According to RPI, this is the toughest game on the schedule.
With late-day action on Saturday, the Cardinals fall to #50... the Crusaders are #256. RealTime Predictor has BSU with a 1-point win...
No students on campus. Opposite the Saints / Panthers on MNF.
It's half-price ticket night... $10 chairbacks, $5 GA
Long week of finals ... coming off a decent shooting night.
BSU is currently on a 5-game winning streak, with Evansville on Sunday. (BSU has already beaten Evansville once this year 82-72) . AND they have beaten two other MVC teams, Indiana State 86-69 in the opener and @ Loyola 75-69. Their three losses are to P5's Purdue (by 9), VT (by 9)and Bama (by 18).
We owe them big time after what they did last year in Muncie.
We surprise Ball State, and avenge last year's late loss:
Valpo 74
Ball State 66
At least we have now given Ball State something to think about.... They are going to have to chose.
1. Double Smits and make us both rotate the ball and hit 3's
2. Don't double Smits and make him beat them thus not giving us as many open looks.
Personally if I was a coach of an opposing program I would make Smits beat us. Make him have a really good game to win and put pressure on the 3 point line and see if Valpo falls into the trap of shooting bad 3's.
At GW we proved with good ball rotation we can hit open 3's after a double team. Do we have enough discipline to NOT shoot 3's when we are not open? Do we have people that can drive the ball effectively. Can Smits scoring 22-24 points be enough to win a game when we are not hitting 3's.
Still lots of questions.
Ball State lost at Evansville this afternoon, 89-77. Attendance at Evansville was 5672 with a good student turnout. Unfortunately, we play Ball State on a Monday after the semester ends.
A few weeks ago BSU beat EU by about 9 or 10 at Muncie. Odd scheduling for sure.
I think we can win this game. Ball State is a good but we have the talent to match them. The real question is which Valpo team is going to show up on Monday? We haven't played great at home all season, which is bizarre. Another challenge will be determining what kind of energy is in the building with no students on campus (why can't both coaching staffs seem to figure this out? Play these in-state rivalry games when students are on campus).
I really want this game. That game last year left a really bad taste in my mouth. The Persons kid is a good player but smug. I'm going to be watching Branchen Hazen. The coaching staff heavily recruited him and we all know the story with his brother last season. Will he be extra motivated?
Quote from: VU2014 on December 10, 2018, 10:19:11 AM
I'm going to be watching Branchen Hazen. The coaching staff heavily recruited him and we all know the story with his brother last season. Will he be extra motivated?
Hazen hasn't played in the last four games due to injury. We'll see if he has healed by next Monday.
Might depend on which Ball State team shows up as well. They just lost to Evansville on the road, who's not as good as Valpo, so if their shots aren't falling, Valpo should feel pretty confident. Also could depend on the whistle, as Ball State is team that gets to the line a lot, while Valpo doesn't commit many fouls. Should be interesting to see what happens.
I think everyone knows this by now but the Athletics Dept is selling half priced tickets for the Ball State game. I'm definitely going to make the trip for this game. It should be a good one.
https://twitter.com/ValpoAlumni/status/1072846134199095297
Quote from: VU2014 on December 12, 2018, 08:37:20 AM
I think everyone knows this by now but the Athletics Dept is selling half priced tickets for the Ball State game. I'm definitely going to make the trip for this game. It should be a good one.
https://twitter.com/ValpoAlumni/status/1072846134199095297
Only
38 Chairback tickets available as of 6:23 PM 12/12/18
Quote from: valpo64 on December 10, 2018, 10:08:26 AM
A few weeks ago BSU beat EU by about 9 or 10 at Muncie. Odd scheduling for sure.
It's UE not EU.
https://youtu.be/dYo0sZEc1c4
Ball State preview.
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1073309961793482752
Looks like the crowd is going to be pretty big. Now 18 chairbacks left and 105 on the reserve side. Upstairs looks like about 7 or 8 rows deep gone. Still three days till game time. It won't be a sellout but still the biggest crowd of the year to date. As for the students, there are easily 100 kids living within a short drive if they can simply get off their A$$es and show up. >:(
That won't happen, and quite frankly I couldn't blame them after being treated to the game they saw last time at home. Time to give away free tickets behind the basket to anyone with a high school ID.
Or get a couple different high school bands and stick um in the student section and let them alternate playing songs during timeouts.
Quote from: M on December 14, 2018, 10:49:09 AM
That won't happen, and quite frankly I couldn't blame them after being treated to the game they saw last time at home. Time to give away free tickets behind the basket to anyone with a high school ID.
Or get a couple different high school bands and stick um in the student section and let them alternate playing songs during timeouts.
https://twitter.com/ValpoU/status/1073696846952976387
Did anyone watch Valpo b-ball weekly? Literally for the first 2 minutes and 23 seconds he makes excuses.... flying here and there ... midterms .... doing laundry ..... like, seriously? I've never heard a coach make up so many excuses. Then he attributed the poor home performance to being too comfortable in a routine. Lol it's comical.
https://youtu.be/dYo0sZEc1c4
Quote from: VU2010 on December 14, 2018, 06:57:16 PM
Did anyone watch Valpo b-ball weekly? Literally for the first 2 minutes and 23 seconds he makes excuses.... flying here and there ... midterms .... doing laundry ..... like, seriously? I've never heard a coach make up so many excuses. Then he attributed the poor home performance to being too comfortable in a routine. Lol it's comical.
https://youtu.be/dYo0sZEc1c4
Yeah watched it last night, I'll admit to being annoyed by the excuses at first. But a point is made regarding why we have been better on the road (more focus, less distractions).
He went onto point out that studies were difficult with that road / travel to start the season and players may have been distracted upon arriving home. Question asked (why more effective on the road) and question answered ("excuses" as you put it).
Sorry but the laundry comment really put me over the top ... literally laughing out loud ... ok maybe crying a bit ... but, mostly laughing
Probably, it would be better to not be overly critical of Matt's comments. Next thing you know he'll clam up and turn into another Bryce, who could fill 15 minutes and say absolutely nothing of substance better than anyone I've ever seen. And, before someone misinterprets, I loved Bryce as both a player and coach.
I agree with WH.
Also in the radio interview Matt made it clear he felt we really should be 7-2 and that we should have won the game at Wake Forest. I don't think he looks at them as excuses vs just reasons for the lower level of play. Also I actually am not surprised by the High Point game and feel like his reasoning is pretty spot on. That week is a horrible week for college students. Most have huge projects due, final tests that happen before the finals and everyone is pretty much exhausted. I wouldn't be surprised if that combined with the road travels and a bit of over-looking High Point all contributed to the complete travesty that was their play that night. They all looked like zombies.
Quote from: vu72 on December 14, 2018, 08:46:51 AM
Looks like the crowd is going to be pretty big. Now 18 chairbacks left and 105 on the reserve side. Upstairs looks like about 7 or 8 rows deep gone. Still three days till game time. It won't be a sellout but still the biggest crowd of the year to date. As for the students, there are easily 100 kids living within a short drive if they can simply get off their A$$es and show up. >:(
Very possibly a lot of BSU fans are buying some/most of these seats.
Quote from: valpospartan on December 15, 2018, 08:04:19 PM
Quote from: vu72 on December 14, 2018, 08:46:51 AM
Looks like the crowd is going to be pretty big. Now 18 chairbacks left and 105 on the reserve side. Upstairs looks like about 7 or 8 rows deep gone. Still three days till game time. It won't be a sellout but still the biggest crowd of the year to date. As for the students, there are easily 100 kids living within a short drive if they can simply get off their A$$es and show up. >:(
Very possibly a lot of BSU fans are buying some/most of these seats.
Lower arena looks pretty full, but lots of seats available up top. I'm hoping for a big walk-up crowd to snag those $5 tickets!
I just glanced at the ESPN Power Index Projections which guesses us to finish #117 with 18.3 wins and 12.7 losses. A conference record of 10.4 and 7.6. Hmmmm ???
Our next 3 Div 1 games should answer many questions. Ball St, @ Texas A&M and Illinois St are all difficult but beatable opponents. 2 out of 3 and we are on track to meet the above projection. With a sweep we might catapult forward to the top of the MVC projections. With only 1 of 3, I will be resigned to admit that my optimism for the 18-19 season was much too high.
It all starts tonight. Be there :popcorn: for the win. :thewave:
Looks like Vegas favors Valpo by 1 point.
Looking forward to this in state match-up tonight, the line is even so Vegas can't figure this one out either. We NEED TO WIN AT HOME! Like someone already said hopefully those ticket sales aren't to BSU fans. In the GW game thread I predicted a loss, but I've changed my mind ;D
VU-79
BSU-77
Valpo 5 of 45 from 3-point land in a 30 point blow out.
Post game discussion topics will include but are not limited too...
1. Why did we take so many 3's when we were not hitting
2. Why didn't Smits get more touches
3. Yes we were out-rebounded but because we were jacking up and missing 3's
Don't hold back. Go ahead, say what's on your mind ;)
I'm feeling optimistic tonight boys. So we're probably fudged.
Vu 73
BSU 68
I hadn't thought of the sales of tickets to Ball State fans. We'll see what kind of numbers and energy the BSU fans bring. Again, I give credit where due to the students for their showing in the High Point game. Are they done with finals?
Quote from: crusadermoe on December 17, 2018, 05:24:28 PMI hadn't thought of the sales of tickets to Ball State fans. We'll see what kind of numbers and energy the BSU fans bring. Again, I give credit where due to the students for their showing in the High Point game. Are they done with finals?
Done with Finals and gone from Campus. :(
I think we are going to tell early on if this a strong offensive night for Valpo and if the hot shooting carries over from the long layover from the GW game.
Not a particularly strong performance from either team in this first half...
We just look off
Playing a lot of matador defense tonight.
All but three points in the paint for BSU, mostly uncontested layups.
We are really stinking it up on defense.
Ball State moving the ball well. That late run was a long time coming.
Coach Lottich looked pissed in his halftime interview... and he should be. What a garbage last 4 minutes of the 1st half... and not a great 1st half. Do they even want to be out there tonight(?) because it doesn't look like it...
Quote from: hailcrusaders on December 17, 2018, 07:41:59 PM
Ball State moving the ball well. That late run was a long time coming.
No....
We are a TERRIBLE defense team. A layup is literally an easy pass away on every posession.
Uncontested layup after uncontested layup.
This second half will tell us a lot about this team. Either we man up and respond to getting slapped in the face in our own gym or lay back and get creame.
One thing that concerns me is the body language of this team. They just don't look like they enjoy playing together.
"Hey coach how do I score more points?"
Coach - "dude, we are playing valpo, Just cut to the basket and we will pass it to you, should get lots of easy layups. Hell we won't even habe to set you an off ball screen."
