For general NCAA 2016 discussion, if people want to move such discussion here.
So South Dakota State does get the 12. Not shocking, but I'll sure be disappointed if they win. How many times has the Summit/Midcon ever had a 12 seed?
The Buffalo _Bulls_? Hm... welcome to the national spotlight.
Oregon State a 7. Respect.
Hey, we beat a 7 seed. On the road.
So far I've hit the spread betting on the first 7 games and English may have just cost Iona a cover by getting a T for yelling at ISU's coach... Terrible.
70- 64 Yale leading Baylor with 1:58 remaining.
79-75 Yale. Up to Bryce to uphold the family honor.
Baylor Baylor'd again.
two years in a row for first round losses. Could the Baylor faithful be a little upset? Pretty sure Scott is safe but i thought the same for Donlon.
Is it just me or does anyone else feel as though Scott and Bryce have a difficult time getting their teams to show up in big games? I know the players play the game, but it consistently seems like both of their teams lack that mentality to show up in big games and get motivated.
Scott should Check out that WSU opening!! would Homer approve???? ;D
Don't mean to threadjack but check out the KY Stonybrook game. Some of the worst shooting I've ever seen. Reminds me of a 50's game. 16 to 10 with 7 min to go in the first half.
Dayton taking it on the chin against Syracuse. That ain't good for anyone. And causes me to lose another bet...
Yesterday I went 7-8-1 (Kansas pushed the spread and they canceled the bet) after a 4-0 first four.
My prediction for the uw-green Bay game is a double-digit loss I hope they do well but I just don't think they'll be able to compete with Texas A&M
Go Valpo!
Wow, Michigan State just got upset by Middle Tennessee State. I think I can safely say RIP everyone's bracket.
Quote from: swiftmutiny on March 18, 2016, 04:14:59 PM
Wow, Michigan State just got upset by Middle Tennessee State. I think I can safely say RIP everyone's bracket.
That is a historic upset. ... (I know other 15-2 match ups have ended in upset but this is a pretty big one)
Go Valpo!
All four wheels are coming off the GB bus vs. TAM 66-45 with a little over 9 minutes to go. :(
Doesn't make the Horizon look too good.
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:02:28 PM
All four wheels are coming off the GB bus vs. TAM 66-45 with a little over 9 minutes to go. :(
Doesn't make the Horizon look too good.
I'm glad. Hope they lose by 40+. I know that Lacrone will say it was still a success. I also hope that if Valpo wins the NIT that the rest of the league gets nothing in return.
Quote from: gamelord on March 18, 2016, 08:07:21 PMQuote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:02:28 PMAll four wheels are coming off the GB bus vs. TAM 66-45 with a little over 9 minutes to go. :( Doesn't make the Horizon look too good.
I'm glad. Hope they lose by 40+. I know that Lacrone will say it was still a success. I also hope that if Valpo wins the NIT that the rest of the league gets nothing in return.
14 seed for UWGB was very generous. Sports Nation had an article where they ranked each tourney team and there were only 5 worse than Green Bay.
My mother told me "if I can't say something nice. ...."
However she won't read this so here goes:
Sorry to GB but they should not have ended up in the tournament - it was a fluke and this was NOT a success for the Horizon League. Other teams would have been better with 10-11 seed for Valpo, 12-13 for Oakland .... Lacrone did not setup a situation to help the league.
Go Valpo!
Both benches cleared with 3 minutes to go. This is the dark side of mid majors getting into the NCAAT :( Gives the Power 5 more leverage, despite the MTSU, Yale and other wins.
Watching the game on a real TV instead of my laptop I could not get past the images of a bunch of skilled men (TAM) playing with a bunch of kids (Guess who?).
We need to fine tune our groveling techniques and supplication skills and beg the MVC to take us out of this torture applied by the HL. Bryce has built a formidable program. If we advance to MSG, when we recruit, we can legitimately tell recruits we need you to get us to a 9-10 seed in the NCAAs despite the anchor that is shackled to us by our league (this is especially true next year with the firing of Jeter and Donlon -- both programs headed into "transition").
I think Valpo has now reached the level where we are in the conversation with Gonzaga, Wichita State and NIU.
Valpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW. Next year we will have another good team. If feet are dragged, the momentum of what was achieved this year will dissipate. Don't reprise the post-1998 approach, go for it!
CARPE (Foxtrot) DIEM
So much for LeCrone's spin that the upset of Valparaiso displayed the strength of the Horizon League. No offense to Green Bay but this was an embarrassment for the HL, and the score diminishes the Horizon League in the eyes of viewers, whose opinions of the conference will be lessened, impacting seeding of HL teams in next year's tourney.
On another note, I am enjoying the many upsets of teams from the bigger conferences whose positions in the NCAA Tourney were bloated and overrated. Teams that refused to play mid-majors or true road games are being exposed, and that should be an embarrassment for the NCAA.
Quote from: valpopal on March 18, 2016, 09:08:19 PM
So much for LeCrone's spin that the upset of Valparaiso displayed the strength of the Horizon League. No offense to Green Bay but this was an embarrassment for the HL, and the score diminishes the Horizon League in the eyes of viewers, whose opinions of the conference will be lessened, impacting seeding of HL teams in next year's tourney.
On another note, I am enjoying the many upsets of teams from the bigger conferences whose positions in the NCAA Tourney were bloated and overrated. Teams that refused to play mid-majors or true road games are being exposed, and that should be an embarrassment for the NCAA.
Your statements are so true. We could go 28-0 next year, have an RPI of 20 and end up being a 15 seed. Thanks Mr. Lacrone
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PM
Both benches cleared with 3 minutes to go. This is the dark side of mid majors getting into the NCAAT :( Gives the Power 5 more leverage, despite the MTSU, Yale and other wins.
Watching the game on a real TV instead of my laptop I could not get past the images of a bunch of skilled men (TAM) playing with a bunch of kids (Guess who?).
We need to fine tune our groveling techniques and supplication skills and beg the MVC to take us out of this torture applied by the HL. Bryce has built a formidable program. If we advance to MSG, when we recruit, we can legitimately tell recruits we need you to get us to a 9-10 seed in the NCAAs despite the anchor that is shackled to us by our league (this is especially true next year with the firing of Jeter and Donlon -- both programs headed into "transition").
I think Valpo has now reached the level where we are in the conversation with Gonzaga, Wichita State and NIU.
Valpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW. Next year we will have another good team. If feet are dragged, the momentum of what was achieved this year will dissipate. Don't reprise the post-1998 approach, go for it!
CARPE (Foxtrot) DIEM
This is an excellent appeal. It might be good to turn this into a message board petition and we should all sign on to it with an "I agree" post or other comments. Then make ml aware of it. Just a thought.
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMWe need to fine tune our groveling techniques and supplication skills and beg the MVC to take us out of this torture applied by the HL.
My background never taught me how to do these things so I'll just watch you white collar folks until I pick up some of the fundamentals. ;)
I think we should ask the Pac 10 to let us in. We matched up well against Oregon and obviously beat Oregon State. The other highly seeded Pac 10 teams (except for Utah and Oregon) have been pitiful in the tourney. Would've been nice to see a Valpo instead of the FIVE Pac 10 teams that are one-and-done.
