Messages

I like some of what I saw, especially the ability to knock down shots on the perimeter.  He seemed to be a little out of sync at times on offense and defense, but I suspect that is due to being out of game action for a year.  I think he will definitely be a solid contributor.  I look forward to seeing how he does over the next few games.  He has also picked up well on the time honored tradition here at Valpo of hitting only 1 out of 2 free throws.

Matt Kenney is not only the best player on the team beating his man off the dribble, but he's also the best decision maker on the team when he gets to the lane.

Is this a testament to how good he is at it?  Or how bad we are as a team at driving the lane?  I still cringe every time he is at full speed busting down the court like a bull in a china shop only to jump in the air and then try to make some decision of what to do next.

With the game on the line, Kampe was going to his top scorer/best player.  No doubt about it!  Valpo, on the other hand, chose to go to their 5th best scorer.  He is sometimes good at going to the basket and he is also sometimes good at making bonehead plays.  In my mind, it is poor judgment to not put the game in the hands of eith Broekhoff or Van Wijk with the game on the line.  The scenario had an Ali Berdiel feel to it from the moment we inbounded the ball.

Anyone have any idea why Vucic wasn't used in this game?

Just a guess here, but I would figure that Vucic will be used to hold down the bench whenever possible during the Horizon season.  He is simply too much of a liability on both ends.  As for the IPFW game, let him play.  Edwards will hopefully continue to carry the load inside when Van Wijk is out.

Definitely a huge win.  Even if there are still tougher teams ahead to beat, Butler had become the new Oral Roberts.  This goes a long way in sending the message that we are not the easy W that we used to be for the Bulldogs.  I didn't get to see much of the game except for the end of regulation and overtime, but Richie was a monster.

I agree that this post should end.  Brandon is gone. He had a couple good years here. (I think incredible is a bit much.)  I don't keep up on him now just as I never looked up Oumar Sylla, Paul Guede, Kareem Jr., or any of the rest after they left.  Let the Spartan fans cheer him on. I have my own team to root for. 

To any player who choose to transfers in, welcome to the team and let's go to battle.  To all those who choose to leave, don't let the door hit you on the way out!

I could never understand last year why Ryan did not get the same top billing that Johnson and Wood got.  I do wish his shot were more consistent, but he brings so much to the table even on a bad night.  I think he will leave with a greater legacy than Wood, Johnson or any of his contemporaries (although Van Wijk may challenge that).  Unfortunately sometimes we don't all see  anything but the points.

As for valporun, stick around please.  Even if I disagree with you, it is nice to have some people out there willing to bring a non-brown and gold tinted view.  Some of our posters, as RLH demonstrated so eloquently, are so close-minded that no discussion is acceptable short of discussing how wonderful Valpo is.

Congratulations Kevin!  What a great start to the year.  He will be a tough player to handle for any team in the Horizon and beyond.

I have to say again.  I am still just not into the guys playing basketball outside during the pregame video.  I do like the idea of the video and all that.  And I have read the words to see if I got the connection, but honestly I still don't get it.  If you want to talk about tradition and building a program, how bout some true classic clips.....Redmon, Gipson, Barton, Viskovic, Grafs.  The practice jerseys just don't really show the experience I have had over the last 15 years of closely following the program.

That being said I am still a fan of the video and I am even fine with the length of it.

I did say the same things about Nikkila, but I think Vucic is way behind where Antii was coming in.  The weight room is not a concern to me at all.  I wouldn't waste my time there.  Speed drills and actual basketball drills is what he needs.  If he is strong as Schwarzenegger, everyone will still just drive right around him for a layup.

Anyway, I do feel that Bryce has found a way to utilize him in the best possible way.  I have much more faith in Bryce's substituitions throughout the game than Homer.  Homer left me confused many many times when subbing in players.

