Messages

Let's join the Southland because someone in that league won a tourney game!

Seriously what the hell do you expect of Valpo? Magically join the A10? Join the Big East? The B1G 10? Since the Sweet 16 run they jumped up to a 1-2 bid geographically sane league with a much higher conference RPI. The only other option would be to be magically invited to the MVC, another 1-2 bid league. Except travel times would be longer and we'd have to upset Wichita State in the conference tournament to make the dance. Sounds fun!

Its absolutely ridiculous how people on here think we're somehow too good for this league and how terrible it is that the league consists of teams that were in the MidCon 20 years ago. Whats the alternative? We should've stayed in the Summit because North Dakota State won a tourney game? We should've jumped up to the A10 by now? Since the Sweet 16 year Valpo consistently won the league to jump up a conference. Before the Sweet 16 year, Wright State, CSU, UWM, UWGB, etc had already left, so if you're going to be disappointed at our conference situation, you might as well blame the guys from 20 years ago.

As for the facilities - I'd agree with wh, but I'm not 100% convinced the program is screwed forever, but in order to take this program to the next level, were going to have to invest some money in facilities upgrades. Unfortunately we might just need to hope that an alumni is actually a sports fan. The Christophers and the likes aren't the mid major basketball fans like us.

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I think you missed my point. It's not that Valpo should have joined any particular league, but the fact that they're playing in basically the same league, with the same facilities, with the same general status quo approach. The brand didn't grow, nor is it going to grow either. The reality is Valpo is in the same spot they were in 1997, with less NCAA tournament exposure and Mr. Basketball isn't walking through that door anytime soon.

There was a lot of trashing of the Summit League and talk of how much better the Horizon League would be for Valpo and seeding in the NCAA's if they got in. Last year Valpo was a 14 seed out of the Horizon League vs. South Dakota State getting a 13 seed. This year it was  12 seed for North Dakota State. Valpo's Sweet 16 run was as a 13 seed. Point being, neither conference is that fantastic and the difference between the two is marginal at best. Mid Con, Summit League, Horizon League, OVC, ect...they're all pretty much the same thing with a different logo.

As I've said a few dozen times before, VU men's basketball is living on borrowed time due to the administration's ongoing refusal to address facility needs. Every Valpo fan/alumnus should thank their lucky stars for Bryce and his ability to succeed despite the lack of support he needs and deserves. The day Bryce leaves is the day the music died. Anyone who thinks Greg Tonnagel or anyone else can waltz in here and recruit the way Bryce has with a glorified high school gym for facilities is kidding themselves.

Oh, no need to remind me of the never ending, always changing list of critical facility needs "far" more important than upgrading the ARC. I understand. Difficult choices sometimes have to be made. I only hope the the administration understands that remaining competitive is no different for the men's basketball program than for the science program, or a restaurant, or any other business venture.  If you fail to invest in facilities comparable to those of your competitors, you will not remain competitive. This is an indisputable fact.

Thus, like it, don't like it, care, don't care, believe it or don't, it is where we're headed beginning the day Bryce Drew leaves - the day the music died.

I completely agree Valpo is living on borrowed time. I can't believe that VU didn't do more to capitalize on the success of the sweet 16 run, but alas, they didn't. 16 years later and they're still in the Mid Con (call it the Horizon if you'd like, but it's all members were in the Mid Con at one point), playing basically the same teams, for a middling league (anybody notice the Summit won a game with N. Dakota St. with the same NCAA tournament results.

Let's call a spade a spade. The reason VU made it to the Sweet 16 was they had Indiana Mr. Basketball on the roster and a future NBA player. Do you see any Indiana Mr. Basketballs waking through that door anytime soon? I don't. They have 2 NCAA tournament wins all time, both of those were because of Mr. Basketball. Additionally, Butler ran with their opportunity (yes, back to back NT games is MUCH better than 1 NCAA Sweet 16) instead of plodding along without ambition to be anything more than what they were in the past. I still say joining the Horizon had much more to do with travel than upgrading the level of competition (whatever the reason it wasn't a bad move).

All that being said, if Bryce does indeed leave, VU has one more answer in Tonagel and then...um.... (insert crickets).

*I don't think the recruiting would drop off any if Greg Tonagel was the coach. The players he's recruited to IWU are amazing considering the level they're competing.

If you of all people can't advance discussion without inflating these players reputation beyond their ability to fulfill that reputation than I don't know who can. I'm just asking for some rational thinking for the discussion.

