This should be the biggest game of the conference season thus far for Valpo and for Green Bay, which will come into town undefeated in conference play after the home win over Detroit. Also, there ought to be a pretty good crowd since the #24 jersey of Bryce Drew / Bruce Lindner will be retired and raised to the rafters prior to the game.
In a related note: Alec Brown was injured in the Detroit game. Early reports suggest a dislocated shoulder, though the extent of the injury and his availability to play on Wednesday are yet to be decided.
Update: From the descriptions of Brown's injury by Green Bay fans, I'd guess we won't see him play on Wednesday.
(http://www.seiu.org/mr-burns-excellent-o.gif)
DON'T TURN OVER THE FREAKING BALL AND WE WILL WIN
Which Valpo team shows up? I'm an optimist so I will say the good one and with the good one I think we can beat anybody's roster at full strength.
70-65 victory
They are celebrating the Crusaders birthday this night too. I'm nervous about all the mascots that will be there freaking out my almost 3 year old. Stay out of EE mascots!
Its too bad about Brown. Hopefully he will be back as he has worked very hard. I also would like a shot at them at full strength as I don't want an asterisk after the win!
Quote from: vu72 on January 26, 2014, 06:38:45 PM
Its too bad about Brown. Hopefully he will be back as he has worked very hard. I also would like a shot at them at full strength as \i don't want an asterisk after the win!
This is a sad turn of events for Brown, GB, and even the league when one of its best players goes down. I agree I would love to see him in uniform Wed. night.
Yeah, now we HAVE to win or we look like total weak sauce.
The excuse train has left Union St. Station. If you can't beat them without their 2nd best player, and at home, you'll never beat them.
Hope he locates that shoulder soon.
OTOH, Sykes, Fouse and company could easily beat a basically lackadaisical team that has trouble holding on to the ball on the offensive end and has had trouble making shots.
Eh, I don't know. Look what they did against Detroit.
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=400506657 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=400506657)
13-46 from the floor. 28.3%.
2-14 from deep. 14.3%.
THIRTY-FOUR of FORTY-ONE from the line. (82.9%!)
Detroit, being the road team, shot fewer than half as many. And before you say, "not home cooking", UWGB took all of 3 FTs in the last 4 minutes, so it's not because Detroit started fouling.
Wow.
They're not going to get 41 attempts on us. Not on the road.
I think Green Bay is still a really good team with or without Alec Brown. But that'll definitely hurt them. Their next tallest guy is Greg Mays , whom starts at forward alongside Fouse. They usually bring Kenneth Lowe off the bench when Brown is out, but he's still only 6'7. This would be a good chance for the tubemen to succeed.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/593/t0cv.png)
We beat them 3 times last year, and hopefully we beat them 3 more times this year!
Alec Brown has given us trouble in the past, so his absence will be big for us. This is especially the case as I was worried about both Vashil and Moussa fouling out early because of guarding against Brown. I think we win this one, as GB will be trying to find an identity without their big man:
Valpo 73
GB 66
The bad news:
Even without Brown, GB is still the most talented team in the HL. When Sykes is in the zone he can pretty much score at will and there is not much anybody can do about it. Love and Fouse are excellend on ball defenders, which is not good for us because we can't even handle the pressure put on us by the half court line, side line, or base line... :(
The good news:
GB is 7-0, but they have not looked very good in 3 of their last 4 games. Had the Detroit and Oakland games been on the road, I am confident they would have lost both of those. Also, UIC outplayed them for 38 minutes, but I think they are cursed.
As usual, anything could happen. No result would shock me.
Green Bay has issued a statement lacking detail about Alec Brown's shoulder injury, simply offering that the prognosis looks good but he will undergo further tests as the week moves on. Coach Wardle will offer more information on Tuesday.
Sounds pretty major for Brown which is a shame. He has played great and finally started living up to expectations and made me eat my words. Hopefully he won't miss the remainder of the season.
I hate to say this, but I hope Green Bay wins out and we beat them in the HL championship game. I think that would send 2 HL teams dancing.
look dude, you think that we are SO POWERFUL that TWO LOSSES TO US will KEEP THEM FROM the dance?
seriously?
like the committee will deny a 26-5 team from a good mid-major an at-large.
in fact they could make it with 25-6.
so go ahead, Phoenix. Lose all 3 to us again this year. You can still make it if you win out.
