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Let's title this No Let Down.  This game first.

I wanted to get this up right away after I washed my hands following Duck Soup.  Time for a Day at the Races in Vegas.

Tide rolls in 1-1, beating Coastal Carolina and Losing to Dayton (at home).  Friday night at home against Ball State

Here's the Bama stat sheet:

http://www.rolltide.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2016

4 guys averaging double figures. 67% free throws, got out-rebounded by Coastal Carolina. 

Time for the guys to step it up... from Sagarin #325 and #327 to Sagarin #25 (AP #4) Oregon.... we played well there last year...

They Beat Army by 14... and Tuesday afternoon they get Baylor (2:30pm Central).   I think I have a "Meeting".

Here's the story on the Army game...

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400915488

Time to pickup on who the opposition is playing... and how they make out...

DATE   VALPO Opponent   Team   LOCATION
11/14/2016   Southern Utah   St. Louis   at St. Louis, Mo. (SUU is 0-1, thanks to us)
11/14/2016   Rhode Island   Marist   Providence  (URI, 1-0, Beat Dartmouth by 84-16)
11/15/2016   Oregon   Baylor   Waco (Ore 1-0, beat Army 91-77)
11/15/2016   Alabama   Dayton   Tuscaloosa (Tide 1-0, beat Coastal Carolina 70-53)
11/15/2016   Ball State   Indiana State   Muncie  (Ball State beat Saint Louis 85-64!)
11/15/2016   Kentucky   Michigan State   Lexington (Cats are 2-0, beat SFAustin 87-64, Canisius 93-69)
11/15/2016   Indiana State   Ball State   Muncie  (Indiana State is 0-1, lost in OT to NIU)
11/16/2016   Coppin State   Coastal Carolina   Conway, SC (tonights, opponent, they are 0-1)
11/16/2016   Rhode Island   Brown   Providence
11/17/2016   Coppin State   BYU   Provo, UT
11/17/2016   Missouri State   Fontbonne   Springfield, MO (Bears 2-0, Alabama A&M (96-62) and  JaxState (91-65)
11/17/2016   Chicago State   Wisconsin   Madison (CSU beat Illinois Tech 97-89)
11/18/2016   Southern Utah   Bethesda   Cedar City, Utah
11/18/2016   Coppin State   Utah   Salt Lake City
11/18/2016   Alabama   Ball State   Tuscaloosa
11/18/2016   Ball State   Alabama   Tuscaloosa
11/19/2016   Rhode Island   Cincinnati   Providence
11/19/2016   Indiana State   Missouri-St Louis   Terre Haute
11/19/2016   Santa Clara   Northern Colorado   Santa Clara (0-1, lost to Tennessee State 69-61)!
11/19/2016   Chicago State   Oakland   Rochester MI
11/20/2016   Kentucky   Duquesne   Lexington

maybe a bit early to have a poll... but I'll put one out anyway... 21 opponent games this week, it can't be 21-0... Ball State and Indiana State and Ball State and Alabama play each other.

Coppin appears to have played well in their opener at Hofstra

http://coppinstatesports.com/news/2016/11/13/mens-basketball-coppin-state-eagles-basketball-comes-up-short-in-season-opener-to-hofstra.aspx

Not a lot of height... nobody over 6-8...

Here's the box score from the Hofstra Pride...
http://coppinstatesports.com/boxscore.aspx?path=mbball&id=1406

8-deep rotation, and 40%+ from 3pt range

Coppin State picked 10th in the MEAC (out of 13)

Let's start strong... and stay there.  We need to solid momentum heading into the next 2 weeks.

so... we bring back the old Mid Con nemesis Southern Utah Thunderbirds.   They have played two Exhibition games this year...and have proven they have an OFFENSE!

Note:   63 fouls called in their first exhibition, 52 fouls called in the second one.

Roster:
http://www.suutbirds.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=20100&SPID=11728&SPSID=95897

Question 1:  Randy Onwuasor is  6'3 guard RsJR, from Texas Tech.

Game 2 Box score:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=152407

==============game 1=============
CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbird men's basketball team picked up a 110-86 victory over The Master's University on Saturday night, in the first competition of the Todd Simon era at Southern Utah University.

The game was the first of two exhibition games the Thunderbirds will play before opening the regular season.

In his debut with the Thunderbirds, Randy Onwuasor had The Centrum rocking with 35 points on 13-of-26 shooting.

Onwuasor came out firing for the T-Birds, as he scored the first 12 points of the night for his team as they quickly went up 12-2 over the competition.

This is Onwuasor's first competition in some time, as he transferred to SUU from Texas Tech and had to sit out last season.

SUU head coach Todd Simon, who picked up a win in his SUU coaching debut, said the performance from the redshirt junior is something he's come to expect.

"He's one of the most improved players I've seen in such a short period of time," he said. "From where he was in May and June to what he's evolved into, I'm really, really proud of him." 

The Thunderbirds built a sizeable lead in the opening half, but the Mustangs did not go away, as they took their first lead of the game with about three minutes left. Master's University took a five point lead into the halftime break.

Within the first three minutes of the first half the Thunderbirds regained the lead, as they went up by one on a Decardo Day layup.

SUU guard John Marshall said the turnaround in the second half was all about composure, and the team did a nice job responding to the adversity.

