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Hepburn commits to Wisconsin per his twitter feed.

https://twitter.com/ChuckyHepburn/status/1178448985775902720?s=19

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Valpo recruiting target Jacob Hutson from Edina, MN chooses Loyola. Valpo was recruiting him also per Verbal Commits.
So Loyola for 2020 gets 2 recruits Valpo was also in on, Baylor Hebb and now Jacob Hutson. Winning and recent success I'm sure make it tough for Valpo right now in head to head recruiting with the Ramblers. I say to myself "patience grasshopper". Valpo will improve and win some of these recruits over.

COMMITTED! #goramblers https://t.co/fGbL53cCfO

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From Connor Barrett's twitter.....visit is this weekend.

https://twitter.com/BrewsterHoops/status/1176281402213580800?s=19


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Any intel on how the Oden official visit went this weekend? A 6-8 forward with the right skillset would be a nice addition. I notice and like how we now are recruiting more players other MVC schools are also recruiting. Hope we see the benefits of that  in coming years.

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Season ticket prices should be cheaper this year. 3 non-con D1 home games + 9 MVC home games. Plus the non-D1. 12 total D1 home games. Would of been nice to get 1 non-con D1 Sat night game. Not possible I guess at last minute. Oh well. Best enjoy the 3 non-con D1's we got in Nov/Dec. [emoji17]

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If he's taking a second trip to Akron I'm willing to bet that's likely where he'll be going. How many kids take a second trip to a school they don't end up committing to?

Is a 2nd trip to Akron in the interview on Prep Hoops Illinois that we can't read unless becoming a member of that subscription recruiting service? I took that info to mean Akron would be his 2nd official visit...with Valpo being the first?

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A link to an article in the Chicago Suntimes about Jeremiah Williams recruiting and changing high schools his senior season. I notice he also has an official visit scheduled with Northern Iowa. Hoping that visit gets cancelled after this weekend!

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/8/21/20826956/jeremiah-williams-transfers-st-laurence-simeon-basketball


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[How the Class of 2020's top 10 shapes up coming out of the summer.]

https://twitter.com/michaelosipoff/status/1164197518995009536?s=21
https://twitter.com/nwioren/status/1164195520518266880?s=21

I'm wondering how much of a pop this really had. It's must be somewhat significant enough for Coach to bring it up in an interview.

Carleton is the cream of the crop program in Canada and definitely is more we'll known by kids/coaches in Canada. So maybe it's more of an eye opener for them. Also helps that a Canadian kid hit an OT game winner in Canada and it made sportcenters Top 10. Brings a little more attention possibly.

Hopefully it opens a few doors for the Coaches.

Side Note: big recruiting weekend for Valpo with a Top 10 Illinois recruit coming in for his first official visit on Friday. Guys I have a good feeling about Jeremiah Williams

Can you share the article where it ranks Top Illinois b-ball players?  Tried finding a ranking and it was full of pay sites.

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1161678770660663296?s=21

https://twitter.com/jeremiah0002/status/1128455058234933250?s=20
https://twitter.com/jeremiah0002/status/1122994851472130054?s=20

How the Class of 2020's top 10 shapes up coming out of the summer.
By Joe Henricksen  Jul 15, 2019, 9:33am CDT
For the Sun-Times

....

8. Jeremiah Williams, 6-3, St. Laurence
Extremely versatile and a true stat-sheet stuffer, Williams opens eyes with his physical attributes, production and upside. He uses his length to impact the game as a rebounder, finisher and defender. As his perimeter jumper becomes more consistent, the impact Williams provides will make an exciting jump forward.

The long, wiry, smooth guard has a host of mid-major programs heavily involved as Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Valparaiso, UW-Milwaukee, Northern Illinois and Akron have all offered.

... https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/15/20694648/dj-steward-whitney-young-duke-class-of-2020-top-ten-rankings-illinois-high-school-basketball

https://twitter.com/TBaranek/status/1076319580077871104?s=20

Interesting news regarding 2020 recruit Jeremiah William's. He is transfering from St. Laurence to CPL Simeon HS per Joe Henricksen @joehoopsreport. Not sure if that changes anything in terms of Valpo recruiting him. Must think CPL offers better competition or visibility than where he was playing.

"Big news in the Public League as Jeremiah Williams, one of the the top 10 seniors in Illinois, has officially enrolled at Simeon. Williams had a monster season at St Laurence last year as a junior and is a coveted mid-major prospect."

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Covers the main items I agree but.....I'm greedy. Also want more concession areas, ability to sell beer/wine, more or larger bathrooms (on north and west sides?) and some type of upgraded parking.

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Will we see SLU at the ARC?

Doubt it. Would be nice series though.

