the star players on the team THT (Iowa State commit), Xavier Pinson (Missouri commit, who was getting interest from Valpo this summer, but his recruitment blew up this Fall), etc. Example: Loyola's Donte Ingram played his HS ball at Simeon but was a pretty overlooked recruit.
Quote from: FWalum on March 25, 2018, 02:45:33 PM
I wonder if the Valpo coaching staff knows that top 20 prospect Keon Brooks is making an unofficial visit to the ARC today. Watching his brother in the LBAA tournament.
I'd assume so. I'd bet the Coaches hang around the LBAA tournament to network and be representatives for the program. There is absolutely no chance he comes to Valpo but definitely hope someone from the staff greets him and chats him up.
Quote from: FWalum on March 25, 2018, 02:45:33 PM
I wonder if the Valpo coaching staff knows that top 20 prospect Keon Brooks is making an unofficial visit to the ARC today. Watching his brother in the LBAA tournament.
Hey, VU Fan Board, no reaction?
FWALUM did you email Matt ahead of this? Did anyone?
What can I do to from northern Wisconsin to make this connection happen? Uh, never mind.
Seriously, that's pretty cool. We should be recruiting the younger brother, no?
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 25, 2018, 03:57:11 PM
Quote from: FWalum on March 25, 2018, 02:45:33 PM
I wonder if the Valpo coaching staff knows that top 20 prospect Keon Brooks is making an unofficial visit to the ARC today. Watching his brother in the LBAA tournament.
Hey, VU Fan Board, no reaction?
FWALUM did you email Matt ahead of this? Did anyone?
What can I do to from northern Wisconsin to make this connection happen? Uh, never mind.
Seriously, that's pretty cool. We should be recruiting the younger brother, no?
Maybe they're doing a little recruiting/scouting. Keion Brooks played in this tournament back in 2015 and was absolutely dominating kids from what I've heard.
Is it against NCAA rules to host tournaments at schools arenas? I thought I remember someone saying that. Maybe there is an exemption for the LBAA tournament because there is a religious component.
The Rule is against High School kids participating, that part of the LBAA was dropped a few years ago. All of the participants are now Middle Schoolers.
North Pole Hoops just moved Daniel Sackey up to #16 in their Canadian recruiting class rankings.
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/979119691682660352
https://twitter.com/Elias_NPH/status/979119944225968128
Anyone know what Tevonn Walker was ranked his senior year from North Pole Hoops? Curious
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 28, 2018, 07:20:22 PM
Anyone know what Tevonn Walker was ranked his senior year from North Pole Hoops? Curious
Without full access to North Pole Hoops website, looks like Tevonn was ranked #15 and Daniel Sackey at #16 in their 2014 and 2018 rankings respectively.
http://northpolehoops.com/players/tevonn-walker/
http://northpolehoops.com/players/daniel-sackey/
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Quote from: vufan75 on March 28, 2018, 07:45:34 PM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 28, 2018, 07:20:22 PM
Anyone know what Tevonn Walker was ranked his senior year from North Pole Hoops? Curious
Without full access to North Pole Hoops website, looks like Tevonn was ranked #15 and Daniel Sackey at #16 in their 2014 and 2018 rankings respectively.
http://northpolehoops.com/players/tevonn-walker/
http://northpolehoops.com/players/daniel-sackey/
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If Daniel is anywhere near as productive as Tevonn, we are in for a treat. Signing day can't come soon enough!
Nice article on Daniel:
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/sports/Former-Kelvin-athlete-makes-the-jump-to-NCAA-478554723.html
Any updates on the kid who was supposed to take a visit to Valpo recently?
I was wondering the same thing. I heard Davis took his visit to Murray State. Signing day begins April 11, 2018. We should hear soon. The Murray State basketball twitter account started followed him on twitter fwiw.
I just hope the Coaching Staff lands the targets they're hoping for.
We are now in the 'wait and see' portion of the 2018 recruiting season.
Is there any chance of Burton somehow getting eligible again? Juco credits, summer school...?
Quote from: covufan on April 03, 2018, 02:06:48 PM
We are now in the 'wait and see' portion of the 2018 recruiting season.
Is there any chance of Burton somehow getting eligible again? Juco credits, summer school...?
How cool would that be!!! Instant contender for the MVC title! Don't hold your breath. :(
Whatever happened to the Ellis kid from South Bend? I know he went to a prep school out East I believe but have heard nothing recently.
I checked his verbalcommits page a couple weeks back. Looked like all the same offers he's always had.
Quote from: covufan on April 03, 2018, 02:06:48 PM
We are now in the 'wait and see' portion of the 2018 recruiting season.
Is there any chance of Burton somehow getting eligible again? Juco credits, summer school...?
I wish but I don't think so.
Quote from: valpo64 on April 03, 2018, 02:50:34 PM
Whatever happened to the Ellis kid from South Bend? I know he went to a prep school out East I believe but have heard nothing recently.
I think once Javon and Daniel committed it took Walter Ellis out of the picture.
So are we just going to go into the season with two open scholarships?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 03, 2018, 08:19:46 PM
So are we just going to go into the season with two open scholarships?
It is only April - plenty of time to find a transfer, foreign player, or another freshman.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 03, 2018, 08:19:46 PM
So are we just going to go into the season with two open scholarships?
We could sure use a 3-man class for 2018/19. Considering it's rare to have 100% of a freshmen class go all four years.
The more density we have in 1 to 2 classes = problematic. (e.g. 2017/18 record)
I know that Alec's class graduating (large) with Tevon's class thinning out (Skara) was a big hit to our experience this past year. I get where some have asked for grad transfers/juco/transfers because it looks like the sophomore class is already down to 2 players (Hazen gone).
I think we're going to add a grad-transfer if they find a guy who is a right fit. Jack Williams might be a possibility.
I don't think we leave 2 empty scholarships going into next season. Maybe there is a chance we role one into next season to see if we can land a homerun mid-season transfer.
Quote from: talksalot on March 25, 2018, 08:07:05 PM
The Rule is against High School kids participating, that part of the LBAA was dropped a few years ago. All of the participants are now Middle Schoolers.
I'm sure that many did not know that the star of Notre Dame's women's national championship team, Arike Ogonbowale, played in the LBAA tournament in 2010 & 2011. Her Our Redeemer-Wauwatosa, WI team won the girls championship in 2011. Arike was named to both of the All-Tournament teams (2010 & 2011) and won the MVP award in 2011.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/04/02/who-is-notre-dames-arike-ogunbowale-who-twice-hit-the-shot-of-a-lifetime-in-the-womens-final-four/?utm_term=.f9f6a0c7450e
"I think she will be remembered as the greatest female player in the state of Wisconsin," her high school coach, Jeff Worzella, wrote in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "She plays the game at such a high level at times. I just sat there on the sidelines and was simply amazed at what she could do on the basketball floor."
In addition to Notre Dame, Arike's college choices came down to UCLA, Louisville, Ohio State and Wisconsin, but she chose Notre Dame because of her faith.
"I've been going to religious schools my whole life," the 5-foot-8 guard said in the fall of 2014. "I went to a Lutheran grade school and a Catholic high school. I wanted to keep my faith base strong. "It's a great school, Hall of Fame coach [Muffet McGraw], great academics. I wanted to go into business and they have the No. 1 business school. It's an all-around great system."Some of us might want to watch the names of the LBAA All-Tournament Teams for future recruiting
Boy's Middle School Division Girl's Middle School Division
Teigan Martin--Zion Lutheran School – Mayer, MN Brianna Wooldridge--Immanuel Lutheran – Palatine, IL
Cruz Billings--Salem Lutheran School – Orange, CA Lauren Gunn--Peace Lutheran School – Saginaw, MI
Jamauri Winfrey--Christ Lutheran School – Peoria, IL Lili Duckmann--St Paul Lutheran School – Mt Prospect, IL
Adam Stewart--Salem Lutheran School – Tomball, TX Allaina Robaidek--St Paul Lutheran School – Bounduel, WI
Luke Heartle--Divine Redeemer – Hartland, WI Mya Hartjes--St. Paul Lutheran School – Grafton, WI
CJ Davis--St. Paul's Lutheran School – Fort Wayne, IN Olivia Bigger--Faith Lutheran School – Las Vegas, NV
Darrion Brooks--St. Paul's Lutheran School – Fort Wayne, IN
Anna Schmitt--Immanuel Lutheran – Palatine, IL
Matthew Volkening--Zion Lutheran School – Marengo, IL
Sofia Sandcork--Immanuel Lutheran School – Lewiston, MN
Ben Lubbers--Divine Redeemer – Hartland, WI Grace Schrader--Immanuel Lutheran School – Seymour, IN
Jordan Glenn-Hawkins--St. Marcus Lutheran School – Milwaukee, WI
Emma Garner--Zion Lutheran School – Belleville, IL
That Lutheran tournament has got to be one of the greatest student recruitment tools available to Valpo. I'm told getting Lutheran kids is still a priority and what better way than to get a mess of grade school kids to actually visit campus! Just the All-Tournament kids came from seven different states including Texas and Nevada!
