I am wondering if the plan with Coop is to turn him into a true shooter rather than the Center/shooter hybrid he was shoved into this year. His 3 ball would be a big help if we had another big man.
TBH, that’s what I thought was Roger’s plan from day one. When he recruited him he compared him to AP (who had Vashil inside). Problem was Jerome just couldn’t effectively fill the role and Manyang, unfortunately, never recovered from or reinjured himself before the season even began. So, as you said, Coop was shoved into a position that was not ideal for him. But the kid really responded, offensively at least. The problem all year was the MVC bigs overpowered him on the defensive end.
To add to Yalden’s profile: he’s 245# so he fits the definition of a ‘big.’ And as a HS star, in the summer before enrolling at UW, he had a 30+ point/17 RB game in a Nike All-Star tournament game (so he can score AND RB). Hope he has a nose for defense.
I feel like the position that best suits Coop would be the position of Avila and ISU. A presence inside the paint, but also a presence beyond the arc as well. HOpefully, Mayang gets healthy and can have a chance to prove himself, but Coop needs to get big in the paint. Having a tall shooter and a "big man" seems to be the bread and butter of a lot of programs
@vulb62 I'd also add a nose to stay out of trouble. Twitter seems to be all over this guy for his "not so mature" moments
If (big if) Roger offers, and he signs, there’s no way that he (Roger) or his new teammates would allow that to happen. Too tight-knit.
If (big if) Roger offers, and he signs, there’s no way that he or the other players would allow that to happen. Too tight-knit.
Also tbe bar scene round here isn't all that "college friendly" quite unlike places such as Bloomington or Lafayette
Someone brought up LaLumiere and a question arose. Why don't we go after those kids? I'm not saying go after the 1st team as that is not happening. But what about all those 2-3 star kids on second or third team. Kids are still goo enough athletes to be able to go to LaLumiere, and are not such high market prospects that a school like VU would actually be in their sight line. I know a lot of locals and hoosiers hate LaLumiere as they "disrespect the sacred nature of IHSAA basketvall" but there kids are still good.
Every other team in the league would take Yalden in a heartbeat and beat us over the head with him for the next 4 years. We’re in no position to nitpick a couple of bad choices he may have made in the past.
Agree. Maturity thing, pure and simple. He signed on with a B1G team and was (relatively) a child among adults and probably a little lost in the early shuffle. At the three preps he attended, he was, no doubt, babysat. All of his issues/incidents were early in the Fall of his first year when he was finally away from 24/7 supervision. UW is massive and urban. Valpo's environment would be a good landing spot for him. But I betcha UWGB is all over him right now -- he's from Appleton.
Has there been any confirmation we are talking to this guy tho? Or are we just dreaminhg
Speculation. And blame ValpoPal for that 
Well its never too late to dream, but a 4 star might be a little bit above our punching line...
I could be wrong but I still suspect that wh could be yanking our chain a bit. He has been known to playfully do that in the past.Every other team in the league would take Yalden in a heartbeat and beat us over the head with him for the next 4 years. We’re in no position to nitpick a couple of bad choices he may have made in the past.
At this point with Small bailing and Pettipiece getting busted, Roger: Please do a blockbuster xfer signing. Soon. Actually sooner. Please! Our university is riding on your shoulders. But of course, there’s no pressure.
