Transfers

[bbtds]

I'm hoping that somebody will speak up and put a really positive spin on this so my excitement level will return to yesterdays measure.

Wait--I'll do it myself.  We now have a seasoned, up and down the road senior veteran whose warm, immediately eligible, and uninjured body will give us one year of backup help for our untested freshman guards. 

Awfully good attempt at a positive spin on this player/scholarship selection. As someone else said teams are made up of roll players and maybe this Valpo team needs exactly what Lavender can provide. Experience in the MVC, back up role to Sackey and Javon when they get frustrated at the beginning of the conference season with learning to play tough guard oriented Div. I basketball. He might be just what the team needs in certain situations.

[vu72]

I'm hoping that somebody will speak up and put a really positive spin on this so my excitement level will return to yesterdays measure.

Wait--I'll do it myself.  We now have a seasoned, up and down the road senior veteran whose warm, immediately eligible, and uninjured body will give us one year of backup help for our untested freshman guards. 

Awfully good attempt at a positive spin on this player/scholarship selection. As someone else said teams are made up of roll players and maybe this Valpo team needs exactly what Lavender can provide. Experience in the MVC, back up role to Sackey and Javon when they get frustrated at the beginning of the conference season with learning to play tough guard oriented Div. I basketball. He might be just what the team needs in certain situations.

I think he might be exactly what is needed in terms of reliable play, experience and leadership among the guards and the team. Remember that he will be the ONLY senior on the team.

In looking back at his 2016-17 stats at UAB when he was a starter for half the season I found a few examples of why he might be a great pickup:  Against GW, 9 assists and 9 points.  Against Auburn, 7 assists.  Against So. Miss, 7 assists and 10 points.  More importantly was his assists to turnovers for the whole year:  113 assists and 65 turnovers.

[VULB#62]

I'm hoping that somebody will speak up and put a really positive spin on this so my excitement level will return to yesterdays measure.

Wait--I'll do it myself.  We now have a seasoned, up and down the road senior veteran whose warm, immediately eligible, and uninjured body will give us one year of backup help for our untested freshman guards. 

Awfully good attempt at a positive spin on this player/scholarship selection. As someone else said teams are made up of roll role players and maybe this Valpo team needs exactly what Lavender can provide. Experience in the MVC, back up role to Sackey and Javon when they get frustrated at the beginning of the conference season with learning to play tough guard oriented Div. I basketball. He might be just what the team needs in certain situations.

Fixed it for you. Sorry, bbtds, but I couldn't resist

[bbtds]

I'm hoping that somebody will speak up and put a really positive spin on this so my excitement level will return to yesterdays measure.

Wait--I'll do it myself.  We now have a seasoned, up and down the road senior veteran whose warm, immediately eligible, and uninjured body will give us one year of backup help for our untested freshman guards. 

Awfully good attempt at a positive spin on this player/scholarship selection. As someone else said teams are made up of roll role players and maybe this Valpo team needs exactly what Lavender can provide. Experience in the MVC, back up role to Sackey and Javon when they get frustrated at the beginning of the conference season with learning to play tough guard oriented Div. I basketball. He might be just what the team needs in certain situations.

Fixed it for you. Sorry, bbtds, but I couldn't resist

Thank you. I should be corrected for those kinds of mistakes. 

[VULB#62]

It's that darned spell check.

[VU2014]

Justin Robert ended up at Georgia State

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1017410186166788097

[VU2014]

The Post-Trib has the best article headlines lol

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1017475816668753920

In full bloom: Valparaiso adds graduate transfer guard Deion Lavender for upcoming season
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
July 12, 2018

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-deion-lavender-st-0713-story.html

[FieldGoodie05]

The Post-Trib has the best article headlines lol

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1017475816668753920

In full bloom: Valparaiso adds graduate transfer guard Deion Lavender for upcoming season
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
July 12, 2018

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-deion-lavender-st-0713-story.html

Thanks for sharing.  Still wholly unconvinced of the value he brings, but I'm glad to be wrong in this case.  We have far too many G and are starving for floor generals.  Other articles I've read on him say he's NOT the PG type.  We have more non-PG guards than a team should rightfully have.  Throw in a very solid walk-on G and we are choking here.

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

[VU2014]

The Post-Trib has the best article headlines lol

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1017475816668753920

In full bloom: Valparaiso adds graduate transfer guard Deion Lavender for upcoming season
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
July 12, 2018

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-deion-lavender-st-0713-story.html

Thanks for sharing.  Still wholly unconvinced of the value he brings, but I'm glad to be wrong in this case.  We have far too many G and are starving for floor generals.  Other articles I've read on him say he's NOT the PG type.  We have more non-PG guards than a team should rightfully have.  Throw in a very solid walk-on G and we are choking here.

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I just got to that point in the podcast as well. Jalen E. It's the first I've heard of him as well.

[IndyValpo]

I get the feeling we will playing small a lot next year. Eight of the eleven on scholarship can play guard and with exception of Sackey can play multiple positions.

