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Post by sliman on Mar 1, 2011 13:08:04 GMT -5
I can appreciate Brandon's desire to play "at the next level" and it's appropriate that he evaluate his options with the coaches and his family, but I hope he recognizes the value of staying in college another year. He became more than a scorer this year, improving his defense, court vision and other intangibles. If he can make continued, balanced progress next year, his appeal to "the next level" will be greater. In addition, assuming he is on track to graduate, his Valpo degree will be an important credential for him to have when his playing days are over, whenever that may be.
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Post by jbowker on Mar 1, 2011 13:54:11 GMT -5
Great Job, Brandon!! ... ok... now, about next year's pre-season all conference team....assuming "they" are looking at rising-seniors for next year... Valpo: BWood... shoe-In.. now, looking at the other HL teams with Junior's who have done pretty well this year.... Pick you other 4 from this group: BU: Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored CSU: Tre Harmon, Aaron Pogue, Jeremy Montgomery DET: Chase Simon, Eli Holman, {Nick Minnerath} GB: Jarvis Williams UWM: Tony Meier UIC: Paris Carter WSU: Johann Mpondo YSU: Ashen Ward assuming they don't pick a rising junior (Ryan, Matt come to mind)... I'm thinking Brandon, Shelvin, Ronald, Chase and Eli... although Tony Meier is tough to leave off
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Post by crusaderdad on Mar 1, 2011 15:40:05 GMT -5
I can appreciate Brandon's desire to play "at the next level" and it's appropriate that he evaluate his options with the coaches and his family, but I hope he recognizes the value of staying in college another year. He became more than a scorer this year, improving his defense, court vision and other intangibles. If he can make continued, balanced progress next year, his appeal to "the next level" will be greater. In addition, assuming he is on track to graduate, his Valpo degree will be an important credential for him to have when his playing days are over, whenever that may be. Brandon graduates THIS May....
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Post by CO_VU_Fan on Mar 1, 2011 16:51:30 GMT -5
I can appreciate Brandon's desire to play "at the next level" and it's appropriate that he evaluate his options with the coaches and his family, but I hope he recognizes the value of staying in college another year. He became more than a scorer this year, improving his defense, court vision and other intangibles. If he can make continued, balanced progress next year, his appeal to "the next level" will be greater. In addition, assuming he is on track to graduate, his Valpo degree will be an important credential for him to have when his playing days are over, whenever that may be. Brandon graduates THIS May.... Double congrats! No small feat with two transfers. Does he have graduate school desires?
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Post by lowposter on Mar 2, 2011 10:00:28 GMT -5
Mr. Wood: Congradulations. Particularly on the graduation. Not an easy accomplishment coming out of a juco. I have really enjoyed watching BW progress as a player and look forward to another year. All aspects of his game improved this year. It is a joy to watch him just take care of business out there. Lowposter
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Post by sliman on Mar 2, 2011 11:48:50 GMT -5
My apologies to Brandon and his Dad for not knowing he was en route to graduating this May! I'll echo the comments of congratulations, both for an outstanding season as noted by the conference coaches and for his work in the classroom. If he's interested in grad school, I think he could profit from another year of college competition, but I'm sure it will be a tough decision.
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Post by valpofan56 on Mar 2, 2011 16:38:43 GMT -5
I'll throw in my thoughts on the situation. I think Brandon leaving after this year would be nothing short of completely stupid. What does he have to gain by going pro after this year? Right now, Brandon is nothing more than a D Leaguer or a Europe league player. He stands to benefit a lot more from having a successful senior season. NBA scouts are going to be able to see a lot more of him if he's playing in the NCAA versus some league in Europe. Also, if he doesn't substantially improve his NBA draft stock playing next year, Europe will still be there. Why risk the chances of having a career in Europe where you never/rarely get spotted by NBA scouts for one extra years salary. Just wait.
