Poll
Question:
What is the biggest issue with this Valpo Basketball team?
Option 1: Talent Level of the roster
Option 2: Coaching
Option 3: Lack of effort from the players
Option 4: Bad Luck
Option 5: extensive travel schedule leading to fatigue
Option 6: All of the above
I'm tired of watching this team play so poorly. Watching them is exhausting and aggravating. Maybe this roster and coaching staff isn't as talented as we thought they were.
I've never seen so much public grumbling about the coaching in my time as a fan. Coach Lottich might not be on the hot seat with his boss but he's starting to get on the hot seat with the fan-base.
Lack of effort, by far. They just don't give a sh!t right now. I've seen more hustle at my gym open court sessions.
I can't really say it was any of the above. I think VU is still flawed in its make up. Rebounding is the number one issue with me and offensive play sets the second. The team in my mind is still a work in progress but looking into next year I don't see much help in the rebounding coming in. Defense at times looks good but Ball State certainly showed a weakness in that part of VU's game with the number of uncontested layups that were made. We win or stay close only when our 3 point shooting is decent. Coaching .... not sure yet and don't want to go there until after the MVC games are done. But as I've said the team is still a work in progress with too many guards and not enough rebounding and defense.
Coaching lack of effort bad luck and just a lack of gumption. Nobody's willing to take the bull by the horns. I can't wait until we're successful again so that all of this talk will go away (I hate being so negative) but that feels so far off right now.
Can we please put an end to the excuses resulting from the travel schedule?
If ML takes responsibility as head coaches should do, I'll feel better... for what that's worth.
Coaching - the rest are aftershocks of poor coaching.
Not even sure he can turn it around, guessing he's got this season and next. I'm pulling for him.
Quote from: VU2010 on December 19, 2018, 09:18:50 PMCan we please put an end to the excuses resulting from the travel schedule?
Yes conference play will tighten up travel considerably. Won't be an issue anymore.
I don't know what is wrong with them but I'll watch the replay to see if I can find anything that is right.
KI voted coaching. As much as I admire Matt personally, he has significant deficiencies at this point in his career.
+ stagnant, unflexible attack scheme — no adjustments
+ few special plays to free up clean shots
+ no guts in defending or rebounding
+ failure to see who could make things change — Marcus?)
+ complacent on the sideline
+ excuses, excuses
Sorry Matt but this is what I see and I am not even there game after game.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1075594240644780032
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weTmdGoN_SQ
And rightfully so
Valpo had a hell of a lucky streak that started the 09-10 season and ran until the 16-17 season. We had two NBA caliber players come to Valpo and stay all four years.
Our luck has run out. We are an average Joe mid-major program. Thankfully, we made the jump to the MVC so our floor is higher than it would have been if we stayed in the Horizon League.
Time to adjust to the new normal.
Not naming names because these are college kids, but selfish play not being corrected is an underrated factor.
You forgot to add an obvious option to the poll.........................too much laundry to do.
Quote from: mj on December 19, 2018, 09:42:35 PM
Valpo had a hell of a lucky streak that started the 09-10 season and ran until the 16-17 season. We had two NBA caliber players come to Valpo and stay all four years.
Our luck has run out. We are an average Joe mid-major program. Thankfully, we made the jump to the MVC so our floor is higher than it would have been if we stayed in the Horizon League.
Time to adjust to the new normal.
That was
NOT luck. That was excellent coaching, recruiting and roster construction. You don't just luck into two NBA caliber players. Those teams weren't just successful because of Broekhoff and Peters. Those teams had a ton of pro players during those years and they were very well coached.
I'm sorry and I hate that I am doing this, but I am putting on my retroglasses.
Hiring from within is comfortable and can have its advantages (continuity if done right — Homer to Scott to Homer to Bryce). Going outside requires making big changes to ensure that the target candidate has his demands ($ for salary, increased $ for recruiting, increased $ for ARC improvements) met. With Matt we weren't pressured to do any of the that. Very comfortable. As a matter of fact we probably saved some bucks in the process.
Faith on his sleve aside, Tonagle, IMO, would have these kids kicking butt from day one. Point guards are just that way ;D. He demands control. He demands performance. He demands execution. And it appears he can do in-game adjustments.
We cannot afford to train a HBBC so that we can compete in the MVC by 2024.
Quote from: RS on December 19, 2018, 09:17:10 PM
I can't really say it was any of the above. I think VU is still flawed in its make up. Rebounding is the number one issue with me and offensive play sets the second. The team in my mind is still a work in progress but looking into next year I don't see much help in the rebounding coming in. Defense at times looks good but Ball State certainly showed a weakness in that part of VU's game with the number of uncontested layups that were made. We win or stay close only when our 3 point shooting is decent. Coaching .... not sure yet and don't want to go there until after the MVC games are done. But as I've said the team is still a work in progress with too many guards and not enough rebounding and defense.
I can't count the number of times that a VU player shoots a 3, and the other 4 turn and run back on defense as soon as the ball leaves the shooter's hands. Do they think that every shot is going in ( FG %=47, 3Pt %=33)? Don't good rebounding teams "crash the boards"?
Freakin yes.
When is Matt going to introduce or install the rest of the offense?
Crickets ...
62 - great point on ramifications on hiring within. USC has been doing this with the football program and their athletic administration and it is backfiring. Alums and fans are upset and Helton is on the hot seat.
Regarding Valpo, do they want to be great or do they want to stay mediocre and go with the flow? Right now, the overall attitude is going toward mediocrity. Fans are apathetic when it should be higher when moving to a more competitive conference. Facilities are mediocre with no upgrades. The game experience appears bland. No excitement and they are living on great happenings 20 years ago. ML and Valpo need to evaluate this or they will be in a situation similar to DePaul and Jean Lenti Ponsetto, which is the laughing stock of Chicago sports.
Matt keeps using the line, "Our shots aren't falling."
Figure out why.
Here's two thoughts: 1. The players aren't good shooters; 2. They aren't running an offense that produces good shots.
And obviously, they can't rely on the defense to create fast-break opportunities. It seems like the only sure-fire way for this team to put the ball in the basket is an open dunk.
Remember when the schedule was announced and it was a :censored: schedule but people defended it? Were seeing the ramifications of that now. Playing D2, D3, NAIA etc does NOTHING to help you adjust and get ready for playing quality division 1 programs (and its debatable if texas a+m even qualifies for a quality D1 team). It makes you think that you can do stuff that you actually cant do or arent good at, but you're playing an inferior opponent and it works so you dont know you're not any good at it...shot selections,offense, rotations/lineups, in game adjustments, etc. Just like last year and what were seeing now, it takes us awhile to figure it out and eventually around conference season, when were playing actual legit division 1 teams consistently, we will be able to adequately/hopefully adjust.
