The Valparaiso Beacons Fan Zone Forum

https://twitter.com/ValleyHoops/status/1102043721988751360

Thought it was time to make a Arch Madness thread. The Crusaders have struggled mightily down the stretch and we face #8 Indiana State for the third time this season. It's almost difficult to lose 3 times to a mediocre team in one season but it could be a possibility on Thursday...

Nothing about this MVC season has made any "sense", so maybe we squeak by Indiana State and for the right to play Loyola less than 24 hours later.

I'm predicting a 1v4 6v7 semis of LUC MOST, and ISUr UNI.   LUC over UNI in the final, 67-49.   LUC will put their experience on display and win each of their games by 15+.

As for us, don't care. I'll watch if we play Loyola, if for nothing else than to see how we respond to a 16 hr turnaround. Canceled my trip and am taking my daughters to see Captain Marvel during our game on Thursday. Can't remember the last time I willingly missed a Valpo postseason game.  That's what losing 11 of 14 does for your fanbase.

In the past, I've been willing to put the money out to see them play in tournaments. But, no way I'm spending my money knowing that we may struggle to put up 20 points by half. Or, we may have a lead the majority of the game ... up 10 with 7 minutes .... only to do everything we could possibly do wrong and blow it down the stretch. Can't risk spending the money.

I hope I'm wrong and we show up. No reason why we should lose to ISU 3 times in a season. They're NOT very good. Maybe Bakari will come out and shoot lights out. If Derek makes his free throws like he did against Evansville, that could be a difference maker. Though it still wasn't enough last time around.

If ISU comes out flat and has an off night shooting, maybe that'll be our ticket. Again, as for Loyola. I really don't think we have to lose that game and thus lose to them a third time. We blew the game at home vs them and got out-manned at their place.

I've seen it go both ways with having time off. It's not always in the top seed's favor as the break could cause them to lose their mojo. Come out flat. If we hit a hot streak vs ISU and carry it over, we could be in the semifinals.

I'm going to St Louis on Thursday and will stay till Sunday afternoon. I will enjoy St Louis and Arch Madness. I'll visit some friends and relatives. If Valpo beats ISUb I will be pleasantly surprised. I will cheer for the team with as much gusto as I can muster. It will not be like my trip to Madison Square Garden in 2015. If we get to the Friday noon game with Loyola I will be encouraged but again it won't be like MSG. I will enjoy myself. BTW, I'll be taking in as much St.Louis Blues mojo as I can. That is one very hot team. But I will expect another (42nd) Stanley Cup playoff defeat. 0 for 51 seasons.

Let's look good and win a game, Valpo!

I may check the scoreboard on Thursday to see if the Crusaders showed up for the game. Glad I didn't watch their last regular season game. Watched all the other games - wish I hadn't invested so much time and energy.  >:(

Quote from: VU2014 on March 03, 2019, 01:02:24 PMNothing about this MVC season has made any "sense", so maybe we squeak by Indiana State and for the right to play Loyola less than 24 hours later.

In my mind it might not make any difference but practically if we can get to the second round it's better than not having a chance at all. Weirder things have happened in conference tournaments. Did anyone think Milwaukee had any chance to make it to the HL championship game in 2017? They beat Valpo by 2 and lost to NKU in the final by 6. They were the 10 seed.

Drake will be missing guard D.J. Wilkins due to an injury.  Tough blow. 

You talk about a program who had to face adversity.  And overcome.....

18% of the minutes returned from last year after losing the all-time leading scorer.  (That happened to Valpo a couple years ago....)  Drake only returned one starter.  And a new coach. 

What did they do?  They shared the season MVC title with Loyola (lost the tiebreaker).

Liked for the overall point of your post not the injury.

Anybody else find this really uninspiring? I sure did...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxyXX8rxSk

For the sake of this message boards emotions and mental well-being I hope Valpo surprises us all and wins in impressive fashion. This fan-base could use a pick me up.

I think I remember Paul Oren once describing the Valpo Basketball Forum as "a place where the highs are high and the lows are very low." It's been very doom and gloom around here for a while now and I hope the team can get some positive vibes going around the program so we don't have to go into the offseason feeling so down and can hopefully feel encouraged about a potentially bright next season.

"The highest highs..." comment could describe literally any fan based message board in the country. It's a natural reaction to what happens when people who are passionate about a topic come together. Good lord, go look at about half the message boards in our own conference, let alone some of the P5s when they underperform.

We disagree from time to time but one thing that has stayed constant and the reason I continue to be a part of this community is we don't engage in personal attacks on our coach or players. Question their abilities? Sure. Call them names? No.

It's been doom and gloom here for most of this season because for most of us, myself included, this is the first time in our time as Valpo fans that we don't feel the program is headed in the right direction. (I defer to Pre-Drew era fans in this of course.) And the next five years of this program depend on the next twelve months of on and off the court success (Been working on a post about that. Will put up when season is officially over.)

A great 20+ year run of success on the mid major level and what do we have to show for it besides some great memories? A decent video board, Homer Drew Court, and waterless urinals.

Very well said NativeCheesehead. Love the passion on this board. I just want to get back to winning and feeling like we're building something special with this program.

QuoteAnd the next five years of this program depend on the next twelve months of on and off the court success

Completely agree with this statement. This is a pivotal moment in this programs trajectory.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 05, 2019, 07:27:31 PM
Anybody else find this really uninspiring? I sure did...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxyXX8rxSk

Call me easy, but I liked it. Yesterday, I basically said the program was an embarrassment to the world, and now I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I need medication.

Bracketology has Loyola as the MVC representative at 15.....The same line of the HL.

So is the MVC and HL being on the same line (I know it's a prediction but lets say it happens) going to be the norm or is this year going to be the exception to the rule?

Let's put it this way.

If Murray State & NKU were in the MVC, this wouldn't be a discussion.

It's 100% self-inflicted on the MVC's part.

Quote from: may know on March 06, 2019, 02:27:01 PM
Let's put it this way.

If Murray State & NKU were in the MVC, this wouldn't be a discussion.

It's 100% self-inflicted on the MVC's part.

If Murray State and not Valpo we're in the MVC the conference would be much better off also. Valpo is not doing anything to help.

I'm less worried about the rest of the MVC right now. Let's get our own house in order.

Quote from: M on March 06, 2019, 02:01:40 PM
So is the MVC and HL being on the same line (I know it's a prediction but lets say it happens) going to be the norm or is this year going to be the exception to the rule?

Neither the MVC nor the HL seems to have anything like an at-large contender this year. I expect that to happen (or close to it) more often in the MVC.

The MVC *does* continue to be stronger top to bottom. The Horizon has four teams below the Valley's last, in the Ken Pom. The Valley's last (alas) is Valpo at 233. The Horizon goes all the way down to 297 Milwaukee (of 353).

Has anybody figured out TV coverage, in Valpo in particular, for tomorrow's game?

The game notes say "NBC Sports Chicago Plus", and suggests that ESPN+ will be blacked out within that footprint.

If I'm remembering well from trying to watch Chicago Fire games, that network is far enough down the pecking order that Comcast in Valpo may not even offer it.

Am I going to be blacked out? (I've got a soccer game competing with the Valpo game, anyway. But, I figured I'd try to set my wife up, at least.)

I don't know if you'll be blacked out. But if we lay another egg I'll be blacked out by halftime.

Just kidding. I'm not watching. 😀

Quote from: agibson on March 06, 2019, 05:35:00 PM
Has anybody figured out TV coverage, in Valpo in particular, for tomorrow's game?

The game notes say "NBC Sports Chicago Plus", and suggests that ESPN+ will be blacked out within that footprint.

