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I agree on all fronts atkins. Being a DePaul fan and alum, I would have embraced him totally but being a Valpo fan now, part of me did not want him taking the job for selfish reasons. I see myself, with my coming here and daughter enrolled and at every game, a Valpo fan. I had a crush on this university when I came to games and met the fanbase, I then fell in love. When my daughter wanted to come here for a visit and shunned DePaul, I had no problem whatsoever. Why? Because this University instills Christian values (which is so far greater than any of us) that I grew up with and and DePaul no longer has. Her decision made me proud and as a result, through her, I am woven into the tapestry that is Valpo U!!!!

But we have to be prepared as a fanbase that at anypoint he could be gone. It is not fair to him either. What we can trust is that if he does go, he us prepared to succeed at any level. And leave a succession plan in place as well.

St. Louis compared to Vandy is what we have to deal with per the "rumors". So here we are as to what is more appealing? Take the Stevens reference aside, which is totally relevant. Bryce takes a Power conference job,  succeeds, his sky is the limit. What we as a fanbase have no clue is what are his motivations??? Vandy is a much greater job than either Iowa St. or DePaul and he turned those down without batting an eye.

On the other side front, DePaul sits in a hoops fertile ground and has a state of the art arena being built. Close to his home but no where near Vandy from a competitive standpoint. What does he do and I don't want be Devil's advocate on a day when OUR SAVIOR rose from the dead but one can see the appeal.

  I know we all shudder the thought but I was so happy to see bigger jobs getting filled, I was like BD is staying!!! But then I realized the dominoes of college hoop jobs only start and when the dominoes fall a job attractive to your coach may open up. Vandy is that job for Bryce. It fits him if he is a normal college coach and none of us could fault him. I only say "normal" because unlike Jamie Dixon who went to TCU, he went to Valpo and grew up there. he knows how much this team means to the area, he made a shot that CBSSPORTS is still talking about. He is a guy with the humility that Jesus Christ taught us. He is not different but I think his convictions may have been tested and agreed to somewhere else. Pure speculation on one man's part but when Roger Powell introduced to the crowd and student body (after the NIT win), I can only see him as the man. If Bryce is taking another job and if there was anyone ready and willing to take this job it would be Roger Powell.

Let the comments commence but I think this either's Matt's or Roger's hiring would have to be done. WE have an awesome team and these guys recruited them. There is no one out there that can coach us without being here. This is a special place and needs to be given to someone that knows the specialness of this program.

I agree with the notion that Bryce would be intrigued by Vanderbilt. With TCU gone, it is the only job that I think would test (from a private and basketball perspective) him. Like said, they play in a Power 5, had a great season after starting poorly, have returnees to soften the blow and even if Vandy is a more "progressive" private, being in the stretch of the "Bible Belt" may soften Drew's stances.

According the CBSSPORTS crew, if Wade passes, he is their top candidate. The wild card is Bryce. What does Bryce want? I know he wants fairness for his team. I know he wants to able to share his CHRISTIAN (I only highlight this because there are some that think this a bad thing, so far from crazy I cannot respond but it is the world we live in) values within his program but other than that, what is his motivation? A National Title? To be best the Drew lineage coach ever? Make us much money as possible? He doesn't strike me as being someone of any of the three. I will be wrong here but Bryce made a living we can only hope in the NBA, he is paid in the Top 3% earners and continues that for the next 20-30 years as this University LOVES him. He is electric and will get kids to come here and embarrass other conferences when we have a conference upgrade as he will outrecruit anyone on a level playing field. Meet the guy, how no one or their parents, would not put their trust in this kid and university is beyond me.

The only other "negative" is Bryce is loyal. Bryce and Powell and Lottich are tight, you can see that. He may see him moving opens up the job for Roger and Matt and I would say Roger gets at this point but he will want one of them at his side wherever he goes. But he can do this as he is financially secure and will be more so at his next contract so giving a hand up to one of "his" guys cannot be unheard. How many Horizon Assistants are thought of for a HC job somewhere else? This may be the seal as the others above will tempt but this may break him to open up jobs. Lottich and Powell played a bit professionally but never played 7 years in the NBA like Bryce.

