Recruiting: 2017

valpo64 · January 23, 2017, 11:34:58 AM

There are always many more outstanding guards available than real good big men. Let's get the good big guys if and when available.

VU2014 · January 23, 2017, 11:59:50 AM

QuoteThere are always many more outstanding guards available than real good big men. Let's get the good big guys if and when available.

Agreed.

If you look on verbal commits, most of the outstanding offers past this season are guards. Sasha is the main priority recruit for the rest of this class maybe other then a possible future offer to Taylor Bruninga. Then in the 2018 recruiting class Walter Ellis is a high priotity. Walter Ellis is a stud from everything I've heard and scene. He's going to get more offers in the coming spring/summer/next fall. The offers are us, Cal-Berkley (which has too many guards already 3 in the 2017 class alone), Indiana State, IUPUI and Ball State. Also Deavion Washington in 2018 class. Also Alex Hemenway in the 2019 class, which I heard from a friend who thinks he's going to get BigTen offers in the future (the kid can shoot the lights out of the gym).

vufan75 · January 23, 2017, 11:12:16 PM

Couple tweets about Taylor Bruninga recruiting status from his AAU Illinois Irish coach I believe, Gavin Sullivan. Alec Peters AAU team. List of suitors growing.

"Vanderbilt is the latest school to inquire about 2017 F 6'9 @tbruninga32 #IrishFam🍀🏀"

"Taylor Bruninga Update- Illinois State, EIU, WIU, Northwestern, Rice, Valparaiso and Nevada involved in his recruitment! Keep going, Taylor https://t.co/Pzeauj3TL9"

VU2014 · January 25, 2017, 03:30:11 PM

FieldGoodie05 · January 29, 2017, 09:05:06 AM

Dang, another spot opens up at Purdue. Makes me lose confidence that Sasha makes the right move. I was once a high school senior choosing scholarship offers vs going the academic direction and playing D1 sports non scholarship with more playing time.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ChrisForman12/status/825694330975297536/photo/1

VU2014 · January 30, 2017, 06:12:40 PM

https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/826205320263380992

Ok now I really want the Valpo coaches to make a full court press for Taylor Bruninga. UNI another one of the top mid-major programs in the nation.

UNI is also one of Sasha Stefanovic's final 4 teams.

bbtds · January 30, 2017, 10:39:47 PM

I also found out from a friend of mine in Peoria that Taylor Bruninga is a member of a Lutheran Church. His mother, Kindra Bruninga, is a fairly well known real estate agent for Re-Max in their Peoria office.

http://www.remax.com/realestateagentoffice/peoria-il-61603-kindrabruninga-id28600198.html

https://www.facebook.com/Kindra-Bruninga-Real-Estate-Broker-REMAX-Traders-Unlimited-435591293272221/

http://stjohnbville.com/

https://twitter.com/kmb071970

https://twitter.com/tbruninga32?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/taylor.bruninga

Correction: My friend from Peoria has now texted that he was wrong and that Taylor is a member of St John Lutheran Church in Bartonville (ELCA) and not St John's in Pekin. Taylor played Little League baseball in Pekin.

bbtds · January 30, 2017, 11:03:09 PM

This is really incredible about Taylor Bruninga's growth spurt. Here he is with his sister in Feb. 2013.

https://scontent.ford1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/382333_427983947285666_1359730389_n.jpg?oh=2ecf146f6fec2cc4ffabf969c4717efc&oe=59466252

About 3.5 years later he is 6'9". Here he is with his mom and dad as homecoming king at Illini Bluffs.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtuqiH4W8AALmFA.jpg

bbtds · January 31, 2017, 01:09:31 AM

Aaron Ferguson
‏@Sports_Aaron

Illini Bluffs coach Clay Vass tells me that Taylor Bruninga @tbruninga32 is visiting Valparaiso today. They've been hot on him. #pjspreps
RETWEETS
7
LIKES
11

