Hopefully we can carry over the defensive performance from Mo St. Belmont has lost their last two games, by 2 to Cleveland St, and by 21 to Middle Tenn. The Bruins will be hungry, but I know Bryce will have them ready. Come out with some effort and avoid the Holiday Hangover. Go Po'!
Valpo seems to be figuring things out. I will go with an 11 point road win 72-61
Anybody still thinking about heading out to Nashville, advance-purchase tickets are just $1. Apparently full price at the gate.
I will be attending the game in Nashville. Where do I find the $1 tickets?
What's our health status as of today?
Is there going to be a live stream for the game? I don't see a "video" link on the website...
Quote from: drewsaders11 on December 26, 2015, 08:56:59 PM
Is there going to be a live stream for the game? I don't see a "video" link on the website...
They always post them late to the VU page. The Belmont page has one up already
http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=3055 (http://www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com/watch/?Live=3055)
looks like there will be live video and maybe also an archive. Maybe for free, but I've not looked at all carefully.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 26, 2015, 07:38:34 PM
What's our health status as of today?
Last I heard it's just Nickerson out. Maybe for only a week (so in principle could be back for Belmont), but everyone seems to assume for longer. But that's old news.
I assume we'll get some updates Sunday and Monday.
I was by the ARC a couple of times this week, and saw some players, but internationals - I figure many domestic players had a chance to get home. So, I don't draw any conclusions there.
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 26, 2015, 06:58:24 PM
I will be attending the game in Nashville. Where do I find the $1 tickets?
Via the Belmont pages
http://www.belmontbruins.com/links/5z9gao (http://www.belmontbruins.com/links/5z9gao)
A couple of singles in section 114, down by STL behind the VU bench. Looks like it's filled up up by me, but still some seats in the corners (e.g. 106).
I assume that the whole upper deck is probably general admission, but if you walk up you might pay $10-$15 for general admission. So, probably better to get the $1 lower-level reserved seats anyway, and then I figure you could probably sit where you'd like in the upper deck.
Seats 5,000 supposedly, so I'm guessing there's a 200 level.
Quote from: agibson on December 26, 2015, 10:22:50 PM
Last I heard it's just Nickerson out. Maybe for only a week (so in principle could be back for Belmont), but everyone seems to assume for longer. But that's old news.
I assume we'll get some updates Sunday and Monday.
[tweet]681192092580864000[/tweet]
[tweet]681192372055703552[/tweet]
I will consider a win at Belmont to be an upset, just based on the home court advantage between two teams that appeared pretty even here despite some personnel shortages. The key will be how well we bounce back to start the conference. Losing two of the next three is a probability.
I was way off the mark against Mo. State so hope I am again. Still, we seem to be giving our defense all the credit for Mo. State's poor shooting when I thought they missed some wide open shots that they probably don't miss every night, home or away.
But I'll admit to being a nervous nelly for most games.
Quote from: sliman on December 27, 2015, 02:04:54 PM
I was way off the mark against Mo.State so hope I am again. Still, we seem to be giving our defense all the credit for Mo. State's poor shooting when I thought they missed some wide open shots that they probably don't miss every night, home or away.
Always a little hard for me to tell poor shooting from good defense. But, unless I'm mixing up home games (Iona?), Mo state (had to?) settled for some ridiculously deep, ridiculously bad three point looks. It felt like pretty suffocating defense.
From game-1 to game-2 EVN out - Tevonn in. EVN scored 9 points in game-1, but was only 4-15 from the field. It's almost a guarantee that Tevonn will be more efficient than that. They both play monster defense, so that's a wash. I like our chances.
Is there a Belmont fan forum? I can't find it anywhere and would be interested to see what the fans are saying.
The spread Valpo -4
Quote from: agibson on December 27, 2015, 04:58:28 PM
Quote from: sliman on December 27, 2015, 02:04:54 PM
I was way off the mark against Mo.State so hope I am again. Still, we seem to be giving our defense all the credit for Mo. State's poor shooting when I thought they missed some wide open shots that they probably don't miss every night, home or away.
