Recruiting: 2015

[classof2014]

My guess is he'll go to a big name program. The only way he goes to Valpo is if he wants to stay close to home and Northwestern and DePaul are both awful and we're the best Chicagoland based school. That's the only way we land him, if he wants to stay close to home.

UIC -- Stinks
Loyola -- Stinks
Chicago State -- Stinks
DePaul -- Stinks
Northwestern -- Stinks
Northern Illinois -- Stinks
Valpo -- Successful!!!

I guess if he wanted to broaden it a bit schools like: Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Marquette, aren't too far from Chicago. You never know some kids just don't want a big school and some are home-bodies.

[valpopal]

The Valpo coaches, including Bryce, were at Weisner Perez's sectional game Tuesday night. Perez scored 14 points in a triple overtime upset of the number 1 seed. One of his teammates, senior guard Greg Carter, scored 35.

[classof2014]

Obediah Church, a 6' 7" small forward from Springfield, IL has shown interest in Valpo. No offer yet. Currently has offers from GB, UIC, SIUe, and Bradley.

Schools also have shown intersest in Church, is Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Toledo, Missouri State, and Illinois State and UC Davis.

He also plays for the same AAU team, the Peoria Irish, that Alec Peters went to.

[historyman]

Obediah Church, a 6' 7" small forward from Springfield, IL has shown interest in Valpo. No offer yet. Currently has offers from GB, UIC, SIUe, and Bradley. Schools also have shown intersest in Church, is Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Toledo, Missouri State, and Illinois State and UC Davis. He also plays for the same AAU team, the Peoria Irish, that Alec Peters went to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Kn7oksNRY

video of Obediah Church on youtube. The AAU video was taken at Woodruff HS in Peoria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdAGWu38Wh4

Here is an interview with Obediah Church just after an AAU game


Springfield HS is in the Central State Eight Conference with the always tough Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Rochester, Chatham-Glenwood, Taylorville and the other two public high schools in Springfield, Southeast and Lanphier. 

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Obediah Church

now THERE is a name.

[vufan75]

http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3262-osborne-transferring-from-loyola

Osborne Transferring From Loyola
Category: Latest News Published on Saturday, 12 April 2014 21:57 Written by Brian Stinnette
Nick Osborne has decided to transfer out of the Loyola basketball program.

Osborne, a 6'8 sophomore power forward, averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes of playing time per contest.

Osborne was considered a recruiting coup for Loyola out of Muncie Central (IN) High School.

Osborne joins 6'8 Matt O'Leary as Loyola's second transfer since the end of the season.


http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3259-matt-o-leary-to-transfer-from-loyola

Matt O'Leary To Transfer From Loyola

Category: Latest News Published on Saturday, 12 April 2014 11:12 Written by Chicago Hoops
Loyola sophomore Matt O'Leary has decided to transfer from the Missouri Valley Conference school.

O'Leary, a 6'8 forward, averaged 4.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest as a sophomore. O'Leary saw his production dip over the second half of last season.

O'Leary starred as a prep at Terre Haute North Vigo (IN).

O'Leary will have two years of playing eligibility remaining after he transfers.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Transfers from Loyola-Chicago per articles in chicagohoops.com from yesterday, 4-12-14. I understand folks wondering since they are transferring from former HL conference member "Loyola"  but I wonder if either of these young men from Indiana would fill a need as a "big" power forward type. Both seemed to have very good high school careers at their respective high schools. I would assume Valpo coaches would be somewhat familiar with both players. Since they would  both have to sit out a year, I thought I would put their availability in the Recruiting 2015 thread.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Also, can't recall where I read it, but Valpo 2015 recruiting target Weisner Perez received another scholarship offer. Penn recently offered him, as have Cornell, Brown, and Hampton. Perez has a lot of schools following him, including Valpo. From his twitter account the following. 

Weisner Perez‏@weezner_23·23 hrs
Blessed to have received another offer from UPenn >>>>>>> #blessed

Think he would be a "good get" for Valpo, academically and on the court! Lots of competition for him. Verbal Commits shows the following info on Weisner Perez and his recruiting.

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/weisner-perez

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Now, since the Ivies don't give athletic scholarships...what sort of offer has he received?  Weird.

[VULB#62]

Now, since the Ivies don't give athletic scholarships...what sort of offer has he received?  Weird.

Not so weird.  Ivies can cover all costs, but through direct financial aid instead of an athletic scholarship.  It's similar to how we give financial aid to our FB players.  Much of it is discretionary.  The Ivies are experts at this -- plus, if the kid is reasonably smart, he/she will graduate into an alumni support system that will guarantee 6 figure salaries for the rest of their lives.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

What's weird is doing the same thing but calling it another name. 

Perez got a full-ride offer from Ivy League schools.  Because he can play basketball.

...but it's not an athletic scholarship.  ...mmkay.

