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Maybe we need a mccallum like attitude guy on the team.

this^^^

Now this would be an interesting match-up. 
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Hey Guys.  IUK has had a team for years. We played in the competitve men's city league. I guess Brandon was 11 or 12 and he used to practice with us. This is the first year they have played other schools.  Same for their volleyball program.

Whoever wrote the jersey article jumped to a conclusion.

No name on back and everybody wore that jersey for headshots.

It just happened to be Brandon's #

Potential looks for venue. Each player gets 3/4 tickets for "immediate" family only. Names will be printed on tickets along with background checks for obvious security reasons.  Brandon's mom, sister and I will be enjoying this one. 

"Playing at Valpo, I was under the radar a little bit," he said, "but my experience there was great. They put me in a position to take advantage of this opportunity that has been placed before me. I take my hat off to them. They get all the credit I can give up. They helped me get better and grow, both as a man and spiritually."
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=jn-king_wood_another_shot_michigan_state_071311

Getting all that credit must make you guys very proud.  Brandon also joins a rare group of college athletes to play for four different schools, a feat also accomplished by JUCO teammate Lamar Lee.  I'll give Lamar the nod because he was able to accomplish that in only 4 years.  Certainly a discussion starter on your resume`.

Brandon's resume will say:
B.A in Sports Marketing/Business from Valparaiso University
M.S in Advertising from Michigan State University
Professional basketball player

and

Great kid

yours?

Fine player, nowhere near NBA talent or size no matter what he does off the bench for 8-10minutes a game at MSU.

(You don't suppose a coach would ever overstate a players role on the team during the recruiting process, do you?)

If you think he will come off the bench you are sadly mistaken.

Does Brandon's decision to stay or transfer (assuming he returns to school) have to be determined by May 8?

Also, wouldn't those numbers you listed (ppg, rpg, and apg) all be career highs for a season?  Seems like that would tell me he is a hardworking guy who is learning to get his teammates more involved and is still capable of creating scoring for himself despite being the focus of the opposing defense. 

Man, I hope he comes back...

answer to first question is no.

Yes those numbers would be career highs. Being hardworking, the ability to get teammates involved and creating his own shot while being the number one option are not traits being questioned regarding NBA potential.

matching up defensively against bigger, stronger and NBA ready players is the number one concern along with the ability to play with and against other NBA ready players on a night in and night out basis.

He's getting zero NBA interest. The only publicity he's getting from the NBA is how he's making a mistake. I've said before I think this is foul but that may be just me. He can go for all I care. Can we get Bizoukas?

wrong

you aren't going to get me to believe an nba team has told you guys they may possibly have a pick for him. I know scouts too and i've heard some of the prognosis.

So happy you know scouts and have heard the prognosis.  I never said NBA guys have indicated they may have a possible pick for Brandon. I was referring to your comment stating, "brandon is getting zero NBA interest".  Do you really think Brandon would even contemplate a move without reaching out to the NBA folks who make draft decisions?  I'm guessing your contacts may have the same opinions as the guys who said George Hill wouldnt make it or Oden will be the next Shaq.  I must say I am impressed with your insider knowledge.  Trust me.  We understand the odds of making an NBA roster this year.  However, that has not deterred Brandon from going through the process as he has stated publicly.  If you dont enter there is NO chance of being drafted.

Regarding the Purdue boards:
Not quite sure what rumor we are talking about but it is no secret Brandon has received inquiries regarding his post-graduation plans.  Interest from Purdue, MSU, IU and Maryland just to name a few.

Regarding transfer options:
Yes, Brandon is looking into both educational and athletic opportunities away from Valpo.  Has he made a decision? NO.  Has he went on official visits? NO.  Will he? YES.  That is being worked out.

Regarding Valpo:
Brandon and the coaching staff have had nothing but a very positive relationship for the last two years.  Is Brandon happy at Valpo? absolutely YES.  If anything, exploring other options has more to do with the HL in general along with his desire to pursue his masters. He has done everything you can ask of a student/athlete.  Would we question Bryce if he entertained suitors from UNC or DUKE if his career goal was to coach in the NBA?

