Recruiting: 2018

[VU75]

Seems to me Loyola did ok without a power forward.

[VU2014]

Does this perhaps help us register on Welage's radar?

Only if Fazekas and Golder aren't on the court together. 

Welage from IN @ 6'9" is more traditional PF?  He looks rail thin, is his game more alike to Fazekas than not?

Welage just committed to Xavier. We were never in on his recruitment. He had similar measurables to Fazekas. Rail thin, 6'8/6'9 perimeter player who can shoot the lights out of the ball. One key difference is Fazekas has sort of been labeled "injury-prone" rightfully or wrongfully. Ryan also chose Valpo because he wanted to be closer to home. He definitely had options like Vandy that was recruiting him. Ryan has had some extremely tough luck: Mono his freshman year and playing through a should injury through his sophomore season. Ryan could have probably shut it down his sophomore season and had the surgery during the season but he waited for the season to finish. He had the surgery this summer if I remember correctly. There was a pretty good article in the Post-Trib about it. http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-ryan-fazekas-st-0220-20180219-story.html

I'm really high on Ryan's future. If he could stay healthy I think he can accomplish some big things the next 2 years and help the team win.

[VU2014]

It's official!

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/984228761540243457

[EddieCabot]

Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.

He has always been used more of a perimeter player. He was actually listed as a 2 guard at Providence. He's a bit of a mystery on how he'll be used.

As I stated in another thread, Fazekas will play the 4 for Valpo.  He's 6'8" ... just because he likes to play on the perimeter doesn't preclude him from playing the 4.  Anyone who's watched a college game in the last 5 years knows that very few teams actually have power forwards who are post players.  Having perimeter skills is important ... especially because it opens up the lane for the explosive guards that Valpo has to drive the lane.

[FieldGoodie05]

Why do I keep hearing that Fazekas will be getting minutes at the 2-3? I thought he was a 4 too.

He has always been used more of a perimeter player. He was actually listed as a 2 guard at Providence. He's a bit of a mystery on how he'll be used.

As I stated in another thread, Fazekas will play the 4 for Valpo.  He's 6'8" ... just because he likes to play on the perimeter doesn't preclude him from playing the 4.  Anyone who's watched a college game in the last 5 years knows that very few teams actually have power forwards who are post players.  Having perimeter skills is important ... especially because it opens up the lane for the explosive guards that Valpo has to drive the lane.

Bingo!  But he is slender by slender standards, so any post (back to the basket) game development is unlikely.  At least Alec had some shoulders and bulk to develop that skill set. 

I think Fazekas will need a great first step to make up for complete lack of a post game.  Defensively he might get backed down routinely by PF or thicker bodies.  Regardless if he can shoot, our freshmen were backed down and out rebounded horrendously last year. Can Fazekas defend size/strength to limit that a bit?

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/PostTribSports/status/984269773801447426

Valparaiso adds point guard, loses two freshmen to transfers as signing period begins
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
April 11, 2018

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-signing-day-st-0412-story.html

[valpopal]

From what I have seen, Sackey and Freeman-Liberty have vocal and enthusiastic personalities. I hope that carries into their presence at Valpo. As good as seniors Tevonn and Max were as players or teammates, neither really displayed vocal leadership on the court the way players like Rowdy and Alec had done with previous teams. Also, the two players that we are losing to transfer—Marty and Parker—seemed to be the most energetic cheerleaders on the bench, something I always admired in Lexus when he was on the bench. I hope players like Evelyn and Golder, who were most expressive on the court last season, will step up as leaders in the new season.

[VU2014]

There was some discussion early about Sackey's shooting abilities. It sounds like he was struggling with his shot in past seasons but Coach Lottich says he's been working hard improving it.

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/984438049672253440
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/984438140231397376

[crusader05]

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/984500571032969216

I feel like this tweet says a lot: Reading between the lines I feel like Lottich is saying that we can't take as many chances on projects, our input needs to be higher across the board than necessary in the Horizon League and that he's learned quickly that at this level both the recruits expect more from their experience and the staff needs to expect more from their recruit.

We are definitely reaching a point where our recruits, while may connect with Valpo as a university, definitely are the type that are looking at this team as a springboard for their future and that's going to change both the type of athlete we get and our calculus on how long they will stay.

[VU2014]

I feel like Valpo has attracted recruits in the past that expect to go pro after college going back to the Mid-Con days. Maybe we have access to more of those kids now that we're in the MVC, but I feel like the program has recruited those type of kids for a while now. We've had quite a few kids go pro and I think there are quite a few on this roster that have professional aspirations.

What I took away from that quote is that visits are just as much an evaluation process for recruit as it is vice versa. They are trying to find the culture fit.

[crusader05]

I think we have always had guys with that site, I think it's more that we have created an expectation with our success that this program will provide that opportunity and exposure and so we may get more recruits who's basketball ambitions out pace their skills/what they can get.

[VU2014]

Player Profile:
https://twitter.com/BioSteelAllCdn/status/985953734000656384

[vu72]

Player Profile:
https://twitter.com/BioSteelAllCdn/status/985953734000656384

Great find!  I was wondering how well he played in that All-Star game.  The 3 percentage shooting is really exciting.  Let's hope Javon can also shoot like that!  Can't wait to see these kids in Brown and Gold!!

[VU2014]

Interesting. It sounds like we're showing interest in Freshman SF. He just received a offer from UIC a couple days ago.

https://twitter.com/AaronBenRose/status/986273739347234816
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/981624623409389575

Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: SF
Height: 6-6
Weight: 190
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Lincoln Park High School
Rank: NA
Offers: UIC, Austin Peay, Lewis (D2)
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/terrence-shannon-jr

Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/profile/6513135/Terrence-Shannon/videos

Biggest senior breakout performers in 2017-2018
Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
April 3 9:13 p.m.

" Terrence Shannon, Lincoln Park
A lot has been made of the rise of this 6-6 multi-faceted forward who broke through this season. A combination of injuries, playing football and missing time on the court perhaps prevented Shannon from an earlier rise.

But what a season Shannon put together for a team that won a regional championship and nearly upset Young in the sectional.

In addition to averaging 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals a game, the super athletic senior skyrocketed up the City/Suburban Hoops Report's player rankings in the Class of 2018. Shannon screams upside and the 'ol untapped potential with his athleticism, length and versatility while remaining vastly under-appreciated as a prospect going forward"
https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/04/03/biggest-senior-breakout-performers-2017-2018/

Article about the game Javon Freeman's WY played Shannon's Lincoln Park: https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/03/07/young-lincoln-park-basketball/
"Lincoln Park senior Terrence Shannon, a 6-6 point guard, was a complete unknown when the season began. That has changed over the past two months. He was finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but fouled out with three minutes to play. "If he doesn't foul out we win the game," Lions coach Pat Gordon said. "This was one of his most complete games as far as his focus on both ends of the floor." Shannon picked up a scholarship offer from Austin Peay immediately after the game. That probably was just the first of several to come this week."
https://twitter.com/BasketballLPHS/status/971610953992298496
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/971588652752130048

Article from September: https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/09/14/terrence-shannons-love-football-pays-off-lincoln-park/

He's the one that blocked the shot. That is a very athletic play.
https://twitter.com/AaronBenRose/status/985568647480532992

https://twitter.com/overtime/status/982469940585385984
https://twitter.com/overtime/status/982461892814934016
https://twitter.com/CraigWolf17/status/969766101151338496
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/967099092747866112
https://twitter.com/BallisLifeCHI/status/966542028099244032
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/962902999021637634

[M]

Tall guards who can defend more then just the guard position are such a beautiful thing to have.  Imagine being able to switch nearly any screen on the court and not be at a disadvantage. 

[VUGrad1314]

This is exciting news. I hope we get him. Shannon Hall and Messiah Jones would be a dream ending to this recruiting season.

[VU2014]

Is it just me or does Loyola seem to be involved with almost every recruit Valpo's in on lately? Not too surprising because we're competing in the same level of basketball and both recruiting the midwest hard.

[VULB#62]

I just scraped this quote off the Loyola Board:


"Is it just me or does Valpo seem to be involved with almost every recruit Loyola's in on lately? Not too surprising because we're competing in the same level of basketball and both recruiting the midwest hard."

Amazing! 



Seriously, would this have been the case if we had stayed in the HL? I have no idea, but some of you might have a better grasp of any shift in recruiting.

[VU2014]

It's official, Terrence Shannon has received a offer from Loyola. I wonder if we follow up with a offer.

https://twitter.com/Tshan35/status/986767946923085825

[VU2014]

DePaul just offered Terrence Shannon.

[VUGrad1314]

Why are we always so slow to offer kids we have a good shot at getting but so quick to offer kids we likely have no shot at getting?

[VU2014]

Why are we always so slow to offer kids we have a good shot at getting but so quick to offer kids we likely have no shot at getting?

To be fair Shannon really elevated his game just within the last couple months and he wasn't on anyone's radar. He was scheduled to attend a prep school just a few weeks ago.

The coaching staff is probably in on guys recruitment long before we know about it. The staff was recruiting Brandon Newman before he was offered. Sackey was a kid that Coach Gore was laying the ground work on well before he was offered.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/realcoachcole/status/988473006006644736

Josh Wilkerson
Status: Undecided
Year: 2018 (HS SR)
Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: Indiana Elite Preparatory Academy
Rank: NA
Offers: Denver
https://verbalcommits.com/players/josh-wilkerson
https://twitter.com/realcoachcole/status/987570632807407616

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP0PbaF_Kls&feature=youtu.be

37 points and 11 assists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a61FJGa3Psw&feature=youtu.be


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Wnfiq2f5I

[VUGrad1314]

The GPA and ACT scores are what draw me in here I think those guys could make it at Valpo and their coach's description of their playing styles makes them seem like good fits as well. Keeping talent in State is a good thing.

[VU2014]

The GPA and ACT scores are what draw me in here I think those guys could make it at Valpo and their coach's description of their playing styles makes them seem like good fits as well. Keeping talent in State is a good thing.

I never trust anything HS/Prep/AAU coaches say about their own players in terms of evaluation. Just too much bias and spin involved. But the GPA is nice, but can these guys be productive D1 players in the MVC is the real question. I couldn't find a verbal commits page for Henderson which makes me a little weary and Wilkerson currently has 1 publicly known offer and it came from Denver in 2016. At least from Wilkerson's highlights he appears to be a pretty good shooter. Only thing that's a little concerning is his size at 6-0. That would be a lot of pretty short guards between Sackey (5-9), Micah (6-1 or 6-2), and Wilkerson (6-0). JFL is around 6-3. Bakari is 6-2. That's a pretty small backcourt.

Has anyone heard anything about their visit or have any insight on Wilkerson or Henderson's games? Possible diamonds in the rough types?