We are inviting everyone back... Raitis will have a following for sure...
We are Lifetime 9-5 against the bruins, but we are 0-3 when playing them as an MVC opponent.
We all remember the December game... started like a few others...
Belmont started the game red hot from 3-point territory, hitting three 3-pointers over the game's first 90 seconds to jump out to an immediate 9-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn. The Valparaiso University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe the rest of the way in a road Missouri Valley Conference contest, matching the Bruins 68-68 over the game's final 38:30 of a 77-68 setback. Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) poured in a game-high 21 points, while Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) tallied up a career-high 18.
The Beacons never went away, but they never got over the hump either. Six was the closest they would get in a game that eventually saw the Bruins prevail by nine.
Belmont is 6-7 in the Valley...tied with Evansville, Murray State and Missouri State.... one game behind SIU and UNI; one game ahead of Illinois State.
Belmont has LOST 6 road games in a row. They are 8-0 vs. Q4 opponents this season. They beat Murray State in the Old OVC matchup on Wednesday 69-64.
Here's the Belmont Preview of the game. OK... Put your coaching hat on. Who Ya Gonna Double Team?
Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.
The Bruins limited Murray State to 36 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in earning a 69-64 victory Feb. 7.
Belmont ranks 42nd nationally in effective field goal percentage and leads the Missouri Valley Conference in steals per game.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Murray State. The Greeneville, Tennessee native ranks among league leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He tied the Curb Event Center record with seven steals vs. Berry.
Gillespie is the only player in college basketball averaging at least 16 points, four assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Cade Tyson has 18 double figure scoring games this season and ranks second in the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage in league games. Tyson ranks among league leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-point field goals.
The Monroe, North Carolina native scored a career-high 31 points Dec. 16 and had a career-high three blocked shots vs. UIC. Tyson is on pace to threaten Nick Muszynski's program standard for fewest games played to 1,000 career points.
Malik Dia has recorded 19 consecutive double figure scoring games, including 22 points, five rebounds and five assists vs. [rv/rv] Indiana State. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 32 points vs. Drake. He posted his second career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas State.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native ranks Top 3 in the MVC in points, field goals and free throw rate. Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game this season.
In fact, Gillespie, Tyson and Dia comprise a trio that places Belmont as the only NCAA Division I program with three players averaging at least 16 points per game.
Jayce Willingham has provided versatility and steady play for the Bruins this season. The graduate student from Jasper, Alabama has 10 double figure scoring games including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Lafayette. Willingham had 14 points, four rebounds and a season-high four steals vs. UIC. Willingham had a season-high five assists twice this season.
Isaiah Walker had a career-high 13 points vs. Drake and 11 points and five steals vs. Arkansas State. The Wyoming, Ohio native has been a mainstay this season, recording 30-plus minutes in 17 games. Walker had a season-high eight rebounds at Northern Iowa and has multiple assists in 15 games.
Brigham Rogers has made a significant frontcourt contribution as a freshman. The 6-9 forward from Woodstock, Georgia had a season-high nine points vs. Arkansas State. Rogers has provided a physical presence and huge effort plays this season, including a career-high four blocked shots Jan. 23. He is sixth in the MVC in blocked shot rate.
Keishawn Davidson has 67 career double figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points at Missouri State. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has a team-high 93 assists this season and ranks second in the MVC in assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging 10.8 points per game on 37 percent 3-point shooting in conference games.
He ranks 14th in career assists (593) among active players NCAA Division I players.
Kyler Vanderjagt has provided perimeter depth for the Bruins this season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native has scored in 13 games this season, including 28 points during a three-game stretch in November.
Win Miller has seen increased playing time and has scored in six consecutive game appearances. The Birmingham, Alabama native is shooting 70 percent from 2-point field goal range this season and posted a career-high 17 points Nov. 14. He has made a 3-point field goal in three of his last five games.
For this game, as Brandon wrote it up...Fans are encouraged to wear gold as part of Love Valpo weekend, where supporters and alumni celebrate their love of Valpo. Free pom-poms and Love Valpo posters will be available, plus the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm. Part of the department's All-Sports Reunion Weekend, this game will celebrate the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features Raitis Grafs '03 (men's basketball), Jon Robisch '64 (men's basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski '12 (softball) and Ozzie Young '96 (football).
Maybe we'll see another Fan Wave... that was pretty cool at the last game.
