Since a good deal of the Internet exists solely for people to give advice to people who are happier than they themselves are, I thought that with the conclusion of the spring sports schedule we might delve into what we feel the boys need to work on in order to hit the ground running in October.
So what are your prescriptions for the lads?
I'll start and say that if we're really going to "go large" then Capo will need to improve his jump shooting, especially 3s, because I have a feeling there will be more attempts than 17 this year.
(I'm reminded of Charles Barkley, barking at A.C. Green [kind of like the black Bryce Drew in certain non-basketball ways] at the line, "Hey, A.C., if God is so good, then why didn't he give you a jump shot?")
OK, I'll bite. LaVonte needs to work on his ball handling. With no Erik Buggs, teams will try to double LaVonte who will be the primary ballhandler until Carter is eligible.
Quote from: vu72 on June 04, 2013, 08:53:58 AMOK, I'll bite. LaVonte needs to work on his ball handling. With no Erik Buggs, teams will try to double LaVonte who will be the primary ballhandler until Carter is eligible.
LaVonte really needs to work on giving up the ball more often when he fails to get a good opportunity off the dribble. That could really hurt this team if he doesn't learn to spread the ball to his team mates more.
Why do people feel the need to knock Capobianco for 3-point shooting? The guy shot 35 percent last year. That's better than Coleman, Boggs and Dority. Maybe wasn't a large sample set, but it's not like he was shooting Buggs numbers.
Quote from: Pgmado on June 04, 2013, 12:41:39 PMwasn't a large sample set,
there's your answer.
Quote from: Pgmado on June 04, 2013, 12:41:39 PMit's not like he was shooting Buggs numbers.
for his college career, he's 11 for 36, 30.6%.
If he's going to shoot more, he has to do better than that.
(btw, Buggs, 2008-10: 14 for 43, 32.6%) BOOM goes the dynamite
I think the key to if we are successful next season rides on the shoulders of the PG play. In games Buggs was out both the offense and defense struggled. I hope Dority learned a lot from Buggs, who was a GREAT PG this past season. I'm not expecting Buggs level defense or ball handling but if we can get consistency out of Dority or whoever turns into the #1 PG I think everything else will fall into place.
Quote from: classof2014 on June 04, 2013, 04:39:09 PMI'm not expecting Buggs level defense or ball handling
Then again, you couldn't expect Dority-level scoring out of Buggs, either. Except for that one game, of course.
The potential of Keith Carter is that he is as quick as Buggs but also able to score off the dribble and shoot from outside. I still want to emphasize the word potential.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 04, 2013, 01:42:16 PM
Quote from: Pgmado on June 04, 2013, 12:41:39 PMwasn't a large sample set,
there's your answer.
Quote from: Pgmado on June 04, 2013, 12:41:39 PMit's not like he was shooting Buggs numbers.
for his college career, he's 11 for 36, 30.6%.
If he's going to shoot more, he has to do better than that.
(btw, Buggs, 2008-10: 14 for 43, 32.6%) BOOM goes the dynamite
Only 13% of Bobby's total shot attempts last year were from 3 and he hit 35% of them. I'll take that any day from a 6-9, 250 lb. four. Contrast that with WSU's Pacher (6-10, 245 lbs., similar minutes). 26% of A.J.'s total shot attempts were from 3 and he only hit 24% of them. There's an example of a big guy who needs to work on his inside game and leave the 3-pt. shooting to smaller people. I don't think that same challenge applies to Bobby at all.
If anything, he needs to learn to finish better directly underneath the basket, something I'm sure he and the coaching staff are well aware of. Going up against our new 7-footer in practice should help out with that.
The point was that his attempts are likely to increase with the presence of Gueye.
So while your observation of 13% is correct--and livable--both the raw number of shots, as well as the percentage, can be expected to rise, for better or worse. If he were Cory Johnson, that'd be fine.
However, there's no reason to expect that his shooting percentage of the same will, unless he works on it over the summer (hence, this topic). He's not bad, but he also has to pick his spots better.
There's a reason #No3sBobby was a common refrain on the live chat last year. (And not from me either.)
But while we're at it LVD and Coleman need to improve their 3P% as well.
Coleman: jump shots
Dority: going left
Capo: conditioning
Vashil: catching the ball and free throws
HC, not only is that spot-on, that's freaking hilarious as well.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 05, 2013, 11:14:06 AMHC, not only is that spot-on, that's freaking hilarious as well.
I try to make my posts be multi-purpose. Success!
What about the incoming class?
Other than "grow" and "add muscle", of course :)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 08, 2013, 10:58:44 AM
What about the incoming class?
Other than "grow" and "add muscle", of course :)
Some of the incoming freshmen already have been working out or playing in open gym with the current team members. I suspect others will be joining once the second summer semester begins and they are on campus full time taking classes. The more they play together, the quicker the team chemistry develops, which is important with so many new faces.
That's great...obviously it's hard to comment on players we haven't seen as much, but what do we think about their games that needs work?
David Chadwick is not getting the attention he deserves. I continue to hear Vashil mentioned as a key reserve in the post (and I do hope he realizes some of the potential he had), but Chadwick is much more likely to make an impact this season. He is more polished, a better shooter, and frankly, he can catch and finish. Don't forget this was a 3-star who signed with a Pac 10 school and had interest from some pretty serious programs.