If I'm remembering well from trying to watch Chicago Fire games, that network is far enough down the pecking order that Comcast in Valpo may not even offer it.

Am I going to be blacked out? (I've got a soccer game competing with the Valpo game, anyway. But, I figured I'd try to set my wife up, at least.)

In Comcast Valpo the game will be on 109 and 201.

I'll have that tune in app going.

I've become dependent on Comcast/Xfinity. I just say Valparaiso University mens basketball into my remote and the game comes on.

Of course I'll be at the Enterprise Center-----"Let's go Blues"-----it means more than you think.

Quote from: valpopal on March 06, 2019, 06:57:03 PM

Quote from: agibson on March 06, 2019, 05:35:00 PM
Has anybody figured out TV coverage, in Valpo in particular, for tomorrow's game?

The game notes say "NBC Sports Chicago Plus", and suggests that ESPN+ will be blacked out within that footprint.

Am I going to be blacked out? (I've got a soccer game competing with the Valpo game, anyway. But, I figured I'd try to set my wife up, at least.)

In Comcast Valpo the game will be on 109 and 201.

Sure enough. Thanks!

Curious how many of us will be in attendance? Will it be a record low?

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 06, 2019, 05:51:24 PMI don't know if you'll be blacked out. But if we lay another egg I'll be blacked out by halftime.

My expectations are so low that I am practically numb. Adding alcohol to numbness typically hasn't worked well in the past but just in case I'll go stock up.

valpo +3.5

I'd probably take Ind St and give the points

Anyone who did go down got delayed 1-2 hours by the runaway I-55 shooter.

Case in point we're still on the road.

What channel? Can't find it

Don't bother. 

0-6 from 3 to start the game. Please stop shooting the 3. Please.

Well the boys came to play. Golder and Freeman are making statements. Let's see if we can hold on...

Just turned it on. I'm afraid to watch but trying to be cautiously optimistic.  Maybe this team just needed to get away for awhile to a neutral site. Go Valpo!

Little ugly in the middle of that half, but a nice finish for a change. Keep it up!

It's nice to see Golfer looking a little more like himself out there. His energy is a definite positive for the team. Good defending. Ugh on the 3 shooting

It's amazing what the difference a little bit of confidence looks like on this team. Better passing, sharper movements, increased aggression. Now we just need the other C to stick around: Consistency.

Says nbc sports chicago for us NWI folks ... but idk not working.

It's on nbc sports Chicago plus

Not the main channel which has the Blackhawks game on.


Channel 109 here in south Chicago suburbs


I found it speaking into my Comcast remote

412-08 on DISH

We seem to have a pessimistic bunch in here...

Hope the boys can keep the foot on the gas! ISU looks demoralized.

Really enjoy Todd Ickow's call, but Dave Hussman is a little too catch phrase excitable. 

Curious, what's his connection to Valparaiso other than calling games?

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 07, 2019, 07:31:33 PM
Really enjoy Todd Ickow's call, but Dave Hussman is a little too catch phrase excitable. 

Curious, what's his connection to Valparaiso other than calling games?

Dave is fine. He knows his role and has good chemistry with Todd. The biggest gripe with the radio broadcast is the horrible audio quality. I always have to turn the volume up to the max because it's so soft. When Todd yells, the mic can't really handle it, and you get lots of crackling. Listening in the car is a miserable experience.

Also, Valpo up 14... Are we all expecting it to evaporate? Or is this team dominating?

Quote from: hailcrusaders on March 07, 2019, 07:31:26 PM
We seem to have a pessimistic bunch in here...

Hope the boys can keep the foot on the gas! ISU looks demoralized.

That can happen when the team was 2-8 in their last ten games.  I think many of us are wondering when the air gets let out of our tires. 

Traveling so I'm listening to the radio call.....is this good defense or pitiful ISU offense?

Good defense. Lots of steals, very few uncontested shots

Quote from: a3uge on March 07, 2019, 07:41:26 PM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 07, 2019, 07:31:33 PM
Really enjoy Todd Ickow's call, but Dave Hussman is a little too catch phrase excitable. 

Curious, what's his connection to Valparaiso other than calling games?

Dave is fine. He knows his role and has good chemistry with Todd. The biggest gripe with the radio broadcast is the horrible audio quality. I always have to turn the volume up to the max because it's so soft. When Todd yells, the mic can't really handle it, and you get lots of crackling. Listening in the car is a miserable experience.

Also, Valpo up 14... Are we all expecting it to evaporate? Or is this team dominating?

That a real issue, forget about using headphones like Air Pods while trying to listen to the radio call.  It's noise cancelling headphones or nothing at all.

Any chance we get a "go fund me" type fundraiser for better radio equipment?  I know zilch about this topic, can anyone chime in on the feasibility of such a thing?

Gotta imagine our verbal commit Clay is at this game.  Think he's from Alton IL across the river. Anyone see him by chance?

Valpo by 22, just like we all thought.

History made folks!!! For those who chose not to watch Valpo won its first MVC tournament game! :thumbsup:
And they won by 22!!!

Well, well nice to see us come out and give Indiana State an old fashioned whooping. I've been critical of this team but I'll give them props when they deserve it. Nice win.

Great effort all around.  When was the last time we scored 75 with only 2 threes!

Great needed Win!!! :)

Seemed like we succeeded without a lot of the typical, stagnant set offense.  Instead, guys, like Freeman and Golder made their own plays.  Set offense = turnovers.  Here, low turnovers, more playmaking.  Great result and nice to get a win.  ML lives to see another game!

Nice win, for sure. I was only to watch the live stats. But, from what the box score shows - we were clicking on all cylinders. Nice to see Golder have a breakout performance at the right time. And, Freeman played great. Just looked like a good overall performance. Will need to bring our A game tomorrow, no doubt.

Impressed by the determination to keep the lead in the second half. Some stats for the second half: only 1 turnover but 5 steals and 6 assists; free throws 14-17 82.4%; even the 3-point shooting was decent enough at 3-8 38%. Nice to move beyond Thursday!

Ok, we are now 2-0 when I catch the last minute of a game, because I care so little about this season that I forgot :).  I will have to try this approach for the rest of the season.

Valpo 7-46 from 3 (15.2%) in their last three games. Offense is still very flawed, but it's nice to see them scoring so much in transition.

Valpo trailed 24-15 with 14 minutes gone in first half, but they out-scored Indiana St. 62-31 over the last 26 minutes of the game.

I know that players win the game but one has to give credit and a big pat on the back to Coach L for getting this team up and ready to play, and finish the game.  Great job, guys!  Now let's cause some mayhem with an upset tomorrow vs. Loyola.

Quote from: a3uge on March 07, 2019, 08:23:34 PM
Valpo 7-46 from 3 (15.2%) in their last three games. Offense is still very flawed, but it's nice to see them scoring so much in transition.

We have missed a lot of decent looks too.   We just really suck that much at shooting 3's.   Loyola is going to make us hit them tomorrow as they will shut down most everything else we do.  Our only chance is an Illinois State like game where we go off for 50% from 3 for no good reason. 

Agreed...they could've easily, and understandably, packed it in like many of us. Credit to the coaching staff and players for the effort tonight.

Glad they saved up all their 3 pointers for tomorrow's game.

Let's press on defense a lot and run Loyola ragged.  Sackey and Freeman are very fast. Bakari and Markus seem to do best when they are "going it alone."  Smits and Mileek also run better than most bigs. 

Maybe Krutwig runs ok too, but our bigs don't match up with his half court footwork. Our half court offense will struggle. 

Pressing and running would be great, but we will have played a game 16 hours earlier. Not sure Valpo will have the legs for that. I'm a huge fan of seeing VU open it up and run (I would add and gun but our gunners don't seem to connect often) more though.