In the end, what do anyone of us know not named Drew. If the administration can promise immediate or near term upgrades to the practice facilities, a mid-term upgrade to the ARC and they will always continue to support him, I think he stays because he knows when he goes the Program was left in so far a greater a shape then when he started. Considering what he has done, he deserves that. I guess some of that is on us too. We like the feeling of having a GREAT hoops team, then we need to throw some bucks behind it. If I give $100 and you give and you give and you give...it snowballs.

Trevon Martin? You're not confusing Tevonn Walker with Trayvon Martin, are you? Yikes.
                     
My bad, it was late and I had watched a lot of basketball. Thanks for pointing out, I corrected.            
                  
                     
                     
                     
                        

Oregon would have dropped a seed and no more as they won the Pac 12. As far as us, we would have one of the best road wins in the history of mid Majors, would've increased our RPI at least 5-10 spots and we would've been in easy. WGB in the tourney and that loss, in perspective, kept us from the tourney. There was no way Wright St. would've beat us, as shorthanded as we were, 3 times...no way.

My daughter is a Freshmen (and on the Dance team!!!!) but she and Derrick are buds and Derrick told her that his foot fracture was initially misdiagnosed by his initial Doctor and they in turn went to a specialist who said he had more "damage" to his foot than originally diagnosed. I believe this doctor did surgery in November and told him that the best would be to sit out this year and let it heal properly with no aggravations that basketball would bring. He said within 6 MOnths he would be good to go so it appears he is in line to heal. In talking with Rik after one of the games, he's glad his son chose Valpo, and cannot wait for him to get on the court so he can finally see him.

If anyone has "noticed" Rik (and many times his wife) are at EVERY game. They are BIG fans of VALPO and anyone with a right mind would be as well!!!!

I can say being a Valpo fan and DAD (which is far prouder than anything!!!) and a former DePaul, Alum, season ticket holder and (still am there) fan, DePaul was willing to pay Bryce $750K per year according to some in the know on their sites. He inquired and from what I understand declined his "formal" interview that Sunday and they signed Leitao shortly there after. Partly because DePaul is a Catholic that acts as public instiution and the Catholicism part is by affiliation. Bryce is a man of strong convictions and wants a University to support his endeavor in that and DePaul was not willing, shame on them but they have the most inompetent AD in the history of ADs and they deserve what they get.

Second, Bryce made more by playing in the league than his brother (who went to a very Christian schoo)l , (7.8MM according to Wikipedia). Is he underpaid, yes. But Valpo can only go so far and they know he is a STAR and accommodate him to that end. Will he get that at other schools? Probably. Does Bryce appear to be a guy that is out it for the ends? I do not think so. He knows what he has here and there in lies an altruistic value. Valpo gives him free reign and uses that to run a clean and honorable program. To me, for Bryce to leave would mean it is in the best interests of his family and give him a challenge that he could not get anywhere else.

Lastly, he made "the shot" here, with his dad coaching and turned that it into a lucrative basketball career. He was raised here, has his number in the rafters. Has an administration, student body and fan base that LOVES him. He comes across as very cerebral and a man with convictions and loyalty. And even if Carter does leave (what a player), has Peters, Adeboya, Hammink, Scara and the unheralded Tevon Walker coming back for a season that may rival this one. St. Lousi cannot give him what he got. He's doing it here with the limitations he has and I can tell you this, with all of us behind him and willing to continue to give to this Program, facilities will be upgraded eventually. I used to give to DePaul annually but they showed me they don't care. I came to Valpo games to see good basketball locally. My daughter is a Dancer so I get "free" season tickets which I budgeted for and was willing to pay for and I didn't have to. I "pocketed" that money and am willing to donate to a Program and a University that exceeds any thing I could imagine. Speaking from a parent's perspective, this school is so underrated and the people within it so good. My daughter made a GREAT decision and I am a VALPO fan for life!!!!

Never saw a more dominant 2nd Half against a quality team like I saw tonight. OUTSTANDING!!!

Because of that sad state I decided to look elsewhere for my college hoops "fix" and my daughters and I have been coming for a game since 2008. I like to think that's why one of the reasons my eldest chose Valpo for college (she's a freshmen). Whether it's yes or no neither her nor my wife and I couldn't have been happier with her choice of schools. #GoValpo

This is going to sound bad but take it from a DePaul alum and former season ticket holder, the women in sports journalism have a liking of Ponsetto (DePaul's AD). Toni Ginetti who had covered college basketball for the Sun Times was and is a close personal friend of Ponsetto's. Women in Chicago sports stick together to protect one of their own. They would never speak ill of her despite her lack of ability for a being an AD in a big time basketball conference. Having Drew and Howland as prospective candidates helps her credibility, despite the fact Howland never wanted to work for her., nor it appears Drew either .There is a reason they're stuck with an also ran like Dave Leitao, who no one was even considering to HC again. No one wants to work for her and her meddling ways as well as the fact she's turned a once proud program into a national joke.