GB is receiving 5 votes in the AP poll, technically #33
Found this on the GB Fan board:
GB sends out update on Alec Brown: "Early prognosis looks good. Will undergo further testing." And that's it. Wardle talks tomorrow.
Dan Koob (@dankoob)
Read more: http://www.phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/367/game-21-valpo#ixzz2ri6hovTy (http://www.phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/367/game-21-valpo#ixzz2ri6hovTy)
I really hope people will come out on a Wednesday night. GB has the longest win streak in college basketball (I think) and it would be great a win for us if we can take down GB. With Brown out and they haven't played great lately, I like our chances. As long as we can take care of the ball we should win this game.
Hard to have the longest win streak in college basketball when their are a couple teams that have not lost this year, but what the heck, it sounds good
Quote from: Grizz on January 28, 2014, 11:02:47 AMHard to have the longest win streak in college basketball when their are a couple teams that have not lost this year, but what the heck, it sounds good
LOLOLOLOL
Quote from: vu72 on January 28, 2014, 10:14:05 AM
Found this on the GB Fan board:
GB sends out update on Alec Brown: "Early prognosis looks good. Will undergo further testing." And that's it. Wardle talks tomorrow.
Dan Koob (@dankoob)
Read more: http://www.phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/367/game-21-valpo#ixzz2ri6hovTy (http://www.phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/367/game-21-valpo#ixzz2ri6hovTy)
Sounds like GB is being pretty tight-lipped on this. Did anyone say which shoulder he hurt? Obviously, any injury to the shooting side is hand/arm/shoulder is more serious.
Whether he plays tomorrow or not, I hope he's back playing soon. After years of having promising teams fall short, this might be the year GB gets back to the NCAA tourney for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Quote from: classof2014 on January 28, 2014, 10:35:57 AM
GB has the longest win streak in college basketball (I think) and it would be great a win for us if we can take down GB.
Uh...
It was his left shoulder, It was forward and he was leaning forward because of the pain. The players on Detroit's bench where yelling at the Ref's to stop the game. He walked over to their bench and just kneeled down. He had the trainer hold the arm while he walked to the locker room. Coach Wardle said he did not practice today.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x2BFYpOXs (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x2BFYpOXs) just because
Great memories, I remember screaming at home when the shot fell, sitting on the couch on a snowy March evening. Good times. Good times.
Quote from: classof2014 on January 28, 2014, 05:07:36 PM
Great memories, I remember screaming at home when the shot fell, sitting on the couch on a snowy March evening. Good times. Good times.
I remember getting dizzy and light headed after that shot. The ARC was absolutely nuts and everybody stayed for several minutes after. Truly the greatest live sporting event I've ever been to by a longshot. I still vividly remember Kenny's 3 after the game was pretty much over and realizing we still had a small chance.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCTTcJH-yIc (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCTTcJH-yIc) here ya go, this one has Kenney's triple over Brown!
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 27, 2014, 08:03:23 PMlook dude, you think that we are SO POWERFUL that TWO LOSSES TO US will KEEP THEM FROM the dance?seriously?like the committee will deny a 26-5 team from a good mid-major an at-large.in fact they could make it with 25-6
I don't think we are SO POWERFUL that losing to us keeps GB from the dance. In my opinion the committee doesn't rank HL high. Detroit and Valpo both got 14 and 15 seeds the last two years. Plus Green Bay's only signature win is against Virginia (not ranked in AP top 25 even though they are .5 out of 1st in the ACC).
But seriously, I do think the committee will deny a 26-5 team from a good mid-major an at-large. So does USA Today.
Let's say the Phoenix get upset in the Horizon League tournament. Still NCAA-worthy? This is hypothetical, but Green Bay likely would have to go unbeaten the remainder of the regular season to attain an at-large bid. Based on recent selection committee decisions, the chances for the Horizon placing two teams in the tournament is bleak.
Consider last year: The same Wichita State team that reached the Final Four was on the NCAA bubble in early February following three consecutive losses. Two seasons prior, Wichita State was snubbed despite a 24-8 record and second-place MVC finish (14-4). It went on to become NIT champion. And Gonzaga, which has played in every NCAA tournament since 1999, was snubbed by the committee in 1998 despite a 23-9 record and win against then-No. 5 Clemson on its résumé.
