One benefit we have is a young roster. The Region had a rich history of basketball prowess and these players can benefit from all the basketball minds around the area. Heck, I've mentioned a couple times about how Valpo basically wrote the book on how to shoot free throws effectively with Virgil Sweet. There us a lot of development to take place with our guys, and we are also getting McNair who is a close family friend of Powell. This kid has likely done training with powell before. I would like to see some of our older guys who didn't mesh right find new homes. Particularly Edward's. I feel like we haven't been out in the center market largely because Powell may trust the center we have to stay healthy. He already has a year of development under his belt being a red shirt.
While the team certainly wasn't good enough last year, evident by the 7 wins, I don't think we absolutely have to get rid of anybody to improve significantly. I don't think there was anybody on the roster that wasn't at least an end of the bench MVC player. If they didn't contribute up to par last year, they will likely be pushed to the end of the bench. Just cause we only have 2 open scholarships doesn't mean we are only adding 2 players, we are essentially adding FIVE- McNair, 2 transfers, Scroggins, and Manyang. McNair and Manyang were both highly rated recruits that should contribute while having some growing pains. Scroggins received some of the same high praises that Cooper received from Powell, indicated he could be another diamond in the rough that just needs time to develop. Powell nailed Cooper, so I'll take his word on Scroggins. As far as the transfers, we don't know for sure who they'll be yet but I am going to guess they are guys that have at least played some form of college basketball and have showed they have the skill to play at the D1 level.
I would guess that at least 3 or 4 of McNair, the transfers, Manyang, and Scroggins will be good enough to push any underperforms from last year down the bench.
Honestly, I'm glad we don't have a ton of people on the roster transferring. We have a lot of potential that had their eyes opened by college basketball. Not so much whether they could do it or not, but just how fast-paced and busy it could be compared with how they were in high school or prep school. Plus, a first year head coach can talk a lot, but in a year with a lot of NEW to show for our 7 wins, we'll definitely grow a lot in 2024-25. I mean we could have been worse than the 1-win Detroit or Mississippi Valley State, so I'm not losing my insides becasue we haven't been actively watching our roster fall apart because they think they are better than they really might be. Of all the transfers out that VU has had since the grad transfer rule started, how many former VU players have fared better at their new school than when they were at Valpo? Probably only Brandon Wood and Ben Krikke? Sure, Javon Freeman-Liberty had a couple decent years at DePaul, but they weren't two seasons that made anyone really think he made a better decision for himself overall.
Honestly, I'm glad we don't have a ton of people on the roster transferring. We have a lot of potential that had their eyes opened by college basketball. Not so much whether they could do it or not, but just how fast-paced and busy it could be compared with how they were in high school or prep school. Plus, a first year head coach can talk a lot, but in a year with a lot of NEW to show for our 7 wins, we'll definitely grow a lot in 2024-25. I mean we could have been worse than the 1-win Detroit or Mississippi Valley State, so I'm not losing my insides becasue we haven't been actively watching our roster fall apart because they think they are better than they really might be. Of all the transfers out that VU has had since the grad transfer rule started, how many former VU players have fared better at their new school than when they were at Valpo? Probably only Brandon Wood and Ben Krikke? Sure, Javon Freeman-Liberty had a couple decent years at DePaul, but they weren't two seasons that made anyone really think he made a better decision for himself overall.
To add more context to our incoming players, without any additional spots opening up:
McNair: Played behind 2 five star players until his senior year-- exploded after they left, receives very high praise from Illinois basketball recruiters. The only free site that has a rating listed for him has him as a three star recruit.
Scroggins: Got offered by St Bonaventure, New Mexico, La Salle, San Jose St, and Central Michigan--all solid programs. Described as an all around player that can block shots and shoot the three. Already developed for a year under Powell. Bosco Prep coach said when he's fully developed he'll have some NBA potential.
Manyang: 17th best center recuit, top 150 overall recruit in the 2022 class. Offered by VCU, Siena, SLU, La Salle, Bryant, Charlotte, UMass, George Mason, NJIT, Manhattan, UCSB and Seton Hall. The big question mark is health. If he can stay healthy, he has all the talent needed to be an unbelievable player.
I'd say, before adding a single transfer, we already added three impact players. The drawback is that there is a combined 0 games of college basketball between them. Physically though, Scroggins and Manyang would both be Juniors in college without prep school/redshirting years, so being underdeveloped shouldn't be a problem. Adjusting to game speed might take some time, but with the addition of a couple of experienced transfers, the growth of the less experienced players could coincide with wins.
@jd24 I totally agree, we need to increase the overall talent level of this team. I understand the power of development but the roster has several ham and eggers that may be leaching on that may not provide value and success. I was hoping Powell was going to step out and display his inner Coach Prime.
One benefit we have is a young roster. The Region had a rich history of basketball prowess and these players can benefit from all the basketball minds around the area. Heck, I've mentioned a couple times about how Valpo basically wrote the book on how to shoot free throws effectively with Virgil Sweet. There us a lot of development to take place with our guys, and we are also getting McNair who is a close family friend of Powell. This kid has likely done training with powell before. I would like to see some of our older guys who didn't mesh right find new homes. Particularly Edward's. I feel like we haven't been out in the center market largely because Powell may trust the center we have to stay healthy. He already has a year of development under his belt being a red shirt.
I'm still wondering about Manyang and whether or not he is healthy. If he is, he may be exactly what we need. Remember, at one point he was a three star and top 150 player. He is also maybe 23 or 24 years old now so he is fully grown. If, and it is a big if, he is the rim protector we need, it could be a game changer.
It looks like the 'boom' was for Devon Ellis, a transfer from D-1 Maryland-Eastern Shore. He shows up as committed to Valpo on the transfer portal tracker
that 11 ppg is really promising. That FG% is not but always room to improve. Good get in the end
https://twitter.com/Devon4rlz/status/1775554102346367074
It looks like he is from Chicago, so it also helps our case long-term for him to be close to home
50% from the field is actually very good for a guard. Our best shooting guard by percentage last year, jaxon edwards, shot 40%. He rarely shoots threes though, so I wonder if that is a product of him getting to the rim. Interested to hear more about him.
Also helps our case for utilizing our market share. We finally got an in in the chicago market
50% from the field is actually very good for a guard. Our best shooting guard by percentage last year, jaxon edwards, shot 40%. He rarely shoots threes though, so I wonder if that is a product of him getting to the rim. Interested to hear more about him.
Hopefully we get a formal introduction soon.
It also looks like he went to Link Year Prep, which is where Cooper went. Might be a good sign on a connection that Powell has!
Seems as if PO had the scoop for a while. New interview up on TVB
6'6" shooting guard who shot at 44% from the 3 in JC. Looks to have a mature body as well. Good get!
Ellis having attending Link Year is interesting, if Powell really has a connection there that’s impressive and gives an in to a lot of players. But more relevantly Ellis should bring some size and strength, and looking at his profile on UMES’s website he says his favorite quote is Proverbs 27:12 (“As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another."), which the Rev has mentioned multiple times in relation to the team. Maybe another reason why Ellis is coming here. Good get!