Would also love to see things turn around for Coleman this year...he brings athleticism to the wing that I believe we lack at the moment.
I hope Chadwick turns out to be a major contributor on a good team, but he is a transfer from Rice in Conference USA and not the Pac 10-12. In two years at Rice, he averaged less than seven minutes a game in 52 games with around 1.5 points and 1 rebound a game. Those stats don't mean he can't be a big part of the Crusaders, but may explain why he's "not getting the attention he deserves." Without a doubt, though, he gives us valuable depth on the front line.
Quote from: sliman on June 10, 2013, 09:05:25 PM
I hope Chadwick turns out to be a major contributor on a good team, but he is a transfer from Rice in Conference USA and not the Pac 10-12. In two years at Rice, he averaged less than seven minutes a game in 52 games with around 1.5 points and 1 rebound a game. Those stats don't mean he can't be a big part of the Crusaders, but may explain why he's "not getting the attention he deserves." Without a doubt, though, he gives us valuable depth on the front line.
David Chadwick originally signed a letter of intent with Washington State, hence the the Pac 10 mention. ;)
I know the numbers aren't very impressive. But when you see him in the gym with this group of guys, you walk away with the distinct impression that he will contribute and likely more so than Vashil.
I believe he will have an impact on this year's team. Sometimes a change of scenery is all a kid needs to breakout. Let us not forget that he spent all last year working with the team so he should be ready to go right away and has spend a full season under Bryce's system just learning it. Do I think he'll be the best player on the team? No. But I do believe he will see ample minutes and play a big roll this season as the #2 to Bobby.
ARCInsider, Chadwick probably isn't getting the attention you believe he deserves because no one outside of Conference USA has seen him play. Yes, I hope he is working to be ready to crack the rotation of the bench early in the season, but I, as well as many on this board, don't know enough about how he really can do. We know what Vashil has done, and what he needs to work on, but until Chadwick logs some minutes in the lineup, no one has an idea of what he will do for the 2013-14 season.
Quote from: classof2014 on June 11, 2013, 06:30:54 AMplay a big roll this season
Ladies and gentlemen, David "Kaiser" Chadwick!!!
Also, he is indubitably smart--look at his academic record. Hopefully that will transfer into court smarts as well.
Quote from: valporun on June 11, 2013, 11:16:28 AM
ARCInsider, Chadwick probably isn't getting the attention you believe he deserves because no one outside of Conference USA has seen him play. Yes, I hope he is working to be ready to crack the rotation of the bench early in the season, but I, as well as many on this board, don't know enough about how he really can do. We know what Vashil has done, and what he needs to work on, but until Chadwick logs some minutes in the lineup, no one has an idea of what he will do for the 2013-14 season.
If you're a townie, stop by the ARC from time to time and you can catch some of the guys in action. I had seen film on David, but until I saw him playing in person I wasn't convinced that he would contribute.
Guys, I think we need to realize that the level of player coming to Valpo has been significantly increased over Bryce's tenure. I think we all initially viewed Chadwick through our Wille/Witt-colored glasses, assuming he'd be another big, lumbering white guy with minimal skill. We are now a team of 3-stars with the occasional 4-star mixed in, whereas we used to be a 2-star team with the occasional 3-star (or the once in a lifetime Bryce).
Since you have seen him scrimmage, what are some of his strengths? Is he more comfortable facing up or posting up? How is his quickness? Range? Is he a good defender? Is he naturally aggressive ala Kevin or Bobby? In general what is it that impresses you about him? Thanks.
This Chadwick discussion is interesting. My recollection is that chef seemed to think he won't be part of the regular rotation, deferring to Adekoya in the front court. David is taller and if, at 6'9" he is mobile and a decent defender, it would be huge! Imagine a 7', 6'10" and 6'9" guys roaming around the paint. Fun!
I would certainly put more stock in what chef says than what I say, as he has undoubtedly seen him play more. He also has probably talked more with the staff re: his role than I have.
That said, I still really like what I have seen from David. He is definitely capable of hitting 12-15 foot jumpers, and he may occasionally make a three (although I doubt he will be asked to do that often). He is fairly smooth, can catch the ball back to the basket...didn't see him make that many post moves, but they were solid if unspectacular. I don't think he will be a banger or a bruiser, but he can hold his own under the basket. A lesser (possibly much lesser) version of Cory...a versatile big man. He can move, handle decently and be a threat outside. Can't speak to his defense much---hard to assess in that setting, at least for me. He works hard on the floor.
Like I said, I think he will be a nice surprise this season....from what I saw of Jubril (2 games), he is a polar opposite of David. Very aggressive, tough, crashes the glass, very athletic.
From what I remember of Chadwick last season and the very little I've seen of him in the open gym I commend ARCInsider for his glass-half-full outlook. I think David is trying to form the player he wants to become and working hard at it. I don't believe Chadwick has reached anywhere near what we need him to be so he can be effective in the HL. He's not strong enough to take on an Anderson or Minnerath and he doesn't have enough finesse to create much on his own with his moves.
I think Chadwick will be a good role player and probably play a lot at the beginning of the season but unless he makes huge strides he'll lose time as the freshmen develop and grow over the year. He's certainly not going to hurt the team.
