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[MVC Website:Cooper Shines --]

MVC Website:
Cooper Shines -- Since 1992-93 only four MVC freshmen have averaged 12.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game. A total of 25 freshmen in MVC history have reached 400 points in their first seasons. Cooper Schwieger of Valparaiso has 337 entering this week. Cade Tyson of Belmont was the last MVC freshman to hit 400 points (409 last year).

https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/RqgjM14bnuOBv/

Think about something. In the past 30 years only 4 Freshmen have averaged 12 ppg and 5 rpg. Now consider all the players that ultimately became star players later in their careers. A reminder that the next time you have the urge to criticize our freshmen and sophomores for lacking the talent  to play in the MVC - be patient. Their time is coming.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NOTES: Cooper Schwieger is being groomed to be the man

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/basketball/men/notes-cooper-schwieger-is-being-groomed-to-be-the-man/article_14665ac2-cf58-11ee-ad5e-670d5b1c9ff1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

[I understand that Thursday morning, the sun will rise.]

Dot Neuchterlein recognition game.

I understand that Thursday morning,  the sun will rise.

Start of Lent, week 2.

Hope PGMADO  is well enough to make it.

That's the important stuff.

The day Roger Powell signed on the dotted line, the sun shined brightly over my house. It still is as I continue to watch a great man lay the foundation for the future.

Copobianco and Van Wyck were big more mature guys ...the kind we at this point do not have.  You cannot compare those veteran guys with our freshmen...get real!  As stated earlier we are too young and lack strength and experience and as was mentioned these kids have hit a wall.  Give them a break.  Alec Peters got pushed around too when he was a freshman.  Along with Coach Powell, the future is bright.

Truth.  And being a "finely tuned body", as valpopal suggests, will only get you so far.  Belmont out weighted us by (over the top 8 players) by an average of 19# per guy.  After our top five starters, we bring in 6'1", 6'2" and 6'7"(200#).  They bring in 6'4", 6'5" and 6'9" (240#)!  We have been out rebounded over the last two games by 17 and 23!  Our kids are trying but they are getting roughed up.  You don't win street fights by being young and inexperienced.  We have been in a street fight the last two times out and we were more than a little bit bloodied when the final clock went off.

Great comments. I love our guys, win or lose. They are young warriors.

[Put your coaching hat on. Who Ya Gonna Double Team?]

We are inviting everyone back... Raitis will have a following for sure...

We are Lifetime 9-5 against the bruins, but we are 0-3 when playing them as an MVC opponent.

We all remember the December game... started like a few others...

Belmont started the game red hot from 3-point territory, hitting three 3-pointers over the game's first 90 seconds to jump out to an immediate 9-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn. The Valparaiso University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe the rest of the way in a road Missouri Valley Conference contest, matching the Bruins 68-68 over the game's final 38:30 of a 77-68 setback. Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) poured in a game-high 21 points, while Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) tallied up a career-high 18.

The Beacons never went away, but they never got over the hump either. Six was the closest they would get in a game that eventually saw the Bruins prevail by nine.

Belmont is 6-7 in the Valley...tied with Evansville, Murray State and Missouri State.... one game behind SIU and UNI; one game ahead of Illinois State.

Belmont has LOST 6 road games in a row.  They are 8-0 vs. Q4 opponents this season.  They beat Murray State in the Old OVC matchup on Wednesday 69-64.

Here's the Belmont Preview of the game.  OK... Put your coaching hat on.  Who Ya Gonna Double Team?

Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.

The Bruins limited Murray State to 36 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in earning a 69-64 victory Feb. 7.

Belmont ranks 42nd nationally in effective field goal percentage and leads the Missouri Valley Conference in steals per game.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Murray State. The Greeneville, Tennessee native ranks among league leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He tied the Curb Event Center record with seven steals vs. Berry.

Gillespie is the only player in college basketball averaging at least 16 points, four assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Cade Tyson has 18 double figure scoring games this season and ranks second in the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage in league games. Tyson ranks among league leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-point field goals.

The Monroe, North Carolina native scored a career-high 31 points Dec. 16 and had a career-high three blocked shots vs. UIC. Tyson is on pace to threaten Nick Muszynski's program standard for fewest games played to 1,000 career points.

Malik Dia has recorded 19 consecutive double figure scoring games, including 22 points, five rebounds and five assists vs. [rv/rv] Indiana State. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 32 points vs. Drake. He posted his second career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas State.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native ranks Top 3 in the MVC in points, field goals and free throw rate. Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game this season.

In fact, Gillespie, Tyson and Dia comprise a trio that places Belmont as the only NCAA Division I program with three players averaging at least 16 points per game.