Quote from: vu72 on April 04, 2018, 09:06:44 AM
That Lutheran tournament has got to be one of the greatest student recruitment tools available to Valpo. I'm told getting Lutheran kids is still a priority and what better way than to get a mess of grade school kids to actually visit campus! Just the All-Tournament kids came from seven different states including Texas and Nevada!
The tournament is a wonderful event and a great way to spend 3 days on campus. If you are a basketball fan and ever have the opportunity to go, it is well worth the time and money. Going to the opening in the Chapel on Thursday night is a real spectacle.
I have a feeling filling the final 2 scholarships with the type of players we are looking for is going to be challenging for the coaching staff.
Our starting five next year could see 4 Juniors, and 1 Freshman with 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 1 freshman coming off the bench.
It is hard to talk a transfer into coming if they have to sit out a year and might have to wait another year for a big graduation hit to get playing time. It is going to be hard to talk another really talented true freshman guard to come in when there are 6 non-senior guards on the team (although a few of them we can speculate about how much better they are going to get).
You see what I mean. If we can't find an immediately eligible grad transfer I am not sure it would be the end of the world to hold onto BOTH scholarships and save them for 2019.
Ideally you want 3 players per class. Right now we are really unbalanced with 7 juniors on the team. I am not exactly sure what the best course of action is to even things out a bit going forward.
I don't think we're going to land a high level redshirt Power Conference transfer this offseason. I think they're going to go after a guys who could contribute right away. A grad-transfer seems likely, because it would free up a scholarship for freshman or a transfer in 2019.
The names I've heard:
-Mike Davis (JUCO transfer (immediately eligible))
-Jack Williams (grad-transfer from Pacific)
-Mike Cunningham (I haven't heard anything personally about him but Goodman did report that Valpo had some level of "interest". Could have just had a conversation with him and that's it)
I thought Davis was ticketed for Murray State.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 06, 2018, 12:18:04 PM
I thought Davis was ticketed for Murray State.
I know there is interest and perhaps an offer but no commitment to Murray State that I can find. If there is, please post.
JucoRecruiting.com on twitter saying Tyshawn Davis chose Murray State. Oh well on to next option I suppose.
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Good get for them. I want them to stay strong and keep knocking at the MVC's door. Unfortunate that they landed a key piece over Valpo though.
Speaking of Walter Ellis. He just committed to Bucknell.
https://twitter.com/iamwalterellis/status/983140072399753216
Quote from: VU2014 on April 03, 2018, 06:34:53 PM
Quote from: covufan on April 03, 2018, 02:06:48 PM
We are now in the 'wait and see' portion of the 2018 recruiting season.
Is there any chance of Burton somehow getting eligible again? Juco credits, summer school...?
I wish but I don't think so.
Quote from: valpo64 on April 03, 2018, 02:50:34 PM
Whatever happened to the Ellis kid from South Bend? I know he went to a prep school out East I believe but have heard nothing recently.
I think once Javon and Daniel committed it took Walter Ellis out of the picture.
Speaking of Daniel, and waiting for him to sign, I thought it would do us all some good to look at his highlite tape again. The kid can fly in the air and on the ground!
http://northpolehoops.com/2016/08/27/video-daniel-sackey-fastest-canadian-pg-in-last-decade-young-ty-lawson/
Quote from: vu72 on April 09, 2018, 03:00:46 PM
Speaking of Daniel, and waiting for him to sign, I thought it would do us all some good to look at his highlite tape again. The kid can fly in the air and on the ground!
http://northpolehoops.com/2016/08/27/video-daniel-sackey-fastest-canadian-pg-in-last-decade-young-ty-lawson/
Wow! Looks like another steal from north of the border! :cheers: :dance:
Guys on the floor better be ready for feeds off the dribble. :)
Quote from: EddieCabot on April 09, 2018, 03:35:16 PM
Quote from: vu72 on April 09, 2018, 03:00:46 PM
Speaking of Daniel, and waiting for him to sign, I thought it would do us all some good to look at his highlite tape again. The kid can fly in the air and on the ground!
http://northpolehoops.com/2016/08/27/video-daniel-sackey-fastest-canadian-pg-in-last-decade-young-ty-lawson/
Wow! Looks like another steal from north of the border! :cheers: :dance:
Just this once, I don't think Eddie is pulling our leg.
Daniel should be a player but he may struggle in 18-19 just like most freshman do.
Daniel wins a dunk contest!
With no basis what so ever, I predict Sackey will be better than Max, but maybe not quite as good as Buggs. I would be very ok with that.
The big questions will be.. Can he play defense? Can he hit 3's at a reasonable enough clip not to have people sag off him to limit the effectiveness of his speed? I have a feeling his lack of a jump shot and 3 point shooting caused him to have fewer looks from other teams. Doesn't matter how quick you are if everyone can sag off you.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on April 09, 2018, 05:58:50 PM
With no basis what so ever, I predict Sackey will be better than Max, but maybe not quite as good as Buggs. I would be very ok with that.
The big questions will be.. Can he play defense? Can he hit 3's at a reasonable enough clip not to have people sag off him to limit the effectiveness of his speed? I have a feeling his lack of a jump shot and 3 point shooting caused him to have fewer looks from other teams. Doesn't matter how quick you are if everyone can sag off you.
You make a very solid point regarding lack of overall offers. His highlights are even more devoid of jump shots than one would think possible.
Thought someone said that he tried a prep school in the states that folded. I'm hoping the lack of exposure in 2016/17 (unsure if those were the years) combined with his lack of proven competition (plains in western Canada) are the major contributors to less offers.
But a jump shot or 3-ball is significant as you say. If Micah stays I think we are ok @ PG for 2017/18. I'm not as down on Micah as many were his sophomore year. He certainly has a lot of work to do on scoring efficiency but he's an outstanding change of pace over Bakari.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on April 09, 2018, 05:58:50 PM
With no basis what so ever, I predict Sackey will be better than Max, but maybe not quite as good as Buggs. I would be very ok with that.
The big questions will be.. Can he play defense? Can he hit 3's at a reasonable enough clip not to have people sag off him to limit the effectiveness of his speed? I have a feeling his lack of a jump shot and 3 point shooting caused him to have fewer looks from other teams. Doesn't matter how quick you are if everyone can sag off you.
Um, what? Buggs was a great point but if Daniel isn't a better scorer it will be a big disappointment. Erik shot 16.7% from the 3 and 51.3% from the free throw line, his final (5th) year.
As for Daniel playing somewhere without much competition, apparently his talent was judged to be very high as he made the Canadian national team.
From what I've heard he's a better scorer then Buggs ever was. They are similar in stature and athleticism though. He's playing in the Biosteel classic right now.
I'm guessing his 5'10 stature automatically turned off some coaches, particularly at the power conference level. It sounds like Daniel took his game up a notch the last year or so.
Some stat sheets I found: (he appears to be a pretty good scorer but I'm not sure how much defense is being played in these games...)
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/976970966227091456
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/971733327680909313
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/968603053921153024
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/966875323395489793
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/966494215856205825
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/963556128914223104
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/962350524690448384
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/961689312055017472
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/959265904608493570
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/957395238196097024
I thinkk we found a gem. Our Canadian kids are a ittle different from American kids. They are more Team oriented, I think this kid will flourish.
VU2014 you are a stat finding machine! Hard pressed to imagine a player putting up 30+ ppg that doesn't have a jump shot ehh!?!?
Ehh!
Daniel Sackey is going to officially sign his Letter of Intent today.
With the news of Marty's transfer we now have 3 available scholarships.
I can't believe we passed on Bruninga and his needed shooting ability for Lindssen AKA Der Grosser Bust (The Big Bust for those who don't speak at least some German) I guess we'll always have that Kent State game where he came up huge. This is a really bad look for the program Matt needs to land somebody with some talent quick. A recruit A transfer Anything.
I'd imagine our coaches are monitoring the grad-transfer and JUCO market. We struck out on one JUCO guy Mike Davis.
We need immediate help/depth at the PF position next season. I'm not sure we're going to find a stud at this point. It might be best to land the most reliable stretch 4 grad-transfer they can find. Then also pursue a high level RS transfer if possible. I just don't want us to settle for a mediocre JUCO guy that you need to be committed to for at least 2 years. Keep aiming high and if we need to "settle" make sure it's only a commitment for 1 year.
Not looking good on Finke at all Lots of high level interest Could probably go play at GCU with his brother.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 03:27:48 PM
Not looking good on Finke at all Lots of high level interest Could probably go play at GCU with his brother.
Yeah I'm not sure we were ever in the conversation with him. Apparently Vandy was in his Final 5 though. A player like Finke sure would be nice...