Yes, that's too bad about the short rest between games.  Nice that we coasted near the end and didn't go into O.T.  But it will catch up to us in the 2nd half if we run too much.  I don't recall the game, but we closed about 10-12 points in the blink of an eye, but it was too little too late.

It does seem like that is a winning strategy next year with so many athletes and two bigs (Smits and Mileek) who can run the floor.

SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!! WE WON IN St. Louis! Thank you Javon! Thank you Markus! Thank you Derrik! Thank you Deion! Thank you Bakari! Thank you Daniel! Thank you Jay! Thank you John! Thank you Mileek! Thank you Langston! Thank you MattL! Thank you Luke! Thank you Todd T.! Thank you Rob! Thank you Matt B.! Thank you MLB! Thank you Aaron! Thank you Brandon! Thank you Julie! Thank you Todd I! Thank you Dave! Thank you Paul! Thank you Robbie! Thank you MH! Thank you board! Thank you Jesus! Thank you everyone!

Just got home from the Enterprise Center. That was the most fun I've had this season, even though I was sure we'd find a way to make it close pretty much up until Stallings came in at the very end.

Nice to get a win near the end of the season after all that losing.

NOBODY START A SEPARATE GAME THREAD FOR TOMORROW! CLEARLY THEYRE BAD LUCK. 

Now who's the superstitious one 😂. I saw Paul tweet it'll take a few more wins to erase all the losing (something to that extent)...I think one win tomorrow would do it.

I did manage to catch most of the second half of the game. Amazing what can happen when you take care of the ball and make free throws.  Happy for the team.  Now if we can do that and make a decent percentage from three, the next game could be interesting, though I probably won't be able to catch much if any of it. Good luck to the team. 

It was mentioned earlier that bad things happen when we are in our halfcourt offense.  2nd half we got out and ran more.  That should be our strategy. 

So.....have the negative posters and ML haters scheduled a large BANDWAGON to depart Valpo to St Louis early Saturday a.m. just in case.  😁😉

I will confess that I bought a ticket  only for the Friday Noon today gamehinking they needed to prove a W before I put money and time into this team even though I have some family in Missouri.

I'll sneak out and go down if we win today, but this "Opening Round" is designed to send bad, tired teams to go get killed by the top two seeds.  Your best bet is to get up early and hope your legs hold up. The instant you find yourself down double digits, game over.

Let's be clear. One win against the 8th place team does nothing to alleviate the concerns I have about this program going forward.

I missed the game stream and GameTracker. Didn't know the result until after 10 last night. When I checked the box score, I was stunned to see that Deion was not listed.  I looked back on this string, but didn't seeany reference to it. Did I miss it?  What gives?  Injury? Coaches decision?

Lavender played and he played very well. He did get hurt near end of half but he returned and appeared to be fine.

Lavender started, played 31 minutes, had 8 points 5 boards an assist and no turnovers.

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 06:26:18 AM
It was mentioned earlier that bad things happen when we are in our halfcourt offense.  2nd half we got out and ran more.  That should be our strategy.

You keep referencing getting out and running.  That mostly happens after steals and missed shots, right?  So let's say that 55% of offensive possessions we can run.  Admittedly that's higher than reality because not all rebounds are deep rim clankers that fall in our fleet footed players hands at the 3-point line.  So let's reduce 55% down to 35% for conversation sake.

What do we do for the other 65% of offensive possessions?  I guess I've never understood how our offense can be more "get out and run-y" in those 65% of possessions?

This is not a setup, I'm honestly asking how this is achieved AND are there examples we can reference because I don't have the answer.  Go Mick Go!!! 😜😜😜

I don't know how to explain the difference because I don't have a large basketball IQ but what I see the difference is almost less a more run-y offense and instead a more aggressive one.

They sometime seem to think if they just pass the ball around enough the teams will get out of the way, but they don't and then they have their bad shot clock sets. This time they seemed to be more aggressive in working to move in toward the basket, even if they still needed to kick the ball out. It made the team move better and pass better. Also Bakari needs to stop trying to find his 3 point shot and keep being aggressive towards the basket.

Has anyone ever considered if seasonal affective disorder leads to college basketball fans in northern climates being more manic?  I sometimes wonder myself...I mean the timing of the NCAAM basketball season can be dark in more than one sense of the word.

Here I sit at a trade show in Orlando happy as a clam....is it the win or is it the weather???

Quote from: M on March 08, 2019, 08:37:34 AM
Lavender started, played 31 minutes, had 8 points 5 boards an assist and no turnovers.

Duh!  Working till 10 last night must have fried my brain. Thanks for the clarification guys.

Apparently, the theme is still "Gritty"!


[tweet]1104021450741161984[/tweet]

Damn Gritty. 

Was hoping the theme changed to sitting low post screens, high screens for open 3 point looks, pick and role, and if possible push the ball before the defense could get set. 

I guess when we used to beat Loyola all the time in the HL we just had more Gritt than them. 

If we play loose and relaxed like we did last night, we can beat this talented Loyola team. It was impressive last night.

Quote from: crusadermoe on March 08, 2019, 07:38:16 AMSo.....have the negative posters and ML haters scheduled a large BANDWAGON to depart Valpo to St Louis early Saturday a.m. just in case. 

Not me but if we beat Loyola and the campus empties I'll proceed with bringing in the wrecking balls, flattening the ARC and dismantling the program.

Valpo is currently a 7.5 point dog. Over/under is 117.5. 
I think this game will go over that total.

Quote from: crusadermoe on March 08, 2019, 07:38:16 AM
So.....have the negative posters and ML haters scheduled a large BANDWAGON to depart Valpo to St Louis early Saturday a.m. just in case.  😁😉

I will confess that I bought a ticket  only for the Friday Noon today gamehinking they needed to prove a W before I put money and time into this team even though I have some family in Missouri.

Didn't look like there were any available seats left last night. Go down there at your own risk.

A small side not but is it me or is the videography work for this tournament way better than any we have seen recently

Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on March 08, 2019, 12:12:24 PM
2nd game in a row. Pay for ESPN+ but the game is blocked out in our area. Only on NBC Sports Chicago. Go to NBC sports Chicago mobile app and Illinois high school bball is on. I can only view it at home on my tv. But, I'm not home. So... cannot watch. What a joke.

It's supposed to be on NBC Sports Chicago+, but my TV is only getting a generic station slide with background music playing. Anyone else having trouble trying to watch via TV or is it just me? It could always be an issue with Mediacom instead...

https://twitter.com/TheKleinhans/status/1104080523478081536

I'm only getting score updates from the ESPN app, but it doesn't appear to be going our way early.

Quote from: M on March 08, 2019, 12:24:59 PM
I'm only getting score updates from the ESPN app, but it doesn't appear to be going our way early.

Consider yourself lucky
Me and a buddy drove over from Indy
Took the day off
We are terrible
Bakari is a joke

rough game.  cant get any open looks on offense.  Loyola fouling too much for the refs to call all of them.  Loyola's fat center puts his head down and pushes the 7 footers around.  Doesn't matter, Loyola is a better team and should win with or without refs. 

We scored 18 points in the first half.

No legs from the quick turnaround for Valpo vs a well rested team which is the best or certainly amongst the best in the conference.

When you rely on Sakey, Kiser, Lavender and Evelyn for 3 point shooting you get what you get.  Without a shooter we will win some with our defense but not against a team loaded with shooters like Loyola.  I'm hoping that Fazekas, Gordon and Robinson will change all of that NEXT year!

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 12:56:15 PM
We scored 18 points in the first half.

