Pre-Season favorite Bears come to the ARC...
Bears looking for Revenge.
Crusaders looking for Respect.
Even though I want to pick a win, until Lottich figures out how to motivate our guys to run better half court sets, we will struggle:
Missouri State 67
Valpo 61
NON-CONFERENCE (10-3) (5-1) (2-1) (3-1)
Date Time Opponent Score Attend High Points High Rebounds
11/10/17 7 p.m. CT at Western Kentucky W 85-80 5241 (14)J.T. Miller (8)J.T. Miller
(8)Alize Johnson
11/15/17 5:32 p.m. SOUTHERN W 86-58 4876 (16)J.T. Miller (14)Alize Johnson
11/17/17 7:02 p.m. NORTH DAKOTA STATE L 54-57 4703 (23)Alize Johnson (20)Alize Johnson
11/20/17 1:30pm vs Georgia Southern L 73-74 823 (17)J.T. Miller
(17)Alize Johnson (14)Alize Johnson
11/21/17 11:00 am vs Manhattan W 69-65 841 (17)Alize Johnson (7)Jarrid Rhodes
11/22/17 1:30 PM vs Florida Atlantic W 71-60 868 (14)Alize Johnson
(14)Jarrid Rhodes (8)Alize Johnson
11/24/17 7:02 p.m. EVANGEL W 80-48 3485 (13)Jarred Dixon (10)Obediah Church
11/28/17 7:02 p.m. COLORADO STATE W 77-67 4895 (20)Ryan Kreklow (8)Obediah Church
12/02/17 7 p.m. vs South Dakota State W 73-53 2001 (20)Alize Johnson (14)Alize Johnson
12/04/17 7 p.m. at North Dakota State W 71-58 1704 (21)Alize Johnson (10)Alize Johnson
12/08/17 7:02 p.m. HAMPTON W 88-75 4612 (17)Jarred Dixon
(17)Alize Johnson (12)Alize Johnson
12/10/17 3 p.m. at Oral Roberts L 66-73 2331 (14)Jarrid Rhodes (7)Alize Johnson
12/19/17 7:02 p.m. WRIGHT STATE W 66-50 3123 (13)Obediah Church (14)Alize Johnson
12/22/17 8:07 p.m. * LOYOLA CHICAGO W 64-59 4583 (24)Alize Johnson (11)Alize Johnson
NON-CONFERENCE (10-3) (5-1) (2-1) (3-1)
## SUMMARY GP GS Min/G FG% 3PT% FT% Reb/G Ast/G Stl Blk Pts/G
24 Alize Johnson 14 14 28.5 .430 .258 .737 10.5 2.4 4 3 14.7
02 Reggie Scurry 14 0 16.0 .586 .333 .667 4.1 0.1 2 11 10.0
23 J.T. Miller 13 8 20.2 .527 .364 .750 3.7 1.5 7 2 9.2
15 Jarrid Rhodes 14 14 27.9 .421 .397 .667 4.5 1.7 8 2 8.6
11 Jarred Dixon 14 8 27.0 .442 .550 .688 2.5 2.6 13 4 7.6
20 Ryan Kreklow 14 6 24.2 .344 .344 .955 2.7 1.9 17 2 7.4
05 Obediah Church 14 14 22.1 .704 .000 .500 5.4 1.0 5 27 6.6
14 Ronnie Rousseau III 12 6 24.5 .400 .417 .688 1.9 2.0 6 1 6.1
34 Tanveer Bhullar 11 0 8.9 .368 .000 .500 2.5 0.5 1 2 3.1
21 Ross Owens 4 0 6.0 .375 .167 .000 0.8 0.0 0 1 1.8
01 Mustafa Lawrence 8 0 5.6 .333 .333 .000 0.9 0.6 4 0 1.4
00 Abdul Fofana 8 0 4.4 .429 .000 .667 1.4 0.1 2 1 1.0
TM TEAM 14 0 0.0 .000 .000 .000 2.6 0.0 0 0 0.0
Total.......... 14 .461 .351 .690 40.9 13.6 69 56 73.1
Opponents...... 14 .382 .310 .668 32.6 10.2 69 50 62.6
TOTALS GP Min O-Reb D-Reb Tot Reb PF DQ Ast TO Ast/TO Hi Pts
Alize Johnson 14 399 40 107 147 32 0 34 30 1.13 24
Reggie Scurry 14 224 26 32 58 29 1 1 15 0.07 18
J.T. Miller 13 263 9 39 48 23 0 20 14 1.43 17
Jarrid Rhodes 14 391 15 48 63 24 0 24 14 1.71 14
Jarred Dixon 14 378 9 26 35 26 0 36 20 1.80 17
Ryan Kreklow 14 339 5 33 38 31 0 26 20 1.30 20
Obediah Church 14 309 34 42 76 29 0 14 15 0.93 13
Ronnie Rousseau III 12 294 5 18 23 27 0 24 18 1.33 12
Tanveer Bhullar 11 98 11 16 27 17 0 6 14 0.43 9
Ross Owens 4 24 1 2 3 2 0 0 1 0.00 5
Mustafa Lawrence 8 45 1 6 7 4 0 5 2 2.50 3
Abdul Fofana 8 35 3 8 11 5 0 1 2 0.50 4
Total.......... 14 2799 171 402 573 249 1 191 170 1.12 88
Opponents...... 14 2800 144 313 457 225 5 143 152 0.94 80
Conference Game Starters Only:
## SUMMARY GP GS Min/G FG% 3PT% FT% Reb/G Ast/G Stl Blk Pts/G
24 Alize Johnson 1 1 36.0 .421 .500 .500 11.0 2.0 1 0 24.0 6-9 Senior
20 Ryan Kreklow 1 1 34.0 .500 .667 1.000 5.0 5.0 1 1 10.0 6-4 Junior