As I have stated before...rational thinking when it comes to Valpo basketball isn't exactly a strength of this group.

I hope they use this tournament (or game) to get some feel for next year. This is a glorified scrimmage, so I hope they treat it as such. Of course play to win, but that doesn't mean you can't work on some things for next year.

Being "real" isn't exactly a strength of this forum. 

I wonder what his brother Mike is Opp to?

Except in 2008-09, when we only managed 1,901.

I propose a 3-month ban for anyone bringing up that season

Unless it's to show how much an aberration it is.

Thanks for the updates!

Logan Jones recruiting video:

Logan playing basketball

Probably we should have followed him a little longer before we offered... 

I thought about bringing up Logan Jones too but at least I managed to restrain the impulse. Like I said a few years back I suspected that we might have been making a mistake with that recruitment when I saw the reaction  of a Madison resident to the VU interest in him. I hope Milan doesn't catch wind that we are again talking about his favorite player.

For the record that was the one and only season that I watched more girls games than guys and it wasn't even close.

I caught it...wish I didn't but I did. Painful, just painful. Thanks 

The play by Oakland is hardly new ... my high school coach used it 30+ years ago.  If Slocum didn't warn his players about it, then he's to blame because that's about the only chance Oakland had at that point.  And FWIW, I thought the video from behind Bader showed he was clearly still moving, but the official making the call was on the opposite side of the play, meaning his view of Bader was obscured by the YSU player.  Kudos to Kampe for planting the seed in the mind of the officials.

I'll agree, it's hardly new, I've seen it used before and used it myself years ago. I did think it was very very smart to let the officials know in advance about the "play", as they're less likely to swallow the whistle for a play on. I tip my cap.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Having an interesting time watching the Butler game with Ronald Nored.  I did not know that Ron has hitched his star to Brad Stevens and is now working for the Boston Celtics.

That's cool. I watched that game, and a couple others by Butler. I have to say they're MUCH better than I expected.

Good lord.  I am very surprised that Native American communities haven't said something about that routine.  I would imagine that neither dancer is a true Native American?  I don't agree with the changes in mascots (except possibly Redskins), but you would think someone would be all over this if they know about it.

IF, and that's a big IF I remember correctly, the dance was taught to the school by Native Americans...so I don't think they have a problem with it.

I've predicted that the winner of the HL will be a 15 seed because the non conference schedules of the top teams are terrible and every team will inevitably drop a couple of bad games. Combine that with the fact there isn't a clear front runner and you'll end up with a conference winner that lost 5 or 6 conference games.

I agree. Well, that, and none of the teams in the Mid Con are actually that good.

[Shopping List]

Shopping List (not necessarily in priority order - don't have the time):

Enthusiastic motivator who doesn't need to rely on motivational quotes
Demands great practice effort of players and coaches
Has held position as recruiting coordinator; a plus if connections are the central Midwest; bonus if Chicagoland
Understands and has worked within the limitations of a non-scholarship, need-based financial aid system (D-III or Patriot, Ivy, PFL?)
Committed to tough defense - adaptable to available talent
Flexible offense approach that adapts to available talent; values the running game; is not commited to ball control via the pass
Management experience and skill -can build on off-field gains achieved in past 4 years
Program builder - can rally financial as well as emotional support to bolster the program
Willing to recruit the JUCO/Transfer universe in year one to fill talent gaps
Good person with high integrity

I invite posters to copy my starter list and add to it in their posts.

#1. Winner
#2. See #1

Seriously, that's what it's going to take, somebody who wins (see Urban Meyer type) and who's only track record is winning. You must change the culture and eliminate accepting mediocrity. I know awhile ago that ML said to win the Pioneer League every few years. No, the goal should be win it EVERY year. When you get somebody who demands and focuses on results, you will see results. Let's hope they head down that path.

Thank you Seniors. You have persevered through a tough stretch and come out the better for it. Good luck to you and your teammates. Have fun and represent Valparaiso University to your best.

And I would like to say THANK YOU as well. There's plenty to be said about what happend here the last 4 years, but I would like to say I am very impressed with the seniors who stuck it out and hung in there agaist ALL challenges against them.

Thank you!

And the Joel Osteen, Dale Carlson era is over! I wish him the best of luck in his next career as a motivational speaker.