Valpo in the Pac 10.....Pac 11? We could really help that conference!
Quote from: atkins on March 18, 2016, 09:50:11 PMValpo in the Pac 10.....Pac 11? We could really help that conference!
Pac 13?
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMValpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW.
Got $10M to spare? Got 10k friends with $1k each to spare?
Saying the obvious, maybe, but unlees a targeted funding source comes along, it's always going to be "spend this big chunk of money on athletics instead of on...". What should we leave behind, what should we not do? And how?
Quote from: agibson on March 18, 2016, 10:01:31 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMValpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW.
Got $10M to spare? Got 10k friends with $1k each to spare?
Saying the obvious, maybe, but unlees a targeted funding source comes along, it's always going to be "spend this big chunk of money on athletics instead of on...". What should we leave behind, what should we not do? And how?
No offense, but I think I would rather hear from ml. Your responses on the topic never offer a glimmer of hope (short of someone winning the lottery).
Quote from: valpopal on March 18, 2016, 09:08:19 PM
So much for LeCrone's spin that the upset of Valparaiso displayed the strength of the Horizon League. No offense to Green Bay but this was an embarrassment for the HL, and the score diminishes the Horizon League in the eyes of viewers, whose opinions of the conference will be lessened, impacting seeding of HL teams in next year's tourney.
Fortunately, this isn't how the selection committee works. Detroit got a 15 seed in 2012, the year after back to back finals contestants came from the Horizon.
I do worry about the loss of the recruiting advantage the Horizon had from all of their tournament wins. This is the 5th straight year without a tournament win. This league has had NBA-level talent (more compared to most other mid major leagues) and a couple of top mid major teams (uwgbs Sykes/brown team and this year's Valpo team), but haven't had a great chance to win games in the dance. Last year was the closest the league came to a win since Butler.
Sadly, we're not going to be able to move to another league until the ARC gets expanded. Any funds should be used for that purpose first.
Quote from: a3uge on March 18, 2016, 10:30:21 PM
Quote from: valpopal on March 18, 2016, 09:08:19 PM
So much for LeCrone's spin that the upset of Valparaiso displayed the strength of the Horizon League. No offense to Green Bay but this was an embarrassment for the HL, and the score diminishes the Horizon League in the eyes of viewers, whose opinions of the conference will be lessened, impacting seeding of HL teams in next year's tourney.
Fortunately, this isn't how the selection committee works. Detroit got a 15 seed in 2012, the year after back to back finals contestants came from the Horizon.
I do worry about the loss of the recruiting advantage the Horizon had from all of their tournament wins. This is the 5th straight year without a tournament win. This league has had NBA-level talent (more compared to most other mid major leagues) and a couple of top mid major teams (uwgbs Sykes/brown team and this year's Valpo team), but haven't had a great chance to win games in the dance. Last year was the closest the league came to a win since Butler.
I had no problem with Detroit's #15 seeding. Like Green Bay, they were a third place team with a somewhat mediocre season record. I did have a problem with Valpo's #13 seeding last year (seeded #51 overall by the NCAA) with a 28-5 record, a conference regular season championship, and a conference tournament championship. A higher seeding last year and Valpo might very well have an NCAA Tourney win. I also had a problem with this year being left out of the Dance because the RPI was brought down by the HL overall RPI.
I think it is time the board finally gives credit to SFA. Yes, the Southland Conference is weaker than the Horizon. Yes, it is a school in the middle of nowhere (Naca-nowhere). But these guys have played great in the past few years and have done very well in the tournament. Underwood has done a truly amazing job coaching low end recruits and making them a cohesive effective team. Through Bryce has done well as a coach, Underwood has been more impressive. Give the Jacks credit for building a great basketball program.
Underwood will end up at TCU, so my worry about Bryce going there is relaxed.
I wpuld think there will be many at Brad Underwood. Kansas State may be a likely choice.
I think Bryce Drew is staying at Valpo for now. Stanford is an intriguing job however.
Quote from: valpopal on March 18, 2016, 10:58:18 PM
Quote from: a3uge on March 18, 2016, 10:30:21 PM
Quote from: valpopal on March 18, 2016, 09:08:19 PM
So much for LeCrone's spin that the upset of Valparaiso displayed the strength of the Horizon League. No offense to Green Bay but this was an embarrassment for the HL, and the score diminishes the Horizon League in the eyes of viewers, whose opinions of the conference will be lessened, impacting seeding of HL teams in next year's tourney. .
. Let's approach a little more realistically. I don't see us moving from the HL next year or the year after but ...more TV exposure is critical. I appreciate the opportunity to stream the few away games the "four on the floor" we travel with can't get to but the vast majority of fans either cannot or don't know how to stream. As much as a anything, the kids want the exposure and the chance for their family and friends see them play. The conundrum is that it is hard to get TV exposure without playing big time teams and harder to schedule games (even on their floor) with big time teams
Fortunately, this isn't how the selection committee works. Detroit got a 15 seed in 2012, the year after back to back finals contestants came from the Horizon.
I do worry about the loss of the recruiting advantage the Horizon had from all of their tournament wins. This is the 5th straight year without a tournament win. This league has had NBA-level talent (more compared to most other mid major leagues) and a couple of top mid major teams (uwgbs Sykes/brown team and this year's Valpo team), but haven't had a great chance to win games in the dance. Last year was the closest the league came to a win since Butler.
I had no problem with Detroit's #15 seeding. Like Green Bay, they were a third place team with a somewhat mediocre season record. I did have a problem with Valpo's #13 seeding last year (seeded #51 overall by the NCAA) with a 28-5 record, a conference regular season championship, and a conference tournament championship. A higher seeding last year and Valpo might very well have an NCAA Tourney win. I also had a problem with this year being left out of the Dance because the RPI was brought down by the HL overall RPI.
Quote from: gamelord on March 18, 2016, 10:30:47 PMSadly, we're not going to be able to move to another league until the ARC gets expanded. Any funds should be used for that purpose first.
I don't think expanding the ARC will us a seat at the MVC or leave us out. Making it larger and then having empty seats is not going to attract anyone. Possibly updating it will.
Valpo's fan forum has a lot great, consistent and intelligent (bball & general) posters. When comparing it to other HL blogs we have more participation. There is a topic of the MVC forum on what their next move is. I encourage us to check it out and get to know the MVC fan's thoughts. And course put our :twocents: in about Valpo.
Lots of different thoughts in this thread:
Brad Underwood's next job is an interesting situation. I think that Kansas State will give Weber another year and that the K-State job (at least for now) is the dream job for Underwood. He is not going to go to TCU or Oklahoma State and then switch to K-State. K-State either dismisses Weber now and gets Underwood or Underwood goes someplace outside of the Big 12. His team did a great job yesterday and knocked out West Virginia. Having a quality PG that has an outstanding game always helps.