11 Jarred Dixon 1 1 33.0 .200 .500 .000 0.0 3.0 2 0 3.0 6-4 Junior
05 Obediah Church 1 1 14.0 .500 .000 .500 0.0 0.0 1 0 3.0 6-7 Junior
15 Jarrid Rhodes 1 1 21.0 .333 .000 .000 3.0 1.0 0 0 2.0 6-6 Senior
TM TEAM 1 0 0.0 .000 .000 .000 3.0 0.0 0 0 0.0
Team Total.......... 1 .431 .421 .571 32.0 12.0 6 3 64.0
The Missouri State coaches have to be licking their chops at the thought of Alize Johnson being matchup against Parker Hazen and Mileek McMillan (possibly a hobbled undersized Kiser...). It's going to be musical chairs on the bench because there is definitely going to be foul trouble on Sunday.
68-53 Valpo Victory...gotta figure it out eventually (right??) and this is the game they do it.
It's games like this that really magnify our poor parking situation. Possibility of more snow, very cold. One of the more important home games of the year and my guess is we'll be lucky to get 2k.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 30, 2017, 08:39:21 AM
It's games like this that really magnify our poor parking situation. Possibility of more snow, very cold. One of the more important home games of the year and my guess is we'll be lucky to get 2k.
Wait you're telling me walking a quarter of a mile for parking in sub 0 wind chill is bad for business? ;) I think President Heckler would disagree.
Quotes from Coach Lottich after the Indiana State game:
"We're excited," Lottich said. "But we can't think because we're home it's going to fix our problems. We just have to continue to build on the positives.
"Our guys are a little discouraged, but we're going to continue to work."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-indiana-state-st-1229-20171228-story.html
Quote from: valpotx on December 29, 2017, 02:21:30 PMuntil Lottich figures out how to motivate our guys to run better half court sets, we will struggle:
I don't think motivation is the problem. Seems to me that without Burton we simply do not have the level of depth and talent at the 3 or 4 to execute the offense Matt wants to run. We simply do not have the bench depth, experience, or number of outside shooters to make it properly work.
OK! So what do we have available and in surplus supply?
Looks to me that we have 2 extremely high potential level 7' talents in Smits and Sorolla. Back them up with 2 more 6'8" future high potential power forwards who are now better trained and suited to play the 5. Let me recount --that's 1,2,3, 4 out of 11 active roster members who I would call centers and 7 players who are not. Since every coach must use the players he or she has instead of the players he or she wishes they had I'd say Matt has to make some major adjustments. The slow but sure method would be to force centers to be power forwards but that will be a long slow process. OR design an assortment of dual post setups to try to take full advantage of our available talent while minimizing some of our clear limitations. OK Maybe that forces us to play more zone and that isn't what Matt likes to play but when stuck between a rock and a hard place, then stone-cold difficult decisions are your only options.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 29, 2017, 03:20:59 PM
The Missouri State coaches have to be licking their chops at the thought of Alize Johnson being matchup against Parker Hazen and Mileek McMillan (possibly a hobbled undersized Kiser...). It's going to be musical chairs on the bench because there is definitely going to be foul trouble on Sunday.