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 03:09:05 PM
I can't believe we passed on Bruninga and his needed shooting ability for Lindssen AKA Der Grosser Bust (The Big Bust for those who don't speak at least some German) I guess we'll always have that Kent State game where he came up huge. This is a really bad look for the program Matt needs to land somebody with some talent quick. A recruit A transfer Anything.
Hmmm, a bust? Thought most of us expected Linssen was going to red shirt at best last year.
Also, where did we (collectively) start thinking we need a PF or death becomes us? Fazekas will be starting at that position in all likelihood. Where is this program changing PF transfer going to get starter level minutes from?
We need serviceable @ that position and I think Mileek is already that guy. Linssen is not even close to a bust at this point in his career. Maybe my opinion differs from others, after all I seem to play the villain part on this forum (knowingly or otherwise).
Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 04:42:13 PM
Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.
He has always been used more of a perimeter player. He was actually listed as a 2 guard at Providence. He's a bit of a mystery on how he'll be used.
Has anyone heard anything on Joe Burton and what he's doing? Would be a nice surprise if he became eligible and came back next season but that's probably just wishful thinking.
Martin Linssen transferring. Ok, PF became more needed than if he stayed.
Does this perhaps help us register on Welage's radar?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 06:08:36 PM
Does this perhaps help us register on Welage's radar?
Only if Fazekas and Golder aren't on the court together.
Welage from IN @ 6'9" is more traditional PF? He looks rail thin, is his game more alike to Fazekas than not?
Seems to me Loyola did ok without a power forward.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on April 11, 2018, 06:21:25 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 06:08:36 PM
Does this perhaps help us register on Welage's radar?
Only if Fazekas and Golder aren't on the court together.
Welage from IN @ 6'9" is more traditional PF? He looks rail thin, is his game more alike to Fazekas than not?
Welage just committed to Xavier. We were never in on his recruitment. He had similar measurables to Fazekas. Rail thin, 6'8/6'9 perimeter player who can shoot the lights out of the ball. One key difference is Fazekas has sort of been labeled "injury-prone" rightfully or wrongfully. Ryan also chose Valpo because he wanted to be closer to home. He definitely had options like Vandy that was recruiting him. Ryan has had some extremely tough luck: Mono his freshman year and playing through a should injury through his sophomore season. Ryan could have probably shut it down his sophomore season and had the surgery during the season but he waited for the season to finish. He had the surgery this summer if I remember correctly. There was a pretty good article in the Post-Trib about it. http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-ryan-fazekas-st-0220-20180219-story.html
I'm really high on Ryan's future. If he could stay healthy I think he can accomplish some big things the next 2 years and help the team win.
It's official!
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/984228761540243457
Quote from: VU2014 on April 11, 2018, 05:16:37 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 04:42:13 PM
Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.
He has always been used more of a perimeter player. He was actually listed as a 2 guard at Providence. He's a bit of a mystery on how he'll be used.
As I stated in another thread, Fazekas will play the 4 for Valpo. He's 6'8" ... just because he likes to play on the perimeter doesn't preclude him from playing the 4. Anyone who's watched a college game in the last 5 years knows that very few teams actually have power forwards who are post players. Having perimeter skills is important ... especially because it opens up the lane for the explosive guards that Valpo has to drive the lane.
Quote from: EddieCabot on April 11, 2018, 07:59:12 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on April 11, 2018, 05:16:37 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 11, 2018, 04:42:13 PM
Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.
He has always been used more of a perimeter player. He was actually listed as a 2 guard at Providence. He's a bit of a mystery on how he'll be used.
As I stated in another thread, Fazekas will play the 4 for Valpo. He's 6'8" ... just because he likes to play on the perimeter doesn't preclude him from playing the 4. Anyone who's watched a college game in the last 5 years knows that very few teams actually have power forwards who are post players. Having perimeter skills is important ... especially because it opens up the lane for the explosive guards that Valpo has to drive the lane.
Bingo! But he is slender by slender standards, so any post (back to the basket) game development is unlikely. At least Alec had some shoulders and bulk to develop that skill set.
I think Fazekas will need a great first step to make up for complete lack of a post game. Defensively he might get backed down routinely by PF or thicker bodies. Regardless if he can shoot, our freshmen were backed down and out rebounded horrendously last year. Can Fazekas defend size/strength to limit that a bit?
https://twitter.com/PostTribSports/status/984269773801447426
Valparaiso adds point guard, loses two freshmen to transfers as signing period begins
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
April 11, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-signing-day-st-0412-story.html
From what I have seen, Sackey and Freeman-Liberty have vocal and enthusiastic personalities. I hope that carries into their presence at Valpo. As good as seniors Tevonn and Max were as players or teammates, neither really displayed vocal leadership on the court the way players like Rowdy and Alec had done with previous teams. Also, the two players that we are losing to transfer—Marty and Parker—seemed to be the most energetic cheerleaders on the bench, something I always admired in Lexus when he was on the bench. I hope players like Evelyn and Golder, who were most expressive on the court last season, will step up as leaders in the new season.
There was some discussion early about Sackey's shooting abilities. It sounds like he was struggling with his shot in past seasons but Coach Lottich says he's been working hard improving it.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/984438049672253440
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/984438140231397376
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/984500571032969216
I feel like this tweet says a lot: Reading between the lines I feel like Lottich is saying that we can't take as many chances on projects, our input needs to be higher across the board than necessary in the Horizon League and that he's learned quickly that at this level both the recruits expect more from their experience and the staff needs to expect more from their recruit.
We are definitely reaching a point where our recruits, while may connect with Valpo as a university, definitely are the type that are looking at this team as a springboard for their future and that's going to change both the type of athlete we get and our calculus on how long they will stay.
I feel like Valpo has attracted recruits in the past that expect to go pro after college going back to the Mid-Con days. Maybe we have access to more of those kids now that we're in the MVC, but I feel like the program has recruited those type of kids for a while now. We've had quite a few kids go pro and I think there are quite a few on this roster that have professional aspirations.
What I took away from that quote is that visits are just as much an evaluation process for recruit as it is vice versa. They are trying to find the culture fit.
I think we have always had guys with that site, I think it's more that we have created an expectation with our success that this program will provide that opportunity and exposure and so we may get more recruits who's basketball ambitions out pace their skills/what they can get.
Player Profile:
https://twitter.com/BioSteelAllCdn/status/985953734000656384
Quote from: VU2014 on April 16, 2018, 02:02:05 PM
Player Profile:
https://twitter.com/BioSteelAllCdn/status/985953734000656384
Great find! I was wondering how well he played in that All-Star game. The 3 percentage shooting is really exciting. Let's hope Javon can also shoot like that! Can't wait to see these kids in Brown and Gold!!
Interesting. It sounds like we're showing interest in Freshman SF. He just received a offer from UIC a couple days ago.
https://twitter.com/AaronBenRose/status/986273739347234816
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/981624623409389575
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: SF
Height: 6-6
Weight: 190
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Lincoln Park High School
Rank: NA
Offers: UIC, Austin Peay, Lewis (D2)
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/terrence-shannon-jr
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/profile/6513135/Terrence-Shannon/videos
Biggest senior breakout performers in 2017-2018
Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
April 3 9:13 p.m.
" Terrence Shannon, Lincoln Park
A lot has been made of the rise of this 6-6 multi-faceted forward who broke through this season. A combination of injuries, playing football and missing time on the court perhaps prevented Shannon from an earlier rise.
But what a season Shannon put together for a team that won a regional championship and nearly upset Young in the sectional.
In addition to averaging 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals a game, the super athletic senior skyrocketed up the City/Suburban Hoops Report's player rankings in the Class of 2018. Shannon screams upside and the 'ol untapped potential with his athleticism, length and versatility while remaining vastly under-appreciated as a prospect going forward"
https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/04/03/biggest-senior-breakout-performers-2017-2018/
Article about the game Javon Freeman's WY played Shannon's Lincoln Park: https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/03/07/young-lincoln-park-basketball/
"Lincoln Park senior Terrence Shannon, a 6-6 point guard, was a complete unknown when the season began. That has changed over the past two months. He was finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but fouled out with three minutes to play. "If he doesn't foul out we win the game," Lions coach Pat Gordon said. "This was one of his most complete games as far as his focus on both ends of the floor." Shannon picked up a scholarship offer from Austin Peay immediately after the game. That probably was just the first of several to come this week."
https://twitter.com/BasketballLPHS/status/971610953992298496
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/971588652752130048
Article from September: https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/09/14/terrence-shannons-love-football-pays-off-lincoln-park/
He's the one that blocked the shot. That is a very athletic play.
https://twitter.com/AaronBenRose/status/985568647480532992
https://twitter.com/overtime/status/982469940585385984
https://twitter.com/overtime/status/982461892814934016
https://twitter.com/CraigWolf17/status/969766101151338496
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/967099092747866112
https://twitter.com/BallisLifeCHI/status/966542028099244032
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/962902999021637634
Tall guards who can defend more then just the guard position are such a beautiful thing to have. Imagine being able to switch nearly any screen on the court and not be at a disadvantage.