.....and gave up 40! :'(

2 assists in a half lol

Excellent play from Loyola on both ends of the floor. Valpo with Fazekas and Gordon and Robinson would have trouble hanging close. Having said that having some 3 point shooters on the floor would help space the floor. You just can't drive inside with 5 guys waiting on you. Indiana St would have matched up better with Loyola today.

It's disheartening when your team is crap

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Javon has developed nicely. The rest of this team is no better than the team that lost to UIndy.

forgot we lost to Uindy.....

Really embarrassing

Lottich will get one more year with these guys. But does he deserve it? I honestly don't know at this point.

don't know if it will be with these guys......several are playing their last game today....I wonder who is transferring.

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 01:52:53 PM
don't know if it will be with these guys......several are playing their last game today....I wonder who is transferring.

Besides Freeman..who could transfer that we would miss

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Smits and Golder for sure.  Give a coach that actually has a system with players cutting to the basket and setting good screens, those two would be better.

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 01:57:56 PM
Smits and Golder for sure.  Give a coach that actually has a system with players cutting to the basket and setting good screens, those two would be better.

I agree these players have to feel like their development hasn't progressed at Valpo....our fan base hasn't developed either

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Flush the toilet on this season...we just laid a turd

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You cannot even compare this to laying a turd - at least you feel a sense of relief afterwards when you drop a turd. What relief do we have after this season? More like constipation where you finally squeeze a small turd out but still feel congested and bottled up inside. Waiting for a release. What's the release? Who knows.

WE WIN!! The second half, 36-27.  There is a lot of promise on this team.  I really like what McMillan can bring, I like what Golder can bring, when both and others are not called on to be starters and contribute like starters.  Bakari, unless he returns to form, will be very near the end of the bench next year.  Throw in some shooters and bingo!  Everything falls into place.

If it doesn't come together next year, time for a major shakeup.

tough loss.  Time to get ready for the CBI or CIT.    :'( :'( :'(

Literally lol'd at "sense of relief afterwords".

I'd be shocked if VU was invited to participate in either of those tournaments.  Seems like a fitting end to a(another) frustrating season.

"WE WIN!! The second half, 36-27.  There is a lot of promise on this team.  I really like what McMillan can bring, I like what Golder can bring, when both and others are not called on to be starters and contribute like starters.  Bakari, unless he returns to form, will be very near the end of the bench next year.  Throw in some shooters and bingo!  Everything falls into place.

If it doesn't come together next year, time for a major shakeup."

Well, this is about as optimistic as we could get, I suppose. We've gotten so desperate that we're excited about a scoring run to close the game when Loyola already had it locked up and knew they'd be prepping for the next game. But, yes - we won that second half, baby! Woot! Woot!

This is what is so frustrating about this season. Besides the injuries it's that there are flashes and indications of progress. We did improve our conference record We did win a game in St Louis We were great the first six games of the year except the Loyola loss but the agonizing home defeats and the general inability to close games indicates that at best minimum progress was made and we are left rightly to question just how much progress we actually made. He should get another year but we can't take minimum progress again. We need a leap. It's a very important year for the program. But if it's any consolation I believe Loyola was in a similar position as we are after year two in the MVC. All we need is for the offense to improve along with execution late in games and some more institutional support with everyone staying together and we can make our dreams come true. The further away from the emotion I felt after yet another frustrating loss the more I agree with Matt: We're closer than it seems right now We just need the players fans and the institution to believe that and buy in. If we stay together and get some help we could be in for some special things in the near future. Forget about the CBI/CIT Save the money for facilities improvements like AC or the PA system.

Attention all shooters and good offensive players!!  We have a great need for you at Valpo....please apply.  You should have a great chance to start next year, and the next year  and the next....  One requirement:  You cannot be afraid to shoot a 3-pointer, especially when you are wide open.

If a win over a BAD Indiana State Team that beat us the last two times out is reason for folks to get on a ML bandwagon, no need to save a seat for me. I was entertained, however, by the thought of seeing how short term of a memory fans have. As if losing a few days ago to an Evansville team (at home) who hadn't won a game since beating us is long forgotten.

Ready to wave this season goodbye 👋. Happy for the win yesterday, though. Likely good enough for Matt to get a big time extension. Wouldn't want other programs purging him. I mean - he's gotta have programs knocking down his door wanting him to take over.

We beat ISU, baby! And, we're only a few games off of a 500-season. Wouldn't be surprised if they named something after him. Matt Lottich Training Room maybe? That way, we'll always be reminded of the injuries that prevented his offensive scheme from shining.

Or, perhaps the laundry room could be namer after him.... you know why 😂🤦‍♂️👋

Quote from: vu72 on March 08, 2019, 02:12:26 PMI like what Golder can bring,

I am curious if we might now hear that Golder was hampered by the ankle or something. He wasn't throwing up open air ball 3's before the injury. Plus his explosiveness was just starting to return. I would prefer a physical explanation over an attitude or mental problem. Something was different down the MVC stretch run.

Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on March 08, 2019, 02:46:05 PMIf a win over a BAD Indiana State Team that beat us the last two times out is reason for folks to get on a ML bandwagon, no need to save a seat for me. I was entertained, however, by the thought of seeing how short term of a memory fans have. As if losing a few days ago to an Evansville team (at home) who hadn't won a game since beating us is long forgotten. Ready to wave this season goodbye 👋. Happy for the win yesterday, though. Likely good enough for Matt to get a big time extension. Wouldn't want other programs purging him. I mean - he's gotta have programs knocking down his door wanting him to take over. We beat ISU, baby! And, we're only a few games off of a 500-season. Wouldn't be surprised if they named something after him. Matt Lottich Training Room maybe? That way, we'll always be reminded of the injuries that prevented his offensive scheme from shining. Or, perhaps the laundry room could be namer after him.... you know why 😂🤦‍♂️👋

ImI not on any kind of bandwagon. I'm just trying to make the best of the situation we're in. We have shown flashes of progress We are in a similar position to where Loyola was after year two of the MVC  We should have the pieces next year to have a good year and this truly is year three of the Lottich era. Its a pivotal year. If he has the coaching chops we'll see for sure next year.  By no means should we give him an extension yet but regardless we're stuck with him for another year. Hes not getting bought out so we might as well support him and hope he succeeds enough to land a big long term contract. Go Valpo!

Quote from: VALPO LI on March 08, 2019, 01:07:49 PM

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 12:56:15 PM
We scored 18 points in the first half.

.....and gave up 40! :'(

Giving up 40 points was the most disheartening for me.  That screams effort which is pretty much the top factor in defense when we know we can hold them in the 50's for an entire game.

Like many I was working so only saw the score, but geesh.  Thankful this season is over and in the books.

Team had no legs from last night and early start today. What is difficult to grasp about this concept?

Guys, come on. Give the team a break! Yes, we gave up 40 and only scored 18 in the first half. But, according to Matt, we were playing a team with fresh feet!

Right. So, that explains why we - as he made a point of emphasizing - "won" the second half.

That's not how it works. Valpo should've been the team - under these conditions - that came out in a rhythm after a good performance last night.

Loyola - by comparison - should be the team that came out a bit rusty. Over the course of the game, we should've worn out. They should've found their groove and beat us down the stretch with fresh legs.

But, that's not what occurred. So, what gives?

Only took him about 30 seconds to make an excuse. Whereas what I saw could've been more like having the right personnel in down the stretch. Hence why Mileek had success down the stretch. But, you know, what do I know?

I'm no coach. But I also don't get paid to have the answers. Wish, in my job, I could get paid to make excuses and not take ownership. Oh, wait. I pry wouldn't last long.