At this point I am not worried about winning. I just want to be able to compete. If Burtons absence requires an expanded playbook with new combinations, rotations and defensive twists then let the reshuffle begin.
No Kiser tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947196200801001475
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947196980320768000
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947197696602988544
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947198021040709632
Quote from: justducky on December 30, 2017, 02:07:23 PM
At this point I am not worried about winning. I just want to be able to compete. If Burtons absence requires an expanded playbook with new combinations, rotations and defensive twists then let the reshuffle begin.
Agreed. I'm sure Matt and staff are working diligently to get things figured out. That's all anyone can ask.
We are tied for 10th longest active Home Winning streak at 13...
tied with Duke, Michigan State and South Dakota State...
14th would tie us with Kentucky and UC Davis for #8.
I guess that we will find out tomorrow if there is any hope of Burton sticking around. Jubril was on the bench for every home game during his suspension/lost season.
Vegas has valpo as a 1 point favorite
I think you go big. 2 7 footers
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 31, 2017, 08:54:47 AM
Vegas has valpo as a 1 point favorite
I think you go big. 2 7 footers
Vegas is smoking the good stuff, I'm just hoping we keep engaged the whole game. Show some grit.
https://twitter.com/_amleavitt/status/947540066812989440
Probably taking a look at Alize Johnson and Tevonn Walker.
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947553586334007296
Mileek McMillan getting the first start of his career today!
https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/947561568866357248
On the pre-game show Todd just said there is no indication he will return to this team... return this season or ever?
Anyone at the game see Joe in the Arena or on the Bench?
No sign of Joe.
Robbie Hummell is in the house apparently at the ARC.
Best gameday experience in the league...
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/947565357023350789
We are so completely offensively challenged. How many times do we have to see the team be forced into terrible last second shots at the end of the shot clocks.
Outside of Tevonn who else is a strong offensive player on this team? Maybe Bakari but he's inconsistent. 5 minute scoring draughts is unacceptable.
Why is our home video broadcast so slanted towards Missouri State coverage?
When Tevonn's 3 was waved off by an offensive foul (his second) and then Missouri State hit two threes immediately, the game was over. :/
Don't know if it's special for this game. I could see the logic behind it reversed (away team announcers for video assuming majority of their fans cannot attend the road games). I was wondering the same thing though. Todd mentioned being up by the track rather than courtside on the radio broadcast.
we look like a Jr. High team.
Missouri State brings a TV crew to away games. They broadcast game on local TV in Springfield. ESPN3 picks up that broadcast.
Micah bradford is playing like a walk-on... whoever was the lead recruiter (I believe it was coach Lottich) needs to reevaluate who they recruit. I'm sick of seeing people saying Micah is a good shooter. He isn't. He's actually terrible. Micah is a great kid but he's not earning his scholarship right now. I'm not suggesting we take it away either, but we can't have recruiting mistakes like this.
Another embarrassment to be down by 16 at half to a conference opponent at home. This team keeps setting new precedents for low quality play over the tenure of my Valpo fandom.
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 03:41:31 PM
Why is our home video broadcast so slanted towards Missouri State coverage?
I agree. If you look closely at the fine print you will see that it is a MSU production. So we get a "Welcome to Missouri State Basketball" from the ARC. What the F**K? We are flat out terrible. Zero offense. When Bakari passes he just stands there waiting for a return pass. He hasn't take a shot I don't think. They are WAY more athletic. If we keep it to a 30 point drubbing I'd say that was pretty good. Sure hope somebody figures this out.
We're in for a very long first season in the MVC.
In the matter of 1 month, this team has become very possibly the worst offensive team in D-1. If this continues, we will be lucky to win another game this year. I think a 4-14 conference record is too optimistic.
This team is genuinely hard to watch on the offensive end.
Once teams had enough film on us to realize that we can't shoot from outside, they just pack the D inside, and dare us to shoot. It's the Erik Buggs opponent defense, but on our whole team...
The defense on the other hand, consists of chasing around until we leave someone open for an uncontested three, then watching them make it.
What's the worse home loss we have experienced? What's the worse home conference loss?
Top of the key handoff offensive.
Anyone notice out of halftime and a timeout (before the 16 official timeout) we turn the ball over. We can't set plays up to get open looks?
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 04:14:06 PM
Once teams had enough film on us to realize that we can't shoot from outside, they just pack the D inside, and dare us to shoot. It's the Erik Buggs opponent defense, but on our whole team...