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Agreed USC. Even though the atmosphere is great when the ARC is filled and rocking, it definitely needs to be brought up to current standards. That will help the "fan experience" overall and maybe help attract other programs who are used to playing in more modern venues (if that matters).  Probably not P6 schools but at least decent mid-majors. We need decent mids on the schedule more than ever with dwindling chances to play P6 schools outside of preseason tournaments. We need to get away from playing non D1 schools to fill in the schedule. Just my 2 cents.
I'm hoping the powers that be and decision makers heard the fans who responded back to the survey last spring. I'd love to hear what the results were...

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Two for me in current player Bradley Beal and former player Bob Boozer......

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Per his Twitter Jay has chosen to join the Cincinnati Bearcats. Leaves Valpo with 1 schollie to fill.

Per Jaume Sorolla (Jay) @jay_sorolla
Ready for the next level...GoBearcats[emoji1377] https://t.co/nNDAmiiDXc

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Memorial basketball facility improvements per the article in the paper are to include:

"Memorial Gym will get new state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems for basketball games in coach Jerry Stackhouse's first season. And Turner said renovations are planned for the basketball locker rooms."

I think Valpo has renovated the basketball locker rooms(??), but new lighting and sound system improvements would certainly be welcome in the ARC.

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There is a VU school planning athletics renovations. Sorry...couldn't resist.

Vandy announces upgrades to Vanderbilt Stadium, Memorial Gym & Hawkins Field ... and hints at more to come. https://t.co/4A904tGrEy via @tennessean


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I don't see Sorolla returning if he indeed is graduating. I would think the D1 college market for grad transfer bigs is strong. Either he tries it elsewhere for a year or heads back to a pro career in Europe is my guess.

Hoping we find a defensive oriented PF/C 6-8 to 6-10 who is a strong rebounder and can get his scoring done inside around the basket. We have enough perimeter guys and need a bigger body with experience. Either a juco or grad transfer works to give our 6-10 freshman recruit time to adjust and learn the college game. 

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Agreed. I took the tweet as meaning Monday 4/22 but wasn't positive when the question about the visit was asked. Good point you make though!

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The official visit day info/tweet i thought mentioned Monday. Question i had was which Monday. This past Monday 4/15 or next Monday 4/22?

https://twitter.com/YkZmo_/status/1118648708659326978?s=19

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44.4% and 35.7% from 3 his junior and senior years respectively. Strong #'s for a 6-9 PF type guy!

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Nice workout. If Krikke has half the work ethic of AP, he will be ok. If he can give us a strong defensive presence and rebound initially I'll take it. Hit the weights and grow into that frame! If he can put up numbers that are1/2 or > than AP did I think we will all be happy after 4 years. He may need to work on his quickness some but all in all a nice prospect with size.

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Interesting last 2 years stats on 2019 recruit Ben Krikke. Great stat lines both years per tweets by Michael Osipoff of the Post-Trib. Considering our needs going forward outstanding stats for scoring avg, 2 point and 3 point shooting %, rebounding, and FT shooting %. All areas we have struggled with in recent years. Biggest question I have is what was the level of competition that Krikke played against to get these #'s. But at a glance looks like a solid player.

Per Osipoff tweets.....
"Some additional details on #Valparaiso commit Ben Krikke, from his Jasper Place coach/athletic director Matt Burrows:
As a junior, Krikke averaged 32 points and 12 rebounds. Shot 64.4 percent (186-289) on 2s, 44.4 percent (24-54) on 3s and 84.3 percent (102-121) on FTs."

"As a senior (in fewer minutes because of blowout wins), Krikke averaged 28 points and 12 rebounds. Shot 67.0 percent (189-282) on 2s, 35.7 percent (40-112) on 3s and 82.5 percent (85-103) on FTs." #Valparaiso



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Post-Trib article by Michael Osipoff on the new 2019 recruits.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-st-040819-story,amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

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Torrey Patton appears to have went to Indian Hills from Akron. His Indian Hills roster page and his stats are below.
Appears to be a good scorer and rebounder,  but his 3-point shooting % needs to improve.

https://indianhills.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2018-19/bios/patton_torrey_144d

One player on this list has some interest in Valpo. Saw this on Google today regarding Indian Hills juco transfers. Tweet below by Matthew Bain.

"Also on the topic of Indian Hills transfers ... I talked with coach Hank Plona earlier today for the latest on his players. These lists aren't final, but here are schools some of his top unsigned guys are considering right now:" https://t.co/P1ra9gVMvA

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Remember Bryce's wife is from the south so I would doubt she would be happy coming back north again. Would love to see Bryce back on Valpo's sideline again but just can't see it happening now. He will get a new job at another high major program I'd guess. If not this year then he can still cash Vandy checks for a few more years. Alabama just doesn't seem to fit the criteria we've heard about before as in a private school. Maybe Wake Forest I could see if that job would be open someday?



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