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Sigh... I get that finding the right fits is important for both school and player but I really wanted Newman to come to Valpo. I just want Powell to start signing some players so that we know what we have to look forward to. I trust him and think it's going to be awesome but having to wait this long is making me impatient. Hopefully the patience proves worthwhile. I'm sure it will.

Having another Vashil type player would be exciting. Lest we forget that Vashil was a foundational piece of some of the best teams in school history and certainly THE foundation of a fearsome and imposing defense that teams were afraid to penetrate against. I still remember the St Mary's game when one of their guards decided to try to drive the lane and literally turtled in fear as Vashil moved into his way. As I recall he slipped and turned the ball over that possession.

Lest we forget "not being like everyone else" is precisely how Valpo built itself from a perennial doormat into an MVC member in 25 years' time.


1. The school decided to "Not be like everyone else" and stuck with Homer when he was showing signs of life locally on the recruiting trail.


2. Bryce decided to "not be like everyone else" and shun the bright glamorous lights of Duke Syracuse and Indiana to stay home and play for his dad at Valpo.


3. Valpo as a whole decided to "not be like everyone else' and adopt international recruiting as a core strategy to bring in talent. This resulted in the commitments of many who we now consider among the best to ever put on a Valpo uniform.


So yes I hope Roger is trying to "not be like everyone else" and create his own culture because I trust him to build a solid one. When Mark Few speaks glowingly of you as a prospective coach you know you must be doing things right. It may take some time and the process of getting there may be ugly at first but we're going to be good again. Very good. And I can't wait. Because on the MVC stage if we have a team that ranks among the best in our school's history, that is going to matter. It will pay off in rankings tournament bids tournament wins. We will see what the benefits of MVC membership were all along. All it takes is someone to unlock the obvious and vast potential of this program. I believe we have the man to do just that in Roger Powell. Get excited Valpo fans. It's just a matter of time.

Relative to where we have been the team's performance has been very good. There is much reason for optimism throughout the athletic department. I think we may finally be finding our way in the MVC. It understandably took an adjustment period but we will soon show that we were a solid add for the league across the board. I am optimistic.

If we can match what Murray State did this past year with a new coach and a bunch of new players (11-9 6th place) I will be very happy and consider that a massive success for the start of the Powell era that leaves plenty to build on.

As a fan of an opposing team, I just want to say, I was absolutely blown away by the press conference. From Roger Powell's inspirational opening to the questions from the reporters to the answers given. It actually got me excited and hopeful for Valpo's success! You guys have the right guy for the right time. Go Beacons!

Thank you! I am very excited about Valpo's future and the future of the MVC! I still can't believe we got Powell to say yes!  I'm also very excited to see what UIC can do for the league once they get up to speed and marshal their considerable resources behind building a strong all around athletic program. They have the potential to be a better add than Loyola ever was! Good luck! Looking forward to many good battles and a friendly rivalry between our two schools!

Solid field so far. I like it.

I'm so happy right now! This is beyond the scope of my expectations for the best realistic hire we could have made! I take Powell over Lowery easily. When SIU fans say that he ran that program into the ground and had nothing to do with the early success of his tenure I tend to take a lot of stock in that. Maybe he's gotten better as an assistant and I hope he has but we were not in a position to take that gamble. This is so much better! Powell was qualified seven years ago now coaching at the P5 level and learning under Few at a program at Gonzaga I am certain that he is beyond ready! We're about to do some special things in the MVC and show everyone exactly why we were invited! I just know it! GO VALPO!

YES! This is the most excited I've been since that MVC Finals run! This is a terrific hire and I think we're on our way back! Seven years overdue but FINALLY WELCOME HOME COACH POWELL!

If it's Powell then why in God's name was he not the coach all along? Why did he turn us down seven years ago only to take us now when we're in a much worse spot as a program? it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I hope it's him because I think he'll be great but why didn't he just take the job in the first place if he wants it now?

I just want Valpo to win. If the new coach is strong in their faith and wins great. If the new coach is not strong in their faith and wins great. I agree that it shouldn't be pushed on anyone and should remain a personal matter and the new coach needs to respect that but the bottom line is winning. Just win.

