Too bad we couldn't keep Manyang. A big like that would have completed what we need.
Too bad we couldn't keep Manyang. A big like that would have completed what we need.
Given our obvious need, his size, and his good, but untested, rep coming to Valpo (but a year of up-close familiarity), I’m thinking maybe it wasn’t a question of ‘keeping’ him. It could have been mutual. Hope he lands in a good place for him.
Regardless of everyone’s opinions on the new recruits, it is positive to see so many new (and returning) members to the board. The past 3 days have probably been the busiest days on the forum in 7 years. There is a little more life in this program than there was last month.
It seems to me that regardless of the current experience of the roster, we have upgraded the talent level and likely will again with our last (for now) scholarship. Perhaps Sepp and Scroggins will be the Centers? If Scroggins is as good defensively as he’s been advertised, perhaps that could work. Carson backing up Cooper at the 4 will be fun. McNair will be fun to see develop. Shaw sounds like he might be a little more promising than he was advertised as to us before all the outrage. Between Shaw, the Schwieger bros, and highly touted McNair/Scroggins, there are a lot of storylines for the public to feed on. So far this off-season we’ve seen and upgrade in talent and an upgrade in publicity, so I can’t be too unhappy. Yea there are major question marks, but I still think Roger has his plan and we jsut have to wait to see it unfold.
@vok22 it seems to me like we might have a lot more butts in seats and views on espn than in years past. Powell is breathing life back into this dying program, regardless of what we believe the talent levels are
I am thrilled about Carson joining the program. If Powell can work his magic on Carson as he did Cooper we will be a scary team in the MVC. Also, having two brothers playing together in the program may help retain them both long term as their star power grows (unless they both choose to transfer together to the same program).
I still hope we can save our last scholarship for a dedicated 7 foot center. I am intrigued by Utah Valley Center Nate Tshimanga and WVU center Ali Ragab.
Also keep in mind that Valpo's basketball programs went 12-50 combined, tied for the second-worst record in the entire country. Many of the other sports teams have struggled this year and we've had a front row seat for all of it. The AD resigned. The softball program is on fourth coach in four years. College sports are changing as we know it. So, yeah, I'm excited about a member of the Drew family joining the roster. It's giving me a storyline to look forward to.
I might suggest that clutching onto the Drew legacy might have contributed to the languishing over the last 7-8 years rather than making a bold move. Valpo has a history of allowing family ties to torpedo the best interests of the university. (See the Steinbrechers artful fumbling of the post Sweet Sixteen run.) The Drews are great people. But Valpo ≠ the Drews. Honor the past but forge your own path forward. One thing I feel quite sure of? The new landscape of college basketball does not include 18-22yr olds who are wondering if someone related to the Drew family is somewhere around the team. That’s something for old fans (not unlike myself) pining for the past to stew on. And something that will make for a few good articles.
@cmack I would like to point out that there has been an influx of people to this forum post signing of this kid (yourself included). He has also gotten the most social media presence out of any of our recent recruits. Look at his insta page. He is also, a good basketvall player...Powell has seen how this kidnplays since a very young age. He trusts the player, not the name.
@rezynezy glad to help light a fire under the fan base. I’ll still be in my seat as I have for a quarter century. Always glad to be wrong in my assessments of talent. 
Regardless of everyone’s opinions on the new recruits, it is positive to see so many new (and returning) members to the board. The past 3 days have probably been the busiest days on the forum in 7 years. There is a little more life in this program than there was last month.
It seems to me that regardless of the current experience of the roster, we have upgraded the talent level and likely will again with our last (for now) scholarship. Perhaps Sepp and Scroggins will be the Centers? If Scroggins is as good defensively as he’s been advertised, perhaps that could work. Carson backing up Cooper at the 4 will be fun. McNair will be fun to see develop. Shaw sounds like he might be a little more promising than he was advertised as to us before all the outrage. Between Shaw, the Schwieger bros, and highly touted McNair/Scroggins, there are a lot of storylines for the public to feed on. So far this off-season we’ve seen and upgrade in talent and an upgrade in publicity, so I can’t be too unhappy. Yea there are major question marks, but I still think Roger has his plan and we jsut have to wait to see it unfold.
