OK. I'll try my hand at opening a game thread, but don't blame me if this trend continues. :whiteflag:
Sitting here watching the Crossroads Classic, Oakland getting MSU on a (in theory) neutral court, Syracuse Georgetown, NW DePaul, and here we are waiting to go play two more SOS killers 2,000 miles away.....
The Life of a Mid-Major.
Hard to pick this one. My heart wants to say Valpo, but after NW, I just can't pick us away from home, until Tevonn is back:
Santa Clara 73
Valpo 64
It looks like it'll be available streaming, but you'll have to sign up for a 7 day free trial.
https://watchstadium.com/network/wcc-network/
is the link that works best for me, where the broadcast is labeled Premium which is described at
https://watchstadium.com/stadium-plus-event/?play_request=https%3A%2F%2Fwatchstadium.com%2Flive%2F113200
On the plus side, you've got until 9 PM central, on Monday, to figure it out.
At first I thought the thread title was
"Santa Claus, Here he comes"
(https://websuccessteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Santa-Claus-Winking.jpg)
I dunno. These young bucks can't get things together in California, they might be getting coal in their stockings from Uncle Tevonn.
It might be better not to watch the game.
As bad as this stretch has been for Valpo, I think the next 2 games vs Santa Clara and UC Riverside are very winnable games even without Tevonn. Yes we're on the road but these teams are not world beaters. Santa Clara is not as good as last year (we shouldn't have lost to them last season, but they had an insanely hot shooting night).
I'm not going to predict the score but I do expect a win tomorrow. We have the better roster, imo. SC has a good amount of size so we'll get to see how Derrik and Jay handle their bigs.
My wish-list for tomorrows game:
-Limited turnovers
-I want to see the both Parker and Mileek play with some confidence at some point during this road-trip
-Bakari please DON'T turn the ball over. He has averaged 4 TO per game the last 4 games. We can't have that from our starting PG. Play controlled.
-I'd like to see some sort of evolution of the half-court offense. Don't dribble and make needless passes and run the clock down to the final seconds and settle for bad shots. I just want to see some progress on this California road-trip. Against "lesser" competition there is a little bit more room for experimentation.
The level of gloom and doom on this board is ridiculous. If we can't beat a crappy 3-7 team on the road, then look for us to lose every game home and away from now til Tevonn gets back. If he doesn't come back, then pencil 8-22, or whatever.
We just lost by 1 point to a good Ball State on their court on a shot that that B.S. piss ant wouldn't normally hit more than 2 times out of 10 from that range under that kind of pressure.
We're not going to lay an egg in California.
Quote from: wh on December 17, 2017, 11:41:51 AMThe level of gloom and doom on this board is ridiculous. If we can't beat a crappy 3-7 team on the road, then look for us to lose every game home and away from now til Tevonn gets back. If he doesn't come back, then pencil 8-22, or whatever.
:'( Its worse than I thought! :'( wh just predicted 8-22! :'(. Is it too late for me to jump ship and become a UWM fan?
In truth I am not expecting us to lay an egg in California but just in case we do--------------------I think EddieCabot should be asked (begged) to open the following game thread. Yes I know that is like sleeping with the enemy or maybe even the devil but desperate men should be prepared to take desperate measures. :thumbsup:
Anyone in the Bay Area going to the game?
Quote from: justducky on December 17, 2017, 02:24:15 PM
Quote from: wh on December 17, 2017, 11:41:51 AMThe level of gloom and doom on this board is ridiculous. If we can't beat a crappy 3-7 team on the road, then look for us to lose every game home and away from now til Tevonn gets back. If he doesn't come back, then pencil 8-22, or whatever.
:'( Its worse than I thought! :'( wh just predicted 8-22! :'(. Is it too late for me to jump ship and become a UWM fan?
In truth I am not expecting us to lay an egg in California but just in case we do--------------------I think EddieCabot should be asked (begged) to open the following game thread. Yes I know that is like sleeping with the enemy or maybe even the devil but desperate men should be prepared to take desperate measures. :thumbsup:
I don't expect to be needed, but I'll be prepared if called into service!
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 17, 2017, 04:46:44 PM
Quote from: justducky on December 17, 2017, 02:24:15 PM
Quote from: wh on December 17, 2017, 11:41:51 AMThe level of gloom and doom on this board is ridiculous. If we can't beat a crappy 3-7 team on the road, then look for us to lose every game home and away from now til Tevonn gets back. If he doesn't come back, then pencil 8-22, or whatever.
:'( Its worse than I thought! :'( wh just predicted 8-22! :'(. Is it too late for me to jump ship and become a UWM fan?