Quote from: historyman on June 11, 2013, 06:38:06 PM
From what I remember of Chadwick last season and the very little I've seen of him in the open gym I commend ARCInsider for his glass-half-full outlook. I think David is trying to form the player he wants to become and working hard at it. I don't believe Chadwick has reached anywhere near what we need him to be so he can be effective in the HL. He's not strong enough to take on an Anderson or Minnerath and he doesn't have enough finesse to create much on his own with his moves.
I think Chadwick will be a good role player and probably play a lot at the beginning of the season but unless he makes huge strides he'll lose time as the freshmen develop and grow over the year. He's certainly not going to hurt the team.
This is a fair assessment, I think. I'm a little more optimistic about David's role throughout the season...or maybe I am a little more pessimistic that Adekoya will be ready to make a significant impact this year. Hmm, need to think on that one. But you could be absolutely right, historyman...good thoughts.
Lucky for him that Anderson and Minnerath are done in Detroit.
Quote from: valpopal on June 08, 2013, 01:09:23 PMSome of the incoming freshmen already have been working out or playing in open gym with the current team members. I suspect others will be joining once the second summer semester begins and they are on campus full time taking classes. The more they play together, the quicker the team chemistry develops, which is important with so many new faces.
Where is ca with our open gym reports. I miss some of his insights into the newer players and any changes in the returning players.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 11, 2013, 12:40:57 PMDavid "Kaiser" Chadwick!!!
Our opponents will fear our "Keyser Söze"
Quote from: covufan on June 12, 2013, 07:26:38 PMOur opponents will fear our "Keyser Söze"
The greatest trick David Chadwick ever pulled was convincing the VUFZ he didn't exist.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 13, 2013, 12:45:31 PM
Quote from: covufan on June 12, 2013, 07:26:38 PMOur opponents will fear our "Keyser Söze"
The greatest trick David Chadwick ever pulled was convincing the VUFZ he didn't exist.
This made me chuckle...nicely played.
Quote from: ARCInsider on June 13, 2013, 01:16:27 PMThis made me chuckle...nicely played.
And I only originally called him "Kaiser" because someone called him a "roll" player.
Yeh, "Croissant" just doesn't have the same ferocity associated with it.
SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH DAVID CHAD-WECK
!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 15, 2013, 01:28:16 PM
SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH DAVID CHAD-WECK
!!!!!!!!!!!
Or election time in Florida---Chad week??!!!! ::)
Quote from: bbtds on June 15, 2013, 10:39:59 PMOr election time in Florida---Chad week??
Now you've just rolled off in a different direction.
Ok, so we're all in agreement that we hope Chadwick needs to be improving, but no real clear-cut idea of why we feel he needs to be improving. He's never played a game in a Crusader uniform, all we can hope for out of David is some good minutes off the bench to start the season, and hope that maybe he can get into the starting lineup too. At this point, I want to see LaVonte improve some of his ball handling, since he's our point guard until Keith Carter becomes eligible, and hopefully a floor leader shows up over the summer. We don't have an Erik Buggs or Rowdy to lead these guys on the floor anymore, so someone needs to step up over the summer and get the guys working.
I also hope we all let the freshmen get acclimated to the college game, before we try to put all of them in the starting lineup or in the first rotation off the bench. I still sit on that part of the bench where I don't get all hyped up about freshmen until they are in a game, and we can see what they are able to do in a 40 minute game, not video from high school or AAU. The outsider reports don't get excited about players either because of the cliches, "jump out of the gym", "shoots the lights out", and such just puts too much hype on a player that might not be as ready for the real game pace as maybe high school or AAU put them in, where they were the main focus of the offense, instead of a crucial cog in the team's scheme for a long season of working together to win tough team games.
I believe that both LVD and Capo will emerge as our leaders. When I watched them last year they seemed to step into leadership roles from time to time. The biggest question is how they will improve over the summer? Will Bobby be able to finish better under the rim? Will LaVonte become a better defender and ball handler? and how will all the new faces fit in? I do have high hopes but realize that none of them have played together before or under Bryce's system.
I'm excited to see how the team plays come October and November. Still a lot of questions that will be answered come game time.
Paul Oren early summer observations (via the Twitters; can't embed tweets on our board yet so just pasted):
QuoteValpo Basketball sure looks different without Buggs, Broekhoff, Bogan, Kenney, Boggs and Van Wijk on the floor.
Peters, Yeo, Williams, Davidson and Adekoya going through first week of college workouts. Lots of raw talent in the gym.
Capobianco and Dority have both dropped a lot of weight this summer.
Carter, Chadwick, Yeo and Adekoya win three team scrimmage after Adekoya knocks down 3-pointer and Chadwick cleans up offensive putback
https://twitter.com/NWIOren
But wait, there's more!
https://twitter.com/NWIOren
QuoteOne look at Clay Yeo's ankles is all you need to see to know the Valparaiso freshmen are working hard. Two massive blisters.
Both Yeo and Nick Davidson talked about how tough the workouts have been this week, but both did it with a smile on their face.
Yeo: "We're all just in learning mode right now and we're thankful that there are people in teaching mode."
Yeo went on to say that everyone knows the freshmen will make mistakes, but that every mistake will be a learning experience.