I'm at the game and this is utterly embarrassing We can't shoot We can't score We can't defend And we don't make adjustments This game is little more than a Ball State layup drill Lottich should be pissed and the players should be embarrassed I sure am
We are down 10 at half and Persons hasn't scored yet. That's how pathetic our interior defense is. Derrik and Jay getting beat down the court for easy transition hoops. Both should have been pulled on the spot. Markus gets backdoored twice. 7' Jay cowers with the ball directly underneath the basket. Evelyn can't hit an outside shot - again. Derrik is back to crying to the refs.
It will be a miracle if we stay in this game.
Whoever earlier in the day said this is a good team, rethink.
Quote from: wh on December 17, 2018, 07:57:57 PM
Whoever earlier in the day said this is a good team, rethink.
This isn't a good team. This a mediocre team and is highly inconsistent.
They didn't come to play today and it's embarrassing. Ball State isn't even playing a great game. We're playing like trash.
Everything about tonight sucks
The offense sucks
The defense sucks
The crowd energy sucks
The overall attendance sucks
Half price tickets and we maybe have 3000 people Pathetic That's no better than when they charge full price
We are not a team that hustles after the loose ball. The fact that there are so many loose balls also says a lot.
I can't blame people for not wanting to show up to watch this debacle. Hell im close to turning off my tv it's so bad. They look lost out there in every aspect. Pretty embarrassing.
We are a bad shooting team but continue to launch 3 after 3.
I now see why nobody wants to come to these games
Bad energy on and aoff the court
Dear Santa,
All I want for Xmas is Greg Tonagel.
Ball St Moms behind the bench are obnoxious.
We aren't looking good. We don't have a real shooter, and nothing about the offense targeted for any one to take control, if needed. Our shooting woes continue. Why don't we have anyone that has the confidence or the drive to take over shooting or leadership?
I love this program but this game is making me feel apathy while I'm watching it. Ball State isn't even play well and we can't even get anything going. I feel no energy or passion from this team tonight.
Haven't watched the last few games until tonight. Needed a break and now I think I need another break.
When did lottich start deviating from the gold tie? I always thought the coaches all wearing gold ties was a great professional look.
I'm very interested to hear how Lottich will spin this one
Was that Sorolla's 2nd lane violation?
Quote from: valporun on December 17, 2018, 08:30:35 PM
We aren't looking good. We don't have a real shooter, and nothing about the offense targeted for any one to take control, if needed. Our shooting woes continue. Why don't we have anyone that has the confidence or the drive to take over shooting or leadership?
Been too long to put this on the players. We have enough talent to compete. We need somebody who is quick to make in game adjustments. Lottich is not good at in game adjustments. Get Tonagel. I don't care about recruiting adjustments. You don't win basketball games without being able to adjust to find something that works to win the game in various ways. Don't care what level it is you don't win that much without knowing how to coach.
If we are not hot from 3 we don't win. 3 years in a row. Same story. Bryce found a way to win games when we didn't play well. That's coaching.
We can get a coach MUCH better than Greg
Cmon
Many Div 1 assistants would love this job
With that said
I don't think Lottich is going anywhere for the foreseeable future
Back door. Back door. Back door. Back door. Back door. How many times? Tonight we got to see what happens without Smitts. Good luck winning a game. Decent crowd ... still not what it once was a few years ago ... in a much worse conference ... against lesser opponents ... oh ya and all this with half price tickets!!!!
Horrible regression. Give up the gold ties and forge your own identity. Painful to watch a team try to crawl back into the game after getting out-coached. Won't win many valley games playing like this. And, at home. Then again they have laundry to get done and may still be tired from those flights.
Don't have the numbers in front of me to back it up, but can say with reasonable certainty that we got absolutely smoked on the glass. Used to take rebounding for granted in previous seasons.
Hard to lay turnovers at the feet of the coach, but ... It does seem like the coach hasn't found a combination of players who gel together ... For the last two years!
Well.....we really stunk it up.....at pretty much every phase of the game (except free throws tonight).
I wonder what the excuse will be this time. How about "The guys had sore wrists from all the finals they had to take last week."
Just a pitiful performance.
Lottich isn't going anywhere. Let's keep in mind the state of the women's program when Dorow was given a multi year extension a couple years back. How did that work out?
Remember when everyone was complaining about the weak home schedule
The pbp guy on the radio described the team as dysfunctional, spot on! That stems from one place only.
Sorolla has worse hands then a young Vashil, and two lane violations are you kidding me?? My middle school team hasn't had 2 all season.
There is zero upperclassmen leadership and zero toughness. Fazekas plays worse defense then Jabari Parker, Evelyn looks disinterested, Smits couldn't do anything cause the guy weighed more then him....
Thank goodness PNW comes in next. Get a W before the beat down in conference play begins.
I could only listen to the game, but noticed the following in the box score: VU was 3-16 (18%) from three, had 17 turnovers, 9 assists and 27 rebounds. Ball State shot 26.7% from three, had 10 turnovers, 18 assists and 35 rebounds.
It is really hard to win any basketball game shooting 18% from three and getting doubled up in assists. This was on home court!
Several on the forum have expressed that VU didn't capitalized on opportunities after the sweet 16 and possibly the NIT run. Fans saw a chance to spring momentum again when moving up to the MVC.
I think we missed a chance to hire a really good coach from a national search. We quickly hired the guy at the very end of the bench. We didn't even go shopping....
I desperately want to like and support Lottich but he gets harder to defend every game. No leadership. No communication. No flow. No shooting. No defense. No rebounding. No wins. I feel for him because I really believe he's trying but if he doesn't get things turned around soon we might see\hear fire Lottich and\or we want Tonagel signs\chants at home games. Everytime I walk into the ARC I feel an uneasiness\nervousness almost angry restlessness that wasn't there before. Get it together coach!
Quote from: valpopal on December 17, 2018, 12:58:49 PM
Looks like Vegas favors Valpo by 1 point.
Vegas was awfully wrong.
Other than us, or long time fans, the student body won't know how good a person Greg Tonagel was to start saying "Hire Tonegal/We Want Greg!" type stuff. They'd be more interested in just wanting to go to the Union, or back to study until we have a winning team, and a coaching staff that turns that corner.
Why was there only one person taking tickets tonight? They knew it was going to be a good (for Valpo) crowd and left one person at the table and made everyone wait in line. This whole athletics department is really dropping the ball. Oh, and I had to move the table at the end of the game again so people could get out easier.
12-22 against D1 competition since the win over Utah State last year.
Forget the student section, I'm surprised the cheerleaders even show up anymore.
Lottich is making the least of this team's talent. If no one has a strong individual performance, they lose. It's not a team, it's just a group of players.
I keep hoping that there's some coaching in reserve for conference play, but I know I'm going to be disappointed.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on December 17, 2018, 08:40:49 PMBeen too long to put this on the players. We have enough talent to compete. We need somebody who is quick to make in game adjustments. Lottich is not good at in game adjustments.
This was the best we were defended all season. Defensively it looked like what Tubby Smith and High point were doing except Ball St did it with bigger players and better speed. They smothered us outside the arc, closed the driving lanes then had a big muscle man inside if we did penetrate successfully. Did we make any first half adjustments? No- and not many second half adjustments either.
48 points in the paint?! I knew it was a lot but my goodness That's brutal
Nice to see some of you are finally seeing the writing on the wall here. Sorry but he's not ready to be a head coach yet.. at least at this level at this place at this time with this team.
Not his fault. How many coaches have we seen rise thru the ranks? High school ... d3 ... d2 ...naia ... etc 1 they learn how to coach how to run a program how to manage the ebbs and flows of a game played by kids with a lot of inconsistencies. Yes - there are Scott Drews out there who were born and bred to be head coaches. Sure. But rare ....
Last year it was all about the process - bunch of experienced players now and some freshmen that play hard. Kiser's entire family was there to watch him, and he got a minute at the end. Why? For Jay? Sorry but Kiser would play harder than he was playing. And why not put Smits in and let him get his fifth foul?
Why? Why? Why? Who knows. I'm just a fan. What do I know? Nothing.
Lottich doesn't know those things because they're acquired through experience ... not his fault. We took a risk knowing Bryce would leave ... took a Rush by hiring from within to preserve the players we had at that time.
Peters and company masked his inexperience. Now, we're reaping the long term setbacks of that present tense decision.
Yeah that poor girl who had to scan every ticket.
Positive: our cheerleading squads are really good.
Quote from: valpo95 on December 17, 2018, 09:20:53 PM
I could only listen to the game, but noticed the following in the box score: VU was 3-16 (18%) from three, had 17 turnovers, 9 assists and 27 rebounds. Ball State shot 26.7% from three, had 10 turnovers, 18 assists and 35 rebounds.
It is really hard to win any basketball game shooting 18% from three and getting doubled up in assists. This was on home court!
One thing the box score doesn't show is the number of easy drives to the basket that BSU had. Way too many.
Quote from: VU2010 on December 17, 2018, 10:01:31 PM
Nice to see some of you are finally seeing the writing on the wall here. Sorry but he's not ready to be a head coach yet.. at least at this level at this place at this time with this team.
Not his fault. How many coaches have we seen rise thru the ranks? High school ... d3 ... d2 ...naia ... etc 1 they learn how to coach how to run a program how to manage the ebbs and flows of a game played by kids with a lot of inconsistencies. Yes - there are Scott Drews out there who were born and bred to be head coaches. Sure. But rare ....
Last year it was all about the process - bunch of experienced players now and some freshmen that play hard. Kiser's entire family was there to watch him, and he got a minute at the end. Why? For Jay? Sorry but Kiser would play harder than he was playing. And why not put Smits in and let him get his fifth foul?
Why? Why? Why? Who knows. I'm just a fan. What do I know? Nothing.
Lottich doesn't know those things because they're acquired through experience ... not his fault. We took a risk knowing Bryce would leave ... took a Rush by hiring from within to preserve the players we had at that time.
Peters and company masked his inexperience. Now, we're reaping the long term setbacks of that present tense decision.
In a much tougher conference to boot. Nobody had a tougher first two years than Matt Lottich but at a certain point you have to start winning. It's a tough situation and not his fault but that can't afford won't be an excuse much longer. At a certain point you need to deliver results. As I said I think he's got until the end of next season and show improvement.
Leadership? Leadership? The only potential leader is a freshman by the name of Freeman. If the coaching staff doesn't get their act together soon our talented freshman leader will be looking for greener pastures :(
3636 the reported attendance. Not bad. Sure didn't feel like that many though.
Can someone post the post conference video link? I cannot find it ... don't get why it's not posted?
He may not have even given one tonight. I don't blame him if he didn't. What could he possibly say that hasn't already been said?
