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Or is it Kent State?

It appears that Kent plays a little higher tempo then we have so far, and really hits the offensive boards.  This one should be close, but I'm hoping that we come out with great intensity after last night.

Valpo   72
Kent    68

Valpo at home against Drake this week.  Gametime weather has chance of showers and T-Storms with a high of 69 degrees. 

My prediction: attendance will be 1800.

Oh, the game will be Drake 38  - Valpo  17.  Valpo scores late to keep it within 3 TDs.

I predict that Valpo will NOT lose this weekend!

It appears that there is a new banner, with the info that Valpo was picked as the best Horizon League basketball program of the last 50 years - as ranked by ESPN.com.

Does anyone have a link to the ESPN rankings?

I see four players and one coach in the banner.  My guess is that left most player is Tom Smith, then Meyne, then Homer, Bryce and Rowdy.  Is this correct?

How many wins will this years Valpo Football team achieve?

Forbes has come out with their America's Top Colleges.  Here is a link for the top in the state of Indiana:

http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/#p_1_s_a0_Indiana_

If you change the filter to "all states", you'll get the complete list. 

Valpo is ranked 314 out of the 650.  Not bad, but I would expect VU to be above Hanover, Huntington, Earlham, and Taylor.  I don't know the criteria Forbes used.

Massey has the initial 2012 Football rankings out, and here is Valpo's schedule with win %:

http://masseyratings.com/team.php?t=8361&s=181623

I think we'll win more than one this year, just not sure how many.  I'd like to see 3-4 wins, and to be in more games in the fourth quarter.

Congrats to the team for a fine season!  We should be competitive the next several years for the HL championship, and look forward to winning a few NCAA games in the future years!

Did everyone see the front page blog:

http://www.valpofanzone.com/2012/04/26/welcome-coach-tracey/#more-488

An old friend is back?

Anyone see the Edwards kid from East Chicago play? Are we on him?

East Chicago reminds me of the trivia question: Name the two men who competed in both an NCAA Final Four and MLB World Series?

Here is one site that is discussing some of the recent coaching changes in Men's Div I basketball:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/17693834/analysis-of-the-2012-coaching-changes

It needs to be updated, with SMU and South Carolina, I believe.  I wonder if Miami will pick up Lickliter?

Illinois didn't waste any time - fired Weber already.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story/_/id/7664755/illinois-fighting-illini-bruce-weber-loses-job

This article has mentioned Shaka Smart as possible replacement.  On another thread it was suggested that Scott might be interested in the Illinois job.  I don't see him leaving Baylor and the Big 12 for Illinois.  If it was all about the money for Scott, I could see the move.  I don't for him.  I'm looking forward to seeing Valpo in the NIT and Baylor in the NCAA.  GO DREWS!

RealTimeRPI has us losing by nine: http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_281_Men.html; Teamrankings by eight: http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/matchup/crusaders-lions-2012-02-17

KenPom and Massey have both teams more evenly rated, but no score predictor.  I think we can surprise this team, but we need everyone healthy and to play a decent game.  As always, we need to control the boards and limit our turnovers. 

Valpo  72
LMU    71

We need to continue the good offensive play.  Wright State will be good defensively, and may try to slow things down.  On defensive boards we need to push the ball a little before WSU sets up their defense. 

Valpo  -  73
WSU   -  60

Found this on Rivals:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results

We have at least three committed to VU.  Not sure what this means, but VU didn't have any football recruits listed as interested in Valpo prior to 2011.  I think Coach Carlson is stepping up the recruiting and we should see some improvement again this fall.

If the DB's 40 time is correct (4.5), this is some much needed speed on defense.

We need to continue putting one good half after another.  We can't relapse against CSU.  Any defensive miscues will swing things towards CSU.

Valpo  -  67
CSU    -  63

We are currently behind 3 HL teams in losses and tied with two others at 2 losses.  We have two of the teams ahead of us in the standings in town this weekend.  We really need to step up the support for both games.  I think that Youngstown St. should not be surprising anyone, at least not now after starting HL play at 4-1. 

The team needs to forget the second half at Wright State, and work on playing a full game with confidence.  The coaching staff will need to find those combinations on the court that can stop a run by the other team, and inject energy into both ends of the court.

With a Friday night and Sunday afternoon game, the students and local supporters should be there in full force. 

According to the team stats at Teamrankings, the Jaguars are efficient on the offensive glass, and don't turn the ball over that often.  We need to box out on the defensive end, control the ball and tempo, and hit our open shots.  We also need to hit our FTs, especially at the end of the game.

http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/matchup/crusaders-jaguars-2011-12-23

Valpo   79
IUPUI   75

[Category]

Category[/c]

Rank[/t][/t]  Actual  National Leader  Actual   Won-Lost Percentage (336 ranked)  67  65.7  Kansas   92.1    Scoring Offense (336 ranked)  59  73.3  VMI   87.9    Scoring Defense (336 ranked)  176  68.0  Stephen F. Austin   56.7    Scoring Margin (336 ranked)  82  5.3  Belmont   17.5    Field-Goal Percentage (336 ranked)  18  47.4  Kansas   50.8    Field-Goal Percentage Defense (336 ranked)  125  42.3  Florida St.   36.3    Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (336 ranked)  155  6.3  VMI   11.3    Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage (336 ranked)  248  32.1  Ohio St.   42.3    Three Pt FG Defense (336 ranked)  81  32.8  Stephen F. Austin   28.4    Free-Throw Percentage (336 ranked)  251  66.5  Wisconsin   81.8    Rebound Margin (336 ranked)  147  0.9  Old Dominion   11.7    Assists Per Game (336 ranked)  21  15.8  Duquesne   17.8    Assist Turnover Ratio (336 ranked)  64  1.15  Wisconsin   1.71    Blocked Shots Per Game (336 ranked)  247  2.7  Northwestern St.   7.0    Steals Per Game (336 ranked)  52  7.8  Duquesne   9.9    Turnovers Per Game (336 ranked)  195  13.7  Wisconsin   7.6    Turnover Margin (336 ranked)  113  0.9  Duquesne   6.7    Personal Fouls Per Game (336 ranked)  215  19.3  Ohio St.   14.0   

I'd like to see improvement in our 3pt %, FT%, and our PFs per game.  I think we'll also be better with our rebounding margin, which will also help get us to the line.

Via Paul Oren and NWI.com:

The Crusaders entered the game down a player as JUCO transfer Richie Edwards was ruled ineligible for three games earlier in the day due to a NCAA Clearinghouse issue. Drew said after the game that the issue has been resolved and Edwards will return for next Friday's non-conference tilt at Ohio State.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/short-handed-crusaders-win-despite-no--pointers/article_3de81c7a-5944-5d0d-a9c1-a08da38817dc.html#ixzz1eAMdiCFx

Massey now has a mascot search, including historical teams.  When I searched for "Crusaders" I found 241 teams - 26 college, 3 professional, and 212 high school. 

Here are the college teams:

http://www.mascotdb.com/displaymatches.php

And here is Massey's Mascot starting page, with link to "Mascot DB" at the bottom:

http://masseyratings.com/mascot.php

Can we close the 2011 season with a victory?  The defense has been playing better.  If the team can stay focused, we have a chance.

Valpo   -  20
Davidson - 30

Not many positives as we near the end of the season.  I think hope we'll play a competitive game through three quarters, falling in the fourth.

Valpo  -  21
Campbell  - 35

With 31 games scheduled (including Bracket Buster) before HL Championship, I'm predicting a 21-10 record.

Could be a long 5 weeks until Campbell comes to town.  San Diego this weekend.  The defense needs to show improvement during the next few weeks. 

Valpo - 17

SD     - 38

Duquesne beat Dayton on the road last week.  Hoping they will have a letdown this week.

Valpo      -  17
Duquesne - 31

Valpo stays in the game until fourth quarter.

First game of the year.  Franklin comes into Valpo for a night game at Brown Field. 

Massey Ratings has it 39-21, with Franklin coming out on top.  http://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?s=107811&t=8361

I'm hoping that the new recruits and the second year with Coach Carlson give us a closer game:

VU - 24
Franklin  - 30

Maybe, with some luck, we can return a fumble or interception for a TD and come out on top!

We are all looking for improvement with this year's team.  How many wins will we get?

Here is the VU schedule from the Massey Ratings site:

http://masseyratings.com/team.php?s=107811&t=8361

Forbes has VU ranked 275, just before Baylor.  

http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/#p_3_s_arank_

They also have VU has #230 among private schools and #60 in the Midwest.

http://www.forbes.com/colleges/valparaiso-university/

I took a look at the Valpo players in the minors.  

Bryce Shafer is currently with the Boise Hawks (A - Short Season) after starting the year with Peoria Chiefs.  Appears to have done well both places, and I think is the main closer for the Boise team, vice bullpen/setup for Peoria.  

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=592733

Bo McClendon is playing for the Connecticut Tigers (A - Short Season) after playing with the Gulf Coast League Tigers (Rookie ball) last year.  He appears to be struggling at the plate and for playing time.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=595317

Kyle Gaedele is playing for the Eugene Emeralds (A - Short Season) after being drafted earlier this year.  He is struggling at the plate, but appears to be starting most games.  His OBP is OK, considering his BA.  Of the hitters on the roster, only the SS has more games played.  

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=543191

Good luck to all of the VU players as they continue their dream to play MLB!

With the recent changes at VU, there are now 52 new NCAA Division I Men's Basketball coaches.  Does anyone know if this is a record?  52 out of 347 programs - that means one in seven programs have made a coaching change.  I think VU got the new hire right!  We'll see about the others...

There are at least 43 changes to Men's Division I basketball coaches:

http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/02/08/2011-college-basketball-coaching-changes-potential-candidates/

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6171342

This is almost 1 in 8 schools getting a new head coach.  This seems high, but I can't remember how many changes there were in past years.  I was surprised that Lamar hired Pat Knight.  Maybe he'll do well at Lamar.  I'm also surprised that IUPUI has not announced a new coach, it has been more than three weeks. 

Congrats to Brandon!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/150/10593/

Thought I'd start a "recruits" thread on the new site.

We have Edwards http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/150/10256/ and Boggs sometime after fall finals http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/150/10387/

Bielfeldt appears to have narrowed his choices, leaving VU on the outside:

http://blogs.pjstar.com/prepsplus/2011/03/02/michigan-offers-scholarship-to-bielfeldt/

Is there anything else?