"I think most of us have been in those situations, and we just needed to settle down a little bit," he said. 

The T-Birds built their lead to double-digits with 12:39 to play, and from there they were able to increase the separation through the rest of the contest. SUU's lead got as big as 27, as they pulled away with a 110-86 victory.

Overall, Onwuasor said he was happy with the way the team was able to compete on Saturday, and looks forward to what they'll be able to do in the future.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "I think we played well as a team. We shared the ball and it feels good to come out with a win. It was our first exhibition game, but we've got plenty more to come."

Decardo Day finished with 17 points in his Thunderbird debut, knocking in eighth shots from the freethrow line. Marshall, Race parsons and Ivan Madunic all put in 12 points for SUU.

Simon said he saw what he wanted from the team, which was giving it all.

"The folks that support this team were a presence, and the students were phenomenal," he said. "It was really good to see and hopefully the style and the brand of basketball, and how hard the guys play was visible. I'll say this, our guys emptied their tanks. And that's all I wanted from the guys is good attitude, effort and to empty their tanks every night and the rest will get you there."

The T-Birds will play their second exhibition game against La Verne on November 4 inside the Centrum Arena with tip-time set for 6:30 p.m.

==============CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds defeated the La Verne Leopards with a 103-88 victory, marking back-to-back triple-digit Thunderbird wins to round out exhibition play.

"We need to clean up some things (defensively). Giving up 89 points is more than we wanted to give up. We had stretches where we showed how good we can be, but I don't think we were competitively mature enough to string it all together," said head coach Todd Simon. "From that standpoint I wasn't very satisfied, but obviously offensively we're coming together. Our tempo is kind of where we want it. We scored 103, so that shows the potential of what we can do on that end of the floor.

Randy Onwuasor led the way with 33 points, shooting 12-19 from the field and 2-3 from the three-point line. Christian Musoko added 13 points as Race Parsons and Brayden Holker each added 11. Ivan Madunic led the team in rebounds with eight as John Marshall led in assists with four.

Onwuasor has now posted back-to-back 30+ point games.

"I'm just giving credit to my team. They've been finding me, and I've just been able to hit shots these last two games," Onwuasor said. "Coach told me to be aggressive, so I just kept being aggressive, and I kept attacking."

The Thunderbirds shot 34-68 from the field for a 50% field goal percentage. From beyond the arch, the T-Birds shot 37.5% and 69% from the free throw line.

"We did good, but we need to do a better job defensively," Musoko said. "We know we're going to score, so we just need to do a better job on defense."

The Leopards took a quick 5-0 lead to open the game and held onto the lead until the 13th minute as the Thunderbirds fought back to tie the game at 30.

La Verne pulled back ahead with back-to-back treys before Musoko and Onwuasor each knocked in shots to knot the game once again, this time at 36-36. A pair of Decardo Day free throws gave SUU its first lead of the game at 38-36 with just over four minutes to play in the opening half.

Southern Utah led by just three before a set of free throws from Marshall and a three-pointer from Parsons gave the Thunderbirds a 51-43 halftime advantage.

The T-Bird momentum carried over into the second half, stretching their lead to 60-45 just three minutes in. From there on out, Southern Utah held at least a double-digit lead until the final buzzer as SUU captured the 103-89 win.

Following two exhibition wins, the Thunderbirds open their season with Valparaiso in Valparaiso, Ind. on Nov. 11. at 6:00 p.m.

"We have guys that haven't worn this jersey and guys that haven't played together, so it's going to be a constant evolution," said Simon. "We're going to take this thing game-by-game and just keep getting better."

38 days until tip-off.  They were 18-10 last year.  We have never officially played them (all previous games were exhibitions)

http://www.hillsdalechargers.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/roster

They have a 7-1 320 Freshman; along with 4 guys who are 6-8 and one 6-9.

They have two returning starters (Badowski 8.1 ppg; and Stedman Lowry 13.9 ppg) both are 6-3 juniors.

so... let the fun begin!   Name your starting Valpo Lineup!

ok... something for the next 6 months...just a couple of assumptions.   

1.  That #20 from Oakland is Gone.
2.  I'm not including any incoming players (first year or transfers)...
3.  that #25 from Valparaiso is still with us...
4.  UDM has lost Chris Jenkins according to reports he's leaving school.

Looking at the rosters ...in no particular order, these non-seniors and their ppg from this past season

ALEC PETERS WINS AS UNANIMOUS SELECTION... and the competition is....

Cleveland State:   Demonte Flannigan 11.4
Cleveland State:   Andre Yates  9.1

Youngstown State: Matt Donlon 13.1
Youngstown State:  Cameron Morse  20.4 (Soph)

Northern Kentucky:   Cole Murray  10.1

Wright State:  Mark Alstork 12.9 (Soph)

Illinois-Chicago:  Dikembe Dixson 19.8 (Fr)

Milwaukee:  Jordan Johnson  12.5
Milwaukee:  Akeem Springs  13.2
Milwaukee:  Austin Arians  11.4

Green Bay:  Charles Cooper  13.6
Green Bay: Kahlil Small   10.2 (Soph)

Detroit:  Paris Bass  18.4 (Soph)     

Oakland:  Jalen Hayes  13.1 (Soph)

Valpo: 
Shane:    8.9
Tevonn:  8.8
David:     6.5
Jubril:     6.1
... Keith   10.3... if... if...if...if

so.. we've had 54 people viewing this fanzone today... let's see who's IN and who's Almost In.

