The Ramblers come to the ARC for a Sunday Showdown. Both teams coming off big wins. Loyola big win over Drake, and Valpo big win over Illinios State. The Crusaders ended their shooting woes by starting off smoking hot from the field. Freeman leaves Illinois with the same sort of stamp he left while playing there before coming to the 219.
Will the Crusaders go on another 3,4, or 5 game run like we opened up Valley play? Or, will Tuesday's big win prove to be an anomaly?
Will we get a chance at redemption over the Ramblers and forge a rivalry that someday could parallel the Bulldogs who aren't willing to come to town? All while on ESPNU and thus a national audience? The dingy gold lights will be on full display. Grab your Culver's custard and give your predictions.
This was a risky move...starting this thread. 2014 started the last one and VU won going away...very risky indeed.
First to 55 wins.
Quote from: M on February 06, 2019, 09:36:00 PM
This was a risky move...starting this thread. 2014 started the last one and VU won going away...very risky indeed.
First to 55 wins.
No worries, VU2010 gots this.
(https://i.imgur.com//VqsIvI4.gif)
I want to win this game not only to put us in a better position to win the Valley this season but I want this to become a heated rivalry. We need to start winning these games to hold up to our end of the bargain.
Temperature near 30 with chance of snow. I'll take it. :thumbsup:
Should easily be the best crowd of the year in front of ESPNU. I'll say between 4300 and 4600.
We need to play like the Ramblers are actually Illinois St. :)
Porter Moser is sending a bus load of Loyola students again this year for Sunday's game. Hopefully our students show up in numbers
I truly hope we learned something from our last game against Loyola , because we were thoroughly out played. We have to hit threes early to get some confidence. Smirolla can't let their center operate freely down low. I don't know how many times I saw him plant his right elbow in the middle of Sorolla's chest and just move him under the basket giving him a short jump hook for a score. Our bigs have to defend this better. We have to anticipate and disrupt their perimeter passing or their outside shooting will be a problem. Bottom line if we play like we did at ISU other than that sucky stretch in the second half, we have a good shot at winning. If we come out tight early, it will be a long afternoon.
Yeah hopefully we have 4,000+ Valpo fans in attendance to drown out the Loyola fans, a raucous student section would also be nice! Anybody have word on Fazekas? Could still be another week or two before we see him. It would be great to get a win in front of a national audience and potentially move up to 2nd or 3rd in the league. If we win and ISU(plays Missouri St.) or Drake(plays UNI) loses we move to 3rd if both lose we move to 2nd but WE HAVE TO WIN. Biggest game of the season so far for us. I'm optimistic for some reason...
VU-62
Loyola-57
Quote from: VU2014 on February 06, 2019, 09:53:30 PM
Quote from: M on February 06, 2019, 09:36:00 PM
This was a risky move...starting this thread. 2014 started the last one and VU won going away...very risky indeed.
First to 55 wins.
No worries, VU2010 gots this.
(https://i.imgur.com//VqsIvI4.gif)
>:(
(https://i.imgur.com/oxmek4f.gif)
They will be without Williamson. They are a different team with him on the floor. He played extremely well in our last matchup with them.
I remember specifically thinking that JFL played a very "nervous" game where he was trying to do too much too fast. I think those jitters will be gone and he will play well.
I am not going to say we are going to win, but I think we play a lot better and we could win. I agree with 2014, I always thought of this as a rivalry when we were both in the HL and we need to get back to a more back and forth series that is a toss up of who wins.
Fazekas needs to come back sometime in the next 3-4 games because he needs at least 4 games to get his rhythm back before Arch Madness otherwise he will actually be a liability because we will end up running sets for a guy whose shot is rusty. BTW.... Lets say he doesn't heal this year for whatever reason. Between his injury this year and I know he had some injuries at his last school. Any chance he gets an extra year? Perhaps Lottich meets with the NCAA and accidentally leaves an envelope filled with green paper on the guys desk upon exiting the room....
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 07, 2019, 07:22:35 AMBTW.... Lets say he doesn't heal this year for whatever reason. Between his injury this year and I know he had some injuries at his last school. Any chance he gets an extra year?
