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Zack Novak............. |
imcomguy
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1466 |  Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 09:33 PM |
... only has offers thus far from IPFW and Oakland. 
... is now averaging 29.7 ppg with two 37 point back-to-back performances most recently.
... is a STUD. He is 6'4" and has shades of a Greg Paulus, but taller and much stronger.
His team (Chesterton) is now ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A and they remain undefeated at 10-0 after knocking off #3 ranked F.J. Reitz (Evansville). He then helped his team take out Crown Point shortly thereafter (who some argue should be a Top 5-10 team despite some tough close losses).
YES, I know we need some bigs, but this would be an incredible addition to our arsenal over the next couple of years if we could land him. Surely we could outbid (so to speak) IPFW and freaking Oakland. Plus, we NEED some better shooters, and this would accomplish much of that if we would only take a look in our own backyard. Well, a distant backyard, but still in our home state.
So, a question for Mr. Taylor and company.... why NOT Novak? At least take a look! 
_________________
"Get some facts, and come back and see me." -- Jim Calhoun
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jimmy Valvano
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chrmphil
BSUfans Contributor
Posts: 826 | Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 09:41 PM |
Also is a great student holding a 3.6 g.p.a.
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Go Cards!
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West_Coast_Offensive
Chairman of the Board
Posts: 419 | Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 11:03 PM |
Quote:
| ... only has offers thus far from IPFW and Oakland.
... is now averaging 29.7 ppg with two 37 point back-to-back performances most recently.
... is a STUD. He is 6'4" and has shades of a Greg Paulus, but taller and much stronger.
His team (Chesterton) is now ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A and they remain undefeated at 10-0 after knocking off #3 ranked F.J. Reitz (Evansville). He then helped his team take out Crown Point shortly thereafter (who some argue should be a Top 5-10 team despite some tough close losses).
So, a question for Mr. Taylor and company.... why NOT Novak? At least take a look! |
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According to Reg Tisdale of Indiana Basketball News he has been offered by BSU, posted on Jan 1:
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| At 6-5 - he is a bigger, better and quicker Guard with a left hand than Tom Coverdale was at TSIB when Tom led Hoosiers to final game before losing to Maryland .
Zach has been offered only by Valpo, IPFW , Ball State and Oakland ..
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IBN link
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RegionRat
Chairman of the Board
Posts: 353 | Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 11:23 PM |
Zach is a class act and has been to Ball State for at least one home football game this season.
He has started since his freshman season and has been a dominant player in the Duneland Athletic Conference
against teams from Merrillville, Michigan City, LaPorte, Portage, Lake Central, Crown Point and Valparaiso.
He has high character and would be a perfect fit for our program and what Coach Taylor is attempting to do.
He tore it up against East Chicago in a scrimmage game prior to the start of the season and also tore up Hummel and Martin now at Purdue when they were at Valpo last couple of years.
Has been on AAU teams with some of the best the state has to offer and still can dominate but is very unselfish player.
Chesterton has produced some great players in Indiana All Stars Matt Nover (IU) and Brent Buscher (Purdue) but most folks around Chesterton and the Region in general think Zach is the most complete player of the three and clearly an offensive weapon.
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"THE REGION - CHICAGO'S SUNNYSIDE"
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imcomguy
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1466 | Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 11:24 PM |
... 6'5" is a stretch for him, but I could be wrong as I haven't seen him recently.
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| Zach has been offered only by Valpo, IPFW , Ball State and Oakland. |
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The Post Trib up north must be behind, as they cited only IPFW and Oakland this week as being interested.
Glad to hear our name is at least on the short list!!! 
_________________
"Get some facts, and come back and see me." -- Jim Calhoun
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jimmy Valvano
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RegionRat
Chairman of the Board
Posts: 353 | Posted: Jan 06, 2008 - 11:37 PM |
Zach is right at 6' 4" and for sure has offers from IPFW, Oakland and early from Valparaiso. I recall the BallStateInsider.com having something on him several months ago but have not seen anything recently. I do know that Coach Taylor and staff were evaluating Zach and started the process some time in late November or early December so if he did get a recent offer from us that would make sense.
With everything that is going on with our program now and with what I have read about Coach Taylor and staff I think Zach would come in to our program and contribute immediately.
I have seen him play and he is absolutely a beast offensively at times with the weakest part of his game being defense - not that he is bad its just from the perspective of him being such a scorer from all over the court.