Regarding being noticed anywhere:
Exploring the Grad school option has NOTHING to do with being noticed.  Every NBA team already knows who Brandon is.  We have read about Keith Benson, Cole, Mack, Howard and a slew of others who got noticed.  Benson is 6'10", Cole put up ridiculous numbers AND had the monstrous game, Mack/Howard/Heyward play/ed for Butler in the NCAAs.  Enough Said.

2009-2010
Horizon League Newcomer of the Year
Second Team All-Horizon League
HL All-Newcomer squad
NABC All-District 12 Second Team
led the Horizon League in scoring with 17.7 ppg
Scored in double figures in 29 of his 32 games
Tallied at least 20 points on 12 occasions
Led Valpo in scoring in 17 games
Finished among league leaders in 3-pointers made and free throw percentage
Scored 30 points, including a season-best six 3-pointers, at North Carolina
24 points at Michigan State
Set a new Valpo Division I single-game scoring record with 39 points at Georgia Southern
became only third Crusader in the last 15 years to score 30 or more points multiple times in their career (Bryce Drew, Dan Oppland) and needed just five games to do so
Scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds at Purdue

2010-2011
1st Team All-Horizon League
1st Team All HL Tourney Team
HL Player of the Week x 2
NABC All-District 12 1st Team
led Valpo in scoring with 16.7 ppg

2011-2012
Preseason POY?
All HL First Team?
Postseason POY?

See where I'm going with this?

If I'm a NBA player development guy or scout or GM and Brandon puts up 20pts, 5asst and 5boards this upcoming season what exactly has he proved? I will answer for you.  He will prove he can do exactly what he has been doing for the last two years.

just saying

He's getting zero NBA interest. The only publicity he's getting from the NBA is how he's making a mistake. I've said before I think this is foul but that may be just me. He can go for all I care. Can we get Bizoukas?

wrong

I think as a junior, somewhat off the radar, Brandon wll need to really impress at tryouts and those can't start until the cutoff date which, I believe, is May 2, although I'm not sure. No team can contact him until all can as this would be viewed as tampering.  So Brandon doesn't at this point have any workouts scheduled.

I'm confused.  Everyone, including the media, was talking about how the whole point was the workouts.

Official early entry list is not distributed by the NBA until approximately 4 days after April 24th (the deadline for submitting draft interest paperwork).  Teams schedule workouts after the 24th. Until then, coaching staff work to secure tentative dates with interested teams.  Workouts can be conducted from April 30th till May 8th. However, athletes are not allowed to miss class to attend workouts so most workouts will be conducted during those weekends.  No one at this point has "official" workouts scheduled.

I find it interesting that I haven't found Brandon Wood's name on an NBA Draft Early Entry list yet.

For my money, Wood won't be in the NBA next year...or playing at Valpo. Just my two cents.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011-nba-draft-early-entrants


http://www.thesportsbank.net/nba-draft-stock-report/2011-nba-draft-early-entries/

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/4460302-556/lazerus-should-valpos-wood-stay-or-go.html

A 6'8 three point shooter.  I think that is exactly what we are missing!

If he can't play the 5, how is he the missing piece?  We would be no better off than we are currently, would we not?

i believe cmack was being a little sarcastic...i would hope

we need an Eli Holman(detroit), Andrew Smith(butler), Anthony Hill(milw), Alec Brown(GB), Andy Polka(loyola), Paul Carter(UIC), type player. PERIOD

And believe me, the staff is working VERY hard to find one.

Brandon had a good season in developing his game for the NBA. He is not there yet. He improved his passing and his defense. He has not shown NBA range consistently yet in games. He showed some to the hoop moves but needs more. He is small for a 2 and not a true point. He is not overly fast. He does not leap out of the gym. He is a tweener. A bit like Ben Gordon, but Gordon was wider and stronger. Having discussed potential players in the past with NBA evaluators and scouts, the hardest thing is hearing you have deficiencies that need to be worked on to play in the Show. All of the above does not diminish in any respect that BWood is a great college player, but it is important to have an honest discussion about his skills set. Hence, the best option is not to hire an agent, go to the NBA predraft evaluations and hear what they have to say. They will pick out areas for improvement. Shelvin Mack did this last year as an example. This means he does have to declare (which will sound like he is leaving), but it also means he has to renounce that declaration by a certain date. The best thing to remember in this discussion is we are talking about his pro prospects, it has nothing to do with his college play.

ALL ABOARD!!!!!