Somebody has to start it.
Vegas has Valpo a 2 point favorite.
I think now that the air has cleared and they have got past senior night they are ready to roll! Valpo wins it 75-68.
Have we ever played well at the Nutter Center? It sure feels like we haven't.
Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on February 24, 2017, 10:03:22 AMHave we ever played well at the Nutter Center? It sure feels like we haven't.
You might say that we frequently get busted at the Nutt. :o
I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.
I'll show myself out.
Tonight, Valpo wins and Oakland loses. Sunday, the starters play about 10 minutes. Mark it down!
Okay, substantive post time.
The all-time series stands at 15-14 in favor of Wright State, but Valpo is 12-10 against them in the HL. All-time at the Nutter Center, the Raiders are 9-5 against Valpo.
HL results from the Nutter Center:
2015-16: VU 62 - 73 WS (L)
2014-15: VU 66 - 56 WS (W)
2013-14: VU 58 - 67 WS (L)
2012-13: VU 68 - 61 WS (W)
2011-12: VU 55 - 73 WS (L)
2010-11: VU 71 - 60 WS (W)
2009-10: VU 57 - 59 WS (L)
2008-09: VU 58 - 68 WS (L)
2007-08: VU 71 - 66 WS (W)
I'm going to be split screening the valpo game and the Oakland @Green Bay game tonight. Some big games tonight.
Its pretty cut and dry. Valpo needs to win and hopefully Oakland gets out of their hot shooting streak and goes cold for the rest of the season at Green Bay tonight.
What I'd like to see from Valpo tonight:
-Start shooting the ball better. We are not a good jump shooting team, but hopefully guys like Tevonn, Max, lexus, and Micah get hot and carry that confidence and shooting into the conference tourney
-Tevonn always gives strong effort of the defensive end (he'll make sometimes silly fouls but thats going to happen when you play hard defense), but I'd like him to heat up offensively. He's played much better offensively the last 2 games. Just would like to see consistency.
-I want to see Smits not foul out. Smits suffers from some ridiculous foul calls from officials earlier in the season, but the last few games his defense has been horrendous and he deserved the fouls he's getting called on. I don't want to be to critical but he has just been bad and it's causing jay to have to carry a heavy minutes load. Smits is only a freshman and will get better in the future but I'd like him to just play fundamentally sound defense in the post and use his 7'2" frame to fight for rebounds. I just want him to give us some minutes with out being a defensive liability. It's been a tough stretch but he's better then he's played and is capable.
-I would like us to get out to a big early lead and not let up on the lead, so we could give Alec, Shane, Jay and Tevonn some rest.
-Have everyone stays healthy
I understand GB is a difficult place to play, but Oakland is hot right now. Their stock trending up. I only wished one of those free throws from UWM went in against Oakland.
We need to take care of our business and win this game. Watching the other scores is for the fans.
Valpo 77
WSU 70
Valpo 72
Wright State 67
Green Bay 81
Oakland 77
Another OT - Valpo runs out of bench - 3 T Fouls against Valpo - double digit TO - 3pt 31% - Valpo wins by 1 :cheers: :cheers:
Quote from: VU2014 on February 24, 2017, 10:59:18 AM-I want to see Smits not foul out. Smits suffers from some ridiculous foul calls from officials earlier in the season, but the last few games his defense has been horrendous and he deserved the fouls he's getting called on. I don't want to be to critical but he has just been bad and it's causing jay to have to carry a heavy minutes load. Smits is only a freshman and will get better in the future but I'd like him to just play fundamentally sound defense in the post and use his 7'2" frame to fight for rebounds. I just want him to give us some minutes with out being a defensive liability. It's been a tough stretch but he's better then he's played and is capable.
I'd like to see Smits defend the shot then CONSISTENTLY, almost rhythmically, get quickly back to business of positioning for a rebound. I've noticed at times that he will linger in an upright position with his back to the basket (well after the ball has left the shooter's hand) as if to prove to the refs that he's maintained an upright body position. Not only does it not convince the refs, it may actually just call their attention to him. Most importantly he misses a lot of rebound opportunities.
Betting line for tonights game is Valpo (-2). Close odds.
We have not shown we can beat an upper level HL team on the road. WSU 76-71.