This is exciting news. I hope we get him. Shannon Hall and Messiah Jones would be a dream ending to this recruiting season.
Is it just me or does Loyola seem to be involved with almost every recruit Valpo's in on lately? Not too surprising because we're competing in the same level of basketball and both recruiting the midwest hard.
I just scraped this quote off the Loyola Board:
"Is it just me or does Valpo seem to be involved with almost every recruit Loyola's in on lately? Not too surprising because we're competing in the same level of basketball and both recruiting the midwest hard."
Amazing! ;)
Seriously, would this have been the case if we had stayed in the HL? I have no idea, but some of you might have a better grasp of any shift in recruiting.
It's official, Terrence Shannon has received a offer from Loyola. I wonder if we follow up with a offer.
https://twitter.com/Tshan35/status/986767946923085825
DePaul just offered Terrence Shannon.
Why are we always so slow to offer kids we have a good shot at getting but so quick to offer kids we likely have no shot at getting?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 20, 2018, 10:17:39 AM
Why are we always so slow to offer kids we have a good shot at getting but so quick to offer kids we likely have no shot at getting?
To be fair Shannon really elevated his game just within the last couple months and he wasn't on anyone's radar. He was scheduled to attend a prep school just a few weeks ago.
The coaching staff is probably in on guys recruitment long before we know about it. The staff was recruiting Brandon Newman before he was offered. Sackey was a kid that Coach Gore was laying the ground work on well before he was offered.
https://twitter.com/realcoachcole/status/988473006006644736
Josh Wilkerson
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: Indiana Elite Preparatory Academy
Rank: NA
Offers: Denver
https://verbalcommits.com/players/josh-wilkerson
https://twitter.com/realcoachcole/status/987570632807407616
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP0PbaF_Kls&feature=youtu.be
37 points and 11 assists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a61FJGa3Psw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Wnfiq2f5I
The GPA and ACT scores are what draw me in here I think those guys could make it at Valpo and their coach's description of their playing styles makes them seem like good fits as well. Keeping talent in State is a good thing.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 23, 2018, 04:05:48 PM
The GPA and ACT scores are what draw me in here I think those guys could make it at Valpo and their coach's description of their playing styles makes them seem like good fits as well. Keeping talent in State is a good thing.
I never trust anything HS/Prep/AAU coaches say about their own players in terms of evaluation. Just too much bias and spin involved. But the GPA is nice, but can these guys be productive D1 players in the MVC is the real question. I couldn't find a verbal commits page for Henderson which makes me a little weary and Wilkerson currently has 1 publicly known offer and it came from Denver in 2016. At least from Wilkerson's highlights he appears to be a pretty good shooter. Only thing that's a little concerning is his size at 6-0. That would be a lot of pretty short guards between Sackey (5-9), Micah (6-1 or 6-2), and Wilkerson (6-0). JFL is around 6-3. Bakari is 6-2. That's a pretty small backcourt.
Has anyone heard anything about their visit or have any insight on Wilkerson or Henderson's games? Possible diamonds in the rough types?
SLU just offered Terrence Shannon. Nice group of schools in line. Loyola, DePaul, SLU and UIC and also Austin Peay plus Lewis per Verbal Commits ...more offers coming I'd imagine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Quote from: vufan75 on April 24, 2018, 09:07:28 AMSLU just offered Terrence Shannon. Nice group of schools in line. Loyola, DePaul, SLU and UIC and also Austin Peay plus Lewis per Verbal Commits ...more offers coming I'd imagine. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Like us perhaps?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 24, 2018, 09:10:31 PM
Quote from: vufan75 on April 24, 2018, 09:07:28 AMSLU just offered Terrence Shannon. Nice group of schools in line. Loyola, DePaul, SLU and UIC and also Austin Peay plus Lewis per Verbal Commits ...more offers coming I'd imagine. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Like us perhaps?
I would guess not. If we were going to "offer" why continue to wait? Still think we might save 1 scholly for next year or a mid-year transfer. I think PF is our greatest need for next year at least while Mileek continues to develop. We need a rebounder and defensive guy at PF since our centers have not yet shown that ability consistently. Hopefully they will make progress over the summer in that regard.
How many scholarships do we have to use yet. Is it 2 or 3? Parker and Marty's for sure I know but was there another?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
3 Burton's scholarship.
Looking at all of the talent eligible at Nevada has some speculating that the Martin twins and Jordan Caroline could transfer. Do you think we'd have a shot at any of them?
I would never say never....but probably no
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on April 25, 2018, 02:06:03 PM
3 Burton's scholarship.
Thx. I thought I was forgetting 1 but kept having brain cramps trying to think it thru. Heck getting old...[emoji6]
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Question for the locals. Did anyone see this happening just a year ago? Trace played for Valparaiso High School and after 1 year at prep school he's now committed to playing for Maryland. Happy for the kid but did we miss out on a difference maker?
https://twitter.com/traceramsey_/status/989514223075160064
Wonder how much money made it's way into Maravilla's pocket for this one.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 26, 2018, 06:16:26 PM
Wonder how much money made it's way into Maravilla's pocket for this one.
Honest question, not intended to be snarky....do we really think money was exchanged hands? After all, he is the 5th of 5 signees in one class at MD for this upcoming season. There isn't enough money in college basketball for the 13th player @ MD to get his handler paid.
I think favors exist of course for a player with minimal amateur chops, but not likely illegal (more shady).
Maravilla is a shady character but let's not speculate. It sounds like Trace really stepped up his game over the last year. He gained a lot more interest of the course of the 8-9 months.
Maravilla told the head coach at IUN two years ago he would steer a player to him for 25k. Fact.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 26, 2018, 09:30:39 PM
Maravilla told the head coach at IUN two years ago he would steer a player to him for 25k. Fact.
An NAIA coach makes enough money to justify/consider $25,000 pay-to-play? Certainly a public school has no such funds. That leaves "donors"...? How is this a fact? Is it published or word of mouth?
Didn't say he took him up on it. In fact the IUN coach told him what he could do with the offer.
Looks like we have a local Region 2018 recruit who per Twitter has selected Valpo.
Langston Stalling from Bowman Academy tweeted.
Per his Hudl info he is listed as 6-5 and weighs 215 lbs.
Check out @Boutabucket_13's Tweet: https://twitter.com/Boutabucket_13/status/989666892515299329
Local kid and not using up one of our athletic scholarships...good deal for him and the team!
According to Oren he is a walkon with a full academic scholarship. So the athletic scholarships are still open. Shrewd!
Wow Langston looks like one hell of a walk-on. He's was valedictorian at Bowman. He's a finisher around the rim from the looks of it and has some good size. Really impressive walk-on and it's a plus that he's a local kid.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/989693344749154310
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy-7UWfu81c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYsoVQ2Xi7A
He was 1st team all-conference.
https://twitter.com/UTL_NWI/status/972229587601158145
Quote from: VU2014 on April 26, 2018, 03:41:00 PM
Question for the locals. Did anyone see this happening just a year ago? Trace played for Valparaiso High School and after 1 year at prep school he's now committed to playing for Maryland. Happy for the kid but did we miss out on a difference maker?
https://twitter.com/traceramsey_/status/989514223075160064
Short answer: No.
I don't know if he has a jumper or not, but that athleticism is pretty special.
Valpo has 2 potential future walk-ons that might actually be able to produce at some point in the future. Steven Helm has his mission and won't be in school next year but you'd think he could be emergency depth with upside. Langston is also depth with upside. He has some really nice athleticism and finishing ability. It's always nice to have roster depth that won't be pushover in practice.
Terrence Shannon just rose above JFL in the Sun-Times class of 2018 rankings from Illinois. Wow. His recruitment has absolute blown up the last few weeks. I'm not sure we'll end up offering, but we were reported to have been showing interest.
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/989876066989826048
Late-blooming seniors highlight Class of 2018 prospect rankings
Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
April 27 9:34 a.m.
.......
5. Terrence Shannon, 6-6, Lincoln Park (Uncommitted)
It really has taken a long time for college programs to wake up and see the upside and talent of Shannon. This is the quintessential "prospect" and late bloomer, and it's about where he's headed because the springy 6-6 senior is coming fast. Long and super athletic with a growing offensive game, this lefty put together a solid senior season. He opens eyes with his high ceiling. If he doesn't secure a mid-major plus or high-major offer this spring, he certainly will after a year of prep school.
6. Javon Freeman, 6-4, Whitney Young (Valparaiso)
Valpo nabbed an ideal Missouri Valley Conference recruit. Long, active and bouncy, Freeman is a slasher who is a devastating finisher in the open court. The perimeter jumper remains a work in progress, but he can impact the game in a variety of ways. His overall feel for the game has improved. Plus, he's a proven winner after having won a state championship as a junior and finishing second in the state as a senior.
