Justus McNair(Guard) from Joliet West offered.
Roger offered him on April 7th while still at Gonzaga and days before being introduced as Valpo's head coach. Wasting no time getting down to business is an understatement.
[tweet]1650870781520257025[/tweet]
Seems like they are aiming high. Rated as a 3/4 star recruit on the edge of the top 100.
We have recently offered Lucas Scroggins and Caedin Hamilton. Scroggins is already in prep school I believe, And Hamilton is a senior in high school. Verbal commits lists both of them as 2024 recruits. This seems inaccurate...shouldn't they be coming in to college this fall if they are graduating high school/prep school this year?
Given that recruiting these days is pretty much the wild west, pay-to-play (despite calling it something else), perhaps Valpo fans and alumni can buy a whole slew of ringers and of course call it NIL.
We could get such transfers as Hunter Dickenson who hasn't yet made up his mind as well as some other top players who are in the transfer portal. Put together an instant trip to the dance and be seeded around 4 or 5.
Rinse and repeat every year. Play like the big boys really play but would never admit this approach, but who essentially are offering big money to selective portal recruits. You can say, "oh my, that's not ethical" but it is happening under the current rules. Why not?
https://twitter.com/JeremyJauregui/status/1653580594625019904?s=20
Good to see our new California connection A.J. Moye already paying dividends. If we can tap into that talent pool, it would make a major recruiting statement.
Quote from: valpopal on April 25, 2023, 09:44:27 AM
[tweet]1650870781520257025[/tweet]
We are now competing with Creighton for Sutton.
[tweet]1658601218770452480[/tweet]
Justus McNair committed.
Does anyone have the specifics on him? From where, height, weight, position, etc?
Quote from: wh on April 16, 2023, 09:24:23 PM
Roger offered him on April 7th while still at Gonzaga and days before being introduced as Valpo's head coach. Wasting no time getting down to business is an understatement.
6'3" Joliet West shooing guard Very good get!
A 6'3" shooting guard.
I found this in the Chicago Sun-Times:
[font=var(--font-rte-heading)][size=var(--heading-3)]Justus McNair, Joliet West[/size]A couple of local programs, UIC and Valpo, have extended offers. Look for more to come for a player who played in the shadows of the Fears brothers and is about the right things. A big guard with athleticism who shows a willingness to defend, McNair's shot creation and skill level will determine how hot of a commodity he becomes this spring and summer.[/font]
I think he also plays AAU ball with Darrion Sutton at Young & Restless(Y&R). We have three commits from IL and one from IN so far.
We haven't disappointed another fan base over losing a recruiting battle for at least 5 years. It's only 1 player (NcNair) and 1 fan base (UIC), but it's a start.
https://uicflames.proboards.com/thread/4146/justus-mcnair
Quote from: wh on May 27, 2023, 01:34:31 PM
We haven't disappointed another fan base over losing a recruiting battle for at least 5 years. It's only 1 player (NcNair) and 1 fan base (UIC), but it's a start.
https://uicflames.proboards.com/thread/4146/justus-mcnair
WH, I like the last statement in the UIC chat post: Valpo has a home run in Powwell
[tweet]1663641345574010887[/tweet]
[tweet]1633680953213087745[/tweet]
https://twitter.com/RecruitVids/status/1663676610304770048
Apparently, Indy Metro is a small (1A) charter school. A year of seasoning at a prep school against better competition sounds like a good move. Developing potential diamonds-in-the-rough is a marathon, not a sprint.
Diakite is pursuing the prep school route to develop his game, because he's already got that 3.7 gpa on the academic side. Very cool. In another year, VU MBB will be adding a true student-athlete to the roster.
Quote from: David81 on May 31, 2023, 10:45:44 AM
Diakite is pursuing the prep school route to develop his game, because he's already got that 3.7 gpa on the academic side. Very cool. In another year, VU MBB will be adding a true student-athlete to the roster.
Not necessarily. Stay tuned.
