According to VerbalCommits, the only extant offer at this point is
Erick Locke.
(http://oakpark.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=G7RRqyzKeMGrH8iy_2_6dM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYtoiutNO0lb9CmVzsGqa9o6WCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)
6'0, 180 lb PG from Oak Park (transferred for jr & sr seasons after 2 years at Brooks College Prep.)
Lost to perennial power Proviso East 67-48 in the Schaumburg sectional final. Scored 15 in the semi to get them there, Oak Park's first sectional final in 20 years, then added a game-high 21 in the final, 5 boards and 6 steals. 16 of the 21 were in the 2nd half, so you could take it either way: "still a battler" or "just an opportunist".
Jr year honors: All-conference; honorable mention All-State.
From Brad Spencer, sports editor at OakPark.com:
QuoteIncoming junior transfer Erick Locke, a 6-foot guard who played at Brooks College Prep in Chicago under his father, Bobby, last season, already has several Division I offers on the table, including from Valparaiso, UIC, and Chicago State. Other schools that have shown interest in Locke are Santa Clara, Western Michigan, Northern Illinois and Wright State.
Add Tulsa and every other DI Chicago school to that interest list (DePaul, Loyola, etc. Bradley too)
On the transfer:
QuoteLast month [May 2012], Bobby Locke was fired from the head coaching position at Brooks, and the Chicago Tribune recently reported it was due to residency issues that involved his son. The Lockes apparently live in Oak Park, but listed the Chicago address of a relative so Erick could be eligible to attend Brooks, according to the Tribune report.
...so...how many people LIVE in Oak Park but
lie fabricate addresses & the truth to attend school in Chicago? Isn't that supposed to be happening the other way around?
Freshman year stats (all I could find, and that's just for 7 games!): 24.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.9 rpg, 3.4 spg
Highlight tape:
Class Of 2014 Erick Locke Is About That Life! One Of Top Scorers In The Country! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ljjNYMmFY#ws)
Basically an LVD Jr, from 'the City', to the build, to the game. It will be interesting to see whether the (assumed) emergence of Keith Carter (and Lexus Williams) deter him at all; then again, speaking of LVD, perhaps he ends up as an offense-creator rather than initiator (note the ability to draw contact and finish in the video above), and so finally like LVD ends up a Vinnie Johnson-style 2 rather than a Chauncey Billups-style 1.
Indiana Class of 2014: w/Interest in VU
http://indianarecruitingguide.com/prospect-rankings/class-of-2014/ (http://indianarecruitingguide.com/prospect-rankings/class-of-2014/)
8. Mack Mercer: 6'8" Power Forward, Plymouth H.S.
Offers: Indiana State, Ball State, Kent State, Vermont, Rice, Boston College
Interest: Notre Dame, Butler, Harvard, Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Miami Ohio, IUPUI, Illinois State, Xavier, Valparaiso
Has a nice variety of offensive skills, he can score down low and can shoot the 3-pointer well. Mack has very good post moves including a quick spin move to the baseline and a really nice baby hook on his left side. He is really good in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations. For a big man he has great skills. Only negative that I see is that he isn't the quickest guy, some of his post moves take a little bit to develop. Mack continues to move up the rankings, and he may not be done yet.
9. Sean Sellers: 6'6" Small Forward, Greensburg H.S.
Offers: IUPUI
Interest: Harvard, Eastern Kentucky, Belmont, Wright State, William & Mary, Valparaiso, Stanford, Ball State, Morehead State, Michigan, Butler, Dayton, Indiana State, Evansville, Xavier, Wichita State
Very good all-around offensive player. Good size for a wing player and is one of the best shooters in the state. Rebounds pretty well, but will need to pack on some muscle to get better in that aspect of his game. Sean is just an all-around scorer on the offensive end. I have been impressed with the way he has handled the ball recently, got to the rim off the dribble quite a bit. He is also a capable defender.
15. Justin King: 6'5" Small Forward, Bowman Academy
Offers: Northern Illinois
Interest: Marquette, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, Ball State, Valparaiso, IUPUI
Very athletic, runs the court well and finds ways to score. King isn't the greatest shooter, but he can hit some mid-range shots and gets some "garbage" points as well. Rebounds the basketball well and does a nice job of securing the ball, then looking to make the outlet pass. With Bowman graduating 3 Division I prospects last season, look for Justin to take advantage of being "the guy" this year.
28. Grant Sims: 6'2" Point Guard, Bloomington North H.S.
Offers: Miami (OH), Portland, Kennesaw State
Interest: Xavier, Butler, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Toledo, Eastern Kentucky, DePaul
Grant is a great athlete with explosive jumping ability. He is very good at attacking the rim off the dribble, an aggressive offensive player. He also shoots the ball well from the perimeter. Grant can play either the point or off the ball at the next level in my opinion.
29. Tye Wilburn: 5'10" Point Guard, Lake Central H.S.
Offers: IPFW
Interest: Ball State, Northwestern, Vaplarasio (sick), Indiana State, DePaul, Central Michigan, Detroit
Tye is an extremely quick point guard who can break a defense down off the dribble. He is pretty strong for his size, making up for what he lacks in height. His perimeter shot has been improving. Great passer.
32. Aaron Korn: 6'4" Shooting Guard, Frankton H.S.
Offers: Miami (OH), Rollins (DII), Hillsdale (DII), St. Francis (NAIA), Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA)
Interest: IPFW, Iowa, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Ball State, Wright State, Mercer, Wisconsin, Stetson, William & Mary
I really enjoy watching Aaron play. He has great body control around the rim and does a good job of penetrating off the dribble. Aaron shoots it well from the perimeter too. He seems to just have a knack for scoring the ball. Also he is a very good rebounder for his size. He is a very underrated athlete, Aaron can jump out of the gym.
34. Saikou Jallow: 6'3" Point Guard, Bloomington North H.S.
Offers:
Interest: Indiana State, Toledo, Valparaiso, Miami OH, Arizona State, Virginia, IUPUI
Good athlete who is very poised when running the fast break. Saikou is a pretty good shooter, but needs to keep working on his perimeter game. I like the way he can penetrate a defense. All-around good ball handler and decision maker. Saikou has good size for point guard too. I really like his game.
36. Jacob Johnson: 6'6" Small Forward, Mooresville H.S.
Offers: Northern Colorado
Interest: Purdue, Xavier, Evansville, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Dayton, Butler, Nebraska, Loyola, Dartmouth
Jacob is a great athlete and can jump out of the gym. He is good at getting to the rim off the dribble from the wing or baseline. He can hit an open 3-point shot too. Really needs to work on handling the ball with his right hand.
-----
That last sentence was not one I expected to read in a Top-50 list.
I only know the 2 local guys so I can comment on them.
King would be awesome. I think he's the goods.
As an LC grad I would love to see Tye Wilburn come to Valpo.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 17, 2013, 09:45:13 PM
Indiana Class of 2014: w/Interest in VU
http://indianarecruitingguide.com/prospect-rankings/class-of-2014/ (http://indianarecruitingguide.com/prospect-rankings/class-of-2014/)
8. Mack Mercer: 6'8" Power Forward, Plymouth H.S.
Offers: Indiana State, Ball State, Kent State, Vermont, Rice, Boston College
Interest: Notre Dame, Butler, Harvard, Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Miami Ohio, IUPUI, Illinois State, Xavier, Valparaiso
Has a nice variety of offensive skills, he can score down low and can shoot the 3-pointer well. Mack has very good post moves including a quick spin move to the baseline and a really nice baby hook on his left side. He is really good in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations. For a big man he has great skills. Only negative that I see is that he isn't the quickest guy, some of his post moves take a little bit to develop. Mack continues to move up the rankings, and he may not be done yet.
9. Sean Sellers: 6'6" Small Forward, Greensburg H.S.
Offers: IUPUI
Interest: Harvard, Eastern Kentucky, Belmont, Wright State, William & Mary, Valparaiso, Stanford, Ball State, Morehead State, Michigan, Butler, Dayton, Indiana State, Evansville, Xavier, Wichita State
Very good all-around offensive player. Good size for a wing player and is one of the best shooters in the state. Rebounds pretty well, but will need to pack on some muscle to get better in that aspect of his game. Sean is just an all-around scorer on the offensive end. I have been impressed with the way he has handled the ball recently, got to the rim off the dribble quite a bit. He is also a capable defender.
15. Justin King: 6'5" Small Forward, Bowman Academy
Offers: Northern Illinois
Interest: Marquette, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, Ball State, Valparaiso, IUPUI
Very athletic, runs the court well and finds ways to score. King isn't the greatest shooter, but he can hit some mid-range shots and gets some "garbage" points as well. Rebounds the basketball well and does a nice job of securing the ball, then looking to make the outlet pass. With Bowman graduating 3 Division I prospects last season, look for Justin to take advantage of being "the guy" this year.
28. Grant Sims: 6'2" Point Guard, Bloomington North H.S.
Offers: Miami (OH), Portland, Kennesaw State
Interest: Xavier, Butler, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Toledo, Eastern Kentucky, DePaul
Grant is a great athlete with explosive jumping ability. He is very good at attacking the rim off the dribble, an aggressive offensive player. He also shoots the ball well from the perimeter. Grant can play either the point or off the ball at the next level in my opinion.
29. Tye Wilburn: 5'10" Point Guard, Lake Central H.S.
Offers: IPFW
Interest: Ball State, Northwestern, Vaplarasio (sick), Indiana State, DePaul, Central Michigan, Detroit
Tye is an extremely quick point guard who can break a defense down off the dribble. He is pretty strong for his size, making up for what he lacks in height. His perimeter shot has been improving. Great passer.
32. Aaron Korn: 6'4" Shooting Guard, Frankton H.S.
Offers: Miami (OH), Rollins (DII), Hillsdale (DII), St. Francis (NAIA), Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA)
Interest: IPFW, Iowa, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Ball State, Wright State, Mercer, Wisconsin, Stetson, William & Mary
I really enjoy watching Aaron play. He has great body control around the rim and does a good job of penetrating off the dribble. Aaron shoots it well from the perimeter too. He seems to just have a knack for scoring the ball. Also he is a very good rebounder for his size. He is a very underrated athlete, Aaron can jump out of the gym.
34. Saikou Jallow: 6'3" Point Guard, Bloomington North H.S.
Offers:
Interest: Indiana State, Toledo, Valparaiso, Miami OH, Arizona State, Virginia, IUPUI
Good athlete who is very poised when running the fast break. Saikou is a pretty good shooter, but needs to keep working on his perimeter game. I like the way he can penetrate a defense. All-around good ball handler and decision maker. Saikou has good size for point guard too. I really like his game.
36. Jacob Johnson: 6'6" Small Forward, Mooresville H.S.
Offers: Northern Colorado
Interest: Purdue, Xavier, Evansville, Indiana State, Valparaiso, Dayton, Butler, Nebraska, Loyola, Dartmouth
Jacob is a great athlete and can jump out of the gym. He is good at getting to the rim off the dribble from the wing or baseline. He can hit an open 3-point shot too. Really needs to work on handling the ball with his right hand.
-----
That last sentence was not one I expected to read in a Top-50 list.
Just a little caution when using this website as it is no longer being kept up to date. The young man who put it together is now working for IUPUI and NCAA rules prevent him from doing this anymore. The rankings he has for these players would not be the end of season rankings for the 2014 class.
http://indianarecruitingguide.com/2013/03/future-of-the-indiana-recruiting-guide-an-open-letter-to-fans-players-coaches/ (http://indianarecruitingguide.com/2013/03/future-of-the-indiana-recruiting-guide-an-open-letter-to-fans-players-coaches/)
Interesante. Thanks for the update.
From Twitter today:
Kyle Neddenriep @KyleNeddenriep Valpo, Indiana State, Belmont, Xavier, Ball State among schools with coaches watching Plymouth's Mack Mercer (2014) and MBA Select.
Cool, thanks. It IS a pretty awesome basketball name...
other tweets:
Mack Mercer @MackMercer 12 Apr
Dayton and Valpo were in today
3
RETWEETS
3
FAVORITES
2:07 PM - 12 Apr 13 ·
Mack Mercer @MackMercer 9 Apr
S/O to my brother @ValpoBound5 for being an Indiana all star
4
RETWEETS
2
FAVORITES
9:01 AM - 9 Apr 13
(Other things I learned from this excursion: Clay Yeo's GF hates watching basketball.
https://twitter.com/MackMercer/status/317426965332238336
Clay & Mack work out together on the semi-reg, and Mack went down to the state finals to cheer for him. A big deal? Getting up at 3 AM on a Saturday morning when you're a teenager...I'd say that qualifies as a pretty good friend. They worked out together the day after Triton's state final, btw!)
Mack is one of the core 6 of the 2014 team, no small feat.
Is Triton's Clay Yeo our first recruit from North Central Indiana since Scot Blum (O.D.) 25 years ago? It would be good to land Mercer just a year later and hopefully make this area a regular part of our recruiting footpath in addition to our new Illinois connection.
Mack Mercer is the real deal. This would be an outstanding recruit for the program.
lowposter
Tommy Kurth is from North Central Indiana.
Quote from: lowposter on April 21, 2013, 07:28:25 AM
Mack Mercer is the real deal. This would be an outstanding recruit for the program.
lowposter
Mack Mercer has just received an offer from Ball State.
Quote from: valpopal on April 22, 2013, 05:52:05 PMBall State
*yawn. wake me when they get mediocre again.
does he have a VU offer? does anyone know whether there are any extant offers besides Erick Locke?
Tai Odiase.
Quote from: Pgmado on April 22, 2013, 11:57:14 PM
Tai Odiase.
Yes, another Chicago player Valpo just offered on Monday.
Quote from: Pgmado on April 22, 2013, 11:57:14 PMTai Odiase.
Goodness, for a minute there I thought you were saying TODAY in pig latin.
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6897960 (http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=6897960)
Quote from: historyman on April 23, 2013, 05:35:14 AMGoodness, for a minute there I thought you were saying TODAY in pig latin.
quote of the week right there.
Tai plays for Meanstreets, which is pretty sweet. Holba plays for them as well; Wideman and Wilburn of LC too. Drake Harris, who just committed to UM for football, is an absolute stud too. Stacked team.
The second offer to go out, as reported earlier, is
Tai Odiase.
(http://images.berecruited.com/photos/athletes/large/100206692.jpg)
NEED MOAR THIS:) 6'8, 205 lb Pf/C from Homewood-Flossmoor (AAU Meanstreets, as above).
:( Played "limited minutes" as a junior behind two H-F senior forwards, per chicagohoops.
:) Team was one of the best in Illinois (ranked in top 25)
:( until being stunned by Sandburg in the regional semi (remember, Illinois is backwards too) to finish at 21-6.
(http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=RVLryyDOEaJU7eWh37BGMM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYtHIJJa9wrbhXY2EesA77RWWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)
sensing a theme here...From Scott Burgess at ChicagoHoops.com:
QuoteWhen looking at the breakout candidates this spring in the class of 2014 one of the guys that jumps to mind is Homewood-Flossmoor power forward Tai Odiase. The long and angular four-man stood out in limited minutes for HF as a junior. He runs the floor great in transition. The 2014 prospect is efficient with his touches and finishes around the hoop with both power and touch.
Odiase rebounds at a good clip. His length and athleticism play well on the defensive end.
http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1155-tai-odiase-ready-to-breakout (http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1155-tai-odiase-ready-to-breakout)
Self-analysis:
Quote"I think this season was better than I expected. I didn't expect to make all-conference. I used my minutes well. I played my role and did what I had to do. My explosiveness really improved. I feel myself getting a little stronger. I am running the floor better and my IQ is getting better."
Playing behind two talented seniors in the frontcourt in Maurius Hill and Lamar Wofford-Humphrey gave Odiase a chance to learn the game and what it takes to be the best he can be. What did he pick up from them?
"That killer mindset that they have. Especially Maurius. I tried to adapt that into my game."
It's always good for recruits to have googlable names. I think H-F has that as a prereq for their roster.
(http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=lI4YdXBolXEWwLKPe0iXbM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYveKYr5j3ZiWngfF7Me3prBWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)(http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=FKEHX6TvxXQVg0bbopdaFs$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYsC4L3cpeO_kC30rUhi_gVwWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)(http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=NP_rIlgPkOaaady8M7gJrs$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYuKBO7z3ryJQ9L4kMcQ7qteWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg)
Interest:
Quote"UIC, SIU, Western Illinois, Southern Illinois, Northern Kentucky, and Tennessee has talked to me."
Odiase recently took an unofficial visit to UIC to learn more about them.
"The campus is nice. I talked to the coach a little more about the program. They take their education seriously. They don't see you as a player. They see you as a young man and try to give you the tools for later in life."
It appears we may be his first offer, as this interview is fewer than 3 weeks old. He unfortunately did not tweet about said offer or anything about VU, and he tweets about, uh, let's just say, a lot of things. As far as "the campus is nice", well, tell that to the visiting MVC committee, why don't you.
Highlights (watch for 32 in the red/white H-F jerseys; 24 in the AAU games):
Tai Odiase PF #32 - Highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uht7hdLapKM#ws)
Athletic much? Luckily his teammates miss so many layups that he has the chance to be right there for CLEAN-UP ON AISLE SEVEN. But positioning is good, and ball instincts are there. Nice basic post move at 1:11ff. Notice that he's blocking shots, but not trying to send souvenirs into seats; he's trying to retain possession, which is both humble and helpful.
Check out the jumper top of the key at 2:32ff! Though on one hand you hate to see a shot like that--low percentage without the reward of the 3 pointer--it's nice to see an easy touch and comfortable range. THEN COMES THE BLOCK PARTAY. I especially enjoy the "lather rinse repeat" of 3:45 to 4 (notice it's the same possession it keeps happening. what did Einstein say about insanity?) Somewhere Mo Smith is smiling and nodding. He's so athletic that even when he's out of position, he's not.
(http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3763354/mr-burns-excellent-o.gif)
Mo Smith today (artist's impression)Obviously the trick will be whether he can pull that off when everyone down low is his height but larger. When I was 6'8", I could shoot over 6'3 punx all day.
Any teammate of Holba's has to have a dunk video (final clip of highlights above):
Tai Odiase's Poster Dunk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIppoQv0EX0#)
AND ONELike a shark, he's just waiting, just lying in the weeds a-mixing his metaphors, until
LOOK OUT RICHARD DREYFUSS AAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHHHVery old but hence slightly amusing highlight tape (almost 4 years) with his brother, Ken:
Ken and Tai Odiase Basketball Highlights(Class of 2014) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiX7AEuKjE4#)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.berecruited.com/photos/athletes/large/100206695.jpg)
Twitter "Kobe Abdul-Jordan", which ... : https://twitter.com/Tai_GetBUCKETS (https://twitter.com/Tai_GetBUCKETS)
Reading some stuff on Odiase, he might be the best recruit of the 2014 season. ESPN gave him a 3 star ranking and a score of 79. He has shown interest in Northern Kentucky, Loyola, UIC, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois, and of course Valpo. If we can sign him, we will have a really good one, two punch with Adekoya and now Odiase who is already 6' 8" 190 lbs, who probably has some growing left in him. If he can add on a little bit of muscle, he can easily be 6' 10" 230 lbs by the time he reaches college level.
Hopefully we can get him to sign, as he sees Valpo has the best record out of the schools he is looking into and it seems like he doesn't want to travel too far. Hopefully we can get him to sign with VU.
Looking at Twitter today, it appears 2014 class members D.J. McCall and Mack Mercer wouldn't mind playing together at Valpo. The following twitter message was sent by McCall and re-tweeted by Mercer:
D.j. McCall 1⃣2⃣ @DBayy 13h @MackMercer (https://twitter.com/MackMercer) needs to go be a Crusader & play in the ARC!
Wow--great news! Is there a McCall offer or just interest?
Quote from: classof2014 on April 23, 2013, 09:31:59 AM
If we can sign him, we will have a really good one, two punch with Adekoya and now Odiase who is already 6' 8" 190 lbs, who probably has some growing left in him.
Adekoya seems to agree:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase informs me he picked up offer from #Valpo today
Retweeted by Jubril Adekoya
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 23, 2013, 10:24:16 AM
Wow--great news! Is there a McCall offer or just interest?
Last I knew no offer, but one of his tweets late last night said "This upcoming weekend could determine my college future". I think this was after the SAC banquet in which Bryson Scott (Purdue) captured the Gooden Award as conference player of the year and his Concordia coach Josh Eggold, who guided the Cadets to the Class 3A state runner-up, and North Side's Shabaz Khaliq, who guided the Redskins to the SAC regular season title, were co-SAC Boys Coaches of the Year.
Getting into this Twitter thing, just not sure I really get why you want to tell so many people so much drivel and personal stuff... but just noticed that D.J. also tweeted a few days ago that he is for sure going to college close to home so it sounds like he may be getting ready to at least verbal with someone. I will try to find out as much as I can.
Quote from: FWalum on April 23, 2013, 03:30:05 PMjust not sure I really get why you want to tell so many people so much drivel and personal stuff
(http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/House-Sad-Head-Nod.gif)
and bad grammar and horrific spelling and really poor choices of words and unintelligible hashtags and inexplicable Bible verses amidst profane rap lyrics and ... gosh I gotta sit down. i'm just now old enough to run for president but i feel more like pope aged instead.
Northern Kentucky might not have an invitation to the Horizon League yet, but if recruiting means anything, the Norse are certainly acting like a Horizon League member. According to reports, Northern Kentucky busily offered scholarships to at least 5 Indiana high school players for 2014 just today: Sean Sellers (Greensburg), Tayler Persons (Kokomo), Jacob Johnson (Mooresville), Zach McRoberts (Carmel), and C.J. Coleman (Mt. Vernon). I know some of those players have been on the radar for Valpo and other HL teams in the past. Supposedly, Sellers even visited VU last fall.
Quote from: valpopal on April 23, 2013, 10:37:29 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on April 23, 2013, 09:31:59 AM
If we can sign him, we will have a really good one, two punch with Adekoya and now Odiase who is already 6' 8" 190 lbs, who probably has some growing left in him.
Adekoya seems to agree:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase informs me he picked up offer from #Valpo today
Retweeted by Jubril Adekoya
A chicagohoops.com article on recruiting news dated 4/23/13
http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1250-news-and-notes-from-scott-burgess (http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1250-news-and-notes-from-scott-burgess)
News And Notes From Scott BurgessPublished on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 14:00 Written by Scott Burgess
Here are a few recruiting notes from around the college recruiting trail.
St Rita 2014 shooting guard Dominique Matthews received an offer from Toledo. Matthews is an underrated guard that had a big junior year and can really score.
Cahokia junior point guard CJ Rivers had a big day Saturday at the Hoosier Jam Fest for the Southwest Jets. On Monday Rivers added an offer from Brown to his collection.
Jalen Henry rebounded the ball consistently over the weekend. Monday the Springfield Southeast power forward received an offer from Hampton. The junior also added an offer from SIU-Edwardsville over the weekend.