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"THE REGION - CHICAGO'S SUNNYSIDE"
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Elmer
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2553 | Posted: Jan 07, 2008 - 08:37 AM |
Well we need a beast on offense real bad. I hope he considers BSU.
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BSU1
BSUfans Contributor
Posts: 846 | Posted: Jan 07, 2008 - 01:23 PM |
We definitely need a consistent outside scoring threat to replace Stove and I don't see anyone on the team that is ready to step up as that consistent outside threat.
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thebsukid
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2045 | Posted: Jan 07, 2008 - 02:56 PM |
With the guys coming in...this recruit would certainly play on a couple of MAC championship teams !! And, he would likely get significant minutes from the outset.
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Indy_BB
Team Captain
Posts: 98 | Posted: Jan 08, 2008 - 01:23 PM |
The Michigan board says that John Beilein has been down to watch Zack Novak.
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Elmer
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2553 | Posted: Jan 08, 2008 - 02:59 PM |
That can't be good for us.
Michigan or Ball State ? That's usually a no brainer!!!
We'll see if Billy Taylor can out recruit John Beilien!
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RegionRat
Chairman of the Board
Posts: 353 | Posted: Jan 08, 2008 - 08:46 PM |
Novak and his undefeated Chesterton Trojan team takes on Michigan City and the 6' 8" Jarod Jones kid this Friday night. Ball State is also looking at Jones and I have seen both play and they are both very talented. Zach I believe is clearly the better player at this point but Jones has more upside when considering his height. Jones is also an outstanding rebounder. There will be a lot of major college coaches in the stands this weekend and I am sure Ball State would not miss the opportunity to watch two of the top players in the state go to war.
I would bet Novak has another big game as he did against former Valpo and now Purdue stars Martin and Hummel every time he played against them.
In a scrimmage against a very talented East Chicago team most folks left the game in awe of the performance Novak put on against a very quick and tall team. Even the 6' 10" Garcia kid(Memphis commit) admitted they could not stop Novak and tried a number of things to do so unsuccessfully.
Zach is a straight A student of very high character as well.
_________________
"THE REGION - CHICAGO'S SUNNYSIDE"
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imcomguy
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1466 | Posted: Jan 08, 2008 - 11:49 PM |
Quote:
| That can't be good for us.
Michigan or Ball State ? That's usually a no brainer!!!
We'll see if Billy Taylor can out recruit John Beilien! |
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No brainer my arse. Michigan has lost 9 of their last 10 games and they are winless in the BT. They have only beaten Oakland, Radford, Brown, and Eastern Washington. They got beat pretty hard by Central Michigan (yeah, one of our own) and even Harvard!
Also, they were completely BLOWN OUT by Georgetown (remember our near shocker?)... AND... Georgetown rested everyone in the second half because it was a laughable 43-19 at halftime. Yeah, what a game. Their starters couldn't even keep pace with GT's reserves in the second half. So if you think Ball State is in trouble, look at UM's train wreck.
In conclusion, if you ask me which of the two programs has more room for improvement, it could be a pretty close race. But if you ask who I think has a BETTER CHANCE of doing so in the near future, including a class coaching staff, and arguably a just as good facility (or better!)..... I'd say Ball State 100%.
_________________
"Get some facts, and come back and see me." -- Jim Calhoun
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jimmy Valvano
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HappyBird
All-MAC Performer
Posts: 138 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 08:31 AM |
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| No brainer my arse. Michigan has lost 9 of their last 10 games and they are winless in the BT. |
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And Ball State's record is how much better? Your argument would make sense if the Cards had a good record. However, I would agree with Elmer. Michigan has a bigger upside and a better record. I appreciate your optimism, but we are not in a better position today.
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Elmer
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2553 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 10:18 AM |
Michigan vs Ball State
Big 10 vs Mac
Rose Bowl vs International Bowl
NCAA Tourney chances vs 1 and done
National exposure vs local exposure ( state wide at best)
Ask most atheletes which they prefer and I'm sure it will be in the left hand column.
Maybe this year Michigan is down but I'm sure they will be strong again.
Also the Cards may be down but they will rise again in a few years and I'll be waiting patiently for it to happen.
Incomguy I'm not trying to argue with you but face it when presented with the option most kids think the bigger the better.
What would you choose filet migon or chuck roast???
Apples or oranges?