Except instead of shooting open shots, we inexplicably try to force a pass to the post, which ends in a turnover.
Announcer just said that we are, 'getting a little taste of Valley basketball today.' Dude, we are 4-0 against Missouri State in the last few years. Take that comment and shove it...
It's the first year, so I'll cut Valpo some slack for not figuring this out, but it seems like the key to the MVC is to flop whenever a player drives. Doesn't matter if the feet were set, or if the defender makes first contact, they'll call an offensive foul every time.
This reminds me of when Alec got hurt and we didn't know or couldn't do anything on offensive.
We are lacking a leader in this team.
Looks like Bakari has been benched. I think McMillan has earned his way into the starting 5 as has Linnsen. That guy is hustling and playing really hard. Sorolla? Not so much.
Who are the announcers? I need names emails and numbers. 4-0 last 4 games against them
At least our free throw shooting is only poor as opposed to our offense and defense which both suck.
Smits has so many available wide open drives to the hoop and he doesn't see it.
Big congrats to Missouri State in catching us in a down year with a litany of FR/SOs, with a very experienced team on their side. They can be happy with their 2 wins that they will get this year, while I will take our 4 wins over the last 5 years.
This team has completely lost it. Hope this is just a funk of a season and it doesn't carry into next year. Maybe this will change the team's approach on offense.
Wow, what a complete horseshit call on Smits there.
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 04:42:43 PM
Wow, what a complete horseshit call on Smits there.
Again, the key to defending isn't standing straight up, it's flopping over.
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 04:42:43 PM
Wow, what a complete horseshit call on Smits there.
He needs to take some acting lessons and learn how to flop. Apparently that works in the Valley.
Vegas has us as a 1 point favorite!
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 31, 2017, 04:32:08 PM
Who are the announcers? I need names emails and numbers. 4-0 last 4 games against them
Apparently MSU can have their announcers doing both home and away games. Nice...for their fans. These dopes are wondering why we started 8-0 and now aren't so good. Apparently forgot Joe Burton isn't on the team.
These announcers are morons, plain and simple. Yes, the Valley is a step up league-wide, there is no denying that fact. However, our teams that won 5 of the last 6 regular season HL titles would play with every single top MVC team during that time period, outside of Wichita State. We are not losing by 20+ because of the league switch, it is simply because we lost 5 Seniors, and are a team of FR/SOs this season, and our top player in his second game back from mono. Don't let facts get in the way of your MVC blinders...
Just to make things complete, we're not rebounding the ball very well either.
But on the bright side, at least we scored over 40, which puts us safely at Jr. High level. If by some miracle we get to 50 we can say we graduated to J V status.
Still going to be a Valpo fan in the morning. Glad to see we have some gritty freshmen bigs.
Smits and Sorolla are soft panty waisted nitty mungers.
P.S. These MSU announcers, well.....
I'm not sure where this Valpo team goes from here. I hope they figure things out. Unfortunately Alec Peters isn't walking through the door to save us. I'm fearful of a last place or second to last finish this year.
Also, those who don't keep up with Valpo basketball like these announcers don't realize the number of seniors we lost, young team, joe not making the grades, walker comin off of mono, etc, and they just think we are weak and the horizon league is weak.
The only way I can figure the ineptitude of the announcers, is that they look at the HL currently at 28th in conference RPI, and seem to believe that it is always as such. I believe that it was usually between 13 and 16 for most of our tenure. However, they would have a media guide that states we had beaten them 4 times in a row, all within the last few years...
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/missouri-state/2011-schedule.html
I guess we welcomed the first place Valley team to the Horizon in 2011?
Yes, they got a taste of Horizon League basketball that day ;D
I thought Mileek played pretty well tonight...outside of that I'm having a hard time. Walkers twoboffensive fouls wiped out 5 points plus a free throw, Golder hasn't done much of anything since we stopped playing JUCO talent teams, Sorolla doesn't look like he's improved at all, and Bradford can't hit water if he fell out of a boat lately.
All that said...I liked starting Mileek and I liked that he tried playing the two bigs together. I don't think our players are broken, I think our offensive system is broken. On just about any half court possession you'll see no more then 2 guys moving at a time. That's sooo easy to defend. We are loaded with athletes design a scheme that works with our strengths. When the offense is bad the defensive effort seemed to follow suit. My confidence level with this coaching staff was at a 10 from last year all the way through the first 5 games this year. I'd say I'm at a 7 right now (I'm an optimist I guess) in believing the coaching staff can turn this around (however that may look) this year.