[VULB#62]

Spot-on question LAA.

[bbtds]

What's weird is doing the same thing but calling it another name. 

Perez got a full-ride offer from Ivy League schools.  Because he can play basketball.

...but it's not an athletic scholarship.  ...mmkay.

It's not much different for a "run of the mill" non-athlete Ivy student. It not about paying for school. It's about getting excepted by an Ivy school. Although those who are fortunate enough to be able to afford an Ivy League education will end up paying for it. 

[valpopal]

http://www.chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php/2011-08-04-18-06-26/3262-osborne-transferring-from-loyola

Osborne Transferring From Loyola
Category: Latest News Published on Saturday, 12 April 2014 21:57 Written by Brian Stinnette
Nick Osborne has decided to transfer out of the Loyola basketball program.

Osborne, a 6'8 sophomore power forward, averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes of playing time per contest.

Osborne was considered a recruiting coup for Loyola out of Muncie Central (IN) High School.

I know Valpo was interested in Osborne when he decided to go with Loyola. If he doesn't choose to return to his hometown and play for Ball State, I could see Valpo as a possible location for him, though he would have to sit out a year.

[valpopal]

Word this morning is that Nick Osborne has chosen IUPUI. I am more than surprised.

[IndyValpo]

Word this morning is that Nick Osborne has chosen IUPUI. I am more than surprised.

Jason Gardner was an assistant at Loyola.  Was he originally invloved with Osborne, I do not know.  Gardner is a very well known name here in Indy. He should be able to have some recruiting successes. Plus they will be playing in the newly renovated State Fair Coliseum.

[valpopal]

Valpo is scheduled to visit Dequon Miller tomorrow.

[tweet]458607088873508864[/tweet]

[bbtds]

Word this morning is that Nick Osborne has chosen IUPUI. I am more than surprised.

Jason Gardner was an assistant at Loyola.  Was he originally invloved with Osborne, I do not know.  Gardner is a very well known name here in Indy. He should be able to have some recruiting successes. Plus they will be playing in the newly renovated State Fair Coliseum.

Current Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds halfway through the remodeling:

http://thestatehousefile.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DSC_2158_edit.jpg


Artist's rendering of what the remodeled Coliseum will look like:

http://thestatehousefile.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/End-Stage-set-up-FINAL.jpg


Video of remodel of Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds/Pepsi Coliseum (previous name):

Pepsi Coliseum renovation


Unfortunately it's will still be on 38th Street on the near northeast side of Indy.

[wh]

Don't know much about Indy.  Is that location in a bad (high crime) area?

[VULB#62]

Don't know much about Indy.  Is that location in a bad (high crime) area?

Google maps shows it's 5+ miles across town and north from the campus.  I know that doesn't answer the question, but it's right inside the fair grounds surrounded by asphalt and other big buildings.  The satellite photos show a blue collar-ish, not-upscale surrounding neighborhood, but you can't tell how not upscale.

[bbtds]

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Indianapolis,+IN&hl=en&ll=39.825166,-86.142896&spn=0.000455,0.000618&sll=41.475425,-87.053415&sspn=0.080385,0.1581&oq=Indianapolis&t=h&hnear=Indianapolis,+Marion+County,+Indiana&z=21&layer=c&cbll=39.825166,-86.142896&panoid=N5U-osDL6Wwe_Nhq8V59Ng&cbp=12,20.75,,0,0

824 E 38th St is boarded up with a vacant lot next door. 3 blocks away is the intersection of the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the Monon Trail (old railroad bed turned to hiking, biking, walking and running trail).

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Indianapolis,+IN&hl=en&ll=39.825466,-86.139937&spn=0.000458,0.000618&sll=41.475425,-87.053415&sspn=0.080385,0.1581&oq=Indianapolis&t=h&hnear=Indianapolis,+Marion+County,+Indiana&z=21&layer=c&cbll=39.825466,-86.139937&panoid=8GkEbq3Ec_ZhkJ8icRgKqQ&cbp=12,10.45,,0,0

The fairgrounds themselves are not bad once you are inside the fence. By the way the Monon Trail is extremely popular once you are north of Broad Ripple (approximately 64th Street).

http://www.wthr.com/story/19711496/rescuer-recounts-monon-trail-attack  This is 35th Street near the Fairgrounds.

Here's some history of a neighborhood near the State Fairgrounds
http://www.discovereastvillageapts.com/p/apartments/neighborhood_7413/indianapolis-in-46205/east-village-at-avondale-meadows-7413

Since that time, the Meadows has been one of Indianapolis' most challenged neighborhoods. The concentration of poverty in five
low-income apartment complexes, high crime and the flight of quality retail businesses tracked the path of urban decline that has
afflicted much of inner-city America over the past 40 years.