Doubtful. The rule states that a player can participate in 30% of his team's games.
Ryan has played in 16 contests. For that to fall under 30%, they would need to play 59 team games, which I feel is unlikely.
Ticket sales look good. Just ordered two and it looked like well over 3500 had been sold, with minimal tickets available in the lower sections.
I'm bringing my middle school team...so thats 10 extras that aren't normally there. LOL
Quote from: ValpoHoops on February 07, 2019, 08:05:23 AM
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 07, 2019, 07:22:35 AMBTW.... Lets say he doesn't heal this year for whatever reason. Between his injury this year and I know he had some injuries at his last school. Any chance he gets an extra year?
Doubtful. The rule states that a player can participate in 30% of his team's games.
Ryan has played in 16 contests. For that to fall under 30%, they would need to play 54 team games, which I feel is unlikely.
Fixed the number, albeit your point remains the same.
Get your tickets now if you haven't already.
The ARC is going to be packed!
https://twitter.com/abby_schnable/status/1093590975044354048
https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1093553469615759360
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 07, 2019, 07:22:35 AMBTW.... Lets say he doesn't heal this year for whatever reason. Between his injury this year and I know he had some injuries at his last school. Any chance he gets an extra year?
If Keith Carter couldn't get an extra year Ryan doesn't stand a chance. Keith Carter played the first 2 games of his Freshman year at SLU, injuring himself 4 minutes into the second game. The injury caused him to miss 7 games. His third game he played for 21 minutes and following the game told the coaching staff that he had decided to leave the program. Carter played in 3 games, for a total of 39 minutes for a coach he did not expect to play for due to a death of the previous coach. A senior in Carter's class at VU had the opportunity to play in 129 games during his 4 year career, Carter's entire career at SLU and VU consisted of 85 games The NCAA would not give him an additional year.
Quote from: VUBBFan on February 07, 2019, 01:30:13 PM
Get your tickets now if you haven't already.
The ARC is going to be packed!
https://twitter.com/abby_schnable/status/1093590975044354048
https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1093553469615759360
If the ticket office sit is accurate it certainly will be a sellout. I counted 54 seats available on the chairback side and 29 available of the reserve side. The more impressive number is upstairs, where there are only 4 seats left in CC!! It is only Friday morning!
These are the type of games that are needed to regain the student excitement and culture... We need a rivalry vs a school that has some national exposure like we did back in the Butler days. Closest we had after Butler left was Oakland and they just weren't there in terms of generating the excitement. Hopefully the team plays well and puts on a good showing for the large crowd and gives us something to build off of.
Quote from: vuny98 on February 08, 2019, 10:40:52 AM
These are the type of games that are needed to regain the student excitement and culture... We need a rivalry vs a school that has some national exposure like we did back in the Butler days. Closest we had after Butler left was Oakland and they just weren't there in terms of generating the excitement. Hopefully the team plays well and puts on a good showing for the large crowd and gives us something to build off of.
For the Love of God I hope the students show up on Sunday. This is a huge game.
I know two alums flying in from California to see this game at the ARC.
Apparently tomorrow is a blackout game.
https://twitter.com/benton_levi/status/1093987886872100864?s=21
Mr. Oren with the snappy WIT!!
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1093972559819927552
How about Mr Oren with a follow up question?
Maybe it's a smoke screen for Sunday's game. I don't know what to think.
I guess we should take it as an encouraging sign he'll play but I don't understand why he would hint at it so strongly without just saying it. Maybe it's gamesmanship while also want to drive up attendance and hype for the big game on Sunday?
There will be a large Loyola crowd at the game on Thursday. Hopefully not as large as the Drake fans (not really drake fans but more or less friends and family of NWI native drake players).
We need a strong turnout from Valpo fans
Who wants to lay odds on Loyola's students outdrawing ours?
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 08, 2019, 07:35:03 PM
Who wants to lay odds on Loyola's students outdrawing ours?
I don't even think Vegas odds makers couldn't predict our students section turnout from game to game. I will say I've been much more impressed with the turnout the last 2 home games. I'm thinking about 85 Loyola students will show up. I think we'll edge them out but it seems like Porter is trying to create a Miller Park home game for Cubs fans type of deal. I'd be lying if I said it didn't annoy me but I respect it. I wish our students could show the same passion one day.