The closing quote from Lottich in Paul's article about the game doesn't lift my spirits because I'm pretty sure I've heard it before: ""We've got to learn from these games. It's a process of getting better every single day."
Quote from: valpopal on December 17, 2018, 10:29:13 PMThe closing quote from Lottich in Paul's article about the game doesn't lift my spirits because I'm pretty sure I've heard it before: ""We've got to learn from these games. It's a process of getting better every single day."
::) :(
So essentially what you're saying is he won't even make adjustments to his postgame comments how on Earth can we expect him to make adjustments on the fly during games?
Crusaders fall flat against in-state rival CardinalsPaul Oren Times Correspondent
Dec 17, 2018 https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-fall-flat-against-in-state-rival-cardinals/article_9deda23e-53ec-5c61-b3f9-e62188268b45.html
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1074886554785640448
Quote from: VU2010 on December 17, 2018, 10:24:16 PM
Can someone post the post conference video link? I cannot find it ... don't get why it's not posted?
After tough losses it seems to get uploaded a little slower.
Quote from: hailcrusaders on December 17, 2018, 08:57:29 PM
Don't have the numbers in front of me to back it up, but can say with reasonable certainty that we got absolutely smoked on the glass. Used to take rebounding for granted in previous seasons.
Out rebounded by 7 isn't exactly smoked but it shouldn't have happened. We have the players who can rebound.
I question the decision to not put Smits back in the game especially since Sorolla was doing nothing offensively and fumbling the ball away regularly. Especially after Jay got his 3rd & 4th fouls. At least Derrik has shown some offensive skill in other games. I'm sure Coach Lottich has a great excuse for it. Did Derrik have to go do laundry?
Quote from: VU2014 on December 17, 2018, 10:45:39 PMCrusaders fall flat against in-state rival Cardinals Paul Oren Times Correspondent Dec 17, 2018 https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-fall-flat-against-in-state-rival-cardinals/article_9deda23e-53ec-5c61-b3f9-e62188268b45.html (https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/crusaders-fall-flat-against-in-state-rival-cardinals/article_9deda23e-53ec-5c61-b3f9-e62188268b45.html) [tweet]1074886554785640448[/tweet] Quote from: VU2010 on December 17, 2018, 10:24:16 PMCan someone post the post conference video link? I cannot find it ... don't get why it's not posted?
After tough losses it seems to get uploaded a little slower.
Probably a good thing. Gives him time to cool down a bit and measure his responses so that they aren't as heavily influenced by the emotion of the loss.
Is it me or does Lottich look mostly worried\scared\sad and not upset?
Okay, I've watched the postgame press conference, and the common note struck by Lottich and both players was that the team lacked energy in the first half. I guess I don't understand: you are playing in front of the largest home crowd of the season, your opponent is an in-state rival that beat you on a final-second shot last season, you've just come off a good win, you've had time off from classes to rest, practice, and prepare; yet, you don't start the game with any energy! ???
I don't know who fed on who because I felt like the crowd had no energy even early in the game. This isn't to excuse the players but it is something I noticed being there.
[/quote]
Quote from: historyman on December 17, 2018, 11:02:29 PMQuote from: hailcrusaders on December 17, 2018, 08:57:29 PMDon't have the numbers in front of me to back it up, but can say with reasonable certainty that we got absolutely smoked on the glass. Used to take rebounding for granted in previous seasons.
Out rebounded by 7 isn't exactly smoked but it shouldn't have happened. We have the players who can rebound. I question the decision to not put Smits back in the game especially since Sorolla was doing nothing offensively and fumbling the ball away regularly. Especially after Jay got his 3rd & 4th fouls. At least Derrik has shown some offensive skill in other games. I'm sure Coach Lottich has a great excuse for it. Did Derrik have to go do laundry?
Smits was awful tonight. Wouldn't have made a difference.
Quote from: Valpo Joe on December 17, 2018, 10:12:01 PM
Leadership? Leadership? The only potential leader is a freshman by the name of Freeman. If the coaching staff doesn't get their act together soon our talented freshman leader will be looking for greener pastures :(
He competed til the end. He hasn't quit. Neither freshman has. They're the least of our worries. Not worried about either leaving yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-nqITD0XDg&feature=youtu.be
Coach: "I thought our energy level was non-existent for a majority (of the game), especially in the first half," Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said. "We did get some life in the second half and we had players compete. We have got to fight...until we're willing to do that, we're going to be an up-and-down team."
Player: "You can look at it as we didn't make shots, but we didn't execute on the defensive end," Fazekas said. "Too many back doors, too many mental mistakes. That's where we lost the game."
Which of the two provides more specifics? The coach, or the player? How many times will we accept - without question - the lack of in-game and between-game adjustments?
Once again - same starters for 10 games just like last year but can't ever find the right fit. Interesting. Wonder why?
Maybe we need some Woodenisms:
"I think that in any group activity—whether it be business, sports or family—there has to be leadership or it won't be successful."
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."
"Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them."
"We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else."
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 17, 2018, 11:13:49 PM
I don't know who fed on who because I felt like the crowd had no energy even early in the game. This isn't to excuse the players but it is something I noticed being there.
Where I was sitting there was a collective groan when Smits was called for a foul only 20 seconds into the game, and the energy level dipped when he was called for his second foul with about 6 minutes left in the half and the game still even. Both calls seemed a bit questionable since Smits and the Ball State player were each going at one another. I think the game made us realize how crucial Smits has become to the flow of the offense. The team appeared less confident without Smits and reluctant to pass inside to Sorolla, perhaps for good reason. After Smits left, Ball State started their run to the 10 point halftime lead, and the crowd energy seemed totally deflated when Ball State got the corner 3-pointer with less than 20 seconds left in the first half.
In the pre season poll I thought I was being conservative in picking Valpo to finish fifth. At this point I can easily see us finishing last again. I have no idea who plays what role on this team. Maybe if we happen to be shooting well from three on a given night we could win a few games in conference, but if we're not I don't think we have much chance. We don't defend well. We don't rebound well. We don't have a go to player who can win a game in crunch time. Our guys look a step slow defending penetration and a step slow trying to penetrate much of the time. Smits looked good at times in out of conference games but tonight he reverted to what he was most of last year i. e. picking up a ton of fouls, whining to the refs, and spending most of the game on the bench as a non-factor. Sorolla pressed into extended minutes regardless of his bum ankle was a big nothing. I swear he missed a put back from one inch in the second half. And McMillan who was touted as making a big leap this year has been absent in recent games.
So I've kind of written this year off in terms of any big improvement in our conference standing. But without a decent step up this year can we really expect the kind of season next year that we need in order to recruit the kind of players we need to contend the following year and beyond? And if we can't develop the current players by their senior years, why would the kind of recruits we need believe our coaching staff has the ability to develop them? So I see next year as a make or break year for this program, and what I've seen so far does not make me optimistic.
Got to tell you I was hoping for big improvement from last year and what I'm seeing is a team that is no better than last years, and maybe has a ways to go to be as good as we were at the end of last year.
Quote from: M on December 17, 2018, 09:42:49 PM
Why was there only one person taking tickets tonight? They knew it was going to be a good (for Valpo) crowd and left one person at the table and made everyone wait in line. This whole athletics department is really dropping the ball. Oh, and I had to move the table at the end of the game again so people could get out easier.
Yep, a huge backup from the entrance all the way to 1 ticket taking lady. To make matters worse, the lady didn't have a hand scanner, so so rather than simply scan tickets as they always do, she had to collect every ticket, crudely tear off the stub (no perforations), and return the ticket to each customer. Since the ticket takers are always students, obviously no one bothered to line up ticket takers in their absence or get the scanners out and set them up. It looked more like some well intending volunteer selling 50/50 raffle tickets at a middle school bb game than processing tickets at a college basketball arena.
Quote from: valpopal on December 17, 2018, 11:29:21 PMThe team appeared less confident without Smits and reluctant to pass inside to Sorolla,
Sorolla stayed in the game as the better defender. He had 6 rebounds and no TOs in his 25 minutes. Derrik had only 1 rebound and 3 TOs in 9 minutes.
Quote from: nkvu on December 17, 2018, 11:32:48 PMAt this point I can easily see us finishing last again.
No way! I still have us at 9-9 at least.
Quote from: nkvu on December 17, 2018, 11:32:48 PMMaybe if we happen to be shooting well from three on a given night we could win a few games
When the defenders completely take away the 3 then something else is open and you go to plan B. What is our plan B anyway ??? Looked to me that on the fly we could have packed 2 sometimes 3 bodies down low to screan each other open and free up our guard play. 9 assists-17 TOs :o Numbers like that make me shudder!
Quote from: nkvu on December 17, 2018, 11:32:48 PMOur guys look a step slow defending penetration and a step slow trying to penetrate
You'll get no argument there.
Quote from: nkvu on December 17, 2018, 11:32:48 PMGot to tell you I was hoping for big improvement from last year and what I'm seeing is a team that is no better than last year
Wait! We are much better at the 5, enormously improved at the 4, same guys at the 3, big step up at the point and a freshman of the year candidate at the 2. So what is wrong with this group? How come they can't get shots against good defense or get stops at the other end? :rant:
Rant will commence in 3,2,1...Lottich doesn't how to lead men, there were a couple bad calls in my opinion and maybe Lottich mentioned something to the officials but there was nothing beyond that. I get that you don't want to put your team down more points but men of that age respond to being stood up for and Lottich NEVER does.However, the refs didn't lose this game for Valpo, just 2-3 bad calls that I saw. Also does ML ever put the blame on himself or the other coaches? It's always the players fault? That's BS, be an adult, admit you didn't get them ready on occasion(if he has I haven't seen it and I watch a majority of the post game pressers) Not enough energy?? maybe have a pregame speech that gets them FIRED UP. I've had 5 years of experience coaching college athletes(yes swimmers which is obviously a completely different sport but the demographic isn't much different) and if you constantly put the blame on them they will eventually be disinterested. Just a couple weeks ago Roy Williams took the blame when UNC lost to Michigan and even though his players missed defensive assignments etc he still put it on himself. A MAN with some wisdom.
Because I know the X's and O's of basketball so well(sarcasm) here is my synopsis. A couple people already said this but why didn't Smits come back in with like 6-8 minutes to go in the 2nd half?? He wasn't playing great but he has played well all season and has earned the right to come back in. Some of you said you would have liked to have seen Kiser instead of Sorolla, I 100% disagree, Kiser is not a D1 player. Just because he plays hard doesn't mean he should get minutes. Sorolla will start hitting those bunnies he missed tonight in a few games. Too many contested 3s. No great set plays, I loved the plays Bryce/Homer used to use to get Broekhoff/Peters open(typically a down screen or double screen) out of the timeouts. Or the lob plays which would help get the bench/crowd energized.