Paul
I hope I'm wrong (of course), but I would not be surprised if we lose both games this weekend. I have lost a lot of confidence in this team. We're consistently getting outplayed at guard, Derrik has become a huge liability at both ends, and we lack talent at the end of the rotation. While other teams have gotten better, we haven't. Add to that the never ending Jubril hangover and low energy funk, and I don't see much reason for optimism.
Lets play to our ability and be on the ball. ;D and get some help from friends ( GB). :o VU78- WSU 70
Quote from: wh on February 24, 2017, 02:35:12 PM
I hope I'm wrong (of course), but I would not be surprised if we lose both games this weekend. I have lost a lot of confidence in this team. We're consistently getting outplayed at guard, Derrik has become a huge liability at both ends, and we lack talent at the end of the rotation. While other teams have gotten better, we haven't. Add to that the never ending Jubril hangover and low energy funk, and I don't see much reason for optimism.
Sadly I'm with WH on this one. Our guard play has regressed. NKU is a win. WSU is a loss. Oakland has its groove back...😩
QuoteWe have not shown we can beat an upper level HL team on the road. WSU 76-71.
I'd put Oakland and Valpo on a different level then every other team in the conference. Oakland is the only other team I would consider upper level.
Green Bay is a good team and well coached but not on the level of VU and Oakland and that terrible loss to Green Bay at their place on the back end of the Wisconsin road trip. That Wisconsin road trip back to back has been a problem for every team in the Horizon for years. Valpo just flat out didn't show up to play and had zero effort. I put that game in the unacceptable mulligan.
Oakland is a very good team. And their strengths take advantage our weaknesses. Their defense is a good matchup well against our offensive scheme. Another couple factors are that we are not an athletic team. We have Shane and Tevonn as the only two regular starters that are athletic. Max is athletic but he's not reached the same caliber of Tevonn and Shane. I also think our lack of depth this year has hurt us. But at the end of the day credit Oakland. I'm hoping coach Lottich purposely didn't open up his bag of tricks for that 2nd game in terms of scheming and he was holding back for the conference tourney because we know Kampe is going to attack and play us the same way if we meet up.
The roster needs to be remodeled after this season. Don't get me wrong we are a good team but we have weaknesses against longer more athletic teams. Alec's greatness covers up for many of the deficiencies with the roster. I don't blame Lottich for the roster because it was an odd transition year with losing our starting PG (Keith), Replacing Vashil with to 2 freshman Centers, Skara transfer, Jubril suspension along with 2 (originally 3) redshirts.
We're still a good team and well coached but we have weaknesses. No need to jump off a ledge. I have confidence with this team but I see the realities of our weaknesses. We could beat any team in the Horizon on a good night (including Oakland).
Oakland lost to Cleveland State and Detroit at home. And also were VERY lucky to escape UWM and UIC. And not in a "they were close with 4 min left" kind of way. They're not as good as their record shows.
I suspect we are going on the road for two Senior Night Celebration games. Never a good situation. On the other hand we are playing teams who have lost at home to North Carolina Central (NKU) and Youngstown State (WSU). I think the tougher matchup will be with NKU. Wright State goes as Alstork goes and he was shut down big time by CSU (7 points on 1 for 11 shooting).
It will be very tough but I think we have the mindset to win both. I see a sweep.
WSU's senior "night" is Sunday afternoon against UIC.
These two games are going to be very interesting even beyond the title implications. We are used to Valpo teams playing their best basketball down the stretch. This team has not shown that.
Now sure, the Jubril situation has taken both a physical and mental toll. But after the final ruling came down that's no more than an excuse. We have more talent than any other conference team save maybe OU. It's time for that to come through.
Two marks of a great coach are leading your team through adversity and having them ready for the end of the year. Lottich will show us a lot over the next two weeks.
Quote from: a3uge on February 24, 2017, 03:28:35 PM
Oakland lost to Cleveland State and Detroit at home. And also were VERY lucky to escape UWM and UIC. And not in a "they were close with 4 min left" kind of way. They're not as good as their record shows.
That's a good description of the team that went 5-4 in the first half. Unfortunately, they're 7-0 in the 2nd half, including another blowout win over Valpo.
Let's gamble a little what do ya say!?!?! If Alec peters doesn't play for the rest of the season everybody owes me $20 deal? Once you agree you can't turn back on your word, so you better be confident.
As reported by ValpoBasketball, Paul Oren, probably others, just saw this tweet.
