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and would compete just fine in the MVC and A-10.  We wouldn't necessarily win those leagues, but we could be in the top 5 in each, which is a positive thing to say.

I do believe we would be among the top in the MVC, beat two very good MVC teams this season as in Eastern Kentucky and Murrary State. Would have loved to see if we could play Belmont. I don't think we would finish in the top 5 of the A-10. I think we would finish in the top half though and possibly crack the top 5. I don't believe we were up with the same level as a SLU, Butler, or a VCU. I would see VU falling somewhere between 3 and 8 in the A-10, I do think Temple and LaSalle would be tough but I think we could have beat them this year but they could easily beat us. So I think the MVC would be a great fit, the A-10 would be tough, but yes I do think we would be competitive and finish in the top half of teams.

Personally I don't see Drew leaving. He has a lot invested in this team and in the city of Valpo it seems. He grew up here and chose to play for Valpo as a player, while his brother Scott chose Butler to go to as a student, and he was a part of the basketball team as a manager, and I'm sure if he chose VU he would've had the same opportunity there. After he did graduate he did take the helm of the VU team for just a single season, then left for greener pastures with Baylor and Homer once again took over.

Bryce has led a different basketball career than Scott. He was a sensational player Valpo HS and VU. He didn't choose to leave Valpo as a student and go on to play for a big program, instead he stayed at home under his dad. As a coach, he was an assistant for a few years and after Homer retired he took over the controls. He had a similar opportunity to his brother Scott, with Mississippi State but he chose to stay with Valpo, and I believe he will be here for a very long time. I do see him quickly turning into one of the best mid-major coaches. There were some games over the past two seasons that VU won because of coaching, not because of talent. And that is hard to do. So long I am right and he doesn't leave Valpo will have many prolific seasons to come. As we see him grow as a coach and the program will grow along with him and will hopefully reestablish VU as a one of the premier mid-major programs.

Well written 14!  Keep it coming and make sure you get your classmates to get off their butts and fill up the stands! 

Thanks


I know! It kills me to see all the games where nobody turned out. I for myself didn't miss a single game (expect for breaks)! Senior night was pathetic in my opinion, hopefully they'll be enough buzz around the team next year that students can fill the student section. Cause when it is full the ARC is rocking!

I'm new to this message board. Just discovered it after sadly watching the team fall to MSU in the tourny and couldn't get enough Valpo basketball.

Anyways I've done some research on the incoming class. Which all of you know to be Adekoya, Carter, Davidson, Peters, Williams, and Yeo. As for this group of incoming players, is one of the best and me being a junior at VU will see the first major turnover in talent. I do think next year Capo will have a big season, when he saw more playing time he flourished, so close to a triple double against UIC, who was a good team this year, and I think him becoming the starter will anchor the front court, maybe not as accurate as KVW but definitely has the ability to be an All Horizon League forward when all is said and done next year. I think Dority will be greatly improved too, he has the potential to be a big time scorer next year as he sees his playing time increase with the graduation of Buggs, even though I don't think he should be the PG (that job will belong to Carter once he is eligible at the semester break but I'll get o him later). In games against MO St, and @UIC you saw the potential he has and at times when he was locked in he was a prolific scorer but many times he was inconsistent and his defense lacked at time (UDM game) but if he improves on his decision making I think he can be a 15-20ppg player next year. Those are by far to me the two best players for the Crusaders next season.

Now for the bench players. The previous season started with a bang for Jordan Coleman with 15 points against GA SO, I thought we had something big and at times he showed some athleticism with some big time dunks but saw his play diminish. As long as he doesn't transfer out I think he will play a big role with the team and will likely start at the beginning of the season. I think Vashil will develop into a solid number 2 forward for VU, he plays defense well and those long arms make him a nightmare for anybody trying to drive into the lane for a shot and when he reaches out he maybe is two inches from the rim, has turned him into a dunk machine, that's all the offense he has brought to VU is some dunking on the offensive side of the ball. If he can improve his ball handling, he can really become something special in his remaining years at VU. While Alex Rossi can be a great shooter, although his defense is lacking at times, and I believe he had some sort of heart condition which is why he missed much of the season (at leased so I heard). As for Chadwick I know little or nothing about him, he has some size, have no idea if he can shoot or not, maybe the Rowdy replacement if he can shoot.

Now for the incoming class. As for Keith Carter, who I think is the best recruit in this class. Although I know he is a transfer from SLU, he was the runner up for the Illinois High School Basketball POY in 2012, which is saying something for the talent rich state of Illinois, and once eligible (although I heard he might be eligible immediately due to medical redshirt) will quickly fit in as the new PG. From some of the videos I've seen, he reminds me of a bigger Erik Buggs who can shoot, and I believe is Buggs was a good shooter he could possibly be NBA bound. The next best player in the class is probably Clay Yeo, a guy coming to Valpo who can dunk on somebody is something to write home about! The last time I remember somebody attempting a dunk on someone was Richie Edwards trying a windmill dunk and failing (can't recall the team he tried it against). I think he as the potential to become a great player with VU and I believe he will make an immediate impact on his arrival to VU. Then I go to Alec Peters, who just finished in fifth place as the Illinois High School basketball POY, which is definitely saying something once again as being from talent rich IL. Peters reminds me a lot of Rowdy, and is possibly the size of Rowdy already 6'7" and 200 lbs, while Broekhoff only had him by 15 lbs his senior year. Like Rowdy Peters is a matchup nightmare for teams as he can shoot the three lights out and has the size and quickness to get to the rim. The next guy I will go with Jubril Adekoya, from what I've heard he can clean up the boards. Had 21 rebounds in a single game and for a guy who is listed at 6'6" (although I think he might be a bit bigger now) he can definitely become the guy we need on the offensive glass, and defensive glass. His size (as of now) might be the one thing that can hold him back a bit at the D-1 level, although he may still grown, and if he turns into a 6'8" 6'9" man, we got a steal. I think Lexus Williams can possible be the backup PG to Carter once Dority moves into the 2, where I think he belongs, the kid can shoot and pass pretty well, and can defend some too which is a plus for any freshman. As for Nick Davidson, he has the size of a Matt Kenney type, even though he can play PG I don't see him there I can see him similar to a Matt Kenney, he can do a little of everything, he can get the steal, make the three, or drive to the hoop.

As for the remaining scholarship I would love to see a big guy come 6'10" 250lbs+ come in whether it be transfer or freshman, because as we saw in the MSU game not having a BIG really hurt us in that game.

At the end of next year I expect the starting lineup to be: Capo, Dority, Carter, Yeo, and Peters (I think Yeo and Peters are that good). And I do believe Valpo will be one of the favorites for next year along with WSU and GB. But like 2011-12 season there is still a lot of uncertainty to whether or not the new faces pan out and if the juniors step up into their rolls and become bigtime players in their final season!

Guess I'll have to wait and see if my prediction about next season are right. Only 7 more months!!!!