For the second time this year, we play the Jaguars...this one, from the SWAC. I'm guessing they do a significant amount of their school funding through their Buy Games...
Their head coach knows the ARC...Kevin Johnson spent eight seasons at Centenary College from 1997-2005, the first two as an assistant under Billy Kennedy and the next six as head coach. At the helm of the program, Johnson compiled a 50-17 record at home, and in 2003-04, guided the Gents to a perfect 13-0 mark in the Gold Dome and a second-place finish in the Mid-Continent Conference. In 2000-01, Ronnie McCallum led the nation in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game, and finished his career second on the school's all-time scoring list with 2,524 points. Another player under Johnson's watch at Centenary – Andrew Wisniewski – finished as the fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,758 points and was a Mid-Con First Team selection in 2003-04.
Valpo was 5-1 against the Gents during his tenure, 3-0 at home.
Back to this year, Southern opened at TCU - Lost 108-75 - Led by Brandon Davis with 20, Tai-Reon Joseph with 15
Then went to the Thomas and Mack Center in Vegas... AND BEAT UNLV 85-71, Tai-Reon Joseph led with 22 points on 9 of 21 shooting, three other players in double figures.
Then went to Tucson and became one of Arizona's victims, 97-56, Tai-Reon Joseph scored 22 points on 8 of 20 shooting in 23 minutes
Then went to Western Illinois (for this MTE thingy) and lost in Overtime 88-80. Tai-Ronn Jpsehp with 23 points on 8-20 shooting in 44 minutes. had 7 players with over 20 minutes of playing time.
Then went to Illinois (for this MTE thingy) and lost 88-60 and tai-Reon Joseph scored 16 points on 7 of 23 shooting in 37 minutes. They played a full 10-man rotation, and were down 45-27 at the half.
From Valpo, they head to Marquette and then Mississippi State.... before playing a 4 of their next five games against NAIA schools at home in Baton Rouge.
For the season, they are shooting 27% from the field, 32% from 3 and 61% from the line. They are being Out-Rebounded by 17.6 boards per game. They are only committing 13 turnovers per game and 13 assists per game. They are averaging 10.6 steals per game, and 1.6 blocks per game. They have not played a home game yet.
Starters against Illinois
#3 Joseph 6'3" junior 19/6 ppg
#1 Wilkens 6'8" senior (twins on the roster: JaRonn and Jariyon #5) 7.8 ppg
#35 Muon 6'8" freshman 6.6 ppg
#22 Dioumassi 6'4" junior 6.4 ppg
#2 Jacks 5'9" junior 1.8 ppg
#00 Brentay Noel is their big, 6'10", leading rebounder with 3.6 per game.
10 players averaging more than 10 minutes per game
so... Get your Valpo Shopping out of the way, and rest your weary legs in the ARC for this 3pm tip.
Another good home matchup for our young team. Need to be better on defensive boards. On offense we need to continue getting (and making) good looks at the basket. Our defense caused some shot clock problems.
Valpo 80
Southern 68
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Andrew Wisniewski was no joke from Centenary. He carried their entire team during several wins, and they were tough at home.
Valpo 77
Southern 68
If we could defend the easy backdoors, we'd contest/eliminate 8-10 points of our opponents offense. Back doors, IMO, result from the offside defenders relaxing cuz the ball is not in their immediate area. We are young at the bigs/back line level. It'll come.
You're right, VULB...the lack of experience is glaring on our problems deep in the paint with weak side defense. I am sure that will come and be corrected soon.
Interior defense and rebounding are going to be an issue with the roster because they don't have a lot of size or experience. Cooper gets pushed around by guys who are either bigger, more experienced or both. He's also not a quick leaper. Against Western Illinois it was made tougher by their offensive philosophy which seemed to be "throw it up and go get it".
I was more frustrated by too much inability to get a hold of loose balls, 50-50 balls or whatever one wants to call them. Too many of them did not go to Valpo. That, ultimately, can be an effort thing.
Will be a high scoring game Saturday. Both teams will be launching from 3. Valpo played better for a half at U o I. Valpo puts up 40 +points in the first half. 82-75 Valpo
Quote from: valpo64 on November 22, 2023, 07:47:10 PM
You're right, VULB...the lack of experience is glaring on our problems deep in the paint with weak side defense. I am sure that will come and be corrected soon.
