Way too early 2020-21 preseason poll

[VUGrad1314]

Awesome news! Glad to see it! The perceived top three of this conference are all positively LOADED. Should be a good year in the MVC!

[Mikovio]

Excellent news. East was a top 50 undergrad transfer per ESPN, 4th nationally in assists among freshmen. He'll have plenty of assist opportunities next year. I'm now confident we're going to compete and make a run at a 3 peat at the Brian Wardle Invitational

[Majik45]

Wasn't sure where to add this as it probably doesn't deserve it's own thread over here, but Bradley did pick-up a preferred walk-on for next year. It's a local kid that is coming home, Thomas Hall from Metamora, IL. Metamora is the same local school that Nate Kennel came from, as well as Danny Adams (walk-on that played extensively the year after Bradley's Sweet 16 run), and Aaron Zobrist who played in mid to late 90's.

Hall is a 6'9 stretch 4 that can shoot it outside. He spent last year at the Air Force academy, but only played for their Prep team, not the varsity D1 team. A little weird case, but he is immediately eligible and will have 4 years to play. A good speculative add as a walk-on that doesn't cost Bradley much:

https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20200817/ ... at-bradley

[Adunk33]

Wasn't sure where to add this as it probably doesn't deserve it's own thread over here, but Bradley did pick-up a preferred walk-on for next year. It's a local kid that is coming home, Thomas Hall from Metamora, IL. Metamora is the same local school that Nate Kennel came from, as well as Danny Adams (walk-on that played extensively the year after Bradley's Sweet 16 run), and Aaron Zobrist who played in mid to late 90's.

Hall is a 6'9 stretch 4 that can shoot it outside. He spent last year at the Air Force academy, but only played for their Prep team, not the varsity D1 team. A little weird case, but he is immediately eligible and will have 4 years to play. A good speculative add as a walk-on that doesn't cost Bradley much:

https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20200817/ ... at-bradley

I'm all for two things here- Local kids staying in (or around) town, and adding as many walk-ons as possible, especially this year.

We discussed it over in the Redbirds 2020 Recruits thread but last week they added their third walk-on. All three are from Illinois with Malcolm Miller from Shelbyville (redshirted last year), Jayden Johnson out of Batavia, and Nic Stadelmen out of Rockford (originally committed to D2 Lewis).

The 2020-21 season is going to be weird and I think its a prime time to add as many bodies to your team as possible.

[BEARZ77]

Yeah, as I noted in another thread, the Bears have 3 walk-on players this year as well. One [Spencer Brown from Fayetteville Ark] will be in his second year after playing 2 years of D-2 basketball , and two local Springfield HS grads, one of who played NAIA last year and another who just graduated from Kickapoo HS. Just seems smart this year to have extra bodies . The Bears have a full 13 scholarship player roster plus the walk-on's, although 7'0 Dawson Carper will likely redshirt.

[DUBulldog]

Drake has 4 walk-ons this season:

Garrett Sturtz, (Newton,IA), 6'3"who has actually been a key contributor the last two seasons
Connor Gholson (Newton, IA,) 6'3", enterring his 3rd season with the 'dogs
Andrew Barrett (Rock Island, IL), 6'5", entering his 2nd season with Drake
Deven Dahlke (Phoenix, AZ), 6'2", true freshman this year. His father, Dave, played for Drake in the 80s after transferring from Minnesota.

[BuBrave2006]

Drake has 4 walk-ons this season:

Garrett Sturtz, (Newton,IA), 6'3"who has actually been a key contributor the last two seasons

How the hell does Garrett Sturtz not have a scholarship?

[VUGrad1314]

Drake has 4 walk-ons this season:

Garrett Sturtz, (Newton,IA), 6'3"who has actually been a key contributor the last two seasons

How the hell does Garrett Sturtz not have a scholarship?

Honestly. He's done more than enough to warrant getting one. That kid gets buckets and has been a thorn in the side of many teams. Drake needs to do right by him the same way Valpo eventually did with Kiser.

[DUBulldog]

Drake has 4 walk-ons this season:

Garrett Sturtz, (Newton,IA), 6'3"who has actually been a key contributor the last two seasons

How the hell does Garrett Sturtz not have a scholarship?

Honestly. He's done more than enough to warrant getting one. That kid gets buckets and has been a thorn in the side of many teams. Drake needs to do right by him the same way Valpo eventually did with Kiser.

I agree 100% that he deserves a scholarship. The good thing for him, is that he has gone to school for free every years, even without scholarship. Drake has an agreement with several other private colleges in Iowa where children of employees of any of those schools can go to school free at any of the schools within the group. Garrett's mom works at one of those schools, so he gets to go to Drake for free. I think he probably still has to pay for room and board and doesn't get the stipend that the scholarship players get.

[Adunk33]

I agree 100% that he deserves a scholarship. The good thing for him, is that he has gone to school for free every years, even without scholarship. Drake has an agreement with several other private colleges in Iowa where children of employees of any of those schools can go to school free at any of the schools within the group. Garrett's mom works at one of those schools, so he gets to go to Drake for free. I think he probably still has to pay for room and board and doesn't get the stipend that the scholarship players get.

Maybe it's one of those situations where his family doesn't need the scholarship and told the school to give it to player that wouldn't be at Drake unless they got a scholarship? Kind of "taking one for the team"?.

In recent memory Matt Hein gave up his scholarship so Keith Fisher could come in and RS, (granted...Hein was probably a walk-on type of player anyway....but he tried really hard..) On a larger scaled, at Creighton when Grant Gibbs was granted a 40th year of eligibility, Doug McDermott gave up his scholarship.