Class of 2013 De La Salle unsigned senior Justin Earls had a nice weekend at Hoosier Jam Fest for the Illinois Warriors. The active power forward will visit Hampton this upcoming weekend.
The Illinois Celtics 16U have a group of monster 2015 wings. Two of them Aaron Jordan (Plainfield East) and KJ Santos (Geneva) picked up offers from Fairfield on Sunday.
Brother Rice 2013 forward Alex Majewski made it official this past Friday and signed his national letter of intent with Texas Pan American. He will stick with his commitment after the coaching change.
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 power forward Tai Odiase has a ton of upside with his athleticism, instincts on defense, and potential on the offensive end. Odiase tells me he picked up his first scholarship offer courtesy of Valparaiso. He visited the Valpo campus on Monday.
Quote from: vufan75 on April 24, 2013, 05:18:13 PM
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 power forward Tai Odiase has a ton of upside with his athleticism, instincts on defense, and potential on the offensive end. Odiase tells me he picked up his first scholarship offer courtesy of Valparaiso. He visited the Valpo campus on Monday.[/b]
I wouldn't be surprised if Valpo didn't have a couple more visits this weekend.
Quote from: valpopal on April 24, 2013, 06:07:26 PMI wouldn't be surprised if Valpo didn't have a couple more visits this weekend.
Can you share who?
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 24, 2013, 07:21:53 PM
Quote from: valpopal on April 24, 2013, 06:07:26 PMI would be surprised if Valpo didn't have a couple more visits this weekend.
Can you share who?
Not able to tell at this time, but Darreon Reddick apparently had a home visit from Valpo today.
Could it possibly be this duo?:
http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184 (http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184)
Quote from: vu72 on April 24, 2013, 09:18:47 PM
Could it possibly be this duo?:
http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184 (http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184)
Per their AAU coach, Valpo visited Darreon Reddick and C.J. Rivers yesterday. Their team is in Louisville this weekend. Valpo saw them play last July at a tournament in Merrillville ... Peyton Allen played very well during that tourney.
Mack Mercer mention in Indy Star article.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20130425/SPORTS02/304250071/Recruiting-notes-Most-IndyStar-Junior-All-Stars-haven-t-chosen-colleges?nclick_check=1 (http://www.indystar.com/article/20130425/SPORTS02/304250071/Recruiting-notes-Most-IndyStar-Junior-All-Stars-haven-t-chosen-colleges?nclick_check=1)
(announcer) Concordia has never had to play from behind in this state finals game so it will be interesting to see how that affects their attack....
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGTJf2cCEAMHlMN.jpg)
(announcer) I guess that answers that!
McCall is doing visits this weekend, not sure exactly where just yet.
The third offer out (as in, to be marked here, if perhaps not chronologically), as mentioned in the article linked above, is
Mack Mercer.
It has not shown up on other sites, but since this comes from the horse's mouth (and the dude IS a horse), you have to figure he wouldn't be making it up, right?
(http://www.trbimg.com/img-51300eb7/turbine/sbt-photos-plymouth-vs-jimtown-in-sectional-20-018/500/420x500)
IT'S A GREAT BASKETBALL NAME6'9, 210 lb PF from Plymouth (IN) HS (AAU MBA Select). Reckoned the #53 PF in the 2014 class by Verbal Commits; #46 to ESPN. Part of the "Core 6" Juniors that go about scrimmaging the IN All-Stars, so he's roughly one of the top 6 kids in his class in the state.
Junior year stats:
19 ppg, 8.5 rpg for 21-4 Plymouth (who lost 70-60 OT to Nick Davidson and the Andrean 59ers in the regional final). Mercer fouled out on what the Plymouth Pilot News called "a phantom offensive foul far away from the ball very shortly into the overtime period" (hometown paper (http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/day-drama-falls-short-hollywood-ending-plymouth)) but what the NWI Times described as "[Skyler] Moss, who was pestered inside through the entire Class 3A regional championship game, found an opening he could drive a mack truck through. With Plymouth 6-foot-9 forward Mack Mercer out on fouls with 2:35 left in overtime, Moss scored six straight points and gave Andrean a cushion that led to a 70-60 regional title."
Perspective. nick davidson's hometown paper (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/andrean-survives-ot-thriller-to-head-to-semistate/article_e40f6056-b8c5-512f-91f3-ddcfa24c7965.html)
Mercer had an amazing old-timey regional day with 32 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 (!!!) blocked shots (albeit by the Pilot News' count ("nothing short of brilliant"), not the NWI Times (11, an "inside presence"). Perspective, remember?)
I assume his coach, Ryan Bales, is the former NJSPHS star. If you surmised all that too, congrats! We would get along. If not, you just have to have been there. Sorry. You know.
(http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/da/6da8c78e-1e94-5e98-8627-d8f887dd9155/513bff436f220.preview-620.jpg)
come on, son, you're 6'9 and he a point guardFrom Kyle Neddenriep at the Indy Star:
QuotePlymouth's Mack Mercer, a core selection, is one of the 15 uncommitted Junior All-Stars when it comes to his college plans. The 6-9 Mercer was offered a scholarship this week by new Ball State coach James Whitford, adding to a list that includes Valparaiso, Belmont, Boston College, Indiana State, Kent State, Vermont, Rice and Miami of Ohio.
Mercer took an unofficial visit to Belmont recently and hopes to fit in an official visit to Boston College sometime this summer. Indiana State is also high on his list, though schools such as Clemson and Mississippi State have also shown recent interest.
"(Being farther) away from home wouldn't have any impact where I go," he said. "I'd love to get into a place with a little warmer weather than Plymouth, but we'll see where it goes. It doesn't really matter how far from home."
Mercer, who averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior, said this summer he would like to show that he's "more than just a 6-9 guy who can shoot."
"I want to prove that I can play with the big boys — the best players in the country," he said. "That's what I'm trying to prove this summer."
yeah that same article zville linked above.
eMagpie! (http://www.indystar.com/article/20130425/SPORTS02/304250071/Recruiting-notes-Most-IndyStar-Junior-All-Stars-haven-t-chosen-colleges?nclick_check=1)
(http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/2942015630/26e80458f84baa089fb06661d161d4f8.jpeg)
get back to where you once belongedOffered:
QuoteValparaiso, Belmont, Boston College, Indiana State, Kent State, Vermont, Rice and Miami of Ohio
It appears we may be pretty recent, as we're the only one of the 7 not listed by Verbal Commits; 247 has "Vermont" instead of us, which...get your VUs straight, ok? :) (Looking at you too, Cornelius Vanderbilt.) Also Ball State now too.
Interest:
The above plus Butler, Clemson, Harvard, Indiana, Loyola Chicago, Notre Dame, Purdue, Xavier (247 on Mack Mercer (http://247sports.com/Recruitment/Mack-Mercer-24733/RecruitInterests))
247 further ranks only BC, Belmont, and ISU as "warm" interest by Mack, and this week some guy there predicted ISU as the ultimate winner. Yawn.
If you want to see a whole lot of angry Indiana fans split over whether he should get an offer or not, feel free to read the comments here: angry crimson and crean-types here (http://www.insidethehall.com/2012/09/02/hoosiers-host-mercer-and-smart-for-unofficial-visits/#more-23223)
I've got two words for y'all gettin' big in yo britches: "Kelvin" and "Sampson". I'll even text them to you (783 times).
Also, "Mike Davis"! ...That said, if they were to offer, Mercer says (also at link)
QuoteBut if Crean and the Hoosiers were to offer him, Mercer said his decision would be pretty easy to make.
"You can't get much better than IU in basketball," he said.
Highlights: THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA PEOPLE ALL THAT IS POSTED ALL OVER THE LIVELONG TUBEPLACE ARE DUNKS JUST DUNKS THANKS FOR NOTHING CHRIS BERMAN
...
FINE HERE YOU GO HERE ARE SOME DUNX I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY
Double Stuff!.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGVwCclbvqA#ws)
...DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF UPZ FOR BEING LIKE SIX FOOT TWELVE...
McFlush!.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX1DxCeTwsc#ws)
STRATEGERY: GENERALLY IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE THE REALLY TALL KID COMPLETELY UNGUARDED UNDER THE HOOP
Mack Mercer Jam, Dec. 23, 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da8uwpRoSYo#)
on the other hand, has ninja-like cloaking ability to confuse enemy defenders...
The "Mishawaka might've made mighty Mack Mercer mad" dunk!.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1OicV_HdPg#ws)
NOW WE ARE COOKING WITH GAS
Pros: lanky, quick, good outside shot (not that you'd know it from the above)
Cons: looks like the kind of kid you always see in a Wright State jersey, from the build to the haircut. I mean, right? Can't you just see him in...
(http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/MERCER_MACK_220_5_7.JPG)
yipes.
no, don't do that, Mack. Coach Holtz says, "son, that's not a
four year mistake, that's a
forty year mistake"
(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1679833128/388490_10150424032958513_557878512_8571422_209957924_n.jpg)
Twitter: do not click here for
at least 48 hours so you don't know far more than you want to about his father (https://twitter.com/mackMercer)
interesting facts: only child (teammate David Lee was/is living with the family);
gave up a promising swimming career;
secretly wants to play the point (which, NIGHTMARE mismatches people!);
big Star Wars fan (tasteful).
http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/one-one-mack-mercer (http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/one-one-mack-mercer)
I hear he is a collector of rare butterflies as well. You are spot on with the WSU thing :thumbsup:
Quote from: HC on April 26, 2013, 06:34:53 AMYou are spot on with the WSU thing
i know, right? i wish i weren't.
(http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/upload/2011/08/wright_state_focus_meet_the_ra/Kendall%20Griffin.jpg)(http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/upload/2011/08/wright_state_focus_meet_the_ra/AJ%20Pacher.jpg)(http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/upload/2011/08/wright_state_focus_where_will/Cole%20Darling.jpg)(http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/wrightstatesports/upload/2011/11/previewing_wsu_players_stephen/Stephen%20Gossard.jpg)
ALL YOUR SKINNY WHITE DUDES WITH SHORT HAIR ARE BELONG TO US
Quote from: zvillehaze on April 25, 2013, 11:28:08 AM
Quote from: vu72 on April 24, 2013, 09:18:47 PM
Could it possibly be this duo?:
http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184 (http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184)
Per their AAU coach, Valpo visited Darreon Reddick and C.J. Rivers yesterday. Their team is in Louisville this weekend. Valpo saw them play last July at a tournament in Merrillville ... Peyton Allen played very well during that tourney.
Ran across this 2014 recruiting news on Twitter earlier today. Roy Schmidt of Illinois Prep Bullseye said, per @swjetsbbclub 6'3 2014 CG Darreon Reddick & 6'3 2014 PG C.J. Rivers will visit Valpo this Saturday.
Two more offers extended: Darreon Reddick and CJ Rivers both received offers during their visits to campus today.
The offer train keeps chugging with Darreon Reddick coming on up!
(http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/685/906/906685.jpg)
6'3", 211 lb combo guard out of Belleville East (2014)
AAU: SW IL Jets
2-star to Scout, but ranked as point guard. Unranked shooting guard to Rivals. ChicagoHoops has him as the #16 prospect in the state in his class, and the #2 PG (he would also be the #2 SG if he were ranked as such). Thus, two takeaways: next year's class in Illinois is frontcourt-heavy, and he is really good.
ChicagoHoops' #20 Illinois Prospects, Class of 2014 (http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2013-rankings/54-2014-rankings/756-updated-2014-prospect-rankings)
Note that only 3 of these top 20 have (verbally) committed so far; a while back some were expressing nerves that our 2014 class has not started out as quickly as 2013 did. Based on the looks of this list, at this rate, pretty much everyone else is freaking out too—somewhat needlessly, I might add.(http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000L82inQrDtDA/s/770/770/SP-SJH-EASTSIDEBB-05.jpg)
head and shoulders above the competition
Was a leader for a very good team (24-4), featuring U of Illinois-bound Malcolm Hill...team won the Southwest Conference conference title. Went off for 16 pts / 10 reb / 5 ast in 55-42 victory over Collinsville Feb 19...threw in 25 in 61-51 win over Althoff in the Belleville East Classic...team was upset 70-59 by (8-19!) O'Fallon in the regional semifinals despite 18 points from Reddick...um, since when did I start writing like I do media guide schtick?...named second-team all-SWC by STLHighSchoolSports.com.
(http://[url=http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/b1/1b117698-676f-11e2-8856-0019bb30f31a/510358d51f484.preview-620.jpg%5Dhttp://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/b1/1b117698-676f-11e2-8856-0019bb30f31a/510358d51f484.preview-620.jpg%5B/url%5D)
ScoutingAAU Coach Dana Morgan:
Quote"I haven't coached a kid who attacks angles like he does, and he's so physical when he attacks the rim," Morgan says. "He initiates the contact and can finish around the basket, he's got a huge upside."
Penn State Rivals article (http://pennstate.247sports.com/Article/2014s-Peyton-Allen-and-Darreon-Reddick-take-multiple-visits-78184)
Scott Burgess (of ChicagoHoops) tweet:
QuoteBelleville East PG Darreon Reddick is most under appreciated guy in state in 2014. Strong. Gets in lane. Shoots it. Distributes.
https://twitter.com/scott_chihoops (https://twitter.com/scott_chihoops) 3/30/13, 4:17 PM
Self-analysis:Quote"I've been known to get to the hole, but I think I've been improving my jump shot a lot recently," said Reddick on Monday night. "All the coaches I've talked to have wanted to see a more consistent jump shot so that's been my main focus so far."
(Penn State 247 article)
Quote"I feel my best strength is getting to the hole like a slasher, and get to the free-throw line. Also I'm a good passer and get my teammates involved. I've been working on my jump shot a little bit. I've got to get a little more consistent right now, so I'm working on that a little bit."
April 2012 UMHoops (http://www.umhoops.com/2012/04/25/spring-showdown-darreon-reddick-scouting-video-and-qa/)
Working on:Quote"My ball handling skills. If I'm going to be a point guard, I need to get my left hand and right hand stronger, then get my jump shot more consistent, and my pull-up game way better than what it is right now.
(ibid)
Later:
Quote"I feel my biggest improvement is my jump shot. I still have to get more consistent with my pull-up game, and from three-point range."
June 2012 UMHoops (http://www.umhoops.com/2012/06/01/super-60-darreon-reddick-scouting-video-quotes/)
Socrates would have been proud. The takeaway from this is that he's clearly strong and can get to the hole; a theme we've seen from seemingly every backcourt recruit in this class and the next. Probably not a "natural" point guard, whatever that means, but can definitely play the position. Has identified a weakness—jump-shooting and pull-up-type stuff, which is good, and even better that he has been working on it. It's been about a year since the last three quotes.
Highlights—he's #14
My Son Darreon Reddick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaw3lIaOL-E#ws)
Start it a minute in because the first minute is basically him checking into a game (father has put this video together; it's about a year old). I would have posted a link to do so myself, except that such a link does not embed, which makes your life easier. Starting there, however, let's please note that the "abusive" refers to the way he treats defenses. So. Nobody in need of fifty more viewings of
The Chartreuse Dress here.
Anyway, starts off with him running the floor and looking solid in transition—then the next (1:13) features him backing down and scoring in the low post! And 1! Probably can't get away with that in college.
The next section features some slick ball-handling, culminating at 1:46 with a move to get to nearly the same low-post position he was in before, with the finish again. On a second viewing, he basically takes the shot even though it's a 2-on-5, or a 1-on-4, depending on how you view it. That...is impressive. But hopefully he won't try to get away with that in college, right? I mean, who does that...
(http://www.easymemes.com/uploads/memes/65285_CD0hAdrmkvcX5Qw.jpg)
Oh. Roight.
Anyway, after that the video is quotes from AAU recaps and scouting reports. But you'll want to watch to the end to see Dad taking Junior to school. :) These next two videos are useful as they were shot by a UMHoops reporter, and so the misses aren't edited out—it's a more realistic picture of the player.
AAU highlights from the Nike Spring Showdown in Merrillville in April 2012, plus an interview (still #14): April 2012 UMHoops (http://www.umhoops.com/2012/04/25/spring-showdown-darreon-reddick-scouting-video-and-qa/)
Has little-to-no problem getting where he wants down low, but problems finishing begin to appear. 3-pointer at :15ff shows impressive ease. :33 the drive AND the easy finish. :47 step-back 3 shows good awareness; I hate long twos with a VEHEMENT PASSION. At 1:15, note the absolute ferocity in the attack—gives the impression that he will go THROUGH the kid if he doesn't step aside; he's not the one who ends up flinching either.
Interview below it is transcribed below that. Possible problem quote:
QuoteIt was an easy game, so I didn't have to play that hard. But I put a little bit of effort.
...
Moving on...
AAU highlights from the Super 60 Classic in Merrillville in May 2012: June 2012 UMHoops (http://www.umhoops.com/2012/06/01/super-60-darreon-reddick-scouting-video-quotes/)
Shows good court awareness; however, at 0:47 misses 2 FTs with 28 seconds left and team either up or down one...
OffersDePaul, Indiana State attested as the first two, in that order. VerbalCommits further claims Missouri State, UDM, Toledo, and us. Mentioned an IUPUI offer once (second UMHoops link).
Interest
Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Saint Louis, Southern Illinois, Tennessee, Xavier, Butler, Penn State, Nebraska
Unofficially visited UDM in October; no record of further contact, nor interest (save verbalcommits). Coaches visited him April 24, and the next activity on his 247 is the unofficial visit yesterday that culminated in his offer.
Rivals page (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Darreon-Reddick-127892)
247 page (http://247sports.com/Player/Darreon-Reddick-21947)
VerbalCommits page (http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/darreon-reddick)
(http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/617/540/540617.jpg)
MiscellanyCredits "Nebraska" with "best facilities I've seen", then admits "...but then you'd be playing for Nebraska", which, ok, he
didn't actually admit. The second part of that sentence, that is. The first half is still true. As Gandhi once said, "To put words in the mouth of another is one of the greatest pleasures afforded us by the Interweb."
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_14Reddick (https://twitter.com/_14Reddick)
Surprisingly inoffensive, which is sign enough that we should sign him. Let's hear it for maturity!!!
Jevon Carter, Keith Carter's younger brother, has received an offer from Valpo today.
According to verbal commits he is a 6'2 180 lbs G from Proviso East HS in Maywood IL.
Good probability he would come to Valpo because of his older brother is already here.
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 12:45:42 PM
Jevon Carter, Keith Carter's younger brother, has received an offer from Valpo today.
Good probability he would come to Valpo because of his older brother is already here.
Are they brothers or cousins?
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 12:45:42 PM
Jevon Carter, Keith Carter's younger brother, has received an offer from Valpo today.
According to verbal commits he is a 6'2 180 lbs G from Proviso East HS in Maywood IL.
Good probability he would come to Valpo because of his older brother is already here.
My understanding is that Jevon is Keith's cousin. Jevon is a very good player, rated 3-star by ESPN with a score of 78.
I just love the people we are recruiting, and hopefully getting in the next class!
Quote from: valpotx on May 07, 2013, 01:22:29 PM
I just love the people we are recruiting, and hopefully getting in the next class!
My guess is that the coaching staff recognized our overall lack of speed and that will hopefully be a part of all the new guys. Guys like Will, Matt or Ben were very good players but not exactly lightning quick. Now, I'm not asking for Erik quick because I don't think there were very many players across the nation that were that quick but in general alittle more athletic to better defend the quicker guards we will face if we want to move to the next success level.
I agree the kids we are recruiting seem to be great kids.
But...who is going to rebound for us next year? Please do not say Fernandez.
Paul
Quote from: valpopal on May 07, 2013, 01:06:27 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 12:45:42 PM
Jevon Carter, Keith Carter's younger brother, has received an offer from Valpo today.
According to verbal commits he is a 6'2 180 lbs G from Proviso East HS in Maywood IL.
Good probability he would come to Valpo because of his older brother is already here.
My understanding is that Jevon is Keith's cousin. Jevon is a very good player, rated 3-star by ESPN with a score of 78.
Additional information from an article at
Illinois Prep Bulls-eye from September 2012 that talks about Jevon Carter.
http://ilprepbullseye.com/Carter_Stock_Raiser.html (http://ilprepbullseye.com/Carter_Stock_Raiser.html)
Class Of 2014 Stock Raiser: Jevon CarterBy Roy & Harv Schmidt
September 20, 2012
2:45 P.M. CST
Everyone who follows basketball at Proviso East is aware of the school's top two college prospects--6'5 2013 wing Sterling Brown and 5'11 2013 combo guard Paris Lee. After all, both are D1 recruits, with Lee having committed to Illinois State University and Brown being strongly pursued by a number of high major programs.
However, a name that may not be as immediately recognizable is Jevon Carter, a 6'2 2014 wing. And there is no question that Carter has earned recognition, as he has more than come into his own since the beginning of this past summer. In doing so, Carter has proven to us that he just may be Proviso East's unsung hero and that he undoubtedly has D1 ability.
Carter was impressive throughout the summer while playing for the talented Team NLP 16-Under traveling team squad. He was also outstanding when we watched him in June at the DePaul Team Camp. But Carter was even better when we recently took in his play during an open gym at Proviso East and at the Mac Irvin Back To School Jam this past weekend. In both instances, we thought that Carter was Proviso East's best player on the floor.
The greatest thing that Carter has going for him is is high motor and the fact that he plays extremely hard. He does not take any plays off and has a warrior-like mentality that you always like to see amongst strongly built wings such as himself. Carter attacks the basket with a vengeance and scores numerous points off of putbacks and hustle plays where he simply outworks his opponents.
In addition, Carter is also capable of scoring off the dribble, as he has a solid handle and outstanding speed. Coming into the summer we thought that Carter fell on the "tweener" side but make no mistake about it--Carter can shoot the basketball. He has range that extends beyond the 3-point arc and does not take bad shots. Recruiting-wise it is still early in the game but Carter has shown that he is definitely a mid-major level D1 recruit. He already holds scholarship offers from Kent State and Illinois State with Northern Illinois being another school that has shown heavy interest, including a stop at Proviso East a week ago to watch Carter in open gym. With all of that having been said,
we think that Jevon could sport even more up side than his cousin Keith, who is now at St. Louis. He is a player that unquestionably bears close watching and figures to be on the radar of even more college programs in the near future.
Quote from: 78crusader on May 07, 2013, 02:18:05 PM
I agree the kids we are recruiting seem to be great kids.
But...who is going to rebound for us next year? Please do not say Fernandez.Paul
Well, you can start out with 6'10' 250# Bobby Capobianco. Then add 6'9" David Chadwick and then 6'8" Alex Peters and 6'7" Adekoya (sp?), both are supposes to be very good rebounders. Add good sized 3s in Rossi (6'5") or 6'4" Jordan Coleman or 6'5" Clay Yeo and I think you have a pretty good rebounding situation. Granted we haven't seen the freshman play D1 ball yet but we do have some experience not even counting Vashil!