I took my two sons to the game today, spending $36 to watch that debacle.
I will not spend a dime on this team the rest of the season. I'm only attending games if someone hands me free tickets.
Embarrassing. This feels like 1992.
Are your sons grown? If not, their school ID would've got them in free...heck your old school ID will probably get you in free.
Quote from: a3uge on December 31, 2017, 05:18:38 PM
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/missouri-state/2011-schedule.html
I guess we welcomed the first place Valley team to the Horizon in 2011?
We sure could have used Brandon Wood and Cory Johnson today!
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 03:41:31 PM
Why is our home video broadcast so slanted towards Missouri State coverage?
Because that was the Missouri State TV guys... their own crew, etc. Todd and Dave on the Radio call only
ok, someone ELSE can start the game thread for the Bradley game on Wednesday...
I couldn't make it to the game because of holiday obligations, but this was probably a good one to see from a distance. Valparaiso basketball hosted its first Missouri Valley Conference game, and the results were an embarrassment in every way, on and off the court.
First, we had to endure a broadcast by a Missouri State television crew rather than have Valpo announcers, and in the opening of the show they speak about the high school feel that you get at the ARC.
Second, we have a team that is depleted (Burton is gone, Walker is not 100% yet, we learn Evelyn is sick and has some other personal issues he has to deal with, Kiser is sitting on the bench with one foot in a boot, and Hazen is just plain sitting on the bench...for the whole game).
Third, if Osipoff's twitter report was anywhere near correct ("It's about 33 degrees in the ARC") not only was the ARC looking like a half-empty high school gym, but the temperature inside was as cold as an old barn, which apparently affected only our players' shooting.
Fourth, the team that showed athleticism and speed early in the season has become a group that dribbles and passes outside the arc until a last-second shot has to be taken to avoid a shot-clock violation. Plus, despite this slow down in which it looks like everyone's feet are stuck in cement, the turnovers continue, though at least Valpo kept the total below 20 this time. Hell, if you're going to turn over the ball anyway, why not run and drive to the basket, especially since the outside shooting is so poor?
Fifth, the margin of loss ties the largest at home in conference play since January of 2014. This does nothing to inspire support or give confidence that more students will attend after the break. In fact, I had hoped that the move to the MVC would be a good time to restart publicity, promotion, and community support; however, I have seen no evidence that crowds will be larger or more engaged than in past seasons in the Horizon League. After today, the crowd size at games might even diminish this season.
Sixth, even if Tevonn Walker is a very good player, this team seems to lack a leader. The best Valpo teams have always had good players who also served almost as a coach on the court and a leader among teammates: Bryce Drew, Rowdy Broekhoff, Alec Peters, etc.
Seventh, Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Doug Elgin apparently was in attendance, and I doubt the first impression was a good one.
Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow after toasting in 2018 and feel a little more optimistic, or maybe I'll just have a hangover. :rant:
This team is heading toward a 3-15 conference season. Maybe 2-16.
Paul
Have we ever had a season where we failed to win a game in conference?
Quote from: M on December 31, 2017, 05:46:47 PM
Are your sons grown? If not, their school ID would've got them in free...heck your old school ID will probably get you in free.
One son is a senior at IU and the other is a 7th grader.
I thought "School ID" means, you know, VU student or employee.
Valpo is becoming the Chicago State of the MVC, chipping away at the solid reputation the Valpo basketball program has worked hard to build for over two decades with three different coaches. We are clearly earning - and for good reason - "the pansies of the conference award" while the refs treat us as such. This can't be good for the future of the program or the University. Taking these beatings would be easier to accept if we saw the team improve every game. But they seem to be going backwards without direction and every game they have the "deer in the headlights" reaction to real competition.