Mostly I am happy for the kids, who deserved MUCH better than this. I didn't like how he threw the senior class under the bus by not allowing them to be competitive all in the name of the "system". I could say many things about this staff, but in the end the best thing to do is put this behind us and move on.

MARK MANGINO.

he made KANSAS football a relevant national power again...remember?

after THE INCIDENT he's coaching TEs at YSU.

so. 

AVAILABLE

While I would be in favor of this hire, I actually don't think he'd leave for Valpo. Would he leave? Absolutely. For Valpo, um...unlikely.

Eh, I am not reading much into this season. He was handed a craptastic team, what do we expect. I expect he'll have success at that level, it just might not be for a couple of years.

[Butler 72]

Butler 72 Valpo 12

Are you freaking kidding me? Were they playing the Colts? How on earth do you lose by 60 to another non scholarship program in a supposed rivalry game. That's pathetic. Butler put up 717 yards of total offense, and 328 on the ground. Seriously? The funny part to all that is despite being out gained by over 300 yards, Valpo ran more plays.

I'll predict here there will be no football blog next week, as Joel Osteen doesn't like to blog when he loses big. 

Perhaps their shields were defective when they were raised.

Now THAT'S funny. Laughing out loud, and not in the internet lol kind of way.

how could a D-I team allow a single NAIA player to drop 38 on them without assigning someone to shut him down? 

I didn't see the game, so I can't really speak of this individual performance, but I am not shocked to see an NAIA player drop 38 on a D1 team especially when hot from deep. A buddy of mine who played NAIA ball hit 10 3's in a game and didn't play a whole lot after halftime. He did the same type of thing in HS against D1 competition including all state players. I am not saying it's common, but I wouldn't be surprised nor would I be too concerned. Hot is hot and as long as you can get the shot off...

*Some NAIA players are really very capable of being good D1 players...see the Indiana State player who averaged 10+pts per game and transferred to NAIA Div 2 Indiana Wesleyan.

Valpo football is trying not to look bad losing instead of trying to win. Those are decisions made by the head coach. He needs to go after the last two games of the season.

I agree. I do however find it a little funny that he didn't give two rips about the margin of defeat for the first two years, but now it matters how the team looks? I wonder why WIN (what's important now) became a slogan this year, and not the prior years? Hmm...

Heck, go down the street to Michigan City and see one of the Top 20 largest gyms in the country. I am just sad the Wigwam closed. 

I went optimistic and said 5-4. They'll lose to Murray State, Illinois, Ohio, and Mercer. I could also see a loss to UCF, but I'll give them that win in light of the Mercer loss. Flip those if you'd like. I wouldn't be stunned to see them go 2-7, but I also wouldn't be totally surprised by 6-3. The reality is we really don't know much about this team yet, how they play team D against actual opponents, or who will be the go to guy in the last 2 minutes of the game. I think these things will take time, and since they're so young that's okay.

Valpo down 23-7 at half.  After a blocked FG, they had the ball on their 20 with 2 1/2 minutes left, and ran it.  They got a first down with 50 sec at their 37, and they still ran it.   I could hear the parents yelling at Carlson on the sidelines.  I have a feeling very few students are attending this).

Sounded strange but that is what appears to have happened. It is even worse than that, we actually took a timeout with time for the last play and then ran again. Here is another classic, after the punt block safety we actually kicked off (no one at any level kicks after a safety). We kicked off out of bounds. You can't make these things up.

Didn't Valpo have some issues with punters the weeks before? Sick, missing, whatever? If that's the case, I might understand the kickoff. Doesn't make it any better that he kicked it out of bounds, but are we really surprised?

And did anybody notice that Indiana Wesleyan is ranked #2? Coached by former VU alum Greg Tonagel. I suspect they'll have a pretty good season, and they've picked up a 6'8 transfer from Indiana State who averaged 10+ points per game and is in the top 15 all time for 3 pointers made in ISU history.

San Diego 58 - Valpo 14

What more can be said?

Valpo down 23-7 at half.  After a blocked FG, they had the ball on their 20 with 2 1/2 minutes left, and ran it.  They got a first down with 50 sec at their 37, and they still ran it.   I could hear the parents yelling at Carlson on the sidelines.  I have a feeling very few students are attending this).

Wow, I just read the game log...way to build on the momentum of a blocked kick by basically letting the clock run out. Impressive. I wish I was surprised, but I am not. Oh well...

*and then he wonders why they can't finish games.