Among the 10 greatest snubs in NCAA tournament history, seven were mid-majors.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/01/28/mid-major-radar-can-green-bay-make-the-ncaa-tournament-as-an-at-large-team/4963917/ (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/01/28/mid-major-radar-can-green-bay-make-the-ncaa-tournament-as-an-at-large-team/4963917/)
Dude, Let's be patient and let it play out. We maybe arguing for no reason. But SERIOUSLY, you need to take into account the above and not just assume that GB gets in if they lose 3 HL games is a fact.
I agree with oklahomamick here. It's not really what a certain team on the bubble's record is but who they beat or who they are beaten by. So it almost always comes down to one certain game (especially for mid-majors) that they lose or win. If the Phoenix lose to a mediocre Valpo team it could knock them off the bubble and out of the tournament. When it comes to the selection committee's decisions the margins are that thin.
well i'm not saying they'd be a lock either. it would depend on how all the other chips fall. it's still january.
but in fact, i analyzed the best records to get left out here some time ago:
http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=995.msg18627#msg18627 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=995.msg18627#msg18627)
anyway, here's the main problem: if you're rooting against your own team (in college, where there's no draft pick to be upgraded) then you must be rooting for your coach to get fired (unless you're setshot, in which case you're rooting agin' your team in hopes they drop the sport entirely).
to hell with the hl getting two bids if i have to want my team to lose two or even one game to do it.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 28, 2014, 10:44:59 PMwell i'm not saying they'd be a lock either. it would depend on how all the other chips fall. it's still january. but in fact, i analyzed the best records to get left out here some time ago: http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=995.msg18627#msg18627 (http://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=995.msg18627#msg18627) anyway, here's the main problem: if you're rooting against your own team (in college, where there's no draft pick to be upgraded) then you must be rooting for your coach to get fired (unless you're setshot, in which case you're rooting agin' your team in hopes they drop the sport entirely). to hell with the hl getting two bids if i have to want my team to lose two or even one game to do it.
If Valpo wins the tournament who cares if Green Bay wins on the 29th. Valpo will be going to the tournament and they will be a 15 seed. Almost guaranteed.
In my own mind I want Valpo to win. If GB wins then I won't fret it and hope for better days in the second half of the conference season. GB is truly close to hosting the HL championship tournament already.
It really depends on Gonzaga, Toledo, Wichita State winning their conferences... But then you also have CUSA up for grabs, an MWC upset against SDSU, or some random team in the SEC or A10 winning... It's so early to discuss bubble teams.
Someone should show Vashil a tape of Samuel Dalembert. I have been to several Mavs games this year, and I can't help but see a less skilled Vashil in Dalembert's game. Both are lanky dudes with limited offensive skills, and good defensive skills. Dalembert basically lives on the dunk/alley-oop and close hook shots/lay-ups. If Vashil watches the tape, he will notice how quickly Dalembert goes up after receiving the ball near the hoop, to maximize the possibility of a made shot or foul. He will also see how he keeps the ball high to keep guards from taking the ball away easily. If he is given a realistic comparison, maybe he can maximize his last year with our school, and have a decent pro career overseas. You can't create a Patrick Ewing or Hakeem Olajuwon in just a few years when someone has such little experience in the game, and limited skills. I am pretty sure that Dalembert was also late to the game coming from Haiti, and only had so many years before he got to Seton Hall. I would take a mini-Dalembert next year, a serviceable Center for what we need.
Brown's status still uncertain ... http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20140128/GPG020101/301280438/Men-s-basketball-Shoulder-sprain-leaves-Brown-s-status-up-air-UWGB (http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20140128/GPG020101/301280438/Men-s-basketball-Shoulder-sprain-leaves-Brown-s-status-up-air-UWGB). Read into it what you want, but certainly sounds like they're mentally preparing to be without him. :twocents:
QuoteHe was injured after going up for a defensive rebound and getting hit by Detroit senior forward Evan Bruinsma.
Does anyone see the conspiracy theory that could be construed from how the injury occurred?
"Does anyone see the conspiracy theory that could be construed from how the injury occurred?"
Rachel swears she had nothing to do with it:
(http://i61.tinypic.com/os8qjk.jpg)
They're obfuscating, purposely. Gamesmanship, obviously--they want us to have to prepare two gameplans both with and without him.
I don't blame them. Life gives you lemons, or Titans give you a punch in the shoulder...
It's official Alec Brown has ruled out for tonight's game. He had played every game since joining the Phoenix, a 3 1/2 year streak broken.
Hopefully Wardle doesn't abuse his players too badly if Valpo pulls off the upset.
