We don't have AP, They don't have a head coach
Quote from: talksalot on March 12, 2017, 09:29:12 PMWe don't have AP, They don't have a head coach
Just what I was thinking! AP should volunteer to coach the Illini.
QuoteJust what I was thinking! AP should volunteer to coach the Illini.
"See that basket? I want you to score a lot of points there."
"Um, Coach Peters, isn't that Valpo's basket?"
"JUST DO IT OR YOU'RE BENCHED, YOUNG MAN."
Just to post it over here too, the "official" ticket info seems to be that they will be on sale at 9 AM central from UIUC, probably links like
http://www.fightingillini.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball
and that VU fans will be in section 134 and 135.
Other tickets may be available even now through their mobile site (I managed something that's hopefully close to the floor).
Looks like $20 reserved, $10 general admission, plus fees.
I'm thinking the Illini fans will stay home in droves. If we have a decent crowd it could be interesting, We still have Lexus from our Illinois contingent.
A bit painful to see a photo of Alex in his cast watching the tournament announcements on television that his mom includes on Twitter. :(
[tweet]841086593872089088[/tweet]
Give me Valpo in a 63-54 thriller.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-st-0313-20170312-story.html
Valparaiso captures NIT berth, will open at Illinois on Tuesday
By: Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
Valparaiso's tumultuous season isn't over quite yet.
And it actually has a little juice at the finish line.
On Sunday night, the Crusaders received an at-large bid to the NIT. They will play as a seventh seed at second-seeded Illinois at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday in a game that will be televised on ESPN2.
"We're extremely happy right now — there's no other way to put it," Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said. "We've had our fair share of ups and downs. When you lose in the conference tournament the way we did, you can lose focus on the body of work and I'm glad the NIT saw that.
"We were rewarded for it. We're super excited. It's not every day you get to play a Big Ten team."
Valparaiso was the runner-up in last season's NIT as an automatic qualifier, regrouping after getting omitted from the NCAA Tournament.
Circumstances were dramatically different this season, including having star senior Alec Peters miss three straight games with a season-ending injury.
But considered a bubble team, the Crusaders again made the event.
Lottich was watching the selection show at his house with associate head coach Luke Gore, as well as his wife.
"We literally were jumping up and down and hugging one another," Lottich said. "Our true feelings came out."
..........
Give the rest a click/read
I think the "give it a click" is a good habit. But, the next line is a juicy one!
QuoteAfter the Crusaders (24-8, 14-4) lost their first game in the Horizon League Tournament, Lottich said it was unanimous among the players they wanted to continue to play in any tournament.
(And there's a good bit more besides - really nice article, actually.)
This is a tough one to call. Does the team that beat Wright State and almost beat NKU on the road show up, or does the team that laid an egg in the conference tournament show up? I think that it will be the positive:
Valpo 72
Illini 64
Unfortunately, spring break for Illinois does not start until the end of this week, which means more of a home advantage if many students attend, which does happen when a game is televised on an ESPN network. Also, I think it is a safe bet that Valpo takes advantage of every minute available to practice on the State Farm Center court. ;)
Quote from: valpotx on March 13, 2017, 01:32:56 AM
This is a tough one to call. Does the team that beat Wright State and almost beat NKU on the road show up, or does the team that laid an egg in the conference tournament show up? I think that it will be the positive:
Valpo 72
Illini 64
Throwing out the "No Eggs Laid" challenge?
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/07nMALi_jNQ/hqdefault.jpg)
Quote from: valpopal on March 13, 2017, 02:19:07 AM
Unfortunately, spring break for Illinois does not start until the end of this week, which means more of a home advantage if many students attend, which does happen when a game is televised on an ESPN network. Also, I think it is a safe bet that Valpo takes advantage of every minute available to practice on the State Farm Center court. ;)
Don't be too sure. After inexplicably passing on a shoot around opportunity at the JLA a year ago, they inexplicably make the same dumb decision the very next year. Some people are just slow learners, as the expression goes.
