Messages

Javon Freeman-Liberty playing for da Bulls Summer League team this week.  Some games on NBA.TV

Peter Funk, congrats on moving down to Evansville to continue his coaching career.

Maybe presumed, but for those who may not be familiar

Kendall Gill — Illinois, FF 1989 (teammate Marcus Liberty)

Roger Powell — Illinois, FF 2005

Chef - thanks for the note. Sorry to hear. Peace to the family.

So, sell some paintings for the Strongbow property.  Seems like a turkey of a deal.  (Sorry, too soon)?

Others

Jayson Hawkins - Trinity
Chris Ensminger — Germany
Rex Walters - Charlotte NBA asst, USF and FAU
Ivan Vujic - Marshall and other stops
Lubos Barton - Europe

Ranking the Tourney coaches as "players" -- Bryce in at 6 and Scott in at 66.  I might have Bryce ahead of Tony Bennett (5), having watched both careers, and although their careers were very similar, including playing for the original Charlotte Hornets.  Bennet could croon a bit better than Bryce though .... Also interesting -- how many Duke and Indiana players in the top 10.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35761259/ranking-2023-ncaa-tournament-men-basketball-coaches-players

The Bowling Green job is also open, and that's very near where Jake played HS.  Will be interesting to see if there is mutual interest there. 

FYI from the 15 year anniversary of the Shot. 

https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/3/19/4119040/march-madness-valparaiso-ole-miss-buzzer-beater-history

Guess it's time for me to weigh in on this discussion as someone who has been around the board/forum since Dick Harlan started this.  I have attended games around the country, been close to the program and a contributor to the major ARC renovations since the 1980s.   I know many of you all personally, and the past five years of Valpo have been extremely disappointing and disheartening.  The basketball program and it's deteriorating state is just a microcosm of the University's overall deterioration.

I gave up on this season for a number of reasons, including apathy to the new "Beacon" University.  The primary reason was my disgust after watching in person the Toledo game.  I drove over to it because I know many of the coaches and wanted to say hey to them and to Todd.  (Had never been to Toledo's facility and wanted to add it to I believe the 12th arena in Ohio I've watched college basketball games).  While watching that terrible display of basketball, I determined that this squad is not nearly talented enough or coachable enough or is there enough good coaches on staff to save the season or Matt's job.  AD Small was at that game, and he is a nice person, but as discussed below, a new or renovated facility is not going to save the program.  As I watched, what was apparent (and in some discussions with some fans), is that before we do a coaching search, there needs to be a complete (in writing) assessment of what the expectations of the program are and how we would get there.  Matt Lottich is not the only issue.  Below are the areas that must be addressed before March/April.

1.  Coaching — what type of coach can establish and build a program.  There needs to be a high energy, youthful coach from a lesser conference or assistant from a big program (Jake Diebler is an example of the type, Pat Kelseyis a non-VU who also fits that model). And no, some coaching retread is not the answer, didn't work with Tubby Smith, the coach at Cleveland State, Wake Forest (2x), or many other examples.). But, the assessment has to analyze what is the cost, how to fund, responsibilities, goals, program type.

2. Assistant coaches — under the Drew Dynasty, the quality of assistants was very high.  We had creative minds and people who might only be here a couple years but were contributors.  Part of it was the continuity of having the Drews on staff, too. But their were consistent offense and defensive schemes were that were tweaked year to year.  HCs fought for better salaries to attract and retain.  There has to be a review of insuring successor candidates and retention of assistants, plus sufficient committed funding. An interim coach is a terrible idea for this year as there is no one on staff that could be expected to change things enough at this point to be meaningful.  The year's a disaster, just play out the string. 

3. Players — the MVC is not the Mid-Con or the Horizon, it is a major step up, and we are in it.  We need players who want to prove themselves as a team.  The landscape has changed and lots of programs are struggling with the new models.  NIL is a critical element, transfers are the norm, 4 year players at one school are shrinking.  The University needs to understand this, and it needs to hire a coach who knows this new market and has shown success with constantly evolving rosters.  What does this University want in players? What coach will be good it's this model.  The current rosters talent level is not good.  It hasn't been for a few years now.  They can't shoot.  This is a fundamental flaw.  One thing that was constant for decades was a roster with players who could knock down open Js.  When a shot went up, you expected it to go in.  Today, not one player instills confidence.  I'd rather have the teams from 1992-1994 than this group.   