I too attended this absolutely embarrassing dismantling. I tried to give myself some time to cool down before posting. It hasn't worked. This offense sucks. Our scheme doesn't suit our personnel. We can't shoot. We can't rebound despite size supposedly being one of our strengths. We can't get the ball into the post, and no amount of timeouts or "coaching" by Lottich does any good. I can't believe we laid such a massive egg in front of the commissioner. That's not good at all. Schools are taking pot shots at our gym, and it's only a matter of time before other fanbases start impugning our program. When we joined the MVC I had confidence that we would become a leading member quickly. Now I'm concerned that we might become the next Drake. As far as I'm concerned if he can't turn it around this year Lottich should enter the 2018-2019 season with the understanding that if he can't show any improvements next year is his last. The MVC isn't an on the job training league. Also please announce some degree of improvements to the ARC before the start of next season. Having opposing announcer groups and tweeters talk about the "high school feel" of the gym and how cold it is in there is so very bad for branding and the school's image. It's almost a black eye. We don't have to do it all at once but can we please at least show some progress? Oh and when multiple fans say that the halftime scrimmage is more exciting than the game? That's bad for businessand it won't help community support (which I thought was pretty good today). That boils down to either recruiting or coaching. President Heckler, MLB, Coach Lottich and everyone else need to decide RIGHT NOW what kind of program we're going to be. Are we a leader in this conference or are we just glad we made it to the MVC? Because right now I see the latter. I see a program that craves exposure but is simultaneity afraid of it. I see a program afraid of its own potential. If everyone else sees what I see then let's invest and make it happen or face the loss of the casual fan and the declining attendance associated with it.
Quote from: valpopal on December 31, 2017, 06:16:28 PM
Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow after toasting in 2018 and feel a little more optimistic...
No you won't. You know as well as I do, this team is in serious trouble.
Two games into a rebuilding season, and we're Chicago State already. Fun stuff!
Also, who gives a :censored: if people think the ARC is a high school gym. Wow, must have been nice for Missouri State fans to watch their team go 17-16 last year in bucket seats.
They have looked crappy more than two games. Yes, Chicago State of MVC.
I have calmed down. It still is a real mess. I do wonder if the team is feeling some degree of sickness. Was anything said on the radio? Bakari looked totally lost out there today. Even Tevonn had an off night and no doubt he will continue to get everyones full attention.
We got drilled by the conference #1 who had also beat Loyola on the road. They are the real deal, five seniors and five juniors. As for the Indiana State loss, on the road, they lost in overtime,also on the road, to Illinois State. Remember guys, three freshman, six sophomores, no Burton and no Kiser. Fazekas and Freeman-Liberty are on the way!!
Quote from: Just Sayin on December 31, 2017, 08:33:43 PMI have calmed down. It still is a real mess. I do wonder if the team is feeling some degree of sickness. Was anything said on the radio? Bakari looked totally lost out there today.
Something was mentioned on the WVUR postgame about Bakari being ill for a couple days but I caught no details. On the positive side only one TO each on Smits and Sorolla and I don't think Hazen had any. ;)
With everybody healthy it could have been much more competitive maybe even a near win, but that is as far as I can go.
Both confidence and defeatism are contagious. This ship needs to be tuned quickly. Hmmmm maybe it needs to be turned as well-- can't hurt.
Quote from: vu72 on December 31, 2017, 08:34:34 PM
I have calmed down. It still is a real mess. I do wonder if the team is feeling some degree of sickness. Was anything said on the radio? Bakari looked totally lost out there today. Even Tevonn had an off night and no doubt he will continue to get everyones full attention.
We got drilled by the conference #1 who had also beat Loyola on the road. They are the real deal, five seniors and five juniors. As for the Indiana State loss, on the road, they lost in overtime,a;so on the road, to Illinois State. Remember guys, three freshman, six sophomores, no Burton and no Kiser. Fazekas and Freeman-Liberty are on the way!!
Thank you for that dose of perspective . It is welcome and needed and helped me a lot. Still, the we're a young team argument even if it is true and valid starts to ring a little hollow right about now. We're at the point of the season where these kids are closer in terms of # of games played or to be played to the start of next year and being the next year up the chain than we are to the start of the season. At what point do these guys stop looking like they've never run an offensive set before? At what point do we begin to see obvious signs of growth improvement and forward momentum? I sure hope we don't have to wait until Fazekas and Freeman-Liberty take the court next year to begin to see at least some of this team's potential.
Our program is still in very good hands, and we are nowhere near being the Chicago State of the MVC. All of my posts are specific to this year's team, which will be much improved next year. However, that doesn't mean that each of these embarrassing losses makes me feel good about this season. These guys are not shooting with any confidence, whatsoever. How many airballs have we thrown up this year? That is just inexcusable for D-1 players.
I will confess to some irrational exuberance after the first 8 games. In those games the team looked really athletic on the perimeter. But that got exposed really quickly when the level of competition rose. Reality stepped in when Burton left and took most of our 3 point shooting with him. Our perimeter players are not that quick. None of them can consistantly take their man off the dribble. Evelyn just does not seem that quick to me. Watching Joseph try to post up bigger defenders is just painfull. Walker tries to take the ball to the rack but he is getting most of the defensive attention, and given the MVC referee's tendency to call charges on flops, his attempts to go to the rim too often result in offensive foul calls.
