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Alright, I'll take a stab at it...99-88...we get to see the uptempo offense against another mid-major and it won't disappoint!!! At least, I hope...

Valpo basketball was in survival mode when Homer Drew took over.

How many of you were actually there when Homer was hired?

Me...I echo the prior thoughts on Tom Smith and his determination, but he just couldn't keep anyone good. We'd get a great player and then gone...sometimes it was a transfer, other times it was academics. What I really remember was Tom Smith's office, basically it was a walk in closet!!! Another problem was that he couldn't get a quality big man...soooooo many problems!!!

In terms of unknown, the one parallel I can think of is the 1998-1999 team. A different era in terms of advanced knowledge on players recruited, etc. Team had lost Drew, Sykes, two Jenkins, and Vilcinskas. Went to see them in their first two games at the Hoosier Dome and knew absolutely nothing about Barton, Stovall, Tonagel and Vujic. What a pleasant surprise those two games were!

I remember this as well!  That '98 team was competitive and we lost a great chunk of that team. Wasn't sure about the recruiting, and we were playing two good teams in Indy. That team played well those games, and continued the Mid-Continent Conference dominance and went dancing! I feel similarly about this team. I look forward to up tempo play. I don't consider a good up tempo play with run and gun, especially Loyola MaryMount of early 90's. If we are 9-11 deep, push that tempo until they puke Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LMU didn't play any defense and basically acknowledge that they weren't playing any defense. I don't think this will be the case with Valpo at all. Likely anyone on the court not harassing is going to be off the court quickly. I'm hoping for much closer to Nolan Richardson than Paul Westhead.

This isn't exactly true...what Paul Westhead admitted to was that once the opposition made it past half court, they weren't playing defense anymore...but they did play defense in a half court scheme, just not the way most do it. In other words, they were trying to get a turnover on every possession...

Valpo fans are very patient, sometimes too patient.

And sometimes luckily so. Just think if the fans and administration weren't patient with Homer, especially after the first four years.

Homer inherited a program in shambles and turned it into a premier mid major program. Matt inherited a premier mid major program and left it in shambles.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, the circle of life...

with Palm there was a minor injury that nagged him. When he did come back, for some reason, Lottich didn't use him...earlier in the year, he was drawing 20 to 25 min and he seemed to consistently have 6 to 9 rebounds every game...what a pity. Anyway, he should be great for us!!!

I saw some potential but wasn't anticipating anything approaching great potential. Was he playing with the nagging injury when he was drawing the 20 to 25 minutes per game?

I don't believe so...remember, I didn't say star potential, just potential!!!

I have been told that Jerome's problems included both attitude and work ethics.  Let's hope that situation will improve with "Rev" at the helm.

Just wanted to chime in that I haven't heard or seen any of that. Fact of the matter is the team shifted away from using a traditional big midway through the season last year. Palm has a voice of experience to the younger guys this offseason.

I want to chime in here as well, this was Ibra Bayu, though, that was a bit overblown, with Palm there was a minor injury that nagged him. When he did come back, for some reason, Lottich didn't use him...earlier in the year, he was drawing 20 to 25 min and he seemed to consistently have 6 to 9 rebounds every game...what a pity. Anyway, he should be great for us!!!

Not a single "boom" of his has been a boom... a boom is a 4-5 star or top player in the transfer portal.

Has Valpo ever signed a 4-5 star player? Has Valpo ever gotten a top player in the transfer portal? When you get the job in April and are forced to fill out a roster after 90 percent of the country has filled out theirs, I'd say any commit would be "boom."

Kenny Harris I'm pretty sure was a 4/5, pretty sure Antonio Falu as well, though I'm not sure about Burton...

And BTW, I only reintroduced lacrosse as a way for the athletic department to aid in the pulling of an additional 70-80 new students onto campus between two new teams. Yet......... maybe a new major in AI could attract more enrollees    Just looking for answers.

I do have a question, cornonthe.  If the current Valpo Title IX compliance is currently OK, why would a simultaneous introduction of two same-sport teams on both sides of the gender ledger unbalance what is already complaint?

Anyway......... lacrosse is a great spectator sport:: fast paced, lotsa scoring, and some physical play. On the women's side it is the same except, despite 10 players running around with sticks in their hands and scoring, the physical contact is greatly reduced. My granddaughter plays lacrosse at a prep in New England and it is a pleasure to watch the speed, agility and stick handling that is so much a part of the game.  And, again, unlike soccer which I absolutely love, there is a lot of scoring. The other benefit for a school like Valpo, with iffy spring weather, is that, short of a blizzard, games don't get cancelled too often.

I never said it would unbalance the Title IX compliance, what I said was that it wouldn't get them closer to their goal of being "more than compliant ", for the lack of a better phrase. My point was that the old regime wanted another large women's sport roster to get them way ahead of the Title IX compliance game. However, this administration may not be concerned about it at this time...or they may be. At that time, there was talk of field hockey because of the aforementioned Ruth Brown anniversary milestone (whatever that was)!!!

Guys, I was dreaming for ice hockey, and it's not reality.

Well, I think all of us want ice hockey, but as you said, it's too expensive!!!!

Hockey is way too expensive to (a) start up and (b) maintain on an annual basis.  The equipment costs are very high (decent skates run $400-$1000 alone).  Hockey teams require an indoor arena (either rented off-campus for $$ with probably next to no one attending games or built on campus for $$$$$$$ ). And typical D-I college rosters only carry 25-28 players. As a D-I school, Valpo would be required to compete at the D-I level — closest competition = B1G schools, ND, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), 3 D-II Upper Michigan colleges playing at the D-I level), a bunch of D-II colleges in Minnesota including Minnesota State also playing up a level — that would require a pretty heavy full athletic $cholarship commitment (18 allowed full rides) with fewer tuition-paying players. The typical season is 34 games with significant travel costs.  All of that is a very big money losing proposition.

The reason I brought lacrosse up again is for reasons that are just the opposite of hockey. First all, typical lacrosse teams carry between 36 and 40 players.  The NCAA only allows 12.6 athletic scholarships, so the bulk of players are paying tuition. Equipment costs are significantly less.  The playing surface already exists.  The typical lacrosse season lasts only 13 games. Closest competitors are B1G, ND, Marquette, A-Sun (Bellarmine, Detroit Mercy).  Travel expenses might be seven road trips. This can be a money maker for Valpo and help to bolster enrollment figures.

Starting up a women's hockey team to balance Title IX compliance would incur the same cost-prohibitive outlay for minimal return.

Field hockey is played by 78 D-I colleges, 14 of which are within an 8 hour bus ride, and the season is 18 games.  BUT, field hockey wouldn't work for two reasons:   The sport is played in the Fall and would be in direct competition with WSO.  AND, most college rosters are only around the 20 player mark, so that would not balance out a men's lacrosse team or a men' hockey team in terms of Title IX.

I wasn't talking about hockey, I was talking about field hockey or an emerging sport for women...at no point did I mention ice hockey. In fact, the point for my post was Title IX and the potential issues for adding two large team sports for men and women. Perhaps only a women's lacrosse instead?!? Regardless of the sport, schools like to be well over compliance for Title IX...that is a fact...

Hockey? Yes, that's a dream...
[/quote

Hockey? Yes, that's a dream...

FIELD hockey...

Interesting idea, but I've heard that we are still too close on the Title IX. Not too long after we started the bowling program, it was said that we needed a large team sport to put us well over compliance. Of course, we are currently in compliance, but most schools like to have well more than they need for future changes to the system. With that said, the team sport that was talked about was bringing back field hockey. I remember that it had something to do with a coming anniversary regarding Ruth Brown. Anyway...the other thing discussed was another emerging sport for women, I would assume thats because of the great success with bowling (a former emerging women's sport).

[Maximus Nelson to San Francisco]

Preston Ruedinger to Green Bay and Maximus Nelson to San Francisco...

Maximus committed to Fort Wayne.

I see the problem.  Max posted he was a Don.  The FW mastaDon.  Not the San Fran Don's.

Ohhhhhhhhhh...lol!!!

Preston Ruedinger to Green Bay and Maximus Nelson to San Francisco...

I am more interested to know who he considers to be the "Fantastic Four"??

Possibly the four players that decided to stay?!?

Interesting to note that Pat Baldwin was introduced as an Assistant coach and not an Associate Head Coach. Pat does have Hc experience.

This is actually a very good point. According to Paul Oren, Powell specifically said he is looking for somebody with head coaching experience in the associate head coach position. Makes me think whoever does get that spot is going to have head coaching experience unless he already fulfilled it with Baldwin and called that good enough. Would make more sense for it to be that Smithpeters guy then. Yea, he'd be leaving the SEC, but moving up from assistant to associate head coach, and he does have north MVC and head coaching experience.

My moms friend still insists that they at least talked to Ryan Smithpeters, but maybe they couldn't get anything official...last night it looked like it was done...weird...

Powell mentioned wanting to have a former head coach, an offensive guy, and a defensive guy on his staff. Baldwin is obviously the former head coach, but I wonder which are the offensive and defensive guys. I read a lot about their recruiting connections, but can't find any details on what side of the ball they are most fluent in.

I always say Moser teams as being very tough and prepared defensively. So if I had to take a guess, Gordon would be the "defensive guy".

Worth nothing, there's still another assistant or associate head coach role to fill.

I still say Kyle Smithpeters, I believe my mom's friend that they were at the very least talking seriously to him. Someone else said his brother though, Tyler...who knows, maybe Holloway is staying?!?

[He went on to play four years at Southern Illinois University, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year and MVC All-Bench Team Captain in 2018.]

Received offer from Valpo.
https://www.loganvols.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/players/isaiahstaffordxr8f

This about his head coach, Tyler Smithpeters:

A native of Harrisburg (IL), Smithpeters led his team to a state title and a 33-1 record in 2013. He went on to play four years at Southern Illinois University, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year and MVC All-Bench Team Captain in 2018.

https://www.loganvols.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/SmithPeters_Tyler?view=bio

Didn't Roger say he was going to bring in an assistant that had past experience in the MVC? And, didn't Roger say his assistants would be bringing players with them? Might we now know who one of our new assistants is?

Harrisburg (/ˈhærɪsbɜːrɡ, ˈhɛərz-/) is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States.[2] It is located about 57 miles (92 kilometers) southwest of Evansville, Indiana, and 111 mi (179 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Its 2020 population was 8,219, and the surrounding Harrisburg Township had a population of 10,037, including the city residents. Harrisburg is included in the Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky tri-state area...

It's funny, I was going to post this earlier, my moms friend who is the source I use who is very reliable said that it was his brother that was coming in to be an assistant (associate head coach), he was the prior head coach at this community college and who is now an assistant at Missouri. I guess we'll know soon enough...

Kyle Smithpeters is his name...interestingly, Darien Walker transferred here from that community college...also, there really may be something to either one of the brothers (or both) as we may be linked to the Missouri big man, Diarra...getting exciting!!!

[He went on to play four years at Southern Illinois University, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year and MVC All-Bench Team Captain in 2018.]

Received offer from Valpo.
https://www.loganvols.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/players/isaiahstaffordxr8f

This about his head coach, Tyler Smithpeters:

A native of Harrisburg (IL), Smithpeters led his team to a state title and a 33-1 record in 2013. He went on to play four years at Southern Illinois University, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year and MVC All-Bench Team Captain in 2018.

https://www.loganvols.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/SmithPeters_Tyler?view=bio

Didn't Roger say he was going to bring in an assistant that had past experience in the MVC? And, didn't Roger say his assistants would be bringing players with them? Might we now know who one of our new assistants is?

Harrisburg (/ˈhærɪsbɜːrɡ, ˈhɛərz-/) is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States.[2] It is located about 57 miles (92 kilometers) southwest of Evansville, Indiana, and 111 mi (179 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Its 2020 population was 8,219, and the surrounding Harrisburg Township had a population of 10,037, including the city residents. Harrisburg is included in the Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky tri-state area...

It's funny, I was going to post this earlier, my moms friend who is the source I use who is very reliable said that it was his brother that was coming in to be an assistant (associate head coach), he was the prior head coach at this community college and who is now an assistant at Missouri. I guess we'll know soon enough...

Very happy right now!!! Worst kept secret over the last day...muddled by the Chris Lowrey lie...did I mention how happy I am?!?

CBS Sports is reporting this, as of five minutes ago, Murray State to the MVC is a done deal...to be reported officially on Friday.

File this one under K for KABOOM if it happens

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Texas-Oklahoma-reach-out-to-SEC-about-joining-16330080.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

You had to think with NIL happening Texas and Oklahoma would scramble to the SEC or the Big 10 for the bigger payout to better accommodate the change in the college sports climate

Interesting to talk about, the potential for mass movement, but there is a lot to happen before this may happen. First, and the most difficult issue to resolve, by the legislature's of both states, Texas is married to Texas Tech and Oklahoma is married to Oklahoma State!!! Yes, this is a thing that has existed since Texas A&M left for the SEC.
The other issue is Texas A&M not wanting Texas and/or Texas Tech in the SEC!!! They will do whatever they need to do to keep the themselves as the only Texas team in the SEC. There may be teams that side with them on the issue too. Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky are the most likely. Anyway, all I'm saying is that this is far from a done deal, but it's fun to talk about. I think the most interesting thing about this is the conversation on where the other teams from the Big 12 go if they break up over this!!!

Ah, that explains why Pitts didn't play after the first few games.  Congrats to her!  I remember that Dawn Vandermeer also had her college basketball career shortened, due to getting pregnant.

And Shantil Robinson from several years ago, maybe a decade even. She actually came back and the team and coaching staff helped out with the baby/child...

I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.

I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???

Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.

Is Steve Helm still going to be playing here once he finished his trip? Is that still a thing?  I haven't heard his name in 2 years

I confirmed yesterday with Helm's former high school teammate that yes, Helm intends to return to the VU program. He would be a senior age-wise, but probably only a freshman eligibility. He was an excellent leader on some very good teams at VHS. I'm sure with his maturity he would fit in well with this team. I would just wonder how much he has actually touched a basketball while he's been away.

Yes, sorry about this, for some reason, I became technologically challenged for a minute or so. As for the walk on who moved on to an east coast school, it was Langston Stalling and not Helm.

I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.

I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???

Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.

Ohhhh...I screwed that up, I was commenting on Helm...