I'd give Matt until the end of the 2019-2020 season, baring injury or any other unforeseen bs we should finish top 3 in the MVC and win 20(22)+ games. However I don't think that's what MLB will do.
Just find a way to win at Texas A&M!
If ML was willing to fight for his guys, I'd feel better about things. But, he's not. I get the impression he's a Stanford guy who doesn't get why his players can't do what he wants them to do. He doesn't realize his lack of communication skills. At least from what we can see. He doesn't stand up for his players. Idk if he lacks the confidence to do so or what. Seems like a person who believes in himself, maybe to a fault. Idk... what I do know is I wouldn't want to play for him from what I can see. No energy. No emotion. Bryce was getting paid upwards of $400k /year. Idk what ML makes. But, he's making a GOOD salary. Way more than the rest of us, more than likely. Maybe combined lol.
He needs to provide substantive responses in public comments to show he knows what the issues are. He kept saying he needed to watch film before x, y, and z. Come on. Seeioauly? There's glaring issues. But - if it's all on the players - then YES you would have to watch film before being able to provide any answers.
You could say if Roy Williams can man up and hold himself accountable so too could ML. But the thing is that's what separates the Roy Williams from the rest.
It's humiliating. Felt horrible seeing Parker in the stands last night - I asked myself: How could he see something in Parker to justify starting him for 8+ games then NEVER play him thereafter?
What did you see in him that caused you to start him only to later feel he didn't deserve playing time? Who knows. Who knows. And as for recruits and the whole preserving things - who do we have committed? Nobody.
Just saying ...
"Greg Tonagel begins his 14th season at the helm of the Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team in 2018-19.
Tonagel and the Wildcats have won three NAIA Division II National Championships in a five year spans with titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Indiana Wesleyan won the 2014 red banner in unprecedented fashion as they became the first team to win all five of their games at the national tournament by double digit. In 2016, Indiana Wesleyan defeated the top two seeds in the tournament to claim the title. IWU beat four top-15 teams in 2018 en route to the title, including No. 1 IU East and No. 7 Saint Francis in the championship game, the fourth win over the Cougars during the season.
Tonagel is a three-time NABC/NAIA Division II National Coach of the Year.
In his 13 season as a head coach, Tonagel has already led Indiana Wesleyan to three national championships, one Final Four, five Elite Eight finishes, and nine Crossroads League regular season championships, including seven straight from 2009-15. Tonagel has three Crossroads League Tournament championships as well with wins in 2010, 2015, and 2018.
Indiana Wesleyan has finished three seasons as the No. 1-ranked team in NAIA Division II. Tonagel's teams have spent time in the NAIA top-five in each of the last 12 seasons.
In 13 years as head coach, Tonagel is the winningest coach in program history. He has the highest winning percentage (.786), most wins (361), most NAIA national tournament victories (29), most national tournament appearances (11), most Crossroads League regular season championships (9), and most Crossroads League Tournament championships (3).
The former Valparaiso (Ind.) University point guard, known for his hard work and energy, has brought those characteristics to the basketball program. Tonagel was introduced as head men's basketball coach on April 1, 2005. Drawing from experience gained from leading the Valparaiso Crusaders to four NCAA tournament appearances as a starting point guard, along with the tutelage of mentor Homer Drew, Tonagel has helped orchestrate a new era of Wildcat basketball.
Prior to Tonagel's hiring, the Wildcats had won seven games and finished last in the Mid-Central College Conference. The program improved by 10 wins under Tonagel's tutelage in his first year on the bench and reached the NAIA Elite Eight in his second season. Making a name for himself when it comes to program building, Tonagel has done it through sound developmental teaching and high caliber recruiting.
Much of the unprecedented success of the Wildcats can be attributed to the culture Tonagel built at IWU. The IWU culture is built around two biblically transforming principles; I am Third and Fearless. "It's our core belief that God has created us for greatness when we realize our potential in becoming "third" and "fearless." What I have come to realize is that I don't just coach basketball, I coach people" comments Tonagel. This has helped the influence of IWU basketball to extend far beyond the court. Tonagel and his staff have been committed to using basketball as a platform for discipleship.
Prior to his current position, Tonagel served as Director of Basketball Operations at Valparaiso University, where he played in four NCAA Tournaments. He also led his LaPorte High School team to the last single class state finals in 1997. Greg and his wife, Amy, along with their three children Jace, William, and Allie reside in Marion. He is active in a number of organizations and causes, most notably his church."
ML:
"Matt Lottich enters his sixth season overall at Valparaiso University and third season as head coach of the men's basketball program entering the 2018-2019 season.
Lottich led Valpo to 15 victories in his second season in charge in 2017-2018 and guided the Crusaders through the move to the Missouri Valley Conference, which ended the campaign ranked eighth nationally in conference RPI.
In his first season at the helm of the Crusader men's basketball program, Lottich guided Valpo to its fifth Horizon League regular season championship in the last six years as he led the Crusaders to 24 wins and an at-large berth into the NIT. Lottich's inaugural season as head coach was highlighted by a home win over a nationally-ranked Rhode Island squad, as well as neutral-site wins over Alabama and BYU to capture the MGM Grand Main Event.
Lottich coached the Horizon League Player of the Year and an NABC Third Team All-American in Alec Peters, guiding the senior as he closed out one of the top careers in program history. Peters enjoyed his finest season as a senior, ranking among the top-20 in the nation in both scoring and rebounding and breaking five of Valpo's career records.
Lottich was hired as the 22nd head coach in the history of the Valpo men's basketball program in April of 2016. Lottich, who had served the previous three seasons as an assistant coach on the Crusaders' staff, became just the program's fifth head coach in the last 36 years.
Lottich arrived at Valparaiso University in summer 2013 and helped guide the Crusaders to 78 victories over his three seasons as an assistant. Valpo won two Horizon League regular season championships and one league tournament title over those three years.
The Crusaders recorded the top two victory totals in program history over Lottich's final two years as an assistant. Valpo broke the previous school record for wins in a season during the 2014-2015 campaign, winning 28 games and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Then, the 2015-2016 season saw Valpo win a program-record 30 games and advance to the NIT championship game at Madison Square Garden.
Lottich brings nearly a decade of professional playing experience to the head coaching position at Valparaiso University. Lottich spent eight years playing professionally in Japan for the Oita Heat Devils and the Osaka Evessa, earning All-Star recognition four times. He also played one season in Germany in the Bundesliga for the Dusseldorf Giants, played one season in New Zealand in the NBL for the Harbor Heat and was a member of the New Jersey Nets' summer league team in 2004.
Lottich played collegiately at Stanford University from 2000 through 2004. As a senior in 2003-2004, he helped lead the Cardinal to the Pac-10 title while earning NABC All-Star plaudits, awarded to the top-15 seniors in college basketball. He was also a member of the Wooden Award midseason watch list and was an Honorable Mention All Pac-10 selection as a senior. Lottich was also a member of the program's conference championship squad as a freshman in 2000-2001 and still ranks among Stanford's single-season and career leaders in 3-pointers made.
Off the court, Lottich came to Valpo from the National Collegiate Scouting Association, where he started in January 2013. Lottich ascended to the position of head scout during his time with the NCSA, which helps high school athletes navigate the world of college recruiting. Lottich also co-founded the TEAM Life Skills basketball camp in 2004 and spent nine years managing and developing the camp.
Lottich played his prep basketball at New Trier [Ill.] H.S., where he was named the Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Year in 2000 and holds the distinction of being the program's all-time leading scorer. Lottich graduated from Stanford University in 2004 and currently resides in Valparaiso with his wife, Kylan, and their four children: Grace, Matthan, Christian and Landon."
Why not do a national search if the head coach and associate head coach leave?
Why not do a national search if no one on your staff has more than 3 years head coaching experience?
Another missed opportunity?
Please stop with the Tonagel talk. If DI head coach really was his goal he would have left IW years ago. I get the success and ties to Vu. But if another of our ex players coached IUN to a couple of national titles would we want to hire him? Same level.
For me, when we get to MVC play this team has 10-8 talent. Every game below 10-8 will be a reflection on Lottich's coaching ability. Just my opinion.
I wish him the best, but if we are under 5 games in the MVC he needs to go. I will be the 1st to apologize if/when he proves me wrong.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on December 18, 2018, 07:46:28 AM
For me, when we get to MVC play this team has 10-8 talent. Every game below 10-8 will be a reflection on Lottich's coaching ability. Just my opinion.
I wish him the best, but if we are under 5 games in the MVC he needs to go. I will be the 1st to apologize if/when he proves me wrong.
I had to wait till today to post because if I had done so last night I would have been banned by the moderator. All I have to say today is...WTF! If the students aren't showing up, the crowds won't either and we will go back to Homer Drew's early years with a few hundred showing up. A really pathetic showing all around. Once again we were out-coached, out hustled and just about everything else.
Depressing, just depressing.
Agreed with SanityLost and NativeCheeshead.
Although I believe our talent is more than the third tier of the MVC. In years past our talent was more than third tier of the MVC even though we were HL.
Lottich is not the guy. I wish he was. And if he proves otherwise, I will eat crow and apologize. Even though Lottich isn't the guy, ML will keep Lottich longer than he needs too with the likely hood of doing more damage to the program. Lottich isn't going anywhere.
Valpo is a tough job. Academics, bad facilities and high expectations.
Quote from: valpospartan on December 17, 2018, 10:07:20 PM
One thing the box score doesn't show is the number of easy drives to the basket that BSU had. Way too many.
Great point ... it's like they weren't even trying on that end of the court. Am I the only one who thinks this is related to removal of the giant Crusader and the University's "rebranding" efforts?
Remember, there's no "D" in "Valpo".
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 18, 2018, 07:33:25 AM
Please stop with the Tonagel talk. If DI head coach really was his goal he would have left IW years ago. I get the success and ties to Vu. But if another of our ex players coached IUN to a couple of national titles would we want to hire him? Same level.
Just for clarification: Tonagel apparently really wanted the job when it opened up and he didn't get a interview fwiw. Coach Lottich even offered him to be an assistant on the staff but he declined. I don't have any problem hiring NAIA coaches. If you can coach, you can coach. But the bigger question is if he can recruit at this level. Landing underrated guys who are fringe d1 players doesn't mean you can recruit the caliber of players we need to compete in the MVC. Also I don't think people realize just how religious Tonagel runs his program. He's a Godly man and that is great and noble thing but that type of program culture won't mesh with every player and recruit.
I think it's fair to start questioning if Coach Lottich has the coaching chops to succeed. He's clearly not a dumb guy and he was a good assistant but does that transfer to being a good head coach. No matter what I think he deserves a full recruiting cycle to get his guys in there. A 4-5 year stint is when we'll know if he's the guy for the long term (meaning he's so good a P5 wants to hire him).
