Messages

[skillets]

Agreed. In recent past we seemed to recruit players who we then tried to fit in some type of system. Now we have a system Coach talked about, and are recruiting players hopefully with skillets to play in that system. This approach makes sense, and hoping we can have the similar quick success as say the Sycamores have recently had in the MVC after a coaching and philosophy change.

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If they have the skillets, they will probably pan out. 

Hands down the highest profile staff in the MVC. It doesn't even need to be researched.

this is laughable

I'm glad I was able to bring a little joy your way. Maybe you would be willing to educate me about all the coach and assistant coach combinations in the MVC that our new staff is inferior to. There must be several for my comment to be laughable.

That would require research, which you forbade.  Seriously, though, I think there's a lot of hyperbole surrounding our rebuild (more than the usual optimism after mediocre previous-season results and with little work done yet).  Many are not experts on the assistant-coaching ranks, so if you make extraordinary claims you'll be expected by some to provide extraordinary proof. I hope you're right, but I'd rather hear why these hires are good than how they rank in the MVC.

How about hiring the coach best suited to make Valparaiso competitive in the Missouri Valley regardless of color?

In a society where systemic racism exists, color may have competitive value to the degree that it offers relatability to players and it creates a welcoming environment. If you believe systemic racism doesn't exist, then you'd certainly see no strategic value in hiring with color in mind, but you wouldn't necessarily believe it meant sacrificing the other coaching qualities. Are you against Valpo seeking Christian coaches because it reduces the pool of candidates or are you confident that the smaller pool still has enough quality candidates?

I distinctly remember this board complaining about Vashli getting PT over his first few seasons, and being a waste of a scholarship.  There were a few that thought it was worth what he could be, and I will take that same approach here

I honestly think a lot of those posters are gone from this board now. I will admit, at the time, I wasn't exactly thrilled by all the playing time that such a raw talent like Vashil was getting. But then I don't think we had anyone better.

He was raw offensively and defensively, so it was frustrating for many, including me.  I knew he would get better defensively, but didn't feel confident he'd be an offensive force.  Without that balance, I figured he'd always foul out well before his opponent. Maybe I'm underestimating his offensive contribution, but he became  so good defensively that it didn't matter to me.

If players are unhappy with a program , they don't have to stay, be miserable, and bring everyone else down.

The problem, of course, is that unhappiness with a program can have multiple causes and solutions. A system where commitment means little can stunt growth and changing programs may not bring happiness, relieve misery, or eliminate negative influence if the problem is NOT the program.

Try to do a little research before posting your blanket statements.  As for timing of ARC improvement, it will be small upgrades for probably the next five years or so.  Incremental positives (and related costs) are being made--new baskets and floor this year, the new practice facility recently-- while major costs in other sports continue to be made--like internet broadcast abilities now at softball and baseball, plus the new turf at Em Bauer.  Yes, it's slow. Money is all that's needed.

Speaking of incremental improvements, it'll be interesting to see how the alcohol sales affect attendance and revenue.  They say you can't lose money on alcohol and, to me, there's no doubt it's a draw, so I hope it's potential downsides can be managed successfully.

As long as we're just standing around waiting to hear about another addition, let me lightheartedly ask, "Do you consider yourself a Missouri Valley Conference fan?"

I don't. In fact, the whole concept of conference fandom is foreign to me. I'm a Valpo fan. I'm a conference supporter. I see the Missouri Valley Conference the same way I see my credit union. I want it to do well, because the better it does, the better I do. But the only "fan" I have over there is me. The MVC is a means to an end for Valpo. The credit union is a means to an end for me.

Does that make sense?

Of course it makes sense in terms of understanding the sentiment. It's tribalism, right? That kind of thinking is a little too provincial for me, but nobody is required to root for the well-being of those outside their own narrowly-defined membership.

Let's temper expectations. Can basketball be that vehicle for the university? Certainly. But we've been finishing at the bottom of the conference. Hoping the team can live up to expectations.

Hear, hear. I'm happy to read the enthusiasm, but I too am just waiting for the team to live up to expectations. Transfers, even those who excelled in high school, always have either some level of dissatisfaction or underperformance behind them that needs to be corrected.

We always hope that they are talented and just need playing time, conditioning, development, team chemistry, or the right system to play in to fulfill their potential so you always have to ask yourself what we bringing to the task that was lacking at the previous school. Playing time is always a good bet when referring to so-called downward transfers. But promises of playing time, if that's what lured them in, are a morale-threatening powder keg. And is playing time ever enough?

For P5 transfers, we don't really have the resources to improve on conditioning or development. And, while we might be right to assume the Wisconsin transfers have chemistry amongst themselves, there will still be integration challenges.

In the end, the big question mark is whether we can create a system that's suitable for the players we have.  Matt does not have a proven system that's critical to winning, so does he have the flexibility to change it to take advantage of a recruiting class that may represent a lightning-in-a-bottle moment?

I like it, it's really the one that has the most alignment with Valpo and embraces our faith tradition, including with the top of the chapel on the light house.