Come on now.  Our we seriously measuring Vucic's value to the team partially based on a game against the PCC all-stars?  We do need him because he is tall and healthy.  Beyond that and with a full roster, he will never play again.  He is a walk-on with a scholarship.  To say he plays "a little defense" is laughable.  He plays no defense.  Against a team with any inside presence or speed, he creates a hole on defense the size of Montana.  I appreciate his contribution this year.  It has been a welcome surprise.  But if he is getting any minutes as a junior or senior, then it means we are in real trouble.

I predict the usual against major conference opponent.  Valpo falls behind big from the opening tip, then pats themselves on the back for keeping within 20 in the second half.

I really like the intro.  It was a great idea and a great use of the new video boards.  I don't really get why streetball scenes were chosen.  I would rather see actually valpo highlights or players in uniform.  Just my two cents. 

Also, there seemed to be about a 2 possession delay before the individual player stats were updated during the game.  Is that how it will always be?  Or is it fixable?


Same old sound system.  I do enjoy listening to Charlie Brown's parents announcing the game.

-Vucic is not any better.  He really has no place to be on this team.  He struggles to dunk at 7'1.

Been saying this from the moment I saw him.  He is a tall kid who fooled someone into giving him a free college education.  God bless him for it.

I am glad to know that he is just a little raw.  Here and I was expecting a big body with no discernible basketball talent.  Am I alone in thinking that players should not LEARN the game in college at a Division I school?

We have a full roster for next year and really no one on that roster who could be considered "just a bench warmer", particualrly if Vuc makes strides to begin getting regular minutes.  I can't remember team with all the scholarship players having as much talent, at least on apaper.

I see 2 bench warmers, both in the vicinity of 7ft.  Height does not equal talent as much as we all like to believe here.

I love raw talent.  Translation = he will have a career game 3 years from now with a stat line of 8 points and 4 rebounds.  I am not a fan of recruiting for height alone when they only end up taking up space at the end of the bench.

I have coached many years at different age levels with both boys and girls.  Some coaches believe the tallest players play.  Others believe skill should be factored in.  I am in the latter group.

To your rlh, the specific skills he needs to work on are his basketball skills.  He is very good at being tall, so he needs no improvement there.

Scholarship players should not come in that raw.  His one and only skill this year was being tall and to be honest he wasn't very good at that.  He was hardly an enforcer on defense.  He didn't disrupt anything.  Looking good in practice only makes me worry that our current players are not as good as I hope they will be. 

I hope I eat my words too, but I have a question.  If his skills are developing and he has such an upside, would you still have faith in him if he were 6'8?  I am pretty sure some of us are just too mesmerized by his height so we overlook his basketball shortcomings.  He is not a basketball player.  Maybe he can play the piano?

His best chance at contributing is passing down a towel or filling up the gatorade cups.  He is simply not at all a basketball player.

A perimeter shooting post player who can't make free throws.  Sounds like a perfect fit for Valpo!!!   

Fine player, nowhere near NBA talent or size no matter what he does off the bench for 8-10minutes a game at MSU.

(You don't suppose a coach would ever overstate a players role on the team during the recruiting process, do you?)

If you think he will come off the bench you are sadly mistaken.

Because Izzo said he would!!!!

Aren't we still waiting on a game with NC State?

We got a check instead

We used the money to buy our way into the CIT.  Fair trade?

Fine player, nowhere near NBA talent or size no matter what he does off the bench for 8-10minutes a game at MSU.

(You don't suppose a coach would ever overstate a players role on the team during the recruiting process, do you?)

I haven't heard of anyone leaving, but that doesn't mean there isn't someone contemplating a move.  We have all our scholarships taken I believe, so the only way to get either or both of these guys would be for a spot to open up.  I think I'm right about that...I guess we'll just have to wait and see

Funny, when I mentioned this concept some time back, certain people hammered me for it.  How dare anyone speculate on players leaving regardless of reason.  Until University comment is made, we should not even mention the idea of it!!!!!!