OK... quite a game in Milwaukee... now it's time to put away Carrington Love and Jordan Fouse on their Senior Day in Green Bay.

UIC gave them fits Friday night, before they put out the flames late ...here's the recap

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20160226_ILLCHI@WISGB

and their box score

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20160226_ILLCHI@WISGB

and here's the recap of the 15-point win last month in the ARC:

http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15164/crusaders-continue-run-take-down-green-bay/#.VtGbWMv2Y5s

Valpo opens up a 3.5 point favorite on the road... just like Friday night.

Phoenix are 11-2 at home this year, losing to Toledo and Oakland.  Best win of the season, #51 Akron

Thursday 2/25

Northern Kentucky @ Cleveland State
Wright State @ Youngstown State

Friday 2/26
Illinois Chicago @ Green Bay
Valparaiso @ Milwaukee
Detroit @ Oakland

Saturday 2/27
Wright State @ Cleveland State
Northern Kentucky @ Youngstown State

Sunday 2/27
Valparaiso @ Green Bay
Illinois Chicago @ Milwaukee

Here's the recap on the Detroit game with UIC...

These Titans are on a roll

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20160219_DTROIT@ILLCHI

and here's the box score

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20160219_DTROIT@ILLCHI

and here's the recap from the game we played at Calihan...

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15148/career-day-from-peters-leads-crusaders-to-win-at-detroit/#.Vsfr6sv2Y5s

Friday
Detroit @ UIC
Oakland @ Valpo

Saturday
Youngstown State @ Green Bay
Cleveland State @ Milwaukee
Northern Kentucky @ Wright State

Sunday
Detroit @ Valpo
Oakland @ UIC

Monday
Youngstown State @ Milwaukee
Cleveland State @ Green Bay

I guess we'd better start a thread...   

Nolan line is +10.5

Here's the recap of the last time we played 'em

http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15189/crusaders-ride-familiar-formula-to-win-over-cleveland-state/#.VsJ2H8v2aM8

Since that game:  They lost to UIC 72-70; Lost at Home to Detroit 71-63; lost at home to Oakland 67-57 and Beat Youngstown State at Beeghly 64-59 on Saturday.   Their RPI is 256

Lets see if we can't get a winner this week!  Some really tough games for the opponents this week.

Thursday 2/18
Missouri State @ Wichita State
South Dakota State @ IPFW
Belmont @ Eastern Kentucky
Chicago State @ Utah Valley

Friday 2/19
Iona @ Monmouth  (10PM Eastern Time Tip)

Saturday 2/20
Northern Illinois @ Ball State
Tennessee Tech @ Belmont
Nebraska-Omaha @ IPFW
Duquesne @ Rhode Island
Chicago State @ Grand Canyon

Sunday 2/21
Loyola @ Missouri State

Not Included:  Oregon State @ Oregon on Saturday

We need to pack the ARC on Saturday night.

WSU will be madder than a wet hen after losing at the Pavilion.

I hope our guys are not TOOO fired up to get the revenge.

Friday 2/12
Dayton @ Rhode Island

Saturday 2/13
Belmont @ Morehead State
Siena @ Iona
New Mexico State @ Chicago State
Oregon @ Stanford
Ball State @ Central Michigan
Oregon State @ California
Denver @ IPFW

There are no Opponent games on Sunday, Valentine's Day...
and there is one game featuring a match-up of our opponents not included in the poll:

Indiana State @ Missouri State

A reminder of the last time...

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15184/crusader-men-wrap-up-another-dominating-road-win/#.VreHDsv2Y5s

First time for them in the ARC...

I'm extending this poll through next Tuesday with so many games on Monday and Tuesday...

Thursday 2/11
Milwaukee @ Oakland
Green Bay @ Detroit
Wright State @ UIC
Northern Kentucky @ Valpo

Saturday 2/13
Milwaukee @ Detroit
Green Bay @ Oakland
Northern Kentucky @ UIC
Cleveland State @ Youngstown State
Wright State @ Valpo

Monday 2/15
Oakland @ Wright State
Milwaukee @ Green Bay

Tuesday 2/16
UIC @ Youngstown State
Valpo @ Cleveland State
Detroit @ Northern Kentucky

There are 9 HL games coming up, 4 on Thursday and 5 on Saturday.

Thursday
Green Bay @ Northern Kentucky
Milwaukee @ Wright State
Detroit @ Cleveland State
Oakland @ Youngstown State

Saturday
Oakland @ Cleveland State
Valparaiso @ UIC
Detroit @ Youngstown State
Milwaukee @ Northern Kentucky
Green Bay @ Wright State

Here's the schedule for the upcoming weekend for our OOC opponents.  They really let us down this past weekend, thought I'd put this out earlier for more folks to join in and you can actually study for this one; most of these games are "second time through the conference".