And if I did, I'd struggle with my own excuse-making. That's not how I was raised. But, that's neither here nor there.

https://youtu.be/AQlz-Yr93mg

The tournament is designed to get the top seeds to at least the semifinals. We'll appreciate this whenever we're a top 2 seed.

Quote from: JD24 on March 08, 2019, 01:05:01 PM
No legs from the quick turnaround for Valpo vs a well rested team which is the best or certainly amongst the best in the conference.

That's what you get when you choke away a golden opportunity to stay out of the Thursday games. For Matt to bring it up was embarrassing in itself. It reminds me of 2 years ago after a 1st round loss to Milwaukee in the HL tournament. . Matt tells the world that their terrible 1st half was the result of being unfamiliar with the arena. Later we learn that Valpo blew off their assigned practice time - the only men's team to do so. Matt needs to learn to man-up, accept responsibility, use it as a learning experience, and move on wiser for the experience.

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 08, 2019, 02:16:00 PM
tough loss.  Time to get ready for the CBI or CIT.    :'( :'( :'(

Please tell me you're not serious.

In response to this tweet (and others) Happenin Hoops released the kraken. Seems to regret the move to the MVC (which is pretty shortsighted and stupid despite the team's struggles:

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104102827297816581

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1104105595672641536

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1104107719584346117

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1104108330866434049

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1104108694827089920

https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1104109167495790592

Yeah those extra tournament credits and media exposure have sure sucked for us... Also you think we land Javon or even Daniel in the HL? I think not...

Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on March 08, 2019, 05:21:26 PMwe - as he made a point of emphasizing - "won" the second half.

You are probably way to young to remember, but that is a line straight from a Valpo legend...wait for it...Homer Drew, after getting humiliated by Arizona in Bryce's first NCAA tournament.

This doesn't sound like a team that's breaking up...

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104130219647078401

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104129869544374274

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104111514133454848

MLB stands by Matt

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104126913902247936

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104127672026845186

Lavender's father endorses Matt:

https://twitter.com/DLavenjr/status/1104114498460360704

Porter Moser advocates patience with Matt:

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104117162288005120

The fact of the matter is that Lottich has turned in the only two back-to-back losing seasons that featured losing conference records since the 92-93 season. That's a quarter-century of success thrown away. After inheriting a completely loaded roster in season one. Anyone not at least asking the question as to whether we should make a change is someone who cares more about optics than results, or is too chummy with the people involved to view the program objectively (and this includes our local media complex, which has always had far too much deference to VU officials and coaches and have historically seemed to want to preserve access rather than asking tough or even pointed questions about accountability for the state of the program).

Our administration isn't serious enough about winning or investing in this program to cut their losses when they should, so I know we're going to battle with the same coaching staff next year. But if there's not a "win or else" ultimatum going into next season, we should just drop out of the Valley and go back to AMCU days. Because that's what we're on the verge of if this ship doesn't get righted in a hurry.

In all honesty things could be a lot worse... We could be Illinois State right now... All those preseason expectations and they didn't do any better than we did... We even swept them this year... If you're mad today it means you expected to beat Loyola and that is pretty unrealistic... Valpo did what they needed to do down in St Louis. This trip was a success and gives us something to go on for next year which is more than we could say after the Evansville game. Let's treat this win over Indiana State as the turning point where we learned how to close and how to finish have a strong offseason stay together and prove once and for all that we belong in the MVC! Let's approach next year like we're going to contend let that be our mindset and win. If we do that all of the pain we felt this year learning to close will have been well worth it! Go Valpo!

Murphy twins get it done in a big way for Drake.

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1104201399267741696

Our student fan base will be better off with Happening Hoops off somewhere else. Good Flipping Riddance.

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 08, 2019, 08:15:23 PM
Our student fan base will be better off with Happening Hoops off somewhere else. Good Flipping Riddance.

Kid is complete tool, I'd love to not see his tweets posted on the forum any longer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 08, 2019, 08:03:58 PM
In all honesty things could be a lot worse... We could be Illinois State right now... All those preseason expectations and they didn't do any better than we did... We even swept them this year... If you're mad today it means you expected to beat Loyola and that is pretty unrealistic... Valpo did what they needed to do down in St Louis. This trip was a success and gives us something to go on for next year which is more than we could say after the Evansville game. Let's treat this win over Indiana State as the turning point where we learned how to close and how to finish have a strong offseason stay together and prove once and for all that we belong in the MVC! Let's approach next year like we're going to contend let that be our mindset and win. If we do that all of the pain we felt this year learning to close will have been well worth it! Go Valpo!

A much more realistic view than Mosmith.  Look, we started the year with 10 scholarship players eligible.  We played the last game with 9, two of which were freshman.  Beyond that we had one very unproven sophomore and one guy new to the system as of August.  When we were at full strength (10 eligible players) we won five in a row, many on the road.  $hit happened, we were still dealing with a second year head coach.Come on guys, we are adding A BUNCH next year.  I will pledge this-----IF, we don't finish top 3 next year, regardless of circumstances, I will lead the charge to oust Matt.  Until then...GO VALPO!! (it looks like we have a pretty good softball and baseball team!)  ;D

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 08, 2019, 08:27:26 PM

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 08, 2019, 08:15:23 PMOur student fan base will be better off with Happening Hoops off somewhere else. Good Flipping Riddance.

Kid is complete tool, I'd love to not see his tweets posted on the forum any longer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

No problem. Sorry for even bringing it up.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 08, 2019, 08:36:46 PM

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 08, 2019, 08:27:26 PM

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 08, 2019, 08:15:23 PMOur student fan base will be better off with Happening Hoops off somewhere else. Good Flipping Riddance.

Kid is complete tool, I'd love to not see his tweets posted on the forum any longer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

No problem. Sorry for even bringing it up.

You have no reason to be sorry.

Did someone really say the trip to St Louis was a success??? If so, I want and need what they're smoking. Beating a bottom team in Indiana State and then not competing with Loyola is a success???!! In what world? Our standards have really fallen far.  This team has been wildly inconsistent and Lottich has been extremely disappointing. The guy makes more excuses than a teenager. It drives me nuts. He just never says "our performance is unacceptable and we must improve" or something along those lines. Excuse after excuse and frankly I'm very tired of it. I'm glad the season is over because I need a break from being disappointed by valpo basketball. I can't take it any more until next year. If I were in charge, I'd make a coaching change now. I've seen enough to know this isn't working. I really hope Lottich succeeds and proves that wrong but I have a feeling we will be in this same position next year.

This team lost to high point, ball state, indiana state twice, Evansville twice, our 3 games against power 5 schools (which we're all bad teams), and our exhibition game (which we had a healthy roster for). I don't feel there has been success at all this year...besides the string we put together in early January. I would start a coaching search...at least it would say valpo cares about winning.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

What did you expect? Did you think we were going to beat this Loyola team? We got trucked in Chicago without Fazekas and the only reason we almost won at home was because we fed off a raucous spirited high energy crowd. This team this year isn't good enough to beat Loyola on the road or a neutral floor and to believe otherwise requires the smoking of some very high quality stuff.

This team couldn't beat university of Indianapolis

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

You're making my point for me...

Trashing fellow fans, now I remember why I don't post here often.  :crazy:

One thing that has been brought up is that Valpo is paralleling the progress made by Loyola in growing into its role and eventual  championship last year.  Moser, despite his extensive headcoaching experience, was struggling. But he had an ace in the hole:  the Loyola administration and alumni.

Moser needed to attract a higher level of recruit. What could contribute to that three years ago beyond the then " new" Gentile facility?  How about two things:  (1) a MBB budget that now doubles the next closest MVC program and (2) schematics and architecural renderings of a new practice facility and other physical improvements to show incoming recruits at that time that would be completed during their years of attendance — not sometime within the next 30 years (maybe).

