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Post by Chuck A on Mar 30, 2022 11:10:59 GMT -6
I actually think Coach Yak is doing a good job. Granted with Covid and virtual recruiting getting the right players was a crapshoot. He's building a solid core that I think can play in the Valley. 2 freshmen, Jace & Filip got significant minutes and showed good potential. Recruits Jalen Jackson and Cameron Fens would be my starters at PG and Center, respectively. Not knowing anything about Brownell, I can't project anything for him. Damaria should come off the bench for instant offense, much like Freddie "Downtown" Brown of the Seattle SuperSonics or Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson of the Detroit Pistons back in the day (I know...dating myself!).
With some good transfers, I think this team will represent themselves well in its first year in the Valley.
Starters (provided we don't get hella transfers)
PG- Jalen Jackson SG- Damaria Franklin (unless we get a good SF from the portal) SG- Jace Carter PF- Filip Skobalj C- Cameron Fens
2 freshmen, 2 sophomores, 1 senior. That freshman/sophomore core really has great potential.
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Post by Big D on Apr 1, 2022 20:29:30 GMT -6
Looks like Damaria is entering the NBA draft but not hiring an agent. So I think that leaves him eligible to return if he wants to. But I’m pretty sure Teyvion Kirk did the same last year and did not come back. So Damaria not be here next year either.
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Post by goveybaseball on Apr 1, 2022 20:49:27 GMT -6
Chuck I agree this is the best Yak has done recruiting. This kid they got from Wisconsin came from a winning program and has an incredible wingspan. Franklin declaring for the draft is pretty funny he’s nowhere near an NBA player sorry. If Franklin doesn’t come back this is an insanely young team. The MVC is a whole different ball game they are gonna take some lumps for sure. I see 10th/11th place.
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Post by UICJohn on Apr 1, 2022 22:12:34 GMT -6
Good for Franklin if he can get something. It won’t be NBA but professional overseas isn’t out of the question. Interesting turn of events as none of the players we have coming in are really threatening his playing time.
I feel there was a little more openness and possibility of him returning in his message compared to Kirk. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that he actually does return.
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Post by Chuck A on Apr 2, 2022 6:52:14 GMT -6
Looks like Damaria is entering the NBA draft but not hiring an agent. So I think that leaves him eligible to return if he wants to. But I’m pretty sure Teyvion Kirk did the same last year and did not come back. So Damaria not be here next year either. Reading his tweet leads me to believe that he's not coming back. Saying the Flames will always be remembered is a telltale statement. Hopefully he lands somewhere, but I think Coach Yak and the team will be okay. Recruits Jalen Jackson and Steven Clay seem have the potential to be just as good offensively plus Clay can play defense.
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Post by Chuck A on Apr 2, 2022 7:04:22 GMT -6
Chuck I agree this is the best Yak has done recruiting. This kid they got from Wisconsin came from a winning program and has an incredible wingspan. Franklin declaring for the draft is pretty funny he’s nowhere near an NBA player sorry. If Franklin doesn’t come back this is an insanely young team. The MVC is a whole different ball game they are gonna take some lumps for sure. I see 10th/11th place. It's possible to finish 10th or 11th, but I don't think so. We're better than Valpo and Evansville, so that puts us at 10th. Indiana State has run off a few of their scholarship players, so now we're in 9th. Illinois State will be starting with a new coaching staff and they have Transfer issues. Now, we're in 8th...even before July 1. Granted the Flames will be young, but they will have a young core that has not been tainted or trained by another program. Jace Carter, Filip Skobalj, Jaden Brownell, Cameron Fens, Steven Clay and any other freshman recruit will come into Yaklich's system with a clean slate, learning his schemes. Hopefully the transfers that come in will be teachable and coachable. Once UIC had a full complement of players, I had Franklin coming off the bench anyway.
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