In truth I am not expecting us to lay an egg in California but just in case we do--------------------I think EddieCabot should be asked (begged) to open the following game thread. Yes I know that is like sleeping with the enemy or maybe even the devil but desperate men should be prepared to take desperate measures. :thumbsup:
I don't expect to be needed, but I'll be prepared if called into service!
I wouldn't trust him!! He is just lying in the weeds waiting to pounce on the
slightest error in talent evaluation. ;)
So what is a realistic return "game" for Walker? Considering all that we know seems to be that he was feeling 100% better when asked at the NW game (think it was Todd Ickow on the radio dropping that nugget).
Maybe as soon as Indiana State game? Or is that wishful thinking?
Line opens as a pick-em, SUUUREELLY we win this game. Santa Clara's only DI wins are against ARK PB and Northern Arizona, who are both atrocious. Burton and one of the bigs play well
VU 69
Santa Clara- 63
Valpo by 11....74-63
Luckily I think our horrid half court offense won't hurt us this time.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on December 17, 2017, 07:16:21 PMSo what is a realistic return "game" for Walker?
I was going to say SIU with the students back, maybe sooner. But, the students won't be back yet, probably. Not sure why that's my line the sand.
How about Drake, and hope for sooner?
Quote from: VU2014 on December 17, 2017, 11:05:24 AM
As bad as this stretch has been for Valpo, I think the next 2 games vs Santa Clara and UC Riverside are very winnable games even without Tevonn. Yes we're on the road but these teams are not world beaters. Santa Clara is not as good as last year (we shouldn't have lost to them last season, but they had an insanely hot shooting night).
I'm not going to predict the score but I do expect a win tomorrow. We have the better roster, imo. SC has a good amount of size so we'll get to see how Derrik and Jay handle their bigs.
My wish-list for tomorrows game:
-Limited turnovers
-I want to see the both Parker and Mileek play with some confidence at some point during this road-trip
-Bakari please DON'T turn the ball over. He has averaged 4 TO per game the last 4 games. We can't have that from our starting PG. Play controlled.
-I'd like to see some sort of evolution of the half-court offense. Don't dribble and make needless passes and run the clock down to the final seconds and settle for bad shots. I just want to see some progress on this California road-trip. Against "lesser" competition there is a little bit more room for experimentation.
That's asking a lot.
Maybe we can minimize the damage from our many turnovers.
Hopefully we get back to the fast paced offensive game that won us games in Oct.-Nov. You don't need to run half court offensive sets when most of your points come off the fast break. I just hope Marty Linssen doesn't have a Herzinfarkt on court.
I think Tevonn defense triggered a lot of the running. If he didn't make the steal, he would force a bad pass. Just a demon on defense. Watched him at an away game once and their star guard got totally frustrated..
I went with sweep. We should win these games.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/942772411895877637
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on December 17, 2017, 07:16:21 PM
So what is a realistic return "game" for Walker? Considering all that we know seems to be that he was feeling 100% better when asked at the NW game (think it was Todd Ickow on the radio dropping that nugget).
Maybe as soon as Indiana State game? Or is that wishful thinking?
Depends on the effect to the internal organs. When the Mid-Con tournament was here I had to take Stovall to the doctor twice. He insisted that he felt fine but did not get cleared to play. Sitting next to him on the bench during the tournament was interesting....
Back on winning track. There will be no gifts for this Santa.
Valpo 76
S Clara 67
My what a difference two weeks makes all the fair weather fans have become IU and PU fans. VU shirts can be had for a song!!! the price goes up VU 76 UC SC 64 the song is up beat!!! ;D
I'm seeing odds that Santa Clara is a -1... I'm going to be annoyed & worried if we can't beat a mediocre SC team even if we're on the road. I'm expecting this team to take care of business in California even if it doesn't look pretty without Tevonn.
Santa Clara is 3-7 (Kenpom Rank):
Non-D1 win
Northern Arizona 2-9 (334) win
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 0-12 (348) win
If we can't win this game tonight we are a mediocre team without Tevonn which is concerning. We should beat this team. No excuses.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 18, 2017, 02:41:38 PMIf we can't win this game tonight we are a mediocre team without Tevonn which is concerning. We should beat this team. No excuses.
For team confidence and development this is close to being a must win.
I will be happy with any kind of win no matter how ugly.
How many minutes will we give the freshmen?
Santa Clara has been a good program in recent years. Not great, but good. It's a road game and long trip from home after the fatigue of finals week with shattered confidence.