So what can ML use to compete against that?  We are in the lower half of the conference in budget (remember, we are a private institution with high cost of attendance and, yet, we are still in the lower half). Valpo is currently under the conference average budget by $300K annually. We are going into year three of MVC membership with essentially the same outdated and outmoded arena, some AC and cosmetic changes to Hilltop, and some new paint and cosmetics to the BB offices and lockers. There are no plans on paper for any major upgrades.

The young man was hired, despite his lack of experience, with a hope that he would grow into the job - fast.  Can't help but believe that hope was the operative philosophy...........  Because.................  When you hire a rookie anything (coach, manager, CEO) and entrust that person with tremendous responsibility right out of the gate, you have to give that person every possible form of assistance to facillitate that person's success. Can we say that has been the case at Valpo?

[Added] One could argue that the new coach was hired to coach a team in the HL, not the MVC, so he wouldn't necessarily have need of Moser-like support. But we all knew that joining the MVC was the holy grail of our athletic program and that membership was just a year or two away, anyway. This line of thought reminds me of "we are playing MVC ball with HL players."  As I recall, as an HL member, Valpo's MBB budget was in the top quartile and our success reflected that financial commitment. What makes us think we do not need to do that in the MVC and still be a championship caliber program. When you make a major commitment, like joining the MVC, which is clearly way above the HL in exposure, class, talent, management, commitment and demands, you need to do your homework, understand the new level of commitment that requires and either go all-in or don't go at all.

Barry Hinson is a lot better man than I. If fans said those things to me, I would've taken matters in my own hands.

That was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen at/following a basketball game.

Quote from: may know on March 09, 2019, 01:24:08 AM
Barry Hinson is a lot better man than I. If fans said those things to me, I would've taken matters in my own hands.

That was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen at/following a basketball game.

What happened?

Barry is done.

https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2019/03/09/barry-hinson-steps-down-at-southern-illinois/

Boy,  anyone thinking we've been railing on Matt pretty hard this year needs to go look at the comments about Hinson on MVCFans or the SIU board.

Quote from: jloose128 on March 08, 2019, 10:49:35 PM
Trashing fellow fans, now I remember why I don't post here often.  :crazy:

I'd appreciate your thoughts and opinions and encourage diversity of opinion.  Don't let a few anger monkeys dissuade you.  I'll admit that I'm a pessimist too, but some posters here bring my head out of my _____ with nice comparative program data and history.

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 09, 2019, 07:18:27 AM
Boy,  anyone thinking we've been railing on Matt pretty hard this year needs to go look at the comments about Hinson on MVCFans or the SIU board.

Nice doesn't cut it after awhile.  Let's hope Matt doesn't test our fan base for much longer.  I'm good with 2 more years and then hit refresh if necessary.

I will say that it's nice to see Lavenders dad's tweets about Valpo program having INTEGRITY.  Coming from a parent that means more than most, considering most parents chide coaches that don't give their son the start.

Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on March 08, 2019, 05:21:26 PMValpo should've been the team - under these conditions - that came out in a rhythm after a good performance last night. Loyola - by comparison - should be the team that came out a bit rusty. 

Could you possibly be more loudly wrong?

I'm thinking no, but feel free to try.

happeninghoops appears to be a collection (maybe of one) of entitled Valpo fan(s). "We"? "sign up"?

If you decided to attend Valpo because of the basketball program and you aren't a player, you "signed up" for the wrong reasons.

Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on March 08, 2019, 08:27:26 PM

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on March 08, 2019, 08:15:23 PMOur student fan base will be better off with Happening Hoops off somewhere else. Good Flipping Riddance.

Kid is complete tool, I'd love to not see his tweets posted on the forum any longer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's a non-lurker on this board.

When it comes to the makeup of the roster, I think we're forgetting that the more recent teams under Bryce were essentially built around two players in Broekhoff and Peters and when Peters was a freshman and Broekhoff was gone, the team was a non dominant HL team. Put either of those two players on the current roster and all of the sudden things are a bit rosier. Take them off the squads they played on (under Bryce) and those teams may have been similar to the current team. Lottich was a much better coach when he had Peters as well.

I'm not stumping for Lottich to either remain or be let go but the thought that he was handed a solid roster which had the best player in the league in his senior year playing and he frittered it away is a bit misleading unless he was expected to recruit a player of equal ability....no easy task.

Quote from: Just Sayin on March 09, 2019, 07:11:05 AM

Quote from: may know on March 09, 2019, 01:24:08 AM
Barry Hinson is a lot better man than I. If fans said those things to me, I would've taken matters in my own hands.

That was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen at/following a basketball game.

What happened?

Barry is done.

https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2019/03/09/barry-hinson-steps-down-at-southern-illinois/ (https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2019/03/09/barry-hinson-steps-down-at-southern-illinois/)

No inside info, but I would expect Bryan Mullins to get interviewed as a replacement for Hinson.

Hinson completed his final interview by press row. The moment he took of the headset, SIU fans chanted "YOU SUCK!" "YOU SUCK!", jeered in unison, and some threw brutal insults at Barry which caught his attention.

It was so uncomfortable it made my stomach turn.

It scares me to think what a few of our posters on this board would do or say if they had the chance to blow off like some of  those Southern Illinois fans did to Barry Hinson.  That was a disgrace!  It must be an easy job because some people have all the answers as evidenced by some of our posters.

Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on March 08, 2019, 07:54:25 PM
The fact of the matter is that Lottich has turned in the only two back-to-back losing seasons that featured losing conference records since the 92-93 season. That's a quarter-century of success thrown away. After inheriting a completely loaded roster in season one.

Which "loaded" recruits did Lottich inherit that played during these last two years? Part of the reason we've been so bad these past two years is a lack of Junior and Senior talent that have been in the program. Lottich inherited 3 empty scholarships and had to fill them with transfers since it was too late in the process to find uncommitted high schoolers.

I'm not a fan of Lottich, but let's not pretend he was left with a bunch of stellar recruits and young players.

I would also like to say that acting like two bad years is throwing everything away feels a bit overly pessimistic to me. We have a good year next year and it's like the last two didn't happen.

I also agree with the other poster who commented on how if Peters never comes/doesn't live up to his potential and we wouldn't have nearly as high as expectations for this program. He was a stellar recruit but we are also really lucky he was the type that had a chip on his shoulder about being ignored and a desire to be the big fish in the small pond. But either way, We are better and should demand better than what happened this season BUT we were maybe not as securely strong as we liked to think but also probably no where near the edge of the cliff like it feels right now.

first of all, please do not make statements that this was a successful conference tournament performance by Valpo. Second, there are bigger issues besides the coach with this program. The frugality of the university is ridiculas.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 08, 2019, 08:59:17 PM
What did you expect? Did you think we were going to beat this Loyola team? We got trucked in Chicago without Fazekas and the only reason we almost won at home was because we fed off a raucous spirited high energy crowd. This team this year isn't good enough to beat Loyola on the road or a neutral floor and to believe otherwise requires the smoking of some very high quality stuff.

I wasn't expecting a win, but thought they might compete with a Loyola team ranked #121 at KenPom.  Is that asking too much?  I guess so.  It appears the bar is constantly being lowered.