Alec Peters will not play tonight due to a lower leg injury, snapping his streak of 134 consecutive games started. #GoValpo #HLMBB
Well if Valpo still wins tonight and Oakland loses he probably won't play Sunday.
Quote from: wh on February 24, 2017, 04:52:42 PM
Quote from: a3uge on February 24, 2017, 03:28:35 PM
Oakland lost to Cleveland State and Detroit at home. And also were VERY lucky to escape UWM and UIC. And not in a "they were close with 4 min left" kind of way. They're not as good as their record shows.
That's a good description of the team that went 5-4 in the first half. Unfortunately, they're 7-0 in the 2nd half, including another blowout win over Valpo.
The UWM game was not in the first half of the year.
No alex tonight? No 5th HL Championship in 6 years.
Vegas spread moved 4 points. Was Valpo -2 now +4
So we'll be getting a glimpse of what next year will look like.
If there is anybody on this team who is upset about living under Peter's shadow, now is their chance to show what they can do.
Win or lose, if Tevonn gets a bunch of touches and gets his mojo going. I will consider that a win.
Big question is how serious is Peter's injury???
I bet we get a generic answer or not even an answer at all.
The universe is trying to &$@/ us this year.
STLVU tweeted a photo of AP on crutches.
If I remember correctly WSU goes 4 guards and a stretch 5.... So they are small.
How do we matchup. Do we go small as well or do we see twin towers tonight?
Quote from: M on February 24, 2017, 06:25:13 PM
STLVU tweeted a photo of AP on crutches.
https://twitter.com/StlVUFan/status/835282926619213825
Just when u think things can't get worse....
Alec has been hammered this season and been playing injured since the Green Bay game, which adds more light to this comment by his father a couple of weeks ago.
[tweet]830652515968548864[/tweet]
wow Alec's Dad's tweet meant more then we all were lead to believe. Its amazing that he was playing so well with that much pain if he's on crutches.
Very sad. I hope Alec is alright and gets healthy.
Hard to win without your best player AND when the other team is making EVERYTHING.
Valpo's not doing poorly at using all the tools in the toolbox, so far. WSU is going to hit their 3s, but if Valpo keeps it close later in the game, it may spoil their confidence. Foul differential is key.
We need to start hitting the boards and defending the 3
This has been a very unlucky year.....
Meanwhile Oakland is pulling away
Hard to feel optimistic about the tourney even if Alec plays.
Let me rephrase. Watching this and the Oakland game is like being a Falcons fan and Tom Brady just got the ball in overtime. You hope against hope, but you already know how it ends.
Hearing second-hand (someone I know asked Mark LaBarbera) that Peters has a stress fracture.
QuoteHearing second-hand (someone I know asked Mark LaBarbera) that Peters has a stress fracture.
If its a stress fracture then he's probably out for the rest of the year...
I've had had stress fracture in my leg and I was out for month from running in high school. I don't want to play doctor but a stress fracture is not good especially at the end of the season and for a player who is going to be training for the NBA scouting combine in a few months.
Hopefully he's able to rest it for a few weeks and come back. We don't know how bad it is.
By the way, Valpo connection on Wright State, Custer is the Son of George Custer who was a Pike in the early-mid 80s. I told Mrs 84, that I think he might be from Cincinnati and his Dad might be George.... LinkedIn confirmed! I think George played Football? Colvu-- did you know him?
If indeed it's a stress fracture then peters out the rest of the year.
This year started so promising winning the Vegas tournament and ending with jubril and Alec on the bench....ouch
THANK GOD FOR WRIGHT STATE TURNOVERS!!!!!
Orville & Wilbur sure do know how to cook up those apple & cherry ones.
The kids that were able to compete tonight should be very proud of the heart hey showed. Going to be tough without a healthy Alec going forward.
Quote from: valpo84 on February 24, 2017, 08:16:32 PM
By the way, Valpo connection on Wright State, Custer is the Son of George Custer who was a Pike in the early-mid 80s. I told Mrs 84, that I think he might be from Cincinnati and his Dad might be George.... LinkedIn confirmed! I think George played Football? Colvu-- did you know him?
Does not ring a bell.
Just a fantastic effort tonight under tough circumstances. Could not be more proud right now.