It is cognizant awareness and anticipation of "what could happen" in my zone. That happens when youngsters begin seeing the game in slowdown mode. It'll come. But the sooner the better. 😀
Valpo 78
Southern 70
I do have to admit that it is very annoying when you see that successful backdoor pass against us every now and then. If you look back at some of those instances this season, you will see that our guy that goes to double team is not really needed at that time, as the ballhandler is well-covered.
Jaguars de l'Université du Sud de Baton Rouge 72
Leuchtfeuer der Universität Valparaiso 73
(for Kaspar Sepp) Valparaiso ülikooli majakad 73
VU 75
SU 73
Valpo 78 Southern 68
Valpo 73
Southern 58
Valpo 76
Southern 72
Valpo U 84
Southern U 81
"The Southern Jaguars (1-4) will attempt to end a three-game losing streak when they hit the road to play the Valparaiso Beacons (3-2) on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Athletics-Recreation Center as just 1.5-point underdogs."
Line has stayed at -1.5, O/U has moved from 146 to 147, could definitely be high scoring , but both of these teams could struggle offensively if defense shows up! It's almost always difficult for visiting teams to shoot at the ARC! Really interesting match up IMO. Drake on Wednesday which will be veeeerry tough ! Let's get our 3rd D1 win!
VU 71
Southern 67
D has showed up ! Let's go!! Bryce on D , Roger on O vibes !!
Sensational crowd.
Southern's ball pressure has really gotten to us. Teachable moment?
Southern is not a very good team at all. You could see if Valpo was experienced we would have scored more off their full court trappings. Glad they picked up the win, but you can see the frustrations with Powell and staff, with the youth and inexperience. Valuable game experiences today. Cooper, Mr. Consistency game in and game out. Palm is starting to fall out of favor.
Good win. Especially the final two and a half minutes, where we only had a 3 point lead and they had the ball. That is how to finish.
On to the early MVC and Drake.
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Quote from: David81 on November 24, 2023, 02:25:08 PM
Valpo 73
Southern 58
Again, another prediction off by only 3 total points, good job!!
Quote from: VUSWIM08-12 on November 25, 2023, 10:26:19 AM
Line has stayed at -1.5, O/U has moved from 146 to 147, could definitely be high scoring , but both of these teams could struggle offensively if defense shows up! It's almost always difficult for visiting teams to shoot at the ARC! Really interesting match up IMO. Drake on Wednesday which will be veeeerry tough ! Let's get our 3rd D1 win!
VU 71
Southern 67
off by only 8 points but the Valpo score is exactly correct.
Quote from: talksalot on November 22, 2023, 06:46:07 AMJohnson compiled a 50-17 record at home, and in 2003-04, guided the Gents to a perfect 13-0 mark in the Gold Dome and a second-place finish in the Mid-Continent Conference.
The one huge advantage that the Centenary Gents had in the Gold Dome is that the Gold Dome was not air conditioned (same as the ARC) but being in Shreveport Louisiana it was always humid in every month except maybe end of December, January & February. So the Gents were more accustomed to playing in the humid setting. Although I'm sure many of the Jaguars were not accustomed to the cold temps in Valpo in late November. Though it is heated in the ARC and not something you must learn to play through.
Quote from: historyman on November 25, 2023, 05:41:30 PM
Quote from: David81 on November 24, 2023, 02:25:08 PM
Valpo 73
Southern 58
Again, another prediction off by only 3 total points, good job!!
I'm so upbeat about the MBB program generally that I must be channeling them!
So happy for Darius. He has responded to the challenge. And Jahari .. wow. If these two spit games 20/20 there'll be no drop-off based on their performance in the last couple of games. Ball security. Outside shooting. Assists. Intense D. Isn't that what we hoped/wished for from our PGs?
We all assumed that because of the heavy turnover of players and their relative inexperience that this team would play different than the teams of previous years. But it is the style of play that isso evidently different. TOTALLY different. The other difference is the never-give-up-scrappiness through all 40 minutes that is evolving.