.......... https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/04/27/late-blooming-seniors-highlight-class-2018-prospect-rankings/
Quote from: VU2014 on April 27, 2018, 10:00:35 AM
Terrence Shannon just rose above JFL in the Sun-Times class of 2018 rankings from Illinois. Wow. His recruitment has absolute blown up the last few weeks. I'm not sure we'll end up offering, but we were reported to have been showing interest.
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/989876066989826048
Late-blooming seniors highlight Class of 2018 prospect rankings
Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
April 27 9:34 a.m.
.......
5. Terrence Shannon, 6-6, Lincoln Park (Uncommitted)
It really has taken a long time for college programs to wake up and see the upside and talent of Shannon. This is the quintessential "prospect" and late bloomer, and it's about where he's headed because the springy 6-6 senior is coming fast. Long and super athletic with a growing offensive game, this lefty put together a solid senior season. He opens eyes with his high ceiling. If he doesn't secure a mid-major plus or high-major offer this spring, he certainly will after a year of prep school.
6. Javon Freeman, 6-4, Whitney Young (Valparaiso)
Valpo nabbed an ideal Missouri Valley Conference recruit. Long, active and bouncy, Freeman is a slasher who is a devastating finisher in the open court. The perimeter jumper remains a work in progress, but he can impact the game in a variety of ways. His overall feel for the game has improved. Plus, he's a proven winner after having won a state championship as a junior and finishing second in the state as a senior.
.......... https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/04/27/late-blooming-seniors-highlight-class-2018-prospect-rankings/
Someone on this forum said it best, his early commitment to a non P5 school effectively ended the media's love affair with JFL.
They have nothing new to be excited about with JFL. But Terrance Shannon's lack of NLI makes him intriguing and exciting. It's like a dog with a new toy, forget the old tennis ball!!!
Quote from: VU2014 on April 27, 2018, 09:44:23 AM
Valpo has 2 potential future walk-ons that might actually be able to produce at some point in the future. Steven Helm has his mission and won't be in school next year but you'd think he could be emergency depth with upside. Langston is also depth with upside. He has some really nice athleticism and finishing ability. It's always nice to have roster depth that won't be pushover in practice.
I'm pretty excited to see the depth of our program excel in this way. To have any walk-ons is not always a guarantee. But to have (2) that can play minutes and make practice a real challenge is quite the feather in Coach's cap.
Circumstances have a lot to do with this, but Coach still had to maneuver the market correctly and land these two guys.
Langston's length and decent athleticism will lead to game minutes and one heck of a hard defender to score on in practice!!! And he is Free99!!! (As far as scholarships are concerned that is)
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on April 26, 2018, 09:52:41 PM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on April 26, 2018, 09:30:39 PM
Maravilla told the head coach at IUN two years ago he would steer a player to him for 25k. Fact.
An NAIA coach makes enough money to justify/consider $25,000 pay-to-play? Certainly a public school has no such funds. That leaves "donors"...? How is this a fact? Is it published or word of mouth?
$25k for a NAIA kid? Wonder how much it costs for a D-I prospect?
Langston Stallings is a great athlete and even more eloquent writer. Apparently the high school he goes to was band from IHSAA post season due to infractions by the staff while he attended the school.
Below is his heart felt letter presented on behalf of his fellow athletes...
Heck of a future for this young man if he keeps at it. Apparently his father is the Dean of Students for the middle school at Bowman and active on the school board in Gary as well. Saw a radio interview with Langston and his father, also linked below.
https://chicagocrusader.com/open-letter-ihsaa-ruling-students-perspective/ (https://chicagocrusader.com/open-letter-ihsaa-ruling-students-perspective/)
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1701411043237854&id=177816838930623&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2FWJOB.1230%2Fvideos%2F1701411043237854%2F (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1701411043237854&id=177816838930623&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2FWJOB.1230%2Fvideos%2F1701411043237854%2F)
Really looking forward to Langston's impact at VU, on and off the court/field.
Understand why he was class valedictorian. If I was on the IHSAA board, I 'd certainly have second thoughts on the blanket decision. And just like the NCAA, the schools and atletes suffer for what irresponsible adults do and then leave. I bet by his senior season at Valpo he will be so respected he will be a team captain.
Any news on this front? Have we been connected to any prospects or grad transfers?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MOZueKMqpmxSaFJccCMIScIw4f9GHyZK8Hv8OLGBpY-eOAX7hvMiKnpV-DcmFxK0e1dNZ_EueB9uWiOjy51nsRzDW8UCuLg=s0)
Watch Jordan Brown's recruitment. If he chooses Arizona it may be the last push Akot needs to transfer. Then, if his friendship with Sackey is as strong as some say, perhaps we could be in play for him.
We have a new offer.
https://twitter.com/iHankton/status/994359578413424645
KC Hankton
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 185
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
High School: United Faith Christian Academy
Offers: USC Upstate, Florida Gulf Coast, UNC Asheville, Ole Miss, Evansville, Stetson, Texas–Rio Grande, Eastern Kentucky, Hofstra, Kent State, Winthrop, Charlotte, SELA, Toledo, Hartford, Campbell, Eastern Washington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzUn8T65fps&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJC3E8EA_8Y
I realize these are highlights but his game looks very fluid Quick release from outside. Looks like a really solid scorer. I'm sold and it looks like we have a great shot at getting him given his current list of offers.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 09, 2018, 11:21:44 PM
I realize these are highlights but his game looks very fluid Quick release from outside. Looks like a really solid scorer. I'm sold and it looks like we have a great shot at getting him given his current list of offers.
I'm 50-50 based on severely limited game tape. Like his size and shooting looks solid. But he appears too slow (defense?), limited athletically (no drives) and has zero ability to play a more traditional PF (back to basket). I recognize he's listed as a SF but he needs versatility at the next level.
Seems like a poor mans Fazekas. Though I'm not saying Fazekas is anything but a very strong addition. He's as good as we have had transfer to VU (on the surface).
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on May 10, 2018, 05:59:30 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 09, 2018, 11:21:44 PM
I realize these are highlights but his game looks very fluid Quick release from outside. Looks like a really solid scorer. I'm sold and it looks like we have a great shot at getting him given his current list of offers.
I'm 50-50 based on severely limited game tape. Like his size and shooting looks solid. But he appears too slow (defense?), limited athletically (no drives) and has zero ability to play a more traditional PF (back to basket). I recognize he's listed as a SF but he needs versatility at the next level.
Seems like a poor mans Fazekas. Though I'm not saying Fazekas is anything but a very strong addition. He's as good as we have had transfer to VU (on the surface).
You might these Junior highlites a bit more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttdYbE3hpDg
Highlights don't make me jump out of my seat with excitement, but I don't think every scholarship player needs to be that way at our level. He could be a decent piece...we'll see.
Like his jump shot, is lanky, reminds a bit of a cross between Shaun Huff and Shane Hammink when he bulks up a bit. Shaun was pretty effective although not particularly quick.
Quote from: M on May 10, 2018, 08:25:14 AM
Highlights don't make me jump out of my seat with excitement, but I don't think every scholarship player needs to be that way at our level. He could be a decent piece...we'll see.
Come on guys he made every shot on the video
Quote from: valpo84 on May 10, 2018, 09:00:53 AM
Like his jump shot, is lanky, reminds a bit of a cross between Shaun Huff and Shane Hammink when he bulks up a bit. Shaun was pretty effective although not particularly quick.
This guy is no where near as athletic as Shane, but they're similar in terms of height. His shooting stroke looks a lot more fluid then Shane's. We can't really tell how good his handles are from highlights, which is quite important in evaluating a player. But there appears to be some nice ability here.
A guy he actually reminds me a little bit of is a lefty version of KJ Santos (formerly UIC) at Mizzou, but not quite the same hops.
Quote from: IndyValpo on May 10, 2018, 10:54:35 AM
Quote from: M on May 10, 2018, 08:25:14 AM
Highlights don't make me jump out of my seat with excitement, but I don't think every scholarship player needs to be that way at our level. He could be a decent piece...we'll see.
Come on guys he made every shot on the video
That alone should have you hankering for some Hankton (every pun imaginable is intended)
Remember Shakur Daniel, a Canadian guard we were showing interest in and may have even offered at one time? He just committed to Soutbern Miss. I would imagine that our interest cooled significantly after Freeman-Liberty and Sackey committed.
http://verbalcommits.com/players/shakur-daniel
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 07, 2018, 05:00:17 PMWatch Jordan Brown's recruitment. If he chooses Arizona it may be the last push Akot needs to transfer. Then, if his friendship with Sackey is as strong as some say, perhaps we could be in play for him.
In case anyone's wondering how this turned out, Brown picked Nevada.
