MBB 2017-18

[FieldGoodie05]

Does our 23% include Joe Burton?

No, since he's away from the program.

[FieldGoodie05]

These are some interesting numbers based on published rosters in the league (not necessarily starters or most minutes played).

MVC Standings (1/6/2018)

Upperclassmen (Senior & Juniors)
1. Missouri State (63%)
2. Drake (62%)
3. Bradley (54%)
4. Southern Ill (83%)
5. Illinois State (43%)
6. Indiana State (36%)
7. Loyola (53%)
8. Evansville (58%)
9. Valpo (23%)
10. UNI (41%)

It would be interesting to see starters minutes and the corresponding rankings.  Also, number of years in the program.  But I am not yet that bored to research that much.  Possibly as the season deepens and so does my seasonal affective disorder . . .

But I would expect that a list including number of years in the program would be even MORE telling as to our inconsistency and offensive ineptitude.

Peters' freshmen year was 33% upperclassmen (all 4 were Seniors) with E. Victor Nickerson sitting out his transfer year.

I'd argue that Peters' freshmen class was leaps and bounds ahead of these (3) freshmen at this juncture.

[VU2014]

These are some interesting numbers based on published rosters in the league (not necessarily starters or most minutes played).

MVC Standings (1/6/2018)

Upperclassmen (Senior & Juniors)
1. Missouri State (63%)
2. Drake (62%)
3. Bradley (54%)
4. Southern Ill (83%)
5. Illinois State (43%)
6. Indiana State (36%)
7. Loyola (53%)
8. Evansville (58%)
9. Valpo (23%)
10. UNI (41%)

It would be interesting to see starters minutes and the corresponding rankings.  Also, number of years in the program.  But I am not yet that bored to research that much.  Possibly as the season deepens and so does my seasonal affective disorder . . .

But I would expect that a list including number of years in the program would be even MORE telling as to our inconsistency and offensive ineptitude.

Peters' freshmen year was 33% upperclassmen (all 4 were Seniors) with E. Victor Nickerson sitting out his transfer year.

I'd argue that Peters' freshmen class was leaps and bounds ahead of these (3) freshmen at this juncture.

There is no Peters caliber player in this freshman class and at least with Peters/Jubril/Yeo they were WAY more polished products/ready coming out of High School then these guys, which is pretty impressive because every single year both Peters and Jubril evolved their game and got noticeably better.


But I don't know. Parker Hazen could be the next Alec Peters 
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/928749102405472261

[oklahomamick]

Don't forget Lexus Williams.  Freshman Lexus ending up earning conference freshman team awards.  He also was much more polished than any of the current freshman and/or sophomores. 

Lottich has only one freshman class to speak of, but Drew > Lottich in recruiting.

However, Lottich did convince Peters to stay (wish he would have done the same with Lexus) and has a good Chicago recruit coming next year.

[VU2014]

If you live in Missouri or Southern Illinois and want to catch the Valpo vs Missouri State game on Jan 17, tickets are as low as $5 at JQH Arena.

https://twitter.com/DMills59/status/950812046031024128

[Valpo89]

But I don't know. Parker Hazen could be the next Alec Peters 
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/928749102405472261

Someone already regrets writing that.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/PostTribSports/status/950885778451828738

No Blue 'Jay': Valparaiso center Jaume Sorolla shines in first game off bench
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-jaume-sorolla-st-0110-20180109-story.html

[wh]

But I don't know. Parker Hazen could be the next Alec Peters 
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/928749102405472261

Someone already regrets writing that.

Ah, I'm not going to say a thing for fear that someone may pull a skeleton out of my closet.  It was only about a month ago that z'ville found 1 of my posts from 5-6 years to show how I've taken polar opposite positions on the same subject. 

[NativeCheesehead]

5-6 years to reverse position? Amateur.

I do that usually in 5-6 days. Hours if it's a game day. 

[VU2014]

No Valpo players make the list. Somewhat understandable considering our Indiana kids are Freshman and Sophomores and Fazekas is in his red-shirt year.

Which players other then Fazekas do you think could potentially make this list? Maybe Mileek McMilan by the time he's a senior? Maybe Smits becomes the stud offensive big man we hoped he'd be when he signed him. Bigs take longer to develop then wings are we've seen flashes this season.

https://twitter.com/GreggDoyelStar/status/951130852519546880

20 Hoosiers who rank among the nation's best college hoopers
Dakota Crawford, dakota.crawford@indystar.com
Jan. 10, 2018

-Bryson Scott, Fort Wayne
-Trevon Bluiett, Xavier
-Devin Cannady, Princeton
-Ryan Welage, San Jose State
-Dylan Windler, Belmont
-Bryant McIntosh, Northwestern
-Kobe Webster, Western Illinois
-Dru Smith, Evansville
-Desmond Bane, TCU
-Carter Skaggs, Washington State
-P.J. Thompson, Purdue
-Blake Simmons, Evansville
-Justin Thomas, Northern Illinois
-Marcus Burk, Campbell
-Jaren Jackson, Michigan State
-Brenton Scott, Indiana State
-Justin Mitchell, Wright State
-Tyler Wideman, Butler
-Tahjai Teague, Ball State
-Ernie Duncan, Vermont

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2018/01/10/20-hoosiers-who-rank-among-nations-best-college-hoopers/1013532001/

[VU2014]

Listen to this podcast of the "Greg Kampe Show". There is so many relevant nuggets in here from Kampe that are similar to Valpo's Basketball situation and the struggles of being a mid-major program. Trust me it is worth your time if you are a diehard fan. It is a great listen and damn well worth your time to listen, imo.

