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Post by UICJohn on Jan 30, 2022 22:59:25 GMT -6
Obviously we still have this season, but with all of the MVC talk for next season, and recruiting going to heat up, looking at who we have as of right now:
Returning for 2022-2023 (and their class next season)
Jace Carter (Soph) Damaria Franklin (Senior) Jalen Johnson (Senior) Brad Bowditch (Junior) Griffin Yaklick (Junior) Marcus Larrson (Senior) Zion Griffin (Senior) Jaden Brownell (Soph) Filiip Skobalj (Soph)
That is 9 players. I do not believe that Bowditch and Yaklich are on scholarship. We are graduating 5 players so assume that will open up 5 spots.
At this moment, we have one recruit for next season - Jalen Jackson from Indiana
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Post by VivatUIC on Jan 31, 2022 15:34:07 GMT -6
Yaklich might count as one even if he isn't actually receiving a basketball scholarship. The scuttlebutt in the Notre Dame football world has been that Ron Powlus's son is on scholarship by rule because Ron is the associate AD for football.
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Post by UICJohn on Jan 31, 2022 18:31:43 GMT -6
I think we all kind of saw this for a while but RayQuawndis Mitchell is officially transferring.
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Post by Chuck A on Jan 31, 2022 18:56:21 GMT -6
This recruiting season is of the utmost importance for Yak and the Flames. The late signing period is in April and the program has only one student-athlete signed. They're gonna have to recruit like hell plus recruit Missouri Valley quality players as well! That's a tall task! I do realize it's going to take time before the Flames become relevant in the MVC, but in my opinion, year one in The Valley is very important!
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Post by Big D on Jan 31, 2022 19:12:40 GMT -6
Chuck do you think because we need so much help, we’re gonna hit the transfer portal hard again? I just can’t get into these 1-year rent-a-players. To fill a hole here or there, but as your primary players? Every year you have to restart and spend half the season building chemistry. I’d rather build through the draft (recruiting freshmen) than free agency (transfers).
I’m worried we’re gonna have to wait til year 4 to see the full effect of Valley recruiting. And at that point he’s a lame duck. What do we do?
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Post by Chuck A on Jan 31, 2022 21:57:25 GMT -6
Good question Big D. For me, I'd like for him to build through the draft as well, but he has to make an impact right away. Unless he can convince 5 MVC-type recruits to sign, he's got to hit the transfer portal hard... and not for grad transfers, but players with at least two years available. That would give Coach Yak some leeway to recruit freshman.
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 22, 2022 14:37:08 GMT -6
UIC 6’11 C Marcus Larsson has entered the transfer portal. Despite his size, he only played 39 minutes this past season. One more roster spot opens up. Getting that 6’10” C from Iowa would be nice.
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Post by Greg on Mar 22, 2022 16:34:23 GMT -6
Wow, we desperately need players with some size
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 22, 2022 16:45:06 GMT -6
Wow, we desperately need players with some size Agreed. Our last two offers are 6’10” and 6’9” so hope to get some of those offers as commitments.
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Post by Big D on Mar 22, 2022 16:54:25 GMT -6
UIC 6’11 C Marcus Larsson has entered the transfer portal. Despite his size, he only played 39 minutes this past season. One more roster spot opens up. Getting that 6’10” C from Iowa would be nice. I was expecting this one. He just couldn’t stay healthy. We can’t go another season without someone in the paint. As much as I think he could’ve helped, you have to be able to stay healthy. Would like to see a young big and at least a JUCO big, if not a transfer. Either way we need multiple. I want post moves. I want defense. I want someone that can move.
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 22, 2022 17:13:06 GMT -6
UIC 6’11 C Marcus Larsson has entered the transfer portal. Despite his size, he only played 39 minutes this past season. One more roster spot opens up. Getting that 6’10” C from Iowa would be nice. I was expecting this one. He just couldn’t stay healthy. We can’t go another season without someone in the paint. As much as I think he could’ve helped, you have to be able to stay healthy. Would like to see a young big and at least a JUCO big, if not a transfer. Either way we need multiple. I want post moves. I want defense. I want someone that can move. I was never sure if it was health or not being able to ply to the level. Injuries make sense because as you said we had no inside presence so any size would have helped. Hope he can find a good fit - third team in three years.
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Post by Chuck A on Mar 22, 2022 17:28:53 GMT -6
UIC 6’11 C Marcus Larsson has entered the transfer portal. Despite his size, he only played 39 minutes this past season. One more roster spot opens up. Getting that 6’10” C from Iowa would be nice. I have no proof or anything, but I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Yak had a meeting with Marcus and told him UIC was going in a different direction and told him he'd help him find a school. Coach must feel pretty good about Cameron Fens' potential signing. We also have Jaden Brownell, a 6'9" freshman who also appeared injured at some point during the season. His videos looked promising (but you know how deceiving videos can be!). Late signing period is in about 3 weeks. If we can get another guard or two (Jalen Jackson & possibly a transfer) and 3 bigs (6'9" or taller), the team should be well stocked at all positions. Once again, this inaugural MVC season will be important for UIC as far as recruiting goes. UIC has never really lacked talent, it's always been the coaching...or lack thereof. I still shake my head wondering what coach Yak could've done with Steve McClain's classes that had Dikembe Dixson, Dominique Matthews, Marcus Ottey and KJ Santos to name a few!
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Post by Greg on Mar 22, 2022 20:28:13 GMT -6
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Post by Big D on Mar 25, 2022 15:56:52 GMT -6
Jalen Johnson is transferring. Again, not a huge surprise. We’re going to have a whole new team next season. As of right now, not counting the walk-ons, we’re bringing back only 4 players with significant experience and 1 redshirt (Brownell). So non-conf next year will be another disaster because “we haven’t figured out how to play together yet…”
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 26, 2022 8:28:51 GMT -6
My initial thinking of a player that’s transferring that has very few minutes is that we won’t really be losing too much. However I think it’s also fair to take into account that person’s roll and practices and things of that nature. So yes another person that we lose that will be starting over even more.
I just hope that we can fill the spots in with impactful players and not just fillers
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