Recruiting: 2018

VU2014 · January 31, 2018, 12:44:48 PM

I don't think a solid but not great 5th year grad-transfer PF is out of the realm of possibility. You're not going to find a AP but we can find a "patchwork" guy. The coaching staff will be able to promise playing time. I'm also not so sure this team will be a sub .500 next season. I'd actually take the over.

I'd be a for a 1 year guy. It would give Mileek and Parker time to ease them into the role. The baptism by fire hasn't worked well this season. Maybe it will pay benefits down the road for Mileek but a 5th year grad transfer would be low risk and low commitment. Whatever they do I don't want them to settle for a mediocre long-term commitment.

Ideally I love for them to land a home run redshirt high major transfer.

vu72 · January 31, 2018, 01:48:48 PM

Kinda early to be looking at next year but I will say that I also expect better than 50% wins. One thing I'm pretty sure will happen is that Bakari will be a better 3 point shooter and he currently is our best. It seems that transfers shoot better their second year for whatever reason. Examples of 3 point percentage improvements their second year: Ron Howard 23.5 to 41.6; Ben Boggs 29.6 to 34.8; LaVonte Dority 31.1 to 42.7.

VU2014 · February 07, 2018, 02:43:26 PM

https://twitter.com/MidMajorScouts/status/961297811596816385

VU2014 · February 15, 2018, 10:57:43 PM

Daniel Sackey scored 46 points in a game a few days ago!
https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/963556128914223104

Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association ranks Daniel Sackey the #6 ranked player at that level.

https://twitter.com/OntarioSBA/status/963820438768898048

wh · February 16, 2018, 07:15:23 AM

The vocal leader we've been waiting for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbR2xJVm5BY

M · February 16, 2018, 07:47:02 AM

Defense optional in that game. Both teams over 100!

VULB#62 · February 16, 2018, 11:29:07 AM

From the score book it looks like he can drain the trey.

vu72 · February 16, 2018, 11:40:06 AM

Gotta love the Canadian accent!!

valpo64 · February 16, 2018, 08:57:38 PM

Good prospect, eh?

VU2014 · February 25, 2018, 10:34:02 PM

Rumor is Illinois' PF Michael Finke is strongly considering transferring after this season. He already graduated in December and will have 1 year of eligibility left. We talked about his little brother Tim Finke who committed to GCU.

He'd be an ideal transfer target, imo. He's a stretch 4 with a lot of B10 experience. He's had a tough year with some nagging injuries this season but he'd be an awesome get, imo. I have no clue if the coaches would be interested. Had the same AAU coach as AP.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/michael-finke-1.html

nkvu · February 25, 2018, 11:01:44 PM

Quote from: VU2014 on February 25, 2018, 10:34:02 PM
Rumor is Illinois' PF Michael Finke is strongly considering transferring after this season. He already graduated in December and will have 1 year of eligibility left. We talked about his little brother Tim Finke who committed to GCU.

He'd be an ideal transfer target, imo. He's a stretch 4 with a lot of B10 experience. He's had a tough year with some nagging injuries this season but he'd be an awesome get, imo. I have no clue if the coaches would be interested. Had the same AAU coach as AP.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/michael-finke-1.html

Looks like he would really plug a hole in next year's lineup for a 4 that could contribute right away. Would give the two freshman another year to develop plus give them an experienced 4 to practice against and learn from. Hope the rumor has some truth behind it and we'd have a shot.

valpo84 · February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM

Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?

vu72 · February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM

Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?

I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.

SanityLost17 · February 26, 2018, 08:09:32 AM

Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?

I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.

Need to find an experienced 4 man for next year that can play immediately, even if it is for only 1 year. Need some leadership and to give McMillan/Hazen another year to grow.

justducky · February 26, 2018, 08:58:55 AM

I finally got around to watching most of the Sackey highlights and am very optimistic he can be a significant contributor his freshman year. That said I am sure it will take some time for him to learn the players and the offense.

Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AMDo we a have a scholly for a transfer?

We will have 7 juniors for 18-19 with no seniors. Whoever we pick up with that last scholarship must not add to that mass exodus number. Barring a grad transfer, a 20-21 targeted redshirting junior would have the greatest supply of quality candidates.

oklahomamick · February 26, 2018, 09:06:24 AM

I didn't realize we won't have any seniors next year. When was the last time a Valpo team didn't have at least 1 senior? Other than Skara and Smits, who was scheduled to be a senior? Were those the only two we recruited and signed?

valpopal · February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM

Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?