Quote from: vu72 on May 07, 2013, 02:39:43 PM
Quote from: 78crusader on May 07, 2013, 02:18:05 PM
I agree the kids we are recruiting seem to be great kids.
But...who is going to rebound for us next year? Please do not say Fernandez.Paul
Well, you can start out with 6'10' 250# Bobby Capobianco. Then add 6'9" David Chadwick and then 6'8" Alex Peters and 6'7" Adekoya (sp?), both are supposes to be very good rebounders. Add good sized 3s in Rossi (6'5") or 6'4" Jordan Coleman or 6'5" Clay Yeo and I think you have a pretty good rebounding situation. Granted we haven't seen the freshman play D1 ball yet but we do have some experience not even counting Vashil!
Agreed, we don't need size right for next season. I think Bobby will be a beast on the boards, not too mention he's good on the offensive glass as well which is huge. Some of the freshman coming in have some size. Yea, Peters, and Adekoya are all pretty big.
Back to the Jevon Carter stuff, from what I've read I really like him. I would imagine having his cousin Keith on the team is a huge plus in recruiting him. Based on that alone I think we would be able to land him. Not to mention espn ranks him as a 3 star recruit with a 78 grade. Wouldn't mind to see the Carter cousins have a chance to play together again! Probably have really good chemistry between the two already growing up together!
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 12:45:42 PMJevon Carter, Keith Carter's younger brother, has received an offer from Valpo today.
oh geez...this is great, but i'm running, er, writing myself into the ground already :)
OK, so I've been going back over each of my recruiting profiles on those currently holding VU offers, and updating them for inclusion on the blog, since that's what they really are, not forum posts. I've started where I began, with Erick Locke, and expanded it a great deal, since they are getting progressively longer.
Oh, and the series title is of course "Offer: ON", me being me.
You can check it out here: http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/07/offer-on-erick-locke-2014/ (http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/07/offer-on-erick-locke-2014/)
And a hearty thanks to 04 for his great help in this, as in everything.
The more I examine other message boards for data, the more I treasure this one. The others have apparently been formatted by vandals.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 07, 2013, 09:00:16 PM
The more I examine other message boards for data, the more I treasure this one.
:thumbsup:
Another offer on the board. Tai Odiase of Flossmoor Illinois, Homewood-Flossmoor HS. 6' 8" 180 lbs (6' 9" 195 espn) powerforward.
There was some mention earlier that he expressed interest in Valpo, now he has an offer!
If we get any of these guys, it sounds like a coup for us versus prior years!
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 10:57:34 PM
Another offer on the board. Tai Odiase of Flossmoor Illinois, Homewood-Flossmoor HS. 6' 8" 180 lbs (6' 9" 195 espn) powerforward.
There was some mention earlier that he expressed interest in Valpo, now he has an offer!
Odiase received an offer from Valpo a couple of weeks ago, but he added one from Ball State today. He is rated as a 3-star recruit, and I believe Valpo would be more appealing than Ball State. It will be interesting to see what commitments, if any, are made in the next week, since I believe this signing period ends on May 15.
Right now... I'd think we are the head of the pack for Jevon Carter and Tai Odiase and Erick Locke.
I think having Jevon's cousin already on the team gives us a huge advantage in recruiting him. I'd be surprised to see him choose otherwise. Not shocked but surprised.
For both Tai and Erick, Tai's other offer is from Toledo and Erick has no other offers. So I would imagine Valpo is their top choice right now.
I would imagine we're on the top of the list for both CJ Rivers and Darreon Reddick but both have had plenty of other offers.
Guess we'll see where the dominoes fall for the early signing period by May 15th. Then, back to the waiting game.
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 10:57:34 PMAnother offer on the board. Tai Odiase of Flossmoor Illinois, Homewood-Flossmoor HS. 6' 8" 180 lbs (6' 9" 195 espn) powerforward.
There was some mention earlier that he expressed interest in Valpo, now he has an offer!
really, dude? try to keep up:
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg32476#msg32476 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg32476#msg32476)
in fact, you commented right AFTER that post.
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg32477#msg32477 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg32477#msg32477)
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 11:54:51 PMErick has no other offers
inaccurate
http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/07/offer-on-erick-locke-2014/ (http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/07/offer-on-erick-locke-2014/)
sigh...
Quote from: zvillehaze on April 25, 2013, 04:16:21 PM
Mack Mercer mention in Indy Star article.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20130425/SPORTS02/304250071/Recruiting-notes-Most-IndyStar-Junior-All-Stars-haven-t-chosen-colleges?nclick_check=1 (http://www.indystar.com/article/20130425/SPORTS02/304250071/Recruiting-notes-Most-IndyStar-Junior-All-Stars-haven-t-chosen-colleges?nclick_check=1)
Mack Mercer would be a great pickup if he would select Valpo. And he really would fill a need as a "big". Now we shall see how joining the MVC helps Loyola with recruiting, at least in this situation. Per Mack Mercer's Twitter and Facebook posts yesterday, on a visit to Loyola yesterday they offered him a scholarship. He has a growing list of offers and interest. I hope Valpo is still in the mix for him, and that he decides to attend Valpo and play his college ball here.
@MackMercer....."Received an offer from Loyola on my visit".
Trevor Andershock @INBBallSource tweeted yesterday that "Other schools in the picture for Mack Mercer are Belmont, Indiana State and Boston College. Those were his top 3 a few weeks ago."
I wouldn't mind Tai Odiase of Flossmoor IL either, 3 star recruit and has shown interest in Valpo and has an offer to boot. If Vashil can show some improvements and Adekoya turns out to be pretty decent, then if we could either get Odiase or Mercer, I think we'd be set in the PF position for a few years.
Quote from: classof2014 on May 09, 2013, 09:41:44 AM
I wouldn't mind Tai Odiase of Flossmoor IL either, 3 star recruit and has shown interest in Valpo and has an offer to boot. If Vashil can show some improvements and Adekoya turns out to be pretty decent, then if we could either get Odiase or Mercer, I think we'd be set in the PF position for a few years.
Agreed, though Mercer seems to have more schools jumping on his bandwagon at this point, it seems. Or maybe Odiase has been more of a late bloomer and is flying more under the radar than Mercer? IMO Adekoya is going to be a beast down low before his Valpo career is over, but it never hurts to have too many bigs. I know the HL is a guard oriented league, but when we play OOC games or in the tourney we need more quality size and bulk to compete better. Who knows, maybe we can find a way to get both guys. Wouldn't that be sweet! ;)
updated Odiase page:
http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/10/offer-on-tai-odiase-2014/ (http://www.valpofanzone.com/2013/05/10/offer-on-tai-odiase-2014/)
Quote from: classof2014 on May 07, 2013, 11:54:51 PMGuess we'll see where the dominoes fall for the early signing period by May 15th. Then, back to the waiting game.
Now I'm confused.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/nli (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/nli)
Helps a little, maybe.
Am I interpreting it correctly? May 15 ends the _regular_ signing period for athletes who will enroll next fall, Fall 2013. Are these 2014 guys even allowed to sign then?
Their early signing period will start November 13, 2013 - and last a week.
(Admittedly April 15-May 15 seems rather late for a "regular" signing period... Am I missing something?)
Yeah, gibs, I think you're right. People can verbal any time they want, though.
Then again, a verbal commitment isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
Quote from: valpopal on April 23, 2013, 10:37:29 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on April 23, 2013, 09:31:59 AM
If we can sign him, we will have a really good one, two punch with Adekoya and now Odiase who is already 6' 8" 190 lbs, who probably has some growing left in him.
Adekoya seems to agree:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase informs me he picked up offer from #Valpo today
Retweeted by Jubril Adekoya
I ran across this short article and video clip on chicagohoops.com today. In the video Tai Odiase is being interviewed and talks about multiple topics, including who is recruiting him and what schools he will be visiting. Tai says nice things about Valpo, and how he likes the campus and family oriented coaches. Sounds like quite a few other schools are also recruiting him, he mentions Ball State and SLU that I can recall, and he will take visits to several other schools recruiting him either later this summer or early this fall.
http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1461-video-tai-odiase-talks-recruiting (http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1461-video-tai-odiase-talks-recruiting)
Thanks for posting this! I only wish they hadn't interviewed him in Central Station at 5:15 pm ;)
On Valpo: "I love that campus. The people there are very friendly. ...They don't just recruit me, they recruit my family. ...an especially friendly atmosphere."
I could be wrong because, again, Union Station at 4:59 pm. But that's what it sounded like.
Yep, step out of the gym to do the interview guys...iPhone recording I believe, not good with background noise in my opinion.
That said, glad to hear he is high on Valpo...he would be a good get.
Heard this kid visited recently. Kyle Haber
His parents are originally from Crown Point.
iaelites.com/videos/kyle-haber-14-dubuque-senior-mix/
6'6 guard. Nice skills both inside and out.
Kyle Haber '14 (Dubuque Senior HS)
Has a higher ESPN/Scout grade than 4 of our 5 2013 recruits.
Has NWI roots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lWm4xHBQQG8#at=25 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lWm4xHBQQG8#at=25)
Although many good quality players have come from Iowa, based on the video alone, I wonder about the competition. Remember, Brennan Cougill was a Mr. Basketball in Iowa. Nice player but no Rowdy ;)
I have followed his AAU team since they went nose to nose with Spiece Indy Heat in Ft. Wayne in May - I thought I recognized his dad from CP in the stands and it was him. Not to date myself, but I played against his dad in 1988. ouch!
Spiece beat the Iowa Barnstormers 80-78 in a great game. Kyle had 22 in the game being guarded by Blackman and Lyle.
His Iowa Barnstormers team also beat Eric Gordon 17's in Milwaukee by 15. His team is for real - they already have 1 kid committed to UNI and another to Drake.
In May, his dad said he held offers from Albany and Northern Colorado.
Don't forget Iowa has produced McDermott, Barnes and Paige the last few years.
Tyler Wideman to Butler:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21439257-556/boys-basketball-lake-centrals-tyler-wideman-chooses-butler.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21439257-556/boys-basketball-lake-centrals-tyler-wideman-chooses-butler.html)
As of now, do we have any verbal commitments for 2014? (even if they are worthless to a degree)
Quote from: valpo64 on August 01, 2013, 06:43:32 PM
As of now, do we have any verbal commitments for 2014? (even if they are worthless to a degree)
Max Joseph: see this thread:
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1507.0 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1507.0)
Quote from: valpopal on August 01, 2013, 06:46:48 PMMax Joseph: see this thread
yeah...thanks for that. should be a cross-reference for important things like that if it's going to be in its own thread.
Mack Mercer, who had a Valpo offer, committed to Belmont today. D.J. McCall, who wanted to come to Valpo but did not receive an offer, committed to IUPUI today as well.
Quote from: valpopal on August 05, 2013, 09:53:38 PM
Mack Mercer, who had a Valpo offer, committed to Belmont today. D.J. McCall, who wanted to come to Valpo but did not receive an offer, committed to IUPUI today as well.
I was hoping for a different outcome with Mack Mercer, thinking that he might be swayed by the opportunity to be coached by former pro ballplayers in Coach Powell and Coach Drew in particular, along with our course Coach Gore. Sorry to hear this, but I guess good for Belmont. Mercer in a couple years would of made a great tandem working alongside Jubril Adekoya. Oh well..... Hopefully we are working on another talented and rising big man to fill that void, with Capo and Gueye being seniors and moving on after the coming season. :( With Valpo not even offering D.J. McCall, sounds like either they feel secure with the guards on the roster for the next few years, or are still in the mix for another guard who might be a higher rated player? Perhaps Jevon Carter would like to play college ball with his cousin (?) Keith Carter, not to mention attend a great academic school like Valpo. I think he was rated a 3 star level recruit by most of the recruiting services. Valpopal, do you hear any rumors about Valpo still being in the mix for Jevon Carter?
Maybe I answered my own question regarding the status of recruiting guard Jevon Carter out of Maywood, IL. Ran across on twitter a post from July 10 that mentions which schools are recruiting Jevon Carter the hardest at this point. Sounds like other schools are pursuing him harder than Valpo at this point.
Scott Phillips@phillipshoops 10 Jul
2014 guard Jevon Carter (Team NLP/Proviso East) said Lehigh, LaSalle & Toledo were recruiting him the hardest among his offers. @ny2lasports
Quote from: vufan75 on August 06, 2013, 01:36:35 PMI was hoping for a different outcome with Mack Mercer, thinking that he might be swayed by the opportunity to be coached by former pro ballplayers in Coach Powell and Coach Drew in particular, along with our course Coach Gore. Sorry to hear this, but I guess good for Belmont. Mercer in a couple years would of made a great tandem working alongside Jubril Adekoya. Oh well..... Hopefully we are working on another talented and rising big man to fill that void, with Capo and Gueye being seniors and moving on after the coming season.
Getting Mercer would have been nice both for his size and talent and also as another local high school player that would have helped broaden the local fan base. But from his viewpoint he may have saw himself getting little or no freshman playing time, then as a sophomore being forced into a smallish center role (perhaps behind yet another transfer or recruit). If he wants to try to play some 4 maybe Belmont was the better choice because here he would have been competing with Peters, Adekoya, and Nickerson for some very limited opportunities at that position.
Best of luck to Mack, to Belmont and to their future success. Hope to see them back on our schedule soon as would the Mercer family.
From chicagohoops.com, an update on the recruiting of Tai Odiase, new offers he has received, and him mentioning some visits he hopes to make.
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1713-tai-odiasetalks-new-offers-visits (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1713-tai-odiasetalks-new-offers-visits)
Tai Odiase Talks New Offers, Visits
Category: Latest News Published on Wednesday, 07 August 2013 14:04 Written by Scott Burgess
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 power forward Tai Odiase is a very intriguing four-man. The athletic and angular post is a presence on the defensive end while being efficient on the offensive end. He continues to attract interest from college coaches.
Odiase picked up two more offers from SIU-Edwardsville and Kent State. He discussed what he likes about SIUE.
"I like their style of play. I think I can fit in their system pretty well."
What stands out about Kent State?
"Their situation is good for me. I can most likely come in and play a good amount of minutes."
Odiase is planning on taking some visits soon.
"I'm trying to visit Western Michigan, UMKC, St. Louis, and Kent State in the next upcoming weeks."
He played with Meanstreets 17U on the Nike EYBL circuit.
In other news, the Homewood Flossmoor athletic director was found dead in the school on Wednesday night.
Quote from: vufan75 on August 08, 2013, 07:20:42 AMOdiase is planning on taking some visits soon.
"I'm trying to visit Western Michigan, UMKC, St. Louis, and Kent State in the next upcoming weeks."
I hope he is stating this because he has already visited Valpo, and Valpo is close enough to visit again if needed. Valpo should be able to compete with these programs.
On another note, Verbal Commits has Kent State with 10 offers to PF's, including Tai, with another 5 offers at the HS junior age. They also have a FR and SO on this coming years team. Interesting.
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/tai-odiase (http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/tai-odiase)
Quote from: vufan75 on August 06, 2013, 01:57:07 PM
Maybe I answered my own question regarding the status of recruiting guard Jevon Carter out of Maywood, IL. Ran across on twitter a post from July 10 that mentions which schools are recruiting Jevon Carter the hardest at this point. Sounds like other schools are pursuing him harder than Valpo at this point.
Scott Phillips@phillipshoops 10 Jul
2014 guard Jevon Carter (Team NLP/Proviso East) said Lehigh, LaSalle & Toledo were recruiting him the hardest among his offers. @ny2lasports
With all the emphasis on Chicago players by the VU coaches recently, in addition to Jevon Carter, I wouldn't be surprised if Valpo made an offer to another Chicago 3-star shooting guard, JayQuan McCloud of North Chicago. Either would be good.
After receiving a commitment from Canadian point guard Max Joseph, Valpo has apparently extended an offer to another Canadian, shooting guard Nemanja Zarkovic.
Quote from: valpopal on August 15, 2013, 09:53:18 AMNemanja Zarkovic
(http://thebottlecapman.com/Images/Soda%20Unused%20Plastic/Clearly%20Canadian.jpg)
Canadian basketball is definitely on the rise. They performed pretty well in the University Games
Quote from: valpopal on August 15, 2013, 09:53:18 AM
After receiving a commitment from Canadian point guard Max Joseph, Valpo has apparently extended an offer to another Canadian, shooting guard Nemanja Zarkovic.
Looks like he has good offensive skills:
Nemanja Zarkovic 6'3 185Lbs PG/SG class of 2014 (2012-2013) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeL0zKNuPo#ws)
From Twitter:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase says he will make college decision on his birthday September 21
Quote from: valpopal on August 28, 2013, 08:45:06 PM
From Twitter:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase says he will make college decision on his birthday September 21
Per chicagohoops.com in a report today, a few more details on Tai Odiase, which 6 schools he has narrowed his list down to, and how the process will play out before he announces his decision on September 21. Hopefully he will choose Valpo and we can welcome Tai to the Valpo family, and wish him a very Happy Birthday!
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date)
Quote from: vufan75 on August 29, 2013, 07:17:38 AM
Quote from: valpopal on August 28, 2013, 08:45:06 PM
From Twitter:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase says he will make college decision on his birthday September 21
Per chicagohoops.com in a report today, a few more details on Tai Odiase, which 6 schools he has narrowed his list down to, and how the process will play out before he announces his decision on September 21. Hopefully he will choose Valpo and we can welcome Tai to the Valpo family, and wish him a very Happy Birthday!
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date)
Looking at his list of six schools, Valpo has to be the best choice when considering three main factors equally: strong basketball program, high academics, and location near home. Let's hope Tai sees it that way as well.
Quote from: valpopal on August 29, 2013, 09:08:41 AM
Quote from: vufan75 on August 29, 2013, 07:17:38 AM
Quote from: valpopal on August 28, 2013, 08:45:06 PM
From Twitter:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase says he will make college decision on his birthday September 21
Per chicagohoops.com in a report today, a few more details on Tai Odiase, which 6 schools he has narrowed his list down to, and how the process will play out before he announces his decision on September 21. Hopefully he will choose Valpo and we can welcome Tai to the Valpo family, and wish him a very Happy Birthday!
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date)
Looking at his list of six schools, Valpo has to be the best choice when considering three main factors equally: strong basketball program, high academics, and location near home. Let's hope Tai sees it that way as well.
I'm a little surprised by the list if he is as good as advertised. IPFW? UMKC? I would think it would be between Valpo and Kent State. Of the two Valpo should win handily.
I agree that his list is a little surprising. Maybe he had better programs interested in him, but he is sticking by those that had been recruiting him for awhile.
This video, where he discusses recruiting, indicates interest and visits to several other schools;
Tai Odiase Talks Offers & More (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu6l7wSuE8#ws)
Quote from: vu72 on August 29, 2013, 09:31:22 AM
Quote from: valpopal on August 29, 2013, 09:08:41 AM
Quote from: vufan75 on August 29, 2013, 07:17:38 AM
Quote from: valpopal on August 28, 2013, 08:45:06 PM
From Twitter:
Homewood Flossmoor 2014 PF Tai Odiase says he will make college decision on his birthday September 21
Per chicagohoops.com in a report today, a few more details on Tai Odiase, which 6 schools he has narrowed his list down to, and how the process will play out before he announces his decision on September 21. Hopefully he will choose Valpo and we can welcome Tai to the Valpo family, and wish him a very Happy Birthday!
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1801-tai-odiase-trims-list-sets-date)
Looking at his list of six schools, Valpo has to be the best choice when considering three main factors equally: strong basketball program, high academics, and location near home. Let's hope Tai sees it that way as well.
I'm a little surprised by the list if he is as good as advertised. IPFW? UMKC? I would think it would be between Valpo and Kent State. Of the two Valpo should win handily.
I'm wondering about IPFW and UMKC as well. Unless his goal is to get 25 minutes per game in his true FR year, why are these even on his current list? Months ago, yes. Looks like Bryce, Powell and Lottich need to monitor Tai's twitter feed and 'bump' into him a few times over the next few weeks! ;)
Apparently, Tai has committed to UIC. I had a feeling his wish to stay in Chicago would make UIC our only real competition. Time for the coaching staff to look for other 2014 big men.
Quote from: valpopal on September 01, 2013, 10:13:08 AM
Apparently, Tai has committed to UIC. I had a feeling his wish to stay in Chicago would make UIC our only real competition. Time for the coaching staff to look for other 2014 big men.
So Odiase has committed to UIC but won't actually announce it till his birthday on Sept. 21st? Is that correct?
Quote from: bbtds on September 01, 2013, 10:36:05 AM
Quote from: valpopal on September 01, 2013, 10:13:08 AM
Apparently, Tai has committed to UIC. I had a feeling his wish to stay in Chicago would make UIC our only real competition. Time for the coaching staff to look for other 2014 big men.
So Odiase has committed to UIC but won't actually announce it till his birthday on Sept. 21st? Is that correct?
He is a teenager, and teenagers are notorious for changing their minds; therefore, I am going to cut him some slack for altering his plan. I'll also wish him well at UIC except when playing Valpo.
oh well. in the words of the immortal Rasheed Wallace,
"you either roll with us
(http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/2986/566047-rasheed_wallace.jpg)
or you get rolled"
According to a report on Twitter, Jevon Carter has committed to West Virginia.
Quote from: valpopal on September 04, 2013, 09:09:52 AMAccording to a report on Twitter, Jevon Carter has committed to West Virginia.
Not surprised. With the commitment of Max Joseph, I think we're set at the PG position for a few years. With both Keith Carter and Lexus Williams as our PGs along with Joseph now. Chances are Jevon Carter didn't see an opportunity here.
Quote from: classof2014 on September 04, 2013, 11:01:22 AM
Quote from: valpopal on September 04, 2013, 09:09:52 AMAccording to a report on Twitter, Jevon Carter has committed to West Virginia.
Not surprised. With the commitment of Max Joseph, I think we're set at the PG position for a few years. With both Keith Carter and Lexus Williams as our PGs along with Joseph now. Chances are Jevon Carter didn't see an opportunity here.
Despite various reports, one quoting his high school coach, of Jevon Carter committing to West Virginia, Carter's dad says Jevon remains uncommitted as of now:
"Joe Henricksen @joehoopsreport
Whether premature or miscommunication in the Carter camp, but Proviso East's Jevon Carter remains open, uncommitted, per his father"
Quote from: classof2014 on September 04, 2013, 11:01:22 AM
Quote from: valpopal on September 04, 2013, 09:09:52 AMAccording to a report on Twitter, Jevon Carter has committed to West Virginia.
Not surprised. With the commitment of Max Joseph, I think we're set at the PG position for a few years. With both Keith Carter and Lexus Williams as our PGs along with Joseph now. Chances are Jevon Carter didn't see an opportunity here.
I doubt Jevon Carter looked at West Virginia and thought there'd be more playing time there vs Valpoaraiso. Had Max Joseph not committed at this point, I think he'd probably still commit to West Virginia. He didn't seem to show much interest in Valpo.