1:30 PM - 22 Jan 2017

FieldGoodie05 · January 31, 2017, 06:28:31 AM

Quote from: bbtds on January 30, 2017, 10:39:47 PM
I also found out from a friend of mine in Peoria that Taylor Bruninga is a member of a Lutheran Church. His mother, Kindra Bruninga, is a fairly well known real estate agent for Re-Max in their Peoria office.

http://www.remax.com/realestateagentoffice/peoria-il-61603-kindrabruninga-id28600198.html

https://www.facebook.com/Kindra-Bruninga-Real-Estate-Broker-REMAX-Traders-Unlimited-435591293272221/

http://stjohnbville.com/

https://twitter.com/kmb071970

https://twitter.com/tbruninga32?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/taylor.bruninga

Correction: My friend from Peoria has now texted that he was wrong and that Taylor is a member of St John Lutheran Church in Bartonville (ELCA) and not St John's in Pekin. Taylor played Little League baseball in Pekin.

I could be a little to anxious, but isn't it a bad sign we haven't officially offered yet? Makes me think we aren't interested. I know some said relationship building AND THEN OFFER. But is anyone else thinking we aren't offering him at all.

NativeCheesehead · January 31, 2017, 07:15:40 AM

Anyone else slightly uncomfortable with twitter accounts of grown men that do nothing but tout the basketball skills and athleticism of 14-18 year olds?

oklahomamick · January 31, 2017, 07:24:01 AM

I understand northern Iowa has had succes as of late (not this year) play in the mvc and probably decent facilities.

However the post men who have played at valpo have a proven record of getting better. And one going to be drafted in the first round. If I was Taylor that would be at the forefront of my decision.

dont forget the valpo basketball program helped with debri and cleanup efforts after a tornado hit Taylor's area. Taylor's family was sitting with Alec's family at the uic game. Alec's personal testimony should be a good resource when Taylor makes valpo his choice.

M · January 31, 2017, 08:23:10 AM

How many scholarships do we have left to offer? Could be we know if we offer him he is going to accept, but if we only have one or two left to give maybe there are higher priority guys we are waiting for.

vufan75 · January 31, 2017, 08:54:54 AM

Seems too logical to not have offered already. Lutheran kid from Midwest and near where Alec is from. Plays on same AAU team Alec did. Why wouldn't we offer. We need forwards to replace Alec, Shane, Jubril. Playing time if kids are ready s/b abundant.

We missed once b4 on a Lutheran kid (if I remember right) by name of Gordon Hayward. Maybe there are higher priority targets, hard to say y/n on that. But this young man seems to be able to score. Maybe defense, length, or quickness are issues Valpo coaches want to see more of?

VU2014 · January 31, 2017, 08:56:34 AM

We have 3 available scholarships for next season.

With 4 outstanding offers:
-Sasha Stefanovic (SG)
-Greg Elliot (SG) - I haven't heard any buzz of having a shot and hot he's getting offers from the likes of Marquette and Michigan State now. Scratch him off the list most likely.
-Axel Okongo (C) - Another Canadian but a big man and was offered before the Jay signed with us last year. I'm thinking we may rescinded that offer. I have heard absolutely zero about him.

Possible Offers:
-Taylor Bruninga (F)

Kiser may snag one of the scholarships. May also keep scholarship open for potential transfers.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a scholarship open during next season, so we could potentially snag a midseason transfer. One of the main reasons SMU transfer Tom Wilson chose Boise State over us was because they had a scholarship for him so he could enroll in classes immediately in the spring semester.

FWalum · January 31, 2017, 10:02:33 AM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 31, 2017, 06:28:31 AMI could be a little to anxious, but isn't it a bad sign we haven't officially offered yet? Makes me think we aren't interested. I know some said relationship building AND THEN OFFER. But is anyone else thinking we aren't offering him at all.

Recruiting is not an easy job, the staff will see literally 1000's of players and have to evaluate the situation for the needs of the team and the young men available to fill those needs. We have at least two coaches that have played college ball at the highest level and also played professionally at a very high level, they should know what they are looking for in a player to fit our team. This is their first recruiting class, I wouldn't get my undies in a twist if their ideas on which players get offers don't match those of a bunch of alums and fans on a message board.

wh · January 31, 2017, 11:05:09 AM

Quote from: FWalum on January 31, 2017, 10:02:33 AM
This is their first recruiting class, I wouldn't get my undies in a twist if their ideas on which players get offers don't match those of a bunch of alums and fans on a message board.