I'm glad the actual team of basketball players has more confidence than this board. It has (and I'm sure will continue to be) difficult for me to read. I'm getting most of my VUMBB fix straight from Paul Oren these days. I just had to compliment on this gutty gutty performance! Great win down 2 of your best players. WSU's offense either produced a steal or a basket, no in between! Go Valpo Go!
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 24, 2017, 08:33:52 PM
The kids that were able to compete tonight should be very proud of the heart hey showed. Going to be tough without a healthy Alec going forward.
Yep " the kids are OK". This may be an epiphanous moment for this program. It also shows that Matt can find ways to adjust.
What a terrific effort from ML's team!! Talk about stepping up when needed. Just a great win, led by a hounding defense. Now let's hope Alec will be OK. Let's get NKU on Sunday!
Good to see Lexus step up too
--Head Coach leaves
--Skara transfers
--Carter denied another season
--Adekoya kicked off the team by the NCAA
--Peters lower leg injury
Guys still respond and put themselves in a position to win the conference regular season. Impressive. I hope Peters can come back and play some this season!
So much for assumed listless play. That took digging deep and playing on guts. It also demonstrated the talent this team actually has.
QuoteI hope Peters can come back and play some this season!
I gotta think there's no way in hell he misses the HL tourney, and taking care of the lingering injury now is done with the express purpose of making sure he's ready for Joe Louis Arena.
Lexus was the answer to the question: who has been overshadowed by Alec this season. Nice to see him have a good game. His best in HL. Too bad he didn't finish with 20 points.
Quote from: VUOR63 on February 24, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
--Head Coach leaves (rookie head coach takes his place)
--Skara transfers
--Carter denied another season
--Adekoya kicked off the team by the NCAA
--Peters lower leg injury
Guys still respond and put themselves in a position to win the conference regular season. Impressive. I hope Peters can come back and play some this season!
good win tonight
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 24, 2017, 06:22:35 PM
Big question is how serious is Peter's injury???
I bet we get a generic answer or not even an answer at all.
Do we require an answer? If the injury occurred during the GB game as suggested, this is precautionary. After all, it's NCAA or bust for this senior class.
Heck of a scrappy win for these guys. This is the type of play we have all been searching for since before Christmas!!! Onwards and upwards!!!
Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on February 24, 2017, 08:45:50 PMQuoteI hope Peters can come back and play some this season!
I gotta think there's no way in hell he misses the HL tourney, and taking care of the lingering injury now is done with the express purpose of making sure he's ready for Joe Louis Arena.
Definitely agree. He's known about this for a while. He wouldn't have promised a tournament run in his senior night speech if he was going to be out the rest of the year. If it was that bad, he would have sat out of games a while back. Rest him for almost two weeks now before the tourney, and come back as strong as possible and run the tournament.
Yes this board, like many others, can and is pessimistic. And I am one of the most guilty of that. That comes from putting the fan in fanatic and living and dying (at least as much as is healthy) with the team that I love. But thanks for stopping by and letting us know how much we disappoint you.
Anybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 24, 2017, 09:00:01 PM
Yes this board, like many others, can and is pessimistic. And I am one of the most guilty of that. That comes from putting the fan in fanatic and living and dying (at least as much as is healthy) with the team that I love. But thanks for stopping by and letting us know how much we disappoint you.
Long live pessimism!! I recommend a bubble boy approach to life if we really make you RANDY baby!
QuoteI gotta think there's no way in hell he misses the HL tourney, and taking care of the lingering injury now is done with the express purpose of making sure he's ready for Joe Louis Arena.
If your hurt your hurt. Stress fractures are no joke. It's not like playing on a sprained ankle.
Great night by the guards! Took a while to figure it all out, but looked great the last 15 minutes.
QuoteAnybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
I have not noticed it. Coach has been trusting him more in Conference play and he's look better.
I know Bradford and Coach Lottich are pretty close. Coach Lottich was the primary recruiter recruiting him last season. May be reading too much into his body language. Its been a roller coaster with Micah but he's look better in conference play.
Read a few places above of the rumor of a stress fracture. (just trying to give some expert feedback)
A stress fracture does not mean he is done for the year! I coach distance runners and we have at least one stress fracture every single season. If the injury is in the last 4-5 weeks of the season the Dr. almost always says to go ahead and finish the season with a mix of cross training and only running a few days per week.