Friday 2/5
Iona @ Canisius

Saturday 2/6
Missouri State @ Evansville
Western Michigan @ Ball State
IPFW @ North Dakota State
Eastern Kentucky @ Belmont
Indiana State @ Bradley
Rhode Island @ LaSalle
Colorado @ Oregon State
Chicago State @ Cal State Bakersfield

Sunday 2/7
Iona @ Niagara
Utah @ Oregon

A.  Does this game need a full thread?  ...When it's all you have to talk about...

so... next Saturday we go to the pavilion...to play the Flames who come in on a winning streak !

Here's their write-up on what they did to the Vikes on Saturday.

http://www.uicflames.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/013016aac.html

one word that jumps out at me "Raucous" to describe their crowd. 

The Box Score reports about 2,900 in attendance...seems like a typical crowd for the Flames this year.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ilch/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/box_score/stats_20160131aaa.pdf

Friday 1/29
Manhattan @ Iona  - WIN

Saturday
Akron @ Ball State - LOSS
Chicago State @ UMKC - LOSS
Indiana State @ Loyola - LOSS
Illinois State @ Missouri State- WIN
St. Joseph's @ Rhode Island - LOSS
Belmont @ Tennessee Tech- LOSS
Oregon State @ Arizona - LOSS

so ... Hey There !  we are 2 - 6 with 2 to play...we will not have a winner this weekend!


Sunday, 1/31
Western Illinois @ IPFW - WIN
Oregon @ Arizona State - WIN

Final   4-6... no winner

Youngstown hung on to beat UIC on Friday 82-78

Here's the box, and a re-post of the UIC recap of the game...Sounds like Jerry's guys played well for about 20 minutes.

http://www.uicflames.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2015-2016/012816.html

UIC knocked 22 points off a sizable 24-point deficit with a furious second-half comeback, but the Flames fell just short of victory against the visiting Youngstown State Penguins Thursday night, falling 82-78.

Thanks to a red-hot performance from beyond the arc, YSU built up a 24-point lead with 3:57 to go in the first half. The Penguins had knocked down 10 3-pointers by that point in the ballgame, including five on consecutive possessions over a span of just 1:18. The Flames outscored the visitors 6-0 in the final four minutes to help set the stage for the epic second-half rally.

It was an 18-point game at the half, but a spirited 16-4 run by the home team over the next 3:38 made it only a five-point game with 14:40 remaining on the clock. The surge started with back-to-back 3-point baskets from Dikembe Dixson, and it featured all five players on the floor contributing on the offensive end. UIC also coaxed a pair of turnovers and another handful of difficult shots for the Penguins.

Youngstown State quietly pushed the lead back to 10, and later 11 points, but the Flames would not be doused so easily. Trailing 70-59 with 8:21 remaining, used another run, this time 7-0, to make it a four-point game with a shade over seven minutes to go. UIC fell behind again by nine with 3:47 left, but there was no quit in the squad.

With 29.9 seconds left in the contest, Dixson drilled his fourth 3-pointer of the half to make it a four-point game. YSU's Jorden Kaufman was fouled by Dixson, but he missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Najeal Young got the rebound, he got the ball ahead to Michael Kolawole, who was fouled with 23 ticks left. The freshman calmly buried both free throws to make it a two-point game. The Penguins got back up by four before a tip-in by Young made it a one-shot game again with five seconds left.

Dixson fouled YSU's Jordan Andrews, and he made both shots from the charity stripe to seal a four-point victory.

UIC received heroic performances from up and down its lineup in its first game of a five-game homestand. Dixson led all players with a career-high 32 points, and he matched his personal-best effort on the glass with 15 rebounds. His four 3-pointers also matched a career-high. Dixson wasn't the only one stuffing the stat sheet, however. Young and Tai Odiase each recorded a second double-double this season. Young scored 12 points and led all players with 16 rebounds, while Odiase added 13 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and six blocked shots. It was the third time in the last six games that the sophomore center sent back at least six shots.

Kolawole scored a career-high 15 points, while handing out a career-high five assists. The fifth member of UIC's starting lineup, Lance Whitaker, chipped in with a career-high four steals to go with four points and four assists. Each member of the starting-five (Dixson, Young, Odiase, Kolawole and Whitaker) played at least 34 minutes, while Kolawole matched a career-high with 38 minutes played for the second consecutive game.

The Flames destroyed the Penguins on the glass, 51-41, and in the paint, 44-20. The home team also scored 23 points off YSU's 13 turnovers, but ultimately Youngstown State's 42 points from beyond the arc sank UIC.

The Flames have a quick turnaround before their next home game. UIC welcomes Cleveland State to the UIC Pavilion on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m., as the team's open the second half of the conference slate. CSU captured the first meeting on Jan. 18, 70-53.

UIC Notes: UIC started the game with Dikembe Dixson, Michael Kolawole, Tai Odiase, Lance Whitaker and Najeal Young, marking the fourth time this season, and third consecutive outing, that head coach Steve McClain has opened with that group ... Dixson and Odiase have each started all 20 games ... Dixson's 32 points were the most for a UIC player since Jay Harris scored as many vs. UCF on Dec. 11, 2014 ... Dixson has played at least 40 minutes in each of the last three games ... UIC made eight 3-pointers in the second half after missing all eight attempts in the first ... After receiving three double-doubles in the first 16 games, the Flames have posted six in the last four contests ... UIC leads the all-time series vs. YSU, 25-11 ... Thursday's game was the start of a five-game homestand, and a stretch of seven of eight at the UIC Pavilion.