It's amazing what having a dominant year in an upper tier conference and then making a final four run can do for a program.
I think the student section will be close to full, students are a few weeks into the semester and need a place/time to let loose! Valpo has an interesting dynamic though, someone walk over to the library at halftime and see how many kids are studying versus how many are at the game. I was the type who would use any possible excuse to get away from studying, I did VERY little(and my grades reflected it). Hopefully they are rowdy and engaged. If we don't get down early the crowd will help us win the game!
My :twocents:
Final score: 79-75 overtime win for Valpo
Attendance: 4,680 best crowd all season.
Student section full with band.
As we will see a fair amount of scarf wearing fans Sunday afternoon at the end Valpo Gold will drown them out!!!!
Fazekas will not dress :-[
Evelyn will have a break out game. He is due!!! GW game was too long ago!!! 8-)
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 09, 2019, 08:42:58 AMAttendance: 4,680 best crowd all season.
Just checked, 41 seats available in chairbacks, 9 on the reserved side. More importantly, ONE seat left in CC!!!
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 09, 2019, 08:42:58 AMFazekas will not dress
Yes, but RF is progressing
VERY nicely!
That has to mean something.
Good info from the Loyola board:
Hopeful:
Loyola is coming off another strong home showing against Drake on Tuesday night, showing complete dominance at certain key points in the 86-64 win. But home games haven't really been the problem—the problem for the Ramblers has been inconsistent performances on the road. Loyola is 2-3 in conference on the road, with an average offense in the losses of 46.7 points, 37.5% field goal shooting, and 19% three-point shooting. In the road wins, Loyola shot 58.3% from the field and 53.8% on threes, but won by an average of only 9.5 points.
Troublesome:
Valpo has lost their last two home conference games, scoring less than 60 points in each game. Valpo is 1-7 on the year when scoring fewer than 60 points, the one exception being the win on the half-court miracle shot against ISU. Loyola has held opponents under 60 points eight times, and under 50 points five times (including four in a row). When the Ramblers hold opponents under 60, they're 6-2.
Sounds like the stage is set for a low scoring slugfest.
I'm optimistic about the students, chiefly by trusting that fraternity to come through again and possibly challenge others to do it. They are a name opponent to the remaining Valpo students who are American and who actually watch the news or March headlines.
I'm wary of the game outcome though. Freeman needs to come up big again at least in terms of creating with drives to the hoop. If he is shooting well again that opens up so much for us.
My biggest concern is in the post where Krutwig just has too many polished moves to keep our bigs out of early foul trouble. Smits will have a chance to show how much he has improved in his footwork and intensity(and I concede it is great improvement around the basket.) Rise up and fight!
This is a huge game for many reasons. It is turf war for recruiting, 2 Chicagoland teams with past success, and Harry Potter wannabes all about. an important game in the wild MVC.
cmon guys, time to make Valpo great again! no excuses.
Box Score from last game:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401089274
1. We let them shoot over 50% from 3. Obviously can't let that happen again.
2. Sorolla/Lavender/Bakari/Kiser were basically no-shows. Obviously can't let that happen again.
3. We let their freshman, Kaifes, play one of his best games of the season. He lives and dies by the 3, he must be pressured.
4. We let their sophomore Uguak have one of his better games of the season. This is where a healthy Fazekas would help at the 4 spot.
5. Smits only played 19 minutes with foul trouble.
With Williamson out the big issue for Loyola is depth. Uguak and Kaifes are "the other 2 guys" after the big 3. We at least need to stop them and if they are going to beat us it is because Krutwig/Custer/Townes. I can live with their big 3 having a game and beating us. I will be upset if they win because their supporting cast lights us up.
Crazy coaching move that just might work:
Krutwig is playing 27 minutes a game. Start Sorolla instead and insert Smits in a pattern of when Krutwig is getting tired and towards the last few minutes of his typical shift and about to sub out. Have our best offensive post player play krutwig when he is tired or against his backup. Let Sorolla take care of the defense when Krutwig is fresh to start the game and when he comes in off of breaks.