And, for those not following along on Facebook. New Student Incentive starts Saturday.
$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.
One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot. If it goes in, they win the pot. If it doesn't. the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.
Only 3 home games after Saturday...
I'll be at the game tomorrow. First time at the ARC in 10 years! Let's go Valpo!
Belmont 76
Valparaiso 72
Valpo: 78
Belmont: 70
Jaxon, Ola, Jerome, and Connor all
play major minutes.
After Indiana State, I think Powell will have this team ready. Will it be a full 40 minutes ready? We'll see
Valpo 77
Belmont 74
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Belmont 74
Valpo 61
Quote from: talksalot on February 09, 2024, 07:09:53 PM
And, for those not following along on Facebook. New Student Incentive starts Saturday.
$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.
One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot. If it goes in, they win the pot. If it doesn't. the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.
I like the intentions of this promotion, but I hope the process is flexible or tweaked. If a student chosen at random is a diminutive and less athletic girl or boy (not to be sexist), maybe even physically handicapped, that individual should be permitted some kind of alternative, perhaps allowed to select a designated half-court shooter from among others in the stands with whom they can share the winnings if successful.
Quote from: talksalot on February 09, 2024, 07:09:53 PM
We are inviting everyone back... Raitis will have a following for sure...
We are Lifetime 9-5 against the bruins, but we are 0-3 when playing them as an MVC opponent.
We all remember the December game... started like a few others...
Belmont started the game red hot from 3-point territory, hitting three 3-pointers over the game's first 90 seconds to jump out to an immediate 9-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn. The Valparaiso University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe the rest of the way in a road Missouri Valley Conference contest, matching the Bruins 68-68 over the game's final 38:30 of a 77-68 setback. Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) poured in a game-high 21 points, while Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) tallied up a career-high 18.
The Beacons never went away, but they never got over the hump either. Six was the closest they would get in a game that eventually saw the Bruins prevail by nine.
Belmont is 6-7 in the Valley...tied with Evansville, Murray State and Missouri State.... one game behind SIU and UNI; one game ahead of Illinois State.
Belmont has LOST 6 road games in a row. They are 8-0 vs. Q4 opponents this season. They beat Murray State in the Old OVC matchup on Wednesday 69-64.
Here's the Belmont Preview of the game. OK... Put your coaching hat on. Who Ya Gonna Double Team?
Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.
The Bruins limited Murray State to 36 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in earning a 69-64 victory Feb. 7.
Belmont ranks 42nd nationally in effective field goal percentage and leads the Missouri Valley Conference in steals per game.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Murray State. The Greeneville, Tennessee native ranks among league leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He tied the Curb Event Center record with seven steals vs. Berry.
Gillespie is the only player in college basketball averaging at least 16 points, four assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Cade Tyson has 18 double figure scoring games this season and ranks second in the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage in league games. Tyson ranks among league leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-point field goals.
The Monroe, North Carolina native scored a career-high 31 points Dec. 16 and had a career-high three blocked shots vs. UIC. Tyson is on pace to threaten Nick Muszynski's program standard for fewest games played to 1,000 career points.
Malik Dia has recorded 19 consecutive double figure scoring games, including 22 points, five rebounds and five assists vs. [rv/rv] Indiana State. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 32 points vs. Drake. He posted his second career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas State.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native ranks Top 3 in the MVC in points, field goals and free throw rate. Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game this season.
In fact, Gillespie, Tyson and Dia comprise a trio that places Belmont as the only NCAA Division I program with three players averaging at least 16 points per game.
Jayce Willingham has provided versatility and steady play for the Bruins this season. The graduate student from Jasper, Alabama has 10 double figure scoring games including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Lafayette. Willingham had 14 points, four rebounds and a season-high four steals vs. UIC. Willingham had a season-high five assists twice this season.
Isaiah Walker had a career-high 13 points vs. Drake and 11 points and five steals vs. Arkansas State. The Wyoming, Ohio native has been a mainstay this season, recording 30-plus minutes in 17 games. Walker had a season-high eight rebounds at Northern Iowa and has multiple assists in 15 games.
Brigham Rogers has made a significant frontcourt contribution as a freshman. The 6-9 forward from Woodstock, Georgia had a season-high nine points vs. Arkansas State. Rogers has provided a physical presence and huge effort plays this season, including a career-high four blocked shots Jan. 23. He is sixth in the MVC in blocked shot rate.