Quote from: a3uge on September 04, 2013, 12:03:49 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on September 04, 2013, 11:01:22 AM
Quote from: valpopal on September 04, 2013, 09:09:52 AMAccording to a report on Twitter, Jevon Carter has committed to West Virginia.
Not surprised. With the commitment of Max Joseph, I think we're set at the PG position for a few years. With both Keith Carter and Lexus Williams as our PGs along with Joseph now. Chances are Jevon Carter didn't see an opportunity here.
I doubt Jevon Carter looked at West Virginia and thought there'd be more playing time there vs Valpoaraiso. Had Max Joseph not committed at this point, I think he'd probably still commit to West Virginia. He didn't seem to show much interest in Valpo.
As I mentioned above, despite reports, according to Carter's father no commitment has been made yet. However, no matter what Jevon does, I don't think the commitment of Max Joseph would make much of a difference since either Carter could just as easily fit into the shooting guard position.
According to NCAA rules, the "Quiet Period" of recruiting ended at midnight last night, and the new "Open Period" of recruiting begins today, which allows coaches to visit potential recruits at their homes or upcoming school games. Therefore, I would think the recent lull in recruiting news should come to a close.
Many university programs will have coaches taking in-home visits with high school players this week. Looking at our list of open offers, we are pretty thin (we only have a few offers out to guards and have none out for 2014 to any forwards or a center). Even with the commitment of guard Max Joseph, we still have four more openings to fill in 2014. Unless we are going to replace all the graduating big men with transfers, I would expect some activity soon.
Speaking of "transfers," good analysis of percentage of transfers per year, and more relevant the trend of "up-transferring" which references Brandon Wood and also that Jason Calliste is "up-transferring" to Oregon under the grad-transfer rule.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130903/college-basketball-transferring/?sct=uk_wr_a2 (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20130903/college-basketball-transferring/?sct=uk_wr_a2)
I wouldn't exactly call Richie Edwards leaving us for Arizona State as up-transferring for him personally...
Quote from: valpotx on September 09, 2013, 05:50:23 PM
I wouldn't exactly call Richie Edwards leaving us for Arizona State as up-transferring for him personally...
Are you aware of the number of sunny days at ASU? Have you seen the women? I think they were referring to ASU being in the PAC-12 vice Horizon. You are correct that both programs were about the same RPI or other rankings wise.
Quote from: valpopal on September 09, 2013, 08:55:54 AM
I would expect some activity soon.
As expected, Valpo apparently will be visiting Nick Rogers (2015) tomorrow...more to follow.
Quote from: covufan on September 09, 2013, 06:14:50 PM
Quote from: valpotx on September 09, 2013, 05:50:23 PM
I wouldn't exactly call Richie Edwards leaving us for Arizona State as up-transferring for him personally...
Are you aware of the number of sunny days at ASU? Have you seen the women? I think they were referring to ASU being in the PAC-12 vice Horizon. You are correct that both programs were about the same RPI or other rankings wise.
I am very aware of the women and sun :). However, at the time that Richie made his decision to transfer to ASU (10-21 in 2011-2012), they had a really poor team. They exceeded expectations last year with their record and RPI.
Quote from: valpotx on September 10, 2013, 10:28:10 AM
Quote from: covufan on September 09, 2013, 06:14:50 PM
Quote from: valpotx on September 09, 2013, 05:50:23 PM
I wouldn't exactly call Richie Edwards leaving us for Arizona State as up-transferring for him personally...
Are you aware of the number of sunny days at ASU? Have you seen the women? I think they were referring to ASU being in the PAC-12 vice Horizon. You are correct that both programs were about the same RPI or other rankings wise.
agreed. Even where ASU finished 2012, that program will always have more potential being in the PAC-12. Was making light of the geographical (which may have been a factor) and single man's perspectives! ;)
I am very aware of the women and sun :). However, at the time that Richie made his decision to transfer to ASU (10-21 in 2011-2012), they had a really poor team. They exceeded expectations last year with their record and RPI.
Jevon Carter has now officially committed to West Virginia.
Quote from: valpopal on August 13, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
Quote from: vufan75 on August 06, 2013, 01:57:07 PM
Maybe I answered my own question regarding the status of recruiting guard Jevon Carter out of Maywood, IL. Ran across on twitter a post from July 10 that mentions which schools are recruiting Jevon Carter the hardest at this point. Sounds like other schools are pursuing him harder than Valpo at this point.
Scott Phillips@phillipshoops 10 Jul
2014 guard Jevon Carter (Team NLP/Proviso East) said Lehigh, LaSalle & Toledo were recruiting him the hardest among his offers. @ny2lasports
With all the emphasis on Chicago players by the VU coaches recently, in addition to Jevon Carter, I wouldn't be surprised if Valpo made an offer to another Chicago 3-star shooting guard, JayQuan McCloud of North Chicago. Either would be good.
Per an article on chicagohoops.com Monday, 9/16/13, JayQuan McCloud announced he had chosen to go to Murray State. The article mentions his other finalists were Rhode Island and Ball State. There is no mention of other offers McCloud might of had, so it is hard to say if Valpo offered him or not. In any case, we lost out on both Jevon Carter and JayQuan McCloud. Perhaps there is another player targeted in the class of 2014 that we are not aware of. I thought someone had mentioned there was another Illinois guard who was going to take an official visit toward the end of September?
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1907-mccloud-talks-murray-state-verbal (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/1907-mccloud-talks-murray-state-verbal)
Quote from: vufan75 on September 17, 2013, 03:04:40 PMIn any case, we lost out on both Jevon Carter and JayQuan McCloud. Perhaps there is another player targeted in the class of 2014 that we are not aware of. I thought someone had mentioned there was another Illinois guard who was going to take an official visit toward the end of September?
Carlos Anderson, a shooting guard from Alton IL, is expected to make a campus visit during Homecoming weekend at the end of September, but he is in the class of 2015. I am hoping JUCO Jared Drew might be in the sights for Valpo in 2014.
Quote from: valpopal on September 17, 2013, 06:45:56 PM
Quote from: vufan75 on September 17, 2013, 03:04:40 PMIn any case, we lost out on both Jevon Carter and JayQuan McCloud. Perhaps there is another player targeted in the class of 2014 that we are not aware of. I thought someone had mentioned there was another Illinois guard who was going to take an official visit toward the end of September?
Carlos Anderson, a shooting guard from Alton IL, is expected to make a campus visit during Homecoming weekend at the end of September, but he is in the class of 2015. I am hoping JUCO Jared Drew might be in the sights for Valpo in 2014.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was Drew they have their eyes on. He was in the same recruiting class as KC at SLU and I believe he has shown interest in Valpo. He probably didn't want to redshirt a year so he went JUCO instead so he doesn't have to sit out.
If the description of Drew as a perimeter player is accurate, he sounds a lot like our freshmen.
New offer on the board according to Verbal Commits
Tevonn Walker, a 6' 1" 195 lbs guard from Montreal.
(http://cdn.meme.li/i/p2vsz.jpg)
Bonus: the only google image hit for the above phrase?
(http://elgustodesaber.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/banana-car.jpg)
Quote from: classof2014 on October 13, 2013, 11:13:23 PM
New offer on the board according to Verbal Commits
Tevonn Walker, a 6' 1" 195 lbs guard from Montreal.
I think we need some Centers and Power Forwards on this list:
http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
Quote from: classof2014 on October 13, 2013, 11:13:23 PM
New offer on the board according to Verbal Commits
Tevonn Walker, a 6' 1" 195 lbs guard from Montreal.
I am told Walker actually has committed to Valpo. He hopes to be alongside his high school teammate Max Joseph in the VU backcourt.
Quote from: valpopal on October 14, 2013, 11:00:37 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on October 13, 2013, 11:13:23 PM
New offer on the board according to Verbal Commits
Tevonn Walker, a 6' 1" 195 lbs guard from Montreal.
I am told Walker actually has committed to Valpo. He hopes to be alongside his high school teammate Max Joseph in the VU backcourt.
New Mexico St, Utah State, Niagara, Valpo, Boston U & American U were all in Montreal, QC yesterday @ Vanier. Main attraction Tevonn Walker.
9:49am - 15 Sep 13
There is lots of impressive video out there on Walker - huge leaper, quickness - looks like a great find.
first order of business will be getting him to cultivate a greater respect for women.
https://twitter.com/IcePhases
(you know, we're on to something with this Canada thing. Hardly anyone would ever leave the South to spend winters in Valpo, but to those kids, we ARE the South!)
What did you see? I only saw a comment from someone else about women in clubs that he didn't comment on.
Quote from: valpotx on October 15, 2013, 11:31:48 AMI only saw a comment from someone else about women in clubs that he didn't comment on.
yeah...it's called a retweet
I don't care enough about Twitter to be on it ;). Facebook is more than enough for me, and now you have my friends trying to get me to do stuff on Instagram as well. Way too much social media BS going on :).
basically, imagine if your friend had an objectionable status on FB, and you made it yours.
that's a pretty strong endorsement of the sentiment expressed.
Quote from: valpopal on October 14, 2013, 11:00:37 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on October 13, 2013, 11:13:23 PM
New offer on the board according to Verbal Commits
Tevonn Walker, a 6' 1" 195 lbs guard from Montreal.
I am told Walker actually has committed to Valpo. He hopes to be alongside his high school teammate Max Joseph in the VU backcourt.
Appears that as of 15 Oct, Walker has committed to Valpo:
http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
Of course, on 16 Oct it has Rossi transferring, according to IWUHoops.com
Apparently Walker was ranked as one of the top 10 Canadian basketball players. I know it is Canada but let us not forget Anthony Bennett was the first pick in the NBA draft and he too is a Canadian.
There's a chance he's gonna be the top recruit in the 2014 class.
Here's the link by the way
http://northpolehoops.com/2013/10/01/nph-2014-top-10-national-player-rankings/ (http://northpolehoops.com/2013/10/01/nph-2014-top-10-national-player-rankings/)
Quote from: classof2014 on October 21, 2013, 05:17:01 PM
Apparently Walker was ranked as one of the top 10 Canadian basketball players. I know it is Canada but let us not forget Anthony Bennett was the first pick in the NBA draft and he too is a Canadian.
There's a chance he's gonna be the top recruit in the 2014 class.
Here's the link by the way
http://northpolehoops.com/2013/10/01/nph-2014-top-10-national-player-rankings/ (http://northpolehoops.com/2013/10/01/nph-2014-top-10-national-player-rankings/)
I can believe it after watching this video (from nearly 2 years ago):
Tevonn Walker (montreal) , st.laurent-1/1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if4JjGMqXf8#)
And the hits just keep on coming...
Valpo looks to be set at the point guard spot for the '14-'15 and '15-'16 seasons with Carter, Williams, Joseph and Walker. I would think Bryce might be looking for some height with the last two class of '14 spots.
Quote from: EddieCabot on October 22, 2013, 02:29:27 PMI would think Bryce might be looking for some height with the last two class of '14 spots.
I'm thinking this as well, or Bryce is waiting to see who is transferring from Big State U in the spring.
I believe Matt Holba and Aaron Brennan will be teammates this year. Maybe we should be looking at Brennan for 2014:
http://verbalcommits.com/players/aaron-brennan (http://verbalcommits.com/players/aaron-brennan)
Quote from: covufan on October 30, 2013, 06:05:45 PM
Quote from: EddieCabot on October 22, 2013, 02:29:27 PMI would think Bryce might be looking for some height with the last two class of '14 spots.
I'm thinking this as well, or Bryce is waiting to see who is transferring from Big State U in the spring.
I believe Matt Holba and Aaron Brennan will be teammates this year. Maybe we should be looking at Brennan for 2014:
http://verbalcommits.com/players/aaron-brennan (http://verbalcommits.com/players/aaron-brennan)
Not sure if Valpo had any interest in Brennan, but he committed to IUPUI over the weekend. http://blogs.indystar.com/recruitingcentral/archives/4342 (http://blogs.indystar.com/recruitingcentral/archives/4342)
I completely forgot about IUPUI moving to that Fairgrounds place. It looks like a really nice gym, and will help them a lot in recruiting...though the students still won't care.
IPFW moved their home games off campus to the Coliseum for a few years, a large venue that they "regularly packed" with about 1,000 fans or less. It was a joke and it has done nothing for recruiting as far as I can tell. This year they are back on campus. Such excitement to hear a few hundred fans including a few students in an arena that seats somewhere around 8,000 (even with an end curtained off). I can't believe that moving to the Fairgrounds will help IUPUI very much.
Quote from: valpo64 on November 04, 2013, 09:53:13 AMIPFW moved their home games off campus to the Coliseum for a few years, a large venue that they "regularly packed" with about 1,000 fans or less. It was a joke and it has done nothing for recruiting as far as I can tell. This year they are back on campus. Such excitement to hear a few hundred fans including a few students in an arena that seats somewhere around 8,000 (even with an end curtained off). I can't believe that moving to the Fairgrounds will help IUPUI very much.
I think it depends on what kind of facility you have on your campus. In IUPUI's case they are moving from an 1,800 seat gym, which, like many high schools, has no room behind the baskets for seating. The Jaguars are moving to a revamped Pepsi Coliseum on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which at one time in the '60's was used for a Beatles concert. The Pepsi Coliseum has been the home of the ABA Pacers and lower level pro basketball teams, several minor league hockey teams, one of which, the Indianapolis Racers, had Wayne Gretzky on it's team. There is a lot of history at the Pepsi Coliseum and people, I believe, will be attracted to seeing the old place spruced up and that the team George Hill of the Pacers used to play for in college might be a team to follow if IUPUI starts to win. It's too late to see the old Ron Hunter show on the sideline because he went on to Georgia State in Atlanta but I think the IU administration saw why Hunter left and knew they had to make some kind of arrangement for a change in venue.
Quote from: bbtds on November 04, 2013, 02:01:55 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on November 04, 2013, 09:53:13 AMIPFW moved their home games off campus to the Coliseum for a few years, a large venue that they "regularly packed" with about 1,000 fans or less. It was a joke and it has done nothing for recruiting as far as I can tell. This year they are back on campus. Such excitement to hear a few hundred fans including a few students in an arena that seats somewhere around 8,000 (even with an end curtained off). I can't believe that moving to the Fairgrounds will help IUPUI very much.
I think it depends on what kind of facility you have on your campus. In IUPUI's case they are moving from an 1,800 seat gym, which, like many high schools, has no room behind the baskets for seating. The Jaguars are moving to a revamped Pepsi Coliseum on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which at one time in the '60's was used for a Beatles concert. The Pepsi Coliseum has been the home of the ABA Pacers and lower level pro basketball teams, several minor league hockey teams, one of which, the Indianapolis Racers, had Wayne Gretzky on it's team. There is a lot of history at the Pepsi Coliseum and people, I believe, will be attracted to seeing the old place spruced up and that the team George Hill of the Pacers used to play for in college might be a team to follow if IUPUI starts to win. It's too late to see the old Ron Hunter show on the sideline because he went on to Georgia State in Atlanta but I think the IU administration saw why Hunter left and knew they had to make some kind of arrangement for a change in venue.
I for one am excited for the Jags. I have been to the Jungle many times and it stinks. I look forward to seeing the renovated Coliseum. Will it help attendance or recruiting...I do not know.
I have to correct one thing, the Racers and Gretsky never played there. They were always in MSA which was a great hockey venue.
Quote from: IndyValpo on November 04, 2013, 07:15:01 PMI have to correct one thing, the Racers and Gretsky never played there. They were always in MSA which was a great hockey venue.
I honestly didn't remember that the Indianapolis Racers were actually a major league team in the old World Hockey Association. Gretzky signed with the Racers when he was 17 years old because the NHL didn't allow any players under 20 to play in their league. The expansion Racers entered the WHA at the end of the WHA's existence and the owner knew there was going to be a merger between the two leagues. His objective was to get as many NHL valued players who he could sell to NHL clubs when the merger happened. The Racers owner knew his team would not be accepted into the NHL because the Racers weren't getting the attendance required by the NHL to enter their league. I just assumed since the pictures in the Pepsi Coliseum showed Gretzky as a 17 year old that it was during his minor league days. The pictures of Gretzky in the old Market Square Arena were moved to the Pepsi Coliseum when that building was torn down after the RCA/Hoosier Dome was built for the Colts.
(http://blogs.etruth.com/changingonthefly/files/2013/02/gretz.jpg)
Wouldn't you have thought this guy was on a minor league team too?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Racers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Racers)
Don't knock the Jungle. I went to some of our better games there... including the MidCon Clincher years ago with a fanVan loaded with Valpo folks... it was certainly a home game for us as our fans outnumbered OoeyPooey fans by 4 to 1.
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/attention-mr-axl-rose-we-did-not-feel-welcome-in-the-jungle (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/attention-mr-axl-rose-we-did-not-feel-welcome-in-the-jungle)
soooooo....yesterday was early signing day, and looks like no news.
Looking for Max Joseph and Tevonn Walker, but it looks like nothing so far.
Went over to verbalcommits, and they are still listed as verbal (something about typing that sentence makes it seem tautological...hmmm...)
http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
but Walker is listed as a Soph / JUCO player? What gives?
No twitter activity for Walker of late...anyone know or follow Joseph?
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on November 14, 2013, 10:10:25 AMbut Walker is listed as a Soph / JUCO player? What gives?
I sent verbalcommits a note on that a few weeks ago. They replied they know about the problem, and that his profile has been doing some weird things. Has not been fixed, though.
I don't recall seeing this player before, but verbalcommits has VU offering him recently:
http://verbalcommits.com/players/nemanja-zarkovic (http://verbalcommits.com/players/nemanja-zarkovic)
We may need to throw a few more 'ehs at the end of our sentences. Does anyone have the video of Don Nelson and Steve Nash? Bryce might need a Canadian English translator next year!
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg35139#msg35139 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg35139#msg35139)
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg35146#msg35146 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=1421.msg35146#msg35146)
It's official for the Canadians!
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13148/crusaders-ink-pair-of-canadian-guards-to-nlis/ (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13148/crusaders-ink-pair-of-canadian-guards-to-nlis/)
Nice video of the signing and interviews with the two Canadian players signing with Valpo that are part of valpotx's post and link reporting the NLI signing. Here is the link again separate from the Valpo Athletics press release.
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1542320 (http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1542320)
oh good! thanks tx.
would have been nice if they had shown them making some shots! way to undercut your story, canadian newstypes.
Now the pep band will have to learn BLAME CANADA O Canada
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on November 14, 2013, 10:10:25 AMtautological
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tautological_(disambiguation) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tautological_(disambiguation))
QuoteTautological
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Tautological (disambiguation))
Look up tautological in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
In mathematics, tautological may refer to:
Logic:
Tautological consequence
Geometry, where it is used as an alternative to canonical:
QuoteTautology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Look up tautology in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Tautology may refer to:
Tautology (rhetoric), a self-reinforcing pretense of significant truth
Tautology (grammar), the use of redundant words
Tautology (logic), a universal truth in formal logic
Tautology (rule of inference), a rule of replacement for logical expressions
Tautonym, a species name where both parts are identical
I knew you were dying to know.
your posting the definitions for tautological creates kind of a Moebius Strip of tautology.
room...spinning...need to sit down
Thanks boys, now back to the subject at hand!
So I was just thinking (dangerous I know) about these two Canadian kids. And here's what I'm thinking: Bryce, Roger et al, have how many quality guards in Indiana/Illinois/the rest of the United States/the rest of the World, and we take two Canadians from the same high school?
What I'm really thinking is that our coaches just pulled a very fast one on the rest of D1 and grabbed a couple of kids that, if better known, might be sought after by high D1's. Not the first time a Drew has gone off the beaten path to find talent. My guess is that we are in for something pretty special. Time will tell!
I know I mentioned this before somewhere, too lazy to find out where but Tevonn Walker is ranked as one of the top 10 Canadian high school basketball players, I believe he and Joseph are good friends as well. I think we got a huge steal in Walker, since the first round pick in the NBA draft was a Canadian, in Anthony Bennett. So bravo to the coaching staff on that one. I would love to see a big in this recruiting class as well.
Perhaps Coach Powell learned some French while in Europe?
Quote from: classof2014 on November 14, 2013, 04:39:14 PMI know I mentioned this before somewhere, too lazy to find out where but Tevonn Walker is ranked as one of the top 10 Canadian high school basketball players, I believe he and Joseph are good friends as well. I think we got a huge steal in Walker, since the first round pick in the NBA draft was a Canadian, in Anthony Bennett. So bravo to the coaching staff on that one. I would love to see a big in this recruiting class as well.
Probably not a good time to name drop Anthony Bennett...
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bennean01/gamelog/2014/ (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bennean01/gamelog/2014/)
Canada has been producing some young basketball talent recently as evidenced by international tournaments and NBA draft prospects. It says that Tevonn Walker is in the top 10 for the country, and Joseph is #22, I believe.
Well that number 1 pick and Canadian in the NBA draft has been terrible -- trbl -- so far for the Cavs. He will develop but there is still a learning curve, albeit smaller than it was eh, with Canadian basketball players. Having watched Steve Nash in college, he went to a mid-major and really wasn't noticed til his Jr and Sr years. Remember sitting in the ASU arena for the afternoon session of the NCAAs in '96 and discussing Nash with a few scouts in our section. We all agreed on his court vision, speed and leadership abilities. Loved when the games were in smaller arenas and it was just aboot hoops and the games were attended by generally a bunch of hoop junkies.
Quote from: vu72 on November 14, 2013, 04:32:46 PM
Thanks boys, now back to the subject at hand!
So I was just thinking (dangerous I know) about these two Canadian kids. And here's what I'm thinking: Bryce, Roger et al, have how many quality guards in Indiana/Illinois/the rest of the United States/the rest of the World, and we take two Canadians from the same high school?
What I'm really thinking is that our coaches just pulled a very fast one on the rest of D1 and grabbed a couple of kids that, if better known, might be sought after by high D1's. Not the first time a Drew has gone off the beaten path to find talent. My guess is that we are in for something pretty special. Time will tell!
I think you're right on, '72. First, we leave a lot of IL D-1 programs shaking their heads at the talent we've pulled out from under them. Now, we're doing the same in Canada. This is fun!
Crusaders reach northward for two Canadian guards
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-reach-northward-for-two-canadian-guards/article_d4261e32-3696-5562-853b-5fa5a7c4f9e7.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-reach-northward-for-two-canadian-guards/article_d4261e32-3696-5562-853b-5fa5a7c4f9e7.html)
I think you're all missing the bigger point here:
Ross Perot was right. I blame NAFTA for this sorry state of affairs.
THESE HERE SCHOLLYSHIPS WUZ MADE IN AMERICA. SPEAK AMERICAN!
luckily it's Milwaukee that's making what Ross referred to as
Giant Sucking Sound - Ross Perot 1992 Presidential Debate.flv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkgx1C_S6ls#)
/setshot'd rick'd
According to verbalcommits, SF Afam Osu, who plays for a prep school in the Milwaukee area but originally is from Nigeria, has shown interest in Valpo. He has no offer from Valpo yet, only offer is from GB.