Honest Question here:
If you're AD, and this team once again plays, and loses on Thursday in St. Louis, do you make a change?
(Not asking if ml will make a change, would you?)
Where is the LEADERSHIP on this team? They all seem to just be staring at their shoes. Somebody needs to grab some guys by the throat and make it clear that this isn't going to happen any longer. If I were Matt, I would start benching guys. Play Kiser and McMillan and Stalling. What will happen? We will lose. Oh wait, we are doing that with them on the bench so the result may be the same but, it might not or maybe, just maybe, a fire will be lit under a few guys who seem to be sleep walking right now.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 20, 2018, 08:25:08 AM
Honest Question here:
If you're AD, and this team once again plays, and loses on Thursday in St. Louis, do you make a change?
(Not asking if ml will make a change, would you?)
I'd give him 4 years but there is a disturbing trend going on. Coach Lottich might not be the guy and the AD needs to recognize that. Don't double down on a possible mistake. I completely understand the "hire from within" strategy but after talking to some people last night who are more basketball minded people, it appears none of Bryce's 3 assistants were head coaching material. Yes, excellent assistants but that is a very different thing than leading a program and coming up with the game planning and preparation. I want to emphasize the latter.
What's really tough is that Valpo has that huge 2020 recruiting class coming up and if you let Coach Lottich go then you start from 0. But he hasn't come close to earning a contract extension right now.
This is why it is so imperative that he figures this out ASAP.
What is his current contract? When is it up?
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 20, 2018, 09:04:24 AM
What is his current contract? When is it up?
I'm not sure but I've been wondering the same thing. I think it's pretty standard to give 4-5 year deals to new HCs.
Quote from: vu72 on December 20, 2018, 08:31:33 AMPlay Kiser and McMillan and Stalling.
:thumbsup: Start them against PNW with the understanding that if they win they will also start against Illinois St. Start Jay also. His defense is getting back to normal but his offense still shows signs of the month plus off.
Hmmm! Might as well make it a clean sweep and start Sackey as well.
If you think the problem is more on the offense (ranked 212th in efficiency), one way to make it more efficient is for Evelyn to not use as many possessions. Next to Sackey, who uses just under 5% of the teams total possessions on average in each game, Bakari is the least efficient offense player on this team by a fairly wide margin (JFL is next, and he's over 13 points higher in terms of efficiency), but he uses a greater percentage of the team's offensive possessions (just over 18% of the team's total possessions in a game on average). The problem is I don't think you can simply bench him because there's not a lot of depth the team can turn to currently.
If you think the problem is on defense (ranked 178th in efficiency), then they need to figure out how to keep from getting dominated in the paint. They're giving up the 7th most points (as a percentage to the total points given up) on 2 point field goals in the country, and are ranked 265th in 2 point field goal defense. Likely on a related note, they are ranked 294th in defensive rebounding rate.
Me personally I think the bigger issue is on the defensive end. Offense isn't always going to travel, but defense can regardless whether or not the shots are falling. This team seems to be affected on the defensive end if their shots aren't falling on the offensive end, which is not a problem anyone wants to have.
The criticisms being leveled at the program for "hiring from within" are very perplexing to me. At the time Lottich was hired, we were following the Butler model, a model that had produced two Final Fours and had helped get Butler to a better athletic conference. From that standpoint, the move made absolute sense, Greg Tonagel notwithstanding. IMO, it's unfair to throw stones at the AD now for the hiring process that took place then given that Valpo had technically followed the hire from within model from the 1980's.
If the Lottich era implodes (which by the way remains to be seen) and we subsequently continue to hire from within with average or below average results, throw stones at the AD then.
I think the problem is mostly talent. Lottich isn't the only one to blame here. These should Bryce's junior and senior recruits. Lottich decided to plug the roster gap with transfers, but as we've seen that doesn't always pan out. There's a reason why these guys didn't playing time at their bad power conference schools.
Lottich should get 100% of the blame for last year's class. The three freshmen were Mileek, Hazen, and Linssen. That's not going to cut it in the MVC. If I were Lottich I would start making Freeman the focal point of the offense and bench Bakari.
Lets talk guard play and depth.
Sackey is even quicker than I imagined and can get the ball to impossible places. Trouble is he hasn't yet learned what to do with it once he gets it there. I don't look for that to change any time soon. That leaves the core 3 plus Golder and Fazekas. Both of these guys have games better fitting at the 4. That leaves Evelyn, Freeman and Lavender to handle 30+ minutes each of the 120 minutes available. Some additional guard depth would really help.
A healthy Bradford would not have created an either or choice vs Lavender. Deion could have slid from the point to either the 2 or the 3 as the situation dictated. 12 minutes per game from Micah could have meant 4 additional minutes of rest for Javon, Bakari and Deion. Maybe that additional rest would have helped on the defensive end also.
Times have changed. Valpo kept Tom Smith for 8 years-and actually give him tenure, while folks are asking for Lottich's outstretched not even after 3.
3/22 3 pt FG vs TA&M, 3/16 3 pt FG vs BSU. Fazekas 1/12 3 pt FG in 2 games, Bakari 2/12 3 pt FG.
I said it last year and I will say it again -- this is the team that can't shoot straight. In today's college game, you have to knock down open look 3s. You can't open the middle for driving if you don't hit the 3, if you post up and they double, they have to have someone hit an open look. Yes, Bakari's shot rattled around on a number of looks. Down 11 2d half, open 3 rattles out, heads drop, they hit back to back 3s and boom, it's a 17 pt game, set, match. This is the most mentally fragile team I have seen in 30 years since Homer came. Matt's first year was preservation of Alec at VU (many of you seem to forget how worried this Board was in losing Alec), Hazen was highly regarded, not just by this Board. There are misses. This team played hard defensively last night in the first half. They can't score. They have opportunities and miss bunnies, mid-range and long-range. Then pout that they miss shots. We need shooters, plain and simple. Those teams that were successful had multiple 3 threats (Bogan, Broekhoff, Carter, etc.). We have mismatched pieces and need continuity and buy-in. But, there's no solutions down the bench. This is what we have this year. They did come out in the 2d half and played hard and had good energy so adjustments were successfully made (1-3-1, pushing tempo, etc.).