While I do think that the MVC is a better conference for Valpo than the Horizon, consider that the MVC only would have gotten one team if UNI had not upset Wichita State in the conference tournament and, in that case, Wichita State only got the play-in game. They have played great in the tournament, but did not get placements that high above the Horizon. Wichita State was not treated with much respect by only getting a play-in game.
So we are back to the facilities discussion. I cannot help but see that these discussions look like what happens in poor government - people wanting to spend lots of other peoples' money. If someone really wanted a new stadium (and improving other athletic facilities to the MVC standard), write a business plan that does not have overly optimistic outcomes or low returns for the first 3 to 5 years.
On the girls side of the NCAA tourney, Robert Morris only scored 4 first half points against Uconn. :o
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMValpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW. Next year we will have another good team. If feet are dragged, the momentum of what was achieved this year will dissipate. Don't reprise the post-1998 approach, go for it!
CARPE (Foxtrot) DIEM
I'm afraid that you are just wasting your breath. If it didn't happen when Bryce made "the shot" it's not going to happen now. The VU administration is going to waste all the talent and loyalty that came to them in the Drew Family.
Quote from: justducky on March 18, 2016, 09:46:33 PM
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMWe need to fine tune our groveling techniques and supplication skills and beg the MVC to take us out of this torture applied by the HL.
My background never taught me how to do these things so I'll just watch you white collar folks until I pick up some of the fundamentals. ;)
Here's a very good example.
"Yes, Mr Trump. We will vote for you. You are the one to 'make America great again.'" ;)
Quote from: wh on March 18, 2016, 10:29:10 PMNo offense, but I think I would rather hear from ml. Your responses on the topic never offer a glimmer of hope (short of someone winning the lottery).
Fair enough!
And, I hope it's obvious, anything I'm saying is just from a fan's perspective, and in now way represents university policy or official priorities.
People should absolutely take these issues up with the Athletic Department, the President's office, etc.
Even from my perspective, -some- sort of "facilities upgrade" or "financial investment to take Valpo BB/athletics" could, maybe must, have some place, it's just challenging for me to see exactly what that place is, among the many priorities of an institution of higher education.
Quote from: bbtds on March 19, 2016, 10:56:10 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on March 18, 2016, 08:55:45 PMValpo Administration: Please see the writing on the wall and do everything in your power (i.e., invest the $$$) to make Valpo MBB attractive to potential recruits, VU students, the community, a better conference, and the rest of the basketball world. And please do it NOW. Next year we will have another good team. If feet are dragged, the momentum of what was achieved this year will dissipate. Don't reprise the post-1998 approach, go for it!
CARPE (Foxtrot) DIEM
I'm afraid that you are just wasting your breath. If it didn't happen when Bryce made "the shot" it's not going to happen now. The VU administration is going to waste all the talent and loyalty that came to them in the Drew Family.
Completely different team managing the institution. Mark Heckler is NOT Alan Harre.
That's what I hear. He is an actor and should understand the emotional impact of drama and publicity of same. Perhaps the is presdient understands what reasonable alumni know. Valpo is far more widely known initially and casually for basketball. Not science or engineering or law or music. They are excellent, but they only penetrate after a student and parents look up VU seriouisly.
I concur with many on the board that new facilities like game arena are needed. Since realistically, they won't happen long-term, you at least have a chance ot leverage Bryce's familiar face, integrity, and famous "shot" to increase enrollment. The shot still rollls through tourney ads.
Perhaps try this idea? Do a massive publicity blitz to HS juniors during March and April leveraging the NCAA images and the well-rounded players and VU students. Then hit the HS seniors each year in late January when the "Dance" promotion picks up and Seniors are in prime decision mode. I like the NIT for us this year and we are all focused on it. Butfor marketing a a name, it doesn't fixate the nation for a week on the bracket schools like the NCAA big dance.
Congrats to AD and university for a fantastic looking Fla-State home game although the tourney kids seem to have caused it. Can they turn out the real students and townies en masse in the NIT quarer-finals home game that sends us to MSG for a Final Four? If not, do we really deserve or have a wise step in building a larger arena?
Watching the VA/Butler game, and I am impressed by Butler. The guys on that team are not more talented than our guys, but they seem to be tournament-tough every year. It's not just Dunham and Jones. What is their secret? Our assistant coaches should go study whatever game planning their coaching staff is doing and copy it. Obviously, they are getting it right.
Quote from: crusadermoe on March 19, 2016, 03:37:25 PM
That's what I hear. He is an actor and should understand the emotional impact of drama and publicity of same. Perhaps the is presdient understands what reasonable alumni know. Valpo is far more widely known initially and casually for basketball. Not science or engineering or law or music. They are excellent, but they only penetrate after a student and parents look up VU seriouisly.
I concur with many on the board that new facilities like game arena are needed. Since realistically, they won't happen long-term, you at least have a chance ot leverage Bryce's familiar face, integrity, and famous "shot" to increase enrollment. The shot still rollls through tourney ads.
Perhaps try this idea? Do a massive publicity blitz to HS juniors during March and April leveraging the NCAA images and the well-rounded players and VU students. Then hit the HS seniors each year in late January when the "Dance" promotion picks up and Seniors are in prime decision mode. I like the NIT for us this year and we are all focused on it. Butfor marketing a a name, it doesn't fixate the nation for a week on the bracket schools like the NCAA big dance.
Congrats to AD and university for a fantastic looking Fla-State home game although the tourney kids seem to have caused it. Can they turn out the real students and townies en masse in the NIT quarer-finals home game that sends us to MSG for a Final Four? If not, do we really deserve or have a wise step in building a larger arena?
Take a look at the ticket site. Their selling 30 every half hour and we still have three days till game time. Section CC is selling tickets five rows from the top. It will be a sellout.
The NIT has been terrific for Valpo as it has brought attention from the locals with name opponents coming to town. I honestly think it us better for the program than Butler, who won a game and now is done.
Quote from: atkins on March 18, 2016, 09:50:11 PM
I think we should ask the Pac 10 to let us in. We matched up well against Oregon and obviously beat Oregon State. The other highly seeded Pac 10 teams (except for Utah and Oregon) have been pitiful in the tourney. Would've been nice to see a Valpo instead of the FIVE Pac 10 teams that are one-and-done.
Valpo in the Pac 10.....Pac 11? We could really help that conference!
Ok I had a feeling this discussion would come up. The pac 12 has certainly underachieved in this tournament but for overall championships no conference comes close. Utah looked pathetic and I think Duckzilla will be out before reaching the elite 8.
Go SFA!!!
Quote from: atkins on March 18, 2016, 09:50:11 PM
Valpo in the Pac 10.....Pac 11? We could really help that conference!
Pac 13?
Maybe we could to Count!! ;D
Quote from: bsmith21 on March 19, 2016, 10:08:14 AM
Kansas and Kansas St. still won't schedule Wichita st.(even after a run to the final 4) Butler only got a seat at the big boys table after 2 national runner ups and several successful tournament stints.
Kansas won't schedule Wichita State because (1) Wichita State wants a home and home and Kansas only does one of those at a time and not against a mid-major, (2) Wichita State would likely not agree to Kansas' 'neutral court since that would be the Sprint Center in Kansas City (an extended home game for Kansas), (3) Kansas has an inherent recruiting advantage in the area and would not want to risk it by losing to Wichita State (which could certainly happen at Wichita).