Is the game on the HL network?
The coach is injured as well. He fell on some ice getting off the team bus.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 29, 2014, 06:54:28 PM
Is the game on the HL network?
yep... http://www.horizonleague.org/live/9694 (http://www.horizonleague.org/live/9694)
Nice start. Up by 10 at the 12 minute mark. Dority 5-5.
Quote from: a3uge on January 29, 2014, 06:53:58 PMHopefully Wardle doesn't abuse his players too badly if Valpo pulls off the upset.
QUOTE OF THE YEARRRRRRRRR
What was the vegas line?
Green Bay by 4 or so was the line. Er, it opened at 4 and was at 2 by midday.
I didn't see it after Brown was out.
Gb just doesn't look good out there. Valpo's sloppy at times, but playing some good defense and looking aggressive.
And, the back door cut has been working repeatedly!
What's next, a home run pass?
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 29, 2014, 06:59:33 PM
The coach is injured as well. He fell on some ice getting off the team bus.
The very soil of Valparaiso is against them!
Crowd's pretty good for a work/school night.
Student section is... Disappointingly small, but pretty loud.
Quote from: agibson on January 29, 2014, 08:34:46 PMThe very soil of Valparaiso is against them!
Dude, we need you in the chat room. You'd be tons of fun and normally you're at the game.
So.
Last I checked it doesn't like my iPod.
(No opportunity for a home run pass? We would also accept a Cokeman alley oop.)
Or a Coleman swat.
Yeah, we'll take that!
That was a fun game to watch, outside of the last 4 minutes of turnovers by our subs. Hopefully we can build on this game as we head into the second half of conference play!
Obviously, Brown being out helped us keep a large lead throughout the game, but GB isn't a slouch with it's other players. I still think we would have won by 8-10 with Brown in the game, as we were just on fire with each shot, even outside of the open paint. GB appeared lost for most of the game without it's big man, which is understandable with him having played every game in his college career up until this one. The rematch will be interesting in GB, where we have often struggled. A 5-3 first half of conference is a good start, and if we do the same in the second half, I would be very happy with a 10-6 conference record.
4 straight over GB. 5 of 6, of course with last year's 3-peat being the first-ever sweep.
Ironically last loss was 75-60 :)
Timing-wise, this win brings some momentum into a very winnable stretch over the next few games: @UIC, vsDET, vsOAK, and vsUWM. The Valpo team that showed up for most of tonight could beat anybody, but playing at a human level, it is possible for Valpo to head up to GB at 9-3 to make things interesting for the final weeks of the season. Let's hope this one gets the boys on track for good!
Is the game statistically over yet?
Also, is Green Bay our new Butler? That's 4 in a row now.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 29, 2014, 09:25:35 PM4 straight over GB
Quote from: a3uge on January 29, 2014, 09:48:47 PMAlso, is Green Bay our new Butler? That's 4 in a row now.
COME ON MAN
Quote from: govalpogo on January 29, 2014, 09:44:49 PMa very winnable stretch
Great point...the 4 worst teams in the league, with only the worst on the road.
Doesn't get a whole lot easier than that. Meanwhile, GB has 2 games on us, so let's all grit our teeth and hope that WSU can beat them on the road...
AND REMEMBER, 'DEATH FIRST' IS NOT AN OPTION:
Donlon or Wardle?
(http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2012/08/19/1b/d9/112711-wsubb-04.jpg)(http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Brian-Wardle-Abuse-Allegations.jpg)
Lexus Williams has a spark at point that can't be matched. Adekoya also was phenomenal!
Sent from my NX008HD8G using Tapatalk
A terrific game by our schizophrenic team. Youth will be youth. Still, the play of Adekoya was outstanding and the overall maturity and intensity is growing as we played perhaps our best game against a team without Brown but hardly a small team.
Well done!!
Thanks LAA, those images are now burned into my brain.
Dority > Sykes. I think Dority could put the basketball through my kids little tykes hoop right now. Valpo's on ball and help defense on Sykes was incredible, he and the rest of GB had no chance in the paint.
I was at the game tonight and I wasn't disappointed. Did anybody else see the GB player throw Benny the Bull to the ground right before game start or was it just me?
Anyways... great game tonight. LVD looked great tonight, he is confident in everything he does and really took it to Sykes who had an awful 20 points (thanks to FTs), it really seemed like the relentless AIRBALL chants really got under his skin.