Perhaps we are all underestimating the value Tevonn and Max brought last year even without having their best seasons.....
Quote from: valpo84 on December 20, 2018, 01:23:50 PMthis is the team that can't shoot straight
Very true. I just looked back to 12-13 year and found our top five guys shot the following from the 3:
Broekoff 41.7
Bogan 40.2
Kenney 39.1
Boggs 34.8
Dority 31.1
As a team: 37.2
This year:
Fazekas 39.4
Golder 38.7
Freeman 29.4
Evelyn 29.2
Lavender 25.0
As a team: 32.0
We, at best, will be "streaky" and at worst, abysmal.
Quote from: vu72 on December 20, 2018, 02:29:36 PMThis year:
Fazekas 39.4
Golder 38.7
Freeman 29.4
Evelyn 29.2
Lavender 25.0
As a team: 32.0
I think these stats include the game against Concordia, which inflates things somewhat.
One thing to remember is there is a reason all the players are at Valpo. They have flaws, or they would have taken Power-5 offers (or stayed at one).
Maybe Bryce and Homer were better at masking the flaws.
Quote from: Valpo89 on December 20, 2018, 04:17:18 PM
One thing to remember is there is a reason all the players are at Valpo. They have flaws, or they would have taken Power-5 offers (or stayed at one).
Maybe Bryce and Homer were better at masking the flaws.
Golder is probably one of my favorite players but he has become absolutely predictable. He doesn't pass the ball and the ball handling just isn't great. He does some things really well and other he needs to work on.
I agree with many others thoughts that we may have overrated the talent on this roster, but the coaches need to figure out a way to scheme better. Settling for bad shots at the end of the shot clock isn't acceptable. Also running the offense completely through Smits isn't a great option either. They need need to mix it up more. I'm just sick of seeing the same game plan being ran out there and it's based completely on streaky shoot and Lottich's excuse after the game is, "well we didn't shoot the ball great tonight and your not going to win many games when that happen." Really? Who would have guessed that. :crazy: Maybe it's a roster issue but I have a hard to not putting the blame on Coaching Staff for that. Last years class turned out to be a bust and Mileek is still a project. Micah hasn't developed into the player we hoped he could be before getting injured. Smits is a nice offensive player but has serious defensive/rebounding flaws in his game. I could go on and on.
The last 3 years have been mentally exhausting with this team for various reasons. It's about time we get our act together.
Are we all just throwing in the towel on this team? Our record is about what I thought it might be at this time from our schedule. I was thinking 5 loses at this point.
We lost to WKU. That was not unexpected.
We lost to WV at their home. Did we really think we would win there?
We lost to Wake Forest. This we had a good chance to win but didn't
We lost to High Point. Which we should not have.
We lost badly to Ball State. Which had already beaten three other Valley teams and their loses were mainly to P5 teams so that lose was not totally unexpected either.
We lost to A&M at their home. I did not think we would win that one either, however I didn't think we'd be blown out.
We won good games at UNLV and G. Washington.
At the beging of the year I was expecting to have at least 5 loses at this time of the season. So in my mind, record wise, we are about where I thought we would be. Some of the games were ugly but with the excecption of High Point we did not lose any games that were suppose to be locked up wins.
Having said this I'm not going to tank this season yet. I'll jump overboard if in Conference we end up under .500. Until then I'm still on the boat hoping the shots finally start falling like rain as we get our act together.
For me it's not about the wins and losses but more about how they have played in games. Particularly the last 3 have been abysmal. It's just a consistent trend with some of these performances.
I agree, the last three games were abysmal, but I'm a hopelessly optimist Fan that still wants to see some spark of hope to cheer for until that spark is drowned out.
For a spark can sometimes become a raging fire. One can always wish.
The issue is bigger than the team roster and coaching. There is a stench of apathy all around. Maybe a come to Jesus session at the conversation pit where they pass the joint around would help.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 20, 2018, 12:58:22 PM
Times have changed. Valpo kept Tom Smith for 8 years-and actually give him tenure, while folks are asking for Lottich's outstretched not even after 3.
While times may have changed, the difference is that Tom Smith was the guy
before Drew, and Matt Lottich is the guy who is
not a Drew. I think that's partly why the patience is running thin so quickly as it relates specifically to coaching.
There are some interesting similarities between Tom Smith and Matt Lottich:
-Tom Smith was part of the D-I transitional years. Matt Lottich is part of the post-Drew transitional years.
-Tom Smith was the head coach when the school joined a tougher conference (ACMU). Matt Lottich was the head coach when the school joined a tougher conference (MVC).
-Tom Smith didn't necessarily have a great facility to work with. Matt Lottich doesn't necessarily have a great facility to work with.
-For one reason or another, Tom Smith had some players leave the program. For one reason or another, Matt Lottich had some players leave the program.
And yet, you can't take away the fact that the one that has a regular season title is the one who's on the hot seat so quickly, all things considered. Fandom can be something else sometimes.
Joe, good report. I think Valpo is more committed to basketball today compared to the 80's, despite the fact that Smith was a very ineffective coach. However, it is fair to say that the overall Valpo commitment to basketball is still lacking compared to most school in the MVC or in similar situations.
What do you say we give Coach Lottich and the team a clean slate for conference play with the following expectations?
1. The team must show up and compete hard every game
2. Make tangible steady progress on offense defense and in rebounding and in game adjustments.
3. Defend home court: Last year we lost 4 home MVC games This year let's shoot for 3 or less
4. Win on the road: Try to win at least 3 road games
5. Improve our conference position and conference record
6. Win at least one game in St Louis
Bonus points for:
.500 or better conference record
10+ MVC wins
12+ MVC wins
14+ MVC wins
Avoiding the Play in games
Top 5 finish
Top 3 finish
Conference Title
Each additional win in St Louis
NCAA appearance
If they hit 4 or more of the six and\or hit 3 bonus categories I agree to stop riding the team and coaches so hard A new set of expectations will be drafted next year. Who's with me?
Quote from: crusaderjoe on December 21, 2018, 07:04:54 AM
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 20, 2018, 12:58:22 PM
Times have changed. Valpo kept Tom Smith for 8 years-and actually give him tenure, while folks are asking for Lottich's outstretched not even after 3.
While times may have changed, the difference is that Tom Smith was the guy before Drew, and Matt Lottich is the guy who is not a Drew. I think that's partly why the patience is running thin so quickly as it relates specifically to coaching.
There are some interesting similarities between Tom Smith and Matt Lottich:
-Tom Smith was part of the D-I transitional years. Matt Lottich is part of the post-Drew transitional years.