[FieldGoodie05]

Limited to PG
Daniel Sackey 5'10"

Combo Guard Potential
Micah Bradford 6'2"
Bakari Evelyn 6'2"
Deion Lavender 6'2"
Javon Freeman-Liberty 6'4"
Langston Stalling 6'4"

The Single Most Versatile Player in Recent Memory
Markus Golfer 6'6"

Forwards
Ryan Fazekas 6'8"
Mileek McMillan 6'8"
John Kiser 6'5"

Our Gentle Giants
Jaume Sorolla 7'0"
Derrik Smits 7'2"

I suppose our concern for size is somewhat founded in the bigs positions.  We just don't have a lot of fouls to give up at these positions by not having a serviceable 5th option.  That being said, we are leaps and bounds ahead of last years PF issue so I am excited for that.  A concern is can Mileek play consistent minutes without turning into "Terry Tate Office Linebacker!" haha. Jokes aside, I pray that Fazekas has his first full year without mono/injury.

I also notice that our combo guards are really not that tall.  Other than Golder, we don't have much height in the combo guard area (reach is the most important but good luck finding all that data readily).  Just an observation, but Nick Robinson could very well be one of our better transfers.  He can flat our rebound and seems to have solid basketball IQ.  I'd maybe liken him to Skara, because I still have found memories of the hustle David gave the team in his time at Valpo.

[VULB#62]

The Single Most Versatile Player in Recent Memory
Markus Golfer 6'6"

Yes, I understand that he has a 5 handicap.   

[FieldGoodie05]

The Single Most Versatile Player in Recent Memory
Markus Golfer 6'6"

Yes, I understand that he has a 5 handicap.   

hahahahaha, gotta love autocorrect.

[VUBBFan]

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I believe this is the other walk-on Jalen Essick.

https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/georgia/atlanta/paideia-school/jalen-essick

[valpopal]

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I believe this is the other walk-on Jalen Essick.

https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/georgia/atlanta/paideia-school/jalen-essick

Agree! 

[VU2014]

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I believe this is the other walk-on Jalen Essick.

https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/georgia/atlanta/paideia-school/jalen-essick

I like how the Coaching Staff has been bringing in more Walk-ons. Steve Helm and Langston Stalling aren't your typical walk-ons and have the potential to become future contributors down the road. Maybe Jalen doesn't have quite the same physical ability but I'm assuming this kid loves the sport of basketball and will be a great team guy.

[vu72]

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I believe this is the other walk-on Jalen Essick.

https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/georgia/atlanta/paideia-school/jalen-essick

I like how the Coaching Staff has been bringing in more Walk-ons. Steve Helm and Langston Stalling aren't your typical walk-ons and have the potential to become future contributors down the road. Maybe Jalen doesn't have quite the same physical ability but I'm assuming this kid loves the sport of basketball and will be a great team guy.

I suspect he may be another academic scholarship guy.  He said he has a 4.0.  Not sure on what scale but still.  He goes to a very small school (987 kids from pre-k to 12) so perhaps his skills are unproven.  Seems to have a quick release and I don't think he missed a shot! 

[FieldGoodie05]

In other news, PO's podcast said we have a 2nd walk-on besides Langston.  Anyone know much on this subject?

I believe this is the other walk-on Jalen Essick.

https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/georgia/atlanta/paideia-school/jalen-essick

Agree! 

If that's the case, aren't he and Langston south paws?

[VU2014]

"Coming into the offseason, we felt it was important to add a member to the senior class," said Lottich. "Deion is the perfect fit in that role because he brings experience playing in the Valley and has shown the ability to be productive on the court during his career.  His versatility and his experience will be invaluable for our program as we enter our second season of MVC play."

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1019601529395965953

[wh]

Another good addition on top of some already very good additions in Eron Gordon, Nick Robinson, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Daniel Sackey. And, I'm thinking in terms of more than just basketball.  Homer, Bryce, and now Matt have always portrayed Valpo basketball as a family - a family that loves and cares for each other and where player development is more about building life skills than basketball skills. All of this said to note that I'm confident we just added another group of high quality young men who will add value to the program, the university and the community.  A job well done, Matt!

[VU2014]

This very interesting. This has broad implications on the sport. I actually think in most cases the red-shirt transfer rule is a good thing for CBB. Imagine how much "poaching" will happen if they eliminate the red-shirt transfer rule.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1051860059301576704
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1051861021634306049
https://twitter.com/thejordanburton/status/1051887697734881286

[VUGrad1314]

The red shirt transfer rule needs to remain in place it's one of the few protections mids have left

[IrishDawg]

The red shirt transfer rule needs to remain in place it's one of the few protections mids have left

I haven't done the research so you very well could be right, but it seems like the majority of kids who transfer from mid-major programs to power programs are of the grad transfer variety (which may actually prove your point).  While opening the doors might hurt with quality players going out, it could also help mid major programs recruit players who aren't happy with the amount of playing time that they are receiving at a larger program.

Personally I like the year break.  Gives guys a chance to get into the culture of the program, learn the system, get used to the academic side, etc.