I pretty much give freshman and first year transfers a pass. At the same time none of them have given me any sense that they have Rowdy, let alone Peters potential. And if we are going to compete in the MVC we are going to have to have at least one or two players of that caliber every year!
I have read a number of times on this board that a player's biggest improvement is between his freshman and sophomore years. If that's so then why do Jay and Smits look so lost most of the time? Jay has no idea what to do with the ball other than to hand it off. Smits at least does try to score occasionally though he is as likely to be called for an offensive foul (after a flop) as to get a shot off. While both can catch the ball better than Vasil at this stage, neither will ever be close to the defender Vashill was. Some years ago I heard a commentator characterize foreign bigs as "pillows". I would put both of our 7 footers in that category right now.
I hope the team can use this season to improve. But quite frankly, I just don't see the talent that will enable us to be more than a bottom dweller in the MVC for some years to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M24IniGfFw
It was mentioned in one of the posts on this thread that several of your kids were sick--that could be. SIU had one kid completely out with the flu and two played with flu symptoms--one, Armon Fletcher still scored a double double. But with the shocking news that Thik Bol would be out for the rest of the year, you can guess, moral was low and we let Drake zoom to a 16 point lead in the half. Miraculously we actually had a chance to win and/ or tie in regulation with two three point attempts one of which rimmed in and then out.
Bol was expected to play, but his knee did not react to practice very well Saturday--and so they shut him down. What I'm trying to say is hang in there. THis league is not going to have Drake and Il State at the top in the end. By the way someone on your board said MSU won two on the road--no, their first win over Loyola was at Springfield.
Well with Bakari sick and Joe out, did we really think we had a chance? Sure wish Matt would stop wearing those ill fitted shirts! Looks like he lost 30 pounds and can't afford to buy new ones!
Matt was our third choice....on top of that I don't know if he's been underneath a good seasoned head coach for a long time that would pass down the knowledge. He may have been promoted too soon.
Quote from: vu72 on January 01, 2018, 07:46:27 AM
Well with Bakari sick and Joe out, did we really think we had a chance? Sure wish Matt would stop wearing those ill fitted shirts! Looks like he lost 30 pounds and can't afford to buy new ones!
Are you a woman?
Quote from: vu72 on December 31, 2017, 04:50:36 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 31, 2017, 04:32:08 PM
Who are the announcers? I need names emails and numbers. 4-0 last 4 games against them
Apparently MSU can have their announcers doing both home and away games. Nice...for their fans. These dopes are wondering why we started 8-0 and now aren't so good. Apparently forgot Joe Burton isn't on the team.
This makes no sense and just isn't fair. Can someone explain why Valpo announcers aren't on TV for a game in Valpo? I thought Valpo got disrespected by LeCrone and the Horizon, but the MVC is doing the same thing. Hopefully, the AD and President are on the phone to the MVC offices today to chew some ass!
Quote from: vu72 on December 31, 2017, 08:34:34 PMRemember guys, three freshman, six sophomores, no Burton and no Kiser. Fazekas and Freeman-Liberty are on the way!!
Valpo is very young and is forced to play even younger without Burton. I don't see much hope for the remainder of the MVC season if Joe doesn't return.
Valpo will still be young next season, with no seniors and with two new starters in Fazekas and Freeman-Liberty. I think it will definitely take time to those new players to gel with the team. Also, it will be interesting to see who steps forward as leaders when Max and Tevonn are gone. Could be a struggle early, followed by a solid MVC showing as players adjust to new roles. I think '19-'20 may be the season this team really steps forward and wins the MVC and/or challenges for an at-large bid. Patience.
On a side note, I hope the staff sees things the same way and is already working on a killer non-conference schedule for '19-'20, because Valpo will be loaded.
I can't remember any team in recent times that was more ineffective and passive on offense than this year's team. We set picks to free a guy up to head to the half-court line. No continuity on offense. No one seems to be looking for an opportunity to score. I can't believe we ended up scoring 50 points after scoring 4 in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half. One of the most disappointing performances that I can remember. Yesterday was the first time I have left a game with 3 minutes to go. I can't believe I drove over 100 miles to watch that fiasco. Most of the guys appeared to care less about the game. I sure hope next week end will be a BIG improvement, at least in effort produced.
Can anyone explain why at the end of the first half we didn't go for a 2 for 1? We had the ball with something like 50 seconds left and settled for a last second drive by Max (who got rejected)???