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Post by vu72 on Mar 2, 2011 18:53:14 GMT -5
I'll throw in my thoughts on the situation. I think Brandon leaving after this year would be nothing short of completely stupid. What does he have to gain by going pro after this year? Right now, Brandon is nothing more than a D Leaguer or a Europe league player. He stands to benefit a lot more from having a successful senior season. NBA scouts are going to be able to see a lot more of him if he's playing in the NCAA versus some league in Europe. Also, if he doesn't substantially improve his NBA draft stock playing next year, Europe will still be there. Why risk the chances of having a career in Europe where you never/rarely get spotted by NBA scouts for one extra years salary. Just wait. OK, I'll chime in on this one. There are several things to consider and I'll point to Norris Cole and Etwaun Moore as examples. In Moore's case, he clearly felt that he was an NBA level player and after last year, the indications were probably a late second round choice, I really don't know. By playing another year he had the chance to further raise his stock, add a year of maturity and hope for a first round pick and a guaranteed contract. In Cole's situation, he had the chance to come back (didn't have an NBA option) and try to dominate, win a bunch of awards, finish his degree and hope for a shot at the NBA. Presumably he accomplished his goals. In Brandon's case, he will not (in my opinion) be drafted, but certainly can, and should, put his name in the pool without hiring an agent. Suffice it to say that Brandon has been contacted by scouts and they have been at some of our games. Given everyone who is graduating, and his greatly improved overall game, if he comes back, he could be next years Norris Cole, an MVP and have a much higher profile. Here is the catch, and I have no idea on this one way or another. IF, it is believed that his game will not rise to the NBA level, then why not jump to Europe now? He will graduate in May so sticking around will require enrolling in grad school, which may nor may not be of any interest for him. He will be forgoeing a year of grad school, valued at probably 35,000, for a chance to play for pay at probably 100,000 or more, again, I don't really have an idea. So there you have it. The choice is stay around, add a year of maturity and stardom to his already very impressive resume and hope for the NBA, or, get on with it and start earning big bucks in Europe. As for having scouts see him more in the states than in Europe, I guess you may not have noticed all the NBA player from Europe ans elsewhere. That makes about as much sense as saying the scouts won't find you if you play at Valpo versus Purdue. Obviously, given our current state of information, if you have it, they will find you. My best to a very talented player in his decision--and I dearly hope, his choice will be one more year at dear old Valpo.
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Post by valposition on Mar 2, 2011 19:03:30 GMT -5
I'm not sure if it would be worth it for any player to go pro before thier senior year unless there is a VERY good chance to be a 1st round pick. (1st round money is guarenteed for 2 years; somewhere between $1-2 million each year) 2nd round and lower, nothing is guarenteed. So why take that risk? In Brandon's case, I have never seen him even mentioned on any draft boards, so I don't know why the conversation would even be considered at this point. That being said, he is athletic enough to play at that level and seems to be in much better shape this year with improvements to his game outside of scoring. We would definetly need a Butler type run this year for him to be considered. If Butler had lost even a round earlier, I would not be surprised if Hayward was this year's Horizon POY.
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Post by valpofan56 on Mar 2, 2011 19:56:44 GMT -5
As for having scouts see him more in the states than in Europe, I guess you may not have noticed all the NBA player from Europe ans elsewhere. That makes about as much sense as saying the scouts won't find you if you play at Valpo versus Purdue. Obviously, given our current state of information, if you have it, they will find you. Players taken in the first round of the NBA Draft not directly from NCAA 2010: Kevin Seraphin 2009: Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Victor Claver, Omri Casspi, Rodrigue Beaubois, Christian Eyenga 2008: Danilo Gallinari, Alexis Ajinca, Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum 2007: Yi Jianlian, Marco Bellinelli, Rudy Fernandez, Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen 2006: Andrea Bargnani, Mouhamed Sene, Thabo Sefolosha, Oleksiy Pecherov, Sergio Rodriguez, Joel Freeland That's 22 out of 150 in the last 5 years. Where do you think your odds are better? Also of note, only 3 of those 22 were over the age of 21 when they were drafted (and all 3 were only 22). Even if Brandon only plays one year in Europe he would already be the oldest player taken from Europe in the last 5 years.