Davidson says the newcomers have already formed a strong bond and they've all known each other long before Valpo.
and finally:
QuoteA few observations from my first look at the 2013-14 Crusaders...
Capobianco must have zero intention of playing center with his new body frame. Could just be a summer body, but he looks incredibly lean.
Dority also slimmed down and looks like the most experienced player on the floor. Coleman has put on a little muscle.
Gueye moves really well for a big and was very vocal when calling out defenses. Seems mature beyond years.
Chadwick is thrilled to be able to "matter" during the drills. Very anxious to get on the court and contribute.
Lexus Williams looks just like a freshman Erik Buggs. Plus he's wearing No. 15. Very fast, better shooter than Buggs.
Adekoya showed range. Peters cleans up loose ball rebounds. Davidson reminds me of Diebler. Yeo could be best freshman.
Finally, Keith Carter is the best player on the team and I'm not sure it's close.
That's more of a compliment toward Carter than a diss toward anyone else. Team will completely change when he is eligible.
Oh, and finally...Alex Rossi was not in the gym today. Doesn't mean anything, he just wasn't in the gym.
Everything's coming up Milhouse! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M67E9mpwBpM#)
Great to hear that Carter is looking so good...if we can have Carter and Dority in the backcourt together, that could be tremendous.
Sounds like Chadwick is planning on contributing...still expect him to be a surprise contributor.
And, again, for the umpteenth time, Rossi won't be playing. I'm surprise PO doesn't have this confirmed yet.
I think it's pretty obvious he isn't coming back. No one is talking, hence no confirmation. Haven't seen Rossi in the gym since the team left for Auburn Hills.
Quote from: ARCInsider on July 03, 2013, 09:33:16 PM
Great to hear that Carter is looking so good...if we can have Carter and Dority in the backcourt together, that could be tremendous.
Yes, nice to hear such a good report about Carter...and remember that Valpo has an offer to Keith's cousin, Jevon Carter (2014), a 3-star shooting guard. Would be nice to see a Carter-Carter back court sometime in the future!
Quote from: Pgmado on July 03, 2013, 11:05:20 PMI think it's pretty obvious he isn't coming back. No one is talking, hence no confirmation. Haven't seen Rossi in the gym since the team left for Auburn Hills.
You have to wonder if that heart rhythm problem wasn't fully corrected. Or maybe it was and now we are back to speculating about the hernia or foot issues. Whatever it is that keeps him from the gym I would think the staff would be very patient as long as the medical team continues to hold on to some hope for full recovery. If we are already beyond that point and have heard nothing then somebody has already dropped the ball.
Clay Yeo @ValpoBound5 2h
Just weighed in and I have gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks
Quote from: wh on July 23, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Clay Yeo @ValpoBound5 2h
Just weighed in and I have gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks
Is he up to 160 yet?? ;)
Quote from: wh on July 23, 2013, 01:10:42 PM
Clay Yeo @ValpoBound5 2h
Just weighed in and I have gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks
Perhaps the freshmen are gaining the pounds Bobby C. has lost this summer. I saw him last week, and he looked like he'd really trimmed down a lot.
Gotta be honest, didn't see any of them doing THIS with their summer vacation...
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21574072-556/valparaiso-hoops-duo-bows-out-at-p-t-tennis-classic.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21574072-556/valparaiso-hoops-duo-bows-out-at-p-t-tennis-classic.html)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on July 28, 2013, 01:32:58 PM
Gotta be honest, didn't see any of them doing THIS with their summer vacation...
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21574072-556/valparaiso-hoops-duo-bows-out-at-p-t-tennis-classic.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/21574072-556/valparaiso-hoops-duo-bows-out-at-p-t-tennis-classic.html)
Nice picture of Bobby sporting maybe a 6 or 8 week beard growth. I think maybe the whole team should grow one, Bryce in particular would look great with a grandpa Phil length Duck Dynasty model.
I've always felt that some off season cross training is usually great for both the mind and the body. So tennis, swimming, biking, running are all good; with softball, volleyball, and bowling at least being fun. I do draw the line at golf however, because I personally found it to be more addictive than heroin and if you use a golf cart, equally bad for your health. ;)
Trio of Crusader Players to Take Trips With AIA Squads in August
http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/12815/trio-of-crusader-players-to-take-trips-with-aia-squads-in-august/ (http://valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2013-14/12815/trio-of-crusader-players-to-take-trips-with-aia-squads-in-august/)
A bunch of the first year players helped out with the basketball camp this past week. Who were some of the kids (ages 8-13)? Sons of: Cavanaugh, Schmidt, Ensminger! Proud parents and grandparents in the audience as their kids were announced under the spotlight and music. Great to see Chris Ensminger...looking great. He's heading back to Germany to coach on Wednesday. I asked him if he remembered his school record rebound game... he says "What, the 24?"... yeh, he remembered it... but he didn't remember that the last two were put-back attempts of his own missed bunny-shots! :lol:
"We are really excited about our players being able to go on AIA trips," said Crusader head coach Bryce Drew. "It is a great blessing for them to learn about God, preach the Gospel, and play basketball all while experiencing a different culture."