I think with this latest piece of news with Stull choosing not to come to Valpo it might mean we leave a scholarship open going into next season.
https://twitter.com/Marcus_R_Fuller/status/996551141205954560
It wasn't hard to see this coming. Big 10 Ex coach on staff. Not surprised. I'm good. On to Hartfield Nze Gordon Faulds and other options.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 08:31:44 PM
It wasn't hard to see this coming. Big 10 Ex coach on staff. Not surprised. I'm good. On to Hartfield Nze Gordon Faulds and other options.
Apparently we were the runner up.
Valpo consider taking a chance with Pettway as a PF? He was a transfer committed to Nevada, but he has re-opened his recruitment. Averaged 10 pts. and 6 rebs. as a sophomore, and he already has sat out a year, so he is eligible to play.
[tweet]996239229641469952[/tweet]
Is that how it works with a double transfer like this? 100% sure he won't have to sit again? Watch Loyola be all over him to try to get insider intel for their big matchup with the Wolfpack.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 09:08:43 PM
Is that how it works with a double transfer like this? 100% sure he won't have to sit again? Watch Loyola be all over him to try to get insider intel for their big matchup with the Wolfpack.
Heck if that's how it works I'd transfer to an idealic mountain college (scenery) or say Hawaii. Get free year in paradise, re-energize and then go to my well thought out and vetted real option that best fits me!!!
Quote from: VU2014 on May 15, 2018, 08:02:04 PM
I think with this latest piece of news with Stull choosing not to come to Valpo it might mean we leave a scholarship open going into next season.
https://twitter.com/Marcus_R_Fuller/status/996551141205954560
The recruiting season is until the semester starts in late August. When did we get Linsson - late July? When did we get Barton - late August?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Linssen committed in April and Joe committed in Late-August.
I still think we're going to hear Hartfield commit here pretty soon as a red-shirt, but I don't think they want to bunch up the scholarships too much more. I think they want to keep 1 available additional for the 2019 class and that's why Stull was a ideal, because was a impact grad-transfer that wouldn't have tied up a future scholarship. Maybe their in on another grad-transfer we don't know about but I know they recruited Stull pretty hard from the moment he opened up his recruitment.
Who are some of the available grad transfers?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 09:58:33 PM
Who are some of the available grad transfers?
https://twitter.com/BradCav2/status/996387976266559488
Quote from: VU2014 on May 15, 2018, 08:33:26 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 08:31:44 PM
It wasn't hard to see this coming. Big 10 Ex coach on staff. Not surprised. I'm good. On to Hartfield Nze Gordon Faulds and other options.
Apparently we were the runner up.
If runners-up got to use the recruit for a few games I'd feel good about being the runner-up in Stull's second college decision. Otherwise it's like Mike Pence's influence over President Trump, a complete nothing-burger.
(http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/023/328/noburger.jpg)
Quote from: VU2014 on May 15, 2018, 10:07:56 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 09:58:33 PM
Who are some of the available grad transfers?
[tweet]996387976266559488[/tweet]
Pettway, the only PF on the list, is not actually a grad transfer, but he is able to play immediately, plus he has two years remaining of eligibility.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 15, 2018, 09:58:33 PM
Who are some of the available grad transfers?
Scroll down the list and you can see all the players with immediate eligibility. Some are seniors, some are younger.
http://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2018
Just a note that summer session begins next week. Therefore, if the coaches want to register players to get an early start with classes and credits, we should expect to hear some news in the next couple of days. The other date to keep in mind is July 2, which is the start of the second summer session.
Thanks valpopal, you make a solid point on timing.
My two cents on recruiting we know of for the upcoming season. Outside of landing two good recruits in Javon and Sackey:
Ranking Biggest Impact
1) Joe Burton (lost)
2) Eron Gordon (tbd, not high hopes)
3) Brock Stull (lost)
4) Who is the next most important available that we are aware of???
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on May 16, 2018, 07:13:42 PM
Thanks valpopal, you make a solid point on timing.
My two cents on recruiting we know of for the upcoming season. Outside of landing two good recruits in Javon and Sackey:
Ranking Biggest Impact
1) Joe Burton (lost)
2) Eron Gordon (tbd, not high hopes)
3) Brock Stull (lost)
4) Who is the next most important available that we are aware of???
We also lost out on the kid who committed to Murray State. He would have been immediately eligible and was a very good 3pt shooting stretch 4. Who know what kind of impact he would have had right away.
As for Eron Gordon, I don't think it's too much of a long shot. I heard he just finished up classes at Seton Hall. I could see us at least getting a visit. He apparently wants to transfer to a school closer to home.
Quote from: VU2014 on May 16, 2018, 08:17:38 PMAs for Eron Gordon, I don't think it's too much of a long shot. I heard he just finished up classes at Seton Hall. I could see us at least getting a visit. He apparently wants to transfer to a school closer to home.
And that is exactly what Valpo is "a little closer to home" while Indiana State, Ball State, IUPUI and IPFW are all mid-majors closer to Indy than Valpo. Now if Eron is truly looking at quality of teams were pretty much in the middle of the first two (ISU and BSU) as far as quality, at least in Eron's view and the people around him that are helping him to make a decision.
Eron Gordon's not a long shot at all. If Valpo wants him, I don't think they should have a ton of competition to get him.
Quote from: IrishDawg on May 17, 2018, 08:32:01 AM
Eron Gordon's not a long shot at all. If Valpo wants him, I don't think they should have a ton of competition to get him.
I am sure IUPUI is in the mix. Somehow scholarship limits do not seem to faze them. I think they are sitting at 15 who appear to on scholarship. Seriously they find a way. The Jags recently added the Campbell transfer (Burks?).
I would much prefer KC Hankton, if we can land him. He's 6-8 with a nice shooting touch and appears to be pretty athletic. He has 20 offers and counting, including Ole Miss and several solid mids. Valpo is the most recent program to offer. I also see that UNLV is now expressing interest. We need to continue to build our front court. Agile 6-8 stretch 4's are not nearly as plentiful as back court players.
Quote from: wh on May 17, 2018, 09:33:22 AM
I would much prefer KC Hankton, if we can land him. He's 6-8 with a nice shooting touch and appears to be pretty athletic. He has 20 offers and counting, including Ole Miss and several solid mids. Valpo is the most recent program to offer. I also see that UNLV is now expressing interest. We need to continue to build our front court. Agile 6-8 stretch 4's are not nearly as plentiful as back court players.
Agree. Valpo's perimeter shooting was mediocre last season. Fazekas will provide a boost from the 3 point line and Hankton looks like he could also. In today's game, you can't have too many wing guys who can shoot the ball.
Quote from: EddieCabot on May 17, 2018, 10:44:14 AM
Quote from: wh on May 17, 2018, 09:33:22 AM
I would much prefer KC Hankton, if we can land him. He's 6-8 with a nice shooting touch and appears to be pretty athletic. He has 20 offers and counting, including Ole Miss and several solid mids. Valpo is the most recent program to offer. I also see that UNLV is now expressing interest. We need to continue to build our front court. Agile 6-8 stretch 4's are not nearly as plentiful as back court players.
Agree. Valpo's perimeter shooting was mediocre last season. Fazekas will provide a boost from the 3 point line and Hankton looks like he could also. In today's game, you can't have too many wing guys who can shoot the ball.
Or defend #HartfieldToValpo #BraunAndGold
Quote from: wh on May 17, 2018, 09:33:22 AM
I would much prefer KC Hankton, if we can land him. He's 6-8 with a nice shooting touch and appears to be pretty athletic. He has 20 offers and counting, including Ole Miss and several solid mids. Valpo is the most recent program to offer. I also see that UNLV is now expressing interest. We need to continue to build our front court. Agile 6-8 stretch 4's are not nearly as plentiful as back court players.
Agreed. KC Hankton is a pure shooter with great size. He'd be a very nice pick up. Adding a sharp shooting SF seems like more of a need right now.
Was the recruiting news Paul mentioned his report that Burton's return is unlikely or should we expect something else?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 17, 2018, 08:05:41 PM
Was the recruiting news Paul mentioned his report that Burton's return is unlikely or should we expect something else?
Was wondering the very same thing. I think we gain 1 more commit for 2018 and enter 2018/19 with two open scholarships.
Everything ok with JFL?
Why do you ask? Has he reacted negatively to the news of Gordon's transfer? Or are you taking Lottich's pursuit of Gordon as an indication that he might leave or that Lottich doesn't value him? Has he given any indication that he wants to leave? Has he reported an injury?
Heard a regional P5 coach is ruthlessly pressuring his camp (some of these coaches have no shame) despite his NLI. If anything were to come of it, Valpo doesn't have to grant a release.
But he favorite'd Eron Gordon's tweet 2 days ago. So the interest must not be mutual.
Quote from: may know on May 20, 2018, 06:23:37 PM
Heard a regional P5 coach is ruthlessly pressuring his camp (some of these coaches have no shame) despite his NLI. If anything were to come of it, Valpo doesn't have to grant a release.