I was waiting on a couple buddies to get back to me and finally bought tix in Section AA RowTT. I COUNTED there are around 200 left. As far as St. Mary's a team comparable to us, disciplined but we need to make them feel out of their element . Hopefully the crowd and oil Crusaders can do That!!!!!

Start spreading the news.....

First off, Valpo beating FSU at home (great game and I got serious TV time on ESPNN) hurts us from getting a big time program to come to Valpo. A big run (which want we have only leads to more trepidation) But what the committee can do is put teams like Valpo and other mid majors in the tourney, with credentials of course, to force the mid ran top tier teams to play us to up thier RPIs. We did nothing to hurt Oregon or Oregon States RPI at all. I love college hoops but would rather see Valpo, Monmouth and St. Mary's in there rather than the mid level top tier teams. Syracuse doesn't belong there and hurts the argument as they are Sweet 16 but they had the benefit of a Top seed getting beat before them. And the Boeheim thing blows my mind as they were considered due to Boeheim being suspended. Well he was suspended for a reason, breaking NCAA rules. No consideration should've been given. They lost to Pitt in the first round of their conference tourney. That, to me should've been a play in game. But the ACC has 6 teams in the Sweet 16. Oh well.

Second, improve the facilities from a practice and private weight room perspective. Not a lot of capital to do and makes it more attractive. But winning and developing, which Bryce has done will always bring recruits. Dixon taking the TCU job makes Bryce more likely to stay and he is the best face of this program and what will sustain our winning. Peters can go bigger if he wants but if Bryce stays I think he does too. He has Adekoya, Hammink and Tevon Walker to build on plus a healthy Smits, depth may take a hit but I like where we are for next season. We should run away with the Horizon. And as far as depth, as bad as it sounds, I think we had too much this year and guys were checking in and out and at times I think it hurt our continuity. I know I'll be in the minority but an 8 man rotation is what want most go with. We will have that next year.

And Boeheim's suspension shouldn't even be considered as he was SUSPENDED FOR A REASON. Hence a suspension. A suspension for infractions or other rationale should be thrown out when considering a team. Injury to key players, I still have issue with but not as much as a coach he broke rules. Again BS.

BS that Michigan, Syracuse and Tulsa, Tulsa? Got in ahead of Valpo. The reality is no major wants to play a Valpo as it will hurt more than help. I disagree as Oregon's win against the Crusaders gave them another Top 50 win. Probably didn't need it but didn't hurt just like it didn't hurt Oregon St. losing to us at home. We were 4-2 against tourney teams.

As far as Valpo trying to schedule games against bigger teams, they'll do their best but again, the stigma for those teams losing to us hurts them more from their perspective. I applaud Valpo in scheduling the Oregon trip, playing decent teams in state, Ball State and Indiana State and doing a home and home with Belmont. They did their best to put them in a situation to get an at large if they didn't win conference or better seed if they did. A great season was not rewarded as the the selection committee proves again they'd rather have more teams, even those that finish 7th in thier conference than a mid- major trying to position themselves in a position to get a bid. Sad.

I think if the committee rewarded the Valpo's and Monmouths with bids, it would force some of these Teams to play us more often during the Non con season as it would benefit them as well as Valpo. Personally I don't think any team that finishes in the bottom half of their conference deserves a bid. I'd rather see some fresh teams in there than usual suspects that lose in the first round. Needless to say I'm rooting against Tulsa, Michigan and Syracuse to lose to prove the powers that be wrong.

CBS sure knows how to drag this out and get that commercial $$$. I remember when this was an hour long at best.

They had no signature wins as well other than Utah, which I would argue Oregon State may have been better. Plus, would Wichita St. or any other bubble teams go into Eugene and lose to a #1 seed by 6 and a game that was competitive throughout. There has to be some consideration given to a mid-major that tries to schedule over their head to improve RPI and SOS and competes. It's really not fair as no highly thought of Mid-Major is going to get a home and home or even a 2 away, one home from schools from major conferences.