Line opens with Loyola at -3, I think I'll buy a point and take Valpo at +4! Might be worth taking Valpo on the moneyline but it hasn't come out yet. O/U is 121, first meeting went over but who knows...
Question: Is the athletics dept. marking the tickets sold to the women's game as tickets already sold for the men's game? Because they're running that promotion for tomorrows game.
Is tomorrows game the biggest in our time since joining the Valley?
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1094402471643041794
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 09, 2019, 01:29:51 PM
Box Score from last game:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401089274
1. We let them shoot over 50% from 3. Obviously can't let that happen again.
2. Sorolla/Lavender/Bakari/Kiser were basically no-shows. Obviously can't let that happen again.
3. We let their freshman, Kaifes, play one of his best games of the season. He lives and dies by the 3, he must be pressured.
4. We let their sophomore Uguak have one of his better games of the season. This is where a healthy Fazekas would help at the 4 spot.
5. Smits only played 19 minutes with foul trouble.
With Williamson out the big issue for Loyola is depth. Uguak and Kaifes are "the other 2 guys" after the big 3. We at least need to stop them and if they are going to beat us it is because Krutwig/Custer/Townes. I can live with their big 3 having a game and beating us. I will be upset if they win because their supporting cast lights us up.
Crazy coaching move that just might work:
Krutwig is playing 27 minutes a game. Start Sorolla instead and insert Smits in a pattern of when Krutwig is getting tired and towards the last few minutes of his typical shift and about to sub out. Have our best offensive post player play krutwig when he is tired or against his backup. Let Sorolla take care of the defense when Krutwig is fresh to start the game and when he comes in off of breaks.
Kind of like the idea of starting Sorolla and bringing in Smits to play against a tired Krutwig and his backup. For this to be successful we would need to kill it from outside since we would get zero inside scoring from Sorolla. Still whatever our strategy was last time failed miserably, so why not think outside the box? Of course this probably means that it will never happen since real basketball people will see a fatal flaw that I am too dumb to recognize.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 09, 2019, 07:29:49 PM
Is tomorrows game the biggest in our time since joining the Valley?
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1094402471643041794
Not to sound like a tool, but every game in the MVC this year is the biggest game since joining. We have to start showing up with W's in order to recruit the 2020/21 class which is enormous to our future.
If we strike out on that class we have some real concerns ahead. I'd like to see an 11-7 season which means we carry 5-2 to close conference play.
Loyola (L)
Indiana State (W)
@ Drake (L)
Southern Illinois (W)
@ UNI (W) - difficultl
@ Bradley (W)
Evansville (W)
Crowd should be awesome! Just checked, 20 seats available in chairbacks and a sellout on the reserve side. CC has one seat left. I'd say 4800! GO VALPO!!
Season ticket holder here. Already have my 6. But, is there a promotion going on today? Just curious because that might encourage folks to show up early too. I'm happy this is a 3:00 start instead of a 1:00 start. That was brutal.
The game is also on ESPNU. Of course this is the most important MVC game ever for Valpo. A defending final four team is in town. much is at stake in the near and long term for the credibility of this basketball program. This is a must win.
Quote from: VU2010 on February 10, 2019, 08:54:29 AM
Season ticket holder here. Already have my 6. But, is there a promotion going on today? Just curious because that might encourage folks to show up early too. I'm happy this is a 3:00 start instead of a 1:00 start. That was brutal.
[/quote)
Free T-shirt to the first 1000 at men's game.
First 1,000 peeps in get a free T-Shirt! :thumbsup:
Quote from: nkvu on February 10, 2019, 12:15:45 AM
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 09, 2019, 01:29:51 PM
Box Score from last game:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=401089274
1. We let them shoot over 50% from 3. Obviously can't let that happen again.
2. Sorolla/Lavender/Bakari/Kiser were basically no-shows. Obviously can't let that happen again.
3. We let their freshman, Kaifes, play one of his best games of the season. He lives and dies by the 3, he must be pressured.