4. Facility — there should be no discussion of facility until the program is defined and established.  This isn't a build it and they will come situation.  There are tweaked to the facility that could be done to look like some of the nice mid-majors.  Toledo's has a nice "club" room looking over the floor. Davidson's is similar.  But Toledo's was no special place.  The investments need to be in a coach, assistants and NIl, not a building.  There also needs to be a realistic review of community involvement in this.  COVID taught us to be extremely cautious with facilities that can become drags on a university if not optimally used (see CSUs facility).  Is building or massively renovating ARC really going to change the attendance if the other areas aren't fixed first.  BTW, Toledos attendance was miserable for the game and they have a good team and purportedly a better facility.

5. Landscape — NIL is the most important thing in college sports today.  How do we fund a this for the athletes? What is our program to help find and raise the dollars.  Ho in the department is in charge of this? Again, investing here is more important than the facility.  Transfers as mentioned is another evaluation point. Are we going to focus on less stars and more years, or less years and more stars, with a coach who can handle that type of roster.

There may be other topics for that evaluation, but for "the school that shall not be named" if this assessment isn't done first, and then a coaching search that relies on a model, then the 40 year wilderness will begin again.  Frankly, I'm apathetic on this and the school because Padilla and Small have shown nothing to build confidence or build and repair relationships with the many critical alumni and supporters of both the "STSNBN" and its basketball program. 

Peace and Merry Christmas to the friends and others on the Forum.  Good luck to Matt and his staff on their futures.

JT Shumate of Toledo started his career at Walsh.  As a trivia question, which former Valpo player transferred to Walsh after a couple years at Valpo. 

Humbleopinion

Purdue is currently looking for the following position

Director Of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Engagement – Purdue University - Purdue

Position Overview:  Purdue University Athletics Department is looking for a dynamic and passionate leader for the newly created, Director, NIL Engagement.  This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with Purdue Athletics leadership on all NIL related topics.  In addition, they will build relationships with business leaders, corporate partners, donors, and all external constituents interested in NIL opportunities. 

I find it interesting that the best teams may look to refine their roster with transfers, not turn their roster over dramatically. Two data points are Kansas and North Carolina. North Carolina had two high profile transfers come in - Manek (who starts and plays big minutes) and Garcia (who has been on leave since January). Kansas has two transfers (Coleman-Lands and Yesufu) who play minimally. The core for both teams is comprised of players who have been at their school for at least two years.

Point of reference, Remy Martin was a super-senior transfer to Kansas from ASU.  He has been their tempo difference-maker since the Big 8 err 12 Conference Tourney. 

Bryce Drew with some insightful comments about Darius Garland, former Gary resident, son of Winston, and former Valpo hoops camper, and soon to be all-star. 

https://uproxx.com/dimemag/darius-garland-cleveland-cavaliers-feature-profile-playoffs-dime-cover/?fbclid=IwAR261oW97JqFtGhARhQ3psLrP1fVKrPTpD0UFWfY8U0S4mBYp0slBCCVpdA

FYI

Akron to close its Confucius Institute.

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/11/08/university-akron-close-its-confucius-institute-next-year-chinese-government-academic-freedom/6339865001/?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20211109&utm_content=article2-readmore

Speaking of schedules, Crain's Cleveland Business reported today that former Horizon League foe "Cleveland State's marquee road games will bring in sizable guarantees. The Vikings' men's basketball program will play at BYU, Oklahoma State, Duke and Kent State this season. The four contests will generate a revenue total that is similar to the $325,000 that Cleveland State received for its nonconference slate in 2019-20."

Suni Lee, the Olympic Gold Medalist in All-Around Gymnastics will be a major beneficiary of the new NIL rules.  Before, she would not have been able to participate in gymnastics in college if she chose to do DWTS, a national tour or Subway ads.  Now, she can participate in those activities and may be able to perform in Simone Biles gymnastics tour (which will need some other headliners), and she can still compete at Auburn, where she had committed and plans to attend for her freshperson year this Fall.  The schools will need to determine how to balance the athletes travel and competition schedules.  The same will be true for those college swimmers who competed in the Olympics -- TYR deals for all of them.  From that perspective, that's a positive of the NIL rules.