Always a little hard for me to tell poor shooting from good defense. But, unless I'm mixing up home games (Iona?), Mo state (had to?) settled for some ridiculously deep, ridiculously bad three point looks. It felt like pretty suffocating defense.
The "wide-open looks" that don't go in are often a product of tough defense in that the opponent has been forced out of their usual offensive flow or made to realize how rare the opportunity to score will be (and thus, made to choke). If you hold your opponent to uncharacteristically low scoring I say you always attribute it to good defense.
Agree. Tough defense disrupts overall team offensive rhythm. A deep 3 taken when within their normal rhythm has a good chance of going in. But that same uncontested shot taken out of rhythm because of the altered pace of the game has less of a chance (unless you are Steph Curry). Good team defense across all 5 players breaks down an opponent's comfort zone. So the that uncontested release is a hundredth of a second off from a normal release; that translates to an inch off as it reaches the basket; the result is 'clang' off the back of the rim instead of swish.
PS to the above post: a team can be having a really bad shooting day, but if they brought a tough defensive mindset to the game, they will still be in it at crunch time. Not always so for teams who "just play defense because they have to."
Have to echo posters' admiration of the way this bunch shuts 'em down.
Love that the schedule makers are so accommodating to my NSH travel plans. DW's parents live down here. Last year was our turn to be here for Thanksgiving when Valpo played in that tournament at Municipal Auditorium, and this year was our turn to be down here for Christmas and they're playing here again. It's turning into quite the tradition.
This will be a competitive game and Valpo should pull it out.
A pothole got in the way of our travel plans, alas. If anyone can use our seats in section 114, row p, 13-18, feel free. Or PM me if you want the tickets (I think you'd need to print them). Can probably still get them for $1 online. I'll be curious to see if the bottom bowl fills up!
CBS, and most of the other odds' makers in Vegas, has Valpo By 4 with the O/U at 143.5
This is only Belmont's 3rd D1 home game, they scored 90 against Western Kentucky and 105 against Lipscomb....
Their last two games (on the road) they've only scored 62 and 65 (Middle Tennessee and Cleveland State) both losses.
Let's go Defense!!
Not sure what is happening but the full screen option on the OVC digital network looks like really bad claymation. The small screen is ok but full screen is unwatchable on my TV.
Quote from: FWalum on December 28, 2015, 07:37:30 PM
Not sure what is happening but the full screen option on the OVC digital network looks like really bad claymation. The small screen is ok but full screen is unwatchable on my TV.
OK for me full screen on a laptop. Getting spoiled by my visiting mother's 17".
Pretty solid feed - not super high res. Kind of low fidelity audio? Not quite as bad as an AM feed.
Overall, highly acceptable broadcast.
Apart from the first four minutes, not looking bad for Valpo.
Alec and Tevonn will get theirs in the second half.
Good to see Skara as well as Shane comfortable slashing. And Darien, while passing one, willing to take the open three.
Interesting that Tevonn doesn't handle. I do enjoy watching the occasional big lineup. Here Hammink handling, Peters, Skara, Tevonn, Vashil.
* Aside from the first few minutes, defense is playing great. Most their points have come on long threes.
* Offense kind of brutal at times. Valpo seems to be getting a fair amount of layups, but is still settling for long jump shots.
* Peters really quiet. Missed an open three and a free throw. He needs more shots.
* Darien has to knock down open threes. His shooting isn't even close.
* Great job responding to a 10-0 run with a 12-0 run. I was thinking it'd be a battle to get the lead to a possession by half.
Starters 5-20. Thankfully, our reserves are 6-10. Hopefully, we'll see a a better performance offensively from Alec, Tevonn and Darien in the 2nd half.
Darien Walker can't be playing. His shot is AWFUL!
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After a little more than a half, the eye test says we are the better team. Our talent looks clearly better. A loss would be disappointing.
Officiating seemed fair in the first half... no opinion in second.
The call is... a bit homerish.
Quote from: agibson on December 28, 2015, 08:18:49 PM
Officiating seemed fair in the first half... no opinion in second.
The call is... a bit homerish.
