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It's my recollection that Valpo's retention rate historically has been as good as if not better than most of its peers and probably remains that way even if it's dropped slightly in the past couple of years.  I believe retention (along with graduation rate) is one of the factors used in the US News analysis for its rankings.  If anyone has past copies of the magazines with the rankings they might be able to confirm or discredit my memory.

Without commenting pro or con on FWalum's concerns about Valpo's position relative to Lutheran theology, it should be noted that the capsule history he describes as a "nondescript VU history" was part of the web site before Heckler became president.  I don't believe that Baepler's history ever was on the web site, although perhaps excerpts were there during the 150th anniversary year.

I think it's safe to assume that Witt is receiving a university scholarship, not necessarily academic.  The good news for him is that he still has an opportunity to receive a college degree in the U.S. for little cost.

Never mind.  The photo appeared after I logged in to send the above message.  Chalk it up to a learning experience.

I do not see a photo with valpopal's post.  Am I missing a link somewhere?

I note that Ryan did not start in Australia's game against Israel.  Perhaps Koala can let us know if this was a coach's decision or if Ryan is ill or injured.  It appears in the box scores as if he's been playing well.

Also noted that McCallum hasn't played many minutes in the USA's "close" games.  Again, no interpretation, just an observation.

After pool play, Broekoff is leading Australia in scoring and is third in rebounding.  Edwards leads New Zealand in scoring and is second in rebounding.  As with scores, stats for all teams can be accessed through the USA basketball site, clicking on stats: 
http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/worlduniversity

Don't know if it's been posted or not, but you can view box scores of all the World University games through the USA site at http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/worlduniversity/

Click on the schedule and results link.

In the past couple of decades I don't think anyone has filled the sixth man role better than Stalin Ortiz.  Jared Loyd comes close, but Ortiz had more size and could defend a taller player and was a better shooter.  Huff would be a good sixth man, but probably didn't bring the defense or energy off the bench that the other two provided when they had that role.  I think we have pretty wide spread agreement on the front line.  Lots of guards in play.

Didn't Witt also make the team the last time the games were held?

Ryan is among 20 seeking a spot on the 12-man roster that will represent Australia in the World University games.  Although many are names we're not familiar with, he would appear to have a good shot at a spot on the team.

Perhaps you can copy and past this URL in your browser to see the full roster.

http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1987&cHash=4672b7d54a

While I also would like to see greater attendance and more enthusiastic support from our student body, as some posters have pointed out previously, we also need to be realistic.  We have approximately 3,000 undergraduate students, the majority of them traditional age, resident students.  If 10 percent of them attend a game, the 300 present looks like poor attendance.  If 10 percent of the undergrads at IU, Purdue, even at Northwestern and Ball State, show up everyone thinks it's a great crowd.  From looking at the faces in the seats, I'm not sure even Butler gets a lot of students other than those sitting in the Dawg Pound.

Everyone was close, but Alan Harre was president from 1988-2008. 

How about a trade:  Wood for Sherman?     :-)

Chef wrote: "We started this season with 12 scholarship players. Ben Botts became number 13. Three players are graduating from the program, which takes us down to 10. Richie Edwards becomes number 11, and that leaves two available spots for next year. Thus Bryce's comment of a "couple" would be correct."

Your summary makes sense, Chef, but I had been led to believe that we typically award only 12 scholarships and that the funds available for the 13th grant are divided for summer school costs.  Good to know we have two grants open.

In tonight's post-game interview, Bryce said there are a "couple" of scholarships available.  With three seniors leaving and two of those scholarships having been awarded and accepted, does this mean someone is leaving that hasn't been announced?  Or did Bryce misspeak?

Hey, let's give Iona some credit.  We didn't have our A game -- at least in outside shooting -- but Iona's pressure was a factor part of the time.  I don't know if we've seen a mid-major team all year that had the overall quickness they showed.  We've faced teams that had 2-3 players very quick, but they had five on the floor most of the time and we didn't react very well.  In fact, our reactions were slow all night -- tipped passes, fumbles, etc.  Some ugly memories of the Loyola game. 

Until the building carries a person's name, I suspect a major donor will always have an opportunity to name it.

Here.