Kansas has the power and wealth to schedule as they want and they do. People talk about KU playing Missouri...it will not happen anytime soon. KU to their credit does bring in good mid-majors, but never gives them a home and home or 2 for 1.
I agree with the sentiments of Mark Adams during the NIT broadcasts. There should be some requirement that the big conference teams need to play the mid-majors and some of these need to be at the mid-majors' homes. Unfortunately, it will never happen given who holds all the power.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 20, 2016, 01:15:35 PMKansas only does one of those at a time and not against a mid-major,
How many other sports and organizations would say this is totally unacceptable? Why does the NCAA allow it. One word: GREED!
Quote from: bsmith21 on March 20, 2016, 07:26:43 PM
Well I don't think there could be a better example of the difference in talent between the Horizon League and the Missouri Valley. Green Bay (4 in horizon) looked like they didn't belong on the same floor as A&M while Northern Iowa (4 in the MVC) are seemingly pretty evenly matched. Still early but they seem to be able to play with and beat A&M.
Northern Iowa is a goofy team this year... They beat North Carolina, Iowa State, and SFA, but lost to Loyola twice, Missouri State, and Indiana State. I doubt Evansville or Illinois State wins vs Texas A&M or Texas, but there's definitely a gap between the top 4 or 5 in the MVC vs the top 4 or 5 in the Horizon.
If you ever think Valpo finishes out a game poorly, watxh UNI's collapse tonight. Most brutal final minute in basketball history.
Quote from: a3uge on March 20, 2016, 10:24:01 PM
If you ever think Valpo finishes out a game poorly, watxh UNI's collapse tonight. Most brutal final minute in basketball history.
So, STL, was it statistically safe? 12 points [fumble fingerdly originally typed as 23] in... A little less than 45 seconds?
UNI did 2 things that helped cause their demise -- 1) they tried to slow the game down too much in the last few minutes (aka also see ST Joes). We have discussed this here where we believe we let the air out too soon. Teams need to keep running their sets and look for good shots, not wait til 4 secs and try to go one on one. This is especially true of mid majors vs major teams because the mids don't necessarily have a player who can create the shot. Think from the Tourney Middle Tenn continuing to attack WVa, FGCU vs GTown a couple years ago, and even us vs Oregon State this year. As they say about a prevent D in football -- it prevents you from winning! 2) there seemed to be a penchant by UNI and other teams yesterday to not fully utilize the last few secs of a game. When tied or down 2 or less, you only need a 2. Advance the ball as far in the front court as possible. Examples include Danny Ainge vs ND, Ty Edny vs UCLA, Alec Peters vs UWGB. Get the ball moving up the court. UNI heaved a half court shot with nearly 3 secs on clock, he had 3 more dribbles. Wisky actually could have continued moving the ball w/o a TO or in their case called the TO and went with a set play. We all know that you can score with 1.9 left on the clock. ;) But for whatever reason, there was a lot of heaving going around late last night. (Maybe the Buddy Hield and Jesperson half court shots have inspired this, I don't know but it's frustrating. Heck US Reed's half courter against Louisville was over 30 years ago). 3) Valpo and some other teams showed the home run ball is helpful in those pressing situations. Instead UNI threw to the corner and Washpun panicked. He had a jump pass available, he could have thrown in out earlier, or have a better pick play set up. Heck heave it high and down court and let the seconds tick away as the ball was in play.
Quote from: valpo84 on March 21, 2016, 11:14:33 AM
UNI did 2 things that helped cause their demise -- 1) they tried to slow the game down too much in the last few minutes (aka also see ST Joes). We have discussed this here where we believe we let the air out too soon. Teams need to keep running their sets and look for good shots, not wait til 4 secs and try to go one on one. This is especially true of mid majors vs major teams because the mids don't necessarily have a player who can create the shot. Think from the Tourney Middle Tenn continuing to attack WVa, FGCU vs GTown a couple years ago, and even us vs Oregon State this year. As they say about a prevent D in football -- it prevents you from winning! 2) there seemed to be a penchant by UNI and other teams yesterday to not fully utilize the last few secs of a game. When tied or down 2 or less, you only need a 2. Advance the ball as far in the front court as possible. Examples include Danny Ainge vs ND, Ty Edny vs UCLA, Alec Peters vs UWGB. Get the ball moving up the court. UNI heaved a half court shot with nearly 3 secs on clock, he had 3 more dribbles. Wisky actually could have continued moving the ball w/o a TO or in their case called the TO and went with a set play. We all know that you can score with 1.9 left on the clock. ;) But for whatever reason, there was a lot of heaving going around late last night. (Maybe the Buddy Hield and Jesperson half court shots have inspired this, I don't know but it's frustrating. Heck US Reed's half courter against Louisville was over 30 years ago). 3) Valpo and some other teams showed the home run ball is helpful in those pressing situations. Instead UNI threw to the corner and Washpun panicked. He had a jump pass available, he could have thrown in out earlier, or have a better pick play set up. Heck heave it high and down court and let the seconds tick away as the ball was in play.
Great post! I wanted to follow up on a few points.
1) UNI did take the air out of the ball the last few minutes of the game, much like some of the Valpo games we've watched... Their strategy seemed to be to wind the shot clock down and hoist a deep 3 with the shot clock expiring (this was also SFAs strategy yesterday). With that said, they did make some of those deep shots and were up 12 with under a minute left, which many are saying hasn't happened at a college level before. Being up 12 with under a minute left means the game is statistically over, so it's hard to blame the loss on anything that happened in the previous 39 minutes of play.
2) Wisconsin was in a similar situation at the end of regulation. They inbounded the ball and called a timeout at half court with 1.9 left. This was excellent awareness by the players, and excellent coaching by Gard. Wisconsin, of course, won the game on a three in the corner. UNI attempted 3 half court shots in their past 2 games, when really, none of those were necessary. The end of the 1st OT was the most egregious. Horrible situational awareness, and terrible coaching.
3) UNI did run the home run ball a possession earlier! And it worked! Then the next inbound, they completely unraveled again. Washburn panicked after getting the ball in the worst possible spot - in the corner (which is a huge no-no). #20 was actually open for a pass, but he didn't pass it initially, and then #20 didn't move towards the ball. Then, instead of forcing a pass to the sideline, he throws it in towards his own basket! Unbelievable decision-making there.
Quote from: a3uge on March 21, 2016, 12:07:59 PM3) UNI did run the home run ball a possession earlier! And it worked! Then the next inbound, they completely unraveled again. Washburn panicked after getting the ball in the worst possible spot - in the corner (which is a huge no-no). #20 was actually open for a pass, but he didn't pass it initially, and then #20 didn't move towards the ball. Then, instead of forcing a pass to the sideline, he throws it in towards his own basket! Unbelievable decision-making there.
I've not listened to much of the punditry in this year's NCAA, but happened to catch a bit of the panel after UNI. Charles Barkley basically called it a UNI collapse, noted that they were young men and that he'd have harsher words for NBA players, but pretty well heaped the blame on them.
