Completely different match-up challenges with Portland, with 2 starters 6-11 and 6-10 and a 6-10 reserve who gets quality minutes. Highlights from their win over Drake:
Portland Men's Basketball vs Drake Highlights 11-29-14 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu5E8H0BOcs#ws)
Valpo 76
Portland 63
I actually want to see it be a tight game. At this point we have no idea how this group will respond to the pressures of the closing minutes in a back and forth battle.
But ---I still would have to guess Valpo by 6.
I hope we are already working on getting some quality opponents for 2015-16 because it looks like we are going to need them. :thumbsup:
I think we have an advantage here playing them on the 3rd day of this event. They seem to revolve around using their big men, who typically wear down faster than guards. And now they are going to have to run around the perimeter on defense chasing Vashil setting screens and whoever their 4 man guards, which most likely will be Alec, I'll take that match up any day of the week. I feel we are going to be very tough for them to guard today. When we are on defense we need to trap the post effectively and limit their offensive rebounds and I think we cap off what has already been a very good November with another impressive victory.
Spread: Valpo -2
I saw that a couple guys picked 7-1 for November.
What *I* want to know is, who picked "Arkansas Pine-Bluff" as our closest game?
SKARAAAAAAA
We are out rebounding these giants on a 2 to 1 ratio halfway through first half. (Outscoring them by the same ratio, unsurprisingly.)
Jeez, Let them play all of their games at Nashville Muni! Very very impressive thus far.
42 points, get this, with 0 (0-1) free throws!
Thought the game started at 2 central, not 1. Pleasantly surprised to check in and see a 22 point lead at half!!!!
Peters with 15 once again, on his way to another 25-30 point performance in 25 or so minutes of play! And this Portland team is no cupcake. Wow!
Let's keep it going in half number 2.
Lets hope we save some of this for the conference portion of the schedule. Don't know whether I have ever heard or seen of a VU team putting this kind of a series together. Lets hope these teams (Murray State and Portland) win some decent RPI games in the future.
No let down after last night. Would have liked to see them run up the score like last night, but the Pilots kept fighting (well...Tyson kept making shots). Excellent weekend overall!
Valpo 70-55. Another solid game, and a great week! I look forward to our home game against New Mexico, but let's get Eastern Kentucky at their place first!
Vashil with ANOTHER solid game regarding what we need from him (rebounding, 4 or less fouls, and defense), with several quality games against big foes. So, suck it Vashil detractors, AGAIN :).
Btw, I love this Pilots' fan comment on their board:
"Who let the 1972 UCLA Bruins into this little mid-major tournament??" lol
http://www.pilotnation.net/t5503p45-challenge-in-music-city-in-nashville (http://www.pilotnation.net/t5503p45-challenge-in-music-city-in-nashville)
Quote from: FWalum on November 30, 2014, 02:04:30 PM
Lets hope we save some of this for the conference portion of the schedule. Don't know whether I have ever heard or seen of a VU team putting this kind of a series together. Lets hope these teams (Murray State and Portland) win some decent RPI games in the future.
[/b]
I don't think some of us realize how good this Portland team is/will be this season. They return six seniors to a team that beat Idaho, San Jose, Gonzaga, BYU, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Bradley and...Columbia, Last Year!
Valpo played this weekend like it was some BS early November tournament Michigan State put on in their home gym.
very impressive tournament. Didn't just win - they made a statement.
Quote from: a3uge on November 30, 2014, 06:27:51 PM
Valpo played this weekend like it was some BS early November tournament Michigan State put on in their home gym.
Like most every major school does? You failed to mention that Michigan State historically plays one of the toughest OOC schedules.
Quote from: valpospartan on November 30, 2014, 09:41:43 PM
Quote from: a3uge on November 30, 2014, 06:27:51 PM
Valpo played this weekend like it was some BS early November tournament Michigan State put on in their home gym.
Like most every major school does? You failed to mention that Michigan State historically plays one of the toughest OOC schedules.
Uh honestly just picked a random power conference team. Really wasn't the point.
The reality is that the most recent three wins will look better and better as the season progresses. While none were against a "Power 5" conference, they are all good wins against solid opponents.
After this weekend Valpo should be ranked in the top 25 among mid-majors and if they keep the trend up and win their next 2 games they will probably begin to receive votes for top 25 in the country.
This is Valpo's best start in 60 years at 7-1, they have an opportunity to really make a statement this week. Knock off the Colonels in Richmond and and domesticate the Lobos at home, Valpo can be looking at a special season. This weekend was one of Valpo's best stretches of basketball in recent memory. Hopefully the confidence gained will continue for the rest of the season and each game will build off each other.
Keep it up!
Interesting that Darien Walker's JC made the effort to reach out to him following the Challenge's Championship game. Nice article Former Logan standout Walker named All-Tourney for Valparaiso (http://thesouthern.com/sports/former-logan-standout-walker-named-all-tourney-for-valparaiso/article_0197a4e4-9c21-5f24-8bb0-05a8eb54f2b5.html)
[tweet]539452268039659520[/tweet]
Quote from: valpopal on December 01, 2014, 10:15:44 AM
[tweet]539452268039659520[/tweet]
Quote from: valpopal on December 01, 2014, 10:15:44 AM
[tweet]539452268039659520[/tweet]
We are currently ranked #79 in the Sagarin's and The Horizon is the #13 while The Valley is just ahead of us at #12. Green Bay leads the league, currently ranked #34.