-Tom Smith was the head coach when the school joined a tougher conference (ACMU). Matt Lottich was the head coach when the school joined a tougher conference (MVC).
-Tom Smith didn't necessarily have a great facility to work with. Matt Lottich doesn't necessarily have a great facility to work with.
-For one reason or another, Tom Smith had some players leave the program. For one reason or another, Matt Lottich had some players leave the program.
And yet, you can't take away the fact that the one that has a regular season title is the one who's on the hot seat so quickly, all things considered. Fandom can be something else sometimes.
Since Valpo went through the Drew era there certainly are greater expectations for Coach Lottich--mainly because he had the benefit of being an asst coach under Bryce Drew and because success has now become expected for the Valpo program. I wonder how many people thought the Valpo program would have the same success under Tom Smith that many fans think Matt Lottich should be expected to have at Valpo.
I'm with ya VU1314. You inspired me when you reminded me we didn't give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor. :)
But seriously you make good points. I said the Illinois State opening MVC game is crucial to win at home. But I do plan to give them a good long chance over 4-6 games to do what you've described.
Depends on his contract. If he has a 3 year contract, yes. If he has a 4 year contract, it depends on the stipulations of the contract. What's the buyout?
We MUST be thinking about the 2020 class and all the seniors we'd be losing after next year. Better yet, I'd talk with the players and get a read on their plans for the following year. If many were going to be seeking transfer options, then yes I'd go ahead and move on, especially if the buyout wasn't too high.
Quote from: VU2010 on December 22, 2018, 07:30:29 PM
Depends on his contract. If he has a 3 year contract, yes. If he has a 4 year contract, it depends on the stipulations of the contract. What's the buyout?
We MUST be thinking about the 2020 class and all the seniors we'd be losing after next year. Better yet, I'd talk with the players and get a read on their plans for the following year. If many were going to be seeking transfer options, then yes I'd go ahead and move on, especially if the buyout wasn't too high.
I think Paul mentioned that Valpo gives 4 year contracts typically. When did Bryce get his extension? I'd be willing put $ down that Valpo won't buy out Matt. A. I think he deserves 4 years and B. that's not Valpo's style. They won't pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to fire someone. Maybe they have a buyout provision but I highly doubt they'd cut him.
Paul mentioned the possibility for grad-transfers at the end of the year... I'm wondering if he has heard something that we haven't about the players possibly transferring...
I wouldn't make any decision about firing a coach based on anyone on this roster transferring. If I had to guess what will happen, we'll end up extending Coach Lottich when all is said and done.
If Matt is not the guy, and you stumble through conference and players start bailing, he has to go. Holding onto him because you're too cheap to buy out a mistake sets this program back five years. We're not in the Mid Con anymore. With our facility and lack of local support we have NO margin of error anymore.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 22, 2018, 08:51:41 PM
Paul mentioned the possibility for grad-transfers at the end of the year... I'm wondering if he has heard something that we haven't about the players possibly transferring...
I didn't recall hearing that, but it certainly is a concern. Bakari, Markus, Derrik and Ryan are all in their 4th year of college and could be on track to graduate in the spring. I have no reason to think any of them would leave, but may have that opportunity.
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 22, 2018, 09:26:19 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 22, 2018, 08:51:41 PM
Paul mentioned the possibility for grad-transfers at the end of the year... I'm wondering if he has heard something that we haven't about the players possibly transferring...
I didn't recall hearing that, but it certainly is a concern. Bakari, Markus, Derrik and Ryan are all in their 4th year of college and could be on track to graduate in the spring. I have no reason to think any of them would leave, but may have that opportunity.
Start: 39:20
https://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/union-street-hoops/podcast-union-street-hoops-coal-in-valpo-s-stocking/article_bc919a3a-04ac-11e9-8c55-3bfae0ee6c9a.html
I rolled my eyes a bit when Paul mentioned Valpo finished 2nd behind Purdue for Brandon Newman. That was a distant second place. Great kid and I wish him well. He's a hell of a player. The coaches have landed some pretty good players (I think) but they haven't landed any program changing players yet. Newman could have been that guy, I don't fault the coaches for not out recruiting Purdue there. Maybe they land Skogman and he's that type of player. Or maybe they land a transformational talent in the 2020 class.
Recruiting really isn't my greatest concern with this program. It's been the lack of a cohesive offense for a while now and even the defensive break downs lately. The spirit of this team seems lost.
https://www.athleticbusiness.com/emergency-response/basketball-player-defies-odds-post-cardiac-arrest.html
Nice article on Skogman. However it doesn't look too good that Valpo will land him.
"It's been a forever-changing experience," Skogman said of the past nine months. "I've gotten the low-majors in the spring, and then in the summer I had the heart problems and ended up getting some high-major offers. I'm definitely looking to go to a bigger school right now."
Quote from: VUBBFan on December 22, 2018, 10:53:46 PM
https://www.athleticbusiness.com/emergency-response/basketball-player-defies-odds-post-cardiac-arrest.html
Nice article on Skogman. However it doesn't look too good that Valpo will land him.
"It's been a forever-changing experience," Skogman said of the past nine months. "I've gotten the low-majors in the spring, and then in the summer I had the heart problems and ended up getting some high-major offers. I'm definitely looking to go to a bigger school right now."
Bummer.
Skogman is our lone remaining scholarship offer in the 2019 class.
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 22, 2018, 09:26:19 PMBakari, Markus, Derrik and Ryan are all in their 4th year of college and could be on track to graduate in the spring.
Derrick has already graduated.
Given PO's comments and the fact that we have so many potential graduate transfers and the increasingly more forgiving waiver process I can't shake the feeling that this conference season is make or break and if we don't succeed we're about to get decimated. I think he knows something. I think some players may have already signaled their departure or are at least hinting at the possibility. It would certainly explain the inexcusably terrible effort we've seen the past two games. I've gone from optimistic about the future to very concerned. I don't think this has anything to do with the rigors of moving up to the MVC I think they might be tuning out\getting tired of Lottich for whatever reason.
Any chance Micah comes back this year? Let's hope so. I did notice ML had a bigger sheet of paper last game. Not sure what is on it - seemed like the same old, same old to me. We've seriously regressed. Horribly. And, I don't get how that's on the players. Doesn't even talk to them during timeouts. The man's getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, presumably. Should have weekly press conferences and talk with the media to get some of these questions answered ... at a minimum. All so sectetarive.