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Post by motowntitan on Mar 2, 2011 20:30:12 GMT -5
Great Job, Brandon!! ... ok... now, about next year's pre-season all conference team....assuming "they" are looking at rising-seniors for next year... Valpo: BWood... shoe-In.. now, looking at the other HL teams with Junior's who have done pretty well this year.... Pick you other 4 from this group: BU: Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored CSU: Tre Harmon, Aaron Pogue, Jeremy Montgomery DET: Chase Simon, Eli Holman, {Nick Minnerath} GB: Jarvis Williams UWM: Tony Meier UIC: Paris Carter WSU: Johann Mpondo YSU: Ashen Ward assuming they don't pick a rising junior (Ryan, Matt come to mind)... I'm thinking Brandon, Shelvin, Ronald, Chase and Eli... although Tony Meier is tough to leave off 1) I think you have your Carters mixed up at UIC. Paul Carter was their above average senior from Minnesota who finished his eligibility. Paris Carter was their Junior that averaged 4.8 points and 4 Rebounds per game. 2) I would think Ray McCallum Jr and Damian Eargle would be ahead of most of the players on your list.
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Post by milanmiracle on Mar 2, 2011 21:53:52 GMT -5
ghostofdylan and I have been clamoring for the Horizon League to add an all-conference Third Team ever since you guys joined the conference. It just makes sense. Could you not come up with a third team AND honorable mention this season? Are they going to start handing out participation awards too?
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Post by milanmiracle on Mar 2, 2011 21:58:32 GMT -5
Great Job, Brandon!! ... ok... now, about next year's pre-season all conference team....assuming "they" are looking at rising-seniors for next year... Valpo: BWood... shoe-In.. now, looking at the other HL teams with Junior's who have done pretty well this year.... Pick you other 4 from this group: BU: Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored CSU: Tre Harmon, Aaron Pogue, Jeremy Montgomery DET: Chase Simon, Eli Holman, {Nick Minnerath} GB: Jarvis Williams UWM: Tony Meier UIC: Paris Carter WSU: Johann Mpondo YSU: Ashen Ward assuming they don't pick a rising junior (Ryan, Matt come to mind)... I'm thinking Brandon, Shelvin, Ronald, Chase and Eli... although Tony Meier is tough to leave off 1) I think you have your Carters mixed up at UIC. Paul Carter was their above average senior from Minnesota who finished his eligibility. Paris Carter was their Junior that averaged 4.8 points and 4 Rebounds per game. 2) I would think Ray McCallum Jr and Damian Eargle would be ahead of most of the players on your list. You're also missing Andrew Smith from Butler, who I believe has a very good chance to be a 1st team All Conference performer.
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Post by motowntitan on Mar 2, 2011 22:11:59 GMT -5
1) I think you have your Carters mixed up at UIC. Paul Carter was their above average senior from Minnesota who finished his eligibility. Paris Carter was their Junior that averaged 4.8 points and 4 Rebounds per game. 2) I would think Ray McCallum Jr and Damian Eargle would be ahead of most of the players on your list. You're also missing Andrew Smith from Butler, who I believe has a very good chance to be a 1st team All Conference performer. While I think Smith is better than most on his list, I can't see anyone putting him above Holman on the PRE-season list.
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Post by milanmiracle on Mar 3, 2011 0:41:26 GMT -5
You're also missing Andrew Smith from Butler, who I believe has a very good chance to be a 1st team All Conference performer. While I think Smith is better than most on his list, I can't see anyone putting him above Holman on the PRE-season list. Actually, you're right, he won't be on the preseason list, and shouldn't be. I do think there's a very good chance he'll be on it at the end of the year.
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