We are really being held down by UIC, at #291, Oakland at #246, and Milwaukee at #243 (out of 350)
Remember, '72, Oakland's contribution to the league's RPI comes not from winning games but from playing the role of the Washington Generals against D-1 majors they can't possibly beat. Isn't that the narrative - do the conference a great service by losing to better teams while paying for your school's athletic budget at the same time?
[tweet]539463640496472065[/tweet]
Quote from: valpotx on November 30, 2014, 02:52:16 PM
Valpo 70-55. Another solid game, and a great week! I look forward to our home game against New Mexico, but let's get Eastern Kentucky at their place first!
Vashil with ANOTHER solid game regarding what we need from him (rebounding, 4 or less fouls, and defense), with several quality games against big foes. So, suck it Vashil detractors, AGAIN :).
Vashil's role on this team is rebounding (check!), defense, especially blocks (check!), staying in the game - not fouling out or taken out of game because of fouls (check!). He is having a great senior year!
Quote from: classof2014 on December 01, 2014, 08:53:44 AM
After this weekend Valpo should be ranked in the top 25 among mid-majors and if they keep the trend up and win their next 2 games they will probably begin to receive votes for top 25 in the country.
This is Valpo's best start in 60 years at 7-1, they have an opportunity to really make a statement this week. Knock off the Colonels in Richmond and and domesticate the Lobos at home, Valpo can be looking at a special season. This weekend was one of Valpo's best stretches of basketball in recent memory. Hopefully the confidence gained will continue for the rest of the season and each game will build off each other.
Keep it up!
Closer to 6 years than 60 (7 to be exact). They started out the '07-08 season 10-1 before losing 4 of their next 5.
Quote from: wh on December 01, 2014, 01:56:41 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on December 01, 2014, 08:53:44 AM
After this weekend Valpo should be ranked in the top 25 among mid-majors and if they keep the trend up and win their next 2 games they will probably begin to receive votes for top 25 in the country.
This is Valpo's best start in 60 years at 7-1, they have an opportunity to really make a statement this week. Knock off the Colonels in Richmond and and domesticate the Lobos at home, Valpo can be looking at a special season. This weekend was one of Valpo's best stretches of basketball in recent memory. Hopefully the confidence gained will continue for the rest of the season and each game will build off each other.
Keep it up!
Closer to 6 years than 60 (7 to be exact). They started out the '07-08 season 10-1 before losing 4 of their next 5.
Got the info from Oren's article in the NWI Times, so I didn't bother doing my research.
"The win gives the Crusaders their first in-season tournament title since they won the Lou Henson Award tournament at Oakland in 2010. The victory also extends Valparaiso's winning streak to six games and equals the best start in program history (7-1) since 1944-45."
Quote from: classof2014 on December 01, 2014, 02:05:03 PM
Quote from: wh on December 01, 2014, 01:56:41 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on December 01, 2014, 08:53:44 AM
After this weekend Valpo should be ranked in the top 25 among mid-majors and if they keep the trend up and win their next 2 games they will probably begin to receive votes for top 25 in the country.
This is Valpo's best start in 60 years at 7-1, they have an opportunity to really make a statement this week. Knock off the Colonels in Richmond and and domesticate the Lobos at home, Valpo can be looking at a special season. This weekend was one of Valpo's best stretches of basketball in recent memory. Hopefully the confidence gained will continue for the rest of the season and each game will build off each other.
Keep it up!
Closer to 6 years than 60 (7 to be exact). They started out the '07-08 season 10-1 before losing 4 of their next 5.
Got the info from Oren's article in the NWI Times, so I didn't bother doing my research.
"The win gives the Crusaders their first in-season tournament title since they won the Lou Henson Award tournament at Oakland in 2010. The victory also extends Valparaiso's winning streak to six games and equals the best start in program history (7-1) since 1944-45."
You can't ever trust those darn sports reporters! ;D
and the 07-08 team's lone loss in that stretch was to an SEC Team (Vandy) in the South Padre Tourney 87-78.... wins over: Grace College, IPFW, UMES, Austin Peay, WMU, Ball State, ... and #7 was the Horizon League Opener over Wright State... then a win at Callahan and our [RealTime]RPI was at 50 after that game... then Winds over Evansville by 8 and Chicago State by 29... and we were Mid-Major #10... THEN we went to Madison and lost to the badgers, then At Chapel Hill [home vs. IndWes] then at Hinkle, then losing to UWM to make our record 11-5...
looking back over the years...through 8 games
13-14 4-4
12-13 6-2
11-12 6-2
10-11 6-2
09-10 3-5
08-09 3-5
07-08 7-1 (as previously listed)
06-07 3-4
05-06 5-3
04-05 2-6 (the 9th game was a 13-point win over Penn State)
03-04 2-6
02-03 4-4
01-02 6-2
00-01 6-2
99-00 2-6
98-99 7-1 (Hey Oren... found another one!) we went to 8-1 before losing to Purdue in Game #10
97-98 3-5
96-97 7-1 (Hey Oren... found another one!) we lost Game #9 to IU-Bloomington, and won the next 7...starting 14-2
95-96 5-3 **won game #8 by Forfeit over Purdue...