Just some of things he talks about:
-Student Section attendance
-Investment in their pep-band and OU's gameday experience
-OU's struggle with casual fan attendance (which Kampe calls out their fans for not supporting)
-Facilities
-Kampe literally calls out the Oakland Administration for their lack of support of their Athletics facilities
-struggling to recruit with lackluster facilities compared to other programs.
-struggle with a smaller budgets
-He calls out his fans for complaining about saying, "Why can't we be like Gonzaga or Wichita State AND even Valpo?" Listen to his explanation.
-Also a random nugget of info is the "O'rena" is going to start sell alcohol. A growing trend in college sports arenas. Might help their attendance & boost revenue. I'm assuming they are contract with a company who already has a liquor license.

Paul shared it and brought it to my attention. I recommend it also. (Start at 25:30 if you want to skip the breakdown a of a few of their last couple games.)
https://www.spreaker.com/user/9808881/part-1?utm_medium=widget&utm_source=user%3A9808881&utm_term=episode_title
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/951577972418498560
https://twitter.com/nealruhl/status/951559158804951040

I genuinely would like to hear others thoughts about this after they listen to it. Kampe would be a great media guy after coaching one day. I appreciate how candid and honest he is. He isn't afraid to give up anything about strategy and talk about in game situations.

[M]

Pass...all that guy does is talk (although I do appreciate his cancer fundraising efforts).

[VU2014]

https://www.valpo.edu/valpomag/2017/12/18/part-of-the-family/

https://twitter.com/_amleavitt/status/951550478789341185
https://twitter.com/MsMedinaTweets/status/951577946707415040

[VULB#62]

I think Kampe is setting up a firing and a cushion to find a new job. I think he is a decennt coach. He would thrive in a well financed program.

[VU2014]

I think Kampe is setting up a firing and a cushion to find a new job. I think he is a decennt coach. He would thrive in a well financed program.

I don't think he's going anywhere. I believe he just signed an extension 1-2 years ago. He's a lifer there. He definitely feels enough job security to take jabs at the administration for not getting enough financial support and even at the fans for not supporting the team. They just lost their AD so who knows how he'll get along with the next AD but I'd be willing to bet he outlast their next AD if he wants to coach for another 8-10 years.

[a3uge]

He recruits scummy woman beaters, and then complains about recruiting disadvantages. Sorry, not sympathetic for his inability to break 100 RPI with a couple 4 star recruits that wound up on his team.

[VULB#62]

Definitely aggree cuz that is what he has to work with. But I think he could do well outside the OU world.  Bottom line for me is that I can almost give a crap.

[VU2014]

https://soundcloud.com/user-744211984/nwis-valpo-beat-writer-paul-oren-on-the-brakedown-monday-january-15th?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

https://twitter.com/Bison1660/status/953050515432247296

[VU2014]

Just a heads up the Loyola vs Valpo game on 1/21 will have an alumni lunch and drinks event at the Aftermath Cidery and Winery.

https://alumni.valpo.edu/s/1347/17/page-1col.aspx?sid=1347&gid=1&pgid=2243&cid=5188&ecid=5188&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=4418

Join other local Valpo alumni and friends for a Sunday Social on Sunday, January 21, 2018!

We will be gathering at Aftermath Cidery located in downtown Valparaiso for food and drinks from 12:00 to 2:00 PM. Entrance to this event is $15.00/person and will include a lunch buffet featuring a variety of flatbreads and desserts from Aftermath and one drink ticket. Additional alcoholic and non-alcoholic selections will be available for purchase at Aftermath. For more information about Aftermath, please visit https://www.aftermathcidery.com/aftermathcidery.

This is a great opportunity to network with fellow Valpo alumni in the area, and we hope you can join us!

After the event, you can catch the Valpo vs. Loyola game at the Athletics Recreation Center at 3:00 PM. Tickets for the game can be purchased by calling the Valpo Ticket Office at 219-464-5233. It is Pediatric Cancer Awareness night and the first 1000 fans at the game will receive a Valpo in the Valley t-shirt and rollabana. The game will also be featured on ESPNU and ESPN3.

WHEN: Sunday, January 21, 2018 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM
WHERE: Aftermath Cidery (15 North Washington Street Valparaiso, Indiana 46383)
COST: $15.00/person

https://twitter.com/ValpoAlumni/status/951104722139828225

[oklahomamick]

Don't forget Kampe brought in the okie st. Kid who only ended up staying a year.  4 star recruit that had physiological issues.  Given chance after chance at osu.

[oklahomamick]

Anyone notice vandy tremendously struggling?  6-12 and 1-5 in conference.  I know Bryce has some big recruits coming in next year....he sure needs them this year.

[EddieCabot]

Don't forget Kampe brought in the okie st. Kid who only ended up staying a year.  4 star recruit that had physiological issues.  Given chance after chance at osu.

Physiological issues are no laughing matter.  I hope Oakland did all they could to help him get appropriate treatment. 

[oklahomamick]

Osu actually tried to help the kid.  Oakland all about 2nd chances had little patience for him. 

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/953643849938849792

'Absolute bear' Mileek McMillan grows as surprise starter for Valparaiso
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
January 16, 2017


Mileek McMillan was practicing, grinding away with his usual intensity, when Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich delivered a message to the freshman forward from Merrillville.

"He just picked me one day and told me to flip my jersey with the rest of the other starters," McMillan said. "It just went from there.

"I was excited. I was, like, 'This is a big opportunity.'"

............ http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-mileek-mcmillan-st-0117-20180116-story.html

[wh]

Don't forget Kampe brought in the okie st. Kid who only ended up staying a year.  4 star recruit that had physiological issues.  Given chance after chance at osu.

Physiological issues are no laughing matter.  I hope Oakland did all they could to help him get appropriate treatment. 

I'm guessing a circadian rhythm disorder.