Jayce Willingham has provided versatility and steady play for the Bruins this season. The graduate student from Jasper, Alabama has 10 double figure scoring games including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Lafayette. Willingham had 14 points, four rebounds and a season-high four steals vs. UIC. Willingham had a season-high five assists twice this season.

Isaiah Walker had a career-high 13 points vs. Drake and 11 points and five steals vs. Arkansas State. The Wyoming, Ohio native has been a mainstay this season, recording 30-plus minutes in 17 games. Walker had a season-high eight rebounds at Northern Iowa and has multiple assists in 15 games.

Brigham Rogers has made a significant frontcourt contribution as a freshman. The 6-9 forward from Woodstock, Georgia had a season-high nine points vs. Arkansas State. Rogers has provided a physical presence and huge effort plays this season, including a career-high four blocked shots Jan. 23. He is sixth in the MVC in blocked shot rate.

Keishawn Davidson has 67 career double figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points at Missouri State. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has a team-high 93 assists this season and ranks second in the MVC in assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging 10.8 points per game on 37 percent 3-point shooting in conference games.

He ranks 14th in career assists (593) among active players NCAA Division I players.

Kyler Vanderjagt has provided perimeter depth for the Bruins this season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native has scored in 13 games this season, including 28 points during a three-game stretch in November.

Win Miller has seen increased playing time and has scored in six consecutive game appearances. The Birmingham, Alabama native is shooting 70 percent from 2-point field goal range this season and posted a career-high 17 points Nov. 14. He has made a 3-point field goal in three of his last five games.


For this game, as Brandon wrote it up...Fans are encouraged to wear gold as part of Love Valpo weekend, where supporters and alumni celebrate their love of Valpo. Free pom-poms and Love Valpo posters will be available, plus the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm. Part of the department's All-Sports Reunion Weekend, this game will celebrate the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features Raitis Grafs '03 (men's basketball), Jon Robisch '64 (men's basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski '12 (softball) and Ozzie Young '96 (football).

Maybe we'll see another Fan Wave... that was pretty cool at the last game.

And, for those not following along on Facebook.  New Student Incentive starts Saturday.   

$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.

One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot.  If it goes in, they win the pot.  If it doesn't.  the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.

Only 3 home games after Saturday...

Outstanding preview.

[Searching for something positive, anything!]

Searching for something positive, anything! Sepp finally remembered he could play offense and shoot the basketball.

How about 50 points from our 4 Freshmen on 46% shooting against the best team in the conference at their place? That is unheard of.

Sycs are 20.5 favorites.
Any other information necessary?

That is already more than I wanted to know.

Yep, they have a bumper crop of apples. It should be a great learning experience for our oranges.

[Evansville started 5 seniors(3 of which were 5th year).]

Evansville started 5 seniors(3 of which were 5th year).  A veteran lineup like that, with experience and the age factor, just killed us inside as they had their way with our guys in the paint.  At this point we just are not experienced enough or strong enough.  I just can't figure out our shooting woes...terrible.  And then there is our interior defense.  Our biggest guy, Cooper, only had 2 rebounds until very late in the game when he finally got his 3rd.  I thought we could have and should have won this game....very disappointing.

Yep, their apples scored 1 more point than our oranges. That's my 1 takeaway.

[we obviously need better overall talent]

Valpofamfan - DeVries is pretty good.  And we need more than a big man, we obviously need better overall talent, which will come. Valpo MBB is in the right direction and I like the attitude of the coaches and team.

I think several of our freshmen and sophomores are better to much better players than Darius was as a freshman or sophomore. Every team we play is top heavy with 3rd, 4th, and 5th year players, and yet we have been within striking distance in nearly every game. I don't think we have a talent gap, per se, but a huge age/experience/development gap that should reverse course over time.

Great preview!

[Valparaiso freshman Cooper Schwieger is finding his stride in MVC play]

MEN'S BASKETBALL
NOTES: Valparaiso freshman Cooper Schwieger is finding his stride in MVC play
Alexander.Burr  12 hrs ago

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/basketball/men/cooper-schwieger-valparaiso-basketball-mens-missouri-valley-conference/article_dfa5e2e8-b95a-11ee-8d12-7bbda013c4d1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Amazing that in a game in which Darius and Isaiah were a combined 7-26 shooting, we scored 84 points and won the game going away. Hats off to our bigs Cooper and Ola, who shot a combined 9-16 from the field, a perfect 15-15 from the line, and had a combined 16 rebounds.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-wQDrkhw8o8&si=GXvrESn_P15s_Ntu

[Historic Strongbow Inn razed to make way for future development]

Historic Strongbow Inn razed to make way for future development

"While no plans have been finalized, the removal of the current structure will facilitate future developments for the benefit of the city and the region," university spokesman Michael Fenton said of the prime parcel at the heavily trafficked intersection of U.S. 30 and Ind. 49.

https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/historic-strongbow-inn-razed-to-make-way-for-future-development/article_1cd639a8-b625-11ee-811b-9b9824bc1ee4.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Great PO article about this. How it was announced. His excitement and gratitude. What a dynamic leader and motivator Roger is.