I really hate to say this because I love Ben and think that he has been an amazing and loyal player for Valpo who has put up with a lot but if him leaving is the result of Lottich being fired I can't say I'm unhappy about it. We can't allow long-term decisions to be made for the sake of one player no matter how great that player may be. That's how we got in this mess in the first place. I think this move is a sign that the new leadership has taken that lesson to heart and is doing what needs to be done. I salute Small and Padilla for their courage during this time and look forward to a great hire who will get us back to respectability and hopefully beyond. It is past time for us to make a good showing in our new home. I take no joy in Matt's firing it's a tough thing for anyone to experience but I'm confident he'll land on his feet and maybe even become a successful head coach somewhere else down the line ala Porter Moser. For the first time in a very long time I am legitimately hopeful for the future of VU basketball but it is absolutely CRITICAL that we get this hire right. Blount is a very interesting name but I hope he's more than just a recruiter. Lottich was billed as a recruiter and we all saw how that turned out. I will trust Small and Padilla's judgment. It seems clear to me that they care about VU's athletic success.

I really hate to be this person especially since I understand and respect the reasoning behind the rebranding and the mascot change but if our financial situation was THAT dire then why in God's name did we spend all that money on the rebranding when we could have spent it to actually hire a decent coach and potentially advance the program and the university forward in ways that would have a greater impact than the rebranding? It was just such short-sighted thinking to do it now even if it is right or justifiable on principle.

USC4Valpo

Yes I think at this point if it's really that bad the only way forward is to either double down on Valpo's strengths and pour money into those or to try to replicate what Gonzaga did insofar as that is even possible. Or both if it is somehow possible to do both. One route is significantly more risky than the other. As a risk averse person I know the route I would choose. It just sucks that we really are what many MVC fans feared: another Evansville who coincidentally is facing many of the same problems but to their credit still hasn't lost community support. I also hate how we jeopardized the long-term health of the program for a one year shot at short term gain by hiring Matt in the first place instead of actually trying to find the best candidate for the job but I guess I understand it and what's done is done anyway.

That Homer Drew comparison is a cop out. Valpo was a different program then. There are expectations now. Expectations Lottich is not meeting and has really never met. Lest we forget that that 24-9 year was a massively disappointing underachievement (albeit for circumstances beyond his control). Also the tougher conference argument which I used ot give a ton of credence to holds no water after we saw what Murray and Belmont just did. Murray and Belmont came from a worse conference than the HL that Valpo left was. They should have been even less prepared to handle the jump than Valpo was and yet...

Belmont went 14-6 in year one tied for 3rd.

Murray State went 11-9 in year one and finished ahead of Valpo.

Murray State also did this with a new coach who took over in the middle of the offseason and after a mass exodus of players. It took Valpo until what? Year 4? Year 5 to even finish .500? A depleted Murray State did it in year one.

Belmont notched a higher finish than Valpo has EVER HAD in the MVC in year one.

Additionally Murray and Belmont went a perfect 4-0 against Valpo.

Even UIC beat Valpo once this year. That's 1-5 for Valpo against the newcomers with a possibility of it becoming 1-6 at Arch Madness.

The numbers don't lie. The Matt Lottich era has been nothing short of an abject failure. He cannot retain his job unless there is simply no money to buy him out.

And if that's the case we are in a lot of trouble.

I took that as sarcasm. 

Scarcasm might be a better term for Lottich? Sadcasm?

No, the best word to describe Lottich (or rather the basketball program during the Lottich era) is sadchasm. As in there is a sad chasm between where we were when he took over and where we are now.

What about Gregg Marshall? He's familiar with the valley. This program needs a jolt of energy

Terrible human being. Doesn't fit Valpo AT ALL. Hard pass. I'd rather keep Lottich than hire a man like Marshall.

Or maybe an offense that gets people open looks from the perimeter.

Or wait till Lottich gets some of the players he really wants instead of players he doesn't want.

Why exactly can't he get the players he wants right now?

Barry Hinson is a name that would be perfect to replace one of our assistant coaches, honestly. Maybe it isn't Lottich so much as Gore, Bowen or Holloway that are holding things back? Loyalty to assistant coaches can only go so far. Gore has been at Valpo since he was a GA back in 2002. Bowen is on his second go around at VU, and he wasn't a great D2 head coach at Bemidji St. I don't know enough about Holloway. In terms of these three, maybe it's time to cut one of them, and bring in a Barry Hinson-type who has coaching pedigree at the MVC/D-I level to be a stronger mentor to Lottich? Yes, I know...most of you want to cut Lottich because you don't like he's not a Drew, but some coaches realize their strengths are within, instead of access to longtime assistant coaches. I mean look at a lot of the Power 5s. Sure, some assistants stay around because they are good at a specific thing, like recruiting or coaching a specific part of the offense or defensive. At Valpo, I don't see that from our assistants. I just see three guys on the bench holding clipboards, or Bowen kicking back like he's the coaching guru that had 500 wins somewhere else, but doesn't show it in his demeanor.