The thing that really troubles me is that I don't see a cohesive offensive system. either he doesn't have the players he needs to run his system or they aren't buying in. We're not a good team if we need this valpo team to hit +40% from 3pt to win a game against a solid opponent.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on December 17, 2018, 08:40:49 PM
Quote from: valporun on December 17, 2018, 08:30:35 PM
We aren't looking good. We don't have a real shooter, and nothing about the offense targeted for any one to take control, if needed. Our shooting woes continue. Why don't we have anyone that has the confidence or the drive to take over shooting or leadership?
Been too long to put this on the players. We have enough talent to compete. We need somebody who is quick to make in game adjustments. Lottich is not good at in game adjustments. Get Tonagel. I don't care about recruiting adjustments. You don't win basketball games without being able to adjust to find something that works to win the game in various ways. Don't care what level it is you don't win that much without knowing how to coach.
If we are not hot from 3 we don't win. 3 years in a row. Same story. Bryce found a way to win games when we didn't play well. That's coaching.
There was one reporter from a Ft Wayne newspaper who seemed to favour his alma mater, Butler, and therefore we had never really liked that had said Greg Tonagel should have at least gotten an interview for the Valpo job. Were we so prejudiced against him that we couldn't hear his message at the time?
I think Wednesday will be far more telling about the team and how they respond to a poor showing. They should be ready to play plenty hard on the road at Texas A&M, but if they don't, then I'd say there's more reason to be concerned over guys just not being ready to play after finals.
Previously I had looked at the quick turnaround as a bad thing, but given how they performed both offensively and defensively outside of Golder, I think it's more likely that the team is ready to go on Wednesday night. Also glad that it's on the SEC network, so I'll have the chance to watch.
Quote from: bbtds on December 18, 2018, 08:46:44 AM
Quote from: SanityLost17 on December 17, 2018, 08:40:49 PM
Quote from: valporun on December 17, 2018, 08:30:35 PM
We aren't looking good. We don't have a real shooter, and nothing about the offense targeted for any one to take control, if needed. Our shooting woes continue. Why don't we have anyone that has the confidence or the drive to take over shooting or leadership?
Been too long to put this on the players. We have enough talent to compete. We need somebody who is quick to make in game adjustments. Lottich is not good at in game adjustments. Get Tonagel. I don't care about recruiting adjustments. You don't win basketball games without being able to adjust to find something that works to win the game in various ways. Don't care what level it is you don't win that much without knowing how to coach.
If we are not hot from 3 we don't win. 3 years in a row. Same story. Bryce found a way to win games when we didn't play well. That's coaching.
There was one reporter from a Ft Wayne newspaper who seemed to favour his alma mater, Butler, and therefore we had never really liked that had said Greg Tonagel should have at least gotten an interview for the Valpo job. Were we so prejudiced against him that we couldn't hear his message at the time?
His track record suggests it was meant more as a pot shot than his authentic protest of Tonagel not getting the job.
If Coach Lottich's tenure doesn't work out the strategy of hiring from within won't continue. They'd need to look externally for the next Coach.
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 09:43:25 AM
I think Wednesday will be far more telling about the team and how they respond to a poor showing. They should be ready to play plenty hard on the road at Texas A&M, but if they don't, then I'd say there's more reason to be concerned over guys just not being ready to play after finals.
Previously I had looked at the quick turnaround as a bad thing, but given how they performed both offensively and defensively outside of Golder, I think it's more likely that the team is ready to go on Wednesday night. Also glad that it's on the SEC network, so I'll have the chance to watch.
From the Ball State academic calendar:
December 11-14, Tuesday-Friday, Final Examination Period
Ball State also just finished finals, then went on the road and with boundless energy romped over our "finals weary" Crusaders.
The only 2 Crusaders who matched Ball State's energy level and intensity every minute they were on the court were Javon and Daniel, who happen to be the only players on the team that have never been through college-level final exams before. If anyone would have an excuse to be finals weary, wouldn't it be them?
Bottom line - finals weariness is a choice and a bogus excuse.
Quote from: oklahomamick on December 18, 2018, 08:28:07 AM
Agreed with SanityLost and NativeCheeshead.
Although I believe our talent is more than the third tier of the MVC. I know not believe that in years past, our talent was more than third tier of the MVC even though we were HL.
Lottich is not the guy. I wish he was. And if he proves otherwise, I will eat crow and apologize. Even though Lottich isn't the guy, ML will keep Lottich longer than he needs too with the likely hood of doing more damage to the program. Lottich isn't going anywhere.
Valpo is a tough job. Academics, bad facilities and high expectations.
Where are people seeing the talent on this roster? Freeman may be the most promising player, but he's still just a freshman and doesn't appear to be a program changing recruit. Lavender is solid and could start on about half of the teams in the MVC. Golder has upside, but he's still raw in a lot of areas. I think Smits could start for a number of MVC teams, but he still has some major flaws. Everyone else seems to be a bunch of role players with limited upside. Fazekas shoots at a high percentage, but is horrible on defense and has had 2 games now where he's missed 8 three pointers. He's ideally a solid bench player. Bakari is a selfish player that has too large of a role for his skillset. Sorrola is a below average backup. Sackey is basically Max Joseph. Bradford is a 3 point specialist who can't shoot. Mileek and Kiser are fringe D1 players.
I can see Freeman getting first team all-MVC some day, and Smits second team, but other than that, I would be extremely surprised if anyone else made 1st or 2nd team. There's nobody on this roster that is going to contend for POY. That's a massive departure from what we've seen in the past 10 years, even if you replace Horizon competition with MVC competition.
And this isn't all Lottich's fault. Bryce basically stopped recruiting in his last few years.
Quote from: wh on December 18, 2018, 10:41:32 AMBottom line - finals weariness is a choice and a bogus excuse.
Must have been all the laundry the Crusaders (the future Iron Butterflies) had to do.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/AjYsTtVxEEBPO/giphy.gif)
Excuses are like butt holes - we all have them. And, they all stink.
Quote from: a3uge on December 18, 2018, 11:15:22 AMWhere are people seeing the talent on this roster?
After watching the game last night, I think that's a valid question. I went back to listen to Paul's season preview podcast where both he and the radio guy were absolutely in love with the team and most of the players. I believe the term "phenomenal, just phenomenal" was used to describe a player who didn't even get off the bench for several games this year.
It might be interesting to hear a follow up podcast where they describe what they saw in the off-season that we're not seeing (at least, not consistently) on the court in games. Is that from lack of coaching? Or could it be that the players just looked phenomenal because they were being guarded by other Valpo players?
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 18, 2018, 01:28:35 PM
Quote from: a3uge on December 18, 2018, 11:15:22 AMWhere are people seeing the talent on this roster?
After watching the game last night, I think that's a valid question. I went back to listen to Paul's season preview podcast where both he and the radio guy were absolutely in love with the team and most of the players. I believe the term "phenomenal, just phenomenal" was used to describe a player who didn't even get off the bench for several games this year.
It might be interesting to hear a follow up podcast where they describe what they saw in the off-season that we're not seeing (at least, not consistently) on the court in games. Is that from lack of coaching? Or could it be that the players just looked phenomenal because they were being guarded by other Valpo players?
Hope springs eternal for nearly every team in the offseason. Open gym environments aren't exactly conducive to thorough analysis either.
Having said that, this team does have talent. Smits, JFL, Fazekas, Golder and Lavender are all solid to good pieces in place. Offensively, the biggest issue is Evelyn and his shooting. Defensively, it's rebounding, which doesn't have a lot to do with talent unless the team is significantly smaller than their opponents, but this is a team with above average height (112th) per Kenpom.
Defense is the biggest issue facing the team right now, and Paul and those guys wouldn't have been able to get a great feel for that during the offseason.
Also, my comment on the team not being ready after finals week wasn't me making an excuse for them. It was a statement of fact. They weren't ready for the game after finals week. No clue to the reason(s) why.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 18, 2018, 08:44:42 AM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 18, 2018, 07:33:25 AM
Please stop with the Tonagel talk. If DI head coach really was his goal he would have left IW years ago. I get the success and ties to Vu. But if another of our ex players coached IUN to a couple of national titles would we want to hire him? Same level.
Just for clarification: Tonagel apparently really wanted the job when it opened up and he didn't get a interview fwiw. Coach Lottich even offered him to be an assistant on the staff but he declined. I don't have any problem hiring NAIA coaches. If you can coach, you can coach. But the bigger question is if he can recruit at this level. Landing underrated guys who are fringe d1 players doesn't mean you can recruit the caliber of players we need to compete in the MVC. Also I don't think people realize just how religious Tonagel runs his program. He's a Godly man and that is great and noble thing but that type of program culture won't mesh with every player and recruit.
I think it's fair to start questioning if Coach Lottich has the coaching chops to succeed. He's clearly not a dumb guy and he was a good assistant but does that transfer to being a good head coach. No matter what I think he deserves a full recruiting cycle to get his guys in there. A 4-5 year stint is when we'll know if he's the guy for the long term (meaning he's so good a P5 wants to hire him).
The thing that really troubles me is that I don't see a cohesive offensive system. either he doesn't have the players he needs to run his system or they aren't buying in. We're not a good team if we need this valpo team to hit +40% from 3pt to win a game against a solid opponent.
Agree fully with this post. Lottich is smart, but there seems to be no offensive cohesiveness and a lack of effort from many players. Last night was not a case of missing shots - it was a case of not getting them due to no offensive execution. I like to think that there is a process towards things coming together, but I really wonder. I really want to give him a chance, but things do not look promising with teams comprised of players he recruited.
As far as Tonagel - great guy and great coach. He certainly has all the ability to coach at the D1 level. But if he cannot separate his personal religious beliefs from coaching, he does not belong at Valpo. To be clear, I specifically mean that he does not belong at Valpo if he would evangelize to players or require involvement in activities associated with his faith. Bryce and Homer certainly did separate their religious beliefs from their coaching and they had (as best as I can tell) quite a few players who were indifferent or agnostic towards religion (and some of these are all-time greats and favorites at Valpo). Bryce, no doubt, continues to do that at Vanderbilt (Scott is allowed to integrate his faith at Baylor - but that is Baylor, not Valpo). There might be a few D1 schools that would allow that and Tonagel would probably only get consideration from those schools.
Regarding the apathy and down slide, Valpo athletics need some out of the box thinking and carry resolutions proactively. Valpo is always in reactive mode and we are always behind the times.
