Haven't heard of any MVC players in the portal....yet.  I'm guessing there will be a bunch in the next few weeks.

Matt Lottich still has a job at Valpo, which is somewhat surprising.  I figure if they were going to make a move, they would have done it already.

I was thinking the same thing about Valpo. Any amount of buyout for Lottich could be an absolute barrier to parting ways given the rumors around the financial state of the school. 

I think Paul Oren has hinted to as much, they aren't going to have the money to buy him out.

Jace Carter from UIC in the portal. Leading scorer for them

It is so, so tough to build up a program these days. Makes what Devries has achieved all the more impressive.

You have to feel for them a bit.  But your 100% spot on.  The margin of error is basically non existent when building a championship roster in the Valley.  You're going to have at least one Yesufu for Roman you land. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/arts/design/valparaiso-museum-paintings-sale-okeeffe.html

Have a feeling Lottich is sticking around when you see something like this - clearly, they're hunting for cash at Valpo

Drake mention in the NYT

NIT: Bradley at Wisconsin
CBI: Indiana State gets the 1 seed, plays USC Upstate first.

Something to think about the next time we're on the bubble: Oregon women reset the record for biggest snub in NCAA Tournament history, missing the field with a NET of 19. Missouri State still holds the record on the men's side.

Jalen Jackson from UIC in portal averaged 7 ppg as a freshman.

The problem when you're a program like UIC trying to build and you're at the bottom of the conference you can't afford to keep losing your best players every year to the portal.  Zero fan support, Not sure how they get back on their feet.  Them and Evansville need to find a way to drag themselves out of the absolute bottom.  And yes, I know we've been there.  We've got 3 schools really hurting the league right now.  I'll also throw in Valpo.  Another school w/no money and no support.  Thank goodness we added Murray and Belmont.  

Evan Brauns at Belmont also in the portal. Call him NOW.

That's an interesting one.  He's limited on offense ( very) but he's a  big body who likes to bang.  

Honestly it's probably entirely Brodie dependent, doubt there's room for both 

I'd agree w/that.  A combination of Braun and Ferguson I think if Brodie doesn't come back would be solid.  I'm hoping for Brodie to be back.  He seems like a pretty happy dude this year.

If he's transferring it's because he thinks Belmont is not good enough for him. He's looking for Power 5.

Drakey

Like when Donovan Clay thought Valpo was not good enough for him and he went Power 5?

I mean let’s be honest, Valpo wasn’t good enough for him. Valpo isn’t good enough for most of the top level talent on valley rosters lol

(Yes, I know we’ve been there and wouldn’t be upset if someone made this comment at that time)

Brauns has already committed somewhere and he states he's moving up a level. 

Kind of interesting. We were able to play "no help" defense against Belmont and run them off the 3 point line because they had basically zero inside threat offensively.  Drake smoked them twice by taking them completely out of their offensive game.