4. We let their sophomore Uguak have one of his better games of the season. This is where a healthy Fazekas would help at the 4 spot.
5. Smits only played 19 minutes with foul trouble.
With Williamson out the big issue for Loyola is depth. Uguak and Kaifes are "the other 2 guys" after the big 3. We at least need to stop them and if they are going to beat us it is because Krutwig/Custer/Townes. I can live with their big 3 having a game and beating us. I will be upset if they win because their supporting cast lights us up.
Crazy coaching move that just might work:
Krutwig is playing 27 minutes a game. Start Sorolla instead and insert Smits in a pattern of when Krutwig is getting tired and towards the last few minutes of his typical shift and about to sub out. Have our best offensive post player play krutwig when he is tired or against his backup. Let Sorolla take care of the defense when Krutwig is fresh to start the game and when he comes in off of breaks.
Kind of like the idea of starting Sorolla and bringing in Smits to play against a tired Krutwig and his backup. For this to be successful we would need to kill it from outside since we would get zero inside scoring from Sorolla. Still whatever our strategy was last time failed miserably, so why not think outside the box? Of course this probably means that it will never happen since real basketball people will see a fatal flaw that I am to dumb to recognize.
The potential problem I see is that Smits plays the majority of his minutes with our bench guys in this scenario. I'm not convinced Bakari or Lavender can make the entry passes Smits needs to be effective.
Of course, you could totally rearrange the lineups to avoid that problem... But then you're playing unfamiliar lineups, and the defense against the Loyola starters will be poor, inviting a scenario where Smits vs Loyola's second team has to work perfectly just to keep the game close.
Al Davis: "Just win, baby!"
Brilliant idea here: let's advertise the promo with Micah. Because he's a headliner for our program right now. Not like Freeman or anyone. Nah, the guy who hasn't played all year. Soo funny. Brilliant move haha. Should've put a pocket of the guy who started the gritty signs!!!
24 chairbacks
1 lower bleacher
And a bunch of mezzanine seats (only EE is full). Come on Valpo! Let's make this a sellout.
Go Valpo, beat Gryffindor!
#ZeroWinsToGryffindor!
I believe EE is always listed as full because that's where faculty/staff/overflow students sit
Quote from: crusader05 on February 10, 2019, 12:01:49 PM
I believe EE is always listed as full because that's where faculty/staff/overflow students sit
I think Section EE is the section where the Loyola students bought their tickets. If we have an overflow of students that could make for a very interesting crowd up there.
Hopefully we get back to the days where the Athletics staff turns a blind eye to the capacity amount in the student section.
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 09, 2019, 08:42:58 AMAttendance: 4,680 best crowd all season.
I'm going with 4681 or higher OR---Maybe 4679 or lower. ;)
Looks like Bobby is in the house!
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1094674131596046338
In the past I think opposing teams fans are in DD but I could be wrong
Fazekas is walking without a boot: encouraging sign?
Quote from: valpopal on February 10, 2019, 01:44:01 PM
Fazekas is walking without a boot: encouraging sign?
See guys listen to our coach!!!!
He is progressing very nicely :thumbsup:
For all the older fans (younger folks can use Google: Game 7 of 1970 finals), maybe Fazekas will do a "Willis Reed" today! ;)
Save the Willis heroics for the ARch Madness semis or finals.....maybe even in 2020. :o :-X
But let's call out the frats with congrats today if they turn out in force. One of them really energized the crowd in a January home game!! :thumbsup: :lol:
Unfortunately, no Fazekas today. :(
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 10, 2019, 09:38:09 AM
The game is also on ESPNU. Of course this is the most important MVC game ever for Valpo. A defending final four team is in town. much is at stake in the near and long term for the credibility of this basketball program. This is a must win.
A regular season win vs an unranked team doesn't build long term credibility.
Wow, Loyola plays great defense. Every shot looks well defended. Valpo needs a little more motion.
Free throws Free throws Free throws Free throws Free throws Free throws Free throws Free throws
We have to stop running down the shot clock at the end of the half. It's a wasted possession every time. Better to score and play defense than give up the fast break every time.
Save for a blowout in our favor, thus game has been all we could have asked for this far
Seems like #33 the back up center for Loyola setting moving screens all day.
