Recruits

covufan · March 09, 2011, 11:34:10 AM

Thought I'd start a "recruits" thread on the new site.

We have Edwards http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/150/10256/ and Boggs sometime after fall finals http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/150/10387/

Bielfeldt appears to have narrowed his choices, leaving VU on the outside:

http://blogs.pjstar.com/prepsplus/2011/03/02/michigan-offers-scholarship-to-bielfeldt/

Is there anything else?

VU75 · March 14, 2011, 08:57:12 PM

Article from Trib says that Illinois may pull
Bielfeldt offer

Bradley's Maniscalco could be good fit for Illini
March 12, 2011 12:53 PM | 4 Comments
By Chris Hine

When Demetri McCamey graduates from Illinois, the expectation is that Brandon Paul can step up into the poiint-guard role and that incoming freshman Tracy Abrams from Mount Carmel can provide some minutes there.

But the Illini may have another option in former St. Patrick guard Sam Maniscalco.

According to the Peoria Journal Star, Maniscalco has asked for his release from Bradley and -- according to two unnamed sources -- wants to play for Illinois next season. The newspaper reported that Maniscalco has been granted permission to speak with 10 schools in the wake of Bradley firing coach Jim Les after nine seasons.

A source told the Tribune that Illinois has interest in Maniscalco and plans to speak with him about joining the Illini next season.
Unlike other players who switch schools, Maniscalco would not have to sit out a year. The reason, the source said, is because he is set to graduate from Bradley this spring and can apply for an NCAA waiver that would grant him eligibility to pursue a master's degree that is not available at his school.

Maniscalco is a sports communication major at Bradley, which does not offer a master's program in that field, while Illinois does. Maniscalco also preserved a year of eligibility because he sat out the most of the 2010-11 season with an ankle injury.

So, in essence, Maniscalco would be a free agent eligible to sign a one-year deal with another university.

But there's yet another complicating factor: Illinois has offered a scholarship to Max Bielfeldt, a center out of Peoria-Notre Dame. That is the same Bielfeldt family whose name is on Illinois' athletic offices building.

According to a source, Bielfeldt and Maniscalco would not both be eligible to join the Illini on scholarship because it would exceed the school's maximum allotment of scholarships. The only way both can join is if a current member of the Illini transfers or if Bielfeldt or Maniscalco accepts a walk-on position. Illinois originally had offered Bielfeldt a preferred walk-on position before increasing its offer to a full scholarship in recent weeks.

So, the Illini could be in the awkward position of having to pull a scholarship offer from a recruit whose family has strong connections to the university.

Bielfeldt also has a scholarship offer from Michigan and multiple mid-major schools. Maniscalco has averaged 10.9 points per game and is a career 42 percent shooter, but could provide Illinois with some needed insurance at an unstable position next season.

C

mj · March 15, 2011, 03:10:48 PM

Hopefully that knocks some sense into Bielfeldt and he chooses to go to a mid-major. That's one thing I really like about Jay Harris. He stuck with the mid-majors since they stuck with him the whole time. Virginia Tech started to flirt with him but he didn't drop the smaller schools. Class act in my opinion.

vu72 · March 15, 2011, 05:59:02 PM

The bigger question is does he want to play or watch. At Illinois he most certainly would watch, getting minimal play. At Valpo, with Cory graduating and Kevin's back issues, he could get a bunch of time if he is as good as advertised.
We need size as Edwards is more of a Broekhoff type (a little bigger), not a banger.

Mjj · March 16, 2011, 09:55:45 AM

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2011/03/maniscalco_heading_to_illinois.html

Maniscalco heading to Illinois... made it official. So maybe Bielfeldt will look closer at Valpo?

wh · March 16, 2011, 10:36:51 AM

Maybe we will get a new ARC...

sliman · March 16, 2011, 10:06:04 PM

In tonight's post-game interview, Bryce said there are a "couple" of scholarships available. With three seniors leaving and two of those scholarships having been awarded and accepted, does this mean someone is leaving that hasn't been announced? Or did Bryce misspeak?

chef · March 16, 2011, 11:40:51 PM

We started this season with 12 scholarship players. Ben Botts became number 13. Three players are graduating from the program, which takes us down to 10. Richie Edwards becomes number 11, and that leaves two available spots for next year. Thus Bryce's comment of a "couple" would be correct.

Pgmado · March 17, 2011, 12:06:12 AM

Ben Boggs, not Ben Botts. No IPFW needed here!

chef · March 17, 2011, 12:46:34 AM

DUH

sliman · March 17, 2011, 09:15:54 PM

Chef wrote: "We started this season with 12 scholarship players. Ben Botts became number 13. Three players are graduating from the program, which takes us down to 10. Richie Edwards becomes number 11, and that leaves two available spots for next year. Thus Bryce's comment of a "couple" would be correct."

