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I believe there is one more year. That is why Connor Barrett and Jerome Palm may stick around next year. As a result, unless they forego their 5th year, we have no scholarships available. Of course, someone is likely to transfer.

Isn't this fact, exactly what Coach Powell is banking on and promoting to his recruits? While other schools especially the Power Conferences are scrambling to bring in the best Upper Classmen Transfers, Powell went after the diamonds in the rough that 5 years ago would have been targeted by Power Conferences. in addition, a highly touted Indiana recruit gets underutilized at Murray State because the Transfer got all the playing time. Powell swoops in a gets a transfer with a ton of untapped potential, possible chip on his shoulder, that gets to go up against his former team in Conference play.

That creates images of when I watched my daughters 4th grade basketball games years ago.

Thanks, Paul! Another great article.

What other offers did Kaspar Sepp have? I looked, but couldn't find anything.

It is great to see that we are getting a new scoreboard and LED lights. But, to suggest that Roger Powell insisted on these improvements to agree to be hired is unlikely. I got believe it was more of case Dr Small had these as selling points to VU's commitment to MBB program. To find donors plus building the new scoreboard did not happen in couple months, but rather something that had to be worked on for awhile.

As far as the lighting, Nipsco announced in early January major rebate program that I am sure allowed Valpo to justify the upgrade for little, if not, no costs. I own a manufacturing business in NW Indiana and I was contacted shortly after the program was announced in January by contractor to upgrade to LED lights. I had already done this about 5 years ago without a rebate. My payback back then was just over a year. The savings in utility cost was huge. The improved lighting was also a big morale boost for my employees. Good for Valpo for acting quickly to take advantage of this opportunity!

Somewhere I thought I read that June would likely bring more transfers to Valpo, due the Power Conferences filling out their roster and that Grad Transfers would be more likely to look at higher Mid-Major Conferences for landing spots. Are there any Grad Transfers on Valpo radar that we are courting? It seems like it has been very quiet for a couple of weeks.

Could we be done with undergrad transfers? We have three scholarships left, but at least one of them would have to be used by a player with only one year of eligibility left. Has anyone heard of any grad transfers coming to Valpo for a visit or that have been offered a scholarship?

Or could we be done? Start the rebuilding process in earnest now and just go with 10 scholarship players for next year. Add a couple more Walk ons for practice depth and focus on the 10, give them all meaningful minutes and see what develops.

The starting 5 and playing time is wide open. I don't think there is a single person that we can even pencil in that will be a starter. That is exciting!

Is it possible that is related to the official announcement of Ajiboye?

The only way I see them filling all 13 scholarship positions is if they have 2 players transfer in with only year of eligibility left. My impression is that Coach Powell is sticking with finding the type of player that will fit his system and not just looking for bodies to fill out the roster.

Great interview with Ben by Paul on Victory Bell Podcast. He had 70 schools contact him after he entered the transfer portal. What a crazy time for him. I think he chose well. Iowa is doing European trip this summer so he gets 10 extra practices this summer with his new school and then games in Europe.

Being snubbed by big time programs could some great fuel to his success with Coach Powell motivating him. There once was a Laporte High School player by the name of Greg Tonagel that got snubbed by Purdue/Indiana and he had pretty good career at Valpo.

David Skara went to Bosch Institute before he came to Valpo. He really wanted to follow Drew and Powell to Vanderbilt.

A former head coach from a JUCO college would be brilliant. He has players just for two years and has to get them to gel quickly to be successful. Doesn't that sound like D1 basketball in the new world of NIL and the transfer portal?

Smart Choice, Ben! Murray going to the NBA and Rebraca graduating. I hope he does well.

I wanted this hire 7 years ago, but honestly I like even better now. Three years at a Power 5 conference and 4 years at Gonzaga is experience that make him so much better to lead Valpo now. The energy that Powell has is so contagious! Let's Go Valpo!

I believe the last couple years, about 15-20% of players that entered the transfer portal, did not get picked up by another school. That hasn't been the case for Valpo players. More the case with lower mid-Majors.

Add Preston to the transfer portal.

Where did you see this? I only see two Valpo players listed in portal- Cam and Ben

At the game on Saturday, there were a half dozen Power 5 conference Head Coaches at the game. ESPN has Bigunda rated 4th in the 2024 recruiting class. I didn't see the game, but the stats suggest that he is every bit as good as Bigunda. I am sure he will be going to Power 5 conference instead.

I hope Ben finds a school that he can excel at. In watching FAU today, how good could Ben be on team that actually shoot the 3? Much more room to dominate down low without constant double or triple team.

Personally, I think we are overlooking what the revenue that was generated 5 years ago. Average attendance approaching 4000 fans per game at average price of $20 per ticket ($25 for chairback, $15 for bleacher seats) at 15 home games. Then, there used to be about 500 Crusader Club Members that would pay additional $100 per ticket that looks like it had dwindled down to less than 50 this past season. I anm sure that other donations to Athletic Department from Alumni also dwindle. I am sure that Small was able to go back and look at revenue that used to be generated (somewhere between $500,000 to $750,000 per year). So, removing Lottich, regardless of the short term cost was very justifiable.

Brandin Knight is set to make $625,000 next year at Rutgers.

As far as I am concerned Lottich was an outsider and as far as I am concerned should never been considered after Powell turned down the job. It was very short sighted. We had a good team and the thought was the best way to continue the success that other programs like Butler and Gonzaga had was they hired from within. So, based on that, Lottich was hired. But, Lottich never had any intention of following coaching style that Bryce, Homer or Scott had. Under the Drews, players earned minutes based on Defensive effort. Lottich always emphasized offense first and as result at times he had very lazy players. Working your butt off was never rewarded. It is easy to play on the offensive end, it takes effort to play good defense. Defense travels, the offense will come and go. Also, good defense will lead to better offense.

As far as, Powell is concerned, I always loved his energy and enthusiam. That energy was contagious and it helps tremendously in recruiting. He has worked for exceptional programs, most recently Gonzaga. Nuness has been part of the Baylor program for 11 years now and has learned from probably the best turnaround program in NCAA history. He again has tremendous people and leadership skills. Tonagel has run a very successful D2 program, he was one of the best defensive players to ever play for Valpo and I would expect that is still very important to him. History has shown that Coaches from exceptional D2 programs translates well to D1.

Three Candidates that I would like to see interviewed are:

Roger Powell
Jared Nuness
Greg Tonagel