1/13/11: Youngstown State @ Valpo Game Thread

valpo04 · January 12, 2012, 08:07:41 AM

Tied for first (!) in the HL, YSU comes to the ARC tomorrow night at 4-1 and 9-6 while averaging 67.6 points per game.

Valpo is averaging 73.5 and is a game back.

This is a crucial weekend for both teams. After this game, YSU heads to Butler on Sunday while Valpo hosts Cleveland State.

valpopal · January 12, 2012, 02:28:25 PM

Valpo is listed as a 5-point favorite. I believe VU will beat the spread:

YSU 71
VALPO 78

covufan · January 12, 2012, 05:15:06 PM

Friday night game with one of the first place teams. Students come out en force. The game is very close, with several ties and lead changes. Valpo keeps up the pressure and plays excellent defense in the closing moments and hits their FTs.

Valpo - 78
YSU - 68

bbtds · January 12, 2012, 05:16:33 PM

I think if Valpo wins it will be more like the Green Bay game.

Youngstown State 91
Valpo 93

The Penguins will shoot lights out against Valpo at the ARC and if they could play better defense (such as Wright State played against Valpo in the 2nd half) then Valpo loses by 15 or more.

Crusader03 · January 13, 2012, 11:15:28 AM

I like the Crusaders in this one, 79-71...

It sure has been slow around here lately! I would be posting more (and probably keeping the board more lively, engaging and entertaining) but the gag order put on me by Senator McCarthy has sort of kept me under wraps...

Hope all is well with you guys this new year, especially ee, dmvalpo and VU72

vu72 · January 13, 2012, 12:21:22 PM

Quote from: Crusader03 on January 13, 2012, 11:15:28 AM
I like the Crusaders in this one, 79-71...

It sure has been slow around here lately! I would be posting more (and probably keeping the board more lively, engaging and entertaining) but the gag order put on me by Senator McCarthy has sort of kept me under wraps...

Hope all is well with you guys this new year, especially ee, dmvalpo and VU72

I appreciate the thought. All is well here. I also was wondering why it was so slow. Big weekend for our guys. This could make or break our season.

milanmiracle · January 13, 2012, 12:42:45 PM

I agree that this is a very big weekend for the Valpo basketball team. The Youngstown game is going to mean a lot for both programs. YSU is trying to say it's a legitimate player in the league this year after playing well most of last year. Valpo is trying to stay out of the middle of the pack and if things go right have a chance in the conference tourney. I don't feel good about this game, though being at home will help.

*as for interest in the board, I think it runs right along with the success of the team. When you're a middling team not headed to the NCAA's, there's generally less interest from casual fans. My excuse is that I have much more going on at work than in years past.

GO VALPO!

mp91 · January 13, 2012, 02:50:01 PM

Youngstown State game preview

http://www.beyond-the-arc.com/index.html

sectionee · January 13, 2012, 04:16:22 PM

The KVW vs. Eargle match up is going to be a fun one to watch. KVW is right at the top in attempted free throws so Eargle will have to defend without fouling. At the same time, nobody commits more fouls then KVW in HL play. We have all been focused on Buggs playing without fouling, but KVW has committed 22 fouls in only 5 HL games (Buggs has committed 18).

valporun · January 13, 2012, 04:22:43 PM

Another reason why things have been slow around the board, at least in my opinion, the holidays. The only teams doing anything were men's and women's basketball, so there wasn't a lot to talk about outside of what happened in the games over the break. This tends to be the problem when everyone else takes the two or three weeks off because there are no events scheduled or money to house the athletes over break.

justducky · January 13, 2012, 04:31:24 PM

In reguard to 91's claim that their 1.29 assist to turnover ratio is paltry, then how would you characterize our .93 ratio? Our's is worse than our our 17 opponents to date which come's to .96 and included 2 absolute cupcakes.

Much of our problem has been the 3. When we only consistantly put 2 players on the floor that they fear receiving an outlet pass then the inside clogs up in a hurry. This drives up everyones in the lane miscues and can bring Kevin's game to a complete halt.

sectionee · January 13, 2012, 04:36:59 PM

Both Perry and Allen are in the top 5 in assists during HL play and neither player shows up in the top 5 for turnovers.
http://sectionee.blogspot.com/2012/01/horizon-league-pps-and-other-stat.html

Forcing a few miscues by YSU will be huge tonight.

vuweathernerd · January 13, 2012, 05:10:17 PM

This should be one hell of a game. Hopefully Richie Edwards can shake out of his slump, as do a few of our guards to keep the Penguin defense off guard. I'd like to see at least two other guys in double figures besides KVW and Ryan. If we can get Kenney and Harris to light it up, it'll give us the perfect mix of physical and finesse. And Buggs is also going to need to continue making smart decisions with the basketball - one aspect of his game that has vastly improved since he started playing at VU.

One a more serious note, for those in the area, considering going, there will be a joint Army/Air Force ROTC Honor Guard presenting the colors as part of a tribute to VU student and Indiana National Guardsman Christopher Patterson, who was one of 4 IN Guard members killed last week in Afghanistan. It'd be great to get you all out there to show your support, both for the team, and for the family/friends of Specialist Patterson and the families and friends of those killed in service to this country.

vu72 · January 13, 2012, 09:02:14 PM

Probably our best game of the season. We expanded our first half lead, held them to a respectful score and played non-stop defense. Well spread out offense with Boggs stepping up as did Bogan with Ryan playing his normal great game and Kevin really playing super. Overall, a great performance that we really needed with the big game coming up on Sunday. Let's hope for a packed house!! I really can't believe the crowds, not only at our games but at others as well. For example, Valpo goes to Detroit and we get what? 2000 people? It's Valpo for pete's sake, what do they want to come out to a game. In the same way, the crowd tonight was pretty weak. Students looked good but still, YSU was in first place and a very big game for us. Pretty disappointing.