That means he can probably participate in shooting drills without pain and he just needs to manage practice time. He can get through the end of the season, but he will need to limit his activity. So 1 full practice and 1 game per week max. However, when pain spikes he may have to take a full week here and there. Now, there are some risks. The bone could break. However, if it is in his foot (like most of my runner's are) then a break heals just as quickly as a crack.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 24, 2017, 09:24:02 PM
QuoteAnybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
I have not noticed it. Coach has been trusting him more in Conference play and he's look better.
I know Bradford and Coach Lottich are pretty close. Coach Lottich was the primary recruiter recruiting him last season. May be reading too much into his body language. Its been a roller coaster with Micah but he's look better in conference play.
Good point on the recruiting closeness. Just some observations, then again I'm wrong more than right on transfers. Certainly didn't see Skara happening.
19 minutes from Jay, no shots, 2 rebounds, 2 assists! 21 minutes from Derrik, with 4 shots, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Those are interesting numbers showing that the ball just didn't go inside unless it was taken there on the dribble. I wouldn't expect that to be duplicated at NKU.
One of the best, most memorable conference wins in a long time.
Hey, I know... let's speculate about random players transferring.
Quote from: a3uge on February 24, 2017, 10:07:50 PM
One of the best, most memorable conference wins in a long time.
Hey, I know... let's speculate about random players transferring.
Glad you can read. Even more glad to upset your highness 🤡
Quote from: a3uge on February 24, 2017, 10:07:50 PMOne of the best, most memorable conference wins in a long time.
Short handed wins always carry a different level of satisfaction. At Missouri St without Jubril and Max was great, but tonight without Jubril and Alec was even better.
WSU has a better RPI vs last year and yet this year we swept them. The fist time we beat them we were short 6 of 9 starters from last season. Tonight we were without 7 of those 9. Predicting basketball is just impossible ???
i hate to bring up the Patriots, but they are kind of successful, and they adhere to a game-by-game approach. Belechick brings in players who see the big picture and can deal with starting one game and only seeing a few snaps the next. He gets guys who buy into the TEAM concept. I sorta see Matt doing the same thing. Micah, I think, has been briefed on it. He is young and maybe pouting a bit, but I think he's on board. He certainly has a model in Alec.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 24, 2017, 09:00:01 PM
Yes this board, like many others, can and is pessimistic. And I am one of the most guilty of that. That comes from putting the fan in fanatic and living and dying (at least as much as is healthy) with the team that I love. But thanks for stopping by and letting us know how much we disappoint you.
Look, I take your meaning. I really do. I remember yelling at Cory Johnson in 2011 while he was taking free throws in the last minute of a home loss to a garbage Loyola team, insisting that he call a team meeting to regroup and rally the troops...they did not rally. What an awful end to that season. I've let my heart bleed more brown and gold than I care to admit, even tonight dying when it seemed Wright St would never miss a 3. And yes, I too have serious doubts about the longevity of the team's success without Peters. So, I guess reflecting further it's not just pessimism so much that's been disheartening.
I've sensed almost a nastiness recently in this community that I care about and have participated in for the last decade. The cost of success along with increased trolling perhaps? I don't know. Inciting comments like your last line above are small examples (My bad, I did take a jab. Apologies if taken offensively.). But other comments that are wild speculation with really ugly fallout discussions around topics like the Jubril situation, displeasure from the Peters family, Micah perhaps sulking on the bench, and that sort of thing just aren't positive or productive ways for me to spend my mental free time. Again, I get it...there's been a lot of extracurricular !#@$ this year that has: really. sucked. But I'm at a point in my life in which sports need to be a source of getaway, not more stress and ugliness. So, yes, I will be tempted to rely on Paul Oren's awesome podcast and informative twitter feed rather than the major ups and downs of a message board. That's all I'm really trying to say. It's my issue and I'll deal with it.
I love mid major basketball and it's "hoping on hope" mentality. I love tracking stats and standings. I love watching the recruiting buzz. I love the character of my alma mater and how it shows through the teams we put on the floor each year.
All this to say that I will still stop by to support the team and revel in the magic of mid major basketball. I suppose if I feel the board is too pessimistic, then I will take my place as a guarded optimist.
I don't mean to ruffle too many feathers, but like many may say in response to me, fan forums are a place for fanatics to express opinions...well this is mine. Thanks for reading.
Quote from: govalpogo on February 24, 2017, 10:40:51 PM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 24, 2017, 09:00:01 PM
Yes this board, like many others, can and is pessimistic. And I am one of the most guilty of that. That comes from putting the fan in fanatic and living and dying (at least as much as is healthy) with the team that I love. But thanks for stopping by and letting us know how much we disappoint you.
Look, I take your meaning. I really do. I remember yelling at Cory Johnson in 2011 while he was taking free throws in the last minute of a home loss to a garbage Loyola team, insisting that he call a team meeting to regroup and rally the troops...they did not rally. What an awful end to that season. I've let my heart bleed more brown and gold than I care to admit, even tonight dying when it seemed Wright St would never miss a 3. And yes, I too have serious doubts about the longevity of the team's success without Peters. So, I guess reflecting further it's not just pessimism so much that's been disheartening.
I've sensed almost a nastiness recently in this community that I care about and have participated in for the last decade. The cost of success along with increased trolling perhaps? I don't know. Inciting comments like your last line above are small examples (My bad, I did take a jab. Apologies if taken offensively.). But other comments that are wild speculation with really ugly fallout discussions around topics like the Jubril situation, displeasure from the Peters family, Micah perhaps sulking on the bench, and that sort of thing just aren't positive or productive ways for me to spend my mental free time. Again, I get it...there's been a lot of extracurricular !#@$ this year that has: really. sucked. But I'm at a point in my life in which sports need to be a source of getaway, not more stress and ugliness. So, yes, I will be tempted to rely on Paul Oren's awesome podcast and informative twitter feed rather than the major ups and downs of a message board. That's all I'm really trying to say. It's my issue and I'll deal with it.
I love mid major basketball and it's "hoping on hope" mentality. I love tracking stats and standings. I love watching the recruiting buzz. I love the character of my alma mater and how it shows through the teams we put on the floor each year.
All this to say that I will still stop by to support the team and revel in the magic of mid major basketball. I suppose if I feel the board is too pessimistic, then I will take my place as a guarded optimist.
I don't mean to ruffle too many feathers, but like many may say in response to me, fan forums are a place for fanatics to express opinions...well this is mine. Thanks for reading.
Just don't bail on us. :)
Getting some love from Dickie V
https://twitter.com/DickieV/status/835336058879500288
Well, I had to miss the game and just finished watching on replay. Our All-American is out and we win by 10? Unbelievable!! Great shooting and hope for the future! Sure as heck hope Alec will be back soon. Wonder if Coach wants to risk the 1 seed for Ale to be fully healthy going into the tourney.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 24, 2017, 09:01:22 PM
Anybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
[/b]
Well, in today's AAU world mentality, do you think, adding a stud like Evelyn plus returning Lexus, Tevonn and Max, that playing time might b getting limited? I hope not...
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 24, 2017, 09:01:22 PM
Anybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
Bradford is as much a transfer risk as I am.
Both of us share a love for Valpo basketball.
Quote from: vu72 on February 24, 2017, 11:33:40 PM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 24, 2017, 09:01:22 PM
Anybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
[/b]
Well, in today's AAU world mentality, do you think, adding a stud like Evelyn plus returning Lexus, Tevonn and Max, that playing time might b getting limited? I hope not...
One of the things to realize is that a team that has had the likes of Nickerson, Skara, Hammink, etc, we are used to a bigger line up. That's not a bad thing, but neither is a more pure 3 guard look especially in the HL. I was trying to find minutes for those guys all in my head in 2 spots (plus this potential new Juco transfer), but the reality is you are probably looking at most of 3 spots (given next year's inexperience at the small forward position). Still, if Lexus and Bakari are both true point guards, and Lexus can find tonights form (so far sometimes) and Bakari lives up to his 3 stars (hopefully, but still yet to be proven), I'm also mentally trying to find minutes for Bradford. Glad those more in the know seem to think he is in on VU. I also don't know about sulking, but it's reasonable to wonder about the dudes minutes given all this, albeit a bit of downer after a good win.
The other side of the equation is NO ONE had a game pencilled in for "it'll be a close game and you will see 30 total minutes from Davidson and Kiser" at the start of the year. Ya never know what opportunity will show up before Bradford next year.... having three reasonable point guard options is a luxury I can't remember...
Quote from: chef on February 25, 2017, 01:23:10 AM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 24, 2017, 09:01:22 PM
Anybody else see Bradford sulking on the bench during timeouts. Is he engaged with the team?