Your summary makes sense, Chef, but I had been led to believe that we typically award only 12 scholarships and that the funds available for the 13th grant are divided for summer school costs. Good to know we have two grants open.

chef · March 17, 2011, 11:36:13 PM

There have been years when we've had 13 scholarship players. I'm sure if we can find two players that our coaches feel will help the program we'll have 13 next season.

mj · March 18, 2011, 08:41:29 PM

I didn't know we were recruiting this guy. He looks good but isn't the big guy we need.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/126036

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=rivals-1200962

vuweathernerd · March 18, 2011, 10:46:00 PM

6'4" seems a little small for a small forward.

valpo84 · March 19, 2011, 05:33:36 AM

Sounds like another Howard Little, which is a good thing. Plus, he comes in with a year older body. Could be a good get. Still need a good big/power forward to go with this group and it would be high + recruiting class.

vu72 · March 19, 2011, 08:53:34 AM

Sounds like he would/could fill Howard Little spot/role.

milanmiracle · March 19, 2011, 09:14:07 PM

Did I miss something here? Does Valpo really need a Howard Little spot/role? He had a nice season and all, but his role was out of necessity, not out of design.

vu72 · March 19, 2011, 09:34:17 PM

Quote from: milanmiracle on March 19, 2011, 09:14:07 PM
Did I miss something here? Does Valpo really need a Howard Little spot/role? He had a nice season and all, but his role was out of necessity, not out of design.

In Valpo's 3 guard offense (yes, out of necessity, not design) Howard was tough enough, and rebounded enough to play bigger than his body. He also was the designated lockdown defender. We will always need a lockdown defender and more likely than not, that role will be filled by a guard. Howard played an unselfish role as well, doing what was needed on any given night.

If we can get someone to play "Howard Little's role" then that is a good thing. From what I hear Boggs could be that guy and a better scorer on balance than Howard was.

milanmiracle · March 21, 2011, 04:00:31 PM

Quote from: vu72 on March 19, 2011, 09:34:17 PM
Quote from: milanmiracle on March 19, 2011, 09:14:07 PM
Did I miss something here? Does Valpo really need a Howard Little spot/role? He had a nice season and all, but his role was out of necessity, not out of design.

In Valpo's 3 guard offense (yes, out of necessity, not design) Howard was tough enough, and rebounded enough to play bigger than his body. He also was the designated lockdown defender. We will always need a lockdown defender and more likely than not, that role will be filled by a guard. Howard played an unselfish role as well, doing what was needed on any given night.

If we can get someone to play "Howard Little's role" then that is a good thing. From what I hear Boggs could be that guy and a better scorer on balance than Howard was.

I guess the question I am asking is this....Is Homer playing a three guard offense because that's what he wants, or because that's the hand he was given. Besides that, don't we already have that guy? Matt Kenney?

lowposter · March 22, 2011, 08:59:50 PM

I would take four more years of Howard Little.

lowposter

IndyValpo · March 22, 2011, 10:22:19 PM

Quote from: milanmiracle on March 19, 2011, 09:14:07 PM
Did I miss something here? Does Valpo really need a Howard Little spot/role? He had a nice season and all, but his role was out of necessity, not out of design.

Milan, did you watch Butler last year? They had a Howard Little role as a starter. Perhaps what we are talking about is that Little played the role of Willie Veasley.
For the record the top 5 teams in the HL this year all started 3 guards so it would appear that in this league that role has value

sectionee · March 22, 2011, 10:49:20 PM

From how things are looking right now we will be sending out a 4 guard line up next season. Hopefully we can find another big guy to score inside with Van Wijk otherwise.

lowposter · March 23, 2011, 06:08:38 AM

The Times of Northwest Indiana today reports that Brandon Clark of Merrillville has committed to UC Santa Clara. He had received offers from LaSalle, Bucknell, and Harvard. VU expressed interest "at the end."

rlh · March 23, 2011, 09:13:09 AM

As good as he is, and he certainly is a good point guard, he's not what we need at the moment. I think we have anought guards...

milanmiracle · March 23, 2011, 11:26:39 AM

Quote from: sectionee on March 22, 2011, 10:49:20 PM
From how things are looking right now we will be sending out a 4 guard line up next season. Hopefully we can find another big guy to score inside with Van Wijk otherwise.

And a 4 guard lineup will be great...unless rebounding is important. Na, that doesn't matter.