He's 6' 7" and 200 lbs.
Yeah, not to belabor the point that's obvious to even casual fans, but we need ALL THE BIGS.
For, as big as we are this year--as big as ever--we lose Capo and Moussa.
We still have Vashil, and hopefully Chadwick could step in for Capo and Adekoya gets a larger role...but after that it's
ALL GUARDS ALL THE TIME (ok, tall ones like Yeo are in there, and wings like Peters, but don't get in the way of my ALL CAPS HANDWRINGING)
speaking of which, i love google image search. the #1 hit for "ALL GUARDS ALL THE TIME" is
(http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1180261371.jpg)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on November 15, 2013, 10:23:31 AM
Yeah, not to belabor the point that's obvious to even casual fans, but we need ALL THE BIGS.
For, as big as we are this year--as big as ever--we lose Capo and Moussa.
We still have Vashil, and hopefully Chadwick could step in for Capo and Adekoya gets a larger role...but after that it's
ALL GUARDS ALL THE TIME (ok, tall ones like Yeo are in there, and wings like Peters, but don't get in the way of my ALL CAPS HANDWRINGING)
speaking of which, i love google image search. the #1 hit for "ALL GUARDS ALL THE TIME" is
(http://www.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1180261371.jpg)
Don't forget Nickerson at 6'7" will be eligible next year as well. So without anybody new we will have Vashil at 6'11", Chadwick at 6'9", Peters at 6'7", Nickerson at 6'7" and Adekoya at 6'7".
That's OK and I'm guessing a transfer or two might fill the remaining slots, who knows.
Quote from: classof2014 on November 15, 2013, 10:12:35 AM
According to verbalcommits, SF Afam Osu, who plays for a prep school in the Milwaukee area but originally is from Nigeria, has shown interest in Valpo. He has no offer from Valpo yet, only offer is from GB.
He's 6' 7" and 200 lbs.
He actually graduated high school in New Jersey and is now in a post-graduate (high school) program at St Johns Military Academy (Trevon Hughes, former Badgers star, went to the under-under-graduate there). The 1-year academic program is specifically for athletes that want to play a D1 or D2 sport but got under-recruited out of high school. I'm not sure this counts as a JUCO or not, but it's probably cheaper than a junior college and prepares the players for a 4 year degree much better.
http://www.sjnma.org/post-graduate-program/ (http://www.sjnma.org/post-graduate-program/)
http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/sports/225213602.html (http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/sports/225213602.html)
It looks like UWGB gave him a scholarship.
Quote from: vu72 on November 15, 2013, 10:46:34 AMDon't forget Nickerson at 6'7" will be eligible next year as well.
Good point, but part of why he transferred is that he wanted to play 3 not 4... we need 4s and 5s...
I'm thrilled to have the two canadians coming in. They meet my #1 priority: Name Pronounciability. and if we do need someone to sing O'Canada... we can call the Railcats baseball team. They have someone sing that anthem when we play a team from north of the border.
Now... I'm sure you all know why we have these two position players coming... here's the first verse of their anthem.
O Canada! Our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
NOTICE... it does not say "We stand on Power Forward for thee"....
Quote from: talksalot on November 15, 2013, 02:14:07 PM
I'm thrilled to have the two canadians coming in. They meet my #1 priority: Name Pronounciability. and if we do need someone to sing O'Canada... we can call the Railcats baseball team. They have someone sing that anthem when we play a team from north of the border.
Now... I'm sure you all know why we have these two position players coming... here's the first verse of their anthem.
O Canada! Our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
NOTICE... it does not say "We stand on Power Forward for thee"....
I think everybody should memorize it for their first game and have the whole crowd sign along. Now that would be impressive.
Too bad Thanksgiving Day passed on October 14 in Canada. Maybe they can come down to Valpo for a second Thanksgiving.
Nickerson, Peters and Adekoya give Valpo great versatility at both forward spots next year. All three can play both the 3 and 4. Yeo can also play the 3. I think the future at the forward position has never been brighter. It's the one position where we have little recruiting worries for next season.
Well, thank you for that. I will sleep a little better tonight!
All we need is a 5. Of course, so does everyone :)
Ryan Taylor, a 6'6" shooting guard from Michigan City (St. John's Northwestern Military Academy), took an unofficial visit to Valpo today. He doesn't have an offer for a scholarship. He plays on a team with a 6'11" 220 lb center who has an offer from Green Bay. Perhaps we could make a package deal. ;)
I see that Tevonn Walker is putting up some huge scoring numbers for 9-1 Vanier. Also, here is a short video from the day Walker and Joseph signed their NLI's:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmc_QHXnpRM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmc_QHXnpRM)
Hey! More housecreaning!
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24392198/indiana-freshman-big-man-luke-fischer-transferring (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24392198/indiana-freshman-big-man-luke-fischer-transferring)
Want to be Capo v.2.0?
Wouldn't Luke be a find for us!
If Fischer were to opt for a HL program, it seems that GB would be more likely:
- His home town is Germantown, WI, 2 hours south of Green Bay.
- GB is the only HL program that offered him.
- Brown is in his final year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096 (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096)
Quote from: wh on December 30, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
If Fischer were to opt for a HL program, it seems that GB would be more likely:
- His home town is Germantown, WI, 2 hours south of Green Bay.
- GB is the only HL program that offered him.
- Brown is in his final year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096 (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096)
Gah, if you're going to school 2+ hours from home, you might as well go to the school with the coach that isn't going to berate you.
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Quote from: a3uge on December 30, 2013, 09:18:32 PM
Quote from: wh on December 30, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
If Fischer were to opt for a HL program, it seems that GB would be more likely:
- His home town is Germantown, WI, 2 hours south of Green Bay.
- GB is the only HL program that offered him.
- Brown is in his final year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096 (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096)
Gah, if you're going to school 2+ hours from home, you might as well go to the school with the coach that isn't going to berate you.
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You make a good point. He only has one more chance to find the right fit. Why would he roll the dice on a jackass like Wardle?
Quote from: wh on December 30, 2013, 09:27:20 PM
Quote from: a3uge on December 30, 2013, 09:18:32 PM
Quote from: wh on December 30, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
If Fischer were to opt for a HL program, it seems that GB would be more likely:
- His home town is Germantown, WI, 2 hours south of Green Bay.
- GB is the only HL program that offered him.
- Brown is in his final year.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096 (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Luke-Fischer-124096)
Gah, if you're going to school 2+ hours from home, you might as well go to the school with the coach that isn't going to berate you.
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You make a good point. He only has one more chance to find the right fit. Why would he roll the dice on a jack ass like Wardle?
Also, I see he had an offer from Marquette. If he wants to go in state, that's probably a more likely option... That is if he can stand Buzz. Probably not a great fit there either.
Also, Germantown is near Mequon so it's metro Milwaukee. If I had to choose an HL school it would be UWM. Of course, if the purpose was to get away from the Milw area then I would choose a school 3 hours away that had a coach with a great reputation with players instead of a school 2 hours away that was still in Packerland and had a coach with a "questionable" (trying not to sound judgemental because obviously some of his players like him despite his being a douche) reputation.
Quote from: historyman on December 31, 2013, 12:57:38 AM
Also, Germantown is near Mequon so it's metro Milwaukee. If I had to choose an HL school it would be UWM. Of course, if the purpose was to get away from the Milw area then I would choose a school 3 hours away that had a coach with a great reputation with players instead of a school 2 hours away that was still in Packerland and had a coach with a "questionable" (trying not to sound judgemental because obviously some of his players like him despite his being a douche) reputation.
I'd take a full scholarship at Marquette before UWM. Milwaukee is pretty much an urban commuter school. Marquette has dorms and campus life.
Quote from: historyman on December 31, 2013, 12:57:38 AM
Also, Germantown is near Mequon so it's metro Milwaukee. If I had to choose an HL school it would be UWM. Of course, if the purpose was to get away from the Milw area then I would choose a school 3 hours away that had a coach with a great reputation with players instead of a school 2 hours away that was still in Packerland and had a coach with a "questionable" (trying not to sound judgemental because obviously some of his players like him despite his being a douche) reputation.
QuoteI'd take a full scholarship at Marquette before UWM. Milwaukee is pretty much an urban commuter school. Marquette has dorms and campus life.
The statement I replied to was if Fischer was to going to choose between HL schools and the schools mentioned were UWGB, UWM and Valpo.
QuoteIf Fischer were to opt for a HL program, it seems that GB would be more likely
From Victory Forelight, a Butler tweeter this morning:
Victory Firelight @ButlerVictory "With Luke Fischer transfer decision coming this weekend, it's hard to not salivate at the speculation. Would be game changer for Butler."
More on the Luke Fisher situation. Many good schools have reached out:
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2014/01/02/schools-reach-out-to-6-11-iu-transfer-fischer/4294493/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2014/01/02/schools-reach-out-to-6-11-iu-transfer-fischer/4294493/)
I would assume we're one of the 40 mentioned, but since not mentioned by name, probably not a great sign
Marquette it is - kid probably just wanted to be close to home. Also, hilarious he left Crean for Marquette.
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Glad that he didn't go to Butler ;D
I heard last night that we are actively pursuing a couple of junior college big men for next year, hoping to get at least one of them........don't know anymore details than that.
No offer but Deji Adekunle, a 6' 11" 235 center from London, who is a JUCO from Williston State in North Dakota has shown a high level of interest in Valpo. No offer though.
You tube on Deji Adekunle from 2012-13 season.
Deji Adekunle- Williston State (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCDJ9AQtDHM#)
Just my opinion: Smooth footwork and relaxed, coordinated running style. Has some moves around the basket. Plays more like a 6'7" but is 6'10"
If he is coordinated and that tall I'd take a shot at him, assuming there isn't another promising big target out there.
I'll take a 6'11" big with minimal talent and two years for next season. Hopefully we can bring in a FR big at the same time to groom for the future without Vashil and JuCo big. If Deji Akendule played anything like Deji Akindele from CSU several years back, I would take him in a heartbeat :)
We will have 4 scholarships opening up next year: Lavonte, Capo, Moussa, and Coleman, right?
How many are already taken (Nickerson?) or is he already on scholarship? How many spoken for (offered and verbally committed), and how many still available?
Thanks.
Nickerson is currently on scholarship. We have two players signed, thus leaving two spots available.
Thanks Chef. I am a new fan, can you please guide me to where I can find info about the 2 signed recruits.
I appreciate the help.
Quote from: ValpoFan on January 26, 2014, 12:46:53 AM
Thanks Chef. I am a new fan, can you please guide me to where I can find info about the 2 signed recruits.
I appreciate the help.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13148/crusaders-ink-pair-of-canadian-guards-to-nlis/
Canadians. Hope they turn out better than the Canadian #1 draft pick turned out for the Cavs
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Possible 2014 recruit Darreon Reddick had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game as his team won a tournament this weekend, and he was named the tournament MVP. Still, I expect Reddick, a 6'3" shooting guard, to go elsewhere, and that Bryce will use the JUCO route (or maybe find a transfer) to fill the two remaining scholarships for next year.
Interview with Reddick with a Valpo mention:
Darreon Reddick Talks Recruiting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09zrg7qMUOw#ws)
Quote from: vufan75 on November 14, 2013, 12:10:07 PMNice video of the signing and interviews with the two Canadian players signing with Valpo that are part of valpotx's post and link reporting the NLI signing. Here is the link again separate from the Valpo Athletics press release. http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1542320 (http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1542320)
It now seems evident that both of these Quebecers have a Jamaican background if you watched this video. I had not picked up on this before. I kept thinking English/Quebec/Canadian like their coach. Well, in case you missed it Toronto mayor, Rob Ford, knows how to speak patois.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/01/21/rob-fords-drunken-jamaican-english-laced-rant-translated/ (http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/01/21/rob-fords-drunken-jamaican-english-laced-rant-translated/)
EDIT: Be aware that Ford's drunken speech is laced with English/Jamacain cursing.
According to this article from chicagohoops.com from today, Valpo is one of the schools who is recruiting 6-10 Marvin Jones from Highland Community College (IL). For those of us hoping to add another "big" to next years team, this would be positive news. Like others have said, we will still have some size next season, but, IMO can never have enough as long as they can play at the D1 level.
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3052-marvin-jones-talks-season-recruiting (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3052-marvin-jones-talks-season-recruiting)
Marvin Jones Talks Season, Recruiting
Friday, 28 February 2014
Written by Cavan Walsh
Highland Community College (IL) standout Marvin Jones is ready for the Region IV Tournament this weekend and his team will open on Saturday against Truman (IL).
Jones, a 6'10 center who starred as a prep at Thornton High School (IL) is averaging 9.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on the season. We caught up with Jones for a quick update on the season and his recruiting.
Talk about how the regular season went both as a team and individual?
"Since the first game of the season I've been ecstatic about this season. I was ready to leave a mark & prove people wrong. I think the season went great, for none of us to have ever played with each other in the previous season. I think the season went quite well ending up 24-6. From an individual standpoint I think I have done well, but better is coming. Being top 25 in the country in blocks the whole year and nearly averaging a double-double a game. I know that isn't enough, and I'm working to get better results everyday. The regular season is over but a new season is about to begin."
How's the recruiting process going and what schools are involved?
"Recruiting this year has been going good. I started off with an official visit to SIU. Shortly after that I lot of schools like Auburn, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal State Northridge coming in to open gyms and practices to see how I was coming a long. Since the season had begun I've taken an unofficial visit to Loyola Chicago and schools Valpo, EMU, and Nebraska-Omaha have started recruiting me."
When it comes time to make a decision what will you be looking for in a school?
"I'm looking for the best fit for me. It doesn't matter to me if it's a high-major or low-major school. I'm not picky, I am just trying to get the most out of these last two years I have. I'm not really trying to rush anything with a decision. I'm going to see how things go after the playoffs then I will set dates for visits and decide then."
What are your expectations for the playoffs?
"Since the regular season ended I've been watching game film to see where I can improve and just fine tuning my game for the playoffs. I hope we can make a big run in the national tournament. I am staying on top of my grades and focusing on the classroom because without those I am not going anywhere."
Good find on that article. We will always need bigs.
David Skara, a 6'8" forward, has received an offer from VU and will be visiting campus today.
Chris Artis @chrisartis5
Shout out to David Skara who picked up an offer from Valparaiso and is taking his visit there today! #MEPA
Quote from: valpopal on March 13, 2014, 09:29:10 AM
David Skara, a 6'8" forward, has received an offer from VU and will be visiting campus today.
Not much, but ran across a bit of info on David Skara. Apparently a native of Croatia. From verbalcommits.com and Midwest Elite Prep Academy websites. Former Valpo player Chris Artis is an assistant coach at Midwest Elite Prep Academy, per the website.
They are located in Merrillville.
http://verbalcommits.com/players/david-skara (http://verbalcommits.com/players/david-skara)
http://midwesteliteprephoops.com/ (http://midwesteliteprephoops.com/)
Apparently, Green Bay has already offered a scholarship back in February per the blog Phear the Phoenix.
http://phearthephoenix.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/41419935-gb-offers-scholarship-to-david-skara (http://phearthephoenix.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/41419935-gb-offers-scholarship-to-david-skara)
I'll take a 6'8" guy. It looks like he is a 2 star on some sites, and will add to our Croatian lineage if he joins. If Vashil can average close to 30 minutes, we can use Jubril and this guy at the 4, so Peters can play his desired 3.
Perhaps this has been viewed on here before, but I was searching around and saw it for the first time. Tevonn Walker, our 6'1" guard from Canada, might be a little more athletic than I originally thought. Tevonn Walker - Posters defender on a putback (http://youtu.be/M05Kq5pGn1I)
Quote from: FWalum on March 13, 2014, 02:25:14 PM
Perhaps this has been viewed on here before, but I was searching around and saw it for the first time. Tevonn Walker, our 6'1" guard from Canada, might be a little more athletic than I originally thought. Tevonn Walker - Posters defender on a putback (http://youtu.be/M05Kq5pGn1I)
As I've said before, when you think about all the guards located in just Indiana and realize that Bryce et al decided to fill the guard spots with two kids from Canada, then I for one am assuming they must be pretty special. ;D
Tevonn Walker was recently named a first team all-star in his league and as the league Player of the Year, as well as the MVP at the Provincial Championships. He is under the radar right now, but his athleticism will surprise many in the Horizon League.
Tevonn Walker led his league in scoring averaging 20.8 PPG, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 APG (TO ratio is about 1:1), 2.6 Steals
Max Joseph averaged 9.9 PPG, 5.9 Rebounds, 3.4 APG : 2.3 TO, 1.6 Steals
Walker is probably gonna be the star out of the 2015 freshman class. As he has the ability to score and will probably be the guy to replace the LVD type who can get to the lane with his athleticism.
It'll be nice to have 2 players who have played together as it'll bring chemistry which is an issue when freshmen come in who have never played together.
I saw that David Skara had a visit scheduled for Boston College. However, word is that BC's coach, Steve Donahue, has just been fired.
Yes, the coach at BC was fired. I've also seen that Ken Bone at Washington State, in Pullman, WA, not the U of Washington, was fired. The odd part, these two get fired on the same day that Bruce Pearl becomes the new head coach at Auburn. Didn't he have a 5-year show me clause, or was that passed already?
Quote from: valporun on March 18, 2014, 02:53:20 PM
Yes, the coach at BC was fired. I've also seen that Ken Bone at Washington State, in Pullman, WA, not the U of Washington, was fired. The odd part, these two get fired on the same day that Bruce Pearl becomes the new head coach at Auburn. Didn't he have a 5-year show me clause, or was that passed already?
I think it was only 3 years. Man that guy is going to be orange living in Georgia full time.
Uh, did Auburn move from Alabama to Georgia, and no one told me about it? ;)
Some people just go in for the long commutes.
Quote from: valpotx on March 18, 2014, 04:42:23 PM
Uh, did Auburn move from Alabama to Georgia, and no one told me about it? ;)
It's the south, it's all the same thing.
Quote from: valpotx on March 18, 2014, 04:42:23 PMUh, did Auburn move from Alabama to Georgia, and no one told me about it? ;)
Quote from: agibson on March 18, 2014, 05:07:50 PMSome people just go in for the long commutes.
It's actually 36 miles from Columbus, GA (and Fort Benning) to Auburn, AL so it wouldn't be all that bad of a commute and have heard about a guy that teaches the military at Fort Benning and at Auburn University.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Columbus,+GA&daddr=Auburn,+AL&hl=en&sll=32.606989,-85.479126&sspn=2.891849,5.059204&geocode=FbBQ7wEdwzDv-in1MTVYG82MiDFhA-HuqVCMcg%3BFUGW8QEdsqrn-imD-JuzL_GMiDFYk9M1kpElyw&oq=Auburn&mra=ls&t=m&z=11 (https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Columbus,+GA&daddr=Auburn,+AL&hl=en&sll=32.606989,-85.479126&sspn=2.891849,5.059204&geocode=FbBQ7wEdwzDv-in1MTVYG82MiDFhA-HuqVCMcg%3BFUGW8QEdsqrn-imD-JuzL_GMiDFYk9M1kpElyw&oq=Auburn&mra=ls&t=m&z=11)
Crap, please don't compare Texas to the Southeast. We are proud of our Southern heritage, but not nearly to the extent that they are ;). Our pride is a Texas pride more than Southern pride.
David Skara received an offer from Robert Morris today; but I have to think Valparaiso would be a preferred location for him.
Has anyone seen him? Where did they play their games?
Quote from: vufan75 on March 13, 2014, 10:03:33 AM
http://midwesteliteprephoops.com/ (http://midwesteliteprephoops.com/)
Hoop -- Go to Midwest Elite Prep and check out their schedule and facilities. They played some JC's and other preps.
Lots of people transferring from Purdue and IU this year. Ronnie Johnson and Jeremy Hollowell were both 4 star recruits and top 20 at their positions. I saw on twitter that the rumor was they wanted to transfer to the same school. Both are from Indianapolis.
No centers in the group though...
Nice story about our two Canadian kids:
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13551/joseph-walker-conclude-stellar-season-for-vanier/ (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13551/joseph-walker-conclude-stellar-season-for-vanier/)
Quote from: vu72 on March 24, 2014, 05:28:13 PM
Nice story about our two Canadian kids:
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13551/joseph-walker-conclude-stellar-season-for-vanier/ (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13551/joseph-walker-conclude-stellar-season-for-vanier/)
True patriot love in all thy sons command! Sounds like a good motto for Valpo fans.
David Skara has now received an offer from Buzz Williams at Virginia Tech.
Chris Artis @chrisartis5 51m
Congrats to David Skara on receiving a scholarship offer to Virginia Tech!! #MEPA
Does this help/hurt us?
I would have to think that we won't be getting him, if this is a sign of other larger schools taking an interest in him.
Are we recruiting 6'10" Filip Nowiki from the same school? It looks like he has considered Wright State and Butler...
Quote from: valpopal on March 26, 2014, 08:46:57 AM
David Skara has now received an offer from Buzz Williams at Virginia Tech.
Interesting to note that per Verbal Commits, David Skara now has 4 scholarship offers to choose from, with I'd presume more to come as we get closer to the spring NLI period. Virginia Tech (thanks Buzz), Robert Morris, Valpo, and Green Bay.
6-10 Butler freshman Nolan Berry has announced that he will be transferring. Despite not playing much this year, IMO he has definite potential. I think he's the 5th Butler player to quit the team since the beginning of this season.
Hopefully he is someone that we can consider, and can develop into someone with at least Junior Vashil skills
Quote from: wh on March 26, 2014, 10:47:12 AM
6-10 Butler freshman Nolan Berry has announced that he will be transferring. Despite not playing much this year, IMO he has definite potential. I think he's the 5th Butler player to quit the team since the beginning of this season.
Would be a nice pickup, though I think he is/was more of a 4 than a 5 player in terms of position.
From the tweets shown on Verbal Commits, Loyola's Porter Moser is going after Nolan Berry pretty hard already.
C'mon Valpo.....make it hard for Loyola to win that recruiting battle! He might also take a long look at playing near home and and land at SLU perhaps. From reading one tweet, if it is accurate, he did not like his position at Butler.
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/nolan-berry (http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/nolan-berry)
Quote from: vufan75 on March 26, 2014, 12:46:49 PM
Quote from: wh on March 26, 2014, 10:47:12 AM
...I think he's the 5th Butler player to quit the team since the beginning of this season.
They're just trying to keep up with IU
Quote from: valpotx on March 26, 2014, 12:11:27 PM
Hopefully he is someone that we can consider, and can develop into someone with at least Junior Vashil skills
He'll never have Vahil's shot-blocking/rebounding/dunking skills, but he has excellent shooting/passing skills for his size. After his sophomore season, he was top 50 by most rating services. My analysis of what happened from there:
1. As a senior in high school, breaks both his arms, putting him further behind in building strength. As LAA might say, "strength is his weakness".