But he favorite'd Eron Gordon's tweet 2 days ago. So the interest must not be mutual.
But they should grant a release if it comes to that. We don't need a bad reputation in the Chicago market as jerks.
Happens too frequently for comfort. Sad part is the P5 coaches (this late in the game) are just trying to fill the final spots rather than develop a talented high school senior as a priority. Look at Sasha from Crown Point as an example. Purdue coach had a fleeting interest until he lost other pieces and Sasha became #13.
Hope it ends up working out for Sasha, but year one was a whimper.
Year one was a redshirt. We'll see how he does and how many minutes he gets this year.
Here's an update on KC Hankton: He is now receiving interest from UNLV Georgia Tennessee and Arkansas. Seems to me his recruitment is beginning to blow up. Becoming less optimistic about our chances. It was only a matter of time until schools became aware of his sweet shooting stroke.
https://twitter.com/JeffWaddilove/status/996979955228708864
I'm wondering if news of Coach Dildy leaving is what caused other coaches to start pursuing JFL even after he signed his NLI. JFL probably doesn't sign here without Coach Dildy making the initial connection. I'm hoping JFL isn't having second thoughts. I have no reason to think he's wavering on his commitment because he's been showing up for scrimmages with the guys and putting in the work on campus. I've seriously been impressed.
His mother even congratulated Eron Gordon on his commitment to Valpo if I remember correctly so I think we're going to be okay even if coach Dildy was instrumental in landing the commitment of JFL.
I really wished we had seen this transfer moving down to mid-major Manhattan Jaspers from Maryland.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/maryland-transfer-ashton-pankey-join-manhattan-jaspers-basketball-program-article-1.1088588
"Coach Masiello is a very good guy and I can relate well to him," Pankey said. "I feel with Manhattan I can fill an Amare Stoudamire-type role with the team. I can be a big fish in a small pond and that will be very comfortable for me."
Oh well, at least his situation goes well with this singing group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVm6ZEQt71c
Thoughts? What type of player do you think we should add with the final 2 scholarships?
I like the idea of a grad-transfer shooting guard and a high ceiling red-shirt transfer. Maybe I would prefer a grad-transfer PF depending on the amount of progress and development Mileek makes over the course of this offseason. It sounds like Mileek has really worked on his physique and got stronger, which is good to hear. More importantly I'd like the game to slow down for Mileek. His future is bright. If the coaches think he's going to take a big step forward and be more dependable then I'd I might go grad-transfer SG over PF but tbh both would be nice.
1314, suggested Dion Wiley. He'd be a nice pickup but I'm sure a lot of teams are vying for his services.
https://twitter.com/CBB_Central/status/999813013204062213
I really hope this doesn't mean anything for us and JFL but the situation bears watching:
https://twitter.com/insidenu/status/1000137443146858497
The saving grace here is that it only leaves 1PG on the roster so they'll probably go for another one but this is a curious move. Why kick aside a longstanding commit at a position of need? Are they going to go after the lone remaining 5 star?
I presume that his grades came out and he is not eligible.
I just can't see JFL leaving at this point. Based on all the messages that folks have posted throughout his process, he seems like a guy that would commit to a program, and not just an assistant coach.
Yeah wouldn't surprise me if they go for a grad transfer given that they only have one on the roster. I'd say Isabell (Drexel) or Patterson (LSU) would probably be targets for Northwestern.
With KC Hankton taking a rather long time to make a decision does anyone think he'll take a prep school year and look for better opportunities in 2019?
Reports say he's looking to go to Kentucky so likely Valpo doesn't have a shot at Reid Travis from Stanford but we should send him correspondence confirming that we're interested if he his!
With the numbers he put up in the Pac 12 and the leadership he'll provide as a grad transfer I'd suspect he's got his pictures of P5 schools\national title contenders to choose from.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 26, 2018, 03:30:11 AM
I really hope this doesn't mean anything for us and JFL but the situation bears watching:
https://twitter.com/insidenu/status/1000137443146858497
The saving grace here is that it only leaves 1PG on the roster so they'll probably go for another one but this is a curious move. Why kick aside a longstanding commit at a position of need? Are they going to go after the lone remaining 5 star?
Northwestern is an elite academic institution. It has some of the highest academic entrance requirements and lowest acceptance rates in the nation. They may cut their prospective student athletes a little slack, but I would guess very little. They still have to compete for grades in an academic environment that caters to some the smartest, most motivated students in the country.
For frame of reference, look at a comparison of Northwestern and Valpo SAT scores and percent of applicants admitted. The difference is striking, to say the least...
% of applicants accepted: NWU 9% Valpo 84%
Avg. SAT Scores: NWU Math 720-790 Valpo 530-580
NWU Reading/Writing 720-790 Valpo 530-580
ACT Scores: NWU 32-34 Valpo 23-26
It might not be grades because he hasn't taken a single class at NU yet. To be honest I don't really care because I don't think he's headed our direction anyways. I wish the young man well.
Quote from: VU2014 on May 30, 2018, 03:00:03 PM
It might not be grades because he hasn't taken a single class at NU yet. To be honest I don't really care because I don't think he's headed our direction anyways. I wish the young man well.
Most universities that I know about make final approval for admission contingent on meeting minimum academic requirements in the applicant's final HS semester. It wouldn't take much slippage for a school like Northwestern to pull the plug. Obviously I don't know if that applies here, but the timing of the announcement certainly fits. In any event, my point was not so much about this young man; it was more in response to '1314's comment "I really hope this doesn't mean anything for us and JFL but the situation bears watching." When it comes to an Ivy League-equivalent university like Northwestern, there's a lot more to the equation than playing hypothetical musical chairs with basketball vacancies. Most student athletes would never qualify academically to play at Northwestern. That's not a knock on student athletes; it's just reality at an institution with an 8% acceptance rate.
Incredible that NU can compete in the B1G with those standards. But Stanford does pretty well in the PAC12 as well.
BTW, our 84% acceptance rate is probably the biggest hindrance to VU being rated more highly on a national scale, despite our strong academics.
With that in mind, wouldn't a spike in addmission applications occur if we, somehow, got great national recognition? By having a bigger applicant pool and being more selective, we could shrink that %age and come closer to what is termed a "selective" institution. I wonder how we'd be able to do that? Oh, how about making national headlines with our men's BB program? Sounds like a great target for investment to ensure that future to me.
I wonder if perhaps we'll hear something about Hartfield soon. Nevada was one of the schools after him and I bet have was interested but with everyone coming back Nevada is now over the scholarship limit meaning he likely won't end up there. I think we have a good chance of getting him. Here's the last list of suitors I've seen:
https://twitter.com/sonnyjohnson32/status/996763300988899330
Quote from: wh on May 30, 2018, 02:23:38 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 26, 2018, 03:30:11 AM
I really hope this doesn't mean anything for us and JFL but the situation bears watching:
https://twitter.com/insidenu/status/1000137443146858497
The saving grace here is that it only leaves 1PG on the roster so they'll probably go for another one but this is a curious move. Why kick aside a longstanding commit at a position of need? Are they going to go after the lone remaining 5 star?
Northwestern is an elite academic institution. It has some of the highest academic entrance requirements and lowest acceptance rates in the nation. They may cut their prospective student athletes a little slack, but I would guess very little. They still have to compete for grades in an academic environment that caters to some the smartest, most motivated students in the country.
For frame of reference, look at a comparison of Northwestern and Valpo SAT scores and percent of applicants admitted. The difference is striking, to say the least...
% of applicants accepted: NWU 9% Valpo 84%
Avg. SAT Scores: NWU Math 720-790 Valpo 530-580
NWU Reading/Writing 720-790 Valpo 530-580
ACT Scores: NWU 32-34 Valpo 23-26
Joe Burton......................................Northwesterm...............................................Oh........
NEVER MIND!
Is it really necessary to take a shot at Burton like that? For the record, Northwestern has already filled that scholarship with another 2018 PG.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 31, 2018, 12:40:26 AM
Is it really necessary to take a shot at Burton like that? For the record, Northwestern has already filled that scholarship with another 2018 PG.
Nah not necessary but the thought process follows a unique route. Interesting!
What exactly did Joe Burton do for Valpo that helped the MBB program so much. He was well liked by his teammates, he helped the MBB program win some less important non-conf games that he himself made unimportant by failing those loyal teammates by not being able to stay in school. Joe Burton did no more for Valpo than Tony Falu. You wish them luck in future endeavors and I'm not saying they are bad citizens but they both had fatal flaws that kept them from completing the vision that the coaches had for them at Valpo.
KC Hankton to Saint Louis U...
I bet SLU's position in the A10 helped them immensely here given his being from Charlotte. So many games much closer to home.
Hoping Coach has some Forwards in mind. Looking at our Verbal Commits page and 2018/2019/2020 are all SG or PG offers.