Keishawn Davidson has 67 career double figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points at Missouri State. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has a team-high 93 assists this season and ranks second in the MVC in assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging 10.8 points per game on 37 percent 3-point shooting in conference games.
He ranks 14th in career assists (593) among active players NCAA Division I players.
Kyler Vanderjagt has provided perimeter depth for the Bruins this season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native has scored in 13 games this season, including 28 points during a three-game stretch in November.
Win Miller has seen increased playing time and has scored in six consecutive game appearances. The Birmingham, Alabama native is shooting 70 percent from 2-point field goal range this season and posted a career-high 17 points Nov. 14. He has made a 3-point field goal in three of his last five games.
For this game, as Brandon wrote it up...Fans are encouraged to wear gold as part of Love Valpo weekend, where supporters and alumni celebrate their love of Valpo. Free pom-poms and Love Valpo posters will be available, plus the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm. Part of the department's All-Sports Reunion Weekend, this game will celebrate the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features Raitis Grafs '03 (men's basketball), Jon Robisch '64 (men's basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski '12 (softball) and Ozzie Young '96 (football).
Maybe we'll see another Fan Wave... that was pretty cool at the last game.
And, for those not following along on Facebook. New Student Incentive starts Saturday.
$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.
One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot. If it goes in, they win the pot. If it doesn't. the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.
Only 3 home games after Saturday...
Outstanding preview.
Unfortunately the 1st half looks to be worse than even I had predicted. I think Belmont will win by 25 to 30.There are some very bad weaknesses on this Valpo team. They must be solved before the Beacons can even come close to winning against good MVC teams like Belmont.
We are just not big enough. We get pounded down low and killed on rebounds.
I still like this team.
Bigs will be here next year.
If you thought things couldn't get worse after Indiana State....
Quote from: Chairback on February 10, 2024, 03:30:49 PM
We are just not big enough. We get pounded down low and killed on rebounds.
Maybe, but as of right now at the 4-minute mark left in the first half Valpo is down by 18 points at the 3-point line (8-2). Size has nothing to do with that fact. [Update: At halftime it is a 24-point deficit from the 3-point line (10-2).]
Are there recruits behind our bench?
I'm not sure what's going on with the Team the last few games. They are clearly very inexperienced but they should not be getting routed the way they have been by Indiana State and Belmont. They are better than this and significantly underperforming they're their potential.
I'm not expecting them to win, but they should significantly more competitive. The last two games have been embarrassing.
The coaches need to figure this out.
I called Coach Powell's initial technical foul just a couple minutes before it happened. Thus far, today's first-half performance tested the limit to how much even the composed coach or the team's most understanding fans are willing to endure or tolerate in the name of patience.
Fun, Fast and Free is not working...
Quote from: tiny707 on February 10, 2024, 03:59:21 PM
Fun, Fast and Free is working...
No matter the style. If you don't have the talent to compete, no system will work when there is a talent gap.
The coaches had to cobble a roster together quickly. There is talent on the Team, but most of it is young. It sounds harsh but there are guys on the roster who do not belong on any MVC roster (Barrett, Palm, Sciarroni all have scholarships that are eating up scholarships). Additionally, Scroggins (high upside red shirt) and Manyang (medical red shirt), all are not contributing this this season. A short bench...
Barrett and Palm can not be on this roster next season as they are dragging down this Team with their lack of ability to play at this level. Both guys will graduate and Valpo needs to part ways at the end of the season and not allow them to use their final year of eligibility on this roster. They need those scholarships for players that can actually help the Team. The coaches are within their right not grant them the final year of eligibility for college graduates who won't help the Team
Roger Powell needs dogs and he's got a roster full of cats.
Becoming very difficult to watch. Belmont could not miss in the beginning and we have no muscle/size in the paint. Team seems hung over from Evansville game, but yes inexperience, and needing more talent in particular in the paint for defense etc. Schweiger will hit the weight room, but he's gotten abused on defense most of the year, allowing the opponent to get to their spot. Palm and Barrett prolly won't be around, but the guy if confident is prolly the best three point shooter on the team. At this point, Season is a lost cause anyway, let him play more and see if he can regain that lethal shooting. Nothing to loose.
Which one of the four has the highest upside? Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp, Ajiboye? Will all four be back next year?