I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.

SanityLost17 · February 26, 2018, 10:18:47 AM

Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
Quote from: vu72 on February 26, 2018, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: valpo84 on February 26, 2018, 07:57:07 AM
Do we a have a scholly for a transfer?

I think we do. The two seniors plus Joe Burton and we have Javon and Daniel coming in.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.

Wasn't there some info on here that Smits might have a chance to graduate by the end of this summer... or was taking a bunch of summer classes each year and might graduate by the end of this year? I don't remember the details. If so I could see him leaving. I personally don't want him to leave as I think he is due for a breakout year next year. He has shown flashes of brilliance at times.

justducky · February 26, 2018, 10:59:22 AM

Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AMI wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.

I am not now concerned with losing any key contributors. I am already seeing a top 100 18-19 team without a senior on it. That is not the kind of situation that good players will be eager to leave. As for Smits has he proven himself worthy of steady Power 5 limelight minutes?

EddieCabot · February 26, 2018, 10:59:38 AM

Quote from: oklahomamick on February 26, 2018, 09:06:24 AM
I didn't realize we won't have any seniors next year. When was the last time a Valpo team didn't have at least 1 senior? Other than Skara and Smits, who was scheduled to be a senior? Were those the only two we recruited and signed?

Skara arrived with Tevonn and Max. Smits was the only freshman on the '15-'16 team.

VU2014 · February 26, 2018, 11:59:00 AM

Quote from: valpopal on February 26, 2018, 09:57:43 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a transfer or two from Valpo this off-season as well.

Look at the positions with minutes crunches next season and that's where you can guess where there might be a transfer.

PG and C.

The Coaches have been very apprehensive to use Marty at PF with one of the 7 footers. My guess is they think Marty might not be quick enough or doesn't trust him on defense yet. Marty could stand to lose some baby fat and pack on some lean muscle this offseason. Marty needs to work on his footwork. He gets killed when wings attacking him and he ends up picking up a foul.

I think the 2 players that have a chance to refine their physiques is Marty and Mileek. I think Mileek is going to have a great offseason if he puts in the work with coaches and the Strength and Conditioning Coach Derek Bol. Both the 7 footers could stand to add some muscle.

I think at PG next season you can look for Bakari and Daniel Sackey to get some big minutes. Bakari has the ability to slide over to the 2 when needed.

vu72 · February 26, 2018, 02:21:18 PM

Quote from: VU2014 on February 26, 2018, 11:59:00 AMI think at PG next season you can look for Bakari and Daniel Sackey to get some big minutes. Bakari has the ability to slide over to the 2 when needed.

Before yesterday I would have added that Micah will also be a PG and was showing some vast improvement as a distributor. I think Ryan gets the start at the 4 as he is believed to have similar skills to Alec who played the 4. With one of the bigs, it could be Ryan at the 4, Marcus at the 3, Bakari at the 1 and Javon at the 2. I think that will work!

This off season could see some transfer action. Likely candidates could be Parker, Marty or now, Micah. Something weird was going on with Marty. I was thinking they were trying to build some sort of a case for a red-shirt, who knows. Parker will be behind Ryan and Mileek at the 4 and maybe Marty as well.

M · February 26, 2018, 02:57:57 PM

If we're guessing starters for next year I'll go with Bakari (1) Freeman (2) Fazekas (3) McMillan (4) Smits (5).
Backups: Golder, Sackey, Hazen, Sorolla, Linssen, Kiser, Bradford(?), TBD

I do think one or two of these guys have good chances to transfer away.
Could have anywhere from 1-3 open scholarships for the summer I suppose.

Edit: forgot Kiser, thanks for the reminder

VULB#62 · February 26, 2018, 03:09:01 PM

Kiser?

VU2014 · February 26, 2018, 03:12:32 PM

Quote from: M on February 26, 2018, 02:57:57 PM
If we're guessing starters for next year I'll go with Bakari (1) Freeman (2) Fazekas (3) McMillan (4) Smits (5).
Backups: Golder, Sackey, Hazen, Sorolla, Linssen, Bradford(?), TBD

I do think one or two of these guys have good chances to transfer away.
Could have anywhere from 1-3 open scholarships for the summer I suppose.

I thought we'd have 1 or 2 transfers also and I thought Micah was the most likely guy to transfer but after this mess I'm not sure it will happen anymore. His options may be limited after this incident.