2. Supposedly waivered on Butler after Stevens left, but decided to stay.
3. Should have redshirted his freshman year to get better prepared for college, but with Jones hurt and Smeathers leaving before the season, Butler needed the body.
4. Was forced to play most of his minutes at the 5 spot; wasn't ready for that in general, and certainly not against Big East bodies.
Add all that up and he's looking for a place where he can better utilize his skills. If he uses his redshirt year next season to get stronger, I think he'll have a very good college career. Most assume SLU is the leader as its home and his grandfather, Hall of Famer Ed McCauley, was a star at SLU before heading to the NBA.
I would hope in terms of bigs for next year we can get a JUCO who can play immediately. I've heard stuff about Deji Adekunle from Williston State and Marvin Jones, another Chicagoland kid from Dolton, both are 6' 10"+ and aren't twigs.
I want someone with experience at the college level since Vashil will be our only big and we will need another big to eat up minutes if we want to be successful.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/03/24/nolan-berry-transfer-butler/6840167/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/03/24/nolan-berry-transfer-butler/6840167/)
Perhaps this is an option...
Quote from: ARCInsider on March 26, 2014, 02:54:17 PMhttp://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/03/24/nolan-berry-transfer-butler/6840167/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/03/24/nolan-berry-transfer-butler/6840167/) Perhaps this is an option...
If only I had heard of that name before.....
Quote from: wh on March 26, 2014, 10:47:12 AM
6-10 Butler freshman Nolan Berry has announced that he will be transferring. Despite not playing much this year, IMO he has definite potential. I think he's the 5th Butler player to quit the team since the beginning of this season.
Guessing he wasn't happy with little playing time on a crappy team - hey he could probably have as many minutes as he want here on a team that should be above .500.
And THAT'S why you don't just read the last page of the thread.
(http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shame.gif)
Quote from: milanmiracle on March 26, 2014, 01:11:06 PMThey're just trying to keep up with IU
POST OF THE DAY
Quote from: zvillehaze on March 26, 2014, 02:32:37 PMAs LAA might say, "strength is his weakness".
i WISH i were that clever. thx.
ARCInsider...what was your gif? dying to know.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on March 26, 2014, 05:05:25 PMARCInsider...what was your gif? dying to know.
It's from Arrested Development
wait how come you can see it and I can't?
this is what i see:
(http://s15.postimg.org/85vko154r/Screen_Shot_2014_03_26_at_8_25_17_PM.png)
Quote from: valpopal on March 26, 2014, 08:46:57 AMDavid Skara has now received an offer from Buzz Williams at Virginia Tech.
JUST WHAT THIS BOARD NEEDS
TWO BUZZ WILLIAMS THREADS
;)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on March 26, 2014, 07:26:09 PM
wait how come you can see it and I can't?
this is what i see:
(http://s15.postimg.org/85vko154r/Screen_Shot_2014_03_26_at_8_25_17_PM.png)
That's weird...not sure why you can't see it.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shame.gif (http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shame.gif) Try the link.
Quote from: ARCInsider on March 26, 2014, 08:29:40 PMTry the link.
LOL!! thanks!
"Christmas time...is here..." :)
Quote from: zvillehaze on March 26, 2014, 02:32:37 PM1. As a senior in high school, breaks both his arms, putting him further behind in building strength.
I still say it was a bunch of the SLU message board posters who went out to DeSmet and kidnapped him after practice one night and beat him with a stick. How could the grandson of Ed McCauley, the greatest Billiken ever and former player for the St Louis Bombers, Boston Celtics and St Louis Hawks (now in Atlanta), decide to attend Butler?
If SLU does take him there will be some message board fans who certainly won't like it because of his initial rejection of Coach Majerus and his legacy.
Porter Moser, at Loyola, was an asst coach at SLU when Majerus and assts were recruiting Berry. He might already have a decent relationship with Moser despite the issues he had with Majerus. In St Louis, Hoosier is a very derogatory word. Akin to country bumpkin.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2d/Ed_Macauley.jpg/220px-Ed_Macauley.jpg)
Easy Ed McCauley
Valpo usually has interest in a transfer or two, so here's the latest list from Jeff Goodman. I haven't seen Valpo's name associated with anyone in particular, but there are some talented players available.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball)
Quote from: zvillehaze on April 02, 2014, 12:11:32 PM
Valpo usually has interest in a transfer or two, so here's the latest list from Jeff Goodman. I haven't seen Valpo's name associated with anyone in particular, but there are some talented players available.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball)
Thanks for posting that haze. It is amazing how long the list actually is. It would seem it is almost epidemic.
Quote from: vu72 on April 02, 2014, 12:54:20 PMThanks for posting that haze. It is amazing how long the list actually is. It would seem it is almost epidemic.
I think it definitely seems that way, and numbers are up each year--but still, numbers would be up since there are more D1s every year--now more than 350.
Just one guy a team would be more than there are there now, and one guy a team would be 7.7%.
I kind of think only 7% of kids changing their minds and switching schools would be lower than the general college-kid average?
Quote from: vu72 on April 02, 2014, 12:54:20 PM
Thanks for posting that haze. It is amazing how long the list actually is. It would seem it is almost epidemic.
What's the statistic? 30 or 40% transfer within the first two years?
Wow, 350+ teams now. During my last year 10 years ago, I believe that the number was around 315 or so, with 280 baseball programs.
Most of the new D1 schools are in Texas. Houston baptist, IWU, albiene Christian. When I graduated from valpo 10 years ago there were 310 with only 165 playing men's soccer and all 310 playing women's soccer. Making it much more difficult to earn scholarship money in men's soccer. When I was assisting coaching at the D1 level I found out a fully funded program for men's soccer is 7 scholarships. Remember there are 11 on the field. Women's D1 fully funded program is 13 scholarships. I hope I have a daughter, she will have a much better chance getting a scholarship.
On the 2014 recruiting front, ran across this surfing Twitter tonight regarding a possible Valpo transfer recruit. If it happened he would be a 5th year senior immediately eligible. Played at Providence, but looking at stats his minutes went down each year. A 6-8 forward with shot blocking skills. If I remember the stats I glanced at right, his FT % was low. I think he was recruited by the previous Providence coach, so maybe he just didn't fit into the new coaches plan.
Alex Kline@TheRecruitScoop·13 hrs
Boise St, Albany, UT-Chatanooga, Hofstra, Valpo & Middle Tenn pursuing Providence transfer Brice Kofane, who will be immediately eligible.
Quote from: vufan75 on April 02, 2014, 10:22:07 PM
On the 2014 recruiting front, ran across this surfing Twitter tonight regarding a possible Valpo transfer recruit. If it happened he would be a 5th year senior immediately eligible. Played at Providence, but looking at stats his minutes went down each year. A 6-8 forward with shot blocking skills. If I remember the stats I glanced at right, his FT % was low. I think he was recruited by the previous Providence coach, so maybe he just didn't fit into the new coaches plan.
Alex Kline@TheRecruitScoop·13 hrs
Boise St, Albany, UT-Chatanooga, Hofstra, Valpo & Middle Tenn pursuing Providence transfer Brice Kofane, who will be immediately eligible.
http://pcbb1917.com/tag/alex-kline/ (http://pcbb1917.com/tag/alex-kline/)
this includes Kofane's picture
Kofane never really developed into the kind of defensive force that he showed flashes of early in his career. He will graduate this season and be immediately eligible because of the 5th year transfer exemption.
In 78 career games, Kofane averaged 1.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg and nearly a block/game. He played sparingly this year but was able to make an impact in a few games, especially a crucial 16 minutes off the bench in the Big East Tournament semifinals against Seton Hall.
Kofane was always a good citizen and is a very good student. He played more early in his career out of necessity because of a severe lack of depth. He was never meant to play at the high major level and never really developed. He doesn't have great hands on the offensive end but can swat shots very effectively. The thinking is Albany may have an inside track on him because he played AAU ball for the Albany City Rocks but we'll see what happens.
how about you keep him and we'll take fazekas. deal? ;)
Haha I think we'll pass. It really seems like Fazekas is ready to blow up this AAU season. I watched highlights of his 34 pt performance in the State finals. Kid can shoot it. How is Class A in terms of competition though? It was interesting to hear that Brewster Academy in NH called him during the season and offered him a spot. I think PC fans would be thrilled if he decided to go to Brewster for his senior year. The NEPSAC league is one of the best HS leagues in the country with a TON of high major D1 talent throughout the league.
Brewster can wait. (and will.)
The Class A tournament comprised the only games Marquette played against 1A competition all year.
I had read they played a tough schedule but didn't put it together that they didn't play any class A schools really. That's good to know. Thanks.
http://indianahsbasketball.homestead.com/files/boyslogs208.htm (http://indianahsbasketball.homestead.com/files/boyslogs208.htm)
Marquette HS boys basketball schedule
Anything new on who may be in next year's class, either frosh -to-be or transfers?
Valpo has also shown interest in JUCO guard, Dequon Miller, a 5' 11" 165 lbs guard from Charleston, WV.
This is a JUCO center Valpo had been checking but must have passed on him:
[tweet]454355366340349952[/tweet]
If he ended up at Northwestern State, it is probably a good thing that we didn't get him
Quote from: valpotx on April 10, 2014, 04:17:12 PM
If he ended up at Northwestern State, it is probably a good thing that we didn't get him
I guess ... I've never even heard of this Northwestern State school. Had to Google to find out if they were D-I or not. Looks like they were only 17-14 this year despite playing in a pathetic conference and had a mediocre 155 RPI. Only halfway respectible win was at Auburn. I think they were better last year (85 RPI), but didn't even make the tourney ... doubt they ever have.
once again, i almost thought you were serious. was going to write a semi-scathing reply about the history of their program, etc.
then I thought better of it.
Quote from: EddieCabot on April 10, 2014, 07:26:39 PM
Quote from: valpotx on April 10, 2014, 04:17:12 PM
If he ended up at Northwestern State, it is probably a good thing that we didn't get him
I guess ... I've never even heard of this Northwestern State school. Had to Google to find out if they were D-I or not. Looks like they were only 17-14 this year despite playing in a pathetic conference and had a mediocre 155 RPI. Only halfway respectible win was at Auburn. I think they were better last year (85 RPI), but didn't even make the tourney ... doubt they ever have.
They did make the tourney last year and actually have won games in the tourney.
But yeah, the Southland is awful minus SFA and sometimes Oral Roberts (leaving) and NWSU.
Wait do I just have a bad sarcasm detector?
Quote from: a3uge on April 10, 2014, 07:36:43 PM
Wait do I just have a bad sarcasm detector?
You missed not only the sarcasm but the shot across the bow at our beloved program, which finished this season with an RPI lower than NWS's "mediocre" 155 and who hasn't beaten a D-1 Major (as NWS did in a "halfway respective win" at Auburn) since the summer of '42. ;)
I've got nothing relevant to add, except that my daughter almost attended Northwestern State. As the saying goes, I paid for her to visit the campus twice and all I got was this lousy t-shirt! (Honestly, I love the t-shirt. Vic the Demon rocks.)
(http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x409/zvillehaze/Vicsmall.jpg) (http://s1180.photobucket.com/user/zvillehaze/media/Vicsmall.jpg.html)
They have played in 3 NCAA tournaments, and are 2-3 all-time, with one of those wins coming in the Opening Round game against Winthrop. We would beat them on a fairly steady basis each year, regardless of what their RPI was in the last 2 seasons. The Southland blows, coming from someone that has actually followed the league from time-to-time, since there are plenty of TX schools...
Quote from: valpotx on April 10, 2014, 04:17:12 PM
If he ended up at Northwestern State, it is probably a good thing that we didn't get him
I wonder if anyone on Boston College's message board in the fall of 2012 said "If Alec ended up at Valparaiso, it is probably a good thing that we didn't get him."
I am sure that is probably the case
So I take it none of you remember back to 2006 when 14-seeded Northwestern State shocked 3-seeded Iowa (basically) at the buzzer with a 3 in the corner.
Quote from: a3uge on April 10, 2014, 07:36:43 PMWait do I just have a bad sarcasm detector?
not as bad as jloose's
Quote from: jloose128 on April 11, 2014, 05:58:06 PM
So I take it none of you remember back to 2006 when 14-seeded Northwestern State shocked 3-seeded Iowa (basically) at the buzzer with a 3 in the corner.
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/0e6c4fc1fda16fa7fef334a1d3fb8d32/tumblr_mnlf01ru9L1rkpfcgo1_500.gif)
Quote from: wh on April 10, 2014, 07:49:36 PM
Quote from: a3uge on April 10, 2014, 07:36:43 PM
Wait do I just have a bad sarcasm detector?
You missed not only the sarcasm but the shot across the bow at our beloved program, which finished this season with an RPI lower than NWS's "mediocre" 155 and who hasn't beaten a D-1 Major (as NWS did in a "halfway respective win" at Auburn) since the summer of '42. ;)
Hey I am still mad at Eddie for joining in and firing up the furor aimed at the Green Bay referee crew which hung me out to dry as the sole defender of their adequate or better performance. For me or for us to seek retribution may sound a little harsh but that Eddie Cabot guy is long, long overdue for a good hornswoggling. ;)
Whoops, my bad.
Hey, no sweat--as you can see, he's fooled many who've been here longer than both you and I put together as well.
Quote from: jloose128 on April 11, 2014, 05:58:06 PM
So I take it none of you remember back to 2006 when 14-seeded Northwestern State shocked 3-seeded Iowa (basically) at the buzzer with a 3 in the corner.
I did remember that game when stating my thoughts on the program. Northwestern State is still worse than Valpo
Quote from: classof2014 on April 10, 2014, 11:02:52 AM
Valpo has also shown interest in JUCO guard, Dequon Miller, a 5' 11" 165 lbs guard from Charleston, WV.
Miller, an honorable mention JUCO All-American as a freshman, has indicated he will continue at his Junior College next year; if so, he wouldn't be a 2014 recruit. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in a Valpo uniform in 2015.
Just wondering...don't we have enough guards?
Paul
Butler loses yet another one...
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10805630/elijah-brown-becomes-fourth-butler-bulldogs-player-transfer (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10805630/elijah-brown-becomes-fourth-butler-bulldogs-player-transfer)
SIAP
Quote from: 78crusader on April 21, 2014, 07:54:30 AMJust wondering...don't we have enough guards?
I know what you mean, but this is only a problem if he's not better than others.
If we're not talking until 2015-16, we should only have 5 guards at that time--barring attrition, should always be noted, in this day and age--so he would make 6, which is about the number of scholarship guards usually carried.
I updated (sigh) the scholarship sheet again so you can see for yourself:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlQ2tPhus3WCdElfelJobS1BOXVfU09YU19UbENmdWc&usp=drive_web#gid=0
The major change is the disappearance of this past year. Already there are three years hidden (columns B through D) so you can check them out for yourselves, I think--if it doesn't let you look at them let me know.
Are there any rumblings about where E Brown from Butler will land? If he was BU's top recruit last year, he could be a valuable prize for someone....6'4'' guard and son of an established player and coach.
Quote from: valpo64 on April 21, 2014, 12:24:21 PM
Are there any rumblings about where E Brown from Butler will land? If he was BU's top recruit last year, he could be a valuable prize for someone....6'4'' guard and son of an established player and coach.
In this story, last Friday, in the Indy Star, it has no indication of where Brown might be transferring. It does say that due to Brown playing behind Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones he is looking for more playing time. According to the story, Brown liked Butler but he feels he deserves more court time.
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/04/18/elijah-brown-transferring-butler/7881697/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2014/04/18/elijah-brown-transferring-butler/7881697/)
By most accounts Brown enjoyed Butler, the coaching staff and his teammates. But, eyeing the future, he wanted a spot where more floor time was available. Brown would likely be playing behind Kellen Dunham (a second-team All-Big East selection this past season) and Roosevelt Jones (who returns from injury next season) for the next two years.
I hope he doesn't end up at Cleveland State. You know, across the street from the arena where his father is coaching.
What about dear old Valpo?
Quote from: ValpoFan on April 21, 2014, 01:37:43 PM
I hope he doesn't end up at Cleveland State. You know, across the street from the arena where his father is "currently" coaching "for a few more days we hope."
Fixed it for you.
Quote from: valpopal on March 13, 2014, 09:29:10 AM
David Skara, a 6'8" forward, has received an offer from VU and will be visiting campus today.
A poster on twitter says
David Skara chose Valpo!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Retweeted by MikeHutton
Dave maravilla@dave_ismhoops·33 mins
Happy to announce David Skara- 6'8 3/4 of Zadar ,Croatia andMidwest Elite Prep Basketball Academy is taking his talents to Valpo!Cestitka!
____________________________________________________________
And also as tweeted by Chris Artis.
Chris Artis@chrisartis5·22m
Shout out to David Skara on his commitment to @ValpoBasketball !! #MEPA
[tweet]459477889483046912[/tweet]
Just testing to see on the last post if I was able to embed a tweet. Guess I can from the looks of it.
Sorry LAA.
[tweet]459477889483046912[/tweet]
[tweet]459459804218413056[/tweet]
huzzah!
first d1 offer from Green Bay; we were next. then Robert Morris and Virginia Tech.
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/david-skara (http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/david-skara)
welcome to the family!
Glad to have him on board! A big body who can help next year. OK, I'm going to hijack the thread for a moment to emphasize a point. We have had the facilities debate, and I want to go on record as wanting facility improvements as quickly as possible, if only to enhance the overall image of Valpo.
That being said, I contacted a former prominent basketball player and asked him about why he chose Valpo over what must have been many choices.
Here is my question:
So I've got a question: Lots of debate on the Valpo Sports Forum about facilities. Here's the queston: What drew you to Valpo and what might have made the difference if you were between two schools? Was it the size of the arena? The crowd atmosphere? the coaches? The practice facilities? Lot's of folks think we need to enlarge/improve the ARC. Would that help with recruiting or is it the school and coaches? Who better to ask than someone who had many choices!!
Here is his answer:
What drew me to Valpo was how passionate the Drew family was for me to come there, it was close to home, and the respect of the conference and the big time non conference schedule of my first season being able to play some of the best teams in the country.
And of course wanting to learn from Coach Bryce who had a good professional career.
He went on to say:
I think a new arena and weight room would be a good thing. I considered it a gym and not really an arena and the weight room was very small, maybe they have changed it in the last___ years, I'm not sure. All of my three classes my last semester before graduating were in the room directly across from the locker room!
Without naming names, this was not someone who dropped off of the team for playing time but rather was a significant player. Sure, he thought an arena would have been nice as would a bigger weight room. but, the reason he chose Valpo was because of the Drew's, the schedule, and most importantly, Bryce.
Quote from: vu72 on April 24, 2014, 10:56:21 PM
Without naming names, this was not someone who dropped off of the team for playing time but rather was a significant player. Sure, he thought an arena would have been nice as would a bigger weight room. but, the reason he chose Valpo was because of the Drew's, the schedule, and most importantly, Bryce.
This simply supports my longstanding contention that the charisma, image and reputation of the Drews have been able to woo prospects despite the obvious facility disadvantages. That's fine for now. The question is what happens when Bryce leaves (which could be at any time) and the next guy doesn't possess that bigger than life persona, and recruits are asking 'what else ya got?' That's when we're going to learn what happens when a university fails plan for the inevitable reality of "life after the Drews.
Sounds like a good get. Hopefully he is more of a KVW-type of PF, to complement Peters over the next few years.
Midwest Elite's Skara picks Valpo U for hoops
David Skara of Midwest Elite Prep Academy in Merrillville verbally committed to play basketball at Valparaiso University on Thursday.
The 6-foot-8 wing player from Zadar, Croatia, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds for Midwest last season.
The 19-year-old also had offers from Wisconsin-Green Bay, Illinois-Chicago and Robert Morris, with several others showing interest. Living in Valparaiso, though, had Skara feeling a sense of comfort with coach Bryce Drew and his staff.
"David is very versatile," Midwest Elite coach Chris Artis said. "He can dribble the ball, can play the stretch 4 or 3. He needs to gain a little weight to get ready for college ball. But he's willing to put in the work to get there. He has the kind of game where they'll be expecting him to contribute right away." — Steve Hanlon
Saying that he can play the stretch 4 or 3 means his greatest skills are at the 3. We still need help inside. 1 scholarship left to fill that void.
Not a lot on him out there; good to get him now while interest picks up.
http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/David_Skara/KK_Borik_Puntamika_Zadar/227790?AmNotSure=1#Player%20Stats (http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/David_Skara/KK_Borik_Puntamika_Zadar/227790?AmNotSure=1#Player%20Stats)
His stats from the U17 world championships, now almost 2 years ago. 20 min PT over 4 games for the Croatian national team. Highlight was 10 pts in 13 min against S Korea, but he was playing because they lost by almost 60 pts (!). 1-7 from 2pt (made only 3PT) and 5-6 from line.
http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=004639&gamecode=35&seasoncode=JT12 (http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=004639&gamecode=35&seasoncode=JT12)
Next year got 35 mpg in 2 games, averaging 13.5 ppt & 4 rpg. 7/17 floor, 3/6 3PT, 80% from line.
As would be expected of a prep-year player, will be a 19-year old freshman (2/26/95), which is good. (Bryce was too, if I remember correctly. not that he's Bryce. Just saying.)
Times blurb:
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/thursday-s-prep-roundup-midwest-elite-s-skara-picks-valpo/article_64750c35-a364-5c0c-a14a-f2487da91f05.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/thursday-s-prep-roundup-midwest-elite-s-skara-picks-valpo/article_64750c35-a364-5c0c-a14a-f2487da91f05.html)
QuoteThe 6-foot-8 wing player from Zadar, Croatia, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds for Midwest last season.
...
"David is very versatile," Midwest Elite coach Chris Artis said. "He can dribble the ball, can play the stretch 4 or 3. He needs to gain a little weight to get ready for college ball. But he's willing to put in the work to get there. He has the kind of game where they'll be expecting him to contribute right away."
Green Bay offer was significant as they only have one slot left open for next year. VT offer significant, because Buzz Williams just took over there, but I'm not going to revive that thread.
STRETCH 4 FTW!
NOTE: PLEASE OBSERVE MORATORIUM ON COMPARISON TO DINO JAKOLIS
Osipoff weighs in for the Post:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/27051357-556/mens-basketball-midwest-elite-standout-david-skara-commits-to-valparaiso.html#.U1sdBF5swkE (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/27051357-556/mens-basketball-midwest-elite-standout-david-skara-commits-to-valparaiso.html#.U1sdBF5swkE)
Quote"They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.
"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.
"He's a stretch 4- or 3-man. He's kind of similar to (Crusaders rising sophomore) Alec Peters — they'll complement each other well."
...
"A lot of people haven't seen him play, and they're going to be really surprised because he's really good. The kid can play."
thank God for Chris Artis
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 25, 2014, 09:45:05 PMthank God for Chris Artis
Otherwise known as "CA" on previous message boards a few years back. He used to give a lot of info on the open court sessions because he was invited to play in the open court sessions that the Crusader players put together in the off season.