Never too early to start a thread...

Cleveland State - Crusader Classic Night (1986-1995) in the ARC

Vikings coming in... with HL wins over UIC (by 17) and Northern Kentucky (by 5)...but lost to Youngstown State by 15.... their road wins this year:

Northern Kentucky (#278) 70-65
Loyola Chicago (#264) 60-54

Here's the recap on the YST game:
http://csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/releases/20160124ml5wat

Here's the Box Score (Note:  'Guins out-rebounded them, and they shot 35%)
http://csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/boxscores/20160124_irn2.xml

They actually posted video highlights of that game...
http://csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/videos/012416_MBB_YSU_CSU

Time to start the thread...and get over last night...

Here's the NKY/UIC box Score...

http://www.uicflames.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2015-2016/012216.html

looks like an 8-man rotation; shot 75% from the line, and got there a lot!

NKY posting:  Valpo game preview

http://www.nkunorse.com/news/2016/1/23/MBB_0123163536.aspx

and their full .pdf game notes...

http://www.nkunorse.com/documents/2016/1/23//NKU_MBB_GameNotes19.pdf

I know we have a lot of "casual viewers" of this thread... so now you can participate!  (if any of the games are canceled, I'll even give you credit for a WIN!!)

Friday 1/22
Rhode Island @ George Washington
St Peters @ Iona

Saturday 1/23 
Ball State @ Eastern Michigan
Utah Valley @ Chicago State
UCLA @ Oregon
Tennessee State @ Belmont
IUPUI @ IPFW

Sunday 1/24
USC @ Oregon State
Iona @ Fairfield
Southern Illinois @ Missouri State
Evansville @ Indiana State

Thought I'd open a new thread to track this issue. 


http://progressillinois.com/news/content/2016/01/19/illinois-budget-impasse-impacting-higher-education-enrollment

Chicago Tribune coverage

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-illinois-higher-education-funding-20160119-story.html

Official Chicago State Notification from their President (posted on their website)

http://www.csu.edu/announcements/documents/Memorandum_CSU_Budget_Challenges.pdf

Thought the most appropriate thing to do after a game like that... was to forget it, and think about Friday's game at the Nutter Center...

so, Valpo's got their 6-game-conference-double-digit streak going... back into the 40s that never happened before...

We have a 1-game lead on the conference.

The Guins have victories this year over two teams with winning records:  Oakland on "The Tip In" game; and their 103-93 win over GBay last weekend.... They are 2-8 in their last 10 D1 games, losing to American #338, Purdue #29, Michigan #38, Notre Dame #39, Detroit #169, Milwaukee #163, Northern Ky #320 (by 20) and to Wright State #161 by 36

Here's the Box Score:

http://www.ysusports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/boxscores/20160116_lyne.xml

and here's the recap:
http://www.ysusports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/wright-state-recap-011616

and here's the season stat sheet...

http://www.ysusports.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/files/teamcume.htm

OK... last night is over.  One a time.  Green Bay, Saturday night on "90's throw back" night... rather disconcerting since all I have to do is look in my closet and I'm all set.   First 1,000 fans get a 90's t-shirt.

Interesting post-game with Luke Gore last night discussing the speed of GB with their average offensive possession being something like 13 seconds?  So... why did they only beat UIC by 2?

Next up... The Panthers... First of three games in 5 days....Hoping for "Separation Weekend"...

Here's the UWM Box Score from their game with Cleveland State on Saturday.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20160109_MILW@CLEVST

Season Stats...

http://mkepanthers.com/custompages/Men's%20Basketball/2015-16%20Season/seasonstats.pdf

one thing to jump out... they've had the same starting 5 for every game this year.

They are certainly not "Awed" by any team with wins @Wisconsin and @Minnesota in front of boisterous, loud crowds.  We'll need the ARC fans to come out for this one!

Since nobody else started it... and we're 23 hours from tip...

just some personal thoughts....

Valpo by 20

OU = 135   

Valpo 77 - UIC 57

Here are their stats year to date... most promising number:  Average Home Attendance is 406

http://www.gocsucougars.com/cumestats.aspx?path=mbball&year=2015&

and here is the complete list of their D1 wins this year:


Same list... alphabetized:


Their Starting Line-up in their last game against DePaul (Lost by 24)

Jawad Adekoya From Tinley Park Illinois 6-6 Senior, 17 points 2 rebounds
Quron Davis, 6-10 Jr,  10 points 7 rebounds
Elliott Cole, 5-11 Guard, 9 points 6 rebounds
Trayvon Palmer 6-5, Fwd 4 points 3 rebounds
Joshua Batson, 6-0 Guard, 4 points 4 rebounds

Fred Sims Jr, 6-4 Guard off the bench for 32 minutes, 22 points, 6 rebounds

They have one other player over 6-6, and he played the last 3 minutes of the game.... and got nothing by 2 fouls!

Currently at #994...