Here is a brief video from his sophomore year where he is listed at 6'7". The senior roster shows him at 6'9". He might still be growing! Seems to have a nice touch from the three.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_qQ1mwRAHc
[tweet]1663899561843208193[/tweet]
Quote from: Valpo89 on May 31, 2023, 10:48:31 AM
Quote from: David81 on May 31, 2023, 10:45:44 AM
Diakite is pursuing the prep school route to develop his game, because he's already got that 3.7 gpa on the academic side. Very cool. In another year, VU MBB will be adding a true student-athlete to the roster.
Not necessarily. Stay tuned.
I just saw the odd comments. Is this recruit too good to be true?
Does anyone have a list of our "committed" roster players for this coming season? And also, do we still have offers out on which we have not received a final decision for this coming season?
Quote from: valpo64 on June 01, 2023, 02:23:55 PMDoes anyone have a list of our "committed" roster players for this coming season? And also, do we still have offers out on which we have not received a final decision for this coming season?
Try this link: [size=78%]Verbal Commits (https://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)[/size]
Thanks, VUBBfan.
Coach Powell has extended an offer to Davis Bynum, class of '24, a 6'8" forward from East St. Louis, Illinois:
Angelo Ciaravino, 6'6" guard in class of '24, has received an offer from Valpo:
[tweet]1670599127451803648[/tweet]
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1670529190423150592?s=20
Here's the Tweet that confirms Pal's previous post. The staff was busy at The Shootout. 6'8" from East St. Louis. Later got offers from SIU-E and EIU.
https://twitter.com/d1davvis/status/1670602289407578114?s=20
Our new coaching staff is totally transparent about what they're up to on the recruiting trail.
https://twitter.com/RVilleLivehoops/status/1672786754468814850?s=20
https://twitter.com/RVilleLivehoops/status/1669532510169051136?s=20
Jason Jakstys PF 6-10 185 3-star
https://247sports.com/player/jason-jakstys-46139009/
I believe he is a 25 and part of the recent surge in Valpo offers that are highlighted in the 2025 string and PO's Twitter. He is a rising junior, but his height/wt/* rating are important info.
The Romeoville, Appleton and Indianapolis recruiting trips this weekend are focused on 25s.
Quote from: VULB#62 on June 25, 2023, 09:37:49 PM
I believe he is a 25 and part of the recent surge in Valpo offers that are highlighted in the 2025 string and PO's Twitter. He is a rising junior, but his height/wt/* rating are important info.
The Romeoville, Appleton and Indianapolis recruiting trips this weekend are focused on 25s.
Pat Baldwin Sr. was at the Appleton event (as were my wife and I) on Saturday.
Quote from: VULB#62 on June 25, 2023, 09:37:49 PM
I believe he is a 25 and part of the recent surge in Valpo offers that are highlighted in the 2025 string and PO's Twitter. He is a rising junior, but his height/wt/* rating are important info.
The Romeoville, Appleton and Indianapolis recruiting trips this weekend are focused on 25s.
247 says he's a 2024.
https://247sports.com/player/jason-jakstys-46139009/
Quote from: wh on June 25, 2023, 11:13:46 PMJason Jakstys
Every site I went to said '24 including the guys twitter. He's got some P5 offers including Illinois. Probably a longshot for Valpo at this point
Another 3-star
https://twitter.com/J_Stanton21/status/1672074118760472577?s=20
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m_SKPJFJe4Y&feature=share
We have no scholarships available in 2024. I don't see transfer's happening like Lottich era. Ben Jacobsen had zero transfers.
Quote from: tiny707 on June 26, 2023, 07:34:31 AM
We have no scholarships available in 2024. I don't see transfer's happening like Lottich era. Ben Jacobsen had zero transfers.
:whiteflag: I'm confused. I've predicated my views and comments on this string (and those in the 25 string) based on the zero schollies available in 24 — as Tiny points out and TVB spreadsheet indicates. OK, I can maybe see one slot opening if, say, Connor intends to graduate and move on. But can someone explain why Roger and his staff would offer so many 24s when technically, right now, no slots are open. Does Roger anticipate an exodus (forced or for whatever motivation) after year one, and he's hedging this year's bets? Is he offering 24s now as possible insurance (i.e., transfers-in) for 25? Are there any other scenarios out there that can explain it? I need help getting my head around this.