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imcomguy
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1466 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 12:01 PM |
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| Michigan vs Ball State |
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This is easy for me, because I'm proud of my school. I'd venture to say a lot of other people would be excited and proud of this school too with many of the recent renovations and campus improvements which have been made. And I'm told Zack Novak has already visited Ball State with some friends and loved it too. To think he could be a part of something truly incredible in bringing this program back to the top, that decision should be EASY for him! On the continual upside of that, I also have some connections to people (both coaches and administration) from Chesterton that told me he is open to go "anywhere" right now.
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| Big 10 vs Mac
Rose Bowl vs International Bowl
NCAA Tourney chances vs 1 and done |
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Whoa whoa whoa... I had your points on two of those, but stop right there... when is the last time Michigan actually MADE IT to the NCAA Tournament??!?!? I'll give you a hint to start, it was so long ago, it was BEFORE Ball State's last appearance!!! Therefore, this "1 and done" point is essentially null and void since they can't even seem to qualify. Making it once TEN YEARS AGO isn't a better shot at jack crap.
Furthermore, if you want to get technical, Michigan vacated the results of 114 games won while four players were not eligible, including the 1992 and 1993 Final Fours, and their last two NCAA tournament appearances in 1996 and 1998. So the last time they are even LISTED as making a tournament APPEARANCE now is 1989. But even that 1998 physical appearance is still before Ball State's last run. And you know, I love the Fab 5 era as much as the next guy, but with a school so filled with scandal, violations, probation, and forfeitures, it makes Ronny Thompson look like a freakin' angel.
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| National exposure vs local exposure ( state wide at best) |
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On what??? The Big Ten Network that nobody has access to??? Big whoopee dee do.
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| Maybe this year Michigan is down but I'm sure they will be strong again.
Also the Cards may be down but they will rise again in a few years and I'll be waiting patiently for it to happen. |
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Regarding Michigan, maybe "this year" they are down??? How about the past decade??? Actually this is exactly my point though, but let me take it a step further. The Cards WILL be strong again, but most likely before that pathetic excuse of a team and coaching staff that Michigan has. I'd venture to say I'd even rather have a shot at being a middle of the road MAC team RIGHT NOW than be a continual bottom dweller in the Big Ten for years to come.
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| What would you choose filet migon or chuck roast???
Apples or oranges? |
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OK, let's be more realistic here... how about.........
Playing Time ... vs ... Riding the Steel-Chair-on-the-Sidelines-Time
THAT is a "no-brainer" to me Elmer.
_________________
"Get some facts, and come back and see me." -- Jim Calhoun
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jimmy Valvano
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RuffledFeathers
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2311 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 01:48 PM |
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| And you know, I love the Fab 5 era as much as the next guy, but with a school so filled with scandal, violations, probation, and forfeitures, it makes Ronny Thompson look like a freakin' angel |
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Whoa! Let's not get carried away here. Nothing , absolutely nothing, could make RT look angelic.
RF
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"Don't waste your breath to save your face when you have done your best"
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Bigfoot
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1213 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 02:01 PM |
Someone mentioned a comparison of Novak to Tom Coverdale which strikes a cord with me. Zach would be a much bigger version but there are similarities. Zach would be more versatile player IMO as he can go down low and score in a crowd with his strength (has strong thighs and calves) as well as upper body for a HS kid. I would see Zach as a real threat with a three guard offense in particular. It would take a very athletic defender with size to handle him at a small three position.
I also heard Zach is still growing not that his current 6'4" height wouldn't work already for us.
If we can sign him I think people will some day wonder why he was not better known. Being a four year starter at a large school like Chesterton that plays in a tough league speaks volumes about his ability. He was not only a starter in his early years but was a prolific scorer even then.
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Elmer
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 2553 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 03:47 PM |
I'm for landing him and others like him to BSU hook line and sinker!
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imcomguy
BSUfans Junkie
Posts: 1466 | Posted: Jan 09, 2008 - 05:21 PM |
I know we have differences in our points regarding Michigan and Ball State, and the attractiveness of the two for a player like Novak, but I agree with you Elmer that landing him would be monumental for our program. Chesterton has a hell of a conference in the DAC, very talented and well-balanced all-around, but perhaps one of the more underappreciated/unnoticed leagues in the state.
Hook, line, and sinker is well put.
_________________
"Get some facts, and come back and see me." -- Jim Calhoun
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jimmy Valvano
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