Hinson would never come here to be an assistant and thanks but no thanks even as a head coach. He is the definition of a mediocre coach and schedules super soft in the non con which leaves his teams often woefully unprepared for conference play. I'd rather take a swing on a Tongael type and fail than hire Hinson. We know what we're getting there and it isn't good at least with a guy like Tonagel the potential exists for it to turn out amazing. Secondly those who want to move on from Lottich don't give a rip (and never did) that he's not a Drew. We care that he's not winning. Full stop. We care that he's had seven years now (six in the MVC) and is consistently garnering the same or worse results as he was when we first arrived in the MVC even with relative stability and continuity on the roster. We care that the program isn't near where it was before he took over and shows no signs of getting anywhere close to that level again. We care that nobody cares anymore and attendance is now about half what it was before. His last name has nothing to do with any of this. His coaching and the results (or lack thereof) that it delivers has everything to do with it.


That said your point is an interesting one that maybe it's an assistant holding him back but isn't it an indictment on Lottich if he can't recognize that and make the appropriate changes? Also after seven years that should have been figured out and dealt with so even if it is true Lottich bears responsibility for not fixing it at this point and there is no point in trying a refresh of the assistant coaching staff unless it comes as part of a new head coach bringing in his guys. Enough is enough and eventually someone has to answer for these results. Unfortunately--whether it's deserved or not--that often has to be the one in charge.

Don't we also have the ISUr/VU tie breaker?

We swept them this year so yes. We seem to own Illinois State for some reason. Hopefully that continues.

[BTW JO is averaging 17 PPG and 61% FG (21st in D-1) at Lipsconb]

Quentin Green! Have yourself a game!!!!! Palm plays.....instant results!

Another in a long line of players throughout the Matt Lottich regime that get relegated to the bench in favor of less talented and/or selfish players and end up transferring at year's end. • Lexus Williams behind Micah Bradford (are you kidding me?) • Sorolla behind Smits, possibly the laziest, most selfish, most overrated player in the past 25 years. • JO behind the rotund, out of shape, terrible shooting Mileek - BTW JO is averaging 17 PPG and  61% FG (21st in D-1) at Lipsconb • Zion Morgan behind Daniel Sackey • Several lousy players before Keyondre Young

So he CAN recruit (as we all suspected and knew) but can't actually coach the talent he gets because he has no idea what he has while he has it and can't put together a rotation to save his life. OR he is too stubborn and proud to admit mistakes even when they become obvious which is also the mark of a bad coach. It's a shame. If he just played the best players regardless of his stubbornness and ego, we might have put together some really solid teams and wouldn't be talking about who the next coach should be right now. As this evidence shows Matt Lottich has no one to blame for his situation but himself.

So we just got drubbed by 22 by a team we used to beat regularly when they tried to continue sticking it out with a mediocre coach. Not a good sign and even more evidence of the need for change. We're not even competitive against the decent\top teams in this league anymore. We could at least hang our hats on that in years past. We only beat the other bottom feeders now. It's a sad state of affairs but I'm at the point where I just can't even muster feelings of sadness or anger anymore. It just is what it is until something changes.

So the takeaway then is that we simply aren't spending enough which raises questions of overall commitment? I mean weren't we outspent by some in the HL and it didn't matter then. I still come down on the side of it being a personnel issue first and foremost though a bit more financial backing could probably help if it were feasible.

Okay that number makes far more sense and considering that that number is down from where I've seen it before I can understand the financial trepidation surrounding decisions like this. Our budget seems like it's at or near the bottom of the MVC which might help explain our lack of competitiveness. Maybe it's not so much a will problem the money simply isn't there and we have to rely on these tournament credits for needed cash infusions unless and until we can get a coach that can take us out of the doldrums.

Our athletic budget is in the $100million range and we're complaining about $300K-$400K? Or is that VU's entire operating budget which would be a different matter entirely? Also speaking as an alum I have to say that the constant mediocre to bad results with nothing being done about it are having a negative effect on my enthusiasm and I am NOT the only person who feels this way based on the other alums I talk to. Everyone is thoroughly disgusted or has given up. I know it's just a small section of the fanbase but I'm sure the feeling isn't just confined to me and my friend group. A change needs to be made especially if our athletic budget really is that huge. If that's the case the amount we're talking about is miniscule and should bear no weight in the calculation.

[the outlook is bright for the 2023-24 Beacons."]