I didn't see the end of regulation, but he made it sound like middle school type mistakes.
How often has a "statistically safe" lead been blown? Not so often, for sure...
despite the loss SFA has a lot to be proud of. They were over matched talent wise, but played great in the tournament. Underwood is an outstanding coach and I doubt he will be at Nacadoches for much longer.
Quote from: agibson on March 21, 2016, 12:26:13 PMI've not listened to much of the punditry in this year's NCAA, but happened to catch a bit of the panel after UNI. Charles Barkley basically called it a UNI collapse, noted that they were young men and that he'd have harsher words for NBA players, but pretty well heaped the blame on them.
I didn't see the end of regulation, but he made it sound like middle school type mistakes.
Barkley isn't totally wrong here but for the most part I try to listen to nothing that moron says. Why do they keep him around?
Quote from: agibson on March 21, 2016, 12:26:13 PM
Quote from: a3uge on March 21, 2016, 12:07:59 PM3) UNI did run the home run ball a possession earlier! And it worked! Then the next inbound, they completely unraveled again. Washburn panicked after getting the ball in the worst possible spot - in the corner (which is a huge no-no). #20 was actually open for a pass, but he didn't pass it initially, and then #20 didn't move towards the ball. Then, instead of forcing a pass to the sideline, he throws it in towards his own basket! Unbelievable decision-making there.
I've not listened to much of the punditry in this year's NCAA, but happened to catch a bit of the panel after UNI. Charles Barkley basically called it a UNI collapse, noted that they were young men and that he'd have harsher words for NBA players, but pretty well heaped the blame on them.
I didn't see the end of regulation, but he made it sound like middle school type mistakes.
How often has a "statistically safe" lead been blown? Not so often, for sure...
I believe twice ever: once in 2011, a 10 point lead blown by Virginia with 42 seconds left (Miami had the ball). The other by Duke vs UNC in 1974... 8 pt game in 17 seconds.
A 10 point lead with the ball under 57 seconds is statistically safe. A 12 point lead without the ball is statistically safe under 1:12. This was perhaps the biggest collapse of all time in a sporting event. The most amazing part was that Texas A&M actually missed a three pointer with 38 seconds left (down 12), but got the offensive rebound and a put-back. Oh, and they blew a lead in the first OT also - they had a 1pt lead shooting 2 free throws with 17 seconds left.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 21, 2016, 12:32:14 PM
despite the loss SFA has a lot to be proud of. They were over matched talent wise, but played great in the tournament. Underwood is an outstanding coach and I doubt he will be at Nacadoches for much longer.
We don't like it when Valparaiso is misspelled.................it's Na-cog-doches (Naa-Cog-Doh-Chess)
Lazy Texas drawl-------------Na-ca-doh-chezzzz
gotcha. I wish the Jacks won, my wife is an SFA alum and Zach Auguste of ND is an annoying dork.
Quote from: agibson on March 20, 2016, 11:38:12 PM
Quote from: a3uge on March 20, 2016, 10:24:01 PM
If you ever think Valpo finishes out a game poorly, watxh UNI's collapse tonight. Most brutal final minute in basketball history.
So, STL, was it statistically safe? 23 points in... A little less than 45 seconds?
You mean 12, but yes it was. And the formula is *not* broken. I like to say "Statistically Safe lead" means in order for A&M to erase this lead, they would have to get some active help from UNI.... which is *exactly* what happened.
Great news for Valpo that TCU is hiring Jamie Dixon away from Pitt (TCU alum)!
Bryce would never go to TCU with Scott at Baylor.
Chef--you didn't say anything about Pitt though....
I do not think Bryce is going anywhere this year. Remotely other than Stanford, there are no decent job opportunities that he would be interested in. I am pretty sure the job in Wyoming will not be intriguing.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 21, 2016, 07:28:07 PM
I do not think Bryce is going anywhere this year. Remotely other than Stanford, there are no decent job opportunities that he would be interested in. I am pretty sure the job in Wyoming will not be intriguing.
But that brown and gold tho...
First off, Valpo beating FSU at home (great game and I got serious TV time on ESPNN) hurts us from getting a big time program to come to Valpo. A big run (which want we have only leads to more trepidation) But what the committee can do is put teams like Valpo and other mid majors in the tourney, with credentials of course, to force the mid ran top tier teams to play us to up thier RPIs. We did nothing to hurt Oregon or Oregon States RPI at all. I love college hoops but would rather see Valpo, Monmouth and St. Mary's in there rather than the mid level top tier teams. Syracuse doesn't belong there and hurts the argument as they are Sweet 16 but they had the benefit of a Top seed getting beat before them. And the Boeheim thing blows my mind as they were considered due to Boeheim being suspended. Well he was suspended for a reason, breaking NCAA rules. No consideration should've been given. They lost to Pitt in the first round of their conference tourney. That, to me should've been a play in game. But the ACC has 6 teams in the Sweet 16. Oh well.
Second, improve the facilities from a practice and private weight room perspective. Not a lot of capital to do and makes it more attractive. But winning and developing, which Bryce has done will always bring recruits. Dixon taking the TCU job makes Bryce more likely to stay and he is the best face of this program and what will sustain our winning. Peters can go bigger if he wants but if Bryce stays I think he does too. He has Adekoya, Hammink and Tevon Walker to build on plus a healthy Smits, depth may take a hit but I like where we are for next season. We should run away with the Horizon. And as far as depth, as bad as it sounds, I think we had too much this year and guys were checking in and out and at times I think it hurt our continuity. I know I'll be in the minority but an 8 man rotation is what want most go with. We will have that next year.
I agree with everything said by ValpoDad89 expect for beating FSU hurts us from getting a big school to the ARC. No big schools are surprised we beat FSU, so it really doesn't change anything from that standpoint. Big schools aren't coming to the ARC for a regular season game.
Are you saying that Bryce wouldn't have considered TCU because it is close to Baylor (recruiting similar kids), or because they are in the Big 12? Did Bryce not really consider the Iowa State job last year, as media reports indicated?
Both and I don't think Bryce every considered Iowa State. Media reports are complete B.S. Bryce would never tell anyone outside the family, so media members have no clue. They get their info from someone at the school hoping it will cause a buzz. Bryce never wanted the DePaul job, but Shannon Ryan (Chicago Trib) said he did. Where do you think she was told that? Certainly not from anyone close to Bryce Drew. I know that because I asked her, and she had no answer.
chef,
Bryce is much smarter to ever deal with the current cesspool that is DePaul basketball. They are living in the past and it is pathetic their AD still has a job. They have no committment or plan for success, which is sad considering there is much basketball talent in Chicagoland.
Quote from: chef on March 21, 2016, 09:05:34 PMI agree with everything said by ValpoDad89 expect for beating FSU hurts us from getting a big school to the ARC. No big schools are surprised we beat FSU, so it really doesn't change anything from that standpoint. Big schools aren't coming to the ARC for a regular season game.
If Oakland can get Georgia to go to the Orena, Valpo can find a way.
Brad Underwood accepted the Oklahoma State job. One top mid-major coach off the board.