Quote from: AB on February 10, 2024, 06:04:51 PMBecoming very difficult to watch.
We played hard, turned the ball over infrequently and still got smoked. Belmont opened on a couldn't miss roll and never slowed down enough to let us back in the game. Ours kids desperately wanted back in this game but Belmont didn't allow it to happen. I'm giving a tip of my cap to coach Casey Alexander and his Bruins.
Quote from: AB on February 10, 2024, 06:04:51 PMWhich one of the four has the highest upside? Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp, Ajiboye? Will all four be back next year?
I'd say that their upside potential goes in the same order as your listing of Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp and Ajiboye. Each has various aspects of their game that will see improvements. I want all 4 of them back next year even if our other additions mean they will return to static or reduced playing time opportunities.
Quote from: talksalot on February 09, 2024, 07:09:53 PM$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.
One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot. If it goes in, they win the pot. If it doesn't. the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.
$172 in the pot, carryover to the UNI game on Valentines' Day...
I put it in the VU Record Watch category, but it is worth mentioning here, as well. We just officially clinched our first below .500 record at home since the 1991-1992 season. That is 32 straight seasons of success at home, even during several off years. That was probably our last tie to our successful teams of the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
Quote from: justducky on February 10, 2024, 08:21:15 PMWe played hard
I don't agree with this at all and I'm not sure Roger Powell agrees with this at all. A team that plays hard does not come out and not defend a shooter who they've been schooled to not let free as the collection of do nothings on the team did out of the gate today. Making the score somewhat palatable is not playing hard.
What this team needs is at least one head knocker. Somebody who, if this game was occurring on his watch, would lay the wood to a few guys whether whistled or not. This team has no one like this at all.
Agree JD24: John Kiser, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman get after it type player...
Quote from: JD24 on February 11, 2024, 12:09:32 AMomebody who, if this game was occurring on his watch, would lay the wood to a few guys whether whistled or not.
Oh Come on... someone has to add Phil Wille to this list...
Quote from: tiny707 on February 11, 2024, 07:00:57 AMAgree JD24: John Kiser, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman get after it type player...
Copobianco, Van Wijk wouldn't take the pushing around Valpo is receiving.
Between the ISU game, yesterday's game where the team just got manhandled with no resistance and the Evansville game in which they shot 3 free throws as the home team, I wonder about the...un.....intestinal fortitude....of the roster.
I'd call it something else. I think Roger Powell's PC after the game yesterday would indicate he would call it something else as well.
Please don't tell me the talent is there overall, it's not. Most of these guys are sub ham and eggers. I would presume Powell is on the recruiting trail and going to the deck to improve his hand.
No disagreements on the press conference. It's the right tone. No excuses made like the last coach. We will take our licks this year, will pay off the next few years if they stay together. Sounds as if he still has control of the locker room.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 11, 2024, 08:57:12 AM
Please don't tell me the talent is there overall, it's not. Most of these guys are sub ham and eggers. I would presume Powell is on the recruiting trail and going to the deck to improve his hand.
I'm not sure that it's accurate to say that most are sub ham and eggers. It's more question marks than an obvious lack of talent. And the upside of a few of the players on the roster is obvious.
Powell has already said that he's going to try and bring in more experienced transfers.
It seems to me that our guys are just beat up and tired. It has been a long season of playing skinny kids against five year men. Coach Powell has made it known that if you don't play hard you won't be back. Clearly Connor, Jerome and Anthony are gone so there's three openings if everyone else returns. Probably one other will see the handwriting on the wall and be gone.
The post-game presser with Coach hit the nail on the head. As for the game, When Belmont hit its first 8 shots which included 6 3's, the kids were beat. I think Belmont is a MUCH BETTER team than their record shows.
Quote from: vu72 on February 11, 2024, 11:55:17 AM
It seems to me that our guys are just beat up and tired. It has been a long season of playing skinny kids against five year men. Coach Powell has made it known that if you don't play hard you won't be back. Clearly Connor, Jerome and Anthony are gone so there's three openings if everyone else returns. Probably one other will see the handwriting on the wall and be gone.
Agree. So many of our players are in the year one transition from HS/Prep to DI college basketball where teenagers are playing against grown men game in and game out. IMO, our kids have hit the proverbial wall. They've given all they have and have just run our of energy reserves. They've played 25 games and have 6 left before Arch Madness with no gas left in the tank. Simple as that.
