In Porter's defense...

Before we unanimously convict him of recruiting crimes, let's not forget that next year we have Clayton Custer becoming eligible. He was a 4 star recruit on Rivals when he signed with Iowa State. Cameron Satterwhite is a Rivals 3 star recruit.

We all want a great big man, but that puts us in the same class as 341 D1 coaches.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

I think Porter has done a good job of recruiting. I was talking to someone at the season ticket holder party after Saturday's game (crowded but nicely done with drink tickets and extra pizza brought in). Ireland's was packed and Porter gave a nice speech as well and he was well received.
Lets look at a few things first.
He has done a decent job at recruiting but it takes time. If we had not had an AD leave we most likely would have had Marlon Jones. He would have helped. Initially Porter recruited players for the Horizon League. The Valley is clearly a step up. Yeah, maybe the IUPUI players would have helped but I do not think all that much. They would have provided at least some depth.
Lets remember that Thomas played bigger than his 6'4" frame. It was an aberration. James was a JUCO recruit and this is his last year.
Rajala is only a sophomore. It takes some time to make a contribution. Adegi has real potential. He is only a freshman. Kirby is really raw.
He will probably contribute his senior year.
Watched the Wichita State/Evansville game. The big M on Evansville is good but he is a senior and is just hitting stride.
The sophomore Morris on Wichita is foul prone. Wichita State is deep but Morris is the only real big big. They definitely have talent in the front court but it is more of the lean, quick type. The Shockers are much better than I thought. But I hope they stay in the Valley. They have talent and depth.
But the team is really driven by Van Vleet who had 33 today and Baker who made the Pan Am team (according to the announcers who also say Baker is a likely first round pick.) So it is the backcourt that is the key.
Second, why would we change coaches? Porter has opened recruiting ties that will pay dividends. He and his staff work really hard. It would be a shame to start all over again.

Yes, the season has been a disappointment. While last year at this point we were 3-7 in the Valley, we are now 3-7. But I think this year the rest of the schedule is rugged and we should have beaten at least two teams at home. We will probably play on Thursday.

With two scholarships open and the possibility of a third if Doyle graduates and does not want to play another year, my guess is we will look at a juco rebounder and a freshman. Replacing Montel will be tough but I have confidence that we will be better next year.
I was wrong about the team this year. I was more optimistic. I was wrong but heck there is always hope that we will finish strong.

That's my two cents.

I yield the floor to those that are much smarter than me.

25 makes a fair point or two , no question, but the bottom line is, Can he bring the RAMBLERS all the way back to excellence ?? I doubt it. Teams such as Duke, whom we beat handily in the BIG year, ND, GTN, KY, and a ton of others have stayed the course---We sadly have not.
Porter has all the attributes 25 says he has --well except one--We are NOT a BIG --I doubt we will be under him.
Admin MUST --to use a Liberal term, invest in a BIG Coach--Our new AD must find him. I assume that is his job.

Whether Shockers move out is no concern of mine--We have yet to assume stature in the VALLEY. Wins , quality wins, and many more of them is what we need, and need now. a 3/7 record this year or last is unacceptable. WSU can stay or leave--We must take over the Valley as it is or will be.

For what it is worth. Here is an article on a BIG that we are recruiting. Would not be hard to see him play as he is in the NW suburbs south of Crystal Lake, east of Huntley and west of ALgonquin. I follow the box scores and he never seems to dominate but as the article mentions he is not shy to pass when double teamed,
http://www.nwherald.com/2016/01/29/high ... r/ac09xil/

Natey !! When I used the word BIG in last post , I actually meant BIG school--BUT Krutwick might work for us as a player BIG. I wonder if we are one of the "twelve" he mentions.
In any case your point is made.

LU is mentioned..We were one of the first 3 to offer him. THe U of WIsconsin coach came to visit last week as well
Here is some video on the young man. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3362264/cameron-krutwig

Anybody know if that was an LU recruit sitting on the bench next to Custer on Saturday?. Mike H.

As great as the last game was (honestly as a LU fan, it was just as fun to watch as the blowout win vs. InSU at Arch Madness last year), I still think there's plenty of basketball left to go before Porter's fate is decided.

If we can play like Saturday for the entire month of February, then Porter definitely should get more time to hopefully parlay late-season momentum into the spring/summer recruiting season. But at 3-5/2-6 the rest of the way out + a Thursday loss, I think it'd be difficult to justify keeping him. A 3-5 finish gives him a .278 conference winning percentage (not including postseason play); 3-5 + a Thursday loss would put Porter's overall winning percentage at .431 for his 5 years here. Those aren't exactly numbers that inspires a ton of job security, which would be a huge cloud floating over his head going into recruiting.

Getting back on topic, we at least have 2 scholarships to give for next season barring any transfers. A big man preferrably a JUCO guy who isn't raw (i.e. a Montel James clone) is a must. Unfortunately Krutwig won't come until the season after next. Also, I'm no expert, but based on the 2 minutes or so of highlights I saw of him, I have a sinking feeling his recruiting takes off over the summer/fall and we come nowhere close to getting him. Doyle is a huge question mark, not for "wanting to play college basketball next season" but "wanting to play college basketball at Loyola next season." As a Russell Wilson grad transfer, he'll be a hot commodity next season even with a down season.

Custer is a very intriguing prospect. Obviously we haven't seen him in game action, and he played sparingly in his one season in college. But I hope he's able to contribute right away next year and I hope his presence is enough to convince Milt to stay one more year. I think he'll really benefit having another point guard play in the backcourt (especially if Custer plays more minutes than Jeff White). I think Custer + Doyle + a JUCO big man + the bigs we have develop a lot more over the summer could equal a top 3 finish in the MVC.

TL;DR: clearly a lot of ifs still for next year's team.

That wouldn't be a recruit. Well, in theory, it could be a recruit, but it's an NCAA violation for them to sit on the bench.

The young man who was sitting next to Clayton Custer is Byron Burt. He is the walk-on transfer from North Park who is ineligible this season.