Quote from: FWalum on December 23, 2018, 01:23:47 AM
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 22, 2018, 09:26:19 PMBakari, Markus, Derrik and Ryan are all in their 4th year of college and could be on track to graduate in the spring.
Derrick has already graduated.
Are you testing me? His name was spelled correctly in the quote yet you spelled it incorrectly anyway.
In 2014 I predicted that the day Bryce left would be the day the music died for Valparaiso men's basketball:
Quote from: wh on March 23, 2014, 04:33:32 PM
As I've said a few dozen times before, VU men's basketball is living on borrowed time due to the administration's ongoing refusal to address facility needs. Every Valpo fan/alumnus should thank their lucky stars for Bryce and his ability to succeed despite the lack of support he needs and deserves. The day Bryce leaves is the day the music died. Anyone who thinks Greg Tonnagel or anyone else can waltz in here and recruit the way Bryce has with a glorified high school gym for facilities is kidding themselves.
Oh, no need to remind me of the never ending, always changing list of critical facility needs "far" more important than upgrading the ARC. I understand. Difficult choices sometimes have to be made. I only hope the the administration understands that remaining competitive is no different for the men's basketball program than for the science program, or a restaurant, or any other business venture. If you fail to invest in facilities comparable to those of your competitors, you will not remain competitive. This is an indisputable fact.
Thus, like it, don't like it, care, don't care, believe it or don't, it is where we're headed beginning the day Bryce Drew leaves - the day the music died.
I am highly concerned that what I prophesied 4 years ago is playing itself out as we speak. I only hope I'm wrong.
How can a school that's so expensive be so woefully behind in all aspects of facility development? Yeah they're doing a great job playing catch up now but where was this initiative years even decades ago? What were they doing with all that money before if not reinvesting it in the school?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 23, 2018, 11:59:53 PM
How can a school that's so expensive be so woefully behind in all aspects of facility development? Yeah they're doing a great job playing catch up now but where was this initiative years even decades ago? What were they doing with all that money before if not reinvesting it in the school?
The previous admin neglected to renovate and build new and much needed buildings. We've been playing catch up for a while now.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 23, 2018, 11:59:53 PM
How can a school that's so expensive be so woefully behind in all aspects of facility development? Yeah they're doing a great job playing catch up now but where was this initiative years even decades ago? What were they doing with all that money before if not reinvesting it in the school?
Further context: compare the last, say, 20 years to the growth and campus enhancement of many selective D-III institutions, some of whom have endowments that are below Valpo's. They have kept pace with overall campus needs, but they have also kept apace athletically. No athletic scholarships, no gate revenue at athletic events, sponsorship of 20+ varsity sports and maybe a number of club sports, and investment in athletic facilities to support all that. In many (most?) cases, those investments make Valpo's athletic plant pale in comparison. How do they manage that?
Oh, oh. We're back to facilities —— — again. Facilities are not what's wrong with this Valpo MBB team.
I have been saying for years as people praise the heck out of Heckler for talking about athletics. Words are wind, show me something.
Quote from: bbtds on December 23, 2018, 10:07:39 PM
Quote from: FWalum on December 23, 2018, 01:23:47 AM
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 22, 2018, 09:26:19 PMBakari, Markus, Derrik and Ryan are all in their 4th year of college and could be on track to graduate in the spring.
Derrick has already graduated.
Are you testing me? His name was spelled correctly in the quote yet you spelled it incorrectly anyway.
I know how to spell Derrik's name and have spelled it correctly many times, this was an auto correct mistake, as a matter of fact it almost happened again. Need to put his spelling in the database.
Valparaiso's administration has always been reactive than proactive and it pisses me off.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 20, 2018, 08:25:08 AM
Honest Question here:
If you're AD, and this team once again plays, and loses on Thursday in St. Louis, do you make a change?
(Not asking if ml will make a change, would you?)
No.
Compare and contrast this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oqy0khPL8g&fbclid=IwAR03C1E2E4iXZWPZDvMEDUMjYSoqXs2JFG6DGRECBNJV0Zhclx2nPkSTQlw
To this:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25654651/steve-alford-doomed-lack-self-awareness-ucla
Both are successful basketball players from the midwest who eventually went into coaching spending time in the MVC early in their careers.
The former is a struggling young head coach who is reflective and clearly working on getting better. He frequently consults his coaches to gain insight and perspective. What he said about his time off during the holidays took incredible self-awareness and gives plenty of reason to believe that he will improve and grow into this role. He also clearly lives by his faith and has good morals.
The latter is successful but self-absorbed. Clearly doesn't reflect on his coaching lacks self-awareness and has bad morals despite professing to be a man of faith. Leaves little reason to hope for improvement because he already knows everything. Just ask him.
Give me the former every time.
Don't know but would like to purchase the warm up top that Golder is wearing
I agree with 1314's take on Lottich. He seems like a good fit for Valpo in a lot of ways, but is still finding his way as a fairly new head coach.
The article you posted on Alford's firing is interesting. Medcalf has been critical of Alford for a number of years, so I'm not surprised to see him dancing a jig over his firing. It's also interesting that he is quick to cite how much UCLA fans/supporters didn't like Alford, but of course, these were the same fans/supporters who ran Ben Howland out of town after he won 69% of his games and took the Bruins to 3 Final Fours. He won the Pac-12 in his final season.
UCLA spends relatively little (compared to ACC or B1G ) on their program, yet they are still expecting success like they had in the days of John Wooden and Sam Gilbert. It will be interesting to see who they hire, but if I was a top 25 or so coach, I would run the other way.
On a side note, I saw that Murry Bartow was named interim HC (old-timers will understand the connection to Valpo).
Good luck changing this program with an attitude like this ... Lottich: "I'm not superstitious. I'm evaluating every single day. It's just the way it's going to be from now on. I'm not changing who I am. If you don't compete in practice, you're not going to be playing much."
Quote from: VU2010 on December 31, 2018, 03:28:29 PMGood luck changing this program with an attitude like this ... Lottich: "I'm not superstitious. I'm evaluating every single day. It's just the way it's going to be from now on. I'm not changing who I am. If you don't compete in practice, you're not going to be playing much."
When energy and toughness are our main issues how on Earth is playing the guys who bring it in practice and practice well a bad idea?
