Donovan Clay

[BEARZ77]

Just have to give a shot out to Clay, who should but probably won't win DPOY given Williamson's reputation and still excellent play. But I think Clay is more versatile in the range of who he can guard and does nightly, everyone from pgs to post players. Last night he had Domask, and while the stat line says he held Domask to 9 pts and 2/10 shooting, the reality is, he was even more dominant. Domask got 4 pts on dead ball fouls/technicals, and hit a trey on a switch against 7'0 Carpers , so basically got 2 pts on 1/9 shooting.

Valpo fans mostly voiced happiness at Clay's departure, and I admit, while I thought he was a very talented player, I didn't know whether he could fill the role MSU needed him to, of being more a defensive and rebounding 4 spot . Not only has he really adapted to that role, his overall game is better than I anticipated. He's shooting 53% fg, about 80% ft, and while just under 30% from 3pt, he basically only takes that shot 1-2 times a game and has been judicious in such. He has a great 2-1 assist to turnover ratio, averages just under 7 rbs, a blk and stl, has been a very team oriented model citizen, and plays hard consistently, while averaging about 9 ppg.

He along with Patterson and Haney have made the Bears a much more physical and versatile defensive team , and his offense is very complementary to Prim and Mosley. Big time steal in the transfer portal.

Side note is Ford is now 5-1 vs Mullins while SIU fans continue to lament how bad a coach Ford is and how Mullins would mop it up with Ford's players. I like most MSU fans get frustrated with the inconsistency of play during Ford's 3.5 yrs, but I think the mantra on good recruiter, bad coach is a bit misleading. None of our current roster was all that highly regarded, Mosley being the most, but still a guy passed on by lots of programs. Prim started at a D-2, then juco; Black, Patterson, Haney, were just guys, Clay was given up on by his team/fans. So yeah, Ford saw value in these guys, but also has developed and utilized their potential beyond their recruiting level status. He's still got areas that need improvement, but I've reached a point where at most, I'd only take maybe 2 guys [ Jake/Devries] ahead of him . I think Indiana State 's guy has real potential in this league, but time will tell. But with Ford, he continues to improve, and I know he'll get talent and develop it that will keep the Bears in the upper half of the league yearly. Jury is still out on if he can put together a Championship level performing team , one that is more consistent nite in/out, but he isn't one of the worst MVC coaches by a long shot . He had the one really goofy team with a bad mix of transfers, but other wise his other 3 years show a nice progression of building a program. We have a really nice group of 3x 6'7 guys signed for next year, who all play different positions, and I'm sure we'll see what happens in the spring and add accordingly.

[Bearvision]

Williamson and Uguak are both elite defenders. Clay does something a little different in that he guards multiple spots more consistently, while Williamson- in particular- is an on-ball guy.

I think I would slightly take the on-ball guy and rank them Williamson, Clay, Uguak, but the Bears adding a guy who actually relishes his role has been huge. Essentially, Clay is a very improved version of last year’s starter, Hervey.

Also agree that Haney has really changed the feel of this team defensively. I think Patterson gets many silly fouls, but is tough and physical.

Mosley is so special offensively I think he overcomes some of the Ford deficiencies as a coach. You rarely see a play designed out of a timeout to get an open look. It’s usually just Mosley being awesome. Not sure we can expect to find many Mosley’s.

Not a fan of Ford’s defensive tactics or how he teaches to handle a ball screen. The switch you reference on Carper is a great example of this.

Ford has moved from “recruiter, terrible coach” to “great recruiter, decent coach” which might really put him in the place you reference. Valentine is off to a great start. ISUb has a coach, but can he recruit? The others are probably just guys at HC.

It’s fun to be good again and I think the development and players already in the system could keep the solid results flowing.

[BCPanther]

I agree.

I was as critical as anyone about Dana two years ago but he's really done a nice job adding some stability. Good for him and I hope Missouri State can keep him around for a while. I think he definitely leads that next tier after Jake, DeVries (and soon McMahon and Alexander) with a real shot to get into that top group if he sticks around.

In my mind he's surpassed Wardle in that spot until Wardle realizes that that season starts in November and not mid-January.

[Milanmiracle]

Kind of off topic, but how different would Valpo look with Donovan Clay and Javon Freeman Liberty still on the roster? Talk about lock down defense!

I’m glad to see Donovan find success in a program that is utilizing him properly.

[BEARZ77]

Kind of off topic, but how different would Valpo look with Donovan Clay and Javon Freeman Liberty still on the roster? Talk about lock down defense!

I’m glad to see Donovan find success in a program that is utilizing him properly.

Talent hasn't seemed to be the issue at Valpo; they've had quite a few impressive players float thru there since they've joined the Valley. In fact, not meaning to be disrespectful, but I've been surprised at some of the players they've gotten given they don't have much in the way of recent success, facilities, etc to recruit to. But utilizing and keeping the talent they've gotten has been the real challenge. Lot of "what could have been" floating in that recent history.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Kind of off topic, but how different would Valpo look with Donovan Clay and Javon Freeman Liberty still on the roster? Talk about lock down defense!

I’m glad to see Donovan find success in a program that is utilizing him properly.

Talent hasn't seemed to be the issue at Valpo; they've had quite a few impressive players float thru there since they've joined the Valley.

They've just had quite a few players in general float through since they've joined the Valley lol.

[Milanmiracle]

Kind of off topic, but how different would Valpo look with Donovan Clay and Javon Freeman Liberty still on the roster? Talk about lock down defense!

I’m glad to see Donovan find success in a program that is utilizing him properly.

Talent hasn't seemed to be the issue at Valpo; they've had quite a few impressive players float thru there since they've joined the Valley.

They've just had quite a few players in general float through since they've joined the Valley lol.

Apparently your comment rings true, it has been brought to my attention via the Valpo message board that in Lottichs 6 years, and 3 recruiting classes, he’s had exactly 0 scholarship players finish their career in a Valpo uniform. One did stay for 4 years and graduate, but they chose to pursue a grad degree elsewhere for their final year of eligibility. Wow.