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Post by shorthaircut on Mar 5, 2024 9:27:44 GMT -6
Portal is already popping. One thing I have noticed out of the gate is USI seems to be taking more of an interest in D3/NAIA/D2 guys, which I think is a smart approach right now in the transition period. There are tons of guys in this box that can come in and be impact players. They likely aren’t as focused on getting the CHANCE of playing a single game in the NCAA tournament, which if lucky they are no higher than a #15 seed getting trounced in round 1. They likely are looking for a chance to compete against better players and immediate playing time.
I hope this is an area we really focus our recruiting efforts on.
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Post by eagle87 on Mar 5, 2024 9:48:06 GMT -6
I have noticed this as well. Just this morning there was a tweet about a D3 star in the portal and we were listed as 1 of several D1 teams interested in him. I agree we need to find ready-to-go proven players no matter what level. Just look across town and you will notice their best player…by far…was playing NAIA last year. Lots of talent can be found in the lower levels because they were overlooked in high school for a variety of reasons. I also agree that maybe those guys aren’t as caught up in the post season CHNCE they might get to play in a game where their team probably gets blasted in the first round anyway. I’m not saying take a D2 guy that averaged 3 points a game, but if they averaged 15 plus, then chances are good they can contribute here.
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Post by shorthaircut on Mar 5, 2024 9:58:16 GMT -6
I have noticed this as well. Just this morning there was a tweet about a D3 star in the portal and we were listed as 1 of several D1 teams interested in him. I agree we need to find ready-to-go proven players no matter what level. Just look across town and you will notice their best player…by far…was playing NAIA last year. Lots of talent can be found in the lower levels because they were overlooked in high school for a variety of reasons. I also agree that maybe those guys aren’t as caught up in the post season CHNCE they might get to play in a game where their team probably gets blasted in the first round anyway. I’m not saying take a D2 guy that averaged 3 points a game, but if they averaged 15 plus, then chances are good they can contribute here. Absolutely! Look what we have seen in the two years in this league is the very good D2 players are very good players in the OVC. The gap in talent isn’t there. The difference is the quantity of good D2 players in a given league. If you took an all star team from the GLVC every year I bet you would finish top 5 in this league more often than not. Look at Western Illinois and their big dude. His numbers are far greater in D1 than at UMSL. JP was more dominant in the OVC than the GLVC, especially offensively.
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Post by eaglefan on Mar 5, 2024 10:09:35 GMT -6
I like the approach going after some of the top players in D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO
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Post by eagle87 on Mar 5, 2024 12:54:56 GMT -6
Hernandez makes all OVC first team. Congrats
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Post by letsgoeagles on Mar 5, 2024 19:56:48 GMT -6
I've been a strong advocate, as others here on the board, of signing top D2,D3, and NAIA players. Most can play in this league. Give me some kids who are sound fundamentally who understand the game, and can shoot. I understand the need for athletic types as well...particularly as it pertains to defense. But you have to have a core set of players who can fill it up. Good teams need three of their 5 guys on the court to be a scoring threat at all times...not just one or two. Stan has a lot of offers out. Should be a most interesting off season.
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