Recruiting: 2020

[FWalum]

What I think is really interesting with this class is that 3 of the 4 guys are older, more mature and have already been playing against "freshman" D1 players for a year.  Really looking forward to how this strategy works out. Connor Barrett has definitely been playing and practising against some high major talent a Brewster Academy while Sheldon Edwards has been putting up big numbers at TLAP Sports Academy and from the Twitter videos appears to be UBER athletic. From the USH Goodnews Kpegeol podcast the coach had some very good things to say and once again Goodnews appears to be someone who can put points on the board and play defense. I am excited to see how Jacob meshes with this group of slightly older more experienced players.  Should be an exciting class that could come in ready and anxious to play!

[FWalum]

I am curious as to why he left Kansas State after only 1 semester?    Anybody read anything?   

Paul's latest USH episode has an interview with his Junior College coach that goes through his rather unique journey from High School, Prep School, Kansas State, JC, to VU.

[valpo95]

I am curious as to why he left Kansas State after only 1 semester?    Anybody read anything?   

One article said it was about wanting to get more playing time https://themercury.com/k_state_sports/why-goodnews-kpegeol-left-kansas-state-and-what-bruce-weber/article_eb645444-26f3-5086-ac7e-e8507fa8a0bf.html.

[SanityLost17]

I am curious as to why he left Kansas State after only 1 semester?    Anybody read anything?   

One article said it was about wanting to get more playing time https://themercury.com/k_state_sports/why-goodnews-kpegeol-left-kansas-state-and-what-bruce-weber/article_eb645444-26f3-5086-ac7e-e8507fa8a0bf.html.

Sounds like he transferred for more minutes.  I am curious how many minutes he will get for us.    We do have 4 seniors and 3 incoming freshman who appear to be solid, and you know Clay/Krikke/Sackey are going to get their minutes.     I get that he was a fairly highly touted recruit out of high school but we all know that doesn't mean a whole lot.  His numbers in JUCO were good but not fabulous for that level by any means.   

I am still very high on Robinson.   His numbers weren't great this year but he started off the year rusty and then was playing injured the majority of the season, I think he gets lots of minutes this next year.     If Goodnews is a good basketball player I think that spells trouble for guys like Zion Morgan and we may not see him very much this year.  Next guy to lose minutes probably Gordon.  Gordon had some moments and at times was really hot from 3 but a large part of the season we didn't see much productivity from him.    Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.   Hopefully there is a real battle for playing time because everyone is as good as advertised and guys like Gordon step up as seniors and are super productive after a year in the system.   

[humbleopinion]

Sounds like he transferred for more minutes.  I am curious how many minutes he will get for us.    We do have 4 seniors and 3 incoming freshman who appear to be solid, and you know Clay/Krikke/Sackey are going to get their minutes. 

Injuries have been a constant curse. I wonder how this extended period without access to trainers and quasi-organized workouts will impact injuries.  Will the lack of conditioning increase the likelihood or will the bodies be a bit more refreshed

[VU2014]

Former Valpo recruit. He originally committed to Wake Forest. He later decommitted and committed to Western Illinois University. His AAU coach Nick Irvin (of the Mac Irvin Fire family AAU team) was recently hire as an assistant coach. He's a legit Top 5 player in IL and a pure PG.

Recruiting is a relationship business. Went from ACC to Summit League.

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1271953424049938440?s=21

[valpotx]

I've never felt any negativity towards WIU, in spite of some spirited rivalries prior to my arrival at Valpo in 1999-2000.  It was always just another game in each sport.  Good to see them potentially turning the corner again.

[valpopal]

Valpo adds a walk-on for 2020:


https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2019-20/19872/tyler-fricke-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-as-walk-on/

[vu72]

Valpo adds a walk-on for 2020:


https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2019-20/19872/tyler-fricke-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-as-walk-on/

So we will have four walk-ons? That's a bunch of players!

[VU2014]

Valpo adds a walk-on for 2020:


https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2019-20/19872/tyler-fricke-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-as-walk-on/

So we will have four walk-ons? That's a bunch of players!

You can never have too many (hopefully) high character guys who will push your scholarship players in practice. Great for team chemistry.