Thank goodness for Liberty
If things get out of hand, we have the muscle in the house, Bobby C!
Quote from: PlumStreetBum on February 10, 2019, 03:45:57 PMWe have to stop running down the shot clock at the end of the half. It's a wasted possession every time. Better to score and play defense than give up the fast break every time.
Even more frustrating is when we do this when trying to protect a second half lead.
There's still too many players standing around on offense when they don't have the ball. It's like they're expecting
someone else to make the play. Makes it too easy for the opponent to help on drives to the paint or double Smits down low.
Quote from: PlumStreetBum on February 10, 2019, 03:45:57 PM
We have to stop running down the shot clock at the end of the half. It's a wasted possession every time. Better to score and play defense than give up the fast break every time.
Agree. The half court offense is bad enough as it is. Trying to force a basket into the span of 5 seconds is not going to work.
I hope we have some recruits on campus. This is a great atmosphere and reminds me of the past times (HL championships and NIT games)
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 10, 2019, 03:49:06 PM
Seems like #33 the back up center for Loyola setting moving screens all day.
Thank goodness for Liberty
If things get out of hand, we have the muscle in the house, Bobby C!
Refs are really letting them play (unless you're on offense with the ball). They missed 2 other cylinder rules before finally calling one.
Is Golder playing? Sheesh, need some Golder.
Loyola can dish it out, but can't take it. Never seen more players laying on the ground in the fetal position.
Valpo should take this one. Krutwig is really affected by the mask, and Valpo has been much more physical on both ends than Loyola.
SHEECH! My cable source won't let me connect as much as I try., I can only "watch" via GameStats. What is the atmosphere? Please tell me! Is the ARC rocking? Tell me that it is.
Quote from: VULB#62 on February 10, 2019, 04:27:17 PM
SHEECH! My cable source won't let me connect as much as I try., I can only "watch" via GameStats. What is the atmosphere? Please tell me! Is the ARC rocking? Tell me that it is.
Foul against Lavender wasn't counted as 4th foul, why not? Should be 5 fouls on Loyola....this is small but important in crunch time.
Rim hasn't been kind to the Crusaders. A lot of shots rolling in and out.
Smits can really give away the game single handedly at times. For as much as he CAN do offensively he forces crap waaaaaay to much. Sit him please.
Golder has largely been MIA, announcers suggesting he's not at 100%. Could use a bucket from him though.
Need a bucket....
WHY IS BAKARI IN THE GAME
Get Kiser OUT OF THERE
Pretty clear that Golder's ankle isn't anywhere near 100%. His burst and lift isn't there. Not moving like himself
Disgusting to watch
We don't have any offense on the court! This is a tragedy
Led the entire game. We really needed to win that one. That blows.
Not over yet but what a terrible way to end what could've been a big win. I've never seen a team run worse plays out of timeouts. I also question some of the lineups ML kept out there.
Would have been nice in front of that crowd.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 04:44:53 PM
Pretty clear that Golder's ankle isn't anywhere near 100%. His burst and lift isn't there. Not moving like himself
They said he was ill on the broadcast.
Couldn't get a shot to drop for too long. Kind of lost composure in crunch time as well. Disappointing outcome after a good defensive effort.
Got to be honest, 7:30 without a field goal during clutch time at the end of the game after building a good lead is the definition of "Choke"! >:(
Also, who allowed ML to not wear a gold tie? Clearly bad luck.
Man, this team is really close to being great. Excellent defense tonight, some really good stretches on offense as well. If they can learn how to close out a game, they can win 12+ in this league.
My big concern is that the closer might not be on this roster... Or maybe he is, but he's hidden by coaching choices.
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Bummer. After the hard fought loss is an adverising banner on the Valpo Forum site for Gonzaga University. That really sucks.
Could have gained a game on both Loyola and Illinois state tonight. 3 of last 7 games on the road. Needed that one
O
U
T
C
O
A
C
H
E
D
Tired of it.