Oklahomamick, I also really like the Jordan warm up shirt Golder is wearing. I would definitely buy one if the university was ever smart enough to sell them. I've been saying it for a year or so now that the players always have really nice apparel that for who knows why is not also for sale on the bookstore website. I presume it's also not available on campus at the bookstore. If you go to the bookstore online, the apparel is hideous, looks like it's from the 80s, and is never remotely similar to what the team has to wear. Not sure why they wouldn't want fans/alumni wearing valpo apparel to continue promoting the school. I live out of state and often get questions about valpo when I wear a valpo shirt. It would be great to get some actually nice apparel. I think this also goes to the university always being reactive and not proactive as USC mentioned earlier. It surely is frustrating.
Valpo needs to understand that the I like Ike days are over. They should find out what merchandise appeals to their consumers.
Y'all are so right regarding the merch comments. Like it was said, reactive. Again, have an open forum. Let us fans provide our take on things - for what it's worth. Can it hurt, right? Game day experience. Merchandise. Facilities. Etc. amany hands make light work, they say. And together we can accomplish more.
Quote from: valpolaw on December 31, 2018, 04:12:02 PM
Oklahomamick, I also really like the Jordan warm up shirt Golder is wearing. I would definitely buy one if the university was ever smart enough to sell them. I've been saying it for a year or so now that the players always have really nice apparel that for who knows why is not also for sale on the bookstore website. I presume it's also not available on campus at the bookstore. If you go to the bookstore online, the apparel is hideous, looks like it's from the 80s, and is never remotely similar to what the team has to wear. Not sure why they wouldn't want fans/alumni wearing valpo apparel to continue promoting the school. I live out of state and often get questions about valpo when I wear a valpo shirt. It would be great to get some actually nice apparel. I think this also goes to the university always being reactive and not proactive as someone mentioned earlier. It surely is frustrating.
Apparrell and a proper Valpo flag or weather proof pennant flag.
Sooo true!!!! I have been looking everywhere online for the white Valpo flag -Brown does not work for me. (One on eBay now USED for $29.99) ???
It's sad that we as alumni are willing to spend the money and show our pride and all we get are outdated tee and sweat shirts. I buy my attire now through an outside vendor - sorry VU bookstore you just don't have it together yet.
Quote from: VALPO LI on December 31, 2018, 05:54:34 PM
Sooo true!!!! I have been looking everywhere online for the white Valpo flag -Brown does not work for me. (One on eBay now USED for $29.99) ???
It's sad that we as alumni are willing to spend the money and show our pride and all we get are outdated tee and sweat shirts. I buy my attire now through an outside vendor - sorry VU bookstore you just don't have it together yet.
At the beginning of the season the athletics department put out the social media post that gave fans the chance to order official Valpo basketball gear. It was only a limited time offer I believe.
Yes, the last several posts are what is wrong with the 2018-19 team on the court. Got it.
YETI merchandise with the Valpo logo would be really cool - particularly the 20 and 32 ounce tumblers.
For women, how about yoga pants, leggings and jackets? maybe something stylish to lululemon?
Black alibaba like down jackets with the logo.
Clothing specific for women's fit and style.
Koozies
Facilities issues:
Increase seating in the north end
chair backs on both sides
Basket bases need to be extended beyond the out of bounds lettering
Activities during timeout
Provide a dinner package before the game
Get students more engaged
Out of conference home and home games against DePaul, UIC, NIU, ND, Purdue, USC, Xavier, Marquette
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 01, 2019, 03:58:17 PM
Facilities issues:
Increase seating in the north end
chair backs on both sides
Basket bases need to be extended beyond the out of bounds lettering
Activities during timeout
Provide a dinner package before the game
Get students more engaged
Out of conference home and home games against DePaul, UIC, NIU, ND, Purdue, USC, Xavier, Marquette
The least likely of this list of wishes are those home and homes with the bigger schools. I include Butler over everyone any on that list, which is still unlikely to happen.
We definitely get a series with UIC and NIU. I'm not sure there is a lot to gain from NIU as a opponent other than it being more interesting than series with the SIUEs, UCRs and whatever other lower major series we've entered into the last few years.
ARC improvements has been getting more chatter recently but talk is cheap. Hopefully they have a few lead donors but I'm going to take the pessimists view point and say they don't currently.
Nobody is saying these things will directly lead to an automatic improved performance on the court. But, the thought is to build the program thru a dedicated obligation to invest in it - fiscally.
While wondering why this thread has devolved into everything except the original intent of the poll (what's wrong with this Valpo Basketball team), I took another look at the poll choices and concluded that there was a glaring omission among the choices: Lack of on-floor leadership. Few, if any, of us have addressed this critical component of wining basketball.
Thoughts? Who is (are) our on-floor leader(s)?
ML seems to be waiting for that player or players to emerge and take on that responsibility.
[tweet]1079823414217588741[/tweet]
[tweet]1079823070716743681[/tweet]
62 and 2010 - I am just providing ideas to make us more proactive and positive to make the basketball program better. Also, if we are persistent and aggressive, I think we can schedule home and homes against these teams - especially with a bigger and better facility.
Think big!
Three of those schools will never schedule a home and home series with us, regardless of any ARC improvements. Three others have at best a 5% chance of happening as 2 for 1s, although all three continue to say no. Two could happen.
I think series with the likes of HL teams or MAC teams many of whom are within easy travel distance would be far more interesting than non-D1s as well as a boost to the SOS. No one's saying you have to bring in the top 1-2 teams from these leagues every year (that's hard to predict anyway) but a series probably costs about the same or less than buying a non-D1 anyway.
A home and home with DePaul won't ever happen?
I wouldn't say a home and home with DePaul will never happen but they have said no every time we have asked to this point. We will ask again for the coming season. The last time we played them in men's basketball, 1980. They have said no to quite a few Valpo coaches.
Quote from: ml on January 01, 2019, 10:21:51 PM
I wouldn't say a home and home with DePaul will never happen but they have said no every time we have asked to this point. We will ask again for the coming season. The last time we played them in men's basketball, 1980. They have said no to quite a few Valpo coaches.
Good to see ML engaging in the forum discussion! :thumbsup:
As I sit next to the crackling fire bourbon in hand this last evening of the holiday week, I must commend vulb#62 for bringing us back onto the thread topic! :thumbsup:
Tweet posts are right on by PO....interesting to read that ML thinks that he is "more focused on getting this team to compete in a way every night and every day in practice that represents our program well."....is the team not competitive in practice? Is this why we are seeing the inconsistency from one game to another? Who is our leader on the hardwood floor this year? Who will "lead" the Crusaders to Victory by voice and or action on the court as we enter league play tomorrow? High fives going into time outs are not enough.... Kiser your energy is great but we need more....more on the floor. I thought it could be Evelyn after watching him play in DC, on fire the young man was.....but since then :-[ i do not know! So I will wait patiently as my glass is now empty...to see the young men in brown and gold play with fight and grit against the flock of birds that enter the arc tomorrow night. Perhaps then we will truly know if this team has grit and toughness.