Our bigs were intimidated by their counterparts from BSU, especially Smits. After several great performances, tonight he was the opposite. Between our "bigs", they had 5 points and a few rebounds. Jay is still looking for his game after returning from his injury, but "21". His sitting on the bench was well deserved. His Indy area opposite showed who was boss in this game. I imagine they played against each other in high school. Last night it was no contest in the middle. I wonder how many points BSU scored in the paint. Absolutely no defense on our part when it came to defending the lane. Very, very disappointing performance. We appeared to play hard about 5 minutes about mid-way through the 2nd half but before and after that, it looked like nobody cared, BSU wanted it more than we did...and it showed. Time to regroup and give Texas A & M a game.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 18, 2018, 05:50:09 PM
Regarding the apathy and down slide, Valpo athletics need some out of the box thinking and carry resolutions proactively. Valpo is always in reactive mode and we are always behind the times.
Face it. For Valpo to reach the next level competitively the administration will have to go PRO-Athletics and recognize that athletics are the vehicle to make the university natinally recognized. I don't see that happening any time soon.
Agustana in SD is gonna go D-I very soon and join the Summit. With 1800 students they have invested multi-millions in athletics facilities ( 6,500 FB stadium, 4,000+ Chairback seats arena, FB indoor practice facility, on and on).
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 18, 2018, 07:34:05 PMQuote from: usc4valpo on December 18, 2018, 05:50:09 PMRegarding the apathy and down slide, Valpo athletics need some out of the box thinking and carry resolutions proactively. Valpo is always in reactive mode and we are always behind the times.
Face it. For Valpo to reach the next level competitively the administration will have to go PRO-Athletics and recognize that athletics are the vehicle to make the university natinally recognized. I don't see that happening any time soon. Agustana in SD is gonna go D-I very soon and join the Summit. With 1800 students they have invested multi-millions in athletics facilities ( 6,500 FB stadium, 4,000+ Chairback seats arena, FB indoor practice facility, on and on).
They also have a billionaire backer driving the whole thing. Do we have one of those?
Gus isn't a billionaire?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 07:54:02 PM
They also have a billionaire backer driving the whole thing. Do we have one of those?
We might, but where is he or she? I may be way off, but my agenda is to advance the national brand, recognition and profile of the university beyond NW Indiana. I have so many great memories in my four very short years. My problem: I don't have the available bucks — far from it.
I applaud the chapel enhancement. I applaud the welcome center. They certainly add to the wonderful campus environment that students can enjoy. However.............
....... how effectively do those gifts realistically forward the national brand, recognition and profile of the university in a way that exposure on national TV and the media our athletic program does?
Donors need to be educated about the modern facts of life of higher education survival. Their (our) money needs to be placed strategically to advance the university in a blood thirsty higher education environment.
We have evidence. Exhibit #1 - St Joe's. Exhibit #2 - in the Boston area, last year Mt Ida College shut their doors. Newbury College recruited the now abandoned Mt. Ida students. This week Newbury College announced their doors are closing at the end of the academic year. Jeeeez!
Private institutions have to work twice as hard as state institutions to fortify their financial base and today the need to focus on national exposure is mandatory.
Well-said by all. Will they reach out to alum and potential donors? Listen to what we think? Maybe they'd be pleasantly surprised by our ideas, take note of our concerns, learn from our perspective, and maybe even find out who would be interested and able to support an investment in our national brand. I ha e a hard time believing g - for instance - White Lodging or Luke Oil or Family Express etc. wouldn't consider sponsoring.
If those sorts of ideas / convos are already floating around - let us know!!! If not, let's meet ... what can it hurt????
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on December 18, 2018, 09:22:59 PM
Gus isn't a billionaire?
Nowhere close, and far more likely to donate FE-branded bottled water than cash.
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 11:13:24 PM
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
My guess is they've tried but the University doesn't think they'd get fair market value with current offers. Naming rights are usually long-term deals (10, 15years, etc). they probably didn't want to get locked into a low ball deal, just in case they went on deep run and attracted more attention. Just speculation on my part. Or the ARC is viewed as such a dump, nobody wants to attach their name to it.
Gus is cheap as hell, the White Lodging own is a Purdue guy through and through.
Your best bet is either Centier or NiSource but still probably hard sells. I'd imagine they are working on it. I know a focus is more corporate sponsorships but that's the big one for sure.
Also I get the idea that a big run can help, but it often only increases applications and students from a nearby area, not from nationwide and we are already increasing the number of students we pull from Indiana and the region and the reality is our biggest donors are from an era that seem less interested in Athletics and more interested in Chapel and academics.
Speaking of sponsors: I don't know if others noticed at the game but there appeared to be increased advertising space for Centier Bank and Porter Regional Hospital permanently placed around the secondary scoreboards at either end of the ARC.
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2018, 08:54:26 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 11:13:24 PM
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
My guess is they've tried but the University doesn't think they'd get fair market value with current offers. Naming rights are usually long-term deals (10, 15years, etc). they probably didn't want to get locked into a low ball deal, just in case they went on deep run and attracted more attention. Just speculation on my part. Or the ARC is viewed as such a dump, nobody wants to attach their name to it.
I would think unless you're playing in a big-time conference or venue, the naming rights probably wouldn't garner a ton of cash. Other than Evansville's Ford Center, is there another home arena in the MVC that has corporate naming rights?
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2018, 08:54:26 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 11:13:24 PM
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
My guess is they've tried but the University doesn't think they'd get fair market value with current offers. Naming rights are usually long-term deals (10, 15years, etc). they probably didn't want to get locked into a low ball deal, just in case they went on deep run and attracted more attention. Just speculation on my part. Or the ARC is viewed as such a dump, nobody wants to attach their name to it.
As to your "ARC being a dump" thought, if men's basketball was still drawing the way it did in the early/mid 2000's, the high school gym feel and condition wouldn't mean nearly as much as does now. The ARC was the place to be then. It rocked with excitement. 4000+ crowds were commonplace, there were exciting halftime shows with paid outside performers and acts, creative timeout events, a bigger band with songs that weren't all 20 years old, the band also had a lead guitar with the amps cranked big time, times when you couldn't hear yourself think, affordable family pricing under the tipping point with chairbacks $10-12, bleachers $5-7, sound system was crystal clear, Homer going over to the student section and greeting the student section leaders and waving to the whole section before the game started and the whole bunch chanting "Homer, Homer..." back, close and convenient parking everywhere including streets vacant lots and free, unrestricted lots, before the game started the student section passed out newspapers so everyone could turn pretend they were reading it with their backs turned as the opposing team's starting line-up was announced, at halftime balloons brought out and passed around to harass opposing players shooting free throws at that end - and this was all with a steady diet of Mid Con teams, no less. None of that mattered. The bigger the romp, the happier the crowd. Everyone in the conference hated us with a passion - players, coaches, AD's, fans, beat reporters- everyone, and we loved every minute of it. Going to the Big Dance was almost a certainty, selection parties, buying tournament tickets, making travel plans. I would give anything to have those days back. Unfortunately they're but distant memories now.
From Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (1 of my 2 all-time rock bands):
When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look, but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numbSo apropos to the situation at hand. I'm starting to think that Belmont is a lot smarter than we are. They know when a school their size and limited financial resources is well off, and when to leave well enough alone.
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 01:47:39 PMDefensively, it's rebounding, which doesn't have a lot to do with talent unless the team is significantly smaller than their opponents, but this is a team with above average height (112th) per Kenpom.
Rebounding for this team is a combination of size and positioning. The starting players we are putting on the floor are small and playing primarily on the perimeter with the possible exception of Derrik. On offense we run a lot of 4 out 1 in with a high ball screen which often pulls Smits out from the block area. Fazekas spends at least 75% of his time outside of the 3 point arc and has not really looked for any back to the basket offense. On defense our "height" consists of Fazekas and Smits both of whom have questionable rebounding histories. Derrik has shown some very good rebounding improvement and Fazekas has also improved on his Providence numbers, but this is not nearly enough. Freeman and Lavender have stuck their nose in the paint and gotten some big rebounds but are at a physical disadvantage against most of our opponents.
0 Javon Freeman G 6-3 175 Fr.
2 Deion Lavender G 6-3 205 R-Sr.
4 Bakari Evelyn G 6-2 180 R-Jr.
21 Derrik Smits C 7-1 240 R-Jr.
35 Ryan Fazekas G/F 6-7 200 R-Jr.
Quote from: FWalum on December 19, 2018, 12:16:58 PM
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 01:47:39 PMDefensively, it's rebounding, which doesn't have a lot to do with talent unless the team is significantly smaller than their opponents, but this is a team with above average height (112th) per Kenpom.
Rebounding for this team is a combination of size and positioning. The starting players we are putting on the floor are small and playing primarily on the perimeter with the possible exception of Derrik. On offense we run a lot of 4 out 1 in with a high ball screen which often pulls Smits out from the block area. Fazekas spends at least 75% of his time outside of the 3 point arc and has not really looked for any back to the basket offense. On defense our "height" consists of Fazekas and Smits both of whom have questionable rebounding histories. Derrik has shown some very good rebounding improvement and Fazekas has also improved on his Providence numbers, but this is not nearly enough. Freeman and Lavender have stuck their nose in the paint and gotten some big rebounds but are at a physical disadvantage against most of our opponents.
0 Javon Freeman G 6-3 175 Fr.
2 Deion Lavender G 6-3 205 R-Sr.
4 Bakari Evelyn G 6-2 180 R-Jr.
21 Derrik Smits C 7-1 240 R-Jr.
35 Ryan Fazekas G/F 6-7 200 R-Jr.
I don't buy the size piece of the puzzle. Longwood University is the 6th best defensive rebounding team in the country right now and doesn't have a player on their roster bigger than 6'8, 230. Teams like Wofford, Utah Valley and Texas State are all in the top 20 and aren't any more physically imposing than Valpo.
I do agree that positioning defensively is likely a big part of it.
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 19, 2018, 02:14:18 PM
Quote from: FWalum on December 19, 2018, 12:16:58 PM
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 01:47:39 PMDefensively, it's rebounding, which doesn't have a lot to do with talent unless the team is significantly smaller than their opponents, but this is a team with above average height (112th) per Kenpom.
Rebounding for this team is a combination of size and positioning. The starting players we are putting on the floor are small and playing primarily on the perimeter with the possible exception of Derrik. On offense we run a lot of 4 out 1 in with a high ball screen which often pulls Smits out from the block area. Fazekas spends at least 75% of his time outside of the 3 point arc and has not really looked for any back to the basket offense. On defense our "height" consists of Fazekas and Smits both of whom have questionable rebounding histories. Derrik has shown some very good rebounding improvement and Fazekas has also improved on his Providence numbers, but this is not nearly enough. Freeman and Lavender have stuck their nose in the paint and gotten some big rebounds but are at a physical disadvantage against most of our opponents.