Sciarroni gets a scholarship today, pretty awesome stuff:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2LdrirLYA0/?igsh=OWoxN2Z0MDZ1cWN3

Congrats to him!

I am glad that I am not the only one who has noticed how little most players follow their shots nowadays.  It irks the hell out of me to see our jump shooters immediately start the opposite direction of our basket after the ball leaves their hands, as if their job is done.  This is all while the ball eventually lands about 2 feet from where they were previously standing. 

Some fairly insightful comments on Readit about present day philosophy on following your shot.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Basketball/comments/5y5ah3/are_coaches_no_longer_teaching_basketball_players/

FRESHMEN. Sheesh 🙄  Cooper diasappears for a couple of games then gets a 16/13 double double.

This is gonna be a fun crazy ride.

Quinton Garrison commented on the radio postgame show that they have been working with Cooper on rebounding. Something about rebounding over a defender with inside position without fouling him.

I think it began as a reference (wink) to hispanic immigrants from south of the border who could inflate VU's enrollment numbers. 

My comment was tongue-in-cheek, but not entirely. For better or worse, Metropolitan Chicago is being flooded (overwhelmed according to the Illinois Governor) with illegal Hispanic immigrants from the southern border.

As confirmed in a recent article, Valpo is fully committed to increasing its Hispanic student population over time as part of its institutional growth strategy:

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY AND PRESIDENT JOSÉ PADILLA SUPPORT HISPANIC AND LATINX STUDENTS

October 18, 2023

"The University's efforts have shown positive results as the number of new Hispanic undergraduate students has increased by 33% since 2022, with Hispanic students now comprising 11.2% of the overall enrollment. Through this level of intentionality, Valpo will support all students. "We have taken great strides in our efforts to be a more inclusive university through partnerships across the Region, state of Indiana, and nationally," President Padilla said.

https://goredbirds.com/sports/mens-basketball

Scroll down for postgame video. ISU coach comments more than once how Valpo played with more energy and passion.

[Pritzker urges Abbott to stop busing migrants to Chicago due to storm: 'I plead with you for mercy']

Pritzker urges Abbott to stop busing migrants to Chicago due to storm: 'I plead with you for mercy'

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pritzker-urges-abbott-stop-busing-migrants-chicago-due-storm-i-plead-with-you-for-mercy

Keep those future Valpo students coming.

I think we need to remember that our new staff and eager young minnows inherited a program in complete shambles. Burned to ashes. Under these circumstances, I don't feel let down that we have lost 8 games in a row or if 8 turns into 16.

A quote from one of my favorite all-time movies Scent of a Woman sums it up best for me:
You hold this boy's future in your hands, committee. It's a valuable future. Believe me. Don't destroy it. Protect it. Embrace it. It's gonna make you proud one day, I promise you.
Lt. Col. Frank Slade

If I have a relatively new employee with seemingly great promise, I would never think of that person as "bad" simply because they can't perform at the same level as my more experienced people. Instead, I'm thinking positively knowing that I may have someone special down the road.

That's exactly how I feel about our young guys right now going up against far more experienced players, including COVID "gray-beards" like SIU's Johnson and his 130 games of playing experience over 5 seasons.

To put things in perspective, take away our opponents' 4th and 5th year players and we would blow the doors off of most everyone. We're not "a bad team" or "a not very good team." We are "a very young team" paying its dues against much older, much more experienced teams. The way we fought our way back in the 2nd half tonight was a credit to the entire coaching staff and an amazing never-say-die attitude from our young warriors. Every lesson learned is money in the bank for a big payback coming down the road.

[Marian University sees nearly 18% increase in enrollment of Latino students]

It appears that Marian University has employed a nearly identical growth strategy with excellent results. On one hand it suggests that Valpo is on the right path. Conversely, it could suggest that it is behind the 8-ball. Time will tell.

Marian University sees nearly 18% increase in enrollment of Latino students

https://www.wrtv.com/news/education/marian-university-sees-41-increase-in-enrollment-of-latino-students#:~:text=INDIANAPOLIS%20—%20Marian%20University%20enrolled%20its,in%20enrollment%20for%20this%20population.