They've also consistently called it a "nickname" not a mascot and I've heard that there are plans for student involvement later. I wonder if we will have both a new nickname and a new mascot

I also like the incorporation of the Chapel's roofline into the Beacon art work.

I figured it would prevail over others.  I thought maybe IndyValpo had inside knowledge when he omitted it in the initial poll.  I like it as it's unique, uncontroversial, and flexible in its ability to evoke many things, such as faith, leadership, education, etc.  I can also see brisk sales of chapel-roofline foam hats to fans.

I know you're kidding but like in any situation where the competition for playing time has increased a great deal those that previously did not have the increased competition should be able to step up their game a level in order to justify their higher position on the team.

We hope not, of course. That would be sandbagging. What we hope is that the competition raises the level of performance across the board.

Little Badgers

Dunebadgers?

[But if we are in the era of building yearly teams instead of programs]

I think Donavan suffered most from the JFL transfer. When JFL was the defensive focus, Donovan had room to go to the hoop. He didn't shoot particularly well as a freshman, and he shot worse as a sophomore even when he had open looks. Maybe he can fix this but I think his missed shots were off left to right more than short or long, and that may be tougher to fix. Maybe if he is not the defensive focus he can again find those seams where he can operate. We will miss his defense and that's one area where I am concerned that we may be taking a step back with the new guys. I agree with you that there is only one ball and that there will be some guys who will be disappointed that they end up being the odd man out of the rotation. My feeling is that if it is close, go with the young guys in hopes that they stick around so in the next year or two we can have teams who have guys who have experience in the system.  But if we are in the era of building yearly teams instead of programs, then play the guys who give you the best chance of winning now, and then build a new team next year.  Personally, I hate that approach, but what can you do?

I'm hoping Matt is flexible enough to adjust his system to suit the talent he has and to be learnable in the amount of time that today's turnover affords.

1-17 and every shot has been difficult or contested.  Not getting open. 

But, not THAT difficult.

[unsubstantiated]

These are serious, albeit unsubstantiated , claims by a Muslim student of repeated bullying, intimidation, and discrimination that paint Valparaiso University in a very bad light.

It also raises more questions than answers. Here's a few off the top of my head:
• We have no idea whether these allegations have any basis in fact.
• The student talks about how intimidating it is to tell someone, yet writes a letter to the editor citing specific details and signs his name to it. Im not sure that sounds like someone afraid to take this to the proper authorities. Not passing judgment. Just an observation.
• So, that raises other questions, like did he inform his RA or other "Responsible Employee? Did the Responsible Employee" report said incident(s) to the Valpo Office of Civil Rights, as required (see below)?
• Was a formal investigation conducted?
• What was the outcome?

"Responsible Employees include the following: faculty, adjunct faculty, administrators, department chairs, Discrimination Complaint Advisors (DCAs), resident assistants (RAs), and resident life and student affairs staff.

Responsible Employees must promptly report incidents of discrimination or harassment to the Valpo Office for Civil Rights. Failure to report constitutes a violation of this Policy and may subject the violator to sanctions."

If I'm interpreting this properly, any "Responsible Employee" MUST report this letter to the editor to the Office for Civil Rights. Did the faculty sponsor of The Torch report it, as he/she is required to do under the provisions of Title IX?

If this is legitimate, and again we as readers don't know, I see this as a cry for help by a student who allegedly has been repeatedly bullied in a cruel, dehumanizing way. It must be thoroughly investigated consistent with university protocols and state and federal government rules and regulations. It should be overseen by the top of the house.

One more comment - This issue has more meaning to me than our usual message board jousting (which is mostly for fun). As someone with a special needs brother who has suffered greatly from bullying over many years, I am especially sensitive to this kind of treatment. As an organization leader there is nothing I find more disturbing than workplace bullying and sexual harassment. It's even more important in school, when students are at such a tender age. Everyone needs to feel wanted and accepted. It is a basic human right that should be protected at all costs.

Ok, back to the mascot scrimmage. 

To call someone's assertion a "claim" already acknowledges that it's points have not been proven. It should have sufficed. To repeatedly remind us, whether or not the purpose of the editorial was to incontrovertibly prove he was mistreated or simply advance a point, suggests to me that you would like us know that you seriously doubt the Muslim student's experience. I get it.

Furthermore, I suppose that wondering aloud whether the student sought and received justice is meant to cast doubt on the earnestness of his claims, but all we can know from the limited-length editorial piece is that it wasn't mentioned.  I'm not sure why you have such a strong need to question the student's experience, but I suspect it comes from the idea that extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof. The problem, of course, is that his experience may be quite ordinary.

Loved Donovan's unselfish assist to Mileek from the perimeter. Not many players would pass up a wide open shot like that to pass to his teammates. 

My day is a little better when I see Valpo 4th in the MVC standings instead of 10th.

The best part is that we are tied for 3rd in the loss column and we've played half of our games against the three teams with 3 or fewer losses. Right now, a top-half finish is ours to lose.

My hope is that Lottich's system causes early-season difficulties that pay late-season dividends (like last season's tourney run). I suspect that our perimeter shooting and defense will improve with more play and and a stabilized rotation.