What chef says does make sense, as it seems like Bryce is mentioned as interviewing for every position that comes open. He would have to be eager to leave, if he truly interviewed for each job that mentioned him as such.
This is going to sound bad but take it from a DePaul alum and former season ticket holder, the women in sports journalism have a liking of Ponsetto (DePaul's AD). Toni Ginetti who had covered college basketball for the Sun Times was and is a close personal friend of Ponsetto's. Women in Chicago sports stick together to protect one of their own. They would never speak ill of her despite her lack of ability for a being an AD in a big time basketball conference. Having Drew and Howland as prospective candidates helps her credibility, despite the fact Howland never wanted to work for her., nor it appears Drew either .There is a reason they're stuck with an also ran like Dave Leitao, who no one was even considering to HC again. No one wants to work for her and her meddling ways as well as the fact she's turned a once proud program into a national joke.
Because of that sad state I decided to look elsewhere for my college hoops "fix" and my daughters and I have been coming for a game since 2008. I like to think that's why one of the reasons my eldest chose Valpo for college (she's a freshmen). Whether it's yes or no neither her nor my wife and I couldn't have been happier with her choice of schools. #GoValpo
Quote from: chef on March 21, 2016, 09:17:46 PM
Both and I don't think Bryce every considered Iowa State. Media reports are complete B.S. Bryce would never tell anyone outside the family, so media members have no clue. They get their info from someone at the school hoping it will cause a buzz. Bryce never wanted the DePaul job, but Shannon Ryan (Chicago Trib) said he did. Where do you think she was told that? Certainly not from anyone close to Bryce Drew. I know that because I asked her, and she had no answer.
If Bryce never considered the Iowa State job and never wanted the DePaul job, why would he go through multiple, formal interviews with senior officials at both schools? Bryce doesn't seem like the type that would go through the motions and have a lot of people jumping through hoops for some ulterior motive like gaining leverage for a bigger Valpo contract, or whatever.
Perhaps for the same reason people take interviews in the business world without truly wanting a job change. A) to get more information about the job market and B) to get a better feel for what other employers have in terms of culture, assets, facilities, programs, benefits etc., etc. Translated to BB, it is smart of Bryce to go through the motions. What he learns he can bring back to his present job or salt away for the future. Granted, sometimes these "exploratory interviews" can wind up being such an eye opener that it becomes an offer you can't refuse. But it seems that the Iowa States and the DePauls are asking him to drop by, not him asking for the interview.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 21, 2016, 09:23:00 PM
chef,
Bryce is much smarter to ever deal with the current cesspool that is DePaul basketball. They are living in the past and it is pathetic their AD still has a job. They have no committment or plan for success, which is sad considering there is much basketball talent in Chicagoland.
Sometimes there is a greater disconnect between south of Chinatown and Lincoln Park then this is between south of Chinatown and Valparaiso.
Bryce or anyone should always explore possible opportunities. It is good to see what is out there and your self worth. In fact, it is likely good for Valpo to know where their employees stand. Although the Valpo job is different because Bryce pretty much has a permanent job, employees should always be aware of existing opportunities.
Quote from: wh on March 22, 2016, 12:06:07 AM
Quote from: chef on March 21, 2016, 09:17:46 PM
Both and I don't think Bryce every considered Iowa State. Media reports are complete B.S. Bryce would never tell anyone outside the family, so media members have no clue. They get their info from someone at the school hoping it will cause a buzz. Bryce never wanted the DePaul job, but Shannon Ryan (Chicago Trib) said he did. Where do you think she was told that? Certainly not from anyone close to Bryce Drew. I know that because I asked her, and she had no answer.
If Bryce never considered the Iowa State job and never wanted the DePaul job, why would he go through multiple, formal interviews with senior officials at both schools? Bryce doesn't seem like the type that would go through the motions and have a lot of people jumping through hoops for some ulterior motive like gaining leverage for a bigger Valpo contract, or whatever.
Maybe it was during the interview process when Bryce got the feeling he didn't want those jobs. Also, if he has aspirations for a national championship, shouldn't he go through the interview process to learn about himself, what is needed from a coach, what is needed from an AD, what is needed from a facilities point, etc.?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Perhaps because of tonight's game with StM's, we could have talks with them for future pre-season games and some contacts with other schools that StM plays in their pre-season, like Stanford, BYU, etc
Quote from: bsmith21 on March 22, 2016, 02:32:42 PMThe only team that they really played was Cal.
They got Stanford to play in Moraga. I'm sure we'd be delighted to get a middle-of-the pack Big Ten team to play at the ARC. Their non-conference RPI was better than ours too (only one loss, and only the one road game until Valpo), even if their non-con SOS was a bit weaker.
In the post-game their coach seemed nostalgic for the Bracketbusters. Hopefully Valpo heard him and will follow up. Even if they are a reasonably young team and could be tough to beat in the near future.
Coach Kampe has been an active supporter, on Twitter and probably elsewhere, of a 96 team tournament.
In the Jim Peters column int he NWI Times today he quotes Bryce calling himself a big advocate for 128 teams.
Quote from: agibson on March 23, 2016, 08:55:08 AM
Coach Kampe has been an active supporter, on Twitter and probably elsewhere, of a 96 team tournament.
In the Jim Peters column int he NWI Times today he quotes Bryce calling himself a big advocate for 128 teams.
As great as it would have been to see Valpo in the NCAA this year, 96 to 128 starts to get out of hand. We'd just be having the same bubble discussions with different, lower caliber teams (say Milwaukee or Northwestern) who would likely get dominated in the first round anyway. Regular season play, especially for high majors, starts to mean less and less
I think 68 is good, the problem is the selection committee; not the amount of teams. Also when you have teams like Austin Peay a .500 team that finished 8th in the OVC that won the tournament to get it; really doesn't deserve it. I say do away with the conference tournaments. Every year the best teams from each conference aren't represented because of this. Out of the HL there was without a shadow of a doubt that Valpo was by far the best team and the most deserving of a shot in the NCAA tournament but one misstep at the worst time of the season cost them a shot the opportunity and sent 4th place Green Bay to the tournament. The conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AMThe conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
What does the NCAA want? Does it want the team with the better record or the team that wins with everything on the line? What is most exciting?
Quote from: bbtds on March 23, 2016, 11:40:31 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AMThe conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
What does the NCAA want? Does it want the team with the better record or the team that wins with everything on the line? What is most exciting?
The NCAA doesn't determine who gets a conference's bid. The conference does. The conferences side with money.
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AM
I think 68 is good, the problem is the selection committee; not the amount of teams. Also when you have teams like Austin Peay a .500 team that finished 8th in the OVC that won the tournament to get it; really doesn't deserve it. I say do away with the conference tournaments. Every year the best teams from each conference aren't represented because of this. Out of the HL there was without a shadow of a doubt that Valpo was by far the best team and the most deserving of a shot in the NCAA tournament but one misstep at the worst time of the season cost them a shot the opportunity and sent 4th place Green Bay to the tournament. The conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
I get the appeal of the conference tournament; it makes every team's regular-season games meaningful because, even if they've got no mathematical chance of winning the conference, they can still improve their seeding. This helps keep attendance up throughout the season for all teams and intensifies the competition. Furthermore, I can see instances, rare though they may be, where a team that doesn't win the conference emerges at the end of the season as the most capable (especially given that injuries happen and that teams peak at different moments). That team deserves a chance to make the tourney.