SC 77 Valpo 64
If they had played Northwestern tougher, I would have kept with my theory that they re-group strong in Calif. and win both. I think they will re-set for a tough close toss-up versus Mo. State after two more losses to SC and Indiana State. I think they will beat Cal-Riverside, but lose to the Sycamores.
Maybe Tevonn re-joins for Mo. State?
Quote from: justducky on December 18, 2017, 04:57:50 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 18, 2017, 02:41:38 PMIf we can't win this game tonight we are a mediocre team without Tevonn which is concerning. We should beat this team. No excuses.
For team confidence and development this is close to being a must win.
I will be happy with any kind of win no matter how ugly.
How many minutes will we give the freshmen?
[/b]
A darn good question. I would think that the rotation is setting in and we won't see 11 guys play roughly equal minutes any longer. Hazen appears to be out of the lineup and I would expect him to be riding the bench unless someone gets into foul trouble. I'm guessing 10 minute each for Marty and Mileek.
Line moved to Valpo by 2.5, may be up to 3 by game time. I think Valpo by 5 or 6 would be more reasonable but hey lets just win, although a win by 15 or more would be great!
Kiser gets the start again tonight.
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/942938486281084928
Four sophomores and a junior. Any hope for the future?? ;D
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/942950074149167105
Quote from: agibson on December 16, 2017, 08:20:29 PM
It looks like it'll be available streaming, but you'll have to sign up for a 7 day free trial.
https://watchstadium.com/network/wcc-network/
is the link that works best for me, where the broadcast is labeled Premium which is described at
https://watchstadium.com/stadium-plus-event/?play_request=https%3A%2F%2Fwatchstadium.com%2Flive%2F113200
On the plus side, you've got until 9 PM central, on Monday, to figure it out.
Looks like it's a free stream after all
http://www.wccsports.com/gamecenter/m-baskbl/gc-121817-sacl.html
Which is good, because the user interface for the other page was pretty horrible.
Quote from: agibson on December 18, 2017, 08:55:49 PM
Quote from: agibson on December 16, 2017, 08:20:29 PM
It looks like it'll be available streaming, but you'll have to sign up for a 7 day free trial.
https://watchstadium.com/network/wcc-network/
is the link that works best for me, where the broadcast is labeled Premium which is described at
https://watchstadium.com/stadium-plus-event/?play_request=https%3A%2F%2Fwatchstadium.com%2Flive%2F113200
On the plus side, you've got until 9 PM central, on Monday, to figure it out.
Looks like it's a free stream after all
http://www.wccsports.com/gamecenter/m-baskbl/gc-121817-sacl.html
Which is good, because the user interface for the other page was pretty horrible.
Argh no Chromecast support?
Streaming goes blank after 30 seconds. Have to refresh constantly
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 18, 2017, 09:33:59 PM
Streaming goes blank after 30 seconds. Have to refresh constantly
I had a choppy stream the first 2 minutes of game action and it's been smooth and crystal clear for me ever since. Not sure what would be causing your issues
A pretty good 1st half. A balance scoring effort. Valpo's size is clearly bothering SC. Some guys got into foul trouble early.
https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/942964653570670592
That is exactly the arena we should have.
Great half, considering the 30 fouls against the Crusaders. Offense looks much better; we seem to be running a lot more, even after non-turnovers. Still feeding the post a bunch, which has been working somewhat. 11 assists already. Defense has been pretty good, minus the fouls. Forced 9 turnovers, and only 1 of those was an illegal screen.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 18, 2017, 09:56:24 PM
That is exactly the arena we should have.
Completely empty, with a cool mural on the court?
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 18, 2017, 09:56:24 PM
That is exactly the arena we should have.
Just a little more money floating around Silicon Valley than there is around northwest Indiana.
Can someone inform Bradford to stop taking 3s that are 3-4 feet behind the 3 point line. Let's not kill the offensive flow with air-ball 3s.
Valpo finally broke their 4+ minute scoring draught with that Max post up.
Valpo starts to pull away on a 8-0 run
5 min left, up 8 and does Valpo start running clock?
No.
Up 14.
Easy money. Took valpo at a pick em' around 4 today. Valpo simply too talented and too deep. Will be favored in the next game
These refs are absolutely DREADFUL.
Evelyn turns the ball over too much....
Jeezus Christmas with those free throws! As Matt Lottich said, "We'll take any win on the road." Or any win...period right now.
As much as my heart was sinking during the big SC run, I am glad that the team was able to endure it. 21 assists on 27 baskets is what I am most encouraged by.
Another 54% night from the free throw line. Gene Bartow is rolling in his grave. Good overall night. Outrebounded them and shot 50% from the 3. Good win on the road.
