Schweiger MVC 31.3 MPG .519 FG% .387 3FG% .822 FT% 5.7 RB 14 BLKS 14.6 Scoring Average
Peters 2013-2014 Season 29.6 MPG .49% FG% .383 3FG% .773 FT% 4.8 RB 5 BLKS (entire season?) 12.7 Scoring Average
Peters did appear to have more steals and a significantly better A/TO ratio at .8 vs .68. Going strictly from memory I'd wager that Alec was also a much better defender but if you want to argue that point I would be glad to listen.
Schweiger wass just named freshman of the week once again, I think it's set in stone now who is going to win the freshman of the year awardSchweiger MVC 31.3 MPG .519 FG% .387 3FG% .822 FT% 5.7 RB 14 BLKS 14.6 Scoring Average
Peters 2013-2014 Season 29.6 MPG .49% FG% .383 3FG% .773 FT% 4.8 RB 5 BLKS (entire season?) 12.7 Scoring Average
Peters did appear to have more steals and a significantly better A/TO ratio at .8 vs .68. Going strictly from memory I'd wager that Alec was also a much better defender but if you want to argue that point I would be glad to listen.
The similarities are significant. The bigger question is, will Schwieger stay at Valpo? He went from late recruit to likely freshman of the year winner. Paul Oren's excellent Senior Day game story included comments from both Schwieger and Stafford about their plans for the future, as well as Coach Powell on Schwieger's future at Valpo. I'd say it's about 60/40 he stays. His first-year performance was excellent, and now he's a known quantity.
Ben Krikke's performance at Iowa may have answered the question on whether a standout forward from a struggling mid-major can succeed on a bigger stage. In Schwieger's case, we've got a big who can already shoot 3s and grow into an even better rebounder.
Retaining Schwieger may be the first big test of Coach Powell's VU coaching career. Even after a season where the Baby Beacs took their lumps, do young players like Schwieger believe in Coach Powell's agenda enough to stay?
@david81 Schweiger and Powell gave the impression in the post game interview that he is not currently thinking of transferring. Honestly he and Powell both said that they developed a good relationship. As for Ben, he only transferred because the coach was fired. Whenever a coach is fired, it is basically a given that the upper classmen will transfer. When it comes to basketball, In my opinion there is less incentive to transfer schools than for football given that mid-Majors have prevalence in the basketball scene.
One other point. It also comes into account whether you would go to a power school and ride the bench, or stay at a mid major and start. Ultimately these kids want to play the most basketball they can in an environment they believe is good for them. Valpo under Powell has been fun, and the team chemistry is definitely there given the craziness of the team celebrations after a dub.
@rezynezy I didn't have the same level of confidence in Schwieger's or Powell's comments that Cooper's return is basically a done deal. I dearly hope that's the case, because Schwieger's rookie year does indeed suggest that Valpo somehow got an Alec Peters-type player deep into the recruiting season!
Also, I wasn't comparing the reason why Krikke transferred to any speculation on why Schwieger might transfer. Rather, my point was that Krikke demonstrated to the basketball world that a high quality, mid major big can start and stand out for a Power 5 team. Krikke being Krikke, he fully exceeded my expectations that he'd be more of a rotation role player, averaging closer to 8-10 ppg.
I bet a fair number of P5 schools are now looking at Schwieger in part because of the Krikke outcome.
@david81 Fair enough. The main reason I see Coop as likely staying is on the team chemistry and culture front anyway. I feel like the team under Lottich left much to be desired on the culture front. Powell is more personable of a guy, and clearly values fun and building a relationship with his players, something that I felt was lacking under Lottich. I agree that keeping Coop is a major test for Powell, but I would be more surprised if he elected to transfer as opposed to not transferring.
@david81 Fair enough. The main reason I see Coop as likely staying is on the team chemistry and culture front anyway. I feel like the team under Lottich left much to be desired on the culture front. Powell is more personable of a guy, and clearly values fun and building a relationship with his players, something that I felt was lacking under Lottich. I agree that keeping Coop is a major test for Powell, but I would be more surprised if he elected to transfer as opposed to not transferring.
I think Schweiger stays. Was schools poaching for JFL at the end of his freshman year?
Lottich was able to find some very talented individuals, but it wasn't the fit for his culture. Too many mixed personalities etc..
JFL didn't have the numbers (close) or pub that Coop has. Still, I think he stays, maybe for four years. 11 ppg 4.3 rpg, all MV freshman team. NOT Valley Freshman of the Year!!
In the Belmont game preview it says FOY is announced on 3/6? If so does anybody have their eyes on the action? Details?
In the Belmont game preview it says FOY is announced on 3/6? If so does anybody have their eyes on the action? Details?
Well, nothing yet but they did name the most improved team yesterday and Darius didn't make the cut. Terrible decision.
Schweiger wins! First time for a Valpo player since 1999, according to PO.
The bright light of a beacon in this dark season:
https://twitter.com/TribStarHunter/status/1765544241889976433
Congrats to Schweiger! And to Powell and Valpo basketball.
While early indicators are favorable for his return, no one knows what NIL $ will be waved in his presence.
Cooper needs the Gene Keady bulk up program over next few years.
I hope that everyone on this forum will eventually learn to spell the kid’s name correctly. He more than deserves to have that respect from his own fans. Coop’s last name is phonetically pronounced “SCHWEEGER” and his family, having good German bloodlines, spells their family name in keeping with German language rules: I followed by E is pronounced as a long E; (E followed by I is pronounced as a long I). Therefore, the correct spelling is Schwieger 🧐