Why are we so terrible down the stretch in games? It's like we hit the under 8 or the under 4 and forget how to play basketball. The shot selection was hot garbage Smits was terrible the refs were bad and so was the free throw shooting. These things need to be addressed. We had a chance to bury Loyola early and we missed 5 free throws and missed several shots we had another chance to open up the game early in the second half and couldn't hit anything. If Fazekas could actually start progressing back from his injury and actually get back out there before the season ends that would be great. It'd be nice to have one highly credible outside shooter. I'm finding it harder to contain my frustration because this situation just sucks. I'm looking at our 6-6 record with great sadness thinking about what could have been. We're so close. We're good enough to win this conference but we just can't finish. Ever. And it's as excruciating as it is infuriating.
When will others learn - or admit - that we are getting out-coached? He cannot do it. Look at the second half adjustments by Porter & Co. and then ask yourself what gives? Don't tell me shots not falling or blaming it on the officials or injuries or illness. That was on us. He needs to be a man - a leader - and own up to it. Say it's on him. These guys are hustling. Sorry I know he's a fan favorite but Kiser is not the answer. 0 points, 8 boards, and 5 fouls? Definition of I play hard but am not a D1 player. We got out coached and out played down the stretch. Put your guys in the best position to win. Plain and simple. That's what you get paid for. Not to stick to a rotation for the sake of it. Mileek goes in during the first half and plays lights out. Then what?
We should all be embarrassed by that loss. We were up in every statistical category at half. Handed me the paper that we get for crusader club. Everything... and lost ... embarrassingly... in front of the best crowd I've seen in a long time. But you know we're nicely progressing ?!?!?!?
Quote from: VU2010 on February 10, 2019, 05:56:20 PM
When will others learn - or admit - that we are getting out-coached? He cannot do it. Look at the second half adjustments by Porter & Co. and then ask yourself what gives? Don't tell me shots not falling or blaming it on the officials or injuries or illness. That was on us. He needs to be a man - a leader - and own up to it. Say it's on him. These guys are hustling. Sorry I know he's a fan favorite but Kiser is not the answer. 0 points, 8 boards, and 5 fouls? Definition of I play hard but am not a D1 player. We got out coached and out played down the stretch. Put your guys in the best position to win. Plain and simple. That's what you get paid for. Not to stick to a rotation for the sake of it. Mileek goes in during the first half and plays lights out. Then what?
We should all be embarrassed by that loss. We were up in every statistical category at half. Handed me the paper that we get for crusader club. Everything... and lost ... embarrassingly... in front of the best crowd I've seen in a long time. But you know we're nicely progressing ?!?!?!?
Take a pill and come see us in the morning.
Wow actually both bigs were awful. Also please stop with the Kiser over McMillan stuff. It's enough already. How is he supposed to develop and how are we supposed to know what we have in him if Lottich won't ever play him?
Best defensive effort of the year. Even McMillan made no obvious mistakes. Trouble was that Loyola defended better yet.
Kiser played all out. We can't ask for a better effort. I'm really proud of him! That said when Fazekas returns I'll be happy to see John playing only 6 or 7 minutes.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
I walked away disappointed, but certainly not discouraged or disgusted. Add Ryan to the line-up, and we probably would have put this game away. Give Loyola credit. They are a disciplined, veteran team that plays excellent defense, yet we had them on the ropes more than once. If we're at full strength by tournament time, lookout. Then with everyone but Deion returning and 2 high profile transfers waiting in the wings, really lookout. The future is bright.
Agree with wh. Loyola's two best players are RS seniors. Not comparing coaches (I'll leave that too others), but when your two best players have this much big game experience, they tend to make the coach look good down the stretch. The people who watched the game with me kept saying "Valpo needs one more scorer". I told them "we have on but he's hurt". I'd rather have a win, but there are positive aspects to this game.
That was a great defensive battle. But man, it is so disheartening watching our offense just stand out there.
Pass to the right, look inside to Smits, darn not open, reverse it, look for Smits, dear still not open. Oh no, shot clock is about up....
Loyola's defense was real good. Think Valpo only had a few easy looks, unfortunately the one was Kiser from deep and that didn't work out this time. Hope everyone at least played the under today.