Odd that we lost to Santa Clara last year with Peters and Tevonn, and beat them this year without either. When's the last time we won a game without either AP or Walker playing? Has it been almost five years?
Our bigs played relatively well today. Feels like forever since we won the battle in the paint. A few dumb turnovers, a few missed FTs (Joseph 0-4 in the closing minutes. He's never been great at the line but he cannot be a liability there late when league play starts), but aside from that, not too may pull-your-hair-out moments.
Fauxmer Drew on Twitter suggested (via another follower) that we put a silhouette of the Chapel on our court much like SC did theirs. He tagged LaBarbera in the tweet, and MLB favorited it, for what that's worth. Could that idea get any serious traction?
Quote from: hailcrusaders on December 18, 2017, 11:05:36 PMFauxmer Drew on Twitter suggested (via another follower) that we put a silhouette of the Chapel on our court much like SC did theirs. He tagged LaBarbera in the tweet, and MLB favorited it, for what that's worth. Could that idea get any serious traction?
Only if we can get Broadway Cafe in the foreground. ;D ;)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLvs8f5gZHA/Tjtd_T8MvoI/AAAAAAAAIJs/C1guOg8HZSI/s1600/DSC06184.JPG)
(http://hcap.artstor.org/collect/cic-hcap/index/assoc/p1817.dir/Chapel%20of%20the%20Resurrection%20(exterior),%20Valparaiso%20University-large.jpg)
Quote from: justducky on December 16, 2017, 11:24:53 AM
OK. I'll try my hand at opening a game thread, but don't blame me if this trend continues. :whiteflag:
Congratulations! An excellent game thread opening! You should start the next one until things go south and we blame you for all of VU MBB's issues. :)
Quote from: covufan on December 18, 2017, 10:54:53 AM
Back on winning track. There will be no gifts for this Santa.
Valpo 76
S Clara 67
It looks like you are the winner. :thumbsup:
(https://i.imgur.com/k55NVtj.png)
Markus Golder with another really productive game. Since the Purdue debacle Golder is 10-21 from the field, 5-6 from 3PT, and 5-6 from the FT line. He attacks the basket and seems to get after it defensively and he's only a sophomore.
Any away win is a good win--should help rpi
Quote from: underdawg on December 19, 2017, 07:35:48 AM
Any away win is a good win--should help rpi
Technically *any* win helps RPI vs the alternative.
Quote from: a3uge on December 18, 2017, 09:03:46 PM
Quote from: agibson on December 18, 2017, 08:55:49 PM
Quote from: agibson on December 16, 2017, 08:20:29 PM
It looks like it'll be available streaming, but you'll have to sign up for a 7 day free trial.
https://watchstadium.com/network/wcc-network/
is the link that works best for me, where the broadcast is labeled Premium which is described at
https://watchstadium.com/stadium-plus-event/?play_request=https%3A%2F%2Fwatchstadium.com%2Flive%2F113200
On the plus side, you've got until 9 PM central, on Monday, to figure it out.
Looks like it's a free stream after all
http://www.wccsports.com/gamecenter/m-baskbl/gc-121817-sacl.html
Which is good, because the user interface for the other page was pretty horrible.
Argh no Chromecast support?
I could get it on my tv using Chromecast, but I think my laptop struggles to connect with it sometimes, and provide a good view of a game or show.
Quote from: hckjag on December 18, 2017, 09:48:14 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 18, 2017, 09:33:59 PM
Streaming goes blank after 30 seconds. Have to refresh constantly
I had a choppy stream the first 2 minutes of game action and it's been smooth and crystal clear for me ever since. Not sure what would be causing your issues
Once I figured out that it was free, my feed was solid.
I blame the horrible (albeit soft) rhythmic noise (sort of like an electronic drum kit snare) on the (lack of a?) sound engineer.
For awhile I thought that noise was Aaron typing the next game's notes on a selectric! Had that old press row feel to it. Maybe Paul was trying to beat a deadline? 8-)
BTW, if the group of fans that the team pointed to at the end of the game, in the bottom right corner of screen was the Valpo contingent, then we travel well. Great showing--maybe more than SC had there!
I like Hazen coming off the bench. I think he just isn't ready for the caliber that he was facing as a starter. He had a nice game last night. The whole bench shot great from the field (the free throw line....not so much). Hoping for another win on this trip then get Walker back for the conference season. Ready to see the team back at home!
Quote from: M on December 19, 2017, 10:08:52 AM
I like Hazen coming off the bench. I think he just isn't ready for the caliber that he was facing as a starter. He had a nice game last night. The whole bench shot great from the field (the free throw line....not so much). Hoping for another win on this trip then get Walker back for the conference season. Ready to see the team back at home!