When you look at Valpo's RPI respective of CBS site and Jerry Palm and do the team by team comparison, we have better credentials than Syracuse, Michigan, Monmouth and St. Mary's. As well as Wichita State. Now Cuse and WSU will point at Bieheim and Van Fleet being out. To me either argument doesn't hold weight relative to Valpo as we had key guys out most of the season starting the new year. Only St. Bonaventure and SanDiego State had better resumes than the Crusaders. I'm not holding my breath they get in but they stack up with and have better numbers than a lot of the bubble teams. Plus we had a great loss (by 6 at Oregon at a #1 Seed). We'll see....

I was at the game tonight and I will first say, the venue is horrendous. The "Joe" had its place in hockey lore but for a team that plays in "Hockeytown" they let that arena fade. Seats are probably as old as the arena (1979), paint coming off rails and a floor that is old school theatre sticky. As the game started there were maybe 1500 fans if that. In a 20K arena for b-ball that sure makes the place look cavernous. Second, I am thinking they started giving away tickets to anyone walking by or near the JLA. About half way through the game multiple throngs of people are coming, have no idea where the sitting and just stand right in front of you as play is going on. You ask them can you move a little bit and you swear you just insulted their mother. Lastly, I am not a big fan of the double bye either and especially on a neutral court. UWGB played outstanding but we were playing in an arena not used for hoops at all except for the tournament so no one has any idea to sight lines, etc. Then you play a team that has just won consecutive games on this court. They do have an advantage. And I never bought the "fatigue" argument. you are 18-22 years old, you got mucho energy and add momentum to the equation, you got gas in your tank. At the end of the day we should've won, made an amazing comeback but lost in the end.

As for the game, difference I saw was UWGB was lights out in spurts in both the 1 and 2H from 3. They beat us, the fresher team, to more 50/50 balls which screams of desire more than anything. Not sure if the team just thought Peters would bail them out again or what but there was definite lack of intensity. Another BIG factor was UWGB shot 53 FTs I believe to our 32. I have not been impressed w/ the Horizon League officials at all this year and tonight was no exception. They'd let some physical play go for a stretch then call some ticky tack stuff. The call on Carter on the loose ball w/ like 3 to go was a joke. The screen on Adekoya in OT was an even bigger joke. I saw the whole thing right on and the UWGB kid a bad acting job and still sold it in OT no less. The only way you call anything is if it egregious enough. Peters hit the 3 and we would've been up 1 or 2 at that point and instead went down 5. Also, Adekoya's shot in the waning was not bad at all. He actually had a good look and the ball was in the cylinder rattling around and bounced out. A skoch softer and it's in and ball game is totally different.

Anyway, good season. Drew didn't help his cause for a better gig tonight, if he was looking to upgrade so that may be a blessing. I guess the frustrating part is this team was poised this year to possibly make a decent run in the tourney. Losing in the semis all but burst that bubble.

Valpo64, after 2 games I'm with u Vashil leads them "deep" into the stands!!! To the kids credit, they have some great costumes and a real good energy!!!!

Nicely done. While I hate to say we won't the Horizon, they're is always that room to lose the one tourney game. With Valpo's schedule, they could get an at large bid and this is like real time RPI!!!

I'm new to the board but a long time Valpo fan. I graduated from DePaul and had season tix for years and then they really soured. So my daughters and I came to Valpo to give my wife a break and enjoy "good" basketball for a change. Because of those trips, my daughter is now a Freshman here and a Crusaderette. I couldn't be prouder nor as a parent, any prouder for her picking a GREAT institution for higher learning.

The best being I get to go every home game!!! As a hoops fan, our FT shooting needs to improve as the season wears on but more succinctly soon. We get Belmont twice, Rhode Island (down their best player) and the 2 Oregon State schools. We can make a mark OOC and while we should win the Horizon, wins here give us RPI points to maybe get an at large.

What I saw today was complete team basketball. When Alec Peters is in single digits well into the second half, that is actually great for us as it shows the depth we have. We literally dominated a team that is going to win to some serious basketball games. Plus as another poste said, our team and Iona "squared" off in prayer and that impressed me more than any play on the court. God bless every one of those kids and U.S. To for,that matter!!!

Man it's great to be a Crusader!!!!