Another boarded up house on 38th Street near the fairgrounds

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Indianapolis,+IN&hl=en&ll=39.825439,-86.125374&spn=0.000458,0.000618&sll=41.475425,-87.053415&sspn=0.080385,0.1581&oq=Indianapolis&t=h&hnear=Indianapolis,+Marion+County,+Indiana&layer=c&cbll=39.825439,-86.125374&panoid=7ZaT7naGz6B90MGTVKybIQ&cbp=12,179.94,,0,0&z=21


The Indiana State Fair is a great event and I would encourage anyone to visit. Plan for a full day and park inside the fence. Any other
events at the fairgrounds you can usually park inside the fence.

[wh]

Don't know much about Indy.  Is that location in a bad (high crime) area?

Google maps shows it's 5+ miles across town and north from the campus.  I know that doesn't answer the question, but it's right inside the fair grounds surrounded by asphalt and other big buildings.  The satellite photos show a blue collar-ish, not-upscale surrounding neighborhood, but you can't tell how not upscale.

From the Neighborhood Scout report I found (below) it would appear that the Fairgrounds is in a relatively high crime neighborhood.  Interestingly (at least to me), the report shows that Indianapolis has a ranking of 3 on the city crime index, meaning it is less safe than 97% of cities across the country.  By comparison, Chicago (which is widely regarded as a murder capital) has a ranking of 8. Being totally Chicago-focused in "the Region" (media, time zone, proximity, economic engine, sports teams, etc.) most of us know little about the rest of our own state, even Indy.  I would never have guessed that Indianapolis is a dangerous place.  Whenever I drive through it, it seems to have a look of urban sprawl gone wild - nothing particularly positive or negative, just kind of there. 

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/in/indianapolis/crime/

[a3uge]

Don't know much about Indy.  Is that location in a bad (high crime) area?

Google maps shows it's 5+ miles across town and north from the campus.  I know that doesn't answer the question, but it's right inside the fair grounds surrounded by asphalt and other big buildings.  The satellite photos show a blue collar-ish, not-upscale surrounding neighborhood, but you can't tell how not upscale.

From the Neighborhood Scout report I found (below) it would appear that the Fairgrounds is in a relatively high crime neighborhood.  Interestingly (at least to me), the report shows that Indianapolis has a ranking of 3 on the city crime index, meaning it is less safe than 97% of cities across the country.  By comparison, Chicago (which is widely regarded as a murder capital) has a ranking of 8. Being totally Chicago-focused in "the Region" (media, time zone, proximity, economic engine, sports teams, etc.) most of us know little about the rest of our own state, even Indy.  I would never have guessed that Indianapolis is a dangerous place.  Whenever I drive through it, it seems to have a look of urban sprawl gone wild - nothing particularly positive or negative, just kind of there. 

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/in/indianapolis/crime/

I could be completely wrong, but it seems like crime is higher in Midwestern cities like Indy, Milwaukee, St Louis, Cleveland, and Detroit because they have plenty of cheep land for suburbs to develop while still being a short drive to the city center for work. You can't live in a Chicago suburb and work downtown, at least not without wanting to smash in the car in front of you with a baseball bat because of the horrible traffic.

Still i'd feel a lot safer walking by Indy's east side than Chicago's south side. Seems like there's a Lot more gang problems in Chicago than Indy.

[bbtds]

http://fox59.com/2013/12/23/puppy-shot-on-near-east-side-during-possible-gang-initiation-needs-help/#axzz2zhaohdiv

http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/news/features/article_b1a9e963-459b-5b5f-ae39-9b71d5aca755.html?mode=image

http://www.wthr.com/story/19583675/indianapolis-south-side-gang-members-charged

http://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2007/09/hail_hail_the_gangs_all_here.html

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110201173434AAOgXRA
Then avoid the east side.

And there are gangs all over Indianapolis, not just the west side. I've lived on the west side of Indy since 2005 and have never had a problem with gangs.

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/-pop-it-off-boys-gang-raids-net-15-arrests

http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1916059

Here's one from yesterday
http://fox59.com/2014/04/22/three-people-shot-on-near-northeast-side/#axzz2zhaohdiv


It always amazes me that some people think there is no gang violence outside of NYC, LA and Chicago. It may have started there but the gangs are very multi-city now.

To turn this back to recruiting, I think basketball, which was always important in Indy, has become more of a lifeline to kids to save them from gang activity.

Indianapolis is a really nice city. Like any city, there are areas you'll probably want to avoid, but those areas will become readily apparent on the crime maps. Overall, though, Indy is a great place.

I would like to echo this last statement's theme that Indy is a great place you just need to be careful and avoid problem areas.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

plenty of cheep land

[valpopal]

Ball State offered scholarships to two of our 2015 recruits last night: Seth Adelsperger and Devin Cannady. I would hope Valpo is more appealing to them.

[valpopal]

Matt Holba had an in-home visit from Valpo last night. Today, another visit will be with Dequon Miller.