I can live with inexperienced players. I can't live with poor schemes, game planning, and little effort on the rebounding.
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 04:41:18 PM
Big congrats to Missouri State in catching us in a down year with a litany of FR/SOs, with a very experienced team on their side. They can be happy with their 2 wins that they will get this year, while I will take our 4 wins over the last 5 years.
I remember that one year when Valpo beat MSU in the ARC and Dick Vitale was there. That was awesome.
Sounds like Javon Freeman-Liberty was at the ARC yesterday. Not the best game to take in... He's going to be a big part of our program.
https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/947901322518519809
Valpo football will have a better record that Valpo hoops this year. When was the last time that happened?
Quote from: nkvu on January 01, 2018, 12:44:10 AMOur perimeter players are not that quick. None of them can consistantly take their man off the dribble. Evelyn just does not seem that quick to me.
Evelyn, McMillan, Golder even Kiser are quick enough but all need further practice and experience to improve and refine their ball handling control and attack skills. Bradford seems tentative now maybe because of some poor "attack the basket" decisions in the past. With Hazen who knows? Once defenders back off and invite you to take the shot any chance of driving around them is gone (unless you have Erik Buggs speed).
Quote from: nkvu on January 01, 2018, 12:44:10 AMwhy do Jay and Smits look so lost most of the time? Jay has no idea what to do with the ball other than to hand it off. Smits at least does try to score occasionally
Jays' defenders are inviting him to pivot, shoot or ball fake or attack like Smits with 2 and 3 bounce moves followed by runners or bank shots. We have to figure out a way for him to exploit this because the defensive spacing is helping to shut down our entire offensive flow. With every mistake Derrik makes attacking the basket he is learning something in the process. Because we are in a rebuilding year Jay and Derrik should be given enormous latitude to experiment and refine their 12' and in games. What have we got to lose?
Somebody correct me if I missed it but for the minutes that Jay, Derrik or Marten were on the floor simultaneously, I spotted nothing I would classify in the dual post, two center classification (no new wrinkles). Since nothing else is working this should also fall into the "what have we got to lose?" category. If Smits, Sorrola, and Linssen
can develop then next year can still be special. If they can not make that leap I am not certain the team can either.
I would expect to see more Martin Linnsen as the season moves along. He is much quicker than Derrik or J and showed a mid-range last night. A decent free throw shooter and not afraid to bang down low.
Quote from: vu72 on January 01, 2018, 03:14:42 PMI would expect to see more Martin Linnsen as the season moves along. He is much quicker than Derrik or J and showed a mid-range last night.
I don't know if he is the quickest of the 3 or just just looks like he is hustling harder. All 3 of these guys need to develop their mid range games because if they can hit some 12 footers and complete 2 and 3 dribble moves to the basket, then simple undoubled post moves should be a piece of cake. At some point in the future I would also expect Derrik to be allowed to launch a few open top of the key 3 pointers but lets not confuse todays real needs with tomorrows distant hopes. I know it is hard to imagine Jay, Derrik or Marten taking baby steps but they all need to be able to toddle before they can walk and walk before they can run.
My general gut feeling is that McMillan, Golder, and Evelyn will show huge improvements by 18-19. JINORMOUSE! :o So will we be good next year or REALLY GOOD? The answer to that may depend on Jay, Marten, Derrik and their speeds of development.
Quote from: valpolaw on December 31, 2017, 05:04:34 PMthese announcers
Quote from: valpolaw on December 31, 2017, 05:04:34 PMthey just think we are weak and the horizon league is weak.
We
are weak and the Horizon League
is weak. This message board makes do with making excuses for poor performances but this team will not be any better until Tevonn gains more strength. Then Tevonn will play better but it won't be enough to win. Our leading scorer was "soft" Derrik Smits until Max Joseph finally realized that his three point shooting was as good as running a half court set. Good for Max but it isn't enough that late in the game.
Quote from: EddieCabot on January 01, 2018, 10:04:13 AM
Quote from: valpotx on December 31, 2017, 04:41:18 PM
Big congrats to Missouri State in catching us in a down year with a litany of FR/SOs, with a very experienced team on their side. They can be happy with their 2 wins that they will get this year, while I will take our 4 wins over the last 5 years.
I remember that one year when Valpo beat MSU in the ARC and Dick Vitale was there. That was awesome.
I just listened to the podcast Paul did with the Bradley guy and Paul mentioned this game and how awesome it was to have Dick Vitale there. :thumbsup: :dance: :clap: