Recruiting: 2018

[M]

Smits hasn't proved them wrong...yet

[valpo64]

I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.

[wh]

I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.

The bar is set pretty low.  The player Butler chose over Derrik, Nate Fowler (6-10, 240, from Cincinnati), hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first 2 seasons:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3908904/nate-fowler

 

[VU2014]

Smits hasn't proved them wrong...yet

Smits & Micah should have a chip on their shoulders this season. They have a lot to prove their sophomore seasons.

This is another case that seems to be a head-scratcher. If you read this article from the Indy Star his leaving Butler would seem to be inconceivable.

I feel like every article I read about Butler Basketball from Indiana Sports Media (particularly their local beat) seems to praise them and the reporters talk about them with a sense of false "reverence". It all just feeds to the Butler fans' egos. Yes Butler is in the BE and has had past success but they are not Duke or anything. It's been a few years now since the Brad Stevens days... I respect what they have accomplished but I do not respect the arrogance of their fan-base & some of the media that cover their team.

I just can't stand all the garbage about "the butler way" & the looking down on certain players like Cooper who the fans & media think isn't a "butler player" and suggests he/others don't have "what it takes". Just so much egotistical garbage spewed out of Hinkle Fieldhouse these days. They have an superiority complex about themselves down there.


This is a local Terre Haute Sports Anchor. I found his tweets to be a interesting on why he chose to leave. "Difficult finding happy median in basketball, classroom and with friends at Butler"

https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917023879251529728
https://twitter.com/AndrewBahr5/status/917023901972094976
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917024300959502336
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917024156906131462
https://twitter.com/WZIS_CoreyClark/status/917062996966432770
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917082001219424256
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917085772532117514
https://twitter.com/Rick_Sports10/status/917085908448538627

[justducky]

I hear what you are saying...maybe he eventually will prove them wrong...let's hope so.

The bar is set pretty low.  The player Butler chose over Derrik, Nate Fowler (6-10, 240, from Cincinnati), hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his first 2 seasons:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3908904/nate-fowler

 

To be fair we are now comparing the Fowler sophomore numbers with Derrik's freshman venture.  Derrik if healthy would not have played much as a freshman either and had he done so it would place their overall numbers pretty close in alignment. That said I would now bet that Derrik has the greater college upside potential from here going forward. My conclusion is far from a sure thing but that is where I would place my bet. 

[VU2014]

Well sounds like Cooper Neese may be headed to Indiana State... ISU has potentially locked up 2 really good guards within the last month with Deavion Washington and now potentially Neese.

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/917462859788935168

[crusader05]

Not surprising, Reading between the lines I got the Homesick vibe in regards to why he was leaving. Sounds like college adjustment in general was rough for him and maybe being closer to home will help.  Reminds me of a Clay Yeo situation. Can have the talent and opportunity but if overall the college experience is not what they are meshing with for whatever reason, girlfriend, family, bigger school, etc. None of that matters. Good on him for recognizing it early.

[zvillehaze]

Not surprising, Reading between the lines I got the Homesick vibe in regards to why he was leaving. Sounds like college adjustment in general was rough for him and maybe being closer to home will help.  Reminds me of a Clay Yeo situation. Can have the talent and opportunity but if overall the college experience is not what they are meshing with for whatever reason, girlfriend, family, bigger school, etc. None of that matters. Good on him for recognizing it early.

I've got no inside information, but can add that his mom lives in the west suburbs of Indy, so the homesickness theory doesn't seem likely.  Whatever the reason, I'm sorry things didn't work out because he seems like a very nice kid with a lot of talent.  I'll also agree with previous posters that taking shots at a kid (like Tom Davis did) for deciding a school wasn't for him is unnecessary and counterproductive. 

I hope he finds a place where he's comfortable and has a successful career.

[valpo64]

speaking of Clay Yeo, did he graduate?

[VU2014]

speaking of Clay Yeo, did he graduate?

Yep I believe he graduated last year from Bethel.

[VU2014]

Well its official. That was quick. I'm willing to bet this may have been in the works for a while. I've never seen someone decide so quickly if it were the case.

https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/917544333959671808

[VU2014]

Stereotypical Classless Butler fan...
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/917549934529957888

[VULB#62]

And totally illogical. Coming from a "small high school" he is leaving a SMALL college for a large state U campus. It has nothing to do with academic rigor at this point. How the hell can you compare that criterion after just a couple of months on campus?

[zvillehaze]

Stereotypical Classless Butler fan...
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/917549934529957888

I agree that comment is way off base ... speculating on something like that is uncalled for.  FWIW, anyone I've talked to and 99% of "arrogant" posters on the Butler board are disappointed to see him go, but wish him well. 

I'm curious ... how do you know the guy posting that on Twitter is a Butler fan? 

[VU2014]

I'm curious ... how do you know the guy posting that on Twitter is a Butler fan? 

Everyones comments are public on twitter. I'm assuming he's a Butler fan when he makes comments like this comparing Butler to Duke: https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/873009627709009921
https://twitter.com/dreflick/status/816827511774605312

Maybe I'm being too harsh on BU fans. I shouldn't paint with such a broad brush but I've had some not so flattering experiences with many die-hard Bulldog fans at Hinkle and on twitter (which twitter probably isn't the always the best platform to judge a fan-base). Maybe I'm not being fair.

[zvillehaze]

I guess you're right.  Still a stupid comment from him, IMO. 

[IrishDawg]

All fans overestimate their own school or team's importance.  Happens at Butler, happens at Valpo, happens everywhere.  The internet's a horrible place to establish a baseline for "typical" fans or people in general.  I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with Butler fans in the past.

Cooper had the opportunity to move close to Indy during high school and his parents were willing to do it to help out his basketball career.  He didn't want to do it then, and it appears that the move now didn't work out for him.  Whether that's because he's homesick, didn't like how he was going to be utilized as a player (it didn't appear that he was going to play much this year), or was having trouble in school, it's better that he recognizes it now and moves on if he doesn't think it's the best spot for him.  I transferred schools during college and I can say it was without a doubt the best move for me.  Hopefully it will be for him as well, because at least on the surface, he seems like a good kid and this move doesn't make him less of a student, basketball player or person.

[VU2014]

Javon Freeman-Liberty makes IL Prep Hoop's 'Area All-Star Teams: Chicago Public League'

SG: Javon Freeman (Whitney Young) Freeman is a slick two guard that has a well-balanced game and his full game will be utilized on this team.

https://www.prephoops.com/2017/10/area-star-teams-chicago-public-league/

[vufan75]

Israel Barnes chooses Weber State per his twitter post.
#savetheschollie

#WEAREWEBER [emoji171][emoji459] https://t.co/W3FrE2I0Aj

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[VU2014]

That leaves only Walter Ellis left and maybe Shakur Daniel left as currently outstanding offers that we've given for 2018 class. 1 scholarship remains. I just hope we don't "settle" with this last scholarship. Maybe role it over into next year for a mid-season transfer or a red-shirt next offseason.

[FieldGoodie05]

Israel Barnes chooses Weber State per his twitter post.
#savetheschollie

#WEAREWEBER [emoji171][emoji459] https://t.co/W3FrE2I0Aj

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Congrats to Israel, he would've been a strong addition to our program.  Maybe most as a man of faith and morals.

That being said, (2) 3-star recruits at SG in one class could've been iffy.  Just look at UIC...transfer city.

Hoping we leave the final spot open for a proper fit.  Whether that's a spring signing OR transfer.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/xpinson3/status/919261745906057216

Some recruiting news. I'm not sure it will directly affect Valpo but I know Valpo had interest in Xavier. His final 2 were Drake & Kent State. He just committed less then a week ago and now decommitted. I'm not sure of Valpo will offer at this point but we did just strike out on Israel Barnes (combo guard) and Xavier Castanada who both are  higher level prospects, according to all of the recruiting services.

[VUBBFan]

https://twitter.com/xpinson3/status/919261745906057216 Some recruiting news. I'm not sure it will directly affect Valpo but I know Valpo had interest in Xavier. His final 2 were Drake & Kent State. He just committed less then a week ago and now decommitted. I'm not sure of Valpo will offer at this point but we did just strike out on Israel Barnes (combo guard) and Xavier
Castanada who both are  higher level prospects, according to all of the recruiting services.

If you look at his Videos. He has mad ball skills. Running, Dribbling, Penetrating, and No-Look  pin point Passing. Some of the best you''ll see in HS. Don't think He's a big scorer but I think He makes up for it in assists.

[vufan75]

Found this info regarding Xavier Pinson on twitter. Maybe Valpo gets involved in a bigger way now that two other recruits made other choices, one being a PG.
Might be tough sell though with Micah and Bakari being juniors in terms of eligibility in 18-19 season.

The steal of 2018 may be PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon) heading to Kent St. EVERY evaluator raved about his playmaking and IQ.  ELITE player. https://t.co/FRLTbzlIVS

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[VU2014]

It sounds like playing time may been a factor in choosing Kent State for Israel Barnes, especially with having another highly touted shooting guard in Valpo's 2018 recruiting class. He also says, "really just blown away at how great everything was at Weber."
http://www.standard.net/Weber-State/2017/10/14/weber-state-basketball-recruiting-israel-barnes-commit-wichita-kansas-mokan-2018-class

"The most important thing for me was that it was just a great fit for me," Barnes told the Standard-Examiner. "I feel Weber is the best place where I can make a big impact really quick ... Me and family were really just blown away at how great everything was at Weber."



FWIW, I've heard and seen others raise maturity concerns about Xavier in the past.

To me this sounds like a couple teams may have reached out last minute or even post commitment showing interest. Or maybe he just hand second thoughts. Roy Schmidt is a Illinois recruiting insider and he doesn't mince words with what he thinks.
https://twitter.com/joehoopsreport/status/919263750565367809