Anyway, we need a great win over CSU and the way we played tonight, we should be able to do it!

Crusader03 · January 13, 2012, 09:16:04 PM

Quote from: vu72 on January 13, 2012, 09:02:14 PM
Probably our best game of the season. We expanded our first half lead, held them to a respectful score and played non-stop defense. Well spread out offense with Boggs stepping up as did Bogan with Ryan playing his normal great game and Kevin really playing super. Overall, a great performance that we really needed with the big game coming up on Sunday. Let's hope for a packed house!! I really can't believe the crowds, not only at our games but at others as well. For example, Valpo goes to Detroit and we get what? 2000 people? It's Valpo for pete's sake, what do they want to come out to a game. In the same way, the crowd tonight was pretty weak. Students looked good but still, YSU was in first place and a very big game for us. Pretty disappointing.

Anyway, we need a great win over CSU and the way we played tonight, we should be able to do it!

The cold and the perception that the roads would be rough probably kept the casual fans away.

sectionee · January 13, 2012, 10:15:13 PM

Great effort tonight. Good to see them going back inside to score. http://sectionee.blogspot.com/2012/01/game-wrap-up-back-to-basics.html

valpopal · January 13, 2012, 10:16:00 PM

As has been the most likely formula for a win all season, Valpo had third and fourth scoring options beyond Ryan and Kevin. Bogan scored 11 and Edwards scored 12. In fact, with Kevin and Richie the center position contributed an amazing 35 points against a tough defensive shot-blocking player in Eargle.

Also, it was clear from early on that Bryce's strategy was to run players in and out quickly to wear down the Penguins, who have no depth. Eight players for Valpo logged 18 minutes or more, and the bench outscored the Penguins' bench 23-0. I hope spreading the minutes in this game will also help the team have fresh legs for Sunday's game.

StlVUFan · January 13, 2012, 10:17:45 PM

Will someone please teach Kevin Van Wyck how to set a proper screen?

??

OK

other than that, great game by VU. I will say, however, what I said in the chat room. If the Guins limit their mental lapses (which were rampant), they have their way with us tonight. They just looked more athletic and the rims were kind of kind to them.

valpospartan · January 13, 2012, 10:34:40 PM

Quote from: StlVUFan on January 13, 2012, 10:17:45 PM
Will someone please teach Kevin Van Wyck how to set a proper screen???

OK other than that, great game by VU. I will say, however, what I said in the chat room. If the Guins limit their mental lapses (which were rampant), they have their way with us tonight. They just looked more athletic and the rims were kind of kind to them.

On the other hand, if Eargle was called for a foul for every time he actually fouled KWV, he would have fouled out early and Kevin would have had three times as many FTs - just sayin.

valporun · January 13, 2012, 10:34:58 PM

Friday nights are also a tough local draw because of high school basketball games. That's why you see so few NCAA games during conference season played on Friday nights. It's also a chance for some coaches to get out to catch a recruit or two. The attendance should be better on Sunday. I wish we could stay on a regular Thursday-Saturday, as that always worked best, but working with the ESPN schedule always throws things off.

valpotx · January 14, 2012, 04:28:54 AM

The days of us having nearly full home games each day are long gone to the time when we were in school. It seems like the student interest is not nearly as high as the late 90's/early 2000's.

Good game overall, and not a lot of turnovers for each team (7 each?). Good to see a game with less than double digit TOs!

bbtds · January 14, 2012, 07:53:58 AM

Quote from: StlVUFan on January 13, 2012, 10:17:45 PM
OK other than that, great game by VU. I will say, however, what I said in the chat room. If the Guins limit their mental lapses (which were rampant), they have their way with us tonight. They just looked more athletic and the rims were kind of kind to them.

After all that talk about abbreviations and you call them the "Guins."

bbtds · January 14, 2012, 08:02:35 AM

Valpo played much better defense against Youngstown than against Green Bay or Wright State. The other 2 keys to winning this game was the lower turnover total of 7 and the scoring being spread out between Van Wijk, Broekhoff, Edwards and Bogan. It's still slightly disappointing that Kenney only scored 2 and Boggs 5. Harris scoring 9 was better but we still need him to have some break out games.

valpo84 · January 14, 2012, 08:22:41 AM

It was good to see us put two good halves together. Two technical points: (i) on the KVW screens, he was rushing out to the top to set the screen, offense running quicker than he was and so he ends up not in position to set screen. Either need to slow down the O set, or move it lower so he can get in position (or don't try to set the screen). (ii) Finally on Boggs, he's pushing the shot, instead of releasing naturally as he did on the first half 3. I'm sure they'll see it on tape, but everything else seems fine. Could be the year layoff but easy fix.

chipper955 · January 14, 2012, 08:28:56 AM

Quote from: valpospartan on January 13, 2012, 10:34:40 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on January 13, 2012, 10:17:45 PM
Will someone please teach Kevin Van Wyck how to set a proper screen???

OK other than that, great game by VU. I will say, however, what I said in the chat room. If the Guins limit their mental lapses (which were rampant), they have their way with us tonight. They just looked more athletic and the rims were kind of kind to them.
On the other hand, if Eargle was called for a foul for every time he actually fouled KWV, he would have fouled out early and Kevin would have had three times as many FTs - just sayin.

you are not kidding about kevin getting fouled. i was sitting a few rows behind the valpo bench. i could hear kevin getting slapped and fouled on most of his attempts down low, but they only called a few of them.