Some of what's posted here appears to me to be excuse making and/or simply retaining some hope for the future. IOW....it can't possibly be this bad.
The team had no rebounds in the first 5 minutes of the game. Granted, the other team didn't provide many opportunities for those rebounds but there was no effort from Valpo. It was embarrassing. Defense and rebounding are sourced from effort with a little design. The effort wasn't there and the coach said the design was and wasn't followed. He's clearly looking for effort from his team and his comments indicate he's not happy with what he's seeing as far as effort is concerned.
We still see the same early game struggles we saw last year. We still see the same horrific 3 point defense we saw last year.
What we also see is a coach who, at least more publicly, is going to look to change that with the makeup of the future roster.
That is the hope...the only hope.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 12, 2024, 11:32:49 AM
IMO, our kids have hit the proverbial wall. They've given all they have and have just run our of energy reserves. They've played 25 games and have 6 left before Arch Madness with no gas left in the tank. Simple as that.
I am not buying this. These are superb athletes roughly between 18-22 years old with finely tuned bodies who are coached and closely guided on health, strength conditioning, and nutrition. "They've played 25 games" but in 100 days. They play two games a week in which only two team members are averaging more than 30 minutes, and in between they are trained to maintain peak performance ability. They "have 6 left before Arch Madness"; however, that is about 4 weeks away and should not be a burden. On top of that, the biggest problem with falling behind the opposition usually occurs in the opening segment of a game when all should be fully energized and prepared to play. If they have hit a wall, it is because they are facing the reality that they aren't as good yet as they had hoped. The expected evidence of progress has been lacking in recent games with a demoralizing six straight losses and the last two opponents scoring a total of 197 points!
Copobianco and Van Wyck were big more mature guys ...the kind we at this point do not have. You cannot compare those veteran guys with our freshmen...get real! As stated earlier we are too young and lack strength and experience and as was mentioned these kids have hit a wall. Give them a break. Alec Peters got pushed around too when he was a freshman. Along with Coach Powell, the future is bright.
Also need to give other teams credit for scouting us well. They've locked down on Stafford and forced other players to step up.
Quote from: valpo64 on February 12, 2024, 01:56:10 PMCopobianco and Van Wyck were big more mature guys ...the kind we at this point do not have. You cannot compare those veteran guys with our freshmen...get real! As stated earlier we are too young and lack strength and experience and as was mentioned these kids have hit a wall. Give them a break. Alec Peters got pushed around too when he was a freshman. Along with Coach Powell, the future is bright.
I think with what we see on the court and combined with the coach's comments that the REALity of the situation is closer to what me and a couple of others have pointed out over the string of excuses seen from others.
The roster needs to be turned over to a great degree with only a couple of keepers in terms of players who should be significant future contributors. The reality of the transfer portal makes whatever the coach can cobble together for next season the great unknown since it is every bit possible that the team loses more than it gains. We just don't know.
If the young guns have hit a brick wall play Team Captain Palm and Connor Barrett more. Seemed to work second half last game.
Be interesting to see freshman pic of Krikke and fifth year pic of Krikke side by side. Hugh difference I am sure. Weights..
Quote from: valpo64 on February 12, 2024, 01:56:10 PM
Copobianco and Van Wyck were big more mature guys ...the kind we at this point do not have. You cannot compare those veteran guys with our freshmen...get real! As stated earlier we are too young and lack strength and experience and as was mentioned these kids have hit a wall. Give them a break. Alec Peters got pushed around too when he was a freshman. Along with Coach Powell, the future is bright.
Truth. And being a "finely tuned body", as valpopal suggests, will only get you so far. Belmont out weighted us by (over the top 8 players) by an average of 19# per guy. After our top five starters, we bring in 6'1", 6'2" and 6'7"(200#). They bring in 6'4", 6'5" and 6'9" (240#)! We have been out rebounded over the last two games by 17 and 23! Our kids are trying but they are getting roughed up. You don't win street fights by being young and inexperienced. We have been in a street fight the last two times out and we were more than a little bit bloodied when the final clock went off.
Quote from: vu72 on February 12, 2024, 04:17:24 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on February 12, 2024, 01:56:10 PM
Copobianco and Van Wyck were big more mature guys ...the kind we at this point do not have. You cannot compare those veteran guys with our freshmen...get real! As stated earlier we are too young and lack strength and experience and as was mentioned these kids have hit a wall. Give them a break. Alec Peters got pushed around too when he was a freshman. Along with Coach Powell, the future is bright.
