Messages

A Gus Macker reference +1

Was just talking to someone about our respective experiences playing in it (so many years ago). 

Question and don't feel like looking it up and maybe Paul or someone has the official rules handy:

Under the proposed new 1 free transfer rule (no sitting out a year), how does this impact players who have previously transferred and sat out a year (hence e.g., Robinson and Gordon).  Would they have the ability to freely transfer without having to sit?

Likewise, under the proposed rule, will the grad transfer rule be repealed as not needed, or will players get 2 free transfers?

Thus, speculating on transfers without knowing what system applies yet seems premature.

Cincinnati, a "bubble team" (with a record similar to ours) is probably pretty dang happy that we keep winning....

By the way, there should be 0 further discussion about IU and the tourney. They should be out.

Seniors! When it might be your last game, your will do whatever it takes. Congrats Kiser and Ryan.

Remember my point earlier today, what was a weakness during season can bite you in playoffs/tourney.  For Loyola, it was FTs and that was huge down the stretch. 

I had a longer analysis but sometimes this website eats your posts.  Anyway, briefly:

I have said many times this year, this team needs to learn to value possessions and the basketball way more.  Last night, almost proved the old adage -- whatever mistakes you were making in regular season magnify in the playoffs/tourneys.  First half, we had at least 3 possessions we threw or dribbled away that could have extended lead to 15-18 and effectively ended Eville's spirit and fight.  We let them crawl back in before half and then hang around.  College basketball is a series of runs.  Minimize theirs, extend yours.  Late 2d half, 2 empty possessions to extend lead to 5-6 and end the game.  A 1 and 1, need to hit the fronts. Film sessions should focus on those moments, eliminate the empty possessions and achieve greatness.

Survived and advanced. Beat Gryffindor!

In the Horizon, losing 20 games gets you a COY!

https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/dennis-gates-compiles-memorable-and-admirable-20-loss-season-first-year-cleveland?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200304&utm_content=article10-readmore

You play and win the game in front of you Period Full Stop.  There is only 1 game -- Evansville.  Win and you can worry about Friday.

So, the amazing Bryan Mullins loses 5 of 6 down the stretch ....

As we've said the past few games, first team to 70 wins, including if game goes to OT. 

NET RANKINGS from NCAA site through 2/26 games:

UNI 44
Loyola 98
Ind St 101
Bradley 107
MSU 130
Valpo 133
SIU 152
Drake 163
Ill St 206
E'Ville 256

Interesting name on that list was Jamal Mashburn Jr, and signed to play with Ricky Pitino at Minny (Dad played for Rick at UK I believe).

It's been working to predict .... first team to 70 wins. 

Looking at Standings across college hoops last night -- only 2 mid-major conferences have 2 or more wins vs "ranked opponents" -- MVC and WCC (which has benefit of 2 top 25 teams in conference).  MVC has a top 25 win by its last place 0-16 conference record team.  Conference USA even has 0 wins.

Frankly across all mid-major conferences, the total number of games versus ranked teams is ridiculously low.

By the way, how is Butler ranked with a below .500 record in conference? This will be an interesting year for selections and seedings.  Lots of parity.  Lots of major conference teams with under .500 records.  I'm still a firm believer that no team should get an at large unless they play .500 in conference (any conference).  If you can't play .500, especially in conferences that you now have 18 or 20 games, then you have shown your body of work is mediocre.  A win at home against a top team in your conference shouldn't save a mediocre season.  A win or 2 in conference tourney shouldn't save you.  Teams that win conference seasons, particularly in higher ranking mid-major conferences should be rewarded for their ability to have an overall good season.  (I understand the realities, etc., but if I were commish for a day, this is where I start).

First person he may take to his new school is Casey (and with him his two basketball playing sons).  There's lots of other VU folks to tap, too, without Roger or Jake (both of which are lined up now for HC jobs -- Roger possibly NW if it opens or Jake a MAC school) -- Buggs and Nuness to start.  Sparksy, J-Hawk, CA and Vujic are out there and may be he convinces Coach Ensminger to come back to the states with his tall HS age basketball playing children (BTW Valpo, hope we are recruiting those kids).  The one thing about Valpo basketball is that many of our players have had high basketball IQs and have become excellent teachers of the game all over the world. 

I like John and think he is a great coach.  He was having this team run offensive sets (something sorely missing in Cleveland, even during the championship runs, except when Blatt tried to install an offense and Ty Lue had to give him credit for that offense) and he was teaching fundamentals, which with a team of 18-20 year olds, they kind of need.

This year physically and mentally has taken a large toll on John.  I would be very surprised if he rushes to take another job.  He's 67 and recruiting becomes a difficult thing because players (and other coaches) will be asking when is he going to retire.  I would like to see him back in the college game and there are some possibilities like Wake Forest (to re-establish the bar) or a school with NCAA troubles to ride that out for a few years, but this would be enter at your own risk, and it will take a bushel basket of money.

Funny how we don't discuss how the other coaches and teams blow 17 and 19 point leads at their homes? We should have no business coming back in these games.  Interesting, that we chastise Matt for not making changes in first half, but when he does make half-time adjustments, then it's not he has potential as a coach, but he should have made them sooner.  Other coaches make no adjustments to what's happening and watch 17 and 19 point leads dissipate by the 3-5 minute mark -- that takes some coaching skill.