I guess this makes it official:
[tweet]461627120007929857[/tweet]
Pronounciation? scar -uh or scare-uh? just askin' as someone who probably ought to know these things.
Quote from: talksalot on May 01, 2014, 04:20:19 PM
Pronounciation? scar -uh or scare-uh? just askin' as someone who probably ought to know these things.
Go to google translate http://translate.google.com/#hr/en/Skara (http://translate.google.com/#hr/en/Skara)
then click on the "speaker" icon and google will do the pronunciation. That would be the Croatian language pronunciation.
Darreon Reddick, another 2014 6-3 2G Valpo had recruited at one point, committed to OVC school Tennessee State per Illinois Prep Bullseye today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darreon Reddick Commits To Ohio Valley Conference School: http://ilprepbullseye.com/Reddick_TN_State.html (http://ilprepbullseye.com/Reddick_TN_State.html) ...
Quote from: vufan75 on May 01, 2014, 08:11:25 PMDarreon Reddick, a player Valpo had recruited at one point, committed to OVC school Tennessee State.
Any idea if we were still wanting him or had cooled on him?
Just a guess, but I would think we had cooled on him after signing the two Canadian guards for 2014. I would guess the coaches are working hard trying to come up with a frontcourt player with size at this point, ideally a center who can share time with Vashil next year. David Skara has some decent size, but we definitely need another big at this point.
Probably as good a place to put this as any:
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2014/04/25/college-basketball-transfers-proliferate-various-reasons/8150561/ (http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2014/04/25/college-basketball-transfers-proliferate-various-reasons/8150561/)
Contains the obligatory B-Wood reference, but otherwise in-depth & original.
Quote from: vufan75 on May 01, 2014, 08:27:45 PMI would guess the coaches are working hard trying to come up with a frontcourt player with size at this point, ideally a center who can share time with Vashil next year. David Skara has some decent size, but we definitely need another big at this point.
The chances for finding more inside help for 14-15 are getting pretty slim. Realistically if another Capo or better size and talent became available then we would have to strike. This would remain true even if the kid would have to redshirt.
Quote from: justducky on May 01, 2014, 09:56:13 PM
The chances for finding more inside help for 14-15 are getting pretty slim. Realistically if another Capo or better size and talent became available then we would have to strike. This would remain true even if the kid would have to redshirt.
I remember when an unknown player was rumored to have arrived on campus at the end of June, just in time for the second summer session of classes, and he turned out to be a pretty good inside player: KVW. I'm still hoping for another find like that one in the next month or so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUT5rEU6pqM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUT5rEU6pqM)
Quote from: justducky on May 01, 2014, 09:56:13 PMThe chances for finding more inside help for 14-15 are getting pretty slim. Realistically if another Capo or better size and talent became available then we would have to strike. This would remain true even if the kid would have to redshirt.
I took a look at the transfer list from Jeff Goodman at ESPN http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10702122/tracking-every-transfer-2014-offseason-college-basketball)
The following players are graduating and are immediately eligible to play:
Jordan Allen, 6-6, F, RS So., Hofstra -- LIU BROOKLYN
Quentin Bastian, 6-6, F, Jr., NJIT
Sooren Derboghosian 6-10, RS Jr., UCLA
Jeylani Dublin, 6-6, F, Jr., Longwood -- IONA
Alex Gavrilovic, 6-9, F, Jr., Dayton -- TOWSON
Kris Gulley, 6-7, SF, Jr., Long Beach State
Jon Horford, 6-10, PF, Jr., Michigan -- FLORIDA
James Johnson, 6-10, F, Jr., San Diego -- LIBERTY
Brandan Kearney, 6-5, F, Jr., Arizona State -- DETROIT
Darius Leonard, 6-9, C, Jr., Campbell -- WAKE FOREST
Justin Martin, 6-8, F, RS Jr., Xavier -- SMU
Parris Massey, 6-7, F, RS Jr., UMass Lowell
Griffin McKenzie, 6-9, F, Jr., Denver
Eric McKnight, 6-9, F, Jr., Florida Gulf Coast -- TENNESSEE
Sommy Ogukwe, 6-7, F, Jr., Liberty -- LIMESTONE
Ryan Okwudibonye, 6-8, C, Jr., Sacramento State
Mike Samuels, 6-11, C, Jr., Indiana State -- EASTERN MICHIGAN
Nick Shepherd, 6-9, F, Jr., Long Beach State
Desmond Simmons, 6-7, SF, RS Jr., Washington -- SAINT MARY'S
Zech Smith, 6-11, C, Jr., Cal State Bakersfield -- MORGAN STATE
Dwight Tarwater, 6-6, F, Sr., Cornell
J.J. Thomas, 6-6, F, Jr., Cal State Northridge
Malik Thomas, 6-7, F, Jr., Boston University -- NORFOLK STATE
Jake Zuilhof, 6-9, PF, RS So., Grand Canyon
I have no idea the quality of any of the players, but I'm sure the coaching staff is already looking at those that might fit into the Valpo system. Samuels (from Indiana State) and Zuilhof (Grand Canyon) are interesting in that they are graduating and have two years remaining.
Quote from: covufan on May 02, 2014, 03:16:22 PMSamuels (from Indiana State) and Zuilhof (Grand Canyon) are interesting in that they are graduating and have two years remaining.
That is a great point. We really lucked out with Will Bogan in that regard. He was no world-beater, but he was exactly what that team needed more of.
Derboghosian, an Iranian, going to UCLA has an interesting story but I don't think he would leave UCLA. Apparently the Iranian community in Los Angeles is large which would not be the case in Valpo or even Chicago. He spent two years at Glendale Community College in the L.A. area before Ben Howland let him walk-on at UCLA. He played a total of 7 minutes for Howland in 2012-13. Alford did not play him at all in 2013-14. His dream since he was 4 or 5 years old was to play for UCLA.
http://dailybruin.com/2012/11/09/junior-center-shoots-for-multiple-goals-from-iran-to-us/ (http://dailybruin.com/2012/11/09/junior-center-shoots-for-multiple-goals-from-iran-to-us/)
(http://binaryapi.ap.org/229699f5b1bd491d988e3c7e75fa7494/940x.jpg)
Yes, he's second from the left.
Quote from: historyman on May 02, 2014, 08:42:08 PMDerboghosian, an Iranian, going to UCLA has an interesting story but I don't think he would leave UCLA
um...isn't he on the transfer list for a reason?
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 02, 2014, 11:07:58 PMQuote from: historyman on May 02, 2014, 08:42:08 PMDerboghosian, an Iranian, going to UCLA has an interesting story but I don't think he would leave UCLA
um...isn't he on the transfer list for a reason?
Yes, I see what I did. I left out the words "for Valpo" after "leave UCLA." It's obvious he wants more playing time, any playing time.
Yeah, after 3.5 minutes a year, I'd say ANYWHERE would give him more time.
Interesting, Iranian. Would have pegged his surname for Armenian.
Does anyone follow coaches on Twitter? I don't suppose they can tweet at people but they can get tagged by prospects.
It mentions in that article that his first language is Armenian, so he is probably Armenian-Iranian
a people not known for Sooren above the rim...
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on May 03, 2014, 07:53:56 AMInteresting, Iranian. Would have pegged his surname for Armenian.
I used to think any last name ending in "ian" was Armenian as well. I've met other Iranians with "ian" names, and I think they identified with being Persian more than Iranian.
Quote from: covufan on May 05, 2014, 02:09:21 PMI think they identified with being Persian more than Iranian.
Are there Iranians that identify as Iranian more than Persian? What's the distinction?
Quote from: agibson on May 07, 2014, 02:18:31 PMAre there Iranians that identify as Iranian more than Persian? What's the distinction?
I'm sure there are, but don't know for a fact. The distinction, as I understood it, revolved around the Islamic Revolution in 1978-80, where Iran become an Islamic Republic with the Ayatollah having a larger spiritual and political role. I would guess that for many under the age of 40, having lived in Iran under this regime, and having completely bought into the Ayatollah system, would identify as being Iranian. For those that are older or were able to leave Iran, they did not identify with what Iran had become, and would say that they were Persian. They didn't necessarily agree with the Shah, but identified being Persian first, then Muslim.
I'm sure we've all known people here in the US that have a very strong American identity; others very strongly Christian before American. Again, these are just my thoughts, not necessarily what anyone from Iran might say/think.
Quote from: agibson on May 07, 2014, 02:18:31 PMWhat's the distinction?
(http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/49541320.jpg)
Quote from: covufan on May 07, 2014, 03:25:24 PMI'm sure we've all known people here in the US that have a very strong American identity; others very strongly Christian before American. Again, these are just my thoughts, not necessarily what anyone from Iran might say/think.
Sure - that makes sense. But, neither of the words Persian or Iranian would necessarily have to have anything to do with religion.
But, I can imagine how one might get used for the longer sweep of Iranian/Persian cultural identity, and the other might be more tied up with the most recent regimes.
The last I recall we still have 1 open scholarship. We badly need a seasoned JC or 5th year Sr. to help at the 4/5. I'm thinking at this late stage all the good ones are committed somewhere. Hopefully, I'm wrong and a nice surprise is still forthcoming.
Quote from: wh on June 04, 2014, 12:33:53 PM
The last I recall we still have 1 open scholarship. We badly need a seasoned JC or 5th year Sr. to help at the 4/5. I'm thinking at this late stage all the good ones are committed somewhere. Hopefully, I'm wrong and a nice surprise is still forthcoming.
Agree 100% wh. If there is another recruit targeted for next season, at this point it seems it might be an overseas player (ala KVW). Like you said the good ones here with size are pretty much gone and committed at this point. A surprise would be a beautiful thing though!
Since there has been a very quiet lull in offers by Valpo, my guess is that the coaching staff has a plan in mind—either a JC player or someone from overseas. In fact, Verbal Commits shows no real offers for 2014 by Valpo.
As has been mentioned, there is a pattern of last-minute additions, such as Kevin and Vashil. The routine has been to add these players just before the second summer session begins so that they can enroll then. The second summer session begins on Monday, June 30; therefore, I expect an addition to the roster at least during the week prior to that, if not before.
Like everyone else, I'm hoping we get lucky with a pleasant surprise as we did with KVW.
Surprise! It appears that Valpo has a new JC guard. Darien Walker, a 6'3" 220 lb shooting guard, has committed to VU. Played high school ball at Simeon in Chicago. Eligible to play immediately.
Um...don't we already have PLENTY of guards?
Paul
Nothing against our new recruit (don't know anything about him yet), but I think we were all hoping for help at the 4/5. Obviously, that didn't materialize. We'd better pray that (1) Vashil can learn to play without getting into constant foul trouble and (2) he doesn't get injured. We're going to have some very undersized lineups when he's out of the game.
Quote from: valpopal on June 18, 2014, 01:18:38 PM
Surprise! It appears that Valpo has a new JC guard. Darien Walker, a 6'3" 220 lb shooting guard, has committed to VU. Played high school ball at Simeon in Chicago. Eligible to play immediately.
I think we were all hoping for help at the 4-5 position, but sometimes the best player/fit doesn't meet our expectations. Here is some info:
http://verbalcommits.com/players/darien-walker (http://verbalcommits.com/players/darien-walker)
If his weight is correct, I envision some 3G and 4G lineups. This team will need to utilize their quickness, on both ends of the court.
Quote from: 78crusader on June 18, 2014, 03:16:18 PM
Um...don't we already have PLENTY of guards?
Paul
I'm sure this was the first thought of many...
Quote from: wh on June 18, 2014, 03:31:10 PM
Nothing against our new recruit (don't know anything about him yet), but I think we were all hoping for help at the 4/5. Obviously, that didn't materialize. We'd better pray that (1) Vashil can learn to play without getting into constant foul trouble and (2) he doesn't get injured. We're going to have some very undersized lineups when he's out of the game.
I'm sure the foul trouble thing will be well communicated to Vashil between now and November! The injury thing does worry me, as I'm sure the coaching staff is already coming up with contingency plans.
We lost Capo and Gueye at the 4/5 position, with only Skara coming in. I hope that Chadwick will be healthy this year, as he'll be needed. With Capo and Gueye gone, we have another 34 minutes per game to give to Chadwick, Vashil, Jubril, and Skara. I can see that defensive positioning and footwork will be key in keeping these players out of foul trouble. Bryce has some challenges this year, and he is up for the task!
With this many good guards and SFs returning, I'm looking forward to some up-tempo play. If we can transition quickly on defensive rebounds and catch the other team out of position with respect to our quicker players and kick-out shooters, we could have some fun this year!
Quote from: valpopal on June 18, 2014, 01:18:38 PM
Surprise! It appears that Valpo has a new JC guard. Darien Walker, a 6'3" 220 lb shooting guard, has committed to VU. Played high school ball at Simeon in Chicago. Eligible to play immediately.
Regarding our newest recruit, Darien Walker, following is a report on his commitment to Valpo. Apparently he will have 2 years of eligibility at Valpo after playing juco ball.
http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3548-darien-walker-commits-to-valparaiso (http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3548-darien-walker-commits-to-valparaiso)
Darien Walker Commits To ValparaisoPublished on Wednesday, 18 June 2014 11:17 Written by Brian Stinnette
John A. Logan's Darien Walker, who starred as a prep at Chicago Simeon has committed to play for head coach Bryce Drew and Valparaiso University.
Walker, who stands 6'3, is a strong-framed, versatile wing who can score the ball in a variety of ways.
Walker joins a Valparaiso program that has had great success with recruits from the state of Illinois. Lavonte Dority (Chicago Foreman) was a First Team All-Horizon League pick in 2013-14, while freshmen Jubril Adekoya (Andrew), Lexus Williams (Chicago Marist) and Alec Peters all became starters. Williams and Peters were All-Freshman picks in the Horizon League. Keith Carter (Proviso East) is also poised to play a big role.
Walker will have two years of playing eligibility remaining at Valpo.
Walker was part of a Meanstreets team as a prep that also included Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), Jamari Traylor (Kansas), Mangkok Mathiang (Louisville), Phillip Greene (St. John's) and Julius Brown (Toledo).
John A. Logan head coach Kyle Smithpeters confirmed Walker's commitment to Valpo.
And a tweet from writer Michael Osipoff, with a comment on Walker from his juco coach.
[tweet]479322207714160640[/tweet]
Season stats for 2013-14 season for John A. Logan College. Based on starts only, looks like maybe he was 6th man this past season? But he was the 2nd leading scorer on the team. Hoping he can improve his ball control assist/turnover ratio the next two years. Walker did play his high school basketball at Simeon High School in Chicago, which has produced many very good college players over the years.
http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/teams/johnalogancollege?view=lineup (http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/div1/teams/johnalogancollege?view=lineup)
(http://www.jalc.edu/files/rosters/photo/000/000/006.large.jpg)
John A Logan is a junior college between Carbondale and Marion in southern Illinois.
Video of Darien Walker at a Pro Am Tournament
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mCnL0Z1Rzg#t=66 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mCnL0Z1Rzg#t=66)
http://jg-tc.com/sports/basketball/scary-john-a-logan-visits-lake-land-men/article_d966894d-f8b4-5582-888e-8d171ddb126b.html (http://jg-tc.com/sports/basketball/scary-john-a-logan-visits-lake-land-men/article_d966894d-f8b4-5582-888e-8d171ddb126b.html)
Scary John A. Logan visits Lake Land men
January 21, 2014 4:59 pm
Darien Walker and Sondale Connor also are grads from Simeon, and played with this guy named Derrick Rose their sophomore years.
Walker leads the team in 15.4 points a game while Martavian Payne adds 14.2, and Tre Green chips in 11.8 points a game.
"This is a good team that is finding ways to play good basketball," said coach Cedric Brown. "Their chemistry is great. They find a way to defend while limiting turnovers offensively, and they hold teams to one shot per possession."
The scarier part about John A. Logan is that it is a winner of its last eight straight, including a 75-64 victory at Vincennes, the No. 6 ranked team in the NJCAA Division I.
John A. Logan's run to bump them to 10-5 on the season makes the team a legitimate contender for first place.
I'm hoping for 2 LVD-like years, not just look-alike years!
NOTE: "look-alike" in terms of build and game, not in the "y'all look alike to me" everyday racism type thing.
Count me in the "shocked" category. The good news is that we will be more athletic (read quicker, faster) than any team in the Horizon. We will have to run, run and then run. Not a bad thing. Bryce et al are changing the nature and culture of Valpo basketball. Don't forget about Nickerson, who at 6'8" is most likely much more athletic then similarly sized guys in the Horizon. I'll trust Bryce on this one...
Yeah, I mean, sure we have a lot of guards, but it's not like everyone else has tons of bigs and we're struggling to keep up with them.
We've had height the last couple years, and it seemed usually like people were trying to keep up with us. (Or they just went small and ran around us.)
Should be interesting. I'm going to go update the roster now!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlQ2tPhus3WCdElfelJobS1BOXVfU09YU19UbENmdWc&usp=drive_web#gid=0
Something that we knew before now but the import of which is immediately noticed in the sheet: Walker adds to the junior class, making the classes more evenly balanced (2-3-5-3). Obviously adding a senior only helps one year, and we have plenty of sophomores, so ... there's that.
If this is the final look of the roster for the upcoming year and there are no last minute changes, then one word comes to my mind: "confidence"— the coaching staff must have 1) confidence that Fernandez and Adekoya will give many quality minutes inside; 2) confidence that Nickerson and Chadwick will be healthy and able to contribute; 3) confidence that Skara can add strength inside; 4) confidence D. Walker will have a significant impact; 5) confidence that Peters will supply substantial rebounding from the 3 spot; 6) confidence we will recruit a couple of good big men next year to replace the graduating Fernandez and Chadwick.
so he's been here a day and you've already made him as a "confidence man"? ;)
At this point in time I have no idea what any of our newcomers might be able to contribute and only the foggiest notion of what our overall team best case upside might be. But--- Its way too early to panic and upside surprises are always better than not meeting large expectations. I would think that cautious optimism is about as far out on a limb as I am currently prepared to go. :)
One safe bet for the season is that with this many guards at least one will redshirt. Way too early to start speculation on that.
Good to get size at SG, and this allows us to go 3 deep at guard (which will be inevitable) with Peters playing a 4 and Jubril or someone else a 5.
Part of the problem last year was the amount of turnovers from the oversized lineup. Putting 3 guards in helps eliminate some of the problems with bringing the ball up court and sloppy, slow offensive sets. Spacing seemed to be a huge issue and with a PF that couldn't shoot, the offense stuttered. I'm happy with some 3 guard sets as that's what really worked in 2011-2012.
Seems like have a lot of unproven talent. A junior college guy still available in Mid-June, a potential backup Center who played sparingly last year, We have never seen Nickerson play, we don't know a whole lot about either Canadian or Skara at the D1 level, and we are not yet sure how Yeo will respond to playing a lot more minutes.
So, Position guesses anybody?
5 - Vashil / Adekoya
4 - Nickerson / Skara
3 - Peters / D. Walker
2 - Yeo / T. Walker
1 - Williams / Carter
Bench: Chadwick, Joseph, Davidson
Hopefully, Peters, Skara, and Nickerson can all rotate comfortably between the 3 and 4, Yeo, T. Walker and D. Walker can all rotate comfortably between the 2 and 3, and Carter or Williams can occasionally rotate to the 2 so that we have them on the floor at the same time.
I think by the end of the year, Carter will be the starter and the best player on the team. His defense is too impressive to leave off the court.
I'm impressed that it appears everyone will be back!
Quote from: a3uge on June 19, 2014, 02:15:14 PMGood to get size at SG, and this allows us to go 3 deep at guard (which will be inevitable) with Peters playing a 4 and Jubril or someone else a 5. Part of the problem last year was the amount of turnovers from the oversized lineup. Putting 3 guards in helps eliminate some of the problems with bringing the ball up court and sloppy, slow offensive sets. Spacing seemed to be a huge issue and with a PF that couldn't shoot, the offense stuttered. I'm happy with some 3 guard sets as that's what really worked in 2011-2012.
Unfortunately it wasn't just Fernandez and Gueye committing all the turnovers, although they had a large number of them. It was also Peters, Jubril and others that helped Valpo become a team with a turnover problem. In general, slow offensive sets don't cause turnover issues. I don't feel the turnovers will be gone with the departure of Gueye. It's going to take a concentrated team effort starting with the first day of practice to eliminate this problem.
Quote from: historyman on June 20, 2014, 11:06:05 AMUnfortunately it wasn't just Fernandez and Gueye committing all the turnovers, although they had a large number of them. It was also Peters, Jubril and others that helped Valpo become a team with a turnover problem. In general, slow offensive sets don't cause turnover issues. I don't feel the turnovers will be gone with the departure of Gueye. It's going to take a concentrated team effort starting with the first day of practice to eliminate this problem.
I tend to agree. For a team with +4.6 scoring margin and +4.2 rebounding margin, having a -4.0 TO margin really took posessions away from ourselves, especially in close games and at key times during games.
I wonder what our odds are with us being in the "mix".
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/24/report-providence-transfer-josh-fortune-visits-lsu-colorado-minnesota-in-the-mix/ (http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/24/report-providence-transfer-josh-fortune-visits-lsu-colorado-minnesota-in-the-mix/)
Doesn't look like playing time was an issue as he was playing 33 mins a game.
Good find.
I would say our odds are not great unless he's paying his own way next year.
I'm not sure Valpo will be "Fortune"ate enough to land Josh.
Darien Walker officially announced as part of team: http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13768/walker-joins-crusader-mens-basketball-program/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/13768/walker-joins-crusader-mens-basketball-program/)
Quote from: historyman on June 28, 2014, 10:16:01 PM
I'm not sure Valpo will be "Fortune"ate enough to land Josh.
Unfortunately, Josh Fortune has chosen Colorado.
The July 'live period' of recruiting begins today. I didn't want to start a separate thread for this, but the following article contains some interesting views about how social media, especially Twitter, influences recruiting nowadays. I think this is crucial for coaches and students to consider. I know Oren teaches a popular course concerning this at the university that a number of athletes attend, and I think he also addresses various teams to caution them about the impact of social media. Perhaps he could add more to this conversation about social media and recuiting.
"Through social media, false interest is being created and stirred to ignite a players' recruitment based on lies, miscommunication and the lack of firsthand sources monitoring each situation. As the July Live Period begins on Wednesday, players can make themselves or break themselves on the court, as well as off it through social media....
"As the July live period begins Wednesday in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Reading and other spots around the country, many players will excel on the court. Many influential people will have their say on where those players' recruitments can go. Twitter will factor into their performance and final evaluation.