Truth. And being a "finely tuned body", as valpopal suggests, will only get you so far. Belmont out weighted us by (over the top 8 players) by an average of 19# per guy. After our top five starters, we bring in 6'1", 6'2" and 6'7"(200#). They bring in 6'4", 6'5" and 6'9" (240#)! We have been out rebounded over the last two games by 17 and 23! Our kids are trying but they are getting roughed up. You don't win street fights by being young and inexperienced. We have been in a street fight the last two times out and we were more than a little bit bloodied when the final clock went off.
Great comments. I love our guys, win or lose. They are young warriors.
Again Valpo needs better talent and grow from this.
The floor keeps getting lower for some of these players. It's possible we've seen their ceiling already, I mean for this season. I was holding out for a late season surge, but now I know those hopes were misplaced.
And yet I still believe that VU has a young core of 5-6 players who, if they can be persuaded to stay, will be among the centerpieces of a strong team within a year or two. Schwieger, Williamson, Edwards, Sepp, Weatherspoon, and Ajiboye have all had their very good moments (and then some). Add Scroggins and Manyang (both of whom, fingers crossed, are lifting weights like crazy), bring in some new talent, and it's possible that we've got at least a .500 basketball team next season.
Quote from: David81 on February 13, 2024, 02:13:12 PM
The floor keeps getting lower for some of these players. It's possible we've seen their ceiling already, I mean for this season. I was holding out for a late season surge, but now I know those hopes were misplaced.
And yet I still believe that VU has a young core of 5-6 players who, if they can be persuaded to stay, will be among the centerpieces of a strong team within a year or two. Schwieger, Williamson, Edwards, Sepp, Weatherspoon, and Ajiboye have all had their very good moments (and then some). Add Scroggins and Manyang (both of whom, fingers crossed, are lifting weights like crazy), bring in some new talent, and it's possible that we've got at least a .500 basketball team next season.
Assuming our core stays, we're bound to have more talent next season.
Scroggins for Barrett should be an upgrade. McNair for Sciarroni should be an upgrade. Manyang for Palm is a wash at worst (assuming Manyang is healthy to play).
That leaves us at least 2 spots to fill with transfers or freshmen.
I'm hoping the players have bought into Powell's vision and will stick around.
Quote from: mj on February 13, 2024, 02:25:55 PM
Quote from: David81 on February 13, 2024, 02:13:12 PM
The floor keeps getting lower for some of these players. It's possible we've seen their ceiling already, I mean for this season. I was holding out for a late season surge, but now I know those hopes were misplaced.
And yet I still believe that VU has a young core of 5-6 players who, if they can be persuaded to stay, will be among the centerpieces of a strong team within a year or two. Schwieger, Williamson, Edwards, Sepp, Weatherspoon, and Ajiboye have all had their very good moments (and then some). Add Scroggins and Manyang (both of whom, fingers crossed, are lifting weights like crazy), bring in some new talent, and it's possible that we've got at least a .500 basketball team next season.
Assuming our core stays, we're bound to have more talent next season.
Scroggins for Barrett should be an upgrade. McNair for Sciarroni should be an upgrade. Manyang for Palm is a wash at worst (assuming Manyang is healthy to play).
That leaves us at least 2 spots to fill with transfers or freshmen.
I'm hoping the players have bought into Powell's vision and will stick around.
Don't forget our gray beard -- Darius -- for next year as well. He can get even better with more experienced current talent around him as well as some new older/bigger talent xferring in.
A short while ago someone wondered what to expect in terms of what kind of physical changes to expect as players matured and wondered about Ben Krikke as an example. I checked the rosters for the 4 seasons Ben was at Valpo, and here is the tale of the tape:
19-20 -- 6'9", 220#
20-21 -- 6'9", 230#
21-22 -- 6'9", 235#
22-23 -- 6'9", 235#
@ Iowa -- 6'9". 245#
And just for grins - Alec Peters
2013-14 -- 6'8", 225#
2014-15 -- 6'9", 225#
2015-16 -- 6'9", 230#
2016-17 -- 6'9", 235#
FYI - @ Olympiacos this season 6'9", 234#