PO: Can you help sort out the offers for us?
It certainly makes sense that Coach Powell was in Romeoville. He is from Juliet, you know. Ok, old joke from a guy who works much of the Chicago area.
As of right now, if we don't fill the last scholarship spot we have 2 for 24 with one already committed. It could be that knows more about Palm and Connors plans and knows they won't be around for their 5th year so he's planning on having 4 spots. Or he figures on transfers or he just wants to have Valpo's name out there connected to top recruits that he knows he isn't going to get. Offers only turn into spots if they commit before scholarships fill. It can also put some pressure on the kids to make a decision: you have a spot but I have two other guys who are interested and we are not going to wait forever.
Quote from: crusader05 on June 26, 2023, 12:45:49 PM
As of right now, if we don't fill the last scholarship spot we have 2 for 24 with one already committed. It could be that knows more about Palm and Connors plans and knows they won't be around for their 5th year so he's planning on having 4 spots. Or he figures on transfers or he just wants to have Valpo's name out there connected to top recruits that he knows he isn't going to get. Offers only turn into spots if they commit before scholarships fill. It can also put some pressure on the kids to make a decision: you have a spot but I have two other guys who are interested and we are not going to wait forever.
05, according to Paul's TVB spread there is only ONE spot open for 24-25 and that is already committed to McNair (IDK if there is a signed NLI though). But you could be correct on Connor and Jerome's future plans, so that's still three spots, though not four. And who knows who else might decide to leave after this coming season.
As an aside to this, in Paul's latest TVB release, he interviews the the three remaining holdovers — Connor, Jerome and Darius — and Connor mentions his desire to contribute to a championship, so he might stick around till he's out of eligibility at the end of 24-25.
Not uncommon for coaches to recruit over the players they have. Insurance. Likely going to be two, three transfers each year. That is probably the norm for most schools. Jacobson lost his best returning player Noah Carter to Mizzou last year. It happens. Agreed, too many transfers under Lottich. So far, it appears we are recruiting for his style of play as opposed to recruiting a good player and putting a square peg in a round hole. You could trust JFL, Kiser and Frazekas with that. The Outlier in one season
3-star players should not be out of reach. The Mountain West is recruiting 3-stars all day long, which explains why they were ranked 5th in conference NET and had 4 entries in the tournament. Meanwhile, the MVC finished 15th and had 1 low seed. At least for the moment we are very average mid-major conference with a lot of mouths to feed (think MAC 2.0).
Agree on the target-ability of 3* players for Roger. Once Valpo's style of play is documented by even just one season of game results and tape, Roger and his staff will go after "his type" of 3* player and I'll bet they'll land some — not just any 3*, they'll have to be his kind of kid.
Quote from: VULB#62 on June 26, 2023, 03:49:08 PM
Agree on the target-ability of 3* players for Roger. Once Valpo's style of play is documented by even just one season of game results and tape, Roger and his staff will go after "his type" of 3* player and I'll bet they'll land some — not just any 3*, they'll have to be his kind of kid.
Maximus Nelson was a Rivals 3-star. To your point, he would not have fit Roger's recruiting profile of fast, athletic players that thrive in the open court, put good shots up early in the clock, play very physically, etc. That said, Max is fine young man and a good bb player. I wish him the very best at Ft. Wayne.
WH, you're succinct characterization of the style we hope will come out of the Valpo locker room on game night is offensive — in a good way 😂.
Backstory: Since I was at Concordia Prep, Bronxville, NY, too many decades ago, defense was injected into my bloodstream from the start. I played LB/TE and captained a FB team that gave up 12 points in my entire senior season — that actually got me to Valpo, BTW. At Valpo, as a sophomore (freshmen were ineligible back then) I immediately started at RG/LB (two-way football back then and I had no way, at 6'1", playing over Sr. TE Bill Schade who went to the Cowboys rookie camp) because I could play D and I was a decent blocker. So......
Defense is the first thing I watch when I am at a game regardless if it is HS, college, pro, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, pickleball or whatever. The last seven years under Matt, was so frustrating, because in some games the kids wound up playing good defense; others, what's that? Tonight let's rebound; other nights, why should we do that?
I fervently hope that the speed and athleticism components equate not only to fast-paced scoring, but that those same qualities also equally translate into kick-butt rebounding and shut-the-door defense. Rim protection doesn't have to depend on just one guy (I love ya Vashil); it can be a team goal. And the paint can be made hell for anyone coming into the ARC.
My beliefs are simple.
If your athletic players hit their shots and play lock-down defense, they'll definitely win
If your athletic players hit their shots and play "just" adequate defense, they'll probably win.
If your athletic players have an off night shooting but still play lock-down defense, they'll probably win
If your athletic players have an off night shooting and play "just" adequate defense it's a 50/50 at best
And, of course....
If your athletic players have an off night shooting and don't play much defense it's a guaranteed L, unless you are playing Chicago State. Oops! Check that. Last season we proved that premise is no longer valid.
Quote from: VULB#62 on June 26, 2023, 06:12:31 PM
WH, you're succinct characterization of the style we hope will come out of the Valpo locker room on game night is offensive — in a good way 😂.
Backstory: Since I was at Concordia Prep, Bronxville, NY, too many decades ago, defense was injected into my bloodstream from the start. I played LB/TE and captained a FB team that gave up 12 points in my entire senior season — that actually got me to Valpo, BTW. At Valpo, as a sophomore (freshmen were ineligible back then) I immediately started at RG/LB (two-way football back then and I had no way, at 6'1", playing over Sr. TE Bill Schade who went to the Cowboys rookie camp) because I could play D and I was a decent blocker. So......
Defense is the first thing I watch when I am at a game regardless if it is HS, college, pro, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, pickleball or whatever. The last seven years under Matt, was so frustrating, because in some games the kids wound up playing good defense; others, what's that? Tonight let's rebound; other nights, why should we do that?
I fervently hope that the speed and athleticism components equate not only to fast-paced scoring, but that those same qualities also equally translate into kick-butt rebounding and shut-the-door defense. Rim protection doesn't have to depend on just one guy (I love ya Vashil); it can be a team goal. And the paint can be made hell for anyone coming into the ARC.
My beliefs are simple.
If your athletic players hit their shots and play lock-down defense, they'll definitely win
If your athletic players hit their shots and play "just" adequate defense, they'll probably win.
If your athletic players have an off night shooting but still play lock-down defense, they'll probably win
If your athletic players have an off night shooting and play "just" adequate defense it's a 50/50 at best
And, of course....
If your athletic players have an off night shooting and don't play much defense it's a guaranteed L, unless you are playing Chicago State. Oops! Check that. Last season we proved that premise is no longer valid.
A simple "Like" doesn't do this post justice. :thumbsup:
Here's another one. What's with the "after a great conversation" intro in the last bunch of offer Tweets? We're in with a bunch of other "after a great..." Tweets from Butler, NIU, Toledo, Cincy, ISUBlue, USI, IUPUI, Kent State, Indiana and Iowa - so far.
6'8", Crispus Attucks, Indianapolis, 2025
https://twitter.com/Dezmonbriscoe/status/1673498559344148487
You know we really do not know what type of team will be on the floor this coming season, or how the recruiting situation both in '23 and '24 will end up, roster makeup, or what kind of record the team will attain, but it sure is fun hearing all the hype, recruiting news, ARC renovation and in general ballooning enthusiasm for the MBB program, Coach Powell and Staff. In spite of all the uncertainties I am really looking forward to the coming season.
Great writeup about Sherman Weatherspoon signing: (love what he said about the coaching staff!)
https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2022-23/22166/sherman-weatherspoon-iv-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-program/?fbclid=IwAR0K-4XVjphdwCnOTdkye3ROo4z6z7dX9kwdgS8gpHR78-nos-C0QYCI21k
Ya know what's cool again? There is so much excitement and information and opinions getting out that we here on the forum are duplicate posting on numerous strings cuz ya can't keep track of everything anymore. Like old times! Woo hoo!
FYI, the impetus for this cheery post is that I posted the same thing under the 2023 recruiting string a couple of hours before (he'll be on the floor in November). And I fully agree with 72 about how 'the staff' was the key tipping point. And Spoon's dad is from Gary.
Valpo has offfered Jai Anthoni Bearden, a 6'7" forward from Arizona.
Jai Anthoni Bearden is a Scout 4-star. That's 8 open offers for 2024. :o
Valpo has offered Caleb Harrison, a 6'9" PF from Alabama
[tweet]1678578428205838338[/tweet]
I guess that Roger is getting the word out that Valpo is gonna punch above its weight class. Nuthin wrong with that.
But how does this work? If our 23 roster rolls over 100%, we have no slots. And it appears that Roger's initial strategy is to recruit (and hopefully retain) young players on the premise that other programs are relying on xfers to fill positions.
Yikes! For 23-24 we may put the youngest team in the MVC on the floor this season. We have 6 freshman (some preppies in there), 2 sophs, 2 juniors, and 2 seniors (both with a 5th year of eligibility) and one 24 commit.
Wouldn't it be wild if Powell can keep this nucleus together for 4 years?
This is gonna be a crazy ride.
Quote from: valpopal on July 13, 2023, 06:52:14 PM
Valpo has offered Caleb Harrison, a 6'9" PF from Alabama
[tweet]1678578428205838338[/tweet]
The picture makes him look taller than Chet Holmgren and Wemby.
Quote from: VULB#62 on July 13, 2023, 07:46:43 PM
But how does this work? If our 23 roster rolls over 100%, we have no slots. And it appears that Roger's initial strategy is to recruit (and hopefully retain) young players on the premise that other programs are relying on xfers to fill positions.
I wouldn't be too worried about it.
If Paul Oren can keep a simple spreadsheet (thanks Paul!) that shows the rosters by year, surely the coaching staff can do the same thing. The staff may have insight into the plans or injury status of some of the players, things that we the public would not know. In addition, it would be remarkable if in the days of a nearly wide-open transfer portal, every one of the incoming players stay for their second year. Some will figure out that they will get no playing time and transfer down, others may transfer up, and others a redshirt year. Trust the coaching staff!
One other piece is I can see Roger and staff having real direct and honest convos with these players about their likely playing time and supporting some transferring if they think they won't get the minutes or attention that they wanted. I also think another big part of the offers is a PR tactic to get Valpo's name out there in different areas and different clubs and with different higher level recruits to send a message.
MVC open offers, Class of 2024:
29 IN ST
27 IL ST
17 Murray
16 UIC
14 Bradley
13 Drake
9 SIU
9 Valpo
7 Belmont
6 UNI
1 MO ST
0 E'ville
Top D--1 program example:
30 Kansas
Obviously, it's a common strategy to offer many times more players than you have opportunities; in fact, so much so that I'm wondering why Missouri State and Evansville are lagging so far behind the rest of the pack.
But isn't there a dark side to extending lots of '24 offers when, in the end, only a couple of slots might open up, and, say, 10 kids have bought in and verbally committed? What do you say to the offered and verbally committed players you now don't need — sorry, we don't want you anymore? Or do you manage that at the pre-verbal level?
When its only one or two or even three, the PR fallout is manageable, but when the numbers grow and the scope is going national (which, apparently Roger is) there can be some bad tastes left in people's mouths that can come back to haunt.
Just wondering..........
There are two issues at work here.
First is the number of open scholarships in any year (or future years). The coaching staff knows or can estimate how many players they should expect to bring in.
Second, there are the number of open offers (see the post by wh). Typically, these offers are contingent and not open-ended. As an example, perhaps a team needs one and only one point guard. The staff evaluates and decides to make offers to three point guards, and once the first player accepts, the other two offers are no longer available. The conversation goes like this: "Player B, we really like your game. When we talked, we could see X minutes per game. Yet now that player A is committed, we just do not have the minutes available, and we are moving on with our scholarship offers because now our biggest need is a PF. However, I've heard that Coach Z at University Z is looking for a point guard. If you want, I'd be happy to make an introduction. Good luck as you continue your career, and keep in touch!" So, that is why sometimes the player accepts the offer shortly after it is made.
The reverse works as well - Player B might be grateful and blessed to get the offer from University A, yet is making an official visit to a dream school in a P5 conference next weekend. If Player B gets the P5 offer, University A is unlikely to to compete, and University A better have another player either on offer or in the wings.
It sounds like THIS is the Big Dance and the Final Four is just a national championship bb tournament. :rotfl:
Quote from: valpo95 on July 14, 2023, 01:34:43 PM
There are two issues at work here.
First is the number of open scholarships in any year (or future years). The coaching staff knows or can estimate how many players they should expect to bring in.
Second, there are the number of open offers (see the post by wh). Typically, these offers are contingent and not open-ended. As an example, perhaps a team needs one and only one point guard. The staff evaluates and decides to make offers to three point guards, and once the first player accepts, the other two offers are no longer available. The conversation goes like this: "Player B, we really like your game. When we talked, we could see X minutes per game. Yet now that player A is committed, we just do not have the minutes available, and we are moving on with our scholarship offers because now our biggest need is a PF. However, I've heard that Coach Z at University Z is looking for a point guard. If you want, I'd be happy to make an introduction. Good luck as you continue your career, and keep in touch!" So, that is why sometimes the player accepts the offer shortly after it is made.
The reverse works as well - Player B might be grateful and blessed to get the offer from University A, yet is making an official visit to a dream school in a P5 conference next weekend. If Player B gets the P5 offer, University A is unlikely to to compete, and University A better have another player either on offer or in the wings.
Thanks for the explanation. I see what you're saying that they have a pecking order that they follow. It must be the best way to go about things, but it seems so foreign to how I would recruit to fill a business need - contingent job offers to 30 candidates for 1 opening. I'm going to add this to my list of things I won't understand till I get to Heaven. lol
No surprise here:
[tweet]1683285181988503552[/tweet]
A wild game of poker played between a bunch of chess playing coaches, isn't it?
https://twitter.com/Angimac3/status/1721965414618460294
Is there a list of offers we have made for the 24-25 season along with the status of the offers? (signed, verbally committed, chances of signing with us)
https://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso
Quote from: vu84v2 on July 13, 2023, 08:04:24 PM
Quote from: valpopal on July 13, 2023, 06:52:14 PM
Valpo has offered Caleb Harrison, a 6'9" PF from Alabama
[tweet]1678578428205838338[/tweet]
The picture makes him look taller than Chet Holmgren and Wemby.
If he moves over to Brown Street in his later years instead of Beacon Hall do you think he will stay at Valpo?
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1722443370398617991
Quote from: wh on November 08, 2023, 09:24:05 PM
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1722443370398617991
Great news to nail down this signing!
VU's ability to sign, develop, and retain players like McNair is all on Coach Powell. I'm surmising that he's telling these young men something along the lines of...
Don't worry about VU's recent record or the comparatively so-so facilities. If you want a chance to start and perhaps even star on an NCAA tournament-caliber team, and get a good college education while you're at it, then join us.
Good Roger video clip.
https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1722461273298727282
Quote from: David81 on November 08, 2023, 10:36:50 PM
Quote from: wh on November 08, 2023, 09:24:05 PM
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1722443370398617991
Great news to nail down this signing!
VU's ability to sign, develop, and retain players like McNair is all on Coach Powell. I'm surmising that he's telling these young men something along the lines of...Don't worry about VU's recent record or the comparatively so-so facilities. If you want a chance to start and perhaps even star on an NCAA tournament-caliber team, and get a good college education while you're at it, then join us.
To your point, I agree that Roger's message transcends the glitz and glitter factor related to facilities. How many young highly athletic players wouldn't trade facilities for an opportunity to be part of Valpo's new racehorse style of basketball and learn from someone who helped Gonzaga knock on the door of a national championship using the same system.
Quote from: historyman on November 08, 2023, 06:24:18 PMIf he moves over to Brown Street in his later years instead of Beacon Hall do you think he will stay at Valpo?
You all know if Cooper moves to Brown Street he would be Brown Schwieger!
(https://media.tenor.com/4kaJlIM8-ZMAAAAC/waiting-simpsons.gif)
Time will tell on Rev's program building ability, but he absolutely nails the little things. Valpo has always had the fun little graphics for signees, but this video is really cool. Whole thing probably took 10-15 min to film, polish and post and this young man will remember it forever. More importantly, every recruit who follows him or Valpo Basketball on twitter will see it as well.
The enthusiastic, can-do confidence that radiates from Coach Powell is so darn palpable. I just feel like the guy is in his element, knowing that he can help to rebuild this program and that some really exciting, downright fun days are ahead.
Valpo just landed a commitment from a SG from Chicagoland. I want to emphasize how little info is out there about him for this modern era of High school basketball in Illinois. Could only find a few tweets and one video. Seems to be a lefty sharp shooter type. A Conor Barrett type with a little less height. 6'0" from what I saw online.
Really smooth and quick shoot stroke. Hopefully he's an undiscovered gem. Have to trust the coaches.
Looking forward to Paul's reporting. Hopefully he can shed some light and give some insight.
https://x.com/itsnicklombardi/status/1731822363279229265?s=46&t=cNk7taMAYtxNl1Q0_O79Gw
https://x.com/scottybscout/status/1525850375542145024?s=46&t=cNk7taMAYtxNl1Q0_O79Gw
Announcement says -> preferred WO.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 04, 2023, 09:19:40 PM
Announcement says -> preferred WO.
Well, could always be a (https://cdn.streamlinehosting.net/valpoathletics/2296DB7C-7AFF-4952-AA04-779E58F5EBCC/22644L.jpg)
type walk on.
Trying to think(https://positivelydecatur.com/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/06/Tile-Title-Historic-06a288ca.png)
Interesting how low he keeps his hands when shooting, but he has a quick release.
Quote from: valpotx on December 05, 2023, 03:23:12 AM
Interesting how low he keeps his hands when shooting, but he has a quick release.
Yeah, I noticed the same thing. Wondering if that would cause any issues shots getting blocked against longer and more athletic defenders.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 05, 2023, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: valpotx on December 05, 2023, 03:23:12 AM
Interesting how low he keeps his hands when shooting, but he has a quick release.
Yeah, I noticed the same thing. Wondering if that would cause any issues shots getting blocked against longer and more athletic defenders.
I thought the same when viewing the video, and I immediately remembered forum discussion questioning Rowdy's release point when we first saw a clip of him.
He'll never get that shot off with any regularity in the college game without a significant change to his release. Between the windup to release and the low release he's got no chance.
He's a 6 foot - all players 5-10 and above are "6'0'" - with a shot that needs to be corrected who plays on a bad team and doesn't seem to have a recruiting profile. I don't know if I've heard of a PWO in basketball before. Prior to this season Valpo brought in a football player as a walk on. So it seems it is a pretty open spot for anyone willing to put the time in.
Do we have any scholarships to offer? If we don't, could we offer anything more than PWO status to a recruit?
Preferred Walk-ons are common.. Caleb Furst, Purdue big man has a younger brother who is a preferred walk-on at Purdue. Why the younger brother accepted the offer of PWO I don't know. He has good size and I would think he would have had ample opportunities for scholarships, if not P-5 at least a mid-major ,NAIA, etc.
Quote from: humbleopinion on December 05, 2023, 02:56:51 PM
Do we have any scholarships to offer? If we don't, could we offer anything more than PWO status to a recruit?
I don't even think we technically have a spot for McNair, who already signed his NLI for us. Spots will open. Powell will sit down with some and have an honest conversation about their future on the team and people will transfer. Assuming Powell is able to keep the key guys together, I still think 3+ people transfer. I'd assume that with Manyang coming back he'll tell Palm he's better off transferring. Same with Connor since he can't stay healthy. Sepp might also be a candidate given that he hasn't really done anything and doesn't seem to be cracking the rotation. When he has, I haven't been impressed. I also think Weatherspoon might decide to with Stafford playing well and a "highly touted" pg/sg prospect in McNair coming in. I hope he doesn't, but it's certainly possibly.
We'll have scholarships to give out next year, and we'll likely lose at least one "key" piece. Nothing we can do about it, it's just the state of college basketball. I just hope it's not Schwieger or Edwards. It also opens the opportunity to plug in a good transfer if Powell thinks we are close to competing.
Quote from: vok22 on December 05, 2023, 03:24:08 PMI don't even think we technically have a spot for McNair
We currently have 12 scholarship players and three walk-ons. Teams are allowed 13 full scholarships.
Both John Kiser and Preston R were preferred walk ons at Valpo. It means that there is a wink and a nod that if the kid proves he play at this level and contribute and there is an open scholarship, they will earn a scholarship.
I honestly can't tell his skill level from one YouTube clip, but reading the tea leaves, it seems John and Preston had a higher ceiling.
Taking nothing away from the kid. He could be a good glue guy who could help the Team. They is no downside and only upside. He can push his teammates in practice. It's well known that preferred walk ons really get after it in practice. There are some great stories of Kiser really getting after it battling a senior Alec Peters in practice. Obviously he was out match defending AP but you can't teach effort & hustle from a kid who has a chip on his shoulder.
Quote from: vu72 on December 05, 2023, 03:56:13 PM
Quote from: vok22 on December 05, 2023, 03:24:08 PMI don't even think we technically have a spot for McNair
We currently have 12 scholarship players and three walk-ons. Teams are allowed 13 full scholarships.
He's 2024 recruit. We don't technically have any available 2024 scholarships.
I do wonder if this will be Conor Barrett's last season. He technically has additional year of eligibility, but he's going to graduate and the injuries have been significant.
The Lottich regime took a big risk with recruiting Conor because he had a well documented injury history in high school
If the right transfer fell our way for second semester it looks like it could still be done. Obviously for 24-25, McNair would then remain in and someone would need to go. We will likely lose one or more voluntarily but if not they are not renewed automatically from one season to the next. Roger had to throw this team together very quickly and in the process several Lottich players just stepped to the sidelines. I doubt that the same implied moral obligation that pressured Bryce not to bump still applies in the reshuffled world of every man for himself impulse transfers.
Right now we had one 2024 scholarship to give which McNair has as we have only 12 scholarship members currently with one left that was never filled(this is what I'm assuming is McNairs spot as I doubt we get a midseason transfer). Any further scholarships will be open due to transfers/not taking the extra year. I highly doubt Connor returns for a fifth year. I also doubt Edwards leaves because I believe he would have to sit a year(right?). Biggest transfer risks will be end of the bench(most likely Sepp) and if Cooper continues to grow and gets the big offers.
I feel bad saying this but I wouldn't mind if some of the Juniors (palm & conor) didn't take their final year of eligibility. We could really use those scholarships.
It's kind of morally questionable but coaches can revoke scholarships or highly encourage guys to transfer. There was a story about Bryce and Powell pushing to have Nick Davidson transfer back in the day. AP caught wind and was really pissed because Nick is one of his best friends.
Makes me wonder...
Quote from: VU2014 on December 06, 2023, 06:29:45 PMThere was a story about Bryce and Powell pushing to have Nick Davidson transfer back in the day.
Different era but if Roger had Nick on the bench tonight he might have played 25+ minutes. We were really, really bad for that first 25 minutes and Davidson would have been an improvement.
Technically Palm and Barrett are Seniors. I think you are hoping they don't use their Covid year. Lual injury hurting us. Big men killing us. Older players are bulked up and physical.