Next 5 games scheduled:

12/6 - Baylor vs. Vanderbilt - Baylor wins it at home... That's number 995 !
12/8 - Baylor vs. Northwestern State- Baylor wins it...75-62...That's number 996 !
12/9 - Valpo at Indiana State~ Valpo wins it... 69-63... That's number 997 !
12/11 - Valpo at Chicago State
12/16 - Baylor vs Hardin-Simmons

so you first need to figure out how many of those 5 games will be "W's"...

then the poll starts with the next game

We've all had the chance to predict the November won-loss record... but fortunately, we were not asked to pick WHICH games were wins...  now... you get to make that selection.

and I'm sure someone will tell me if I missed any...

Friday 11/13  (6-6)

Wright State 77  South Dakota 69
West Virginia 107 Northern Kentucky 61
IUPUI 72  Indiana State 70
Milwaukee 71  Denver 58
Rhode Island 65 American 42 (Matthews 10 minutes, 0 pts before getting hurt)
Bradley 54  Ball State 53
Oral Roberts 80 Missouri State 65
San Francisco 78 UIC 75
Chicago State 137 Illinois Tech 59
Belmont 83 Marquette 80
Stanford 93 Green Bay 89 (OT)
Oregon 80  Jackson State 52
===========================
Saturday 11/14   (2-2)
Cal State Northridge 72  Wright State 67
Oregon State 74  Northwestern Christian 52
Milwaukee 71  Lipscomb 65
Akron 65  Cleveland State 53
===========================
Sunday 11/15  (1-1)
Northern Illinois 65  Wright State 59
Milwaukee 71  Cal State Santa Clara 65
===========================
and looking ahead...
Monday 11/16
Eastern Illinois @ Ball State
Wyoming @ Indiana State
Central State of Ohio @ Detroit
Manchester @ IPFW
Chicago State @ Iowa State
Belmont @ Arizona State
... and...
Baylor @ Oregon... ESPN2 10:30 Valpo Time

and now, pick the conference of the opponent...

and where will we be sent?

What's the seed going to be?   Now that SFA has won...but a number of other "proximity" teams lost...

Go vote for Valpo's re-creation of "The Shot", which is currently in 5th. #LetsDance

http://t.co/WOqVX9IxZ1


I was number 1,967 to vote for valpo... scroll down to the Horizon League picture...

One at a Time.

Where we stand so far...

13-1 in the ARC this year, second best record in ARC History (14-0 94-95)
11 Wins in a row in the ARC
7 overall wins in a row
8-0 at home in the HL for the first time undefeated in HL in the ARC

This Detroit game will be game #30.   We are 5-3 in the last 8 years in game #30 on the season.

With the win tonight, the season-point differential has fallen behind 2001-02 (11.58 to 11.48), still good for 4th best in School History.

February 25th ... a 20-year history....

2/25/14... lost at Wright State 67-58
2/25/08... Won at Milwaukee 66-57
2/25/06... Lost at ORU 87-78
2/25/98... Won in ARC over Western Illinois 66-56

HL Historic Road Games in Calihan Hall 

1/15/14 - VU 78-70
1/17/13 - VU 89-88
1/6/12 - VU 73-71
1/16/11 - VU 78-68
1/8/10 - UDM 77-67
2/7/09 - UDM 56-55
12/8/07 - VU 81-68

UDM this year at home:

Wins over:   Rochester, South Alabama, Aquinas College, South Florida, Milwaukee, Oakland, Youngstown and Cleveland State

Losses to:  Bowling Green State, Wichita State, Oral Roberts, Green Bay, Wright State and UIC.

OK, I started the last two game threads... both wins... let's keep the string going.   WSU has been struggling, we have a nice break to rest up.   Hope for a great crowd to say thanks to Vashil Fernandez and David Chadwick.   Also, Hall of Fame inductions.  We've won 10 in a row in the ARC.

Game #28 of the year.   In the past 28 years, we are 14-6.  (we did not get to play this many games for a few years!)

Success in Game #28:
13-14:  Beat YSU  68-66 at Home
12-13:  Beat EKY  82-60 at home Bracketbuster
11-12:  Lost LoyMMt 61-53 at Maryount Bracketbuster
10-11:  Lost GB 81-80 at GBay
09-10:  Beat Loyola 84-73 at Home
08-09:  Lost to Cleveland State 71-64 at home, clinched 9th place in HL
07-08:  Beat UWM 66-57 at Milwaukee
06-07:  Beat Southern Utah 75-48 at home, clinched 3rd place in Mid-Con

February 21 History
2/21/12 - Win - Loyola - HOME - 66-62 OT
2/21/11 - Loss- UWGB - AWAY - 81-80 OT
2/21/04 - Loss- SUtah - AWAY - 75-58
2/21/02 - Win - Oakland - HOME - 79-72
2/21/94 - Win - Eastern Illinois - HOME - 70-55

Wright State Struggles:

@ Oak:  Lost  84-76
H GB:   Lost 71-58
@ CSU: Lost 88-72
H UIC: Lost 79-75
H YST:  Lost 74-69

Play Oakland at Home on Wednesday night.

OK, but now you've finished your Dickey's BBQ post game meal.  Now about this Milwaukee team that is 7-3 at home. (0-11 on the road).  One at a time guys!  One at a Time.

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/strongbow-inn-to-close-restaurant-banquets-and-brunches-to-continue/article_d3a0c739-2b9a-59c4-ad61-7ea0d0ceb632.html

Here's a link to all of the tournaments for next season... most of the "biggies" are already slated... here are the one's that are NOT fully subscribed... pick out your favorite...