This doesn't include last night's stats, but Hazen had the 5th worst PER in the entire country among players with at least 100 minutes played. I'm not sure I've seen a less productive starter. I think he has to prove himself as a capable backup still. He had a few moments last night - probabably more moments than the rest of the year combined. I still thought he looked lost playing zone defense. SC had a few easy baskets after he got lost.
I didn't watch the game, listened to most of it on the radio so I'm mostly just going off the stat line. I probably should have put that in my original statement. For sure, he is still a work in progress.
Good win, but...
QuoteAnother 54% night from the free throw line.
Virgil. Sweet. Method. For the whole team... now. FT shooting is not hard. (It's not. It's 100 percent mechanics and repetition).
Anyone else see the bench when Parker got those 2 points? The bench jumped up and were visibly very happy for him. Everyone knows its been a struggle to start the season for him. I though last night was by far his best game even if he didn't fill up the stat sheet. I played hard and played some good defense last night. When your in a rut its the small victories that can help boost confidence. I've heard the kid is a work horse, which is nice to hear.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2017, 01:26:41 PM
Anyone else see the bench when Parker got those 2 points? The bench jumped up and were visibly very happy for him. Everyone knows its been a struggle to start the season for him. I though last night was by far his best game even if he didn't fill up the stat sheet. I played hard and played some good defense last night. When your in a rut its the small victories that can help boost confidence. I've heard the kid is a work horse, which is nice to hear.
And we fans appreciate your hard work and defense! And we didn't think players posted on this board! ;)
Quote from: vu72 on December 19, 2017, 01:30:48 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2017, 01:26:41 PM
Anyone else see the bench when Parker got those 2 points? The bench jumped up and were visibly very happy for him. Everyone knows its been a struggle to start the season for him. I though last night was by far his best game even if he didn't fill up the stat sheet. I played hard and played some good defense last night. When your in a rut its the small victories that can help boost confidence. I've heard the kid is a work horse, which is nice to hear.
And we fans appreciate your hard work and defense! And we didn't think players posted on this board! ;)
He* haha. I need more coffee
Quote from: valpo84 on December 19, 2017, 09:59:54 AM
BTW, if the group of fans that the team pointed to at the end of the game, in the bottom right corner of screen was the Valpo contingent, then we travel well. Great showing--maybe more than SC had there!
There were 55 registered for the alumni event. More than in Savannah.
(And I can imagine that there were more in attendance than registered through the Alumni Association.)
Quote from: valpo04 on December 19, 2017, 07:13:59 AM
Quote from: covufan on December 18, 2017, 10:54:53 AM
Back on winning track. There will be no gifts for this Santa.
Valpo 76
S Clara 67
It looks like you are the winner. :thumbsup:
(https://i.imgur.com/k55NVtj.png)
Tell us, Mr. Announcer, what covufan has won.Is it...............................(http://tmcmegaraffle.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/150G_GrandPrize_web2.jpg)
No!Is it............................$10,000?NO!It's a new car!(http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/lillabo-toy-car__0175385_PE328763_S4.JPG)
Yes, this brand new toy car made of wood is all yours!
https://twitter.com/PostTribSports/status/943291002986598400
Derrik Smits helps Valparaiso top Santa Clara to end three-game skid
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
December 19, 2017
When Valparaiso arrived in California, the Crusaders had two tougher-than-usual practices in close proximity to Monday night's game at Santa Clara.
"We wanted to challenge our guys to get better, to be better," Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said.
The Crusaders responded, halting a three-game losing streak with a 76-68 win against the Broncos.
Valparaiso (9-3) led by as many as 17 points, but Santa Clara (3-8) closed to three before the Crusaders steadied at the end.
"We defended pretty well in the first half and they got into a rhythm in the second half," Lottich said. "It got to a point our guys just had to start making some plays and they did."
........... http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-santa-clara-st-1220-20171219-story.html
Quote from: wh on December 17, 2017, 11:41:51 AM
The level of gloom and doom on this board is ridiculous. If we can't beat a crappy 3-7 team on the road, then look for us to lose every game home and away from now til Tevonn gets back. If he doesn't come back, then pencil 8-22, or whatever.
We just lost by 1 point to a good Ball State on their court on a shot that that B.S. piss ant wouldn't normally hit more than 2 times out of 10 from that range under that kind of pressure.
We're not going to lay an egg in Santa Clara, California. We're going to lay an egg in Riverside, California.
There, I fixed it for me. ;)