This is a great post. The staff believes the talent is already upgraded as both Ellis and Shaw will fight for starting spots. As I said in my last post though, the upgrade is not done. Obviously getting the commitment is the key but we are right there on several players that would be immediate starters. Again we are handcuffed with NIL (lack thereof) but let’s hope for some good news soon!
I don't think the Drew legacy had much to do, if at all, with the team's overall performance since Bryce left. VU simply made the wrong decision by offering Matt Lottich, a thoroughly decent basketball man, a contract extension.
Indeed, without the Drew legacy, we don't get Roger Powell. So let's wait at least two more seasons to see if that connection pays off for VU once more.
Yes they were. i selected this part of your post cuz it appears you conflated the past Valpo administrations with the Drew family position. That is a disservice to the Drews. They butted heads with an admin that was trying to be academically elite and viewed athletics as a necessary (evil) burden - not a major player in promoting the university to the next level. For years, Homer and Bryce fought to leverage the ‘98 success to no avail.
Imagine if that administration saw the light. imagine if they pumped bucks into the program back then. We cuddah been Gonzaga ——> before Gonzaga. So this is not on Homer, Scott or Bryce. it’s on a myopic, past university leadership. Please leave the Drews out of this discussion.
Yes they were. i selected this part of your post cuz it appears you conflated the past Valpo administrations with the Drew family position. That is a disservice to the Drews. They butted heads with an admin that was trying to be academically elite and viewed athletics as a necessary (evil) burden - not a major player in promoting the university to the next level. For years, Homer and Bryce fought to leverage the ‘98 success to no avail.
Imagine if that administration saw the light. imagine if they pumped bucks into the program back then. We cuddah been Gonzaga ——> before Gonzaga. So this is not on Homer, Scott or Bryce. it’s on a myopic, past university leadership. Please leave the Drews out of this discussion.
This exact statement can go for a lot of problems that the current admin is attempting to deal with, but this is the sports side so I will let those who wish to seek that info out go over to the general discussion. At least now we are kinda getting our name back with all the new and returning faces here and on other social platforms.
The Steinbrechers had little to do with fumbling the Sweet 16 momentum. That rests solely at the feet of Alan Harre. I graduated in '99 and did some part time Usher / ticket taking work while I was a student. It was a huge frustration in the department at the time and common knowledge that Bill S, Homer, etc had met with Harre after the season to talk about budget increases and (stop if you heard this before) ARC upgrades. The response was "You're lucky you have what you have."
You want to criticize Papa Steinbrecher for staying in the Mid-Con too long because Jon was Commish? 100% on board with that. But his department was ready to capitalize on the attention, they just never got that chance.
I still have no solid clue of what Carson Schwieger can give us on the court. On the Raider Nation board Big D did post the link without comment and the only response was one of total surprise that he should get one. Just how common is it for a player like Carson to walk on and redshirt? Is it correct for me to assume that this was his choice? If so then he shows up, pays his own way, then works out and practices with the team but has no interest in getting in games and losing a year of eligibility. If he has great potential then he seems to have done a terrific job of hiding it from the Wright St fan base. I think PO and The Victory Bell should go for the inside scoop with a Scott Nagy welcome to the Valley interview.Whatever keeps Cooper and his family happy I am all game for! Carson had a year to redshirt and work on his body and his game! Rog will have him physically ready to come in for toughness moments in the valley! Will he get a lot of minutes? Probably not! However, he could come in and kick some ass on the boards
Like others, I haven't even been reading much on this site over the past two months. Now, I'm trying to keep up with all of the chatter. I'm just excited that there's news that's worthy of debate.