The key to making a tournament meet the goals of getting your best and most-deserving team in the tournament, having the regular-season games mean something for everybody, and "lifting all boats" is to make the advantages of each seeding as evenly spaced as possible. In a 10-team conference I wouldn't mind seeing the 10-seed get eliminated and have a play-in game for the 9 and 8 seeds:
Play-in | | Round 1 | | Round 2 | | Semis | | Finals | |
9 | ------- | | | | | | | | |
| | |-------- 8 | ----- | | | | | | |
8 | ------- | | | |-------- 5 | ------- | | | | |
| | 5 | ----- | | | |-------- 4 | ------- | | |
| | | | 4 | ------- | | | |-------- 1 | |
| | | | | | 1 | ------- | | |
| | | | | | | | | |------- 1 |
| | | | | | 2 | ------- | | |
| | | | 3 | ------- | | | |-------- 2 | |
| | 7 | ----- | | | |-------- 3 | ------- | | |
| | | | |-------- 6 | ------- | | | | |
| | 6 | ----- | | | | | | |
If you have to play on a neutral court it should be for the semi-finals only so as not to give any lower-seed the advantage of adjusting to the environment, which means prior rounds would be played on the higher-seed's home court. This would probably boost the attendance of games featuring lower-seeded teams. Plus, the usual advantage the higher seed has versus the next lower seed, is playing the weaker opponent but this can be a disadvantage as far as RPI. By adding a play-in on the 1-seed's side, you mitigate it somewhat by giving its opponent or opponent's-opponent one more win than the other side. What I like about this most is that it creates a stronger incentive to not be Youngs...er, crappy and, less significantly, reduces the RPI penalty for the eventual champion.
Quote from: a3uge on March 23, 2016, 12:50:07 PM
Quote from: bbtds on March 23, 2016, 11:40:31 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AMThe conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
What does the NCAA want? Does it want the team with the better record or the team that wins with everything on the line? What is most exciting?
The NCAA doesn't determine who gets a conference's bid. The conference does. The conferences side with money.
But how does a conference bring in more money? It has exciting teams play in the NCAA tournament and those exciting teams are not the regular season winners. Those are the teams that play beyond expectations at the end of the season and in the NCAA tournament.
Quote from: historyman on March 24, 2016, 05:20:19 AM
Quote from: a3uge on March 23, 2016, 12:50:07 PM
Quote from: bbtds on March 23, 2016, 11:40:31 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AMThe conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
What does the NCAA want? Does it want the team with the better record or the team that wins with everything on the line? What is most exciting?
The NCAA doesn't determine who gets a conference's bid. The conference does. The conferences side with money.
But how does a conference bring in more money? It has exciting teams play in the NCAA tournament and those exciting teams are not the regular season winners. Those are the teams that play beyond expectations at the end of the season and in the NCAA tournament.
Green Bay was anything but exciting vs Texas A&M.
Quote from: bbtds on March 23, 2016, 11:40:31 AM
Quote from: classof2014 on March 23, 2016, 10:21:58 AMThe conference tournaments are ticking time bombs for mid-majors; just because you won the conference tournament, just a handful of games, doesn't show that you're the best in the conference. It just shows you won a few games in a row.
What does the NCAA want? Does it want the team with the better record or the team that wins with everything on the line? What is most exciting?
Having the best of the best be represented is the most exciting. Valpo had a way better chance than Green Bay at making a run in the tournament. What's more exciting have Green Bay lose by 20 in round 1 or potentially have a mid-major, Cinderella, like Valpo make a run to the Sweet 16 or beyond.
good comments, but Valpo lost to GB. You can analyze it all you want, but at the end it gets settled on the court. Valpo met a hot GB team in the Horizon tournament - it happens.
Quote from: usc4valpo on March 24, 2016, 09:02:42 AM
good comments, but Valpo lost to GB. You can analyze it all you want, but at the end it gets settled on the court. Valpo met a hot GB team in the Horizon tournament - it happens.
And that's the reason the conference tournaments don't work for weaker conferences like the HL. GB wasn't the best team, they aren't a good representative for the HL. I know they won the conference tournament and because of that they deserved to go. You can also go back a few seasons ago when Milwaukee represented the HL with a 15 seed and got blown away by Villanova; when without a doubt Green Bay should've been the representative.
Not only Bryce, but many others, myself included, interview for jobs if given the opportunity even if one is not really looking for a change. If for no other reason, they find out just what is out there for the taking. As for this year's NCAA, yesterday I heard a radio interview with King Kampe. He had high praise of Valpo, saying there is no doubt they should have been in the NCAA. He went on saying Peters was one of the best players in the country and Vashil was one of the top defenders in the country, which is why the VU defense was also one of the country's best this year. He said he hopes VU wins the NIT and they should. One of his former players, can't remember the name, but a "big" guy, was severely injured in the airport bombing in Brussels.
from the OUGrizzlies site:
We are praying for you Seb!
Get well soon! #WearTheBear #OUrstory
#Brussels twitter.com/kampeou/status...
FORMER OAKLAND MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER BELLIN INJURED IN BRUSSELS ATTACKS
Sebastien Bellin helped the Golden Grizzlies win a Mid-Con title in 1999-00.
March 22, 2016
ROCHESTER, Mich. -- Former Oakland men's basketball player Sebastien Bellin was injured in the Brussels terrorist attacks earlier today. Bellin was one of about 100 people injured in the Brussels airport suicide bombings that occurred early this morning. He was rushed to a local hospital.
Bellin, who attended Oakland from 1998-2000, is a native of Brussels and graduated from the International School of Brussels in 1996. He played two seasons at Marist College before transferring to Oakland prior to the 1998-99 season. Bellin helped lead the Golden Grizzlies to a regular season title in the Mid-Continent Conference during Oakland's inaugural season of Division I play in 1999-00. He averaged 8.1 points in 18.7 minutes of action and grabbed just over five rebounds per game during the championship season. He led the team in scoring twice during the season including recording a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds in a 65-63 win at IUPUI.
Coach Greg Kampe statement on Sebastian Bellin
"The Oakland basketball family was very sad to hear about the attack in Belgium and one of our own was in the midst of it. We send our prayers to Seb and his family. Seb has remained very close to our program through the years, he's in constant contact with our players and staff here at Oakland University, and has been one of the biggest supporters and cheerleaders for the Oakland basketball program. One in which he led us to a championship while he was here. Saying that, all I can add is that I hope everybody who knows or has ever met Seb can give their prayers or do whatever they need to do for him. He is a tremendous competitor and he will fight through this."
Statement by Director of Athletics Jeff Konya
"Obviously, our thoughts and prayers go out to Sebastian, and his family," said Director of Athletics Jeff Konya. "This is a senseless tragedy that unfortunately impacted many individuals. It was not welcome news to receive for a variety of reasons, but chief among them is Seb is a really good person through and through. We are fortunate that he is an engaged Oakland family member and we are better for it."