-Playing basketball - great
-Experiencing a different culture - great
-Learning about God - great, as long as that is what you choose to do (which obviously the three players did)
-Preaching the gospel (presumably with the intent of changing peoples' beliefs) in a different culture - not something that the university should so easily endorse. The university is rightly marketing itself as a university accepting different religions, perspectives, cultures ,etc. When representatives go out into other cultures and preach a specific religion and a university leader endorses it, that seems to be in conflict with how the university wants to and should project itself.
AIA is a Christian organization, not a Lutheran organization
Yes I know that AIA is a Christian organization. When I said that a university leader should not endorse representatives preaching a specific religion because it is in conflict with how the university wants to project itself, I meant any religion including denominations and entire faiths. If a player was Jewish and was part of a Jewish religious team, would a university leader publicly say that it is a great opportunity for that player to preach the Torah? I have no problem with anybody's religious beliefs, but an organization should not publicly endorse preaching them to other people when, at the same time, you are trying to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Quote from: vu84v2 on August 06, 2013, 02:24:27 PMI have no problem with anybody's religious beliefs, but an organization should not publicly endorse preaching them to other people when, at the same time, you are trying to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Wow. You're part of the reason for the Naked Public Square.
Jay Harris gets a little love as a high impact transfer
www.midmajormadness.com/2013/8/1/4578194/top-mid-major-impact-transfers-for-2013-14 (http://www.midmajormadness.com/2013/8/1/4578194/top-mid-major-impact-transfers-for-2013-14)
I saw Kevin Van Wijk at the Valparaiso YMCA yesterday...He was shooting the 3 ball very good ;)
He isn't in Europe trying to find a team? I thought that someone mentioned he would not be graduating, so what was the point of sticking around?
Quote from: Valpofan00 on August 09, 2013, 12:26:01 PM
He was shooting the 3 ball very good ;)
well.....well.......well...............................
that's the word.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e94/hanksta400/42b2571845cfe3976fb4f1def5a0f12d_zpsa41f58dc.jpg)
E) me & bbtds
F) bbtds & I
G) both D and F
Some food for thought for the pedants among us:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY)
Vashil Fernandez has extended his summer vacation and is playing for Jamaica in the FIBA Americas Championship Tournament. Tomorrow (Friday) morning his team plays against Canada on ESPN 3 at 10:20 Central Time.
Well, the roster is now complete! Now it's time for "what should Player X do to work on his game this summer?"
First, a look back at some of the more prescient thoughts from last summer:
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 04, 2013, 08:47:53 AMI'll start and say that if we're really going to "go large" then Capo will need to improve his jump shooting, especially 3s, because I have a feeling there will be more attempts than 17 this year.
I'm putting myself first only because this was the first comment (one of the benefits of starting threads). Surprised upon rereading this thread that this was a controversial statement. Capo, previously a career 30.6% 3FG shooter, shot an even 40% on 55 attempts. (Statsheet says he made the 33rd most in our conference? Can that be true?) A surprisingly good offensive player, Capo's ORtg was 21st in the conference.
Quote from: HC on June 05, 2013, 10:11:54 AMColeman: jump shots
Dority: going left
Capo: conditioning
Vashil: catching the ball and free throws
This was both prescient and hilarious. Note: Coleman declined in 2FG and 3 FG (but shot up in FTs, no pun intended).
Vashil went from 28.6 FT% to 47.7%. That's kind of stunning in context. The same percentage improvement (impossible, but let's see) this year would lead to him shooting 79.6%, or Gueye territory.
Quote from: vu72 on June 11, 2013, 03:43:53 PMThis Chadwick discussion is interesting. My recollection is that chef seemed to think he won't be part of the regular rotation, deferring to Adekoya in the front court.
*heads nodding
Quote from: classof2014 on June 16, 2013, 01:46:05 PMI believe that both LVD and Capo will emerge as our leaders.
Seems obvious in retrospect, but wasn't at the time. LVD, I mean.
OSIPOFF: With full basketball roster on campus, Valpo's preparations for upcoming season intensify
VALPARAISO — The second session of summer school at Valparaiso began on Monday. The calendar has turned to July.
As workouts continued on Wednesday, all 12 players on the Crusaders' roster were on campus.
The 2014-15 season isn't quite here, but it's getting closer.
Count sophomore forward Alec Peters among those eagerly anticipating it.
"The biggest thing is that we're competing, along with getting better," he said. "When we do drills, we're at each other, whether we're doing one-on-one or two-on-two. We want to stay competitive throughout the whole summer and not lose that going into the season. We're getting better, and everyone is really fighting for spots."
Especially in a deep backcourt. Again, there's still meaningful months between now and the start of the season. But figure to pencil in Peters and senior Vashil Fernandez, the team's only true center, as starters. After that? Could be up for grabs.
Valparaiso could employ three- and four-guard lineups, something with which it isn't unfamiliar. The Crusaders seem to have quickness and athleticism, with the personnel to potentially play at a fast pace.
With their one remaining scholarship, they still could add a big man, even if it's for the fall. And they're somewhat more optimistic about the availability of David Chadwick (knee), a senior forward who isn't necessarily a traditional post player but is 6-foot-9.
But they still have limited size.
"We're going to have to rebound," Peters said. "We're going to have to put an emphasis on attacking the glass both offensively and defensively, especially when we go small."