Quote from: wh on March 13, 2017, 05:10:49 AM
Quote from: valpopal on March 13, 2017, 02:19:07 AM
Unfortunately, spring break for Illinois does not start until the end of this week, which means more of a home advantage if many students attend, which does happen when a game is televised on an ESPN network. Also, I think it is a safe bet that Valpo takes advantage of every minute available to practice on the State Farm Center court. ;)
Don't be too sure. After inexplicably passing on a shoot around opportunity at the JLA a year ago, they inexplicably make the same dumb decision the very next year. Some people are just slow learners, as the expression goes.
(https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-cf1561b56502b627b54c3c021c8c447d)
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/valparaiso-to-meet-illinois-in-nit/article_b1d9ce07-e5ef-5614-9492-f530f6c2c8d0.html
Valparaiso to meet Illinois in NIT
By: Paul Oren
They won't have Alec Peters and they won't be playing at home, but the Valparaiso men's basketball team is back in the National Invitation Tournament for a second straight year.
Valparaiso earned the final at-large berth Sunday night, edging out Ohio State and UNC-Asheville, and will play at Illinois on Tuesday night.
The Crusaders will be returning to the State Farm Center for the first time since the current senior class were freshmen in the fall of 2013.
"Obviously, we're extremely happy right now," Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said. "There's no other way to put it. We're excited about the opportunity to compete in the NIT again."
The Crusaders (24-8) earned their first at-large berth to a postseason tournament since first-year coach Scott Drew led Valparaiso to the 2003 NIT against Iowa. Valparaiso is making its fourth appearance in the NIT and its seventh straight postseason appearance.
.........
Give the rest a click/read
Quote from: valpopal on March 13, 2017, 02:19:07 AMAlso, I think it is a safe bet that Valpo takes advantage of every minute available to practice on the State Farm Center court.
Hopefully. Lots of flights canceled at Chocago airports this morning. Hopefully no problem with bus availability.
Only maybe two inches fresh in Valpo, but sounds like maybe more around Chicago, and still falling through Tuesday evening?
Hopefully they're on the road soon!
Here's one Illini Gameday thread
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=23753
Including a nice overview of the NIT rule changes. Quarters, more or less, with significant FT changes (no bonus? Straight to the double bonus with 2 FTA on the fifth foul of each quarter).
And here's one seating chart that makes it look like much of the lowest level is normally for the student section
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=4994
(Including my section!) Will be interesting to see what that's like tomorrow.
The Vegas line seems surprisingly bouncy on opening. Favoring Illinois by between 6.5 and 8.5.
Attitudes of their fans seem to vary. Some predicting an easy win without Alec. Others worried about motivation, two disappointing games to end their season, and the interim coach.
Sounds like Indiana won't play at home, if we'd drawn them I guess the game would have been at the ARC!
If IU would come to the ARC for whatever reason, do you think we'd have a full house? LOL! Illinois State could be next for the winner of our game with the U of I.
Quote from: agibson on March 13, 2017, 11:14:59 AMHere's one Illini Gameday thread
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=23753
Including a nice overview of the NIT rule changes. Quarters, more or less, with significant FT changes (no bonus? Straight to the double bonus with 2 FTA on the fifth foul of each quarter).
You may not realize this but the NCAA women's teams having been using quarters and this no bonus straight to the double bonus for 2 years now.
According to the Illinois message board:
All they're doing here is just "playing on" past that 10-minute mark and resetting the fouls. I don't know why they wouldn't just go to 4 10-minute quarters.teemaddy12 is offline
Quote from: valpo64 on March 13, 2017, 11:39:07 AM
If IU would come to the ARC for whatever reason, do you think we'd have a full house? LOL! Illinois State could be next for the winner of our game with the U of I.
The NIT bracket shows that Valpo/Illinois winner plays the Boise State/Utah winner.
https://www.landof10.com/big-ten/2017-nit-bracket-see-full-32-team-field
Quote from: bbtds on March 13, 2017, 11:50:25 AM
You may not realize this but the NCAA women's teams having been using quarters and this no bonus straight to the double bonus for 2 years now.
Thanks. Yeah, I did notice watching the Valpo women play in the HL tournament that they were on quarters now. Hadn't noticed the FT structure. But, yes, this seems to be basically a move to the women's structure. (But somehow they're calling them "segments" and not technically "quarters" and are resetting fouls but not the clock. I guess there's probably also not a stoppage of play, or a buzzer beater? So, not _quite_ the same as the women.)
I don't quite understand the shot clock change in the front court. Is it a _maximum_ of 20 seconds? A _minimum_ of 20 seconds? Both?
And, yeah, the ISU game would come after Utah/Boise State. Maybe a week from now, an eternity.
NIT / CIT and CBI will all be using these variations on the rules for this year...
==================================================
The other experimental rule that will be in place stipulates that the shot clock will reset to 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds in instances when the ball is inbounded in the front court. The NCAA said the purpose of this rule is to try to increase the number of possessions and thus increase scoring.
....
Scenario: you have the ball with 4 seconds left on the clock and get fouled... during the regular season, you get a "fresh shot clock"... now, you'll only get 20 seconds, not the full 30. Same scenario, if you race the ball up and get fouled in the front court but there are 25 seconds on the clock... you will lose 5-seconds, and will now only get 20 seconds.
....
Under the experimental rule, each team's total fouls will reset to zero at the 10:00 mark of each half. Instead of the current foul limits for a half—seven team fouls before the opposing team shoots one-and-one after every foul and 10 team fouls before the opposition shoots two free throws after every foul—the limit for team fouls will be four for each 10-minute period.
Once a team reaches that limit, every personal or technical foul it commits will result in two free throws for the opposing team. If a game goes to overtime, the foul limit will be three for each 5-minute extra period.
I'll be curious to see if this speeds up the game? or slows it down? Sounds like more free-throw attempts to me.
I got seats in section 134 with a buddy of mine...anyone have seats close??
Won't be at the game. My schedule just couldn't be worked out. Have to be back in Indy by 4:00 p.m. eastern for a meeting that will most likely last an hour or possibly longer.
Quote from: VUSWIM08-12 on March 13, 2017, 03:00:54 PM
I got seats in section 134 with a buddy of mine...anyone have seats close??
There at least two other Valpo fans in that section - first row.
I never did see an official announcement from Valpo about those two sections (134, 135). Maybe that's where the box office (both box offices?) would steer fans if asked.
UIUC presser with the interim coach linked from
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=1288645&postcount=81
and a couple of players too.
Turn to about 2m30 in the coaches video to learn that Alex won't be playing, but that Shawn's pretty good. (OK - it's day two or three on the job, give him a break I guess.)
The VU Coaches Show is at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnEUHnG1ESc
Shawn has been a good player all year, even Tevin has flown under the radar a bit.
QuoteShawn has been a good player all year, even Tevin has flown under the radar a bit.
hahaha don't forget about Mack. Mack has really improved this season lol
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-st-0314-20170313-story.html
Lexus' drive: Marist's Williams relishes return trip to Illinois with Valparaiso
By:Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
March 13, 2017
Lexus Williams hopes to create new and improved memories at the State Farm Center, the venue formerly known as Assembly Hall.
The redshirt junior guard returns as seventh-seeded Valparaiso plays second-seeded Illinois at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of the NIT, which will be televised by ESPN2.
Williams, a Marist graduate, played against the Illini in the third game of his career with the Crusaders as a freshman and the first on the road. He was looking forward to another trip.
"It's kind of emotional being from Chicago, an Illinois kid," Williams said. "Being able to go down there, it's going to be a fun game."
.............
Give rest a read
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-aim-for-return-trip-to-madison-square-garden/article_65d77abd-ba3e-57d2-88ef-0024414ef1e4.html
Crusaders aim for return trip to Madison Square Garden
By: Paul Oren Times
Mar 13, 2017
Lexus Williams didn't watch the NIT Selection Show on Sunday night.
The Valparaiso point guard had been through enough heartbreak for one season, and the Chicago native didn't want to endure any more pain that would be stretched out over 30 minutes.
When his phone buzzed with a text message from Valparaiso assistant coach Luke Gore and Williams saw that the Crusaders were going to be playing Illinois today in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, Williams immediately flipped on the television.
"I didn't want to end up disappointed," Williams said. "I'm excited, especially for the opponent we have. It's kind of emotional being from Chicago, being an Illinois kid."
..............
Give it a read
Quote from: VUSWIM08-12 on March 13, 2017, 03:00:54 PMI got seats in section 134 with a buddy of mine...anyone have seats close??
I am in section 134, row 3.
We win in a close one.
Valpo 68
UIUC 64
Just announced the game has been moved up to 6:00 and will be ESPN
Quote from: crusader05 on March 14, 2017, 02:23:44 PM
Just announced the game has been moved up to 6:00 and will be ESPN
Fills spot of the Greensboro-Syracuse game, which was postponed due to the weather out here.
Quick thought: Shane and Jay have quirky strengths and weaknesses. Maybe a team with a temp head coach on under 48 hours notice won't be able to prep for them nearly as well as conference rivals who know them. Shane will be the x factor tonight. Example: he was able to drive the hoop against Oregon easily last year.
Really glad we get some additional national exposure!!! This helps brand recognition and exposure to potential recruits. Also even the extra week of practice time and game against a P5 opponent will help the young ones out down the road.
Hoping Bradford plays with a bit of a chip seeing Kankakee is about an hour and a half north of Champaign and I don't believe they even looked at him. Hope he brings a solid contingent too. Kids get a chance to create a team identity without Alec that they can carry into next year. I'd prefer Mr. Peters be healthy but he can't come back and we need to see how we fit together without him. The more games the coaches get with these kids the better prepared they can be going into 2017-2018. Plus I'd love for us to beat Illinois soundly. They're fans on the Loyalty board seemed a bit smug to me.
Also, we've played most of our games with a Peter's driven offense. Not a lot of tape to prepare for what these team looks like without him. 3 games total. and now with more than a week to prepare a new offensive scheme. Might not be super easy to prep for.
https://twitter.com/TheReal_MG3/status/841726891459452928
NIT Preview Podcast:
http://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/union-street-hoops/podcast-union-street-hoops-nit-preview/audio_44d32256-082e-11e7-aff2-cbc3cc4ef682.html
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/841395882654339074
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/841749607046619138
Maybe VU should wear their practice jerseys tonight.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/841771375815753728
Quote from: crusader05 on March 14, 2017, 02:42:08 PMAlso, we've played most of our games with a Peter's driven offense. Not a lot of tape to prepare for what these team looks like without him. 3 games total. and now with more than a week to prepare a new offensive scheme. Might not be super easy to prep for.
Start with the double low post and make the Illinois coaching staff react first. Not saying this will work but we will need to introduce this next year (limited use) so why not throw them a surprise. We can adjust when they adjust. In my opinion this will require a great effort just to keep us in striking distance. Hope the team is ready and willing to have some FUN!
This is the TW I've been looking forward to. We may get run out the gym but early good sign for next season. If he's ready to be the alpha look out Horizon.
Shane once again INVISIBLE. Sorry gents, without him we lose by 26.
On a side note, IL is playing / fouling a lot. Refs letting it go, which hurts us. We just aren't physical enough.
Tevvon is very dynamic right now. Kiser continues to play hard and hustle. Not much else going right.
I love the fact that almost nothing is being called. It shows who has the toughness to give it right back. TW does. Watched Micah two handed shove off a defender to receive an inbound. This is big boy basketball and we're playing our B team. Not a lot of skill but a ton of heart.
Smits, learn to friggin box out. Use that body, soft soft soft. Also noticed he could use some knee pads, he's on his knees more than a woman bball player.
Confirmed: he (Derrik) is a project. But if he progresses like Vashil, watch out.
But Jay is being beat up inside as well. Weight, Weights, Weights!
Jay I still really like. Seriously beginning to doubt Smits viability as a division 1 player.
Fun fact for this game. Illinois just spent almost 65 years of our budget on their arena renovations.
I'm still excited for the future of VU. Had 4 great years with this senior class...who else had better this year in the HL until 2 games left.
Me too. We have five new players coming in next year too. Now let's just beef up some of our guys and work on their aggressiveness
Poor Alec, looked stoned on pain meds from the surgery. Mouth drooping open....that or stuffed up nose.
Well that was another embarrassing performance. Illinois started hot, which probably killed any confidence we had coming in. It's too bad that this team had to go out this way at 0-3, as it looked pretty promising after that Wright State away game. Good luck to our Seniors. Just a very disappointing end to the season, after the beginning had so much promise.
When was the last time we lost three in a row?
Loved everything I saw from Tevonn tonight. His toughness is something to behold. Can't wait to see him leading this team as a senior next year.
Welcome to the big time Valpo. Sheesh! At every position we were out: manned, sized and athletisized (is that a word?) EXCEPT Tevonn. He is such a great talent. ........And he only has 1 more year to show us that :(. That is sad. But that is also Tevonn. For three years he has willingly played a subservient role. Next year is his. But he needs support and players who complement him. Ja/mitts have got to improve drastically. We have to have 1 or 2 players who can drain 3s when they are open. We are mid-major and Illinois showed us what it takes to be a Power 5 Team. Sincere congratulations to them.
BTW can we get a medical redshirt for Alec?
Shane had 0 pts., 0 rebs. 0 assts., plus 1 turnover, and 1 foul. Adekoya and Peters had better stats sitting on the bench. ;)
QuoteJay I still really like. Seriously beginning to doubt Smits viability as a division 1 player.
Smits is a D1 player. Just not a great rebounding or defending one. And when his finesse post moves and baby hooks aren't working then it could be a tough night.
Smits needs to learn to play with contact and use his 7'2" frame on D. As well as getting stronger.
The tools are there for him to succeed but he needs to put in the work in the weight-room (get stronger), work on his footwork and have a summer of battling in the post with Jay and Coach Gore.
Literally do drills with his back to the basketball in the post, forcing him to finish the plays through physical contact. Drill boxing out for rebounds into his muscle memory. Lots of work to put in this summer. I'm not completely down on him but some flaws in his game were exposed.
Tevonn Walker played so well and with such high energy that one might think he was trying to earn a spot on someone else's team.
QuoteTevonn Walker played so well and with such high energy that one might think he was trying to earn a spot on someone else's team.
I really hate thinking about this stuff. I'd like to think it was pride. Tevonn knew he didn't play well the last game and lit it up tonight.
Question: Is Tevonn graduating with his 3yr degree this spring? If so he'd be eligible to become a grad transfer like Alec was last summer. I hope he's not considering transferring. I really hate thinking about this stuff. Just so much speculation.
Shane was sick tonight. Paul confirmed with Lottich.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/841828413501505536
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/841828644091789316
Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on March 14, 2017, 07:59:08 PM
Loved everything I saw from Tevonn tonight. His toughness is something to behold. Can't wait to see him leading this team as a senior next year.
Agreed. Walker will be 1st team HL next year and in the running for HLPOY. Max, Bacari and Joe are all physically ready to help him. If Micah bulks up some, Valpo will have the best perimeter players in the league next year.
Kiser looked good again. If Valpo doesn't give him a scholly, he will probably have options at other DI schools.
Not going to pile on the team. The game turned out about the way I expected. Just goes to show what an exceptional team we had last year. If we had the players we should have had back from last year available all season this year I think we could have competed with all but the best of the power 5. But pretty much everything that could have gone wrong did by the end of the year. We just didn't have horses left to compete.
So next year will be a rebuilding year. TW will have the chance and will have to be the man. Derick and Jay should now know just how much better they need to improve and how hard they need to work to get there. New players will have to find their place. But somehow we have to find the next Ryan/Alec type player or we risk sinking into mediocrity. We will see just how well our new coaches recruit.
Tevonn played great and set the bar high for himself for next year when he is the man!
QuoteAgreed. Walker will be 1st team HL next year and in the running for HLPOY. Max, Bacari and Joe are all physically ready to help him. If Micah bulks up some, Valpo will have the best perimeter players in the league next year
.
OU will probably have the better backcourt on paper with Kendrick Nunn (ironically a former University of Illinois G) and Martez Walker. They both will be very talented and experienced seniors.
Next years OU team is a tourney or bust team. Most all of their talent will be seniors. A lot of expectations and pressure next season.
Tweet at Paul your questions. If you don't have a twitter account just post a question on the board and I'll tweet it out asking for you.
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/841837428092608512
I don't think anyone has mentioned the elephant in the room--Shane Hammink was either injured (not likely) or essentially benched. He played a total of 5 minutes in the second half and ended with zero points and zero rebounded. I think Matt exploded at half and said "guys, I am going to play people who want to be out there"
Look, with Shane in lala land, we were incredibly out maned tonight. They out rebounded us and just beat us to everything. Tevonn is a stud--can't wait for next year. Derrik and J either mature quickly and get much tougher or we will be in for a long couple of seasons. We won this year because of rebounding, lead by Mr. Peters. Without Alec who is rebounding other than our guards?
Lots of questions in my mind about the bigs and Micah. Micah zero points again and zero assists. Lexus? 3 points. I think we will be deep at the point with Lexus and Max baking up Bakari. Tevonn at the two, Joe Burton at the three and a freshman at the 4? Who knows.
So to brighten an otherwise very disappointing evening, I'll leave you with a couple of highlights of the future:
Let's start with Joe Burton:
https://youtu.be/5BrQB7TAm5U
Then there is Bakari Evelyn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr8GxdX5M8o
Suffice it to say we will be A LOT more athletic next year. Can't wait!!
Shane's unfortunate illness was just the icing on the cake of the last 12 months, in which literally *everything* that could go wrong, has for this program:
-NCAA at-large snub
-Bryce leaves for Vandy
-Skara transfers because of a shady prep school "handler" after VU wouldn't submit to his unethical demands to have hiring power
-The NCAA absolutely robs Keith Carter of his final year of eligibility for no reason whatsoever (seriously, why VU didn't scream to every media outlet in the country over this makes me question how much they want to have a successful program)
-Jubril suspended for last 18 games of the season under NCAA's apparent "Mid-Majors Need to Be Punished 4x What a Power Conference Program Would for the Same Infraction" policy
-Alec Peters season-ending injury 10 days before the conference tourney. Again, the greatest player *in school history* had a season ending injury just over a week before the conference tourney his senior year.
-To top off this sundae, Shane catches a severe stomach virus, rendering him a non-factor in the conference tourney and NIT game.
For those keeping score at home, that's our entire senior class, save for Nick Davidson, that was either denied a year of eligibility, suspended by the NCAA, suffered a season-ending injury, or caught a severe illness at the end of the season. That is truly unreal. There isn't a team in the country that would win in that situation.
I'll be glad when next season gets here.
QuoteI don't think anyone has mentioned the elephant in the room--Shane Hammink was either injured (not likely) or essentially benched.
Um, Shane has been suffering from a "severe" stomach virus, according to Coach Lottich, and didn't return to practice until yesterday. It's kinda all over the board.
Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on March 14, 2017, 10:06:02 PM
QuoteI don't think anyone has mentioned the elephant in the room--Shane Hammink was either injured (not likely) or essentially benched.
Um, Shane has been suffering from a "severe" stomach virus, according to Coach Lottich, and didn't return to practice until yesterday. It's kinda all over the board.
My apologies to Shane. I knew he had a illness but not that it continued into tonight. When he started I thought he had recovered. My best wishes for a full recovery and great future playing the game you love.
Micah rattled in one 3 in the first half...he then badly missed one the next possession from way downtown...he will get better.
Thanks to Tevonn for coming to play hard tonight. He was a one-man show.
We would be a perpetual bottom-tier dweller in the Big Ten. The level of talent in that league is far superior to the Horizon. My Big Ten graduate friends always try to convince me of that. I have to admit that they have a really solid argument.
I have to hand it to Oakland and Kampe. They made the Horizon proud tonight. After the Valpo implosion on ESPN, we needed Oakland to remind everyone that the Horizon has some potential to win games against power conference teams. With Nunn eligible this Fall, I think Oakland is top-25 and the best Horizon squad in years.
Well someone else in the NIT is having a worse night.... That is some serious play old quitting. That Cal roster has some talent on it.
https://twitter.com/mid_madness/status/841864380052570114
Let's face it my Valpo gents and ladies, this was a debauchery of basketball proportions. We could have made a statement that we are more than Alec Peters (despite his greatness) but we did not. This is a Power 5 that we should've showed more against and we didn't.
Negatives, Hammink was non existent, now we know why. But really wanted Shane to go out fighting and playing a great game. Boxing out was non existent. Ball movement sucked. Shot selection sucked. Too many unforced 3's early in our possessions when the game was still in reach. Lots to learn from.