Kiser showed you can make the most out of that opportunity.

[wh]

Valpo adds a walk-on for 2020:


https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2019-20/19872/tyler-fricke-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-as-walk-on/

So we will have four walk-ons? That's a bunch of players!

Walk-on's come and go quite a bit. It's anyone's guess how many of last year's guys will return.

[VU2014]

Valpo adds a walk-on for 2020:


https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2019-20/19872/tyler-fricke-joins-valpo-mens-basketball-as-walk-on/

So we will have four walk-ons? That's a bunch of players!

Walk-on's come and go quite a bit. It's anyone's guess how many of last year's guys will return.

What ever happened to Langston Stalling? Did he leave the University? He was on a full academic scholarship

EDIT: judging from his twitter profile, he transferred to play baseball at PNW https://twitter.com/Boutabucket_13

Interesting. I'm curious if he transferred for baseball. There was talk of him playing for valpo baseball

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/nwi/status/1273035171051298816?s=20

[FWalum]

Random thought. We should have Steven Helm back next season as a walk-on. He's going to comeback from his Mormon Mission. He probably hasn't played basketbball much the last 2 years but it should still be nice to have a mature voice in the locker-room and someone who will compete in practice. Plus it's a bonus that he's a local kid.

He's also supposedly an AMAZING foul shooter. Put him in when we need to ice games!

I would not expect much at all from him. He is an excellent free throw shooter, but remember he spent one season already with Valpo and barely saw the court. Don't see him having much more than a few minutes next season. Hopefully he will contribute greatly in practice.   

I think he was a redshirt the one year with Valpo. He last played in 2016-17 at Carroll in Montana.

Should get to know Steven Helm's father this Fall. He is currently one of the assistant coaches for the Angola Hornets Boys Varsity team. Saw him at the Trine University High School Boy's Team summer camp event. I know some of the coaches were asking him about his son and Valpo. Could be interesting to talk to a parent about the program.

[VUGrad1314]

I've never felt any negativity towards WIU, in spite of some spirited rivalries prior to my arrival at Valpo in 1999-2000.  It was always just another game in each sport.  Good to see them potentially turning the corner again.

Methinks they are angling for and will eventually receive membership in the OVC, once a certain conference makes a move for a certain OVC school and opens up a spot.

[wh]

I see that freshman Jacob Ognacevic was the third leading scorer in the nation last year at 39.4 PPG.

https://www.maxpreps.com/leaders/basketball-winter-19-20/,scoring/stat-leaders.htm

[vu72]

I see that freshman Jacob Ognacevic was the third leading scorer in the nation last year at 39.4 PPG.

https://www.maxpreps.com/leaders/basketball-winter-19-20/,scoring/stat-leaders.htm

Third, yes, but check out the shooting percentages!  73% overall, 49% from the 3 and 86% from the line!

[FWalum]

I see that freshman Jacob Ognacevic was the third leading scorer in the nation last year at 39.4 PPG.

https://www.maxpreps.com/leaders/basketball-winter-19-20/,scoring/stat-leaders.htm

Third, yes, but check out the shooting percentages!  73% overall, 49% from the 3 and 86% from the line!

Those are crazy good numbers. Just getting close to that kind of production his Freshman year would be wonderful. I would be happy if he is around 55% for 2's and mid to upper 30% from 3 this year.  Going to be a little harder to get his shot off at the MVC level.

If he can get to the line at a decent rate and hit 85% that would be outstanding!

[VUBBFan]

I think this kid is going to be really exciting to watch this year.
https://twitter.com/sheldonnn13/status/1299502976793554951

https://twitter.com/sheldonnn13/status/1299502216018100229

[vu72]

TRAVELING!!!!!!  Seriously. so good to see the guys in the new practice facility.  Bet the air conditoning feel great!

[valpotx]

Spoiled kids and their A/C.  Back in my day... 

[vu72]

Valpo has been putting out stories on our freshman:

Here are the first two if you haven't seen them:

https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2020-21/19913/valpo-gains-special-player-in-freshman-jacob-ognacevic/

https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2020-21/19911/work-ethic-passion-help-freshman-connor-barrett-elevate-basketball-career/