The Valparaiso Beacons hit the road this weekend for an in-state Missouri Valley Conference showdown with Indiana State, as the Sycamores look to defend the Hulman Center after a difficult opening stretch of league play.
Indiana State enters the matchup coming off a gut-wrenching loss to UIC, falling 76–74 in a game that slipped away in the final seconds. With the score tied late, a costly turnover led to a UIC steal and layup that ultimately sealed the outcome. Despite the ending, forward Ian Scott turned in a strong performance, scoring 12 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night. Sterling Young paced the Sycamores with 14 points, while the rest of the lineup contributed balanced single-digit scoring.
Valparaiso, meanwhile, is also seeking a bounce-back effort after suffering a heartbreaking 78–77 home loss to conference leader Belmont. Owen Dease and Rakin Chaney led the Beacons with 15 points apiece, while JT Pettigrew and Shon Tupuola also reached double figures. Despite a strong overall performance, Valpo was unable to close out the Bruins in the final minutes.
Indiana State has struggled to find consistency throughout the season and currently sits at 2–9 in Valley play, riding a four-game losing streak. One of the Sycamores’ primary challenges has been perimeter efficiency. While Indiana State is not shy about shooting the three, the results have lagged behind the volume, as the team is converting just over 30 percent from beyond the arc on the season. That number has climbed only marginally in conference play.
The Sycamores also have difficulty generating easy points. They score a low percentage of their offense at the free-throw line and shoot under 70 percent when they get there. Offensive rebounding has been another issue, limiting second-chance opportunities. Ball security has also plagued Indiana State, as the team ranks among the bottom 20 nationally in turnover percentage.
Defensively, Indiana State’s struggles have been most evident in the paint. Opponents have found success finishing inside against a Sycamore defense that lacks consistent rim protection and does not generate many blocked shots. The Trees also rank near the bottom nationally in forced turnovers, relying more on positional defense than pressure.
Still, Indiana State has strengths it can lean on. Offensively, the Sycamores are highly effective finishing around the basket, shooting nearly 58 percent on two-point attempts. Ball movement is another hallmark, as they assist on a high percentage of their made field goals. Defensively, Indiana State does an excellent job defending the perimeter, limiting opponents to roughly 32 percent shooting from three and discouraging high-volume attempts.
Scott has been the anchor for Indiana State, leading the team in both scoring (14.3 points per game) and rebounding (6.9). Guards Camp Wagner and Sterling Young provide additional scoring punch, averaging 12.1 and 10.2 points respectively. The Sycamores’ frontcourt features Derek Vorst and Markus Harding, both offering a more traditional interior presence.
From a tactical standpoint, Indiana State will look to utilize ball screens, constant motion, and a drive-and-kick offense while remaining aggressive in early shot-clock situations from deep. Defensively, expect the Sycamores to prioritize taking away the three-point line and force Valparaiso to score inside.
For Valparaiso, the keys to the game begin on the defensive end. Pressuring Indiana State into turnovers and disrupting passing lanes could swing momentum, especially against a Sycamore team that has struggled with ball security. Offensively, the Beacons will need to capitalize on those turnovers and finish efficiently at the rim—an area that has been inconsistent at times this season. Valpo is likely to continue its inside-out approach, using clock and ball movement to generate quality two-point looks before kicking out for open threes when the defense collapses.
Advanced metrics suggest a close contest. KenPom gives Indiana State a narrow 71–70 edge, largely due to home-court advantage, projecting Valparaiso with a 47 percent chance to come away with a road win. As is often the case in the Missouri Valley Conference, the margin for error is slim and the outcome could hinge on a handful of late-game possessions.
With family in tow, I am making the trip to Terre Haute, I hope it offers the promise of both high-level Valley basketball and, hopefully, a happy drive home.
Anyone else heading to Terre Haute? I seriously considered making the drive, but I decided to stay home.
Anyone else heading to Terre Haute? I seriously considered making the drive, but I decided to stay home.
DO NOT DO IT. SNOW STORM IS NOT SUPPOSED TO LET UP. SAFETY OVER EVERYTHING
They are at the point in the season, when they get leads, they need to extend them and if it’s close in the final four minutes. They need the alpha male dog to step up and close the game/make that clutch shot or two. Glad they are competitive in almost every game, unlike Lottich, but this team needs to figure how to close these games, fast. We are in the final stretch here. I still think they should look more fast break scoring opportunities
Valpo looks like trash, this isn’t the same team that’s been playing well
Ughhhh...free throws guys
I don't know how much we won that game as we just didn't lose it. Bit to work on but good away victory.
Most impressive part was winning after playing a terrible first half. Notwithstanding the missed free thoughts at the end of regulation, I think Carter played his best game and I’m guessing we see a little more of him. Problem with Shon is his range is just a little short of vashil’s.
A much needed W, not sure its season defining, but it still counts as a W. Hopoi redeems himself with the three pointer in OT, goes 3-6 from the line down the stretch. Sometimes you got to gut things out on the road and thats what they did. Buckets from three of our freshman down the stretch to close things out. Still a lot to work on. Our three point shooting was awful and freethrows, we left some points on the board there. The difference in the game was the offensive rebounding and five more makes from the free throw line. Enjoy this one, not looking forward to the next game.
Pretty even stat sheet with the low shooting %s hinting at a good defensive battle.
Little by little and game by game we are gradually improving. I should include Roger Powell in that generalized statement of improvement. 🧐 We were nervous while he appeared very controlled.
Survive and advance.
Great game from Carter, it was his turn to provide that spark. He missed free throws he shouldn’t have but overall stayed focused and really helped in OT. It appeared to me Shon is dealing with a hamstring, he didn’t have the energy today. In the first half valpo was just hanging on with the poor shooting and Indiana State kept leaving the door open as bad teams often do. The Beacs battled on the road and adjusted to the rims in the second half. Any win on the road is something to celebrate, even when it comes like this. Good teams grind away to get the W. The Hulman center may average 4500 fans but the 10k capacity made it feel quiet. As much as others bash the ARC it certainly feels more buzzy than the Hulman center in my opinion. Glad we made the trip!
Great game from Carter, it was his turn to provide that spark. He missed free throws he shouldn’t have but overall stayed focused and really helped in OT. It appeared to me Shon is dealing with a hamstring, he didn’t have the energy today. In the first half valpo was just hanging on with the poor shooting and Indiana State kept leaving the door open as bad teams often do. The Beacs battled on the road and adjusted to the rims in the second half. Any win on the road is something to celebrate, even when it comes like this. Good teams grind away to get the W. The Hulman center may average 4500 fans but the 10k capacity made it feel quiet. As much as others bash the ARC it certainly feels more buzzy than the Hulman center in my opinion. Glad we made the trip!
I noticed that Shon popped up as questionable on the MVC game status sheet today. So he clearly had something bothering him a little bit. We don’t have much time to rest before we travel again Monday but we will need his size against the big guy at Bradley.
Much more importantly, as several have mentioned, keep grinding out wins! We all wish it were prettier but it wasn’t long ago that we were just wishing for wins. Any win in this league is a good win especially for Valpo. This was the first game of a very tough stretch (4 of 5 on the road) so this was a big one. We have a chance to set a Valpo record for MVC wins which would be incredible.
on to the next one!
Winning a conference game on the road is always tough. So that in itself is a positive. I think there was a bit of a hangover from the Belmont game and mostly mental and having to travel as well. That type of intensity is tough to rebound from. They'll have to do it in March but it is still tough.