David Skara, a 6-8 forward from Croatia who played last season at Midwest Elite Prep Academy in Merrillville, was Valparaiso's final player to arrive, late Tuesday night. He was at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday, in the process of getting situated.
Tevonn Walker was the Crusaders' first newcomer to get into town, on May 19, a day ahead of the beginning of the first summer session. The freshman guard from Montreal was attempting to assist classmate Skara.
And any on-court advice?
"Just work hard, and do what the coaches say," Walker said. "Usually what they say is to help you get better. If you do it, then the chances of you improving are high.
"It's been an adjustment for me, not only with the lifestyle, the environment, the culture, but also the intensity of the basketball. At the beginning, I wasn't used to the workouts, it was something new, I haven't really been training like this before. But I'm getting the hang of it, getting used to it, and I like it a lot, and I feel like I'm getting better."
Sophomore guard Lexus Williams isn't far removed from enduring similar growing pains (if not as severe, hailing from Chicago). He said the four returnees who were freshmen last season have been playing with more ease and comfort, not as consumed with simply "trying to learn everything."
So any final takeaway from the 2013-14 season?
"Experience matters," Peters said. "Last year we couldn't finish out some close games, and we made a lot of mistakes that freshmen make. You hate to say that, because we played a lot of games, but experience is definitely going to help us this year."
Building and bonding during the summer:
http://www.pjstar.com/article/20140721/SPORTS/140729854/?Start=1 (http://www.pjstar.com/article/20140721/SPORTS/140729854/?Start=1)
That is a great example of how great a young man Alec is...he comes from "good stock" and his parents and family should be very proud of him. Valpo should be very proud!!
Quote from: valpo64 on July 22, 2014, 03:54:13 PM
That is a great example of how great a young man Alec is...he comes from "good stock" and his parents and family should be very proud of him. Valpo should be very proud!!
(Strange you would use that phrase after I just read this sermonette)
Do You Come From Good Stock?Doug Brendel
"You come from good stock."
That's what a girl told me in my first week at college.
She was an upperclassman, so I assumed she knew what she was talking about. No,
I'm kidding; actually I had never heard such an outrageous statement.
I come from good stock? This sounds like animal husbandry or something.
It turns out she knew my family. We were actually on the same family tree.
Before World War II, three guys had immigrated to America from Europe.
One of the guys had two daughters.
The other two guys had sons.
Each daughter married one of those sons.
One of those sons was her uncle.
The other son — was my uncle.
We were in identical positions on opposite branches of the same family tree.
Apparently this, in her opinion, meant I came from good stock.
And it would be OK for her to date me.
At first it was offensive to me to think that someone would judge me on the basis of my
family history.
Of course I dated her anyway; you don't turn down an upperclassman.
But "coming from good stock," quote-unquote, is a troubling concept.
Is this a legitimate idea?
How are you going to turn out? Can I look at your mother or your father and predict your
future?
Maybe in order to get a handle on you, I should look up your family tree, even beyond
your mom and dad — to your grandparents, and beyond.
How much of a product are you of your bloodline?
And how much of the stuff your forebears did will show up in your own behavior?
How responsible is "nature," vs. "nurture"?
Sometimes I say or do something and I just go, "Wow! That was my dad! I'm becoming
my father!"
Sometimes I'll hang up the phone and realize, I just sounded like my mom.
How much of this is the work of the chromosomes I inherited from my parents, and how
much of it the result of growing up in their house, under their instruction, subject
to their example?
Sometimes I'll be looking in the mirror, getting ready for the day, and suddenly realize,
as I'm getting older, my face is gradually morphing into my grandmother's face!
This is DNA! Make it stop!
In spite of being offended by the idea that that upperclassman assumed I was from
"good stock," I have to confess that if I'm going to hire somebody to, say, take
care of my two teenagers for a couple of weeks while my wife and I are out of
town, if you apply for the job and somehow I learn that your parents were drug
addicts, and your grandparents were drug addicts — I am going to think twice
before hiring you.
I am way likelier to feel comfortable hiring someone whose parents were in law
enforcement. The financial industry. The lumber industry! The cattle industry!
Anything!
This may not be fair, but it's the truth.
History matters to us.
* * *
Now most of us didn't get to choose our family history. We just got dropped into this
particular stream of people and events, and we've been swimming along as best
we can ever since.
The only one who ever got to choose his family history was Jesus.
Now honestly, if I had had the freedom to map out my own family history, there are a
few people who made it onto my family tree who wouldn't have made it.
(I had an uncle in New Orleans who— oh, never mind.)
In fact, Jesus had an almost unimaginable advantage in this: he had the power not only
to shape the events in his family's past, he could go right into the DNA,
generation after generation, and organize the genetics of his bloodline.
He could make sure that every ancestor had every possible chromosomal advantage,
and every possible social advantage, every possible educational advantage,
every possible vocational advantage.
But instead of taking my approach, Jesus appears to have just missed it.
You look at his family tree, and it looks like he wasn't tuned in to the importance of
family history at all — like he wasn't paying attention or something.
His family tree has more misfits than mine does!
Actually, when God set out to publish the story of Jesus' life, the first book of the New
Testament — the very first of the four gospels — the very first chapter, the very
first sentence — is a detailed rendering of Christ's family tree.