Lexus also was great, 5 points and 8 assists, and he hustles on every play. Especially a play that just turned into a jump ball early in the second half seemed to give us energy on a seemingly meaningless play. I really think Lexus is the next Sykes or Perry in this league. He's confident and isn't afraid of anything.
I also though both Jubril and Alec had really good games, both were high in the rebound column too. As well as for Vashil, he has been hot and cold and today he was hot. Had 4 blocks, which is no easy feat.
Great game overall and really embarrassed GB, even with Brown they probably lose by 10 or so instead. We played with energy throughout the whole game. I also loved the animation Bryce showed early in the second half that got a technical.
Overall, this is a grade A performance. Hopefully we can head into Chitown and take it to UIC. It'll be a homecoming of sorts for LVD, Lexus, Jubril, and KC, so I would imagine many family member will be at that game.
Quote from: classof2014 on January 29, 2014, 10:22:07 PMI was at the game tonight and I wasn't disappointed. Did anybody else see the GB player throw Benny the Bull to the ground right before game start or was it just me?
Yeh, we saw it at the scorer's table... I think the guy thought he was a crusader mascot and Benny really did interfere with their standard warmups ... but still, absolutely uncalled for behavior.
On the other hand... "Third Times' the charm" for the the behind the back half-court shot. 47' ...nothing but net.
Which GB player did that? What a d-bag...
Quote from: valpotx on January 29, 2014, 10:54:50 PMWhich GB player did that? What a d-bag...
Must be a Bucks fan.
This was a fun game to watch. Lavonte is so confident and effective. Most importantly, he is the emotional leader of this group.
Vashil created a no fly zone. While the stats only show 4 blocks, I think he changed 10 others just because GB players saw him there and either didn't take the shot or took an uncomfortable one.
Lexus & Alec are very promising for the future. I hope Bryce can keep recruiting at this level. I can't wait to see them with a year or two of experience under their belts.
Jubril: I don't think too many people appreciate the importance of this guy. He is not the most athletic player, He doesn't have the prettiest shot, and he does not block too many shots. In other words, his work does not show in the box score but man oh man! The guy has the built of an NBA small forward. I had the privilege to watch Lebron James as a HS senior. You can laugh at me if you want, but Jubril is the closest 18 year old kid to that 2002 kid in Akron, OH. The only (and major difference) is that Lebron had a faster first step.
Jubril can guard any opposing player in a HL team, you can't switch on him. He's fast enough to guard the 1 and strong enough to stop the 5. He moves his feet amazingly well and sets incredible screens (or shall I say walls) without fouling. He boxes out and rebounds like a boss. The only thing he needs to work on IMHO is a mid distance jumper.
Quote from: valpotx on January 29, 2014, 10:54:50 PM
Which GB player did that? What a d-bag...
It was #35 Vincent Garrett. It happened right in front of me. Benny was messing with them during their warmup. He was really being annoying and would not stop. He kept trying to take the ball away and then join thier layup line. Garret went after him and someone held him back. Minutes later he went back at him again and no one stopped him and he grabbed Benny and literally threw him on the floor. Moussa came by and helped him up. To be honest I think he got into the GB players heads and they lost focus. I'm surprised valpo and the refs let him be out on the court during warm ups.
The takedown didn't deter Benny much. As both starting 5's huddled up out on the court just before the opening tip, Benny snuck over to the GB huddle and acted like he was listening in. Then he scurried over to the Valpo huddle as if to tell them what the GB players were saying. It did seem a little out of place, but funny nonetheless. At halftime he hit a half court shot with his back to the basket on about his 3rd attempt. I've seen that done on video before, but never live. Pretty amazing!
It was pretty amusing, but it was uncalled for on both sides. The last thing I wanted was them to start the game with free throws because the refs called a technical because the Bulls mascot was disrupting their warmups. I don't blame Garrett for throwing Benny to the ground, I'd be pretty ticked off too if some random mascot tried to disrupt pregame warmups. Nonetheless though, it was uncalled for on both sides.
Comment from a GB fan who sounds frustrated (and maybe just a little insulted) by their loss to "this Valpo team":
I figured that we would lose a game eventually, but not to this Valpo team. If we were to lose tonight, I would have at least expected a close loss. Other than Keifer, no one else showed up. We shouldn't have let this Valpo team shoot that well. It appeared to be a lack of energy and effort......Maybe this loss will be a teaching point that BW will use the rest of the season.