This Loyola/Moser talk is getting old.  For 4 years his teams did nothing when they went to the MVC, in fact many were making fun of him and Loyola for the lack of success and that The Valley should have chosen us before Loyola.  He has one, maybe 2 decent recruiting years, with a number of transfers, has one great year and now he is "The Man"?  We had the same thing a few years ago.  You dont start off  and all of a sudden and have a great program/tradition  when stepping up to a much higher level of competition like the MVC.  This bashing of Matt L is getting old...so many cheap shots and it is so easy to do especially by people who have all the answers.  A few years ago we praise Matt LaB for promoting from within, like the Butler folks do, and for making for the most part, many good hires for new  coaches.  Now some want him out too.  Lighten up folks.  Let's make our judgments  after next year when we hopefully have a healthy and solid returning team.  After all, next year Matt L is actually on his third year of having "his own recruits" and implementing his system.  His first year he inherited Bryce"s mess, lost our top recruiter and some staff.  Some of the remarks made  on this board don't help recruiting either.  If some of you would have been around when Homer first took over, the Drew era would have not existed as he would have been run out of town before Scott or Bryce were old enough to be ball boys.  Since when did any newcomer to a new conference that is ranked much high than from which they came, suddenly finish at or near the top in their new league.  I believe it particularly takes longer  to find success with such a move when a school is in the Mid-major range.  Let's lighten up and look forward to next year  when we can put forth more comments on a positive note.  GO VALPO! 

Loyola loses to Bradley. UNI favored by 3 over Drake. Not a good outcome for the MVC.

Brian Wardle winning makes me sad.

Quote from: a3uge on March 09, 2019, 04:27:17 PM
Loyola loses to Bradley. UNI favored by 3 over Drake. Not a good outcome for the MVC.

So Valpo shouldn't expect to beat mighty Loyola, but Wardle does?  Crazy. 

Looking at the boxscore and trying to figure out how Loyola lost this game. They actually won most of the statistical categories, and committed 6 fewer turnovers than Bradley. Both teams missed 2 FTs and there were only 11 FTs combined in the entire game. Sounds like the refs allowed a wrestling match and there had to be a lot of coin-flip plays that went Bradley's way today.

Quote from: bigmosmithfan1 on March 09, 2019, 04:53:22 PM
Looking at the boxscore and trying to figure out how Loyola lost this game. They actually won most of the statistical categories, and committed 6 fewer turnovers than Bradley. Both teams missed 2 FTs and there were only 11 FTs combined in the entire game. Sounds like the refs allowed a wrestling match and there had to be a lot of coin-flip plays that went Bradley's way today.

I watched the game and thought that Bradley just outplayed them for most of the game.  I don't think they got a bunch of calls, but just my opinion from watching the game ... I haven't had a chance to look at the boxscore yet.

Can't have Wardle going to the dance....Or a 16 seed....

Gotta pull for Drake now. Be tough without McGlynn.

Figures he got hurt on a dirty play from Yarabourgh.

Nobody deserves to be verbally abused like Hinson reportedly was after the game yesterday, so let's get that out of the way first. Hopefully the culprits are on video somewhere and can be appropriately held up for shame.

As for an objective look at Hinson's record, the guy is merely an okay coach his entire career who has kept getting gigs because he talks a much better game than he coaches -- particularly the "molder of men" and "I'll teach these spoiled kids a thing or two" type of stuff that administrators and older, well-heeled alums eat up like a buffet. His teams were rarely good enough to win anything, but were never bad enough to fire him over. To be fair, at the P5 level, that probably gets you a handful of NCAA appearances and who knows what happens after that. But at the midmajor level, that gets you a program in purgatory. That's about as much as you can say about it.

Quote from: EddieCabot on March 09, 2019, 04:30:38 PMSo Valpo shouldn't expect to beat mighty Loyola, but Wardle does? 

Brian Wardle is my hero. If I ever grow up I want be just like him.  :thumbsup: Am I still the only guy on this board who respects his knowledge and methods?

Bradley was 0-5 when I declared them officially dead on the MVC fan board. My timing was perfect. Does that make me a perfect fool?

The more of this I watch, the more I realize how mediocre the MVC was this year, and the more I realize how much we sucked.

Quote from: valpo64 on March 09, 2019, 03:46:34 PM
This Loyola/Moser talk is getting old.  For 4 years his teams did nothing when they went to the MVC, in fact many were making fun of him and Loyola for the lack of success and that The Valley should have chosen us before Loyola.  He has one, maybe 2 decent recruiting years, with a number of transfers, has one great year and now he is "The Man"?

It was fun watching Loyola last year - Final Four, Sister Jean, etc., but despite a talented group of returning players, including the MVC POY and 2 other top 10 players, they can't get out of the conf. tournament semifinals a year later. Thus, they win a national championship in 1963, go catatonic for 55 years, then suddenly reappear for a 1-year stand. At this point I'm not concerned about playing 2nd fiddle to Loyola again till 2073. I will say this, on the rare occasions they make a splash, they really do it up right.

Has anyone ever seen the movie Awakenings?

The two best teams, Loyola and Drake will not be playing in the Championship game.  This is turning into Motor City Madness.

Holy heck. It's like the whole league got together and said, "How so we make Valpo's crappy season look even crappier?"

Valpo does not need help from the MVC for their did not meet expectations season.

i can sorta make out what you guys are saying, but it would be great if you'd click on Moidify and clean up your posts.  ;)

Valpo64, I know I'm one of the ones frustrating you with criticism of Lottich's coaching. Can you give an example of a 'cheap shot'? I'd be happy to apologise for any I've taken, my intent is to criticize, not insult.

Damn, it sucks that Loyola lost. MVC will get a terrible seed now. Anybody know if NIT money gets shared with the conference, by chance? I bet not...

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 09, 2019, 07:04:36 PM
The two best teams, Loyola and Drake will not be playing in the Championship game.  This is turning into Motor City Madness.

The whole conference was down this year. It is what it is. It's not like anyone was a world beater this season.

Conference was way down this year. With the two teams remaining, I'm sure a 15 or 16 seed is coming. Does anyone know what the attendance was for Arch Madness? The MVC has to be at least worried about the trajectory of the conference. (Overall attendance,  conference tournament attendance,  very mediocre teams for this season/no ranked team and the publicity that comes with) Curious to see how the MVC is going go prevent it from turning into a H.L 2.0 situation. (I know it wont, too many basketball minded people and luckily a lot more schools with name recognition and resources, but it can be the start of a slippery slope)

Quote from: elephtheria47 on March 10, 2019, 09:09:57 AMConference was way down this year. With the two teams remaining, I'm sure a 15 or 16 seed is coming. Does anyone know what the attendance was for Arch Madness? The MVC has to be at least worried about the trajectory of the conference. (Overall attendance,  conference tournament attendance,  very mediocre teams for this season/no ranked team and the publicity that comes with) Curious to see how the MVC is going go prevent it from turning into a H.L 2.0 situation. (I know it wont, too many basketball minded people and luckily a lot more schools with name recognition and resources, but it can be the start of a slippery slope)

Adding Murray State and whoever says yes out of Belmont and NKU would be a start.

But it's not going to happen. This was a one year blip. Most of our programs in the MVC are rising not falling I think 19-20 will be closer to 17-18 for the conference than 18-19.

Also to anyone who thinks that the fanbase's expectations have fallen you're right but that's what happens when you first step up to a better league. Also look at the roster and coaching staff. Despite the occasional eggs we'd lay under Bryce you knew we had a player we could depend on when we need a bucket a coach that  could design plays to get him open, and a team that knew how to play with a lead. We have some guys who are close to that go-to scorer type but nobody's quite there yet and we don't have the latter two ingredients yet. Hopefully we will next year but we don't have them yet. Until we do it's tough for expectations to rise much. That said if we get off to a good start my expectations will rise again. Hopefully this is the year we turn the corner and become all we've hoped we could be. Go Valpo!

That's a fair-minded simple explanation of where we stand, VU1314. 