Positives...Tevonn Walker can play. He stays, we have a new leader. Our Freshmen will get better exponentially especially if Lottich is coaching the Valpo way. Micah Bradford's shots were off, he needs to work on creating his shot both off the dribble and through screens but his hands are lightning quick, his handles are D1 worthy and his passing is amazing. It wasn't his fault we couldn't finish some nice leads and entries into the post. Smits and Sarolla have great size and will learn to use that in due time with this staff. We have a tough road to tow but we have another of year of experience, we have a good recruiting class coming and we have some solid transfers that weren't able to play this year but will be available to us next year.
Disappointed in the outcome but excited about the future.
It took a year, but we're back to the P5 narratives.
Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on March 14, 2017, 07:59:08 PM
Loved everything I saw from Tevonn tonight. His toughness is something to behold. Can't wait to see him leading this team as a senior next year.
Tevonn will be the best two-way player in the league next year. His effort on both ends of the floor is a beautiful thing to watch. Tevonn ended the year with 992 total career points and 394 rebounds, would have loved to see him get over the 1000 pt mark this year. Matt says it all at the end of the press conference.
The roster yesterday with a sick Shane could not beat the Illini's roster. It was a razor thin margin of error and we needed both Shane and Tevonn to go off and the big to play good D. We got a great night from Tevonn and a solid night from Kiser and Lexus had couple steals but that was about it.
That being said I don't think the "Narrative" of we can never beat P5's should exist, even after losing Peters after this season. A LOT of bad luck for us the last 12 months which affect the roster construction.
I think almost more then anything this team missed a rim protecting presence like Vashil. Jay looks like he could become a solid rim protector with also becoming an offensive threat, and looked good for stretches this year but with Jubril being out for most of the season and on top of that Smits was such a defensive liability late in games it cause Jay to play huge minutes at the end of games. Jay pretty clearly hit the freshman wall the last month and looked really tired and not as affective like he was the first half of the season.
Until Smits and Sorrolla get better at finishing under the basket or we get a serious consistent 3 point shooter we're going to struggle. We don't have the size to drive consistently so we need a few more options other than hoping someone gets a wide open shot. Now I think some of this comes from practice. I also do think that we are dealing with a team that spent an entire season with the mentality of only take the shot if it's very clear, if not, get the ball to Peter's. That's a big shift for a lot of people. Tevonn seemed to be the one who's best recognizing he's needed and stepping up but I think this team will benefit from a lot of work on shooting, cohesiveness and shared responsibility.
One thing I will say, Walker, Kiser, Bradford, Joseph and Williams played hard the ENTIRE time, Especially Lexus. Our two bigs looked a bit overwhelmed and Shane was pretty obviously gassed but we look to have some real high energy returning next year and, w/o Jubril or Alec, someone is going to need to stop up to be the leader and I think either Tevonn or Lexus or both, can be that person.
Tevonn has such fluidity in his game. Sometimes, he literally seems to float in/on the air. Micah definitely has a touch of this quality, too, and I think he would benefit from a redshirt year to pack on the pounds and strength train.
Actually, the majority of Valpo's guys could benefit from adding more muscle and better strength training (Peters having set the bar for this). None of our guys are in danger of overtraining to the point that their game changes.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 14, 2017, 06:12:03 PMWe may get run out the gym but early good sign for next season.
Much better read of the game than most of us.
Quote from: bbtds on March 16, 2017, 11:25:46 AM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 14, 2017, 06:12:03 PMWe may get run out the gym but early good sign for next season.
Much better read of the game than most of us.
Ever the confident one, I don't plan to quit now! Everybody will feel a lot better once they see Bakari and Joe play. Would love to hear a report on team practices from this last season. Burton, a top 50 player, has been described as "an electric" scorer. Bakari (who was a Michigan target before going to Nebraska) was described by one analyst as follows: " Evelyn is fearless when driving to the basket, great at drawing contact and finishing through it. His quick release allows him to pull up and fire from any distance, and his handle allows him to easily create space off the dribble.
I see it this way: Tevonn, Joe and Bakari will be the scorers with good support from Max and Lexus. I still don't have much hope for Micah but a year in the weight room and added shooting practice could make a world of difference. I see Hazen as a replacement for Jubril. Same size, better athlete who can jump and plays on the inside.
We will be bigger and more athletic and deeper next year. If, and that is a BIG if, our two bigs can make a big improvement, htis could be a very good team. Perhaps next year is a transition year with the full picture coming the following year, we will see.