I think we have one more loss in us in the regular season(hopefully if we do, it's against CSU, WSU, or YSU - one of the HL contenders), but if that's the case, we MUST get to the HL tourney final and lose a close one to get an at-large.
Seems that this fellow needs to catch up a little bit, given that we're tied for 2nd with "HL contenders" CSU and WSU and a game ahead of "HL contender" YSU. ;)
Quote from: wh on January 30, 2014, 08:26:05 AM
Comment from a GB fan who sounds frustrated (and maybe just a little insulted) by their loss to "this Valpo team":
I figured that we would lose a game eventually, but not to this Valpo team. If we were to lose tonight, I would have at least expected a close loss. Other than Keifer, no one else showed up. We shouldn't have let this Valpo team shoot that well. It appeared to be a lack of energy and effort......Maybe this loss will be a teaching point that BW will use the rest of the season.
I think we have one more loss in us in the regular season(hopefully if we do, it's against CSU, WSU, or YSU - one of the HL contenders), but if that's the case, we MUST get to the HL tourney final and lose a close one to get an at-large.
Seems that this fellow needs to catch up a little bit, given that we're tied for 2nd with "HL contenders" CSU and WSU and a game ahead of "HL contender" YSU. ;)
;) Ya think just a bit of sour grapes on the GB fans part. :'(
Several of the GB fans were upset after their loss to Valpo last year in the HL tourney, and as I recall in reading their message board back then they did not like how Coach Drew threw himself down on the floor in the excitement after our tourney win. They wanted to beat us badly to make up for their losses last season, I think realizing that once Alec Brown is gone to the NBA they become "just another good HL team". GB fans need to understand that their team now has a target on them, and every team will give their best effort against them (sort of like Valpo has seen this season as defending HL champs). Last night Valpo's best effort was very good, and when you shoot a high % like we did, we become pretty tough to beat, especially at home.
I really liked the "fire" Coach Drew came with early in the 2nd half in getting T'eed up. He did not want our guys to relax and let GB back into the game at all. I also liked our determination to go to the rim on offense, instead of settling for jump shots. We forced the action and GB could not handle it last night.
:thumbsup:
Before the game started LaVonte had to take something off his jersey and it looked like Bobby and Clay also had had to do the same. Does anyone know what that was? It was speculated around me that it was something to do with the All Players United going on in Evanston.
Also here's my recap of the game: http://www.midmajormadness.com/horizon-league/2014/1/30/5360396/green-bay-vs-valparaiso-game-recap-crusaders-dump-brown-phoenix (http://www.midmajormadness.com/horizon-league/2014/1/30/5360396/green-bay-vs-valparaiso-game-recap-crusaders-dump-brown-phoenix)
You may recognize the photog's byline. Thanks valpopal!
Though the absence of Brown may have contributed to the size of the victory, I like that the team recognized what they had to do and performed well. Of course, the offense usually moves through Dority, and he certainly set the tone at the start of the game. It was great to see a strong beginning and first half after so many games where the team dug a hole for itself early on. The players seemed intense throughout the game, especially Bobby, and there was a lot more physical play than the number of fouls suggests.
Adekoya and Williams once again played like veterans rather than freshmen, and their confidence appears to be growing. Alec still hasn't found his long-range shot, but he is a strong presence in the lane and added 7 rebounds. In fact, he only attempted one three-point shot as the whole team seemed determined to work inside.
The big guys (Jubril, Bobby, Moussa, and Vashil) were very effective, especially without Brown in the lineup, as they had a combined 11-14 and 27 points. Williams is non-stop movement on the court, and he controlled himself enough to get 8 assists to only 1 turnover. The defense also played well, especially when you see that Sykes had 5 turnovers. However, Valpo still is making too many turnovers as well—19 in this game leading to a deficit of points off turnovers: 12-19.
The ARC was energized by a crowd that enjoyed the pregame ceremonies; however, the number in attendance was a bit disappointing to me. The attendance was listed at 3524, but the student section, though enthusiastic, wasn't filled.
In a final note, Jordan Coleman might get overlooked in game summaries because he only had 2 points and 4 rebounds in just 17 minutes, but he was working hard and forcing the defenders to focus on him whenever he was in the game, and he took some hard hits that weren't called fouls. I look forward to him regaining his confidence and scoring as the season goes on.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/394wx.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/29cuk28.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/rl9oup.jpg)
Quote from: Kyle321n on January 30, 2014, 09:56:46 AM
You may recognize the photog's byline. Thanks valpopal!
