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Benson is a Kenyan who lives with some people from Valpo, for now. So it's not like he's one of the "regular" local runners who suddenly became an elite.

Wood is now top of the VU-spite list that includes:  Diebler's brother, Scott Martin, Robbie Hummell, Kenny George, and Bryan Bouchie. 

Scott Martin and Rob Hummel (nice try on the spelling) don't belong on this list. Please.

I think it's a big risk. He will get better practicing against better players, yes.
But, it could backfire on him in that his weaknesses will be exposed playing at a higher level.
I seem to recall that happened with Lubos Barton. He believed that his senior year hurt him as far as a potential NBA career, that he maybe would have had a better shot at the NBA after his junior year. Of course, Lubos has done quite well for himself playing in Europe.

I'm not sure about glue, but I think Ryan Broekhoff will be the best player on next year's team.

Paul Oren's blog from Monday:

http://nwitimes.com/app/blog/sports/?p=5054

He's getting zero NBA interest. The only publicity he's getting from the NBA is how he's making a mistake. I've said before I think this is foul but that may be just me. He can go for all I care. Can we get Bizoukas?

Geez, I hope not. Does VU really need a 5-10 guard who barely played for a bad DePaul team?

Just released by the school this morning:

Dino Jakolis, a 6'7", 215 lb. forward from Split, Croatia, has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Valparaiso men's basketball program as a freshman for the 2011-2012 season.  Jakolis comes to Valpo after playing last season at LaLumiere School in nearby LaPorte, Ind.

Jakolis started all but two games last season for a 17-9 LaLumiere squad, averaging12.4 points and four rebounds per game in his only season with the Lakers.  Jakolis, who hails from the same hometown as current Crusader Hrvoje Vucic, as well as a pair of former players in Marko Punda and Ivan Vujic, brings more international experience to the Valpo squad as well, as he played for the Croatia team at the 2007 U16 European Championship, averaging 10.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg.  Two years later, he represented Croatia again at the 2009 U18 European Championship, posting 9.1 ppg and 7.0 rpg.

"We are thrilled to have Dino joining our men's basketball program," said Crusader head coach Homer Drew.  "Dino brings a wide variety of skills to our program, as he can play multiple positions.  He handles the ball well, can pass and shoot well and can help us on the boards."

Jakolis becomes the third newcomer committed to joining the Crusaders next season, joining Richie Edwards and Ben Boggs.

Can someone tell me why we can't schedule a home/home series with Baylor?  I heard our coach may have an inside source there that can help with scheduling.

One of the toughest games, emotionally, for Homer was when VU played against Toledo in the Hilo Invitational back in 1995. Toledo had Casey Shaw, at the time the boyfriend/fiancee of Dana Drew. Homer had to devise a game plan to stop Casey, who was Toledo's best player. Valpo ended up winning the game, but it took a big toll out of Homer and he still remembers it. The emotional toll of having to beat even a "future" family member was tough. It would be even worse for him if he had to play Scott's team. That's why it's not going to happen unless a tournament bracket dictates it.

If you want to track why some players end up leaving the program, just make sure to read the police blotter in The Times. There's often interesting information in there, particularly on Tuesday's after a wild weekend of fun. It can also explain why some players who are on the roster at the beginning of the season are no longer there by the end.

I

Well, we should then email the coaches about Grubl before he decides to go to a place like Bethel. Coach Gore needs to aware that this kid can play and he has more respect than some other players and he would be a great fit to Valpo.

I like Brandon Grubl as much as the next guy, and even told people during the season that he's the one PCC kid who could contribute on a good DAC team (Valpo, Merrillville, CP). But I don't think he could help the Crusaders, sorry about that. Filer is on another level, and he would be a great get. He would be a beast in the Horizon League at the guard position. Another target should be D.J. Balentine of Kokomo, who is just a junior.

Yeah, but UCLA has that "sock ritual" which is worth a few points. Although, Homer will respond during the pregame -- "Hey, those guys in the other locker room put their socks on the same as we do." Which is probably not true unless we have adopted the "sock ritual."

What happens when Homer pulls out the old "Dodger Blue" jacket for even more inspiration?

Lew Alcindor is head and shoulders taller than anyone on VU's roster who sees actual playing time.

Anyone who answers "No" should have their head and shoulders examined.

I would pay to see that game this weekend. And I would say this year's Crusaders would beat the crap out of the 1968 UCLA Bruins. I'll take the 18-23 year olds on this team vs. the 60-somethings of that UCLA team any time.
As a freshman, would Jay Harris be eligible? Or would there be a freshman game first?

Yep, Scott Martin committed to Purdue for the last slot in that recruiting class. He said yes before Howard. RLH may be able to back me up on that one.

how about improvements to the main arena in the arc? like maybe for a new scoreboard or improved sound system...

I was at Lafayette Jeff High School for the semistate yesterday. Their sound system is fantastic. Nothing fancy, but with 5,800 in the gym (seriously), you could hear the PA. I was thinking, why can't VU get something like this?

For anyone old enough to remember the movie "Meatballs" with Bill Murray, CIT reminds me of this song:

We are the C.I.T.s so pity us. / The kids are brats; the food is hideous. / We're gonna smoke and drink and fool around. / We're nookie-bound!... / We are the North Star C.I.T.s!

I just couldn't get this line out of my mind, so I looked it up on YouTube. Enjoy! It's better than last night's game.

Meatballs Final campfire

Here's what I'm thinking going into this game: The last time the pressure was "off" was the Missouri State game. They played relaxed, got an early lead, and you never got the sense that Missouri State would get back in the game. Homer was able to dust off the play book and use some old plays, like the halfcourt alley-oop play to Rogers that he always used to run with Raitis Grafs. Iona, yes, is supposed to be a good team that is ranked ahead of VU. But so was Missouri State. After they got down, they acted like the ARC was the last place in the world they wanted to be. Maybe that can happen again tonight.

The CIT web site posted last night that the VU-Iona winner has a bye in the next round.
Oral Roberts and Western Michigan are also a factor, would be nice to face old ORU again, wouldn't it?

For anyone old enough to remember the movie "Meatballs" with Bill Murray, CIT reminds me of this song:

We are the C.I.T.s so pity us. / The kids are brats; the food is hideous. / We're gonna smoke and drink and fool around. / We're nookie-bound!... / We are the North Star C.I.T.s!

I'm in, but I'm not too happy that I'll be starting over after obtaining "Gold All-Star" status with 1,330 posts.