https://twitter.com/TVBOren/status/1780438611982241982
I'd add the stats, but it seems PO has that covered.
Meanwhile, new Drake coach is bringing at least 3 of his Northwest Missouri State guys with him. We will get to see if those top D2 guys can translate easily to MVC ball. We've seen these success stories in singular instances, so we will have to see if 3 from the same D2 team can continue Drake's success!
If we get Dilling, he appears to be a solid get. Lots of success at 3 D2 programs (Minnesota-Crookston, Queens University, and Northern State). I'd be interested to know why he was at 3 D2 schools, but we see it at the D1 level. Queens was D2 at the time he played for them, and he was part of a team that went to the D2 Sweet 16, before Queens made the move to D1.
@valpotx I predict long term that McCollum be a coaching upgrade over DeVries at Drake. He is an intetesting, extremely successful dude and not the typical looking to automatically jump to the next level, but for the right job. He will recruit well in the Iowa-Missouri-Nebraska-Dakotas area, and Drake has a decent college hoop atmosphere. It should work out well for them.
Dilling would be a very promising add. Here is what I would like to see from our remaining scholarships:
1 starting caliber scoring guard. (Dilling/Williams/or similar)
1 starting caliber center
the third scholarship can either go to an ajiboye replacement, center depth, or a Braden O’Connor type guard. As long as we get the first two, I don’t care.
The possibility of more guards out of the transfer portal is perplexing. Some have opined that improvements in the players on the roster would potentially be enough to help the team move up in the MVC. I've never been sold on that but I've thought that two of the players I would expect improvement in would be guards. We have Stafford and DeVeiro back as returning starters and McNair as a big time recruit expected to cut into their time. My expectation would be that at least one of Williamson and Weatherspoon would improve in terms of shot making which would provide a decent rotation next year. It was the least area of concern for me overall.
Edwards as a wing was just a really passive guard and is likely the focus of the Ellis signing. It's possible that the couple of other prospective offers are also geared towards a more wing like player although Dilling doesn't really fit that mold.
Other than Schwieger, the team needs some beef up front. Some aggressive players not afraid to mix it up. We've yet to see that type of players show up on the radar at all but it is the biggest need. The answer can't be "well we have Scroggins". He's yet to see a minute of floor time.
I think they need 2 things: inside size and scoring ability to keep defenses honest. Scoring ability is probably easier to find vs size
Yes.....Inside size most pressing! (Forget the scoring, that will come.) Especially on the defensive end. We were carved up virtually every game last year, in the interior and Cooper, hitting the weight room will help
Brayden O'Connor stats look solid (but not eye popping) in all categories. I think he MIGHT be a positive fit.
O'Connor has committed to George Mason.
Not surprised. He’s an east coast kid. Actually Dilling seems more of a logical target (in a few respects). We’ve had some luck with DII guys coming in with a chip on their shoulder. Certainly ISUb did. Drake is also bringing in DII guys.
But we still need a solid (Vashil solid), aggressive 5 to fill the hole in the paint so that Coop gets more freedom to score and doesn’t get worn down defending guys 30# heavier than him.
A second boom has been posted.
Along with a cryptic celebratory video edit from Powell. Maybe it’s a big one.
Based on POs latest tweet, I am expecting nothing less than an immediate impact player that can elevate the team. Sounds like it might take a while to find out though.
Edit: after some very basic investigative work I’m going to predict this is for Josh Dilling. For every offer he received he used the same post on Twitter just switching out the names of the schools. Except for when he announced his visit to Valpo he started it with “after a great visit”. He didn’t put that for any other school. 24 hours later we get a boom.
DId Quinten post a boom and Powell. Or is this just a second video from Powell.
EDIT: I love answering my own questions. 2 videos from Powell and a Boom from the man Quintin. Must be a HUGE get. So far the total is 3 coaches tweeting messages, and 2 coming from the HC himself and a coach who PO claims is never on twitter. Hey Hey Holy Mackerel People!
https://twitter.com/CoachQG/status/1780756311354810569
https://twitter.com/RogerPowellJr/status/1780757246659404170
https://twitter.com/CoachBaldwin23/status/1780757228053561837
Looking forward to an official announcement, but trust Paul when he says that "Valpo fans are going to like this."
Dilling would be a good get, I guess. I wouldn't look upon him as a huge get. Good Div II guard at a position the roster seems to have players to give opportunity to.
So hopefully it is another player possibly as well as Dilling and one who plays in the front court.
With as much hype surrounding this. PO claiming to hear a lot of commotion in the office. 3 coaches tweeting and one coach tweeting twice. I am assuming this is a get a little bigger than Dilling.