That's my thought too. I get that guard play often drives the bus but there are five positions on a basketball team that must be capably staffed. Rebounding matters too. I'm at the point of saying get Hartfield (or Wiley if you want a grad transfer) and Faulds and call it an offseason. I don't want Lottich to be so patient that he gets caught looking at strike three and is sent to the bench with nothing.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 31, 2018, 09:36:09 PMI don't want Lottich to be so patient that he gets caught looking at strike three and is sent to the bench with nothing.
Not saying you are wrong but that type of thinking may have led Butler towards settling for Nze. Was their choice correct?
Quote from: justducky on May 31, 2018, 10:09:37 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 31, 2018, 09:36:09 PMI don't want Lottich to be so patient that he gets caught looking at strike three and is sent to the bench with nothing.
Not saying you are wrong but that type of thinking may have led Butler towards settling for Nze. Was their choice correct?
We haven't seen it under Lottich, but the Drew's would often add players late from JUCO's or overseas. If they worked out, great. If not, they disappeared pretty quickly.
The current roster is deep enough and talented enough to compete next season ... I don't see the need to add players unless they can help the program long-term. If that doesn't happen, then turn the focus to recruiting for the 2019 class.
As I've stated before, it's difficult to recruit when your roster is filled with talented players who are all underclassmen. Kids today want to play right away, and that opportunity doesn't exist with Valpo's current roster.
Quote from: EddieCabot on May 31, 2018, 10:21:17 PM
Quote from: justducky on May 31, 2018, 10:09:37 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 31, 2018, 09:36:09 PMI don't want Lottich to be so patient that he gets caught looking at strike three and is sent to the bench with nothing.
Not saying you are wrong but that type of thinking may have led Butler towards settling for Nze. Was their choice correct?
We haven't seen it under Lottich, but the Drew's would often add players late from JUCO's or overseas. If they worked out, great. If not, they disappeared pretty quickly.
The current roster is deep enough and talented enough to compete next season ... I don't see the need to add players unless they can help the program long-term. If that doesn't happen, then turn the focus to recruiting for the 2019 class.
As I've stated before, it's difficult to recruit when your roster is filled with talented players who are all underclassmen. Kids today want to play right away, and that opportunity doesn't exist with Valpo's current roster.
Actually, Lottich recruit Marty Linssen fits your description to a tee. He came on-board late in the 2017 recruiting season (May), played 1 season, and moved on.
Quote from: wh on June 01, 2018, 09:53:59 AM
Quote from: EddieCabot on May 31, 2018, 10:21:17 PM
Quote from: justducky on May 31, 2018, 10:09:37 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 31, 2018, 09:36:09 PMI don't want Lottich to be so patient that he gets caught looking at strike three and is sent to the bench with nothing.
Not saying you are wrong but that type of thinking may have led Butler towards settling for Nze. Was their choice correct?
We haven't seen it under Lottich, but the Drew's would often add players late from JUCO's or overseas. If they worked out, great. If not, they disappeared pretty quickly.
The current roster is deep enough and talented enough to compete next season ... I don't see the need to add players unless they can help the program long-term. If that doesn't happen, then turn the focus to recruiting for the 2019 class.
As I've stated before, it's difficult to recruit when your roster is filled with talented players who are all underclassmen. Kids today want to play right away, and that opportunity doesn't exist with Valpo's current roster.
Actually, Lottich recruit Marty Linssen fits your description to a tee. He came on-board late in the 2017 recruiting season (May), played 1 season, and moved on.
Historically, has it been worth it to sign a player in June/July for the upcoming season?
Maybe there is a reason that (2018/19 eligible) players are still on the board at this juncture? Thinking coach is looking past 2018/19 eligible talent at this time.
Even on the transfer market?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on June 01, 2018, 10:49:11 AM
Even on the transfer market?
Bakari & Middleton were June transfers and Burton was late August. You can find some gems during the summer.
Quote from: VU2014 on June 01, 2018, 11:19:57 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on June 01, 2018, 10:49:11 AM
Even on the transfer market?
Bakari & Middleton were June transfers and Burton was late August. You can find some gems during the summer.
Good point, my take is that traditional high school seniors of worth should mostly be off the market.
So maybe we shift our expectations from 4-year signees for this class to transfer market exclusively.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2018/06/01/doyel-romeo-and-phinisee-hoosiers-gym-whats-up-dean-tate/664371002/
We really do not need another small PG but this guy is a winner
https://twitter.com/PostTribSports/status/1006718186820120577
Men's basketball notes: Seton Hall transfer Eron Gordon brings 'well-rounded' background to Valparaiso
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
June 12, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-eron-gordon-notes-st-0613-story.html
Good article by Oz.
2018 BioSteel All-Canadian Game From Toronto - April 23rd. Best Canadian HS players regardless of year.
Daniel had 18 points on 7-9 FG and 4 assists. Scored first 5 points of the game and another early 3. BLAZING speed and endless energy. Also, highlights from the slam dunk contest the night before (starts at the 48:55 minute mark), which Daniel won with 1 of the most amazing dunks I have ever seen.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=9EuuXfTmEIg
Daniel's jump shot elevation:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaYcNPnXcAAbecP?format=jpg
Quote from: wh on June 24, 2018, 09:31:34 AM
2018 BioSteel All-Canadian Game From Toronto - April 23rd. Best Canadian HS players regardless of year.
Daniel had 18 points on 7-9 FG and 4 assists. Scored first 5 points of the game and another early 3. BLAZING speed and endless energy. Also, highlights from the slam dunk contest the night before (starts at the 48:55 minute mark), which Daniel won with 1 of the most amazing dunks I have ever seen.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=9EuuXfTmEIg
Daniel's jump shot elevation:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaYcNPnXcAAbecP?format=jpg
I'm thinking Erik Buggs with a jump shot!
Quote from: vu72 on June 24, 2018, 09:50:34 AM
I'm thinking Erik Buggs with a jump shot!
I still think to this day, that if Buggs had a consistent jumper he would have been Big 10 quality PG. He was lightning quick, good hops, solid handles, solid distributor and a great finisher at the rim. Problem was that everyone knew they could cheat on him on defense because his jump shot wasn't good. But that game plan did cost Billy Donovan and Wright State in the Horizon League championship game when he dropped 22 on them. Buggs played out his mind that game
Quote from: vu72 on June 24, 2018, 09:50:34 AM
Quote from: wh on June 24, 2018, 09:31:34 AM
2018 BioSteel All-Canadian Game From Toronto - April 23rd. Best Canadian HS players regardless of year.
Daniel had 18 points on 7-9 FG and 4 assists. Scored first 5 points of the game and another early 3. BLAZING speed and endless energy. Also, highlights from the slam dunk contest the night before (starts at the 48:55 minute mark), which Daniel won with 1 of the most amazing dunks I have ever seen.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=9EuuXfTmEIg
Daniel's jump shot elevation:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaYcNPnXcAAbecP?format=jpg
I'm thinking Erik Buggs with a jump shot!
If that is his normal shot then I am sure coaches will be working on that left hand release position. Never good when the left hand thumb is forward, normal means it is involved somehow in the release.
Quote from: VU2014 on June 24, 2018, 10:18:42 AM
Quote from: vu72 on June 24, 2018, 09:50:34 AM
I'm thinking Erik Buggs with a jump shot!
I still think to this day, that if Buggs had a consistent jumper he would have been Big 10 quality PG. He was lightning quick, good hops, solid handles, solid distributor and a great finisher at the rim. Problem was that everyone knew they could cheat on him on defense because his jump shot wasn't good. But that game plan did cost Billy Donovan and Wright State in the Horizon League championship game when he dropped 22 on them. Buggs played out his mind that game
I thought the coach at Wright St. at that time was Billy Donlan, not Billy Donovan, the former University of Florida head coach.
Quote from: valporun on June 25, 2018, 12:16:46 AM
I thought the coach at Wright St. at that time was Billy Donlan, not Billy Donovan, the former University of Florida head coach.
haha good catch. *Billy Donlon
Quote from: valporun on June 25, 2018, 12:16:46 AMBilly Donovan
Now the coach at the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.
Would have loved to see this guy get a shot with Valpo Basketball as a walk-on on a academic scholarship. VU is known for giving very generous academic scholarships and this kid sounds deserving with being a valedictorian. I love how the staff has been adding potentially impactful walk-ons like Langston and Helm in recent years. He ended up at Belmont and isn't on the basketball team but it sounds like he could eventually play for the team down the road.
https://twitter.com/courierthescore/status/1026208370439675904
Quote from: covufan on January 09, 2018, 02:28:52 PMThe way I'm figuring it, we will have seven juniors next season - Eveyln, Bradford, Golder, Kiser, Fazekas, Smits and Sorolla - all graduating in 2020. Foresight will be needed to replace seven scholarships in one year.
Would that be 2020 foresight?