I didn't watch any basketball last night but Oregon beat Duke 82-68 and will play Oklahoma tomorrow at 6:00 eastern. Better double check my accuracy on the time. ::)
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/836313668841242624
https://twitter.com/SIPeteThamel/status/836279718500577280
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/02/27/ncaa-tournament-bubble-teams
Bemoaning the Bubble: The NCAA should favor mid-majors, not mediocre big names
QUICKLY:
It's time the bubble rewarded strong mid-majors instead of middling power-conference teams. This year proves it more than ever.
By: PETE THAMEL Monday February 27th, 2017
KINGSTON, R.I. – With Selection Sunday two weeks away, the annual bemoaning of the lack of quality teams on the NCAA tournament bubble has begun. Every season, it seems, the gaggle of bubble teams emerges to produce the basketball equivalent of yet another Police Academy sequel.
A peek at the undistinguished crop of teams hovering on the fringes of the NCAA tournament this year should be viewed with a clothespin clasped on one's nose. There's a middling TCU (17–12) team with a 6–10 league record, a California (19–9) team that didn't play a true road game in the non-conference part of the season and herd of uninspiring SEC teams—Ole Miss (18–11), Alabama (16–12), Vanderbilt (16–13) and Georgia (17–12)—that are as unimpressive are they are unaccomplished. Until the past few days, some bracket experts included Clemson (4–12 in the ACC) on the outskirts of the tournament conversation. This crop of teams has ended up there by default more than accomplishment.
The NCAA tournament has a bubble problem, which is really an inclusion problem. And not addressing it threatens the essence of the tournament itself. Fixing it doesn't require a statistical summit or a magical formula, but rather a hard reset of what teams should be considered viable participants in the NCAA tournament. Big schools that are coasting off their reputations, despite middling league records and safe non-conference schedules shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt. "To be rewarded for going 17–14 and not doing anything in the non-conference makes no sense," says Rhode Island coach Danny Hurley. "There's logo bias."
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bracket Watch: How Saturday's wild shakeup, headlined by Gonzaga's loss, impacts field of 68
The 2016 NCAA tournament bracket remains one of the worst in modern tournament history, a nod to the clout of power conferences and the myopic worldview of the selection committee.
Last March, the five football power leagues, plus the Big East and the American Athletic Conference accounted for an astounding 92% of the at-large bids. And the three teams outside the sport's highest echelons that got in—Dayton, VCU and Wichita State —wouldn't be classified as mid-majors by anyone who follows college basketball closely. All three pay their coaches millions, boast first-class facilities and have reached the Final Four. Essentially, no true mid-major received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament last year. Think about that. That's insane. "There has to be a way to do this better," says Doug Elgin, the commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference. "There's a mindset that Team A in a power league is better than Team X in a non-power conference."
When the tournament bracket is unveiled on March 12, something needs to change. The plea here is for some common sense to pervade the NCAA selection committee room. The NCAA releasing its Top 16 teams on Feb. 11 was a subtle admission of what's become glaringly obvious the past few seasons—the college basketball season is irrelevant to the common sports fan until after the Super Bowl. The sport has too many games on television, too few recognizable stars and little familiarity with the best players skipping to the NBA in the one-and-done era. Underdogs and office pool gambling are the engines of the NCAA tournament. Fans have spoken with their remotes in the regular season, and they don't want to watch Wake Forest, Providence and Arkansas play, just like they didn't want to see Michigan, Vanderbilt and Tulsa play in the NCAA tournament last year. "If you have 10 or 11 teams from the ACC tournament in the NCAA tournament," says Vermont coach John Becker, "then it's essentially the ACC tournament."
The NCAA tournament resonates because of Vermont beating Syracuse, Mercer beating Duke and Santa Clara beating Arizona. We want to see Steph Curry and Davidson slaying Georgetown. Teams like Monmouth, St. Bonaventure, St. Mary's and Valparaiso got left out last season, robbing them of the opportunity to capture America's attention.
Have we forgotten that the Final Four runs of George Mason (2006) and VCU (2011)—both No. 11 seeds from the Colonial Athletic Association—came thanks to at-large bids that were deemed controversial at the time? These teams should be the reminders that a season of accomplishment should yield an opportunity for March magic.
The way things are trending, those star-kissed ones from Mason and VCU likely wouldn't get in. Look at the top of the Missouri Valley, which is in danger of not receiving an at-large bid despite strong teams in Wichita State (27–4) and Illinois State (25–5). There's a host of other juggernaut small-conference teams that need to win their league tournaments to make the NCAA tournament. Vermont (26–5, 16–0 America East) has the longest win streak in the country at 18 games. Middle Tennessee (24–4, 14–1) throttled No. 2 seed Michigan State in the NCAA tournament last year. Monmouth has put together another dominant season in the MAAC (25–5, 17–2). Princeton heads into the first-ever Ivy League tournament with white knuckles, despite a 19–6 record and 12–0 league mark. There are countless other examples—UT-Arlington, UNC-Wilmington, Belmont and Valparaiso.
A 10-year data study shows that the top six conferences have been awarded 78.6% of the at-large bids. That means 21% of the NCAA's Division I membership is being awarded nearly 79% of the at-large bids. The fundamental egalitarian nature of the NCAA tournament, outside of its automatic bids, has gone sideways.
A shift in how at-large teams are considered needs to happen soon, as the gap between power conferences and smaller leagues is about to grow even larger. The ACC is headed for a 20-game league basketball slate in 2019. It would be surprising if the other power leagues didn't follow suit, as the two additional games means a trove of new inventory for their television networks. That means power teams will be even more reluctant to play true road games in the non-conference season or challenge themselves by playing strong mid-majors in November and December. What's the incentive when 20 leagues games will give you plenty of strength of schedule?
So what's the solution? It's not expanding the tournament, as the four extra slots added in 2011 haven't helped mid-major teams earn more bids. Better data would help, and the NCAA appears to be addressing that with its recent statistical summit. (How can Wichita State be No. 10 in kenpom.com and No. 41 in the RPI?)
A change in perspective is needed. The committee should value mid-major dominance over high-major mediocrity. The committee's job is to select the best teams, but they aren't always found in the middle of the best leagues. (NCAA vice president of men's basketball championships, Dan Gavitt, declined to comment on Saturday but engaged in healthy conversation off the record.)
The first place to start is changing the population of the selection committee. Five of the 10 members are from the six power basketball conferences and seven of the 10 are from FBS schools. If half the selection committee comes from six leagues, don't be surprised when those six leagues make up 80% of the at-large field. This isn't a conspiracy theory, but rather a simple deduction that the field is going to be representative of the committee picking it. "When you look at what's happened," said one former committee member, "I do think what you have in place is a committee that's populated unequally."
Here's hoping the committee takes a broader perspective this year and remembers why people are tuning in in the first place. We want to see Hoosiers, not another Police Academy sequel.
Great paste and post! Valpo getting a little love.