So the start to the season has already brought a few shockers. Illinois State, the team picked by everybody to win the conference, lost to Ohio last night. That Ohio University, not The Ohio State University. The odds on POY, Chase Walker. Fouled out with 9 points. Drake also lost at home to Robert Morris. Should be a wide open year!
I'll admit. I overvalued this too. But what we are seeing is the over valuation of returning players in metrics and public opinion. I really lost faith in synergy when some metrics algorithms listed joe vick as the best on the roster purely because he has been here for 4 years.
Illinois State returned a 10-10 team. Sure there will be improvement, but 10-10 teams typically don't turn into league contenders overnight. UNI returned a majority of their roster as well, and we're a valley contender last year. Returning that IMOP is more meaningful than retiring a 10-10 roster. Murray and Belmont als look really good. Murray being good because of their quality of recruit thanks to an influx of cash flow, and Belmont because their high leverage returners were also just simply better than Illinois state
UNI looks good. Murray too. But am I the only one who saw bright spots against kentucky? We blocked 5 shots and hard contested several others inside. Tupiola and Hopoi play pretty fearless in there... Its like if Sepp was 4 inches taller and had skills. Big upgrades inside. I really feel like 500 in the valley is possible if we clean up shot selection and make free throws. Yes its Kool aid but not spiked Kool aid... also noted... Hopoi will try to dunk in your face at all times. and I like it. Hated watching Sepp hustle for a rebound and be unable to do anything with it
Actually Sepp was solid for Cornell 10 and 5 against Ill state
But am I the only one who saw bright spots against kentucky?
Agreed, particularly what I saw with Carter Hopoi. Loved his strong moves to the basket and right fake finishing with the left hand. If he can make and occasional 3 and improve FT shooting he will be very valuable. I think we were just flat out shell shocked as was Bryce et al during his freshman year NCAA blowout v. Arizona.
Really need to see something from Deese however. He has flat out vanished during the first two.
If we can improve our shooting, I believe we have a real chance to compete in the Valley this year. While our performance hasn’t been as strong as I’d hoped, it’s worth noting that teams like Drake, Illinois State, and Indiana State have also struggled early on. Our board’s assessment of Murray State, UNI, and Belmont being strong contenders seems accurate.
I expect us to be competitive against Drake, Indiana State, Evansville, and UIC on a game-by-game basis, though these observations are based on only 2–3 games. Bradley looks solid, and SIU has shown promise as well. Historically, we’ve been near the bottom of the league, but if we tighten up our weaknesses, finishing in the middle of the pack is possible.
Many questions will be answered as non-conference play progresses. At this point, I’m not convinced Valpo is locked into the last spot in the MVC. There’s a lot of basketball left, and the key for teams in the bottom half will be finding ways to come together and refuse to lose.