Purely speculation, but I'm calling he's a transfer risk.
Bradford is as much a transfer risk as I am.
Both of us share a love for Valpo basketball.
Very glad to hear that. He's a little raw but he has excellent speed and potential. I like his upside.
I appreciate the replies, that was the goal of my post. He, like Derrick, show frustration at times and one can't help but wonder. The key here is they are both young and learning how to handle themselves.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 24, 2017, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: govalpogo on February 24, 2017, 10:40:51 PM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 24, 2017, 09:00:01 PM
Yes this board, like many others, can and is pessimistic. And I am one of the most guilty of that. That comes from putting the fan in fanatic and living and dying (at least as much as is healthy) with the team that I love. But thanks for stopping by and letting us know how much we disappoint you.
Look, I take your meaning. I really do. I remember yelling at Cory Johnson in 2011 while he was taking free throws in the last minute of a home loss to a garbage Loyola team, insisting that he call a team meeting to regroup and rally the troops...they did not rally. What an awful end to that season. I've let my heart bleed more brown and gold than I care to admit, even tonight dying when it seemed Wright St would never miss a 3. And yes, I too have serious doubts about the longevity of the team's success without Peters. So, I guess reflecting further it's not just pessimism so much that's been disheartening.
I've sensed almost a nastiness recently in this community that I care about and have participated in for the last decade. The cost of success along with increased trolling perhaps? I don't know. Inciting comments like your last line above are small examples (My bad, I did take a jab. Apologies if taken offensively.). But other comments that are wild speculation with really ugly fallout discussions around topics like the Jubril situation, displeasure from the Peters family, Micah perhaps sulking on the bench, and that sort of thing just aren't positive or productive ways for me to spend my mental free time. Again, I get it...there's been a lot of extracurricular !#@$ this year that has: really. sucked. But I'm at a point in my life in which sports need to be a source of getaway, not more stress and ugliness. So, yes, I will be tempted to rely on Paul Oren's awesome podcast and informative twitter feed rather than the major ups and downs of a message board. That's all I'm really trying to say. It's my issue and I'll deal with it.
I love mid major basketball and it's "hoping on hope" mentality. I love tracking stats and standings. I love watching the recruiting buzz. I love the character of my alma mater and how it shows through the teams we put on the floor each year.
All this to say that I will still stop by to support the team and revel in the magic of mid major basketball. I suppose if I feel the board is too pessimistic, then I will take my place as a guarded optimist.
I don't mean to ruffle too many feathers, but like many may say in response to me, fan forums are a place for fanatics to express opinions...well this is mine. Thanks for reading.
Just don't bail on us. :)
Thoughtful writing and appreciated. I think we all come here for different reasons so the diversity of opinion runs rampant. Personally, I'm a little more critical than rah rah and I hope your positivity helps ground a fan such as myself.
Think some of us build poor outcomes for the team in our head and are elated when proven wrong.
Thanks for your fandom! VU isn't so big to lose good fans such as yourself.
WSU was doing a good job on ball denial to the posts, concerned about the size advantage with Sorolla. They also were doubling him and he kicked out a few times instead of forcing it. So wasn't as concerned. Although he seemed passive til someone ripped the headband off and I thought we might get a little LeBron sans headband game. Smits stayed out of foul trouble and seems more comfortable in a smaller game. When he scores more than his number of fouls it's a positive!
Quote from: a3uge on February 24, 2017, 10:07:50 PM
One of the best, most memorable conference wins in a long time.
Hey, I know... let's speculate about random players transferring.
Very snarky, not very pleasant. Again, it's just an opinion.
An opinion I don't agree with. I think much of the attitude you see Bradford display on the bench is mostly disappointment in his own play. He knows what is required of himself through the coaching and he puts pressure on himself to fulfill those expectations.
Quote from: valpopal on February 24, 2017, 07:01:07 PM
Alec has been hammered this season and been playing injured since the Green Bay game, which adds more light to this comment by his father a couple of weeks ago.
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While we're still in a salty mood, I also remember how Turner Botz got whistled for absolutely nothing on that play. Max Joseph committed the same foul in the 2nd half and they called it. I turned to the older Green Bay fan couple behind me and pointed out that Botz should have been whistled for the same thing, and they both agreed.