This is like some enormous strategic error, if you're trying to impress people with your
family background — because this is not an impressive list.
In fact, God inspires Matthew, the writer of this first Gospel, to SKIP some of the
standouts — he doesn't mention Abraham's wife Sarah, the mother of the Jewish
nation; doesn't mention Rebekah, Isaac's wife; doesn't mention Rachel, Jacob's
wife.
The Scriptures use the phrase "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" about 35 times
— but all three of their wives, who were overwhelmingly regarded as holy
women, get left out of Christ's first official genealogy.
On the other hand, he includes Bathsheba.
This is the married woman who slept with King David.
It would be hard to character Bathsheba as honorable, let alone a "holy woman"!
I would have left her off my family tree. But Jesus chose her to be included.
Matthew also mentions Rahab.
She is maybe the most famous prostitute in the entire Bible.
Not exactly a "holy woman"!
But she helped God's people. Later she had a baby, and the baby was Boaz, and he
grew up to be King David's great-grandfather.
I would have left Rahab off my family tree. But Jesus chose her to be included.
Maybe the strangest choice of all was Tamar.
Let me tell you about Tamar.
You've heard the phrase "the 12 tribes of Israel," right?
This is not just a reference to the nation of Israel.
Israel was a person. This is the name that God gave to Jacob.
And the 12 tribes of Israel are his 12 sons — technically, 10 sons and 2 grandsons.
One of the sons was named Judah. Genesis 38 tells us that he married a foreign
woman, a Canaanite, and over the next few years she gave birth to three boys.
The boys grew up.
When the first boy came of age, his father Judah found him a wife. Her name was
Tamar.
But this young man was so wicked — we don't even know from the historical record
what it was that he did, but he was so evil — that God just let him die.
So — according to the custom of the day — Judah turned the young widow over to his
second son.
But this guy, by now, already had a wife and children; he didn't want to be saddled with
the complication of other children, didn't want his estate divided between the
children he considered his own, and these other children that he was just
obligated to.
And he was sneaky about it.
He didn't say, OK, look, I don't want to do this.
Instead, he pretended — actually, he employed an ancient form of birth control; I'm
embarrassed to talk about it in mixed company — you will have to read the
details for yourself in Genesis 38 if you want.
But anyway, he was evil, and eventually he died too.
So now Judah is grief-stricken. He has buried two sons, he only has one son left. His
baby.
This one is still too young to get married.
And honestly, Judah's afraid that even if the boy grows up and he hooks him up with
Tamar, this son will die too.
As far as Judah is concerned, this Canaanite woman is cursed!
So Judah engages in a deception too (his son must have come by it honest).
He assures Tamar — and look, she must have been grief-stricken too; she's lost one
husband and been betrayed by a second — but Judah assures Tamar that he
will fulfill the customary obligations.
She should go live in her father's house, live like a widow — wear the widow's
traditional clothing, stick with the traditional widow's routine — and when the boy
grows up, they can get married.
Tamar goes for it.
But the boy grows up, he becomes a man, and nothing happens.
No engagement, no wedding.
Years go by. Tamar is stuck in her father's house, wearing widow's garb.
So many years go by that now, old man Judah's wife dies.
There's another funeral, another burial, and Judah goes through the grieving process all
over again.
But eventually he recovers, life gets somewhat back to normal, and Judah decides to
make a road trip, with his friend Hirah. He's gonna go up to a place called
Timnah.
Well, word reaches Tamar that her father-in-law is heading up to Timnah — and she
decides to organize a little deception of her own.
Because it just so happens — I hope you won't feel I'm being too indelicate here —
Tamar is ovulating.
So she takes off her widow's clothing and puts on a somewhat different outfit: she
dresses like a prostitute. This outfit includes a veil — so when you look at her,
you can't tell that it's Tamar.
She goes to a certain way station on the road to Timnah, and she waits.
Judah swings by, he sees her, and he decides to negotiate for the prostitute's services.
What will you pay? she asks him.
Well, he wants to conserve his cash, so he offers something of pretty high value in that
culture: a goat from his flock.
That's pretty good, she says. But you don't have the goat with you. This is like buying
on credit. How do I know you'll actually deliver the goat?
Well, what do you suggest as security? he asks her.
Hey, how about you give me your seal, your cord, and your staff? she says.
See, a prominent man in that culture would carry a seal for signing contracts.
The seal was a cylinder engraved with unique markings; instead of signing a piece of
paper the way we do today, you would roll this cylinder over a soft clay document
as a way of certifying your identity.
You carried the seal on a cord which you would wear around your neck.
And your staff had unique markings carved on it too; this was another way you would
guarantee that you were the person you said you were, and you would make
good on whatever promise you were making.
The combination of the seal and the staff might have been the equivalent of showing
two photo ID's.
So Tamar says, leave me your seal and cord, and your staff, until you deliver the goat.
(if you are still reading this you can finish it here)
http://www.dougbrendel.com/sermons/Desperate5-Stock.pdf (http://www.dougbrendel.com/sermons/Desperate5-Stock.pdf)
I not only read the entire thing, I past it on! Thank you for your post. It says much about the difference between Valpo grads/supporters, and the typical sports fan.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 09, 2013, 10:17:19 PM
E) me & bbtds
F) bbtds & I
G) both D and F
Your answer and grade were both "F." ;)
August 9th? Are you in the future?
Quote from: bbtds on July 25, 2014, 01:49:13 PM
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on August 09, 2013, 10:17:19 PM
E) me & bbtds
F) bbtds & I
G) both D and F
Your answer and grade were both "F." ;)
August 9th? Are you in the future?
August 9th, 2013 is hardly in the future.
My 11-year-old grandson is participating in Bryce's week-long bb camp, which began this morning. All of the assistants and most of the players were on-hand to work with the kids. I could tell our little guy was pretty star-struck. :)
Interestingly, Moussa was there, as well.
I got a chance to watch David Skara work out for several minutes this morning. He and Alec Peters were taking turns receiving low post feeds from Roger Powell. I came away very impressed. He is built a lot like Alec - long, lean and muscular. He has a quick first step, a good jump hook, running hook and dunked with ease off a variety of post moves. Alec looked VERY good by the way - very quick and demonstrated a lot of athleticism.
Remember what ca said about Skara:
"They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.
"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.
I think we got a good one here. :)
Quote from: wh on July 31, 2014, 01:09:38 PM
I got a chance to watch David Skara work out for several minutes this morning. He and Alec Peters were taking turns receiving low post feeds from Roger Powell. I came away very impressed. He is built a lot like Alec - long, lean and muscular. He has a quick first step, a good jump hook, running hook and dunked with ease off a variety of post moves. Alec looked VERY good by the way - very quick and demonstrated a lot of athleticism.
Remember what ca said about Skara:
"They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.
"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.
I think we got a good one here. :)
No offense, wh, but I'd almost wish you weren't that impressed and thought those players needed a lot more work. It always starts with the fans being overly impressed and the players stay fairly flat in their improvement line (as on a graph) over their four years because they might feel they don't need to work as much on their skills because they might have read on a message board that fans were impressed with their play. Hasn't it always been the players who "need work" and are truly motivated by their personal goals that make the biggest impact at Valpo's level of Div. I? Dority, Emsminger, Huff, Oppland and many others.
On the other hand there are others who we were overly impressed with when they came to Valpo but didn't make many strides in improvement that don't need mentioning.
Quote from: bbtds on July 31, 2014, 05:33:03 PM
Quote from: wh on July 31, 2014, 01:09:38 PM
I got a chance to watch David Skara work out for several minutes this morning. He and Alec Peters were taking turns receiving low post feeds from Roger Powell. I came away very impressed. He is built a lot like Alec - long, lean and muscular. He has a quick first step, a good jump hook, running hook and dunked with ease off a variety of post moves. Alec looked VERY good by the way - very quick and demonstrated a lot of athleticism.
Remember what ca said about Skara:
"They're getting a steal, a complete steal," said Chris Artis, the associate head coach of Midwest Elite's post-graduate team who recently was named the coach of the newly created high school team.
"He's going to be really, really good, and he's only going to get better. He's a basketball sponge, works real hard, high IQ, deceptively athletic. He has that Euro step down, long stride and he can dunk on you.
I think we got a good one here. :)
No offense, wh, but I'd almost wish you weren't that impressed and thought those players needed a lot more work. It always starts with the fans being overly impressed and the players stay fairly flat in their improvement line (as on a graph) over their four years because they might feel they don't need to work as much on their skills because they might have read on a message board that fans were impressed with their play. Hasn't it always been the players who "need work" and are truly motivated by their personal goals that make the biggest impact at Valpo's level of Div. I? Dority, Emsminger, Huff, Oppland and many others.
On the other hand there are others who we were overly impressed with when they came to Valpo but didn't make many strides in improvement that don't need mentioning.
No offense taken at all. In fact, I'm grateful that someone wants to talk a little VU basketball. :)
So how do you see David fitting into the lineup?
Quote from: vu72 on July 31, 2014, 07:16:31 PM
So how do you see David fitting into the lineup?
Not having observed him on the perimeter it's tough to say. A wild guess is he will back up the 3 and secondarily the 4. I hope he's up to the challenge. We have an abundance of back court players but not a lot of depth in the front court.
Quote from: wh on July 28, 2014, 11:08:58 AM
My 11-year-old grandson is participating in Bryce's week-long bb camp, which began this morning. All of the assistants and most of the players were on-hand to work with the kids. I could tell our little guy was pretty star-struck. :)
Interestingly, Moussa was there, as well.
What a camp! Every instructional mechanism known to mankind was jammed into 40 fun-filled, (appropriately) intense hours. Without exception, the coaches and players were enthusiastic and worked hard to make every hour count. Every activity was organized and run like clockwork. Luke Gore was the organizer and leader and deserves special credit for a job well done. Yesterday's closing ceremonies were especially cool. With the house lights down and the music turned up, each camper was given a personal spot light intro, the same way our starting lineup is introduced at home games. Finally, all campers received a basketball to keep and the players and coaches stationed themselves across the gym with pen in hand to autograph them. My daughter told me that on the way home my grandson sincerely thanked her for spending the money to send him. She said, "You're welcome; I'm glad you liked it." He replied, "I didn't like like it, I LOVED it." :)