Biggest problem is still depth.   We are gonna play A LOT of games in the next 30 days.   Tired legs gonna be an issue unless the bench steps up on some of these back to back games. 

The OOC season was so foreshortened that I don't think they'll have the usual wear and tear to deal with, though I'm not sure whether there'll be conditioning issues.   I suspect that early-season bench-production issues can be rooted in unclear roles, selfish or uncharacteristic play related to the battle for playing time, and developing new players, so I hope the bench production will improve as the rotation is resolved.

My day is a little better when I see Valpo 4th in the MVC standings instead of 10th.

The best part is that we are tied for 3rd in the loss column and we've played half of our games against the three teams with 3 or fewer losses. Right now, a top-half finish is ours to lose.

My hope is that Lottich's system causes early-season difficulties that pay late-season dividends (like last season's tourney run). I suspect that our perimeter shooting and defense will improve with more play and and a stabilized rotation.

I can't believe we're having this conversation.

People take liberties when you express yourself in such an open-minded way, wh. Damned people and their conversations!

Maybe I'm wrong... Maybe I'm being overly optimistic... But it feels like we're being slept on BIG TIME among MVC Fans... Everyone has us rated between 7-9. I think 7 is our absolute floor with 4 or 5 being our ceiling right now.

http://mvcfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5568

How outsiders feel about Valpo's chances depends mostly on their outsized view of JFL's impact.  While I will miss his savvy defense, I won't particularly miss his offensive efficiency and occasional slow starts.  I'm probably bigger on Donovan than I was on Javon and worry more about replacing the solidness and versatility of Kiser and the shooting of Fazekas. 

One of the best games we played (I believe it was at Missouri St.) from an all-around perspective was without JFL and I hope we can build on that.  We've got a lot to look forward to in 4 seniors, the sophomore year of last season's freshmen standouts, Ben and Donovan, and the newcomers. Also, as hard as I was on him last year, I'm very excited to see what another year of wisdom brings to Sackey's game.

I wouldn't get too worked up...unless he really improves over his year off I wouldn't sweat that 2.4 ppg. None of his other stats leap off the paper either (except that 3P%, lol). He played a good amount of minutes too.

Recruiting stars are overrated.

He started every game as a freshman and put up some good numbers.  An injury his sophomore season seemed to have hampered his sophomore year and the season after saw limited minutes and production.  If he's healthy he might provide a lift.  But yes, recruiting stars are overrated. They tend to overemphasize NBA-type athleticism and undervalue IQ and character.

The poll is, if one reads the article, a strictly data-based ranking.  They are quite forthright about how it was derived and admit that it wouldn't be their ranking if they applied some other methodology or analysis. But, because many people don't read beyond the headlines or the bullet points, the ranking has probably fulfilled its primary purpose; riling up the casual readers and getting them to talk about it.

Probably 3 months ago my nephew mentioned that someone in Mville's bb program told him that Thompson's recruiting would move well past where Valpo could compete.

Getting tired of hearing that about prospects around the area and state.

Me too, but maybe the nephew meant Maravilla's bb program? 

I'm a team-performance fan all the way (slam dunks are pablum for serious people like me). The offensive flow, balance, and shooting skill on display in the Bradley game ranks high. The defensive effort against SIU was equally enjoyable.

In the end, when one team beats another,  even if it's one guy "taking over", it is a team performance, but there's always something encouraging when everyone's contribution is on display (very socialist, I know).

Fieldgoodie You are dead on. 


If you are a smaller guard you have to have freakish athleticism to compensate for it.  Not just a set shooter from 3. 


Buggs had phenomenal speed, could pass and distribute and was a unbelievable on ball defender. He could get to the rim and finish.   


Daniel is the fastest player I have ever seen and can change a game when he is under control.


Kay Felder same thing.  Royce Parran at Chicago State.

I'd take him as a walk on, but not use up a scholarship. 

I would like to see what Sigurd could do, honestly. Matt saw something in him and it doesn't necessarily have to be a star point guard.  If he brings specific attributes to the game that round out the team, he (or anyone) can help take the team to the next level, assuming they don't come at some grave expense.

I couldn't disagree more that freakish athleticism is required to compensate for size. Intelligence, skill, and being part of a team plan are more than enough. Basketball courts are small, so acceleration can't consistently get you past a defender who anticipates your moves and positions himself well, especially if they don't respect your outside shooting; Sackey is slowly learning that. As for Fieldgoodie's comparison to Fazekas and his moments of difficulty getting off a shot, I'll say this. Preventing a great shooter from getting off his shot NEVER comes without a price.  I would wager that if he's not getting his shot, someone else is having an easier time offensively.

Next year we've got no guaranteed sharpshooter.  We need one. If he's fundamentally sound on defense, he'll add another tool to the Swiss Army knife that will make us better.

My great hope now is that the Sycamores and Bears play to triple OT so that we play a similarly spent team. However, I'd also take an opponent who wins in a cakewalk as they too will face challenges.