I too suspect there is concern about the nosedive in Arch Madness attendance.   I hear that the Wichita fan base used to come in and swamp the downtown area.  Wichita probably just assumed with good reason they would play on Sunday.  I think Creighton brought fans by the many hundreds too in their heyday. 

I hear Valpo seated about 50 fans in their section.  By contrast Bradley fans took over the place late in their Friday game.  Does it matter?  It does to the MVC ticket sales and its future.

It's also a signal that they may need some outside help (Murray State?)

But it's very hard for people who work to come watch a team on a Thursday night five hours away add to it the fact that the run is surely over Friday and what's the incentive to go? Valpo needs to contend if they want to draw in St Louis I suspect that is true for every school to one degree or another. I'd love to go but my job schedule doesn't allow me to. If Valpo ever makes it to Saturday I'm sure the numbers will improve dramatically. Also remember our community outreach isn't the best despite our efforts and most alums don't stick around they go back home so it's tough to get numbers. The tournament being over Spring Break doesn't help either because it's harder to launch a coordinated effort to get students down there to the games.

Is Bradley trying to mimic Valpo out there?

https://twitter.com/ValleyHoops/status/1104819153284853762

UNI is on its way back. This is good for the MVC.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 10, 2019, 02:04:51 PM
UNI is on its way back. This is good for the MVC.

A 16 seed is not "good" for the MVC.

Except if they win the play in game, I guess.

Wow... Jacobson's reputation as an invincible giant killer is over... He's now been on the wrong end of two historical meltdowns...

Sorry to see the championship game tainted by a questionable flagrant foul call that gave Bradley 4 points. It seemed to me that McDonnell's contact with the Bradley player was caused by a push from behind on McDonnell by another Bradley player; therefore, it easily could have been called incidental contact. Hate to see the officials' decision determine the difference in score like that.

Quote from: valpopal on March 10, 2019, 03:25:54 PM
Sorry to see the championship game tainted by a questionable flagrant foul call that gave Bradley 4 points. It seemed to me that McDonell's contact with the Bradley player was caused by a push from behind on McDonell by another Bradley player; therefore, it easily could have been called incidental contact. Hate to see the officials' decision determine the difference in score like that.

Our UNI friend says we should never complain about the MVC refs  ;)

Quote from: valpopal on March 10, 2019, 03:25:54 PM
Sorry to see the championship game tainted by a questionable flagrant foul call that gave Bradley 4 points. It seemed to me that McDonnell's contact with the Bradley player was caused by a push from behind on McDonnell by another Bradley player; therefore, it easily could have been called incidental contact. Hate to see the officials' decision determine the difference in score like that.

I noticed that too.  Yelling at the screen had no effect.

Given Wardle's great turnaround from 0-5 to the NCAAT

And given this turnaround by Xavier:

https://twitter.com/FOX19Jeremy/status/1104582904213057537

We have to think that it's possible for us as well and take encouragement from these stories. Let's be one of the stories of next season! Go Valpo!

Kudos to Bradley. Gritty comeback win, for sure. The more they win, the more money we get. Hoping for some madness to ensue. And for the Braves to be this year's darling.

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 10, 2019, 02:04:51 PMUNI is on its way back. This is good for the MVC.

I stand by the core of this statement despite the outcome. They're close. Just like we are. They just need to learn to finish. Just like we do.

After visiting the MVC fan forum, it was really cool to see fans from all programs congratulate Bradley and are now fans of the Braves when it comes to the NCAAT.

You say, "as expected"

No, no.  That was not the case in the HL. 

What scares me is the MVC didn't pick us because we have a huge amount of alumni that would attend Arch Madness, or great facilities, or we are in a large market.  Nope, we got it purely on basketball success.  (Unlike when Loyola was called to the MVC or when IUPUI was called to the HL) 

Our call up to the MVC was for our product on the court.  Some will say it was because we were private and good academics.  Maybe that gave us the nudge over Murray St.

I'm embarrassed that the main reason the MVC promoted us, is a reason we don't have, haven't had in 3 years and I don't see us having in the next 3 years......

Brian Wardle winning makes me sad.

Loved it when we used to punk Wardle in the HL.

When Bradley comes we should show our high lights on the big screen (We have one, right?) of us destroying the Wardles lead UWGB.  The near capacity crowd giving him crap and then laughing when the big screen shows Wardle in his boot because he slipped on some ice. 

Make the ARC a difficult place to play again.  (That's a hat, right?) 

We beat up on Florida St. and BYU in the ARC.  I feel that the crowd and myself were worth at least 8 points.  Seriously.

Quote from: oklahomamick on March 10, 2019, 07:49:57 PMLoved it when we used to punk Wardle in the HL. When Bradley comes we should show our high lights on the big screen (We have one, right?) of us destroying the Wardles lead UWGB.  The near capacity crowd giving him crap and then laughing when the big screen shows Wardle in his boot because he slipped on some ice. Make the ARC a difficult place to play again.  (That's a hat, right?) We beat up on Florida St. and BYU in the ARC.  I feel that the crowd and myself were worth at least 8 points.  Seriously.

Point of order: we beat St Mary's at the ARC not BYU We beat BYU in the semifinals at the Garden.

correct.  But we did beat Florida state at the ARC.

Despite good things happening to a person that doesn't deserve them (Wardle), I'm instead going to glass-half-full this and choose to be very happy for the Bradley fan base. They are a loyal bunch and Peoria rallies around BU, win or lose, in a way I wish Valpo/NWI would with us. Good to see that loyalty rewarded with a bid to the Dance and I hope they get a winnable matchup.

THIS is what it's all about! I want this for us one day! Great job Bradley team and fans! This conference rules! Go Braves! Go MVC!

https://twitter.com/ScoutSportsDesk/status/1104918237400256514

Just to say the experience of attending Arch madness is awesome. It is well put together, meeting other fans was great and the games exciting. Even if your team doesn't advance you still have a wonderful time. When they played this clip the whole place just exploded with excitement. The idiot yelling in the background is me.


https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1104992941142147072

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 08, 2019, 07:22:57 PMRant over.  It is just very frustrating. If wherever I go for graduate school has division 1 basketball I will be the same level of invested fan as I am with Valpo, but with that investment I expect results. Results that have been vastly underwhelming thus far.

And you could have been born in the 1920's and felt an obligation to serve in WWII fighting for your lives and the freedom of people to enjoy democracy before heading to Valpo as my uncle did. We all have to go through things that suck sometimes.

Quote from: crusadermoe on March 10, 2019, 01:25:19 PM
That's a fair-minded simple explanation of where we stand, VU1314. 

I too suspect there is concern about the nosedive in Arch Madness attendance.   I hear that the Wichita fan base used to come in and swamp the downtown area.  Wichita probably just assumed with good reason they would play on Sunday.  I think Creighton brought fans by the many hundreds too in their heyday. 

I hear Valpo seated about 50 fans in their section.  By contrast Bradley fans took over the place late in their Friday game.  Does it matter?  It does to the MVC ticket sales and its future.

I think more Valpo fans show as the team does better in the MVC tourney. It's a wonderful tournament even if you don't win. Even Todd Thomas, the Cardinals "entertainment" guy who ran entertaining segments during the time outs was fairly enjoyable.   ;)

Quote from: bbtds on March 04, 2019, 10:50:41 AMBTW, I'll be taking in as much St.Louis Blues mojo as I can. That is one very hot team. But I will expect another (42nd) Stanley Cup playoff defeat. 0 for 51 seasons.

I am more than proud and elated to be totally wrong about my St Louis Blues. I can't really believe it. The Enterprise Center where Arch Madness takes place is the home of the Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues!