Messages

With losing the scoring of Wood and Johnson, I am again concerned that this team will struggle to find consistent scoring.  The potential is there with Edwards, Harris, and Kenney becoming double digit scorers - but we'll see.

Breaking down the season:
Non-conference:  6-7 (4-7 in D1)
Arizona and Ohio State - losses (my subtle prediction is that the Arizona game will be close for quite awhile due to it being the first game for both teams and the motivation of Bryce's first game)

The two non-D1 games - wins

Gerogia Southern, Akron, Duquense: 1-2

The five December non-conference games: 3-2

Bracketbuster:  0-1

Conference:  8-10
Butler: 0-2
UW-Milwaukee:  1-1
Detroit:  1-1 (best team in the conference, but worst coaching)
Youngstown State, Wright State, and Cleveland State: 2-4
Loyola and IL-Chicago: 3-1
UW-Green Bay: 1-1

Conference Tourney:  win, then loss

Total:  15-18  (believe me - I want this to be better, but just looking realistically at significant turnover and the time it takes for a team to come together)

Wow!  I can't believe how much talk there is about a Hillsdale game.  Keep in mind that it is an exhibition game and thus the coaches should be experimenting with different combinations, seeing everyone on the floor at different times, etc.  I am not saying we should lose, but they play exhibition games for a reason.

I have said this in earlier posts and I will raise it again.  While I fully realize that the schedule is in a cycle where every other year there is going to be a less desirable home schedule, this home schedule is not great.  That changes some if those tournament games at home have some good opponents, but Bowling Green was 14-19 last year and 14-16 the year before.  Oakland is a quality home game - but is school in session on 12/17?  Consider that along with two of the nine conference home games also being over Christmas break and then only two homes games in January, it becomes very hard to get energy generated around the program (unless of course they are winning big time - that solves most any problem).

I had definitely assumed that the regional Valparaiso is hosting in the 2k tournament will have three teams that finished in the middle or bottom of a smaller conference (or even non-Division 1).  If what the marketing guy is saying is true and these are indeed better teams, then my opinion will change somewhat.  However, I should point out that Valparaiso has a full week off for Thanksgiving and both of those games (Nov. 18th and 20th) will have minimal student attendance because of Thanksgiving break.

Valparaiso serves three different fan segments:  students, alumni, and local.  However, it is the students that generate most of the enthusiasm.  It is this enthusiasm combined with good opponents that draws the other two (certainly the alums).  If you think alums come out for non D1 or low D1 opponents, you are kidding yourself.

So lets make this comparison:

(Assume that all Horizon League games are quality - result of a great move)

2010-2011:  Two quality non-conference games all when school was in session (Purdue, Missouri State plus all nine conference games while school was in session.  Total:  11
2011-2012:  No quality non-conference games when school is in session plus only seven conference games when school is in session.  Total 7.

That dropoff of four is pretty significant and hence my mediocre rating compared to last year which, in my opinion, was very very good.  Some here know me and know that I am a good longtime fan - so please know that I only make these comments as a strong fan and committed alum.

If this home schedule is true, my opinion is that the non-conference home schedule is pretty mediocre.  Only one really interesting game (Oakland), and that is certainly not a marquee opponent.  I realize last year was an outstanding schedule and that the switch from home to away for the bracketbuster is very impacting, but it would be much better to see another strong mid-major in November or December.

The other unfortunate thing is that two of the nine conference games are during the week between Christmas and New Years.  So when you break it down, the number of good games while school is in session is seven (since the Oakland game is Dec. 17th) and the first good game is Jan. 12th.  Far more difficult to build excitement on campus with this home schedule.

Hi!   First off, I appreciate you running this forum.

I am having a problem though.  As a long time, though not terribly frequent, poster, I found that I am not getting the buttons to start a new topic.  Can you help?

Thanks

Lubos Barton
Raitis Grafs
Dan Oppland
Milo Stovall
Brandon McPherson

Sixth Man:  Stalin Ortiz

Mr. Bogan - Thank you for the very detailed response.  3.5+ GPA in finance graduating in three years?   Wow!!!  I hope that he enjoys and is challenged by the MBA program at Valpo.  I know some of the people there and they are first class.

Your comments about midwestern basketball vs. SEC basketball (and Big East basketball) just seem spot on.  Frankly, I gave up watching SEC basketball long ago and find Big East teams play the physicality (that you mention) so much that the game degenerates into a giant shoving and positioning match.  Horizon League play is much more team oriented, though I do think you'll see a big difference in style/team play between teams like Valpo, Butler and Green Bay versus teams like Milwaukee, UIC and Detroit. 

I think that Will will find the Valpo fans very appreciative of effort on both ends of the court along with performance.  However, I think most Valpo teams in the last 15 years have been good to great on effort and that the biggest concerns the fans have are inside presence and defense along with consistent scoring.

Again, welcome to the VU community.

Mr. Bogan - Welcome to VU basketball.

First off, though a few others mentioned this, congratulaitions to your son on playing SEC basketball and getting a degree in three years.  That is an amazing accomplishment.

The one question that I would ask is, "why didn't things work out at Ole Miss?"  From looking at stats (which can be misleading), it looks like he got some spots in his freshman year and even had a very good game against Arkansas late that season.  After that, it seems he was injured his sophomore year and then got lost in the program.  It would be very interesting to hear your perspective.

Regardless....welcome again to the VU community.