0-10 from the field for basically the last 8 minutes of the game.... Yes I know Lavender hit a layup but that was because they were only defending the 3-point line and let him have the layup.
For whatever reason we can't close out any half ever. We didn't close out the 1st half or the 2nd half and this isn't new, it is every half of every game for the entire season.
I did think Loyola played phenomenal defense in that last 8 minutes but our shot selection was atrocious and I still don't know what our offensive game plan is.
Somebody earlier chalked this L up to coaching. I will agree that I did not like our sub rotations tonight, I thought Lottich had some very questionable substitutions and some very odd times with some very strange lineups. I also agree that Kiser is just not the guy against really good teams although I wish he was. I am not sure McMillan is the guy either so maybe we just don't have the guy right now.
Going 1-6 (Smits 0-4) from the free throw line in the 1st half really hurt. Sorolla struggling with bunnies and catching the ball clean in the post hurt us. Towards the end of the game Bakari trying to shoot the floater instead of going all the way to the rim hurt us. Golder also tried to fade away several times when he could have gotten a few dribbles closer to the rim. Most of all we still just struggle finding ways to score against teams that can really defend.
I really like the way Townes just puts his head down and barrels his way to the hoop. When they couldn't get anything going he literally just puts his head down and goes all the way to the basket and if our big slid over to help he shoveled it to the open man. Him doing that is why they won the game tonight. I feel like we have some players that can do that too but we settle for the floater or a mid range jumper or when we try to get it to a big the ball is bobbled somehow whether it is a bad pass or bad hands.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Here's a positive vibe....SOLD OUT CROWD 5,148 strong at the ARC tonight :thumbsup:
Ducky you nailed it!!!!
Fade away: Javon Freeman's big game can't save Valparaiso as Loyola rallies for Missouri Valley win
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-loyola-valparaiso-st-0211-story.html
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1094766131791962114
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 10, 2019, 07:07:16 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Here's a positive vibe....SOLD OUT CROWD 5,148 strong at the ARC tonight :thumbsup:
Ducky you nailed it!!!!
Loved the energy. Kudos to Loyola fans, as well. They were there in droves. I can only imagine how many cussed the place out trying to find the "ARC parking lot," then trying to find a spot on the street after being told there is no "ARC parking lot."
43-34 lead, give up 17-2 run and lose 56-51. Everyone choked. No guts during crunch time.
Made me sick walking past the Loyola fans after the game.
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2019, 07:24:12 PMLoved the energy. Kudos to Loyola fans, as well. They were there in droves. I can only imagine how many cussed the place out trying to find the "ARC parking lot," then trying to find a spot on the street after being told there is no "ARC parking lot."
I did see lots of folks coming in late maybe after some long hikes. I wonder if their "ARC experience" memories will encourage them to return? Don't answer that because I can read your mind.
For those seeking a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel? Fazekas on the court...unfortunately, after the game was over.
[tweet]1094768520414617601[/tweet]
I believe the guys on the radio said "there is a possibility of Fazekas returning for the Wednesday game against Indiana State."
Is Loyola the new Butler? What is Porter smoking. I get there were a good amount LU fans but not as many as Valpo fans. I guess crap like this build rivalries.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1094775812358881281
https://twitter.com/KyleBrownLUC/status/1094740993105108995
Oh lord it's barely a 90 min bus ride on a Sunday afternoon. Get over yourselves.
Things are heating up nicely I guess...
https://twitter.com/AIRalston/status/1094778884468424705
https://twitter.com/ValpoVRex/status/1094741283854266369
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 07:53:48 PM
Is Loyola the new Butler? What is Porter smoking. I get there were a good amount LU fans but not as many as Valpo fans. I guess crap like this build rivalries.
https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1094775812358881281
https://twitter.com/KyleBrownLUC/status/1094740993105108995
Let them have their fun while it lasts. Moser might act cocky, but he's no dummy. He knows all they did today is stave off the inevitable changing of the guard a bit longer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOZBPKxe9g4
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 08:12:46 PM
Things are heating up nicely I guess...
https://twitter.com/AIRalston/status/1094778884468424705
https://twitter.com/ValpoVRex/status/1094741283854266369
Who cares