I can imagine a scenario where Matt is not only retained as head coach next year, but is awarded a new 3-year contract, as well. From a recent PO Victory Bell article about Ben Krikke's options next year: "Then there is staying. Krikke is beloved in Valparaiso and another season in brown and gold would cement his status as one of the program's all-time greats. With Maximus Nelson and Ibra Bayu ready to take big steps forward after a year in the program, Preston Ruedinger back from a shoulder injury and a talented trio of newcomers, the outlook is bright for the 2023-24 Beacons." Here's how the scenario plays out. First, the administration determines that it can't afford to buy Matt out; thus, he returns next year. Next year we actually do perform better as PO suggests, and seemingly out of the blue Matt is awarded with another 3 year contract. So, why would they roll the dice for another 3 year cycle: (1) the administration knows there is no money to invest in a new facility, (2) the university isn't in a position to initiate a capital fundraising campaign let alone build, and (3) to get an experienced head coach with a winning D-1 record willing to try to turn around a losing program with a dreadful venue in a difficult league will cost way more than $350K/year. I've said it before - Matt Lottich, and Matt alone, may very well decide the long term fate (return to success or catastrophic failure) of Valparaiso University men's basketball. Grab some popcorn and snuggle in.

This is a well-reasoned thoughtful and realistic assessment of the state of the program and I have a sinking feeling that this is exactly how things will play out. The problem is that betting on a big year from a star player like we did when we hired Lottich in the first place to keep Peters is not as we have come to find out a good approach to program building. That first year looks fine as it did in our case but after that the coach is on his own and has to prove himself able to sustain the momentum. While we can vigorously and legitimately debate the extent to which Matt is responsible for the failings of the program I believe the reality is clear and I have felt this way since the Chicago State debacle: The Matt Lottich era has been a failure and it is impossible to see success especially on any kind of sustained level as long as Lottich heads the program.


This is Valpo's sixth year in the MVC. By this point, Loyola (who came to the MVC in worse shape than Valpo was in as a program had already ascended to a power albeit on a  seemingly temporary basis given their early performance in the A-10. Valpo by contrast has four victories in  conference play all of which have come against teams either tied with (Illinois State) or below (Evansville UIC) Valpo in the standings. Moreover, Valpo has taken more double digit losses (5) in MVC play than they have wins (4). Is this the new standard of Valpo basketball? "At least we beat the perennial also-rans\cellar dwellers and aren't the worst of the worst?" I certainly hope not. I certainly hope that competing for conference championships is still the goal. Judging by Valpo's performance in other sports namely women's soccer and women's volleyball it is still the goal and it is achievable if the right leadership and players are in place.


Valpo's conference record  includes 3 losses to MVC Newcomers Murray State and Belmont. Murray State after a slew of transfers and a new coach sits three games better than Valpo in the standings. Belmont with a young team (like Lottich used to always remind us that we were) is tied for first. So much for the "tough transition to the MVC" crutch we used to give him. Let us also remember that Murray and Belmont come to the MVC from a far worse conference than the Horizon League was at the time we left it meaning they consistently got to pad their records against lesser competition than we did and they're STILL outperforming our Year 6 team in Year 1. It should also be mentioned that two of the double digit losses Valpo has suffered so far were to Belmont. This alone presents a stinging indictment of Lottich's performance but even this doesn't tell the whole story.


I will concede PO is likely right and the premise of his article is sound: we should improve next year. We'd better improve. But if Matt has any ability to actually build a program that improvement should not hinge on whether Krikke stays or goes. The problem is that it's hard to see whether there will be too much improvement even if he stays. We've had relative stability recently even in this era of constant transferring the past year or two and we're still getting poor results on the court. If continuity isn't the issue anymore then what is it if it's not coaching?  It's not like we're even talking about the team that looked like it was slowly ascending a few years ago with improving win totals and conference positioning. What we've seen this year looks more like our earliest MVC teams if not worse. It's clear that the program is going backwards and the conference (even though this year has been a down year) is only going to get tougher as Murray and Belmont continue to get acclimated and\or more expansion takes place.


As the excuses (transfers toughness of the conference transition "young team" etc. ) fade away it becomes increasingly clear that Matt bears significant responsibility even if he escapes total responsibility for Valpo's lackluster (to be kind) on-court performance. At this point the only way Matt can reasonably hope to stay is if the university simply lacks the money for a buyout; and if that's the case then we've got far bigger problems and truly need a miracle. There is no justifiable reason outside of finances to keep him on as Head Coach. Even if that means we lose some players we see as building blocks because of it the sooner we rip the band-aid off the better. This program needs a new start. I don't know who the right person is to lead it but a change is sorely needed. The facts presented here are now too glaring to ignore. Maybe it is overly harsh to call the Lottich\MVC-era Valparaiso Beacons a "catastrophic failure" but it is an obvious failure nonetheless. That fact is no longer in dispute.