94-95 4-4
93-94 5-3
92-93 2-6
91-92 3-5
90-91 2-6
89-90 0-8... we won #9 @ Florida International
88-89 2-6
87-88 5-3
86-87 5-3
85-86 3-5
84-85 2-6
Portland State loses to Portland, and does something I remember seeing an opponent try against us while I was in school. I don't remember the team, but our opponent was unsuccessful in stealing the ball while trying this, and our players just laughed at the guy.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2289627-portland-state-player-turns-end-of-game-handshake-into-steal-and-dunk?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2289627-portland-state-player-turns-end-of-game-handshake-into-steal-and-dunk?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)
Quote from: classof2014 on December 01, 2014, 02:05:03 PMCloser to 6 years than 60 (7 to be exact). They started out the '07-08 season 10-1 before losing 4 of their next 5.
Got the info from Oren's article in the NWI Times, so I didn't bother doing my research.
"The win gives the Crusaders their first in-season tournament title since they won the Lou Henson Award tournament at Oakland in 2010. The victory also extends Valparaiso's winning streak to six games and equals the best start in program history (7-1) since 1944-45."
I guess my article should've said "equals the best start in program history through eight games since 1944-45." The 2007-08 team started 7-1 and this team has as well. You have to go back to 1944-45 for the last time a Valpo team had a better start through eight games.
I've apparently been confusing a lot of people lately as we got a call at The Times asking for clarification about this statement I wrote "Valparaiso has won six consecutive games away from home, a streak that has likely never been replicated in program history. The last time the Crusaders had six road wins in a row was 2002-03."
It made perfect sense to me when I wrote it. What I was trying to get across is that Valpo has currently won six games in a row away from home. Meaning all six happened consecutively. That has likely never happened before at Valpo. I suppose some seasons in the 20's or 30's it was a possibility, but records weren't kept as to where the games were held. The last time Valpo had six straight wins away from home was in 2002-03, but the Crusaders played some home games during that stretch, including a painful home overtime loss to UMKC. I was working at a radio station in Milwaukee during that night and I remember snapping multiple CD's in half I was so frustrated by an ARC Mid-Con loss.
Darn Michael Watson and his chucking!
Edit: Apparently, it is Minister Watson now.
http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205015619 (http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205015619)
http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/articles/2011-12/releases/205350838_1 (http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/articles/2011-12/releases/205350838_1)
Quote from: Pgmado on December 05, 2014, 01:07:35 AM"Valparaiso has won six consecutive games away from home, a streak that has likely never been replicated in program history. The last time the Crusaders had six road wins in a row was 2002-03."
I didn't get that either, now that you mention it. I thought a late edit got tacked on in the last sentence or something.
Thanks for the clarification...I'm thinking about it and I can't think of a way (at least not a concise one) to make the distinction clear in two sentences.
What's funny is that someone found it important enough to call the Times office about it. lol
hey it wasn't me, but i racked my brain for a good deal of time trying to parse those two sentences, and I'm the kind of guy who drops "parse" here and there.
Of course it wasn't you. Why would a board member call the paper when all they need to do is post their question here knowing they will probably get multiple responses. We need to remember that among the 3000 fans at a Valpo home game probably 2950 don't post here.
Okay, I guess this is as good a time as any to apologize for calling The Times. I was thinking that LAA would want me to be committed to excellence wouldn't he?
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tax0bMM_lN8/UlOS9Pcy8XI/AAAAAAAAAY8/UR9ugL8aHt8/s1600/12345.PNG)
;D ;D ;D
Absolutely no reason to apologize. I'm just happy people are reading!
So I did have to look... and pgmado 2002-03 season is correct with 6 "Road Wins" in a row: Iupui, Oakland, WIU, Chicago St, SUtah and UMKC...
That is also the last year we played 6 consecutive games away from the ARC was the last 6 games of that season...
W@UMKC
L@ORU
W vs Chicago State at Kansas City MidCon
W vs Western Ill at Kansas City MidCon
L vs IUPUI at Kansas City MidCon
L @ Iowa in NIT
we opened the 03-04 season with a split @ the Marquette Tournament; so we actually had 8 games in a row away from home. We followed that with 5 home games in a row (and lost 4 of them)
Some reference was made on the New Mexico game thread that the teams Valpo had been playing up till the New Mexico game were not nearly as good as was previously thought. I disagree with this assessment. I believe if Valpo had played on their home court as well as they played in Nashville that the UNM game would have been a lot closer. I believe the Lobos played much better than they had played against both USC and NMST. The biggest key at Nashville was Valpo's defense. The defense against the Lobos was no where near how good it was at Nashville.