I really thought that Evelyn would step into that role after last season. I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the year we start to see the freshmen Freeman and Sackey take up a greater leadership role. They are already showing a willingness to lead by example with the effort and energy they bring. Other candidates are Golder and (for this year anyway) Lavender.
I see the two freshmen starting to shine. Sackey hustles and that young man can fly all over the court, just has to control the turnovers....that will come in time. I want to see Smits step up and lead this team. I like when he owns the paint under the rim. Have a game tonight D!!!!! :thumbsup:
DePaul thinks they are big time, when in reality they are buffing a turd.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 01, 2019, 04:30:41 PMLack of on-floor leadership. Few, if any, of us have addressed this critical component of wining basketball.
Hold on! Back on December 20 I posted:
Where is the LEADERSHIP on this team? They all seem to just be staring at their shoes. Somebody needs to grab some guys by the throat and make it clear that this isn't going to happen any longer. If I were Matt, I would start benching guys. Play Kiser and McMillan and Stalling. What will happen? We will lose. Oh wait, we are doing that with them on the bench so the result may be the same but, it might not or maybe, just maybe, a fire will be lit under a few guys who seem to be sleep walking right now. ;)
I believe Bakari injured his foot in the tournament last year, had problems with it this summer, and that is what's hurting again. I imagine a foot injury could definitly impact his shooting.
I definitely think leadership on the floor is missing. The guys seem to like each other, but they don't seem to have a team leader to push them on the court. Jubril was that guy and they lost him and then Lexus left leaving Tevonn and Max who were both soft-spoken but tough. Now we have a vacancy and two years without a good model for the younger guys. Someone needs to step up. I could see it being a freshman but it could also easily be Derrik.
I do wonder about the seeming confusion as to why good practices haven't translated to good on-court chemistry and I hope that Matt is increasing the stakes and intensity of practice to forge some toughness and new leaders.
Quote from: vu72 on January 02, 2019, 08:31:36 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 01, 2019, 04:30:41 PMLack of on-floor leadership. Few, if any, of us have addressed this critical component of wining basketball.
Hole on! Back on December 20 I posted:
Where is the LEADERSHIP on this team? They all seem to just be staring at their shoes. Somebody needs to grab some guys by the throat and make it clear that this isn't going to happen any longer. If I were Matt, I would start benching guys. Play Kiser and McMillan and Stalling. What will happen? We will lose. Oh wait, we are doing that with them on the bench so the result may be the same but, it might not or maybe, just maybe, a fire will be lit under a few guys who seem to be sleep walking right now. ;)
Yes, you did 72. You, and only you, commented on the leadership factor (does one poster qualify as "few"? Unfortunately, no one jumped on your band wagon at the time.
In effect, Matt has altered his approach, if you go by his quotes, and is doing a little bit of what you suggested. Starting now depends on practice intensity and performance. Hope this change gets locked in and there is no backsliding to a set lineup despite reduced performance. Every player can and will have a bad game every now an again, but it's the on-court determinination and intensity that cannot be allowed to wane. Shots aren't falling? Double the defensive effort. Move faster within the offensive scheme.Yadda, yadda....
Grounds for being substituted for:
>> Laziness at either end of the court
>> Sulking if things aren't going well.
>> Looking for excuses.
>> Complaining.
Not to be all "me too me too me too" but this was me after teh Texas A&M game :)
Quote from: crusader05 on December 21, 2018, 10:50:56 AM
From what i've heard is the the team does like each other. They just don't seem to know how to push each other. They play well together and they fall apart together. This team really really really needs a leader on the floor to get them through. Honestly this team really hasn't had that in a long time. Jubril was probably the best one and he missed half or more of this final season. Max and Tevonn never were vocal leaders and I've heard that last year Joe Burton didn't have a great attitude that rubbed off on the teammates.
There seems to be a confusion as to why their off campus fun and positivity when things are going well in practice isn't translating on the court. I think that there needs to be a focus on team development and healthy team building
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 02, 2019, 11:48:04 AMYes, you did 72. You, and only you, commented on the leadership factor (does one poster qualify as "few"? Unfortunately, no one jumped on your band wagon at the time.
Fake news! We have discussed this in detail in many different threads. If you were listening carefully then, you would have no need for us to repeat ourselves. ;)
Quote from: justducky on January 02, 2019, 01:00:31 PM
We have discussed this in detail in many different threads. If you were listening carefully then, you would have no need for us to repeat ourselves. ;)
Ducky, my point was that the poll options did not include "lack of on-floor leadership" in the first place -- a very important ingredient in winning basketball. It was not an available selection and, as a result, very few posters hit on that as a factor -- and I, along with 72 and 05 (sorry that I missed you 05; anyone else that I missed?) believe it is a big one. This thread is where all of the "many different threads" that contained comments about program/team deficiencies was consolidated under one theme. And thanks, BTW, for starting the poll and thread. But, by your logic in the linked quote above, if all of us had been listening carefully to all those other threads, we wouldn't have needed this thread in the first place, because we would be repeating ourselves about coaching, talent level, luck, etc., etc. from those other threads. ;)
The game tonight will be important in many ways, because the poll selections, with the addition of on-floor leadership, will be the checklist for a lot of us to measure how this team has adjusted to a disappointing OOC schedule going into MVC play.
My biggest questions going into game time tonight:
1. Do we see a team that's fired up to represent their home court in year 2 of Valpo in the Valley?
2. Do we see a coaching staff equipped to make timely in-game adjustments?
3. Do we see a fan base willing to help create a game day feeling for the Crusaders?
4. Do we improve on rebounding? 3 pt shooting? Cut the turnovers down some?
I know there were questions a few weeks back on this thread about ordering team gear - the women's online team store is currently open through Friday offering Valpo basketball gear.
https://www.bsnteamsports.com/v3/shop/team_shop/VUWBBGEAR#/
The record of this team in the first four games in the Valley as contrasted with the issues discussed in this thread shows what a complete u-turn this team made at the end of the Illinois State game. It simply is incredible! Nobody I know would have predicted this kind of complete turn around.
Given the turnaround, it seems that this thread is outdated. Maybe we should move these discussions to MBB 2018-19.