Obviously the tape is a couple years ago. But a few quick observations, as said seems to have good hands, good body control for a 7', meaning he knows where he is in space and moves effortlessly to ball (fluidity). He was very muscular for a HS player, expect even more development with 2 years in B1G program.  Has a nice wing span--long reach to certain rebounds. Completes dunks (limited set but assertive--go strong to rack). Moves well without the ball, the pick-n-roll seemed natural (not everyone knows how to roll) and he caught a low ball pass (again not natural).  Was present in rebounding weakside (couple examples on tape). There are bigs who don't do this (e.g. Smits). Showed quickness in keeping up on defense and making the play without fouling (now there could be 20 examples we aren't seeing where he fouls or the player scores).  Areas for improvement (and would be good to see some Wisky practice tape to see if they worked on them)--(i) brings the ball down too low, the smurfs will attack it or block the put back, we didn't see much shooting from 8-10 foot area (made one from 8 and form looked good), his release angle is too flat away from basket (the little hook and the jumper right side of lane) (can get away with it because playing against shorter players).  Coming in his skill level is way above most bigs we have had in past 25 years.  He is at or above Smits (before 2 yrs at Wisky) coming in, Bouchie had some of these innate skills. Vashii, Ensminger, Gomes all were projects coming in.  He seems more natural than Antii coming in.  Maybe closest to Raitis, who was extremely polished coming in.  KVW is another comparison, although he had some stiffness.  Will be interesting to see how he has developed at UW and how the above actually translates into real action.  For now, they're video clips.

Good article in WSJ today about transfers.  Some good stats. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ncaa-college-basketball-transfer-portal-11618246228?st=b3e135ewet18tdk&reflink=article_email_share

Also, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, former NBA player, had some interesting comments about the role of parents in today's athletics and how it relates to some of the comments above and transfers, on his twitter April 10 (@TeamRHJAZ). 

05, I was throwing out something that came to me (I'm an idea guy -- tuna, mayo in some container) and clearly thinking more about players moving up, but you're and humble's comments and condition does balance it out -- if the other school refuses the invite for the game, or makes it impossible to schedule, then the "transfer fee" is waived.  The idea was to compensate the mid-majors for the development work and to improve scheduling for those schools, but it would work the other way. The big schools can also just say thanks for the player and here's your check (somewhat like a waiver wire claim in MLB or when MLB teams sign Japanese baseball league players). Also, if we're going to cover more situations, then grad transfers would be exempt from the "transfer fee." 

BTW, academic research article on transfers my son sent to me yesterday -- http://csri-jiia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/RA_2021_09.pdf

I know it will never be done, but a D1 school that signs a transfer from another D1 school should have to add that school to their schedule within 2 years or have to pay a "transfer fee" of $100,000 (cost of 2 years scholarship at most colleges). 

Guards Pre Lottich

Ben Boggs (transferred in)
Jay Harris  (Transferred out)
Matt Kenney
Eric Buggs
Will Bogan (transferred in)
Keith Carter (transferred in)
E. Victor (transferred in)
Lexus Williams - transferred
Tevonn Walker
Darien Walker

Guards Lottich Era
Micah Bradford - transferred
Bakari Evelyn - transferred (after transferring in)
Marcus Golder - transferred (after transferring in)
Joe Burton - Kicked out (after transferring in)
Deion Lavender (transferred in)
Daniel Sackey - transferred
Eron Gordon (transferred in)
Nick Robinson - transferred (after transferring in)
Javon Liberty-Freeman - transferred 2x 
Sheldon Edwards
Zion Morgan (transferred in)

Added some other information relating to the players.  Not sure what the point was or how to react to this information other than "guards are fungible and highly transitory." Also, wasn't there a Darien Walker, pre-Lottich who stayed all 4.  And how far back "pre"?  For example, was David

Drew is a good program succession candidate. He comes from a coaching linage. His brother is a Chicago Bull.  He was a GA at Michigan State.  Should they have interviewed and/or sought a current HC or big program assistant?  Don't know.  Roger Powell would have been an excellent choice to interview (and probably for the program).  He should have been a candidate for DePaul and for Loyola.  Maybe he's Mark Few's succession candidate?  Anyway, the MVC is wide open.  Based on this hire, would not think they are moving conferences either.  And, 64, based on your comments, it may be designed to try to have Krutwig and Williamson run it back next year.  Unlike Lottich, Drew doesn't get an Alec Peters.  But, after a couple CVD years, Loyola will save some $$ on coaches' salaries for a couple years.

Former Oakland player, and current Loyola assistant Drew Valentine to become Loyola HC.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/gonzaga-is-a-win-away-from-undefeated-immortality-but-already-deserves-to-be-placed-among-the-greatest-teams/

Still #7

Starting a thread for the Tourney and our new BFFs Loyola and Drake.  Good news for Loyola overnight as Moses Wright, ACC POY, will not be available for the Loyola game.  Should help open up the middle for Krutwig.  Big impact to my NCAA Players Draft, too.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936821-georgia-techs-moses-wright-out-for-1st-2nd-round-games-of-2021-ncaa-tournament