"'If kids aren't careful and act out on Twitter, especially guys who are competing with many other similar guys at their position for scholarships, they will lose out on opportunities," Bossi said. "If you act like a fool for the world to see, you probably won't be helping your chances. How these guys portray themselves on social media can make a huge difference.'"
https://recruitscoop.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1657539 (https://recruitscoop.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1657539)
OK, so this is probably not a good fit (character issues) but hey, we need big bodies, right?
http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/college/fgcu/2014/07/15/former-fgcu-center-mcknight-transfer-vols-denied-sec/12678085/ (http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/college/fgcu/2014/07/15/former-fgcu-center-mcknight-transfer-vols-denied-sec/12678085/)
uh, no.
"I think it's pretty messed up and it put me a (little) behind, but I wish I had the chance to play in the SEC, which is a big-time conference," McKnight told the Knoxville News Sentinel via text message.
It's your own fault, a$$ clown...
Yeah, but at this late date we can't be choosy. Otherwise, we should probably just bank the scholarship for next year. Although we haven't heard as much with that class yet.
There would thus be 3 slots open next year (plus one for the inevitable attrition, eh? ; )
Quote from: valpotx on July 16, 2014, 01:09:12 AM
"I think it's pretty messed up and it put me a (little) behind, but I wish I had the chance to play in the SEC, which is a big-time conference," McKnight told the Knoxville News Sentinel via text message.
It's your own fault, a$$ clown...
Agree.
However, when did the SEC find the morality clause in these transfers?
Does VerbalCommits know something we don't yet?
http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
Today they posted an update that Dequon Miller (JUCO PG, same grad class as Lexus) updated his interest to "Medium", but looks even stranger because he is placed in the depth chart with everyone...plus as 'Pal already said he's a 2015, probably--but doesn't necessarily HAVE to go back to Juco this year. He just got an offer from Tennessee, though, and since they have all that morality fest going on now...who knows?
EDIT UT offered him as a 2015. I should move this.
Reviewing this thread, I found this. Presented without comment
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on April 20, 2013, 07:18:56 PMOther things I learned from this excursion: Clay Yeo's GF hates watching basketball.
[tweet]317426965332238336[/tweet]
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on July 16, 2014, 01:34:20 PM
Does VerbalCommits know something we don't yet?
http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
Are you referring to Joseph and Walker showing as juniors? ;)
That too! Yikes...well, you read up and see how many of us were confused by "Vanier College" :)
I'm dozens of posts behind now. So I would guess many people are asking, "Why so many guards?" Will we be putting 4 of them on the floor?
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on July 16, 2014, 03:31:04 PMThat too! Yikes...well, you read up and see how many of us were confused by "Vanier College" :)
Here's a review, for those who missed the explanation, of what kind of school Vanier College is.
The two Canadian guards are students at Vanier College.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/ (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/)
Vanier College is a publicly-funded English language CEGEP located in Montreal. Named in honour of General Georges P. Vanier, Canada's second native-born Governor General, Vanier College opened its doors on September 8, 1970, welcoming close to 1,400 students in its first cohort. The Vanier College Crest is an adaption of the Vanier family Coat of Arms (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/Vanier-Coat-of-Arms-Booklet.pdf).As is typical in Canada Quebec runs their educational system differently than the other provinces in Canada. Vanier College is a CEGEP.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP)CEGEP (/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English)seɪˈʒɛp/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English) say-zhep or / (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English)ˈsiːdʒɛp/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English) see-jep; French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language): Cégep; also CÉGEP, Cegep or Cégep) is an acronym for Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, known officially in English as a "General and Vocational College".[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-General_and_Vocational_Colleges_Act-1) It refers to the public post-secondary education (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education) collegiate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_education_in_Quebec) institutions exclusive to the education system in the province of Quebec (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec) in Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada). It is a loanword from French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language).Although all colleges in Quebec are colloquially referred to as CEGEPs, only public colleges are officially referred to by that name. Both public (CEGEPs) and private colleges have the same function in Quebec.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-2) Although they may occasionally be compared to junior colleges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_college) or community colleges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_college), CEGEPs differ in that a Diploma of College Studies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma_of_College_Studies)[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-General_and_Vocational_Colleges_Act-1) (or Diplôme d'études collégiales, DEC) is required for university admission in Quebec unless a student enters as a mature student which typically means a minimum age of 21 with other requirements. Pre-university programs are typically two years in duration, which explains why secondary school and undergraduate degrees are both one year shorter in Quebec relative to elsewhere in Canada. A student in Quebec cannot enter university with a secondary diploma from Quebec alone.The purpose of a separate collegiate education level is to make post-secondary education more accessible in Quebec, as well as to provide proper academic preparation for university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-Youth-3) There are both public subsidized (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidized) and private colleges, with the public CEGEPs having little or no tuition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuition) fee. The CEGEP system was started in 1967 by the Quebec provincial government (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Quebec) and originally consisted of 12 CEGEPs. Today, 48 CEGEPs exist in Quebec, of which 5 are English language (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language)-medium.So if I have read this correctly the high schools are 3 years in Quebec and the undergraduate university programs are 3 years in Quebec. So the two Canadian guards are in a
General and Vocational College (CEGEP)(2 years) which is a requirement in the Quebec system to go to university. So they are in a college prep school which was required of them if they had chosen to attend a Quebec university.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/cegep.php (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/cegep.php)
In 1967, the Quebec government established a new level education which directly follows high school. The CEGEP system (collège d'enseignement general et professionnel) offers both two-year pre-university programs and three-year technical careeer programs. Vanier College is one of 48 public Cegeps in the province.
The funniest part of this post is I sped-read the thread (now there's a rhyme) to get up to speed before posting the 2015 update and I saw this lengthy post (the first time) and stopped my speed reading to go back up and see who wrote it.
Of COURSE it was historyman...who else? I laughed at myself for even needing to check, although I suppose there was like a 13% chance it could have been bbtds.
Hopefully this guy is another transfer that pays off for us! Even though he played very minimally at LSU, he is playing with The Netherlands national team. I believe that KVW was pre-selected for that national team as well.
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2014-15/13796/crusaders-announce-addition-of-hammink/#.U9--uKMo7cs (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2014-15/13796/crusaders-announce-addition-of-hammink/#.U9--uKMo7cs)
Here is some video on him. He had offers from Florida and Iowa in addition to LSU. He looks very long and athletic!
http://verbalcommits.com/players/shane-hammink (http://verbalcommits.com/players/shane-hammink)
Presume he has to sit this year.
I read in an article that his scholarship was not renewed, so he may fall under the "run-off" rule which would allow immediate eligibility.
Quote from: humbleopinion on August 04, 2014, 12:42:33 PMI read in an article that his scholarship was not renewed, so he may fall under the "run-off" rule which would allow immediate eligibility.
I'm not sure there is such a thing as the "run-off" rule. The Valpo women's team currently has a player who sat out last season, when they surely could have used her, who was run off by the coach at Utah State, I believe.
There is a "run-off" rule that gives a player immediate eligibility if he has good academic standing and receives an official statement from his previous school that proves he was not invited to remain in the program. LSU's Anthony Hickey was let go along with Hammink, and he has just received permission to play at Oklahoma State. I would expect Hammink to receive the same treatment, though we all know the NCAA has been unpredictable in the past.
Last year played 21 games. Shot 9-16 for 56%. O-3 from 3. 2-7 from line. 21 rebounds, 4 assists, 10 turnovers, 2 steals for a total of 20 points.
Not much for the LSU highlight reel but he might be able to make significant contributions at Valpo. Interesting, very-interesting!
Can't see Bryce just throwing away a scholarship because he happened to have an extra one.
Betcha he and the staff see beyond the BCS mentality about immediate talent production and see a fit here (like KVW perhaps?). At 6'7'' isn't he a tweener and won't he be in the mix with a lot of the current team? But would have been better if he was 6'11" ;)
Also, isn't it valid that many US BB coaches don't always understand the European athlete? The skill demands over there are slightly different. The game over there is slightly different, and despite the fact that European athletes want to win just as much as Americans, they have a more laid back outward demeanor (which is often mistaken for not caring ) than here in the US.
We have had a long history of successful foreign contributors. So this could make for an interesting addition.
Some info on our new transfer Shane Hammink from the LSU athletics webpage for men's basketball.
http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27829&SPID=2166&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=205499294&Q_SEASON=2013 (http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27829&SPID=2166&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=205499294&Q_SEASON=2013)
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/04/valparaiso-lands-a-transfer-from-lsu/ (http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/04/valparaiso-lands-a-transfer-from-lsu/)
"Hammink has two years of eligibility remaining, and Valpo is currently seeking a waiver that may allow him to be eligible immediately."
This is great news! We've had luck with Low posters...he could be just the man to plug the leak, er, gap.
(Yikes...he's Geert Hammink's son? I am...old. Who was the last son-of-nba we had here? All the way back to Kareem?
Going to optimistically update the scholarship chart as though he were eligible immediately, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if he had to wait a year.
While you're at it, just thought I'd mention that the background color for Max Joseph for '15-16 needs to be changed.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 04, 2014, 10:45:18 PM
This is great news! We've had luck with Low posters...he could be just the man to plug the leak, er, gap.
(Yikes...he's Geert Hammink's son? I am...old. Who was the last son-of-nba we had here? All the way back to Kareem?
Going to optimistically update the scholarship chart as though he were eligible immediately, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if he had to wait a year.
Not basketball, but Ben Boggs is the nephew of famous Red Sox Wade Boggs.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Quote from: wh on August 04, 2014, 11:22:57 PMWhile you're at it, just thought I'd mention that the background color for Max Joseph for '15-16 needs to be changed.
Thanks for noticing! Fixed.
Quote from: a3uge on August 04, 2014, 11:34:15 PMNot basketball, but Ben Boggs is the nephew of famous Red Sox Wade Boggs.
I asked for "son-of-nba" and you give me "nephew-of-mlb". remind me never to ask you for a beer, lest I end up with Ripple.
To bring this back around, Homer, as we all know, was assistant to Dale Brown at LSU, for whom Geert Hammink played. So that's...that's nice.
On a more meaningful note--I agree that Bryce isn't just giving out charity...however, we now have just two spots open for next year (2015 class). Obviously, we could say "but probably three spots!" since it seems like every year one person leaves. (note: that's not just us. that's everyone. everyone has 'transfer issues', especially the people going from cassette to mp3.) And that isn't too small a class. Two, however,
would be a pretty small class.
Basically: I wonder if knowing there are just a couple spots open prompts anyone on the fence to jump off it.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 04, 2014, 11:51:48 PM
Quote from: wh on August 04, 2014, 11:22:57 PMWhile you're at it, just thought I'd mention that the background color for Max Joseph for '15-16 needs to be changed.
Thanks for noticing! Fixed.
Quote from: a3uge on August 04, 2014, 11:34:15 PMNot basketball, but Ben Boggs is the nephew of famous Red Sox Wade Boggs.
I asked for "son-of-nba" and you give me "nephew-of-mlb". remind me never to ask you for a beer, lest I end up with Ripple.
Whatever, I completely made it up anyways.
Post-Tribune artlcle on Valpo adding Shane Hammink, and an update from Coach Bryce Drew.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/29060521-556/mens-basketball-valparaiso-lands-lsu-transfer-shane-hammink.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/29060521-556/mens-basketball-valparaiso-lands-lsu-transfer-shane-hammink.html)
Men's Basketball: Valparaiso lands LSU transfer Shane Hammink
By Michael Osipoff 713-2485 or mosipoff@post-trib.com Twitter: @MichaelOsipoff August 4, 2014 11:20PM
Barring any dramatic turns, Valparaiso has completed its roster for the 2014-15 season.
The Crusaders on Monday announced the signing of LSU transfer Shane Hammink, their 13th scholarship player. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward recently made his senior national team debut for the Netherlands.
Hammink spent two seasons at LSU, appearing in 47 games, including two starts, both as a freshman. The left-hander averaged 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.6 minutes during his Tigers career.
"He's a very skilled player for his size," Valparaiso coach Bryce Drew said. "He's a perimeter player that can do a variety of things well — shoot, pass, rebound, defend."
Hammink is with the Dutch national team — the 14th player in Valparaiso history to reach that level for his respective country — and was expected to arrive on campus later this month when fall semester classes begin.
It was unclear if he would be eligible to play immediately for the Crusaders, or if he would have to sit out this season per typical NCAA transfer rules. LSU announced in May that Hammink was one of three players leaving the program.
"We're going to see what happens this fall with the whole process," Drew said. "We don't know how everything stands. We'll find out over the next couple months."
Last month, Hammink averaged 10.9 points and a team-high 6.0 rebounds for the Netherlands at the U20 Division B European Championship. Last week, he received a call-up to the senior squad for an international friendly against the Czech Republic, posting six points and six rebounds, as the Dutch prepare for European Championship qualifiers. Hammink has also represented the Netherlands at the U16 and U18 levels.
"Growing up playing international tournaments, he has a lot of experience, and that will help him and our team," Drew said.
Hammink, who reportedly also had offers from Florida and Iowa before signing with LSU, played at the Canarias Basketball Academy, the organization in Spain that also produced former standout Crusaders center Kevin Van Wijk.
"We had seen him in high school (on film), so we've been aware of him for a while," Drew said. "With my dad having coached at LSU, we still have some connections to people down there. And then speaking with him and his family, everyone thought he would be a good fit for Valpo."
Hammink's father, Geert, played eight games in three NBA seasons with Orlando and Golden State, after the Magic selected him out of LSU with the No. 26 overall pick in the 1993 draft. The 7-foot center's 11-year pro career included stops in Italy, Greece and Germany.
The Crusaders didn't land the post player they had hoped in this recruiting class, but Drew believes Shane Hammink will mesh well with the rest of their team.
"He's similar to some of the other guys we have, with his versatility and being able to play multiple positions, defend multiple positions, and his high IQ and feel for the game," said Drew, adding it is a "priority" to sign a center with the two current scholarships available for the Class of 2015.
"After having the guys here for the summer and working out, we feel good about the makeup of our roster and how they fit together. With (6-9 forward) David Chadwick, we didn't know how his knee was going to respond, but he's been able to practice and his knee has held up really, really good. That will give us another player on the front line that we didn't have at the beginning of the summer. Some of the other players have gotten bigger and stronger. So we feel good about things."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So back to the drawing board looking for that "big" that can play and contribute pretty much immediately next season. Vashil will be gone and we will need size at center, or have to play with 6-8 guys in the post, or with a other creative "smaller" lineups. In a perfect scenario we would find a contributor who is a juco or transfer, and then recruit a freshman to learn and be a backup initially. Too bad we recently missed out on the recruit who opted for Belmont, center Seth Adelsperger, a 2015 recruit from Peru, IN with size, being reported as 6-11 and 230lbs per Verbal Commits.
Quote from: vufan75 on August 05, 2014, 09:21:03 AMToo bad we recently missed out on the recruit who opted for Belmont, center Seth Adelsperger, a 2015 recruit from Peru, IN with size, being reported as 6-11 and 230lbs per Verbal Commits.
You never know. Maybe like Moussa Gueye, Clay Yeo and many others, Adelsperger will decide that his original choice was not right for him and he will see the playing time he can get and that coming home to Indiana is a good move and decide on Valpo later. Since there is an epidemic of transferring maybe a couple more will decide Valpo was the right place after all.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 04, 2014, 11:51:48 PMBasically: I wonder if knowing there are just a couple spots open prompts anyone on the fence to jump off it.
I hate quoting myself, but if Bryce is in print as saying that one of the two spots will pretty much have to go to a big, that leaves ONE spot for all the guards who have scholarships out there...
Quote from: a3uge on August 04, 2014, 11:34:15 PMNot basketball, but Ben Boggs is the nephew of famous Red Sox Wade Boggs.
I'm throwing a flag on this play. If this is true how come we hadn't heard this before when Ben joined the team.
I did some research and found that John C. Boggs of Roanoke, VA, Ben's father, did not have a brother named Wade. Ben's grandparents, John's parents, were J C Boggs and Tammy Scowden Boggs of Portsmouth, OH. Wade Boggs' mother was Sue C. Boggs of Tampa, FL, who died in an automobile accident in 1986 in Tampa. Wade was born in Nebraska and grew up in Tampa. He never lived in Portsmouth, OH.
Quote from: a3uge on August 05, 2014, 06:58:48 AMWhatever, I completely made it up anyways.
Quote from: bbtds on August 06, 2014, 04:29:01 AMI'm throwing a flag on this play. If this is true how come we hadn't heard this before when Ben joined the team.
I think he threw the flag on himself. But you probably got bogged down in all that flow. Next time, row (versus Wade).
Communicated with Ben yesterday and he is not related to Wade.
All of the points however go to LaPorteAveApostle for his Row v. Wade joke. Outstanding.
Quote from: Pgmado on August 06, 2014, 10:27:42 AM
Communicated with Ben yesterday and he is not related to Wade.
All of the points however go to LaPorteAveApostle for his Row v. Wade joke. Outstanding.
Paul - Are you going to try
and to (for zville's benefit ;)) contact Hammink directly? Things I would be interested in knowing - how did he learn about Valpo opportunity, did he accept sight unseen, does he know KVW personally and did he have any influence, what does he know about VU basketball, what position does he hope to play, etc.
Tracking him down hasn't been easy with him traveling at the moment. I can't even get a date when he is going to be in Valpo let alone contact info for him. All of those questions will be asked once I get him. I still have international minutes from when I called Broekhoff five years ago...somewhere.
Quote from: wh on August 06, 2014, 11:41:18 AMAre you going to try and to (for zville's benefit ;)) contact Hammink directly?
I appreciate that! My late mother spent 33 years of her life teaching proper grammar to elementary schools kids, but I realize I'm just an old guy fighting a losing battle. Now get off my lawn!! ;)
With this year's additions of Walker and Joseph from Canada, Hammink from Netherlands, and Skara from Croatia—joining with Jamaica's Fernandez—the following video about Valpo's tradition of recruiting international players can be appreciated:
Valpo Basketball: International Players (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvPN0dwcz74#ws)
I don't think I ever heard KVW speak before this video. It sounds like he has obviously spoken English his entire life, which is pretty normal for the Dutch.
Quote from: valpotx on August 21, 2014, 12:54:12 AM
I don't think I ever heard KVW speak before this video. It sounds like he has obviously spoken English his entire life, which is pretty normal for the Dutch.
Kevin spoke Spanish his whole life yet that was his major at Valpo. He admitted he was extremely bored in school and basketball was his whole life.
Hopefully this has not already been asked, but Verbal Commits shows Tevonn Walker and Max Joseph as juniors (jucos)? I know that the education system in Quebec and Canada works differently than here in the U.S., but I had presumed these two young men would be classified as freshmen. Does anyone know for sure? The Valpo basketball roster for 2014-15 lists both young men with a status of freshmen, which I would think is correct. Why the difference I wonder and why would Verbal Commits show their status as juniors other than it being an error?
http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/roster/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/roster/)
This might actually be the third time this thread:
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on November 14, 2013, 10:10:25 AM
soooooo....yesterday was early signing day, and looks like no news.
Looking for Max Joseph and Tevonn Walker, but it looks like nothing so far.
Went over to verbalcommits, and they are still listed as verbal (something about typing that sentence makes it seem tautological...hmmm...)
http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso (http://verbalcommits.com/schools/valparaiso)
but Walker is listed as a Soph / JUCO player? What gives?
No twitter activity for Walker of late...anyone know or follow Joseph?
Quote from: covufan on November 14, 2013, 10:44:18 AM
I sent verbalcommits a note on that a few weeks ago. They replied they know about the problem, and that his profile has been doing some weird things. Has not been fixed, though.
...
Quote from: wh on July 16, 2014, 03:27:54 PM
Are you referring to Joseph and Walker showing as juniors? ;)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on July 16, 2014, 03:31:04 PM
That too! Yikes...well, you read up and see how many of us were confused by "Vanier College" :)
...
and finally, the definitive answer, per historyman, who posted on this very page (depending on how you're paginated):
Quote from: historyman on July 16, 2014, 08:40:18 PM
Here's a review, for those who missed the explanation, of what kind of school Vanier College is.
The two Canadian guards are students at Vanier College.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/ (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/)
Vanier College is a publicly-funded English language CEGEP located in Montreal. Named in honour of General Georges P. Vanier, Canada's second native-born Governor General, Vanier College opened its doors on September 8, 1970, welcoming close to 1,400 students in its first cohort. The Vanier College Crest is an adaption of the Vanier family Coat of Arms (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/Vanier-Coat-of-Arms-Booklet.pdf).
As is typical in Canada Quebec runs their educational system differently than the other provinces in Canada. Vanier College is a CEGEP.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP)
CEGEP (/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English)seɪˈʒɛp/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English) say-zhep or / (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English)ˈsiːdʒɛp/ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English) see-jep; French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language): Cégep; also CÉGEP, Cegep or Cégep) is an acronym for Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, known officially in English as a "General and Vocational College".[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-General_and_Vocational_Colleges_Act-1) It refers to the public post-secondary education (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education) collegiate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_education_in_Quebec) institutions exclusive to the education system in the province of Quebec (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec) in Canada (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada). It is a loanword from French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language).
Although all colleges in Quebec are colloquially referred to as CEGEPs, only public colleges are officially referred to by that name. Both public (CEGEPs) and private colleges have the same function in Quebec.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-2) Although they may occasionally be compared to junior colleges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_college) or community colleges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_college), CEGEPs differ in that a Diploma of College Studies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploma_of_College_Studies)[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-General_and_Vocational_Colleges_Act-1) (or Diplôme d'études collégiales, DEC) is required for university admission in Quebec unless a student enters as a mature student which typically means a minimum age of 21 with other requirements. Pre-university programs are typically two years in duration, which explains why secondary school and undergraduate degrees are both one year shorter in Quebec relative to elsewhere in Canada. A student in Quebec cannot enter university with a secondary diploma from Quebec alone.
The purpose of a separate collegiate education level is to make post-secondary education more accessible in Quebec, as well as to provide proper academic preparation for university (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University).[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEGEP#cite_note-Youth-3) There are both public subsidized (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidized) and private colleges, with the public CEGEPs having little or no tuition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuition) fee. The CEGEP system was started in 1967 by the Quebec provincial government (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Quebec) and originally consisted of 12 CEGEPs. Today, 48 CEGEPs exist in Quebec, of which 5 are English language (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language)-medium.
So if I have read this correctly the high schools are 3 years in Quebec and the undergraduate university programs are 3 years in Quebec. So the two Canadian guards are in a General and Vocational College (CEGEP)(2 years) which is a requirement in the Quebec system to go to university. So they are in a college prep school which was required of them if they had chosen to attend a Quebec university.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/cegep.php (http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/about/cegep.php)
In 1967, the Quebec government established a new level education which directly follows high school. The CEGEP system (collège d'enseignement general et professionnel) offers both two-year pre-university programs and three-year technical careeer programs. Vanier College is one of 48 public Cegeps in the province.
WHOOPS
Sorry, LAA. I'll blame it on old age I guess.
Hey, no prob. You got the Levingston scoop, so you're still a couple to the good.
And you can't be that old because you figured out how to do that WHOOPS thing.