Recruiting: 2025

[JD24]

I see that neither Grand Canyon nor Gonzaga has made anywhere near as many 2024 2025 offers as Valpo, so Roger's strike fast, strike often recruiting approach isn't simply a copy and paste from his past. That makes me like it even more.

Roger went from Vandy to Gonzaga. No stop at Grand Canyon.

However, his former boss at Vandy is now at Grand Canyon.

No kidding. No Roger however.

[wh]

I see that neither Grand Canyon nor Gonzaga has made anywhere near as many 2024 2025 offers as Valpo, so Roger's strike fast, strike often recruiting approach isn't simply a copy and paste from his past. That makes me like it even more.

Roger went from Vandy to Gonzaga. No stop at Grand Canyon.

However, his former boss at Vandy is now at Grand Canyon.

No kidding. No Roger however.

Maybe a little cryptic assistance is in order here. If Mark Few left Gonzaga and became Washington State's coach, I would be comparing the number of Washington State scholarship offers (not Gonzaga's) to Valpo's.

[vu72]

If the point was to watch what coaches are doing who trained Roger then the Canyon reference makes sense whether Roger coached there or not.

[David81]

The aggressive way in which this coaching staff is jumping into recruiting has caused me to realize that I'm pretty ignorant about recruiting dynamics among schools that want to be in the mix for top players.

So if these schools are making a lot more offers than they have available scholarship spots, and each school has certain slots based on position needs and how they rank these players, then this puts enormous pressure on a kid with multiple offers to make the right decision as early as possible, yes?

If so, is it also possible that someone might accept an offer from a school that had thought of him as a sort of backup option if more desired players said no, not knowing that the coaches wish the acceptance had come from someone else?

I'm assuming this shakeout process has something of a trickle-down effect on mid-majors that are striving to be competitive and relevant in March.

[valporun]

Also, it could be that based on the region of the country each coach is responsible for recruiting in, they are not just focusing on current seniors alone, but getting those future spots some attention, for potential transfers after year 2 on the roster...

[VU2014]

Big recruiting visit

https://x.com/zion_10_/status/1715895615316467884?s=46&t=cNk7taMAYtxNl1Q0_O79Gw

[vu72]

Not finding much on this kid. Tell us more!

[tiny707]

Zion Gross is from Joliet West. Same high school as Coach Powell and Justus McNair. McNair is committed to Valpo and a 2024 recruit. Zion has offers from Radford, Bryant, Western Illinois, UIC and now Valpo.

[JD24]

Zion Gross is from Joliet West. Same high school as Coach Powell and Justin McNair. McNair is committed to Valpo and A 2024 recruit. Zion has offers from Radford, Bryant, Western Illinois, UIC and now Valpo.

It's Justus McNair and I'm pretty sure he is the other player shown on the visit.

[tiny707]

Jack Smiley is tearing it up at Valpo High. Offers from Ohio University and Valpo so
far.

[VU2014]

Jack is playing so well he's getting high major looks.

I hope this isn't Brandon Newman and Sasha all over again. Those guys would have been legends in our program.

But I still don't think Lottich would have let them achieve their potential.

https://x.com/zt17hoops/status/1738228584966484040?s=46&t=cNk7taMAYtxNl1Q0_O79Gw

[JD24]

One thing that could hold this kids recruitment down is his size. 6'2" for a guard these days can limit the choices. This could help Valpo.

[VULB#62]

Just thinkin....  the kid could be the next Bryce Drew if he comes to the program. And look what Bryce did in getting NATIONAL attention to Valpo. Him playing in the "new" arena in his hometown would guarantee great gates.  The other thing is that he is a natural southpaw jump shooter which is thing defenders need to adjust to, but can go with either hand for everything else. It also looks like he has a high motor and looks for teammates. And that is what Roger is seeking.

[VU2014]

Just thinkin....  the kid could be the next Bryce Drew if he comes to the program. And look what Bryce did in getting NATIONAL attention to Valpo. Him playing in the "new" arena in his hometown would guarantee great gates.  The other thing is that he is a natural southpaw jump shooter which is thing defenders need to adjust to, but can go with either hand for everything else. It also looks like he has a high motor and looks for teammates. And that is what Roger is seeking.

He would pair really well with Justus McNair in the backcourt. As you mentioned, he's exactly what we need

[tiny707]

Jack Smiley hits 1000 points as a Junior.

[VU2014]

Not great for Valpo if Notre Dame enters the mix.

https://x.com/inbballsource/status/1756390040635093496?s=46&t=cNk7taMAYtxNl1Q0_O79Gw

[tiny707]

Jack's basketball teammate is playing baseball at Notre Dame next season.