They did just miss a clear travel by Vashil before Tevonn's three.
I'm not worried yet... but a little nervous. This Bradds guy can score. He's looked better going up against Peters and Vashil in the paint than most anybody I remember. And kicking out well, and just looking almost KVW-like effective at times under the basket. And just hit a 12' jumper too.
And their threes-from-distance were just high enough percentage in the first half.
Looks like some kind of recipe to beat Valpo.
But, Tevonn's turning it on. If he and Alec can put up their numbers we should be fine here. But, it's going to be close.
How many offensive fouls are we going to end with. 23? 24?
And how many layups do they have???
Some really pretty passes from Belmont tonight. Maybe now I'm getting worried.
Charges only count when you're Valpo - BRUTAL!
How was that not a charge!!!???!!!
Well valpo went to Nashville and pooped their pants
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Sooo many missed layups, according to Gamecast. We need some dunks!
Anyone understand that... goal tend?... call before the under eight media timeout?
Valpo attacking and can't buy a foul.
Quote from: agibson on December 28, 2015, 08:23:10 PMThis Bradds guy can score. He's looked better going up against Peters and Vashil in the paint than most anybody I remember. And kicking out well, and just looking almost KVW-like effective at times under the basket. And just hit a 12' jumper too.
KVW might be about right. But with a little more motion. Not just receive-in-the-post, but can dribble a little. Really impressive.
Vashil is an offensive liability. It's 4 on 5 when he is in there.
Belmont's off-the-ball motion is really impressive, pretty, pretty cuts.
I've never seen Valpo give up so many easy layups.
Quote from: a3uge on December 28, 2015, 08:41:51 PM
I've never seen Valpo give up so many easy layups.
I'm not at all convinced it's bad defense. Some pretty stuff from Bradds, and some very pretty cuts and passing from others.
They're making us pay, maybe more than anyone this season, for our hard double teams in the paint.
Ball game for sure. 66-63 Belmont lead, four to play.
Broadcast fail there... no, on Belmont made three, I'm not interested in seeing the Belmont coach not react. I'd prefer to see the made basket on the other end...
Woof, 32 took a couple steps, shot, missed, and then a dozen seconds later the ref called a foul.
Is Valpo out of timeouts?
What's their FT% tonight, like 95% ? My god.
well... I hope you took the "Over" for your bets... 166 on the total... good run to get back... but just ran out of time ... and missing 9 free throws...
Quote from: rink on December 28, 2015, 08:58:18 PM
What's their FT% tonight, like 95% ? My god.
19 of 25 on the game (76%) ... 17 of 21 in the second half... (81%)
Valpo has to win when they score 79 points. Poor defensive effort. Maybe a Christmas hangover, maybe a top ranking by that mid major group curse, maybe looking ahead to the conference season.....whatever the excuse you all who were talking at large can finally stop.
too little too late. Bad free throws as usual. This game had moments where I felt like I was watching the Ball State game (I know Belmont is much better than Ball State).
On an unrelated note: Oakland gave up 93 points to Chicago State in regulation.
Decent look from Peters there for first attempt to tie at the end. Not great, pretty deep, but decent look.
Not at all sure D. Walkers the guy you want taking the last one.
But, impressive stuff from Belmont, for sure. Carved through Valpo's defense like nobody else this season. What a second half from Bradds.
This was the highest ranked home game (KenPom)... ever?... for Belmont? Home _game_ not even home win.
Limited minutes from Peters? I didn't notice him picking up his fourth, but he seemed missing from a lot of the second half.
And when did we burn our last timeout? With a lot of time remaining... Were stuck using Hammink FT's for late-in-game conferences...
Belmont looked pretty good tonight. And certainly made their FT's down the stretch.
Disappointing. Very disappointing. But it looked like a good Belmont team.
I had a feeling a couple of weeks ago this was going to be like an @Oakland. It's a big part of why I planned the (failed) road trip to Nashville. Wouldn't have predicted Bradds as the star vs. Felder, but maybe it's apt.
Hopefully we can pull it together in Horizon League play, maybe find a come-from-behind win against Milwaukee or Oakland, or while laying an egg against a lesser opponent.
We certainly fought to get back in it. But, not quite there.
D Walker needs to lose his starting spot, and play less than 10 mpg from now on. Bryce has given him the benefit of doubt, but he has played like crap all season. He is not even close on so many of his shots. Again, I have no idea what happened this summer, but he is not even close to the same guy as last season.
This was a bad loss. Even though Belmont will do well in the OVC, we should have won this game by 6-7 points. How can Bryce not camp someone in the lane when they are doing so many backdoor cuts in the second half? They weren't on fire from 3, like they started the game. This definitely kicks us out of any possible at-large talks, even if we go undefeated in conference, which isn't likely. You can't really complain about being 10-3 after a strong mid-major schedule, but this team could do so much better than that record. I will be happy if we go 12-6 or 13-5 in conference, which would probably secure the 1 seed.
Another frustrating performance.
Giving up 50 points in the second half is not going to win you ball games. We didn't give up 50 all game against several of our opponents.
I have never seen us get dominated in the paint like that. On that point, I don't understand benching Vashil that early. I realize he wasn't having a good night on offense, but half of pulling off a comeback is playing defense, and he would have helped immensely beneath the basket.
Hard to complain too much on offense when we score 81, but we missed too many layups and FTs. I have never seen Peters disappear for 30 minutes at a time like that. Neither of the Walkers played all that well either. Nice performance by Hammink though. Also, those multi-minute scoring droughts at the beginning of each half did us no favors.
I don't criticize officiating very often, but Belmont sure got a lot of calls in the second half.
Also, bad camerawork on the OVC network. None of those awful under-the-basket shots, but they had some untimely close-ups of the Belmont coach while the ball was in play. We missed a Hammink dunk because of it.
Quote from: HC on December 28, 2015, 09:03:27 PM
Valpo has to win when they score 79 points. Poor defensive effort. Maybe a Christmas hangover, maybe a top ranking by that mid major group curse, maybe looking ahead to the conference season.....whatever the excuse you all who were talking at large can finally stop.
Oh, I don't know. Hope springs eternal. Let's reel off a good run in conference, and we can talk again.
And, I'd be curious to hear back from you if/after you watch the replay, sounds like you missed most of the first half? Was it uncharacteristically poor defense from Valpo? Or just really effective stuff from Belmont?
I was just surprised how Valpo lost. Belmont had a ton of easy inside looks. The length didn't seem to bother them at all.
Quote from: a3uge on December 28, 2015, 08:52:21 PM
Is Valpo out of timeouts?
I had trouble telling with their graphics. But, I think yes, early on.
Quote from: agibson on December 28, 2015, 09:12:13 PMQuote from: a3uge on December 28, 2015, 08:52:21 PMIs Valpo out of timeouts?
I had trouble telling with their graphics. But, I think yes, early on.
Bryce burned the last one with 5 or 6 minutes left. TOs go quick when you give up double digit runs early in each half.
Quote from: agibson on December 28, 2015, 09:07:30 PMHopefully we can pull it together in Horizon League play, maybe find a come-from-behind win against Milwaukee or Oakland, or while laying an egg against a lesser opponent.
Going to come quickly, unfortunately. Warmup/rebound against UIC at the ARC, but then to Oakland on ESPN2, @Detroit less than 48 hours later. Then Thursday back at the ARC hosting Milwaukee.
Belmont box...
00* CARTER 16 5-12 3-6 3-4 3 5 4
02* WALKER 13 4-9 2-4 3-4 1 0 5
05* WALKER 2 1-6 0-3 0-0 1 0 1
14* FERNANDEZ 2 1-4 0-0 0-2 8 1 2
25* PETERS 13 3-11 2-5 5-6 10 0 4 double-double
10 SKARA 13 5-6 1-1 2-2 5 1 3
11 HAMMINK 19 7-11 1-3 4-7 3 2 4
23 ADEKOYA 3 1-1 0-0 1-2 4 0 2
TOTALS 81 27-60 9-22 18-27 36 9 25
GAME PCT 45.0 40.9 66.7
THIS HALF 16-30 6-12 10-14 18 6 17
HALF PCT 53.3 50.0 71.4
Well thought out and executed game plan by Belmont. Their play seemed to dictate all our lineup choices. A healthy non-redshirted Derrik Smits might have gotten significant minutes tonight. Some easy buckets from Vashil could also have helped.
Not sure why they are discounting the OSU win but cannot disagree with his assessment:
"Thanks in large part to a 26-point, 10-rebound night from forward Evan Bradds, Belmont knocked off Valparaiso 85-81 Monday night, and that probably does it for the Crusaders' at-large NCAA tournament hopes. There's never shame in losing to Rick Byrd's team in Nashville, of course, even if the Bruins were just one game over .500 coming in. Yet Valpo -- which is one of the best defensive teams in the country, features one of best all-around scoring threats in forward Alec Peters, and, at least statistically, may be the best true mid-major of the 2015-16 season -- will nonetheless start conference play Saturday with only one semi-noteworthy win (Nov. 17 at Rhode Island), in a conference (the Horizon League) where almost every opponent will be a high-risk, low-reward RPI scenario. If Bryce Drew's team is going to generate some sleeper March excitement, it will almost certainly have to win its conference tournament beforehand. Bummer."
Eamonn Brennan ESPN
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2674/valparaiso-crusaders (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2674/valparaiso-crusaders)
Oregon State is by far the most impressive win on the Valpo schedule. Without a doubt.
The venue was excellent. I thought parking was going to be a problem but there was a space right there on the street in front of the building.
They princeton-ed us to death.
I was shocked when I looked at the scoreboard (in the 2nd half, I think) and saw they had more turnovers than we did.
As for the officiating, we got away with a number of clear-outs in the first half and I thought Hammink fouled Bradshaw (?) on that breakaway in the 2nd half. If we hit our free throws, we might have won.
I'm not sure how we weren't prepared for those cuts and crisp passes since they did the same thing at Valpo. This time, I get the feeling Belmont did better against our zone.
Definitely a bummer, and it will definitely hurt our chances at an at-large. Of course, us getting an at-large was always a long shot anyway. Sure, if we were 13-0 right now, we'd be in the running. And if frogs had wings, they wouldn't bump their ass when jumping over logs. 13-0 was always a long shot.
Sitting 4 rows behind the bench was actually a great seat, unlike at the ARC. No obstructions, other than idiot fans standing up and greeting each other right in front of me while the game is going on...
When Valpo got the delay of game warning, I actually was able to pick up Bryce asking the ref which guy it was, and then yelling down to Darien, "don't do that".
Tomorrow's going to be interesting. I'm planning to drive to UIC to take in their game against NIU, and I'm trying to track what the weather is going to be like tomorrow evening. Todd said lots of people in Valpo lost power tonight?
We're 40% into the season at this point, so I don't expect any dramatic player transformations going forward. For better or for worse, we are who we are.
That said I think it's fairly safe to say that Vashil will not be making the quantum leap over last year that everyone hoped when he was granted an extra year of eligibility. He continues to struggle to catch the ball cleanly, his timing on feeds over the top is off, he struggles to finish at the rim, his rebounding numbers are down, his shooting percentage is down, and his FT shooting has gone from bad to worse. He clearly is not as active around the rim, and I have to wonder if the 20 lbs. he picked up in the off season puts him above his ideal playing weight.
I don't know what else to say about Darien except his inability to score with any consistency is killing us offensively. He can't hit from distance and he can't break down a defender off the dribble. As others have mentioned, his minutes need to be greatly reduced at this point.
Lastly (and this may surprise some people), I see little, if any, improvement in Alec's game from last season. He does a lot of good things, and he's still the MVP of the team, but he looks eerily similar to the Alec of last season. At times he dominates, yet he also disappears for long stretches. He's clearly no longer in the same category as Oakland's Felder, who has taken his game to a whole new level.
This team continues to display flashes of brilliance but bunches of mediocrity. Frustratingly inconsistent, average at the line, lethargic on offense, etc. We are fortunate that we do not have to face power conference teams in the Horizon. To date, we have performed like a middle-of-the-pack power conference team. The regression is troubling.
Quote from: atkins on December 28, 2015, 11:50:31 PM
This team continues to display flashes of brilliance but bunches of mediocrity. Frustratingly inconsistent, average at the line, lethargic on offense, etc. We are fortunate that we do not have to face power conference teams in the Horizon. To date, we have performed like a middle-of-the-pack power conference team. The regression is troubling.
If we faced power conference teams in conference, we'd be in a power conference.
??
Quote from: valpocleveland on December 28, 2015, 09:36:28 PM
Not sure why they are discounting the OSU win but cannot disagree with his assessment:
This guy got it right: http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2015/12/28/late-night-snacks-rough-night-for-mid-major-bubble-hopefuls/ (http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2015/12/28/late-night-snacks-rough-night-for-mid-major-bubble-hopefuls/)
Quote from: StlVUFan on December 28, 2015, 10:36:00 PM
Tomorrow's going to be interesting. I'm planning to drive to UIC to take in their game against NIU, and I'm trying to track what the weather is going to be like tomorrow evening. Todd said lots of people in Valpo lost power tonight?
Lots of rain (2"?) lots of ice (1/2" of slushy on my driveway?). Around 20,000 customers without power, half restored.
I guess when it turned from rain to snow in the afternoon the interstates were full of disabled vehicles.
I bet the major roads are fine now, plows have had time to clean up, etc.
Hovering a little above freezing now, roads may slick up again where salt has washed away later on when it dips below freezing again.
I'm guessing things won't be -too- bad, but drive carefully (and watch for potholes!).
Like all, I was excited by the flashes of brilliance in pre-conference. Yes, our talent should dominate the Horizon.
However........let's remind ourselves of a bit of reality!! Oakland and K. Felder took Michigan State to O.T. and they beat Washington while we have regressed since the OSU win. We play at Oakland early, Jan. 8. Lose and there is no better than a 50-50 shot of winning the conference if we play at the level we do now. Forget the power conferences until we get an offensive flow. If Oakland win decisively, the Valpo psychological advantage of ranking in the #40s nationally goes away.
Also, Milwaukee not only beat Wisconsin, but beat Minnesota. Yes, the gophers are mid-RPI team, but two Big Ten wins by Milwaukee is what it is. The 2002 team didn't do that. So two Horizon teams are contenders and the tourney is in Detroit. After OSU win, I thought we would just keep getting better by melding in Hammink's power conference talent with a great group of returnees. Let's hope Tevonn's return corrects the offensive flow after several days of practicing before the Oakland game January 8. It will set the tone for the our Horizon season. At -large was gone after the Ball State game. If I hear that term again on this board, I will puke.
Quote from: crusadermoe on December 29, 2015, 10:24:38 AM
Like all, I was excited by the flashes of brilliance in pre-conference. Yes, our talent should dominate the Horizon.
However........let's remind ourselves of a bit of reality!! Oakland and K. Felder took Michigan State to O.T. and they beat Washington while we have regressed since the OSU win. We play at Oakland early, Jan. 8. Lose and there is no better than a 50-50 shot of winning the conference if we play at the level we do now. Forget the power conferences until we get an offensive flow. If Oakland win decisively, the Valpo psychological advantage of ranking in the #40s nationally goes away.
Also, Milwaukee not only beat Wisconsin, but beat Minnesota. Yes, the gophers are mid-RPI team, but two Big Ten wins by Milwaukee is what it is. The 2002 team didn't do that. So two Horizon teams are contenders and the tourney is in Detroit. After OSU win, I thought we would just keep getting better by melding in Hammink's power conference talent with a great group of returnees. Let's hope Tevonn's return corrects the offensive flow after several days of practicing before the Oakland game January 8. It will set the tone for the our Horizon season. At -large was gone after the Ball State game. If I hear that term again on this board, I will puke.
Oakland also played a tight game at home vs Chicago State. If you're going to judge them for games they didn't win, you have to look at poor performances in games that they did win.
This xseason there appears to be a big weakness in the middle and around the basket, both on offense and defense...let's face it, Vashil is MIA so far this year.
Quote from: valpo64 on December 29, 2015, 03:37:56 PM
This xseason there appears to be a big weakness in the middle and around the basket, both on offense and defense...let's face it, Vashil is MIA so far this year.
He actually has a lower defensive rating than last year. Recency bias suggests he's been MIA defensively. Offensively, he's never really arrived in the first place.
The loss at Belmont isn't as much of an issue as the loss at Ball State. At the end of the season, one could make a pretty good case for an at large bid with four losses as follows: OCC losses at Oregon and Belmont and in-conference losses at say Milwaukee and at Oakland. If the fifth loss of the season ends up as a close loss in the HL championship, then it wouldn't be unrealistic to have a good shot an at-large bid. The Ball State loss is going to look far worse to the selection committee.
Of course, just win the HL tourney and it isn't an issue.
Quote from: valpo95 on December 30, 2015, 07:43:05 AM
The loss at Belmont isn't as much of an issue as the loss at Ball State. At the end of the season, one could make a pretty good case for an at large bid with four losses as follows: OCC losses at Oregon and Belmont and in-conference losses at say Milwaukee and at Oakland. If the fifth loss of the season ends up as a close loss in the HL championship, then it wouldn't be unrealistic to have a good shot an at-large bid. The Ball State loss is going to look far worse to the selection committee.
Of course, just win the HL tourney and it isn't an issue.
I would think that if all our losses are on the road that the committee would also look favorable on our record.
I think all losses are created pretty equal - a loss to a better team is an opportunity wasted to beat a better opponent. It does matter if it's at home or on the road, but I think the difference between replacing a ball state loss with a win isn't much different than replacing the Oregon loss with a win.
http://www.hoopville.com/2015/12/29/the-morning-dish-tuesday-december-29-2015/ (http://www.hoopville.com/2015/12/29/the-morning-dish-tuesday-december-29-2015/)
Quote
Still, any number of comments on this game pronounced the Crusaders' NCAA Tournament at-large hopes as dead after this loss. Nonsense. Valpo went out and played a very tough non-conference schedule, and the NCAA selection committee routinely says it takes into account injuries when evaluating teams. With wins at Oregon State and the effort to play teams like Oregon, Rhode Island and Belmont on the road, Bryce Drew's team will likely need to win the Horizon League regular season crown, but if it does so, and doesn't use up 5-6 losses to do it, then an at-large berth will be a reasonable possibility.
This "at large" stuff should not be the subject of any more discussion at the present time. I think we have enough worries right now trying to fend off several other very capable HL teams for the regular season and HL tournament titles, not to mention a very challenging stretch of games to begin the conference season.
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on December 30, 2015, 12:19:16 PM
This "at large" stuff should not be the subject of any more discussion at the present time. I think we have enough worries right now trying to fend off several other very capable HL teams for the regular season and HL tournament titles, not to mention a very challenging stretch of games to begin the conference season.
Paul
We're fans, not players. Looking ahead to March doesn't really affect whether or not Valpo's going to win their next few games.
I was at the game behind our bench. Would have loved to see Jubril defensively in the post against Bradds. I honestly believed that would have solved that problem. Bradds would lower his shoulder and muschle Alec so deep that he ended up shooting bunnies. Bradds couldn't out muscle Jubril. We started scoring on most possessions in the second half (didn't matter because thats when Bradds was scoring on every touch). We were more productive and efficient on offense when we weren't trying to run so many sets. Our guys were taking them off the dribble and getting to the rim.
More isolation and pick and rolls please. Remember last year the pick and roll alley hoops to Vashil? We set the screens but no cuts to basket. A lot of time and passes outside of the arch.
Not to look for excuses, but, did we mention Tevonn leaving the game to vomit? A quote or paraphrase of Bryce, in Oren's post-game piece.
Belmont knocked off Murray State 81-73 in Nashville. Racers were up by 5 in the second half but got down by at 11, I believe, before MSU starting inching back only to lose by 8. There was some really sloppy play from Murray.