Good advice. We shouldn't expect them to be as knowledgeable as we are at this stage in their careers.

FWalum · January 31, 2017, 11:14:41 AM

Quote from: wh on January 31, 2017, 11:05:09 AM
Quote from: FWalum on January 31, 2017, 10:02:33 AM
This is their first recruiting class, I wouldn't get my undies in a twist if their ideas on which players get offers don't match those of a bunch of alums and fans on a message board.

Good advice. We shouldn't expect them to be as knowledgeable as we are at this stage in their careers.

Great take.

VU2014 · January 31, 2017, 12:18:28 PM

https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/826480121141981185

Visiting Vandy...

FieldGoodie05 · January 31, 2017, 05:51:50 PM

On topic, sort of. Just peaked at Brachen Hazen's progress at Arkansas and see less playing time than Davidson.

Anyone know much about the Hazen brothers? Any chance we see him transfer? Would that be a positive, talent wise?

Also, haven't heard a lick about Parker Hazen. Any updates?

FieldGoodie05 · January 31, 2017, 07:18:52 PM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 31, 2017, 05:51:50 PM
On topic, sort of. Just peaked at Brachen Hazen's progress at Arkansas and see less playing time than Davidson.

Anyone know much about the Hazen brothers? Any chance we see him transfer? Would that be a positive, talent wise?

Also, haven't heard a lick about Parker Hazen. Any updates?

https://www.google.com/amp/www.teamspeedkills.com/platform/amp/2016/8/3/12358210/better-know-a-freshman-brachen-hazen-arkansas-razorbacks?client=safari

This is an article before the season, but telling. Based on Verbal Commits he has strong competition from on roster Juniors (2) and then some solid recruits in 2017 signed and 2018.

Be fun to see them both on the same line at VU.

FWalum · February 01, 2017, 10:37:27 AM

Mid Season highlights for Parker Hazen posted on Hudl 1/25/2017 http://www.hudl.com/v/1GxTia We have seen some of this already in previous posted videos.

Full Game Columbia City at Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrAcyOXyw8A You can see why Hazen has probably not put up the numbers he did last year when playing with his brother. As the PBP guy says early in the video, Columbia City has a new coach and only one other player besides Hazen with varsity experience.

Subscribe to Summit City Sports to see ALL of the Fort Wayne area teams full game videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SummitCitySports/videos Check out games by Snider (Malik Williams = Louisville) and North Side (Jaylen Butz = DePaul and Keion Brooks one of the top sophomores in the country)

M · February 02, 2017, 08:07:06 PM

Painter was in to see Sasha again tonight.

VU2014 · February 02, 2017, 08:31:54 PM

QuotePainter was in to see Sasha again tonight.

Makes me nervous. Painter has seen him quite a bit.

They just a had small forward Basil Smotherman transfer midseason. They still don't have a scholarship open for next season yet, but you can almost bet that their star Caleb Swanigan the Sophomore Center is going to leave for the NBA in the offseason. So if Swanigan leaves they then have one scholarship open up.

They might have another guy transfer so you never know.

VU2014 · February 02, 2017, 11:14:56 PM

Semi Sasha Stefanovic Update.

I guess Purdue's head coach Matt Painter maybe trying to convince Sasha Stefanovic to go to Prep School for a year and then they'd possibly offer.

https://twitter.com/JP8185/status/827323761665986560
https://twitter.com/flinton_william/status/827374387166867456
https://twitter.com/JP8185/status/827378695635492864
https://twitter.com/Boilerfjs/status/827378428198260736
https://twitter.com/JP8185/status/827379257726754817

At Valpo he'd get the opportunity to play and develop right away for one of the top Mid Major Programs in the Nation. He has the chance to be THE GUY at Valpo down the road. I'm totally biased in wanting him to play for Valpo but even I step back and take off my Valpo blinders, I still think its a great opportunity at Valpo.