I won't recap first half, but college basketball is always going to be about runs.  Valpo started well and has been better at this the past few games.  However, we had a drought, compounded by ill-advised jacking up 3s when we panicked during the drought.  He did burn a TO.  To compare, Bryce would have probably burned through 3 TOs and only had 1 for the 2d half. And, droughts occurred quite often from after first TV TO to about 8-9 minutes even back in the Horizon.  But, competition wasn't as good and we wouldn't fall as far behind, and then we played much better than this team to close the half. Matt still had 3 for the 2d half and was able to use them judiciously at the end of the game and then OT.  By the way, he got a good look at the end of OT.  If he burns them all early (and they're still not effective), then there would have been criticism that he didn't save any.  This was a tough game to lose, granted, on the road, home-cooking reffing, etc, and they come back from 19 and go to OT and had chances in regulation and OT to win.  We continue to try to compare this team to successful teams in a way easier conference, and with a different set of players.

I'm frustrated, but the past 4 games show that this team has more talent and heart than last year.  They are still gritty without Kiser so that fear is being alleviated for next year, although could have used his fouls tonight. 

To a couple points raised by someone -- you are given 4 TOs at the beginning of the game for the whole game.  You have a use it or lose it TO before the half.  So you may only start with 3 or fewer for 2d half.  They don't reset. You get 2 TOs for OT.  Clay continues to improve, Krikke keeps improving (he was much more aggressive offensively on the road last night (although the 3 attempt after sitting for 20 minutes was not helpful, but he's a frosh), McMillan is like Jay Cutler -- good Mileek in 2d half, bad Mileek in 1st half.  I keep hoping for more from Nick and Eron.  They have that ability to settle folks down and provide more leadership, but their limitations in scoring and Gordon on D have been recently disappointing.  Gordon did look a little better shooting last night.  Robinson was 0/8 and many ill-advised 3s when the deficit was growing.  They have also been able to get over the hump on the road starting with Loyola when coming back from the inevitable double-digit deficit (the dreaded 3 Ds, not the good 3 Ds (drive, dish, dunk/da basket), and make it 50/50 games on the road.

This teams still needs to: (i) rebound better, (ii) value the basketball -- quit the sloppy passes, quit the rushed passes, hold on to rebounds, and (iii) value possessions, particularly when breaks may be available -- we want to run, which is fine, but they must be more discerning about pulling back if numbers aren't there.  One question that struck about this year while driving to work this morning was "if this was what actually happened last year, as opposed to whatever that was last year, would you feel better about the retooling post-Horizon and feel better about Matt as a coach?" 

Beilein is done.  His heart is not in it anymore. He has cashed the big check.

First team to 70 wins

Fordham and LMU (Despite its spectacular location/campus) are absolutely no's. BC is interesting, but in the ACC that job is really difficult now and there are better jobs that will be open soon and warmer locations, see GaTech.

GaTech and DePaul are interesting options.

Two schools not mentioned that have tough decisions to make and could be open are Northwestern and Wake Forest.  A recent Chicago Tribune article had Chris Collins nearing the end of his safety net for finally getting NW into a tourney.  Bryce is perfect for that job and would ramp up the competition for recruits with us. 

Danny Manning has used up all his good will at Wake, and the alumni base wants a change.  Shaka Smart's name has been mentioned, but they blew it by not hiring Scott Drew when they hired Bzdelik, who singlehandedly ruined what Skip and Dino had rebuilt.  If Brad Brownell can have success at Clemson, Bryce would be a great fit at Wake.  They need a system program with the ability to recruit 3-4 year players.  John Collins' explosion set that program back, but Manning has proven he is not a good coach. 

Finally, will Indiana open back up?  Archie is not winning friends, particularly after that Purdue game. Patience has worn out.  An Indiana basketball legend could have an opportunity to rebuild that program where outsiders have failed.

Loyola may be heading to an at large consideration after that performance, which is good for MVC.   

First team to 70 wins.

There are no excuses for students not to walk over to the ARC for a Wednesday night game in (oh no) snow.  WE had 22" of snow finals week one year and had to hoof it all the way from fraternity row (that would be Mound/Garfield for the newer folks) all the way to the Business building for a 9 am Econ exam (after being up late in a mass snow protest party on Mound).

It's a Wednesday night and a perfect way to get "fired up" for the Wednesday night fraternity-sorority parties starting around 9 (oh wait  ).

As Ryan most likely moves on to another team, we pause here and post the current all-time Valpo in the NBA scoring leaders:

Bryce  1081 (34 gms, 118 rookie year; 243 games career)
John Janisch  734 (70 games)
Milt Schoon  616 (103 games)
Bob Dille    296 (57 games)
Ryan Broekhoff 238 (59 games)
Alec Peters  82 (20 games)
Don Bielke 14 (7 games)

Lakers need a 3 shooter.  Cavs desperately need a 3 shooter, defender and rebounder.  Plus, it would give them 3 Boomer Olympians and all the TV market share in Australia during the mornings.

wh--yes, they were asking if Porter should be fired prior to the improvements in years 4 and 5 in the MVC.  History is a terrible thing to waste.

Porter was fired from Illinois State after 4 miserable years and a cumulative record of 51-67 and 2 10th place finishes in the MVC.

He was 22-39 his first 2 years, which were in the HL with a 10th and 7th place finish before the move.

He was 57-66 in the first 4 years of Loyola in the MVC and 89-105 in his first 6 years at Loyola.  His cumulative MVC record even with 3 really good years is 67-82.