You're welcome. Anytime!
Another area that we must improve on is free throws. Valpo ended up 17 for 26 but that was only because some different shooters finally got to the line. If it weren't for Peters, Adekoya, Dority and Carter getting to the line it would have been a lot worse. At one point in the game 7 FT's had been taken by both teams and only 1 FT was made. Early in the game Valpo was 2 for 8 on FT's with Coleman, Gueye and Capo taking the free throws. Normally you would have a lot of confidence that those three players would make their FT's. Yet only Bobby made any FT's and he was only 2 for 5. LaVonte, as usual, led the team by making all 6 of his FT's since he shot all of them in the 2nd half.
The poor FT shooting could have hurt us if Brown had been playing and the score had been closer.
I would really hope that Valpo basketball players weren't trying to get on board with this player union thing, to possibly get paid a stipend in the future. Unless you are a mid-major program that is doused with cash, none of these types of players should be even attempting to get on board with this movement. You are receiving a $25k-$30k/year scholarship to a really good academic school, not a cash cow like UT or Notre Dame, and should be taking advantage of this opportunity that you have been presented. It is much different when the large money-making schools are making millions off of you, vs. schools like Valpo that are paying for your scholarships by donations and OTHER student's fees to attend the school. I would question our player's intelligence if they truly believe they should be paid more for their scholarships, thinking that Valpo Athletics makes a lot of money. Now, if it is about getting concussion protocols more standardized, and other non-monetary benefits, GREAT! I received partial money for baseball/academics, and was HAPPY to just get that amount.
Per story in ESPN the only team in the HL that will get a NCAA berth is the Tournament Champion.
Lavonte's compression shirt was an off-white and didn't match the white on the jersey, so he was made to take it off. Nothing more.
Quote from: historyman on January 30, 2014, 11:33:34 AM
Another area that we must improve on is free throws. Valpo ended up 17 for 26 but that was only because some different shooters finally got to the line. If it weren't for Peters, Adekoya, Dority and Carter getting to the line it would have been a lot worse. At one point in the game 7 FT's had been taken by both teams and only 1 FT was made. Early in the game Valpo was 2 for 8 on FT's with Coleman, Gueye and Capo taking the free throws. Normally you would have a lot of confidence that those three players would make their FT's. Yet only Bobby made any FT's and he was only 2 for 5. LaVonte, as usual, led the team by making all 6 of his FT's since he shot all of them in the 2nd half.
The poor FT shooting could have hurt us if Brown had been playing and the score had been closer.
Yes we only shot 65% this game, but that's a small sample size. We're shooting 76.4% for the season and are currently ranked 23rd in the country. Only Detroit (6th in the nation at 79.4%), Youngstown (16th in the nation at 77.6) and Wright State (20th in the nation at 76.8%) are ahead of us. We're one of the best free throw shooting teams in the nation.
Couple more thoughts:
Have you ever seen a team more ill prepared after dealing with an injury than Green Bay last night? Usually when an injury happens to a major player, other players step up. Where was the Horizon League frontrunner for player of the year? This game really made me think KP should win the award as he gets it done without a supporting cast. Wardle did not prepare his players for this. Bryce out-coached his opponent so bad that Wardle would've been better off laying outside on the parking lot ice for a couple hours instead of getting back up.
If Green Bay would have showed up a little bit at any point in the game, I wouldn't be saying all of this. They made no halftime adjustment and even down 20+, they refused to shoot outside, settled for ugly Fouse mid range jumpers or inside shots that were blocked at the rim. Defensively they abandoned the press too often and looked absolutely lost the whole game and left Valpo with wide open layups. They may have been thrown off by Bryce not running much P&R/perimeter swing stuff, but to not adjust at half time showed Wardle's deficiencies as a coach. Ironically Wardle is the one that's going to make his players defecate themselves at practice tonight when he's the one that really deserves it.
As for Valpo...
Jubril's best game simply because his spacing was awesome and he finished at the rim literally every chance he got (wide open for most, but still). 0 turnovers too.
Peters is still a work in progress. He's turning the ball over too much and lost confidence in his jumper. One play, specifically, he pump faked a 3 (awesome), but instead of taking a couple steps and shooting a jumper at the free throw line, he drove right at the defender and drew a charge.
Dority is a lock for 1st team. Guy can play.
Vashil had 4 blocks and 2 fouls. He impressed me, but still needs to go straight up when defending larger players.
If LVD keeps up this level of play for the remainder of the year I think he might just pass Sykes and Perry for PoY.
So far in the two games Valpo has played against Sykes and Perry we're 2-0 and LVD has scored 53 points in those two games, by going 17-24 shooting (70.8%), 14-14 from the charity stripe, and 5-7 from beyond the arc.
While Sykes/Perry have gone a combined 34 points on 11-26 (42%) shooting, 11-20 free throw shooting, and 1-5 from beyond the arc.
The only saving grace for Sykes was his 9-12 free throw shooting, if it weren't for that he'd only have 10 or so points. You can't say teams don't prepare for LVD like they do for Sykes or Perry, if they didn't then that coach should be fired immediately. He's also made some really clutch shots, the one at the end against Murray State, the four-point play to give us the lead late against Mercer, and the game tying shot late against SLU, unfortunately we lost 2 of those games but if it were not for Dority chances are we don't have a chance.
Right now Dority is the best player in the league. In head-head matchups against Perry and Sykes he's come up huge while Sykes and Perry had lackluster performances. There's obviously a lot of time left to this season, including rematches against Perry and Sykes. But this recent stretch from Dority has definitely earned him the chance to be PoY. Like I said before, a lot depends on this 8 game stretch.
Quote from: Kyle321n on January 30, 2014, 09:56:46 AMBefore the game started LaVonte had to take something off his jersey and it looked like Bobby and Clay also had had to do the same. Does anyone know what that was? It was speculated around me that it was something to do with the All Players United going on in Evanston.
it looked to me like the "t-shirt" he was wearing was not exactly the same "white" as the jersey top. Shame on the ref's for not catching that during warmups... but that is the rule. Notice Vashil's t-shirt was a perfectly tidy-whitey to match the jersey top. LVD just took off the t-shirt and put the uniform back on.
Quote from: Kyle321n on January 30, 2014, 09:56:46 AMIt was speculated around me that it was something to do with the All Players United going on in Evanston
WOW if they did that, mad props.
Quote from: jjmiller on January 30, 2014, 11:40:34 AM
Per story in ESPN the only team in the HL that will get a NCAA berth is the Tournament Champion.
Oh, well, then. That certainly settles the matter. No need to consult the Selection Committee now!
Quote from: Kyle321n on January 30, 2014, 11:57:10 AMWe're one of the best free throw shooting teams in the nation.
When was the last time that was true? When Rob Cavanaugh was here? Seriously, not too often you're that good nationally and 4th in the conference, unless you're playing in the B1G.
Quote from: a3uge on January 30, 2014, 12:46:08 PMHave you ever seen a team more ill prepared after dealing with an injury than Green Bay last night?
Nope. That injury to Wardle really left them rudderless.
I thought the 92-93 team was in the top 10 in the nation in FT% most of the season. The 93-94 team may have been right there as well. I remember following Casey Schmidt around the tops in the nation all season, having made 38 in a row at one point and finishing at 92.6%....which was somewhere around 3rd in the country.
Quote from: valpotx on January 30, 2014, 11:38:39 AMI would question our player's intelligence if they truly believe they should be paid more for their scholarships, thinking that Valpo Athletics makes a lot of money. Now, if it is about getting concussion protocols more standardized, and other non-monetary benefits, GREAT! I received partial money for baseball/academics, and was HAPPY to just get that amount.
I watched an interview a couple nights ago that CSN Chicago did with Kain Colter (Northwestern QB who is the vocal leader of this movement) and he said they are seeking better coverage on healthcare for injuries sustained during their playing careers and stated this as the reasoning behind the union they are trying to create. Now there could always be future players who change the goals of the organization to a pay-for-play union, but the current union leadership is not in place for the purpose of getting the players paid.
I have now posted about 50 photos from the game and pregame ceremonies or post-game press conference interviews, including those below. The photos can be found at the following link: enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157640344724583/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/96208998@N05/sets/72157640344724583/)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2hfknf8.jpg)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/23r1kq1.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2uyk369.jpg)
Great Pics! The only down side is that in some of them there are empty seats :(
Looking at those pics I could not help but think that Valpo is such a great environment to escape to -- wish more people would make the trip.
We've continually gathered together a great bunch of "real" kids with super personalities and values. The core fan group is loyal. The Drews are a unique phenomenon. We have got to fill those seats.