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2013/12/2/5166356/2015-16-college-basketball-early-season-tournaments-events-MTE

2K Sports Classic Benefitting The Wounded Warrior Project
Finals at New York City: Nov. 19 and 20
Hosts and Semifinalists
Duke Blue Devils (ACC)
Georgetown Hoyas (Big East)
VCU Rams (A 10)
Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten)
Visitors (4-8)
Bryant Bulldogs (NEC)
Radford Highlanders (Big South)
Siena Saints (MAAC)
1-4 TBA

Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Finals at Brooklyn: Nov. 20 and 21
Hosts and Semifinalists
4 TBA
Visitors
8 TBA

Gulf Coast Showcase
Fort Myers, Fla.: Nov. 23-25
Teams (8+TBD)
Florida Bracket Teams
TBA
Visiting Teams
TBA

Maui Invitational
Maui on the Mainland: TBA
Lahaina, Hawai `i: Nov. 23-25
Maui Teams
Chaminade Silverswords (DII, PacWest)
Indiana Hoosiers (Big Ten)
Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12)
St. John's Red Storm (Big East)
UCLA Bruins (Pac-12)
UNLV Runnin' Rebels (MW)
Vanderbilt Commodores (SEC)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (ACC)
Maui on the Mainland Teams
4 TBA

Legends Classic
Finals at Brooklyn: Nov. 23-24
Hosts and Semifinalists
Arizona State Sun Devils (Pac-12) (AZCentral's Doug Haller)
LSU Tigers  (SEC) (NOLA.com)
Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East) (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
1 TBA
Visitors
TBA

MGM Grand Main Event
Finals at Las Vegas: Nov. 23, 25
Clemson Tigers (ACC)
Creighton Bluejays (Big East)
Georgia Bulldogs (SEC)
UMass Minutemen (A 10)
4 - TBA

CBE Hall of Fame Classic
Finals at Kansas City: Nov. 23 and 24
Teams (8-14)
Host Teams
Kansas State Wildcats (Big 12) (KC Star)
Missouri Tigers (SEC) (Rivals.com)
North Carolina Tar Heels (ACC) (ESPN.com)
Northwestern Wildcats (Big Ten) (KC Star)
Visiting Teams
TBA

Cancun Challenge
Finals at Cancun: Nov. 24 and 25
Teams (8)
Host Teams (Inside MD Sports)
Illinois State Redbirds (MVC)
Maryland Terrapins (Big Ten)
Rhode Island Rams (A 10)
TCU Horned Frogs (Big 12)
Visiting Teams
4 TBA

Battle 4 Atlantis
Paradise Island, Bahamas: Nov. 25-27 (ESPN MediaZone)
Bahamas Teams
Charlotte 49ers (C-USA)
Connecticut Huskies (American)
Gonzaga Bulldogs (WCC)
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)
Syracuse Orange (ACC)
Texas Longhorns (Big 12)
Texas A&M Aggies (SEC)
Washington Huskies (Pac-12)
U.S. Teams
TBA

NIT Season Tip-Off
Finals at New York City: Nov. 25 and 27
Teams (8-16)
Regional Hosts (4)
Villanova Wildcats (White and Blue Review)
3 TBA
Visitors (4-12)

Great Alaska Shootout
Anchorage: Nov. 25-28
Teams (8)
Quarterfinalists
Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (DII, GNAC)
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (WAC) (Bakersfield Californian)
Loyola of Chicago Ramblers (MVC) (Rambler Mania)
5 TBA


Las Vegas Invitational
Finals at Las Vegas, NV: Nov. 26 and 27
Host Teams
San Diego State Aztecs (MW) (Aztec Mesa)
West Virginia Mountaineers (Big 12) (Scout.com)
2 TBA
Visiting Teams
4 TBA

Corpus Christi Challenge
Finals at Corpus Christi, TX: Nov. 27-28
Host Teams
4 TBA
Visiting Teams
4 TBA

Barclays Center Classic
Finals at Brooklyn: TBA
Host Teams (CBS Sports)
Cincinnati Bearcats (American)
George Washington Colonials (A 10)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (Big Ten)
Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)
Visiting Teams
4 TBA

Las Vegas Classic
Finals at Las Vegas, NV: Dec. 22-23
Host Teams (Pony Fans)
Colorado Buffaloes (Big 12)
Kent State Golden Flashes (MAC)
Penn State Nittany Lions (Big Ten)
SMU Mustangs (American)
Visiting Teams
4 TBA

Hall of Fame Event No. 1
Miami, Fla.: Nov. 27 (ESPN)
Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)
USF Bulls (American)
3 TBA

Hall of Fame Event No. 2
Miami, Fla.: Nov. 27 (ESPN)
Memphis Tigers (American)
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten)
3 TBA

Global Sports Challenge
Teams (5)

Global Sports Invitational
Teams (5)

Rainbow Classic
Honolulu: TBA
Teams (4)
Hawai `i Rainbow Warriors (Big West)
3 TBA

Portland State Tournament
Portland, Ore.: Nov. 20-22 (Basketball Travelers)
Teams (4)
Portland State Vikings (Big Sky)
3 TBA