I'm not sure what caused the turnaround. But, I'm glad that it happened.
If the team once again regresses, maybe we can return to this thread. In the meantime, maybe we should boycott it.
Quote from: 4throwfan on January 15, 2019, 03:47:26 PM
Given the turnaround, it seems that this thread is outdated. Maybe we should move these discussions to MBB 2018-19.
I'm not sure what caused the turnaround. But, I'm glad that it happened.
If the team once again regresses, maybe we can return to this thread. In the meantime, maybe we should boycott it.
Are you sold on Valpo's offense yet? I'm personally not. The defense & energy/effort is what has carried this team. This team still has a lot to improve on. Things have been great the last few weeks though. We're on a good streak right now.
But things aren't as doom and gloom as when this thread was created a few weeks ago.
2014, I'm not sold on anything yet, my suggestion to boycott was simply karma.
I just joined this forum today. I had to see if anyone is wondering what happened to VU BB this year. Glad to be part of this, hoping for better.
Mid-February, four conference games to go and sadly, I can't see this Team winning again the way they are playing. While there are flashes of greatness, the overall effort from this Team has failed, IMO, to reach it's potential. We have good players with D-1 MVC talent to compete with all the Teams. We can beat any of these Teams in the MVC! Compete for 40 minutes! Win or lose give it 100% - it's what these guys are on that court to do. Right?
I'm a season ticket holder, I see each Team's coaching and player efforts - live - right in front of me. Fans - Something is missing from the top down here at VU. Coach is a good guy, but the play calling and match ups during the game make me wonder if anyone knows what's going on out on the court.
I see Coach Matt calling out, walking back and forth, frustrated like he's a player in the game that can't get the ball. Coach: Start coaching, teaching, and talking through the game with your players when they are on the bench. Give them something to take to the game. You have talent on that bench, coach them up!
QuestionS - Why is our smallest guy the one driving to the basket game in and game out? Daniel Sackey - Most heart - Most Competitive - Get It Done attitude.
Why is it not the game plan to have fearless Marcus Golder driving the lane - Banging the boards - Kicking it out or putting it in the hoop from the paint?
Am I the only one seeing open shots that are not taken by this team? Why pass if the shot is open? Shoot it and have our 7 foot tall guys rebound if you miss. Come on Valpo!!! Win or Lose - Send me home knowing you played your hearts out! Give it everything you got! Played the best game you can from start to finish! Hustle! If you're down a couple points in the last couple minutes- speed up the play - drive to the basket! Score!!! Defend full court. Come On! LET'S GO VU!
First of all, welcome to the board! Second of all, I would assess the caffeine intake a bit.
Quote from: Midwest is Best on February 19, 2019, 01:07:34 PM
I just joined this forum today. I had to see if anyone is wondering what happened to VU BB this year. Glad to be part of this, hoping for better.
Mid-February, four conference games to go and sadly, I can't see this Team winning again the way they are playing. While there are flashes of greatness, the overall effort from this Team has failed, IMO, to reach it's potential. We have good players with D-1 MVC talent to compete with all the Teams. We can beat any of these Teams in the MVC! Compete for 40 minutes! Win or lose give it 100% - it's what these guys are on that court to do. Right?
I'm a season ticket holder, I see each Team's coaching and player efforts - live - right in front of me. Fans - Something is missing from the top down here at VU. Coach is a good guy, but the play calling and match ups during the game make me wonder if anyone knows what's going on out on the court.
I see Coach Matt calling out, walking back and forth, frustrated like he's a player in the game that can't get the ball. Coach: Start coaching, teaching, and talking through the game with your players when they are on the bench. Give them something to take to the game. You have talent on that bench, coach them up!
QuestionS - Why is our smallest guy the one driving to the basket game in and game out? Daniel Sackey - Most heart - Most Competitive - Get It Done attitude.
Why is it not the game plan to have fearless **Marcus Markus Golder driving the lane - Banging the boards - Kicking it out or putting it in the hoop from the paint?
Am I the only one seeing open shots that are not taken by this team? Why pass if the shot is open? ***Shoot it and have our 7 foot tall guys rebound if you miss. Come on Valpo!!! Win or Lose - Send me home knowing you played your hearts out! Give it everything you got! Played the best game you can from start to finish! Hustle! If you're down a couple points in the last couple minutes- speed up the play - drive to the basket! Score!!! Defend full court. Come On! LET'S GO VU!
** See Markus correction (I believe we agreed to spell the players' names correctly)
*** Our 7 footers don't rebound that particularly well.
No one will like this but unfortunately injuries across the board have affected the team this year. It is what it is. Have to still find a way to beat SIU at home and take it from there. Bigs need to show up.
Quote from: bbtds on February 19, 2019, 02:41:26 PMOur 7 footers don't rebound that particularly well.
I think our bigs don't get nearly the credit they deserve. Derrik has made great strides forward and Jay, of late, has as well. Last year the averaged a combined 12.4 points and 7.0 boards. This year they average a combined 16.5 points and 9.4 boards.
Quote from: vu72 on February 19, 2019, 03:57:33 PM
Quote from: bbtds on February 19, 2019, 02:41:26 PMOur 7 footers don't rebound that particularly well.
I think our bigs don't get nearly the credit they deserve. Derrik has made great strides forward and Jay, of late, has as well. Last year the averaged a combined 12.4 points and 7.0 boards. This year they average a combined 16.5 points and 9.4 boards.
There is no reason in the world other than positioning and desire that Lavender should be out rebounding Sorolla almost 2 to 1. Smits and Sorolla should be out rebounding every other player 2 to 1 individually.
http://cdn.streamlinetechnologies.com/valpoathletics/DA235CEE-16F6-4C06-9D3E-0DD94421566A/2019_MBB_Stats_0216.pdf
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Good to see ML engaging in the forum discussion! :thumbsup:
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He used to do it a fair amount.
Quote from: valpospartan on February 19, 2019, 11:04:32 PM
Good to see ML engaging in the forum discussion! :thumbsup:
[/quote]
He used to do it a fair amount.
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There is actually a sub-board to the Valpo basketball board called the Director's Corner that was built for ml, the AD. It was initiated by Dick Harlan, rlh, a few years back. Because of Dick's relationship with Mark he would get questions submitted by the posters then edit them a bit and get Mark to answer them. Unfortunately our dear friend, Dick Harlan, passed away from cancer. May RLH rest in peace. Since that time the Director's Corner has been pretty much unanswered. Posters have submitted questions but ml generally just answers what he wants on the other boards.