Quick Turn around... and big minutes for most of the starters at Cleveland State. Students are back, playing for first place in the Conference. The ARC should be ROCKIN' on Monday night.
Phoenix Roster:
http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=13663&SPSID=110000
Stats: six players averaging 9+ points
https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/5079420.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=22500&
They are 6-1 at home and 5-0 in conference.
Quote from: talksalot on January 14, 2017, 04:52:00 PM
and big minutes for most of the starters at Cleveland State.
2 players played more than 25 minutes.
Who cares what their home record is?! (I think you need some sleep talksalot 🙂)
Valpo breaks the GB press with ease (thanks Detroit and CSU for the practice) and wins this one 74-66. AP drops 24 and guarantees a big crowd for the next home game.
Quote from: talksalot on January 14, 2017, 04:52:00 PMThey are 6-1 at home and 5-0 in conference.
Looks like 4-4 in true road games, including a 58-76 loss at Pacific, RPI 200 with a losing record.
They did edge what looks like a decent Toledo team 78-77 on the road, and swept the same road trip we just swept.
Quote from: agibson on January 14, 2017, 07:29:07 PMLooks like 4-4 in true road games, including a 58-76 loss at Pacific, RPI 200 with a losing record. They did edge what looks like a decent Toledo team 78-77 on the road, and swept the same road trip we just swept.
I was telling a friend this earlier, too. While we shouldn't sleep on them, GB has played poor on the road and lost to some garbage teams when traveling. They've played a who's who of HL basement dwellers mostly at home so far.... while GB is probably a top 3-4 team in HL, I think the 5-0 start is inflated.
But watch us lose by 15....
Quote from: JPEven on January 14, 2017, 07:37:12 PMBut watch us lose by 15....
Nope, we've already lost our 2nd home game.
ARC Record:
2016-17 8 2
2015-16 17 1
2014-15 15 1
While I (and many others) agree that our post-season aspirations rest on our team's performance over a couple days in Detroit in March, we still have a regular season championship for which to fight! I believe this game will determine the course for the remainder of the season.
This is a home game against the lone undefeated team in conference. This is a revenge game from the semi-final loss in Detroit last March. This is a game to begin to rebuild confidence at home, since we struggled over the long Christmas Break. We have a lot to fight for in this game and I hope we show up to play it so that we can go back to controlling our own destiny in the Horizon League. Otherwise, losing to #1 and #2 in conference at home with only the return road games at #1 and 2 does not bode well for a team with such high aspirations and talent, after a good non-conference.
With all that we have to play for, we have to put up or shut up. No excuses about rest or missing Jubril or lack of students/atmosphere. We need to start this home stand with a positive note! Thanks for listening!
Game thread is awfully quiet leading up to this one. 🤐
Quote from: M on January 16, 2017, 09:10:05 AM
Game thread is awfully quiet leading up to this one. 🤐
Think it's because we aren't so confident. But then again I imagine that's your point!
8.5 point favorites, GB has played the easiest schedule so far, and we've had practice against they press defense the last few games. Valpo had this one!
I'm interested to see how they guard Cooper. Personally, I think I'd put Shane on him and have him play off with his hands down and dare Coop to shoot from outside.
Walker should match up with cooper. Have you seen Shane's perimeter defense and lack of rotating? Walker usually guards their best attacker
Quote from: M on January 16, 2017, 09:30:52 AM
8.5 point favorites, GB has played the easiest schedule so far, and we've had practice against they press defense the last few games. Valpo had this one!
I'm interested to see how they guard Cooper. Personally, I think I'd put Shane on him and have him play off with his hands down and dare Coop to shoot from outside.
Now I see your play...bait then evisorate! A good defense against us is a poison pill. That's my biggest concern. BYU ALABAMA & URI didn't play much defense + we hit some outside jumpers imo.
I'm hoping for the best because right now, we are making all of our HL opponents look much much better than they are.
I also recognize that Tevonn is much smaller then Cooper and has a tendency of getting to foul trouble. Cooper makes his living attacking the hoop and getting to the line. That's why I'd sag off, go under screens where he has the ball, and make him beat us from deep. The rest of them you best get a hand up, they hit 14 3s last time out.
Quote from: M on January 16, 2017, 10:08:30 AMI also recognize that Tevonn is much smaller then Cooper and has a tendency of getting to foul trouble. Cooper makes his living attacking the hoop and getting to the line. That's why I'd sag off, go under screens where he has the ball, and make him beat us from deep. The rest of them you best get a hand up, they hit 14 3s last time out.
Good point. Cooper shot 27 free throws last time against us.
Talk about being quite on the boards.....UW Green Bay forum only has two posts regarding this game.
Valpo has been noticeably down this year. Yes, they have good wins against Rhode Island and BYU, but they've also lost to Santa Clara and have been on the ropes in many games that they expected to have big wins in. Their second best player Jubril Adekoya is out for the season, apparently due to academic dishonesty issues. Their other remaining go-to guy, Shane Hammink is apparently a head case who their fans are complaining about for having a terrible attitude and not hustling at all. Outside of Alec Peters, Valpo hasn't really been able to get anything going offensively. They are 311th in the nation in 3 point shooting at 30% and have shot 19% from 3 over their last four. The key deficiency for Valpo is their bench, which does not bode well for them against us, who have no fewer than 9 guys that can reliably contribute on both sides of the ball. Another key for us will be free throw shooting. We are nearly at 70% which is a huge improvement over the last few years. Last time against Valpo, Cooper had 27 free throw attempts. If we are drawing that many fouls and can force Valpo to shoot the long ball, I see absolutely no reason as to why we can't win this one on the road. The Crusaders are no longer the top dog, they are vulnerable and they are certainly beatable.
Prediction:
GB 82 - Valpo 80, Peters misses a three at the buzzer
Read more: http://phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/782/game-19-valparaiso#ixzz4VwUaqOJw
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 16, 2017, 10:25:15 AM
Talk about being quite on the boards.....UW Green Bay forum only has two posts regarding this game.
Valpo has been noticeably down this year. Yes, they have good wins against Rhode Island and BYU, but they've also lost to Santa Clara and have been on the ropes in many games that they expected to have big wins in. Their second best player Jubril Adekoya is out for the season, apparently due to academic dishonesty issues. Their other remaining go-to guy, Shane Hammink is apparently a head case who their fans are complaining about for having a terrible attitude and not hustling at all. Outside of Alec Peters, Valpo hasn't really been able to get anything going offensively. They are 311th in the nation in 3 point shooting at 30% and have shot 19% from 3 over their last four. The key deficiency for Valpo is their bench, which does not bode well for them against us, who have no fewer than 9 guys that can reliably contribute on both sides of the ball. Another key for us will be free throw shooting. We are nearly at 70% which is a huge improvement over the last few years. Last time against Valpo, Cooper had 27 free throw attempts. If we are drawing that many fouls and can force Valpo to shoot the long ball, I see absolutely no reason as to why we can't win this one on the road. The Crusaders are no longer the top dog, they are vulnerable and they are certainly beatable.
Prediction:
GB 82 - Valpo 80, Peters misses a three at the buzzer
Read more: http://phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/782/game-19-valparaiso#ixzz4VwUaqOJw
1. Jubril is likely our 4th best player (Peters/Tevonn/Hammink)
2. Our losses are to Oregon/Kentucky/Oakland/Santa Clara. Only 1 bad loss in there and it is not as bad as last years bad loss to Ball State.
3. In a draft, I would take Peters and Tevonn over their best player. (argument could be made for Hammink, but he keeps dribbling the ball of his friggin leg!)
4. I agree that they are the deeper team and we do suck at 3 point shooting and that we are very beatable this year.
5. That said, we still have a better team then they do. They would have had a losing non-con record playing our schedule. Doesn't mean they can't beat us, but we are still the better team.
Valpo is still 'top dog,' which will be proven tonight ;):
Valpo 71
GB 57
Quote from: SanityLost17 on January 16, 2017, 12:12:52 PM1. Jubril is likely our 4th best player (Peters/Tevonn/Hammink)
I'd agree that Jubril isn't our second best player (by far). Every time Hammink misses a 3 or turns the ball over or commits another stupid foul, I start to think he belongs after Jubril on that list.... hard to say.
I'd agree that, without a doubt, Tevon is our second best player. He is the best defender on the team, shoots free throws well, and is the only other person on the team propping our three point percentage up (Peters). He rebounds really well for a 2 and seems to be fairly in control of his emotions.
I guess according to Green Bay fans the Alabama win wasn't a "good win" ;D right...
VU 78-UW-GB 69 The Growth of the Bench Continues (going Pretty well but they Act like Freshman ???)
BYU and Alabama are top 100 wins.
Rhode Island is a top 50 win.
Best Green Bay win is Toledo at 141.
You should go tell both their fans that on their board😂
Best player does not necessarily correlate to most important player. Without tevvon or SH, we would struggle a little more than normal but would likely be okay. Without JA, we are struggling and are not okay.
Itd be nice to find out what is actually going on. If we get JA back a few weeks before the tourney, then the team will be extremely dangerous with JS and DS as the backups. If he doesn't return, then IMO, how far we go depends on how much JS and DS develops.
I saw the UW Green Bay message board poking fun of us and suggesting we aren't realistic in being the HL team to beat. Even went as far as saying we weren't the better team last year because we couldn't beat them on a neutral floor. I guess they forgot we did sweep them prior to the game in Detroit. I will give them credit, the new coach has done a good job in recruiting. They are a decent team now and going to be a really good team in the future.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 16, 2017, 10:25:15 AMTalk about being quite on the boards.....UW Green Bay forum only has two posts regarding this game. Valpo has been noticeably down this year. Yes, they have good wins against Rhode Island and BYU, but they've also lost to Santa Clara and have been on the ropes in many games that they expected to have big wins in. Their second best player Jubril Adekoya is out for the season, apparently due to academic dishonesty issues. Their other remaining go-to guy, Shane Hammink is apparently a head case who their fans are complaining about for having a terrible attitude and not hustling at all. Outside of Alec Peters, Valpo hasn't really been able to get anything going offensively. They are 311th in the nation in 3 point shooting at 30% and have shot 19% from 3 over their last four. The key deficiency for Valpo is their bench, which does not bode well for them against us, who have no fewer than 9 guys that can reliably contribute on both sides of the ball. Another key for us will be free throw shooting. We are nearly at 70% which is a huge improvement over the last few years. Last time against Valpo, Cooper had 27 free throw attempts. If we are drawing that many fouls and can force Valpo to shoot the long ball, I see absolutely no reason as to why we can't win this one on the road. The Crusaders are no longer the top dog, they are vulnerable and they are certainly beatable. Prediction: GB 82 - Valpo 80, Peters misses a three at the buzzer Read more: http://phearthephoenix.proboards.com/thread/782/game-19-valparaiso#ixzz4VwUaqOJw
Reading through that game thread renewed my dislike for their fanbase. All that is an awful lot of talk from a team with the fifth most wins in the conference and a mediocre OOC SOS. Probably all Packers fans too. I don't like UWM or Oakland very much, but all three of us seem to have respect for each other's programs.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 16, 2017, 04:12:30 PM
I saw the UW Green Bay message board poking fun of us and suggesting we aren't realistic in being the HL team to beat. Even went as far as saying we weren't the better team last year because we couldn't beat them on a neutral floor. I guess they forgot we did sweep them prior to the game in Detroit. I will give them credit, the new coach has done a good job in recruiting. They are a decent team now and going to be a really good team in the future.
I smell blood in the water too, can't hate their confidence. We will have to improve mightily to prove we are the same team from Nov/Early December.
Perspective says we came into the HL and have had a lot of good seasons. The target on our back will last until we drop below mediocrity. Which unfortunately, we have trended towards. But I see bright spots in these 5 HL games...we just need to but it together for a near complete game. That's when we are Top 2 in the conference.
Quite a few empty seats.
Pretty solid start. Can't believe we missed two free throws on 1 and 1's. :( Alec is being Alec. GB is having a tough time controlling the All-American.
Quote from: vu72 on January 16, 2017, 07:44:19 PM
Pretty solid start. Can't believe we missed two free throws on 1 and 1's. :( Alec is being Alec. GB is having a tough time controlling the All-American.
We need to get to the line in the 2nd half. Although it's not a tightly called game, so that could be difficult.
We are benefiting from the lack of close calls too, as I'm convinced Jaume has not been vertical with his reach several times.
We need the enjoy these days with Peters and Tevonn, they aren't guaranteed!!!
Smits is really costing us on offense. I can't believe a player his size is so unwilling to dunk the ball. He's never really going towards the hoop in his low post moves - he seems to resort to flicking the bull with a reverse, or a fade away floater. I wish he'd just use his size and go up strong.
Also, Bradford deserves some credit for playing a good game so far on both ends. He still plays with a ton of confidence, and you can see a little bit of his potential.
Maybe this will get the GB fans to shut up. They hit an insane amount of 3's in the semi-final last year and they still needed overtime to beat us. Did not make them the better team then, just like them starting off 5-0 against weak competition doesn't make them the better team now.
Green Bay, better than Valpo? Hahahahahahaha!!
Looks like RP40 needed some WD-40 tonight.
Jokes aside, I'm sure this was an off night for Green Bay and it will be closer next time we play them, but man is it fun to watch Valpo when we play to our potential.
Looked like a great student crowd for a Monday night. I was expecting their section to be half full, but it looks like they were 90%+.
Hot take: Valparaiso is still the team to beat in the Horizon League.
Side note -- Is this a record for quickest game all year? I know we don't really keep track of these things but the game started at 7 and was done by 8:40. 1:40 seems lightning fast for a college game with TV timeouts and stuff. I guess given that the game was a blowout, there weren't many fouls or timeouts at the end. Refs let them play for the most part anyway.
Only 24 combined fouls in the game. Had more than that in the first half against Oakland.
Hey! The GB fan almot had the top number right!
GB 82 - Valpo 80
Maybe this is a poor question. But on the radio broadcast when they sign off, who is the guy with the speech issue? Is that a real sign off? I am trying to be polite, but the voice sounds audibly handicap.
Any insight is appreciated.
C'mon guys, don't let both of GB's fans get under your skin. ;)
Tonight boosted my confidence! Enough even to post on the forum for the first time since SC! Keep that intensity up Crusaders!
Quote from: SanityLost17 on January 16, 2017, 08:17:36 PM
Maybe this will get the GB fans to shut up. They hit an insane amount of 3's in the semi-final last year and they still needed overtime to beat us. Did not make them the better team then, just like them starting off 5-0 against weak competition doesn't make them the better team now.
Quote from: VUSL98 on January 16, 2017, 08:48:04 PM
Only 24 combined fouls in the game. Had more than that in the first half against Oakland.
This was refreshing. I felt like I was watching a game circa 2011 (before they made defense illegal).
There was a lot of contact, but most of it was in the flow of the game. Bodies are going to bounce off each other on drives to the basket, as long as arms are straight up, let it go. The game is a lot more tolerable when the whistle isn't going off every time down the floor.
GB runs fewer offensive sets then my middle school team on the half court.
That's why a team presses though. Turn over your opponent and try to score in transition. Didn't work tonight, as many here predicted.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on January 16, 2017, 09:31:22 PMQuote from: VUSL98 on January 16, 2017, 08:48:04 PMOnly 24 combined fouls in the game. Had more than that in the first half against Oakland.
This was refreshing. I felt like I was watching a game circa 2011 (before they made defense illegal). There was a lot of contact, but most of it was in the flow of the game. Bodies are going to bounce off each other on drives to the basket, as long as arms are straight up, let it go. The game is a lot more tolerable when the whistle isn't going off every time down the floor.
Per Paul Oren one of the refs is an NFL ref. So I guess if a player wasn't tackled and taken to the ground it was no foul. lol
Credit to Bradford tonight, looked good.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 16, 2017, 08:59:29 PM
Maybe this is a poor question. But on the radio broadcast when they sign off, who is the guy with the speech issue? Is that a real sign off? I am trying to be polite, but the voice sounds audibly handicap.
Any insight is appreciated.
He's a big VU basketball fan and very regular at games. I don't know his story, but definitely seriously physically impaired.
Did they do it again tonight? I saw he was wearing a headset during the post-game. I was touched the first time I heard it. Even if it's every game, no harm done I guess. And a nice shout out to a guy, and a community, that's had a tough row.
Quote from: VUBBFan on January 16, 2017, 10:32:35 PMQuote from: SanityLost17 on January 16, 2017, 09:31:22 PMQuote from: VUSL98 on January 16, 2017, 08:48:04 PMOnly 24 combined fouls in the game. Had more than that in the first half against Oakland.
This was refreshing. I felt like I was watching a game circa 2011 (before they made defense illegal). There was a lot of contact, but most of it was in the flow of the game. Bodies are going to bounce off each other on drives to the basket, as long as arms are straight up, let it go. The game is a lot more tolerable when the whistle isn't going off every time down the floor.
Per Paul Oren one of the refs is an NFL ref. So I guess if a player wasn't tackled and taken to the ground it was no foul. lol
Gene Steratore has been an NFL Referee for a long time. I thought he was a Big Ten BB official. Does the HL use Big Ten officials normally?
John Kiser at 6-5/205 reminds me a lot of Matt Kinney 6-4/205. John averaged 21ppg as a senior at Noblesville. Matt averaged 19ppg at Mooresville. Both have big verticals and similar ball handling skills. Not only has John earned a scholarship, but in time he could Become a major contributor, just as Matt was.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 16, 2017, 08:59:29 PM
Maybe this is a poor question. But on the radio broadcast when they sign off, who is the guy with the speech issue? Is that a real sign off? I am trying to be polite, but the voice sounds audibly handicap.
Any insight is appreciated.
That's Ryan Miller. I see him at the ARC whenever I take my Dad, because we also sit in the handicapped section (my Dad will be 88 in a couple of months and needs a walker to get around). Through his helper (because I can't possibly figure out what he's saying - and he does the best he can), every time he asks me what our RPI is, and through her I have a wonderful conversation with him. His ears work perfectly, so he understands exactly what I'm saying.
I would tell you what his condition is, but I'm deathly afraid of getting it wrong.
So that's how it feels to shoot 40% and not the typical 20% from 3 point.
As Shane gets better from 3 point land his driving to the basket and finishing along with his ball handling is decreasing.
Ryan Miller is an ARC institution. Been going to games even when I was a student in the 90s. STL is right, communicating can be tough. But there's few people with more passion for this program.
He's actually quite funny. Come over and teasingly chastised our group for nagging the refs. He said "listen I'm at the tale end of a mediocre career... give me a little slack". Good laugh had by all
GB won last season because Charles Cooper was given 24 FT attempts. GB's two fans can try and say that they were the better team, but that is just wishful thinking.
I believe that Ryan Miller was the guy always sitting on the end of the court by the concession stand? I seem to remember that he was always close to the court, when I was in school.
Quote from: wh on January 16, 2017, 11:48:12 PMJohn Kiser at 6-5/205 reminds me a lot of Matt Kinney 6-4/205. John averaged 21ppg as a senior at Noblesville. Matt averaged 19ppg at Mooresville. Both have big verticals and similar ball handling skills. Not only has John earned a scholarship, but in time he could Become a major contributor, just as Matt was.
Forgive my ignorance here, but Kiser does have a scholarship, doesn't he? I've been surprised at the amount of playing time he's been getting, although that's not to say he hasn't earned it.
Quote from: hailcrusaders on January 17, 2017, 01:47:58 PMForgive my ignorance here, but Kiser does have a scholarship, doesn't he? I've been surprised at the amount of playing time he's been getting, although that's not to say he hasn't earned it.
no he is a walk on
No offense to Kiser, but there's no way he's near as athletic as Matt Kenney.
Re Kiser. Did Valpo refer to him as a "preferred" walk on? First I remember hearing the phrase at VU.
Matt had a great handle, and that's where John needs to improve. I love how hard he plays and defends. He gets the most out of his ability. Matt was far more gifted athletically and could play multiple positions, while John is strictly a 3.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Very few did the jump pass turnover like Matt Kenney.
Quote from: M on January 19, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Very few did the jump pass turnover like Matt Kenney.
Not sure which was cringe-ier during that era - Kenny deciding to jump before knowing what to do with the ball, Cory Johnson's weird traveling mental block, or Bugg's free throw situation.
Quote from: M on January 19, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Very few did the jump pass turnover like Matt Kenney.
Wasn't a young Buggs fairly good at this, as well?
Quote from: M on January 19, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Very few did the jump pass turnover like Matt Kenney.
Ali Berdiel
Quote from: ValpoHoops on January 19, 2017, 05:02:24 PM
Quote from: M on January 19, 2017, 09:23:17 AM
Very few did the jump pass turnover like Matt Kenney.
Ali Berdiel
I'd add that he was talented in all facets of the TO. And if there ever was a player that relied upon his "classmates"......HE DID. Was in too many classes with the guy.
Quote from: StlVUFan on January 17, 2017, 12:20:42 AM
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 16, 2017, 08:59:29 PM
Maybe this is a poor question. But on the radio broadcast when they sign off, who is the guy with the speech issue? Is that a real sign off? I am trying to be polite, but the voice sounds audibly handicap.
Any insight is appreciated.
That's Ryan Miller. I see him at the ARC whenever I take my Dad, because we also sit in the handicapped section (my Dad will be 88 in a couple of months and needs a walker to get around). Through his helper (because I can't possibly figure out what he's saying - and he does the best he can), every time he asks me what our RPI is, and through her I have a wonderful conversation with him. His ears work perfectly, so he understands exactly what I'm saying.
I would tell you what his condition is, but I'm deathly afraid of getting it wrong.
Some of you may remember his father, Rick Miller, who posted a bunch of political "stuff" on previous versions of this message board about 8 or so years ago. Rick did mention his son, Ryan regularly on the board.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on January 19, 2017, 06:00:14 PM
I'd add that he was talented in all facets of the TO. And if there ever was a player that relied upon his "classmates"......HE DID. Was in too many classes with the guy.
So, you admittingly and repeatedly violated the university code...
"I have neither given or received,
nor have I tolerated others' use of unauthorized aid."...and, accordingly, were as guilty as he was.
Of course, none of us believes that, which means most of us would observe only part of the rule, if at all. That makes the rule fundamentally flawed and designed-to-fail.
We all understand what cheating is - and what it isn't. It IS a violation of an organization rule. It IS NOT a crime. People attach a different sense of obligation to reporting ethical indiscretions than they do reporting violations of the law.
Quote from: wh on January 19, 2017, 10:21:10 PMOf course, no one believes that, which means most of us would observe only part of the rule, if at all. That makes this rule fundamentally flawed and designed-to-fail.
We all understand what cheating is - and what it isn't. It IS a violation of an organization rule. It IS NOT a crime. People attach a different sense of obligation to reporting ethical indiscretions than they do reporting violations of the law.
And not all laws are perceived the same, of course. And which are "serious enough to turn someone in" vary from community to community.
Formalizing codes of conduct is a tough business...
Quote from: VU2624 on January 16, 2017, 11:29:14 PM
Quote from: VUBBFan on January 16, 2017, 10:32:35 PMQuote from: SanityLost17 on January 16, 2017, 09:31:22 PMQuote from: VUSL98 on January 16, 2017, 08:48:04 PMOnly 24 combined fouls in the game. Had more than that in the first half against Oakland.
This was refreshing. I felt like I was watching a game circa 2011 (before they made defense illegal). There was a lot of contact, but most of it was in the flow of the game. Bodies are going to bounce off each other on drives to the basket, as long as arms are straight up, let it go. The game is a lot more tolerable when the whistle isn't going off every time down the floor.
Per Paul Oren one of the refs is an NFL ref. So I guess if a player wasn't tackled and taken to the ground it was no foul. lol
Gene Steratore has been an NFL Referee for a long time. I thought he was a Big Ten BB official. Does the HL use Big Ten officials normally?
Veteran official Gene Steratore is wed to his whistlehttp://www.startribune.com/veteran-official-gene-steratore-is-wed-to-his-whistle/389681521/
Steratore, 53, also works as a primary Big Ten basketball official, though he officiates games in other conferences as well. (http://stmedia.stimg.co/ows_147079415949743.jpg?w=263) (http://stmedia.stimg.co/gene.jpg?w=263)
Quote from: bbtds on January 19, 2017, 09:56:52 PM
Some of you may remember his father, Rick Miller, who posted a bunch of political "stuff" on previous versions of this message board about 8 or so years ago. Rick did mention his son, Ryan regularly on the board.
Of course, I did. He liked to Ruffle my feathers when I was the Voy board admin. I introduced myself to him and Ryan once at halftime thinking that putting a face to my board persona would make me seem more human. Ryan was very nice, but in the end I think Rick didn't care much for my face, either.
Steratore, the ref, was a lot of fun on the sidelines: very good attitude, interacting with the fans, etc. Sometimes joking, always light hearted, sometimes some commentary on the game and calls.
Reminded me of some of the very positive interactions (not universally) I've had with refs and especially linesmen in adult amateur soccer games. Professional, care a lot about the sport, respect others' knowledge and passion (even if wouldn't always countenance or appreciate some behavior or language), comes with a certain humility, etc.