0 Javon Freeman G 6-3 175 Fr.
2 Deion Lavender G 6-3 205 R-Sr.
4 Bakari Evelyn G 6-2 180 R-Jr.
21 Derrik Smits C 7-1 240 R-Jr.
35 Ryan Fazekas G/F 6-7 200 R-Jr.
I don't buy the size piece of the puzzle. Longwood University is the 6th best defensive rebounding team in the country right now and doesn't have a player on their roster bigger than 6'8, 230. Teams like Wofford, Utah Valley and Texas State are all in the top 20 and aren't any more physically imposing than Valpo.
I do agree that positioning defensively is likely a big part of it.
I agree too. Positioning on defense is the #1 key to rebounding at that end of the floor. #2 is a "crash the boards" mentality. It's about toughness. On offense it's a little different -- especially if you run a system that almost by default places your players out of position to rebound misses, and it sounds from various posts, that this is what's happening. But on O, despite an offensive set that puts players at somewhat of a disadvantage, you can still have a "crash the boards" mentality -- it just takes more effort. One of my best memories of Evansville's Jerry Sloan playing at Hilltop was how he followed every shot to the basket -- even when he knew it was going in. Today's players almost never follow their shots. Alec was the closest to doing that that I recall -- and even he sometimes let one fly and back-pedalled.
Too small to rebound? Are they also too small to go after loose balls with a vengeance? Are they too small to scrap and win some 50/50 balls? Are they too slow to keep from getting back doored? Is Derrik too tall to win the opening tip? Is Jay to inexperienced to know when to step into the lane on a FT attempt? Is he too short or is he too timid to put the ball up directly underneath the basket, completely negating any reason to be in the game?
We need some smaller players with heart. Think Howard Little at 6-3, Tevonn Walker 6-3, Max Joseph 6-1. Those guys would tear your heart out going for 50-50 balls and come down with rebounds because they were outstanding at boxing out and out fighting opponents in mid air. How soon we forget what real heart is. This team has 3 players that play with heart at both ends all the time - Javon, Daniel and Markus. I'm so tired of all the halfhearted effort out there that minutes should be earned based on effort and desire. Add Daniel and Markus to the starting lineup and these slow lifeless starts that look like people just got out of bed will come to an immediate end.
Quote from: wh on December 19, 2018, 03:39:44 PM
Too small to rebound? Are they also too small to go after loose balls with a vengeance? Are they too small to scrap and win some 50/50 balls? Are they too slow to keep from getting back doored? Is Derrik too tall to win the opening tip? Is Jay to inexperienced to know when to step into the lane on a FT attempt? Is he too short or is he too timid to put the ball up directly underneath the basket, completely negating any reason to be in the game?
We need some smaller players with heart. Think Howard Little at 6-3, Tevonn Walker 6-3, Max Joseph 6-1. Those guys would tear your heart out going for 50-50 balls and come down with rebounds because they were outstanding at boxing out and out fighting opponents in mid air. How soon we forget what real heart is. This team has 3 players that play with heart at both ends all the time - Javon, Daniel and Markus. I'm so tired of all the halfhearted effort out there that minutes should be earned based on effort and desire. Add Daniel and Markus to the starting lineup and these slow lifeless starts that look like people just got out of bed will come to an immediate end.
I loved watching Howard Little, even against Butler. I remember a game when Butler was playing at the ARC, it was late in the contest, and the game had already been decided (I want to say it was the 08-09 season), and there was a missed shot on Valpo's end in which Little had fallen to the floor, and I kid you not he literally grabbed the leg of Grant Leiendecker from Butler so that he couldn't get to the rebound.
I will say that Little himself wasn't a great rebounder (He was solid for his size) and his freshman year was the only year in which he was on a good rebounding team (his sophomore - senior campaigns they were ranked anywhere from 215th to 287th in defensive rebounding), but he was a player who would do whatever it took to help the team win. Walker and Joseph are probably better examples, at least from a pure rebounding standpoint.
Quote from: EddieCabot on December 18, 2018, 01:28:35 PM
Quote from: a3uge on December 18, 2018, 11:15:22 AMWhere are people seeing the talent on this roster?
After watching the game last night, I think that's a valid question. I went back to listen to Paul's season preview podcast where both he and the radio guy were absolutely in love with the team and most of the players. I believe the term "phenomenal, just phenomenal" was used to describe a player who didn't even get off the bench for several games this year.
It might be interesting to hear a follow up podcast where they describe what they saw in the off-season that we're not seeing (at least, not consistently) on the court in games. Is that from lack of coaching? Or could it be that the players just looked phenomenal because they were being guarded by other Valpo players?
Mid-term grades are coming up in two episodes.
Quote from: wh on December 19, 2018, 10:53:16 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2018, 08:54:26 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 11:13:24 PM
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
My guess is they've tried but the University doesn't think they'd get fair market value with current offers. Naming rights are usually long-term deals (10, 15years, etc). they probably didn't want to get locked into a low ball deal, just in case they went on deep run and attracted more attention. Just speculation on my part. Or the ARC is viewed as such a dump, nobody wants to attach their name to it.
As to your "ARC being a dump" thought, if men's basketball was still drawing the way it did in the early/mid 2000's, the high school gym feel and condition wouldn't mean nearly as much as does now. The ARC was the place to be then. It rocked with excitement. 4000+ crowds were commonplace, there were exciting halftime shows with paid outside performers and acts, creative timeout events, a bigger band with songs that weren't all 20 years old, the band also had a lead guitar with the amps cranked big time, times when you couldn't hear yourself think, affordable family pricing under the tipping point with chairbacks $10-12, bleachers $5-7, sound system was crystal clear, Homer going over to the student section and greeting the student section leaders and waving to the whole section before the game started and the whole bunch chanting "Homer, Homer..." back, close and convenient parking everywhere including streets vacant lots and free, unrestricted lots, before the game started the student section passed out newspapers so everyone could turn pretend they were reading it with their backs turned as the opposing team's starting line-up was announced, at halftime balloons brought out and passed around to harass opposing players shooting free throws at that end - and this was all with a steady diet of Mid Con teams, no less. None of that mattered. The bigger the romp, the happier the crowd. Everyone in the conference hated us with a passion - players, coaches, AD's, fans, beat reporters- everyone, and we loved every minute of it. Going to the Big Dance was almost a certainty, selection parties, buying tournament tickets, making travel plans. I would give anything to have those days back. Unfortunately they're but distant memories now.
From Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (1 of my 2 all-time rock bands):
When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look, but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb
So apropos to the situation at hand. I'm starting to think that Belmont is a lot smarter than we are. They know when a school their size and limited financial resources is well off, and when to leave well enough alone.
A very well thought out post here. My only disagreement is the second guessing on joining the MVC. It may be tougher to make the tourney these days but the landscape has changed across the NCAA. Belmont is in a very very rare position of having a HOF coach that has passed up more money and other job opportunities to stay at Belmont because he's happy there. Sounds familiar to a Homer situation a bit but I'll concede I think Byrd is a better coach but that's no slight against Homer who I love.
But back to your above post. It sounds like we need to make the ARC fun again. It's going to take time, resources and a community effort. The University needs to get the students involved again. It really depresses me as an alum to see just how sad the student section has fallen in just a few years. It's not just a generational gap. It's a lack of indoctrination into the culture and a neglect of making these games entertaining. By entertaining I don't just mean the somewhat cheesy halftime performances. It's everything, band, music, sound system, crowd engagement activities during timeouts, promotions, etc.
I don't think I can ever remember a stretch of time in my fandom of this program when morale across the fan-base & student body has been so low.
To prove a point earlier mentioned regarding rebounding and our offensive sets, just watch the positioning of our guys when a 3 point shot is taken. There are usually 4 guys around the 3-point line watching the flight of the shot. It happens way too often. Most of the time when that happens they are nowhere near the ball to even hustle after it...they are totally out of position to have a chance at the rebound.
Quote from: wh on December 19, 2018, 03:39:44 PM
Too small to rebound? Are they also too small to go after loose balls with a vengeance? Are they too small to scrap and win some 50/50 balls? Are they too slow to keep from getting back doored? Is Derrik too tall to win the opening tip? Is Jay to inexperienced to know when to step into the lane on a FT attempt? Is he too short or is he too timid to put the ball up directly underneath the basket, completely negating any reason to be in the game?
We need some smaller players with heart. Think Howard Little at 6-3, Tevonn Walker 6-3, Max Joseph 6-1. Those guys would tear your heart out going for 50-50 balls and come down with rebounds because they were outstanding at boxing out and out fighting opponents in mid air. How soon we forget what real heart is. This team has 3 players that play with heart at both ends all the time - Javon, Daniel and Markus. I'm so tired of all the halfhearted effort out there that minutes should be earned based on effort and desire. Add Daniel and Markus to the starting lineup and these slow lifeless starts that look like people just got out of bed will come to an immediate end.
WH, you've hit on the key to coaching this team. I think because this is Matt's first HC job he is approaching it like an assistant — he wants to be a player's coach (like when he was an assistant). His job is to kick butt day in and day out. Let the assistants smooth over the ruffled feathers. In the meantime, he has got to demand unflinching, dedicated adherence to performance expectations — and take the blame when his standards are not met by his team.
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 09:43:25 AM
I think Wednesday will be far more telling about the team and how they respond to a poor showing. They should be ready to play plenty hard on the road at Texas A&M, but if they don't, then I'd say there's more reason to be concerned over guys just not being ready to play after finals.
So what do you think now after the very poor showing against Texas A&M?
Quote from: wh on December 19, 2018, 10:53:16 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on December 19, 2018, 08:54:26 AM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on December 18, 2018, 11:13:24 PM
Why don't we at least try to collect some money by selling the naming rights to the ARC? Wouldn't a local business like Family Express or Centier Bank like to have their name associated with the arena?
My guess is they've tried but the University doesn't think they'd get fair market value with current offers. Naming rights are usually long-term deals (10, 15years, etc). they probably didn't want to get locked into a low ball deal, just in case they went on deep run and attracted more attention. Just speculation on my part. Or the ARC is viewed as such a dump, nobody wants to attach their name to it.
As to your "ARC being a dump" thought, if men's basketball was still drawing the way it did in the early/mid 2000's, the high school gym feel and condition wouldn't mean nearly as much as does now. The ARC was the place to be then. It rocked with excitement. 4000+ crowds were commonplace, there were exciting halftime shows with paid outside performers and acts, creative timeout events, a bigger band with songs that weren't all 20 years old, the band also had a lead guitar with the amps cranked big time, times when you couldn't hear yourself think, affordable family pricing under the tipping point with chairbacks $10-12, bleachers $5-7, sound system was crystal clear, Homer going over to the student section and greeting the student section leaders and waving to the whole section before the game started and the whole bunch chanting "Homer, Homer..." back, close and convenient parking everywhere including streets vacant lots and free, unrestricted lots, before the game started the student section passed out newspapers so everyone could turn pretend they were reading it with their backs turned as the opposing team's starting line-up was announced, at halftime balloons brought out and passed around to harass opposing players shooting free throws at that end - and this was all with a steady diet of Mid Con teams, no less. None of that mattered. The bigger the romp, the happier the crowd. Everyone in the conference hated us with a passion - players, coaches, AD's, fans, beat reporters- everyone, and we loved every minute of it. Going to the Big Dance was almost a certainty, selection parties, buying tournament tickets, making travel plans. I would give anything to have those days back. Unfortunately they're but distant memories now.
From Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (1 of my 2 all-time rock bands):
When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look, but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb
So apropos to the situation at hand. I'm starting to think that Belmont is a lot smarter than we are. They know when a school their size and limited financial resources is well off, and when to leave well enough alone.
I just thought of something else important that made for a better atmosphere back when winning championships was routine and attending games at the ARC was an experience to behold. The Crusader mascot still had a personality. It had a cute and cuddly face with a huge grin. It did hand springs and posed for pictures with kids. It was all over the floor, teased the refs at timeouts, and led special cheers with the adult crowd.
Unfortunately, a group of liberal professors with corncobs up their butts decided that the male Crusader needed to be neutered in the interest gender equality. Thus, the face was eliminated and all human quality was gone forever. Also gone was the innocence that the "fun" Crusader portrayed. By "masking" the face, it took on a new, almost scary persona nearly identical to what real Crusaders looked like back in the day. So now the corn cob profs have a new problem. Today's "serious" Crusader is offensive to Muslims (the religion of love and inclusivity), and must, therefore, be eliminated. And so it goes on, chapter by chapter, with a group of myopic educators trying to save the world in their own little way, and a foolish university president trying to pacify their every whim.
And they say liberals are the snowflakes.......
Man, eVerybody has to back off. Everybody has to stop using political labels. Everybody just has to respect opposing ideas, try to understand them, and, most importantly, refrian from knee jerk attacks. Liberal is a four letter word. Conservative is an explitive.
NFW, We need to have both views, that is so important. — but in a productive dialog.
I am a registered independent. Granted, I lean slightly leftish of what appears to be the "current" center. That is thanks to my history degree from Valpo. That degree enabled me to teach American history, and more importantly, civics (the constitution) to a bunch of young students over several years. Although I later went into business, I have never forgotten the principles that I taught for many years.
My problem is that the America I see today (not all but many) has either fogotten or never learned what constitutes the foundation of the constitution of this great country.
Sorry. This is not a political thread and I added too much political crap to this post. But I want to go back to a world where I can sit over a beer and debate politics with someone who is 180 degrees in opposition to mine and when we get the check, we smile and walk away feeling good about the discussion.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 20, 2018, 08:48:25 PM
Man, eVerybody has to back off. Everybody has to stop using political labels. Everybody just has to respect opposing ideas, try to understand them, and, most importantly, refrian from knee jerk attacks. Liberal is a four letter word. Conservative is an explitive.
NFW, We need to have both views, that is so important. — but in a productive dialog.
I am a registered independent. Granted, I lean slightly leftish of what appears to be the "current" center. That is thanks to my history degree from Valpo. That degree enabled me to teach American history, and more importantly, civics (the constitution) to a bunch of young students over several years. Although I later went into business, I have never forgotten the principles that I taught for many years.
My problem is that the America I see today (not all but many) has either fogotten or never learned what constitutes the foundation of the constitution of this great country.
Sorry. This is not a political thread and I added too much political crap to this post. But I want to go back to a world where I can sit over a beer and debate politics with someone who is 180 degrees in opposition to mine and when we get the check, we smile and walk away feeling good about the discussion.
Thank you 62, for your thoughtful, respectful comments.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 20, 2018, 08:48:25 PM
Man, eVerybody has to back off. Everybody has to stop using political labels. Everybody just has to respect opposing ideas, try to understand them, and, most importantly, refrian from knee jerk attacks. Liberal is a four letter word. Conservative is an explitive.
NFW, We need to have both views, that is so important. — but in a productive dialog.
I am a registered independent. Granted, I lean slightly leftish of what appears to be the "current" center. That is thanks to my history degree from Valpo. That degree enabled me to teach American history, and more importantly, civics (the constitution) to a bunch of young students over several years. Although I later went into business, I have never forgotten the principles that I taught for many years.
My problem is that the America I see today (not all but many) has either fogotten or never learned what constitutes the foundation of the constitution of this great country.
Sorry. This is not a political thread and I added too much political crap to this post. But I want to go back to a world where I can sit over a beer and debate politics with someone who is 180 degrees in opposition to mine and when we get the check, we smile and walk away feeling good about the discussion.
Shove it loser, this is a facilies thread!
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 20, 2018, 08:48:25 PM
Man, eVerybody has to back off. Everybody has to stop using political labels. Everybody just has to respect opposing ideas, try to understand them, and, most importantly, refrian from knee jerk attacks. Liberal is a four letter word. Conservative is an explitive.
NFW, We need to have both views, that is so important. — but in a productive dialog.
I am a registered independent. Granted, I lean slightly leftish of what appears to be the "current" center. That is thanks to my history degree from Valpo. That degree enabled me to teach American history, and more importantly, civics (the constitution) to a bunch of young students over several years. Although I later went into business, I have never forgotten the principles that I taught for many years.
My problem is that the America I see today (not all but many) has either fogotten or never learned what constitutes the foundation of the constitution of this great country.
Sorry. This is not a political thread and I added too much political crap to this post. But I want to go back to a world where I can sit over a beer and debate politics with someone who is 180 degrees in opposition to mine and when we get the check, we smile and walk away feeling good about the discussion.
Call me out all day long if you ever see me lambast someone personally for merely expressing an opinion with which I disagree. Opinions are harmless and everyone is entitled to theirs. This isn't about political opinion. These individuals are acting on their ideological fantasies and affecting outcomes that I believe: 1. are detrimental and regressive, and 2.
demonstrate that these individuals are not qualified to influence university-level decision making based on the negative impact and unintended consequences of their actions. Having a son who graduated from VU's now defunct law school and as someone who has chosen Valpo as the only university to financially support above my own 2 alma maters makes me a stakeholder. As such, I have every right to call out individuals who I think have a self-serving agenda that is causing harm to the institution I care about. Nor will my description of individuals engaged in destructive, counterculture activism ever be shrouded in a respectful tone they don't deserve. This is a clarion call, intentionally written in strong, unapologetic terms, to other caring stakeholders to pay attention and hold the leadership of your university accountable for being influenced by the actions of a few far left ideologues who claim a right they don't have to change the university's brand to match their view of the world.
Quote from: bbtds on December 20, 2018, 11:36:37 AM
Quote from: IrishDawg on December 18, 2018, 09:43:25 AM
I think Wednesday will be far more telling about the team and how they respond to a poor showing. They should be ready to play plenty hard on the road at Texas A&M, but if they don't, then I'd say there's more reason to be concerned over guys just not being ready to play after finals.
So what do you think now after the very poor showing against Texas A&M?
Concerned for sure. The atmosphere at Texas A&M was exactly what was needed for an upset and again they let their opponent dictate the game. Doesn't mean they can't turn things around, but that was a bad way to end the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Ball State takes down Toledo by 15 in Toledo. 48 points in the paint by Ball State. Sound familiar? They are a very good team.
Any of you still justifying the shallacking we took from Ball State since "they're a really good team"?
2-6 in conference 🤔✌️
Nice job digging up a month old thread to take an unnecessary shot at the players\coach.
1. The team you see now isn't the same one that played Ball State
2. The injuries to Fazekas and Golder are by far the primary reason for our struggles yet we're still just a few possessions of bad execution late in games from a respectable 6-3 or even 7-2 mark.
Quote from: VU2010 on January 31, 2019, 10:59:00 PM
Any of you still justifying the shallacking we took from Ball State since "they're a really good team"?
2-6 in conference 🤔✌️
At a glance it appears they're not at full strength right now. W/L records can head south pretty fast when that happens - as we know all too well. BTW I was at the BSU/Valpo game. They were very good. Apparently, now they're not.
https://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2019/01/ball-state-sports-mens-basketball-buffalo-day-two
Quote from: VU2010 on January 31, 2019, 10:59:00 PM
Any of you still justifying the shallacking we took from Ball State since "they're a really good team"?
2-6 in conference 🤔✌️
Part of a story on the Ball State - Ohio U game in the Muncie Star Press.
MUNCIE, Ind. —
It seemed as if Ball State got all the breaks late in games last season. Or maybe you could say the Cardinals – and Tayler Persons, specifically – made their own luck.
But for whatever reason, the 2018-19 season has been the opposite, with the latest example coming Saturday at Ohio. The Cardinals shot the lights out (relatively speaking) but still came up short against the Bobcats 78-74.
Ball State (11-9, 2-5 MAC), which travels to No. 14 Buffalo on Tuesday, is a couple plays from being 6-1 in league play. Aside from that odd home loss to Ohio, each loss has come down to the final minute, but the Cardinals simply haven't made enough winning plays to turn solid performances into wins.
That trend appeared to be changing Saturday as Kyle Mallers looked like he took a charge on the pivotal possession, but it wasn't called. Then his man, Gavin Block, promptly nailed the go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds left as Mallers scrambled to recover.
That's what kind of season it's been, unlike last year when Persons hit three game-winning 3-pointers and several other late-game shots. Ball State is now 2-6 in games decided by single digits, including 0-4 in MAC play.
Ball State's Kyle Mallers scored 10 points Saturday at Ohio.It appears that BSU just hasn't had the breaks in conference that they had last year.
Valpo, of all teams, should know that just a few more successful plays at the end of games can turn a last place conference finish into a mid-conference finish.
Ball State is "a couple of plays away from 6-1 in conference play."
Ball State has been missing two of their best shooters for the past month (Ishmael El-Amin and Hazen's brother). Their senior center, Trey Moses, is now out with a knee injury, as well. Can't compare them now to when they were at full strength -- they're currently a shell of the team we saw in December.
But ... we were at full-strength when we played Ball State too... hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha guess that's irrelevant though?
But your comment was trying to imply that team that beat us is the same team going 2-6 in conference and the other commenters were arguing that it isn't. People were plenty pissed that we lost of Ball State, but I think the comments were just trying to say that your argument was a bit like comparing apples to oranges. Just like my guess is Missouri State would much rather play the short handed Valpo team they saw this week then they would playing the roster that stomped them at home.
Look, I get that you're down on the program right now. But I can't help but feel that your most recent comment ignored that people were honestly trying to engage with your criticism and that's not fair to the other posters.
Here's something we can all agree on - we need a W tomorrow and WE'RE GONNA GET IT!!!!