Fresno State Tournament
Fresno, Calif.: Nov. 20-22 (Basketball Travelers)
Teams (4)
Fresno State Bulldogs (MW)
3 TBA

Miami (Ohio) Tournament
Oxford, Ohio: Nov. 20-22 (Basketball Travelers)
Teams (4)
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (MAC)
3 TBA

FGCU Tournament
Fort Myers, Fla.: Nov. 22-24 (Basketball Travelers)
Teams (4)
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (A-Sun)
3 TBA

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (7)

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (6)

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (4)

Global Sports Showcase
Teams (4)

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (5)

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (4)

TBD On-Campus Tournament
Teams (5)

Golden Gate Challenge/Hilltop Classic/USF Tournament
San Francisco, Calif.: TBA
Teams (4)

Cure UCD Classic
Campus Sites: TBA
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: TBA
Teams (8)

Global Sports Hardwood Classic
Teams (4)

Gotham Classic
Showcase Games in New York City: TBA
Teams (5)

Utah State Tournament
Logan, Utah: TBA
Teams (4)
Utah State Aggies (MW)
3 TBA


and just to annoy some of you... here's one that has been fully subscribed...

Emerald Coast Classic
Finals at Niceville, Fla.: Nov. 27-28
Host Teams
Illinois Fighting Illini (Big Ten)
Iowa State Cyclones (Big 12)
UAB Blazers (C-USA)
Virginia Tech Hokies (ACC)
Visiting Teams
Alabama State Hornets (SWAC)
Chattanooga Mocs (SoCon)
Chicago State Cougars (WAC)
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (OVC)

May as well get'er started...

Here are the results of the last 5 times we've played on February 13th:

2010 - Beat Youngstown, at Youngstown, 77-75
2009 - Beat Loyola in the ARC, 71-47
2003 - Beat Chicago State, at Chicago State 81-70
1999 - Lost to Youngstown, at Youngstown 61-60
1995 - Beat Northeastern Illinois Univ at NEIU, 87-78
1993 - Beat Northern Illinois at DeKalb 72-61

Over the past 20 years, 5-1, with average margin 9+ ppg.
Last loss at home on February 13 was 1988 to Northern Iowa 81-77.

Look at it another way.... in Game #26... we are now 22-7 after the OAK win over the past 29 seasons.  Game #27 has not been good us... 9-19 over the past 28 years.... most of those have been on the road.  The history of home games that are the 27th game on the schedule...

2012-13 - UDM 84-74 LOSS
2006-07 - WIU 80-56 WIN
2003-04 - Chicago State 74-66 WIN
2000-01 - IUPUI 64-56 LOSS
1999-00 - Youngstown 65-57 WIN
1997-98 - UMKC 75-65 WIN
1996-97 - Troy State 72-69 LOSS
1994-95 - Youngstown State 77-52 WIN, MidCon Tournament Round 1

As we look forward to the start of the new year... the guys have a little work to do...  At Harrisonburg, VA on Monday night 12/29, 6pm CENTRAL at the "Convo"

Video Link is showing on the JMU website:

http://jmusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball


Interesting Roster for the "Dukes"...  count the number of seniors...we're talking serious youth !

http://jmusports.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball

They've lost two straight at home (Norfolk and High Point) after beating Ball State in Muncie by 20.

They seem to be a hot-cold team...

Wins over:  Richmond, Campbell, Sacred Heart, Colgate, Longwood and Radford...
Losses to:  Virginia by 28, THE Ohio State by 17, East Carolina by 12, High Point by 9 and Norfolk State by 3 (OT)

They have a 7-man rotation... and have had 7 different game-leading-scorers this season.  they've had 6 different game-high-rebounders, 4 different assist leaders,  7 different steals leaders, and 5 different shot-block leaders.

Same 5 guys have started all 12 games (with one exception)..

Jackson 6-7 sophomore
Dalembert 6-8 sophomore
Curry 6-4  junior
Grays  6-2 junior   (missed one start) ~~ Father is Winston Grays of Cleveland State 86-89)
Satkus  6-8 sophopmore

They've had 4 20-point games this year... from 4 different players.

As of 12/23... RealTimeRpi has us a 4-point dog....67-71...

Dave ~~Throwing the "V"s~~ Hildebrand ('66) passed away yesterday, (12/1).  Arrangements are pending through Moeller Funeral Home.   I understand he was active in the VU Pep-Marching Band.  Thoughts and prayers are with Pat and the Hildebrand Family....

On the Valpo Basketball homepage, there is a link to a video

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/#.VD1VKvnF_6Q

that shows the players (and coaches) out in the community last week helping to build the "ValPlaySo~The Next Generation" Playground.

I was on the steering committee for this playground and spent the week on site managing the materials inventory.  It was great to see ALL of the VU teams out.  Starting the Football on Monday... and the Track&Field, Volleyball, Baseball and Softball teams came out.   

When the basketball team came out of the volunteer tent, it didn't make the video, but we had downloaded the Valpo Fight Song and played it through the megaphone.  On the video, there is a shot of Vashil working with his hands over his head... what you didn't see was the other volunteer standing on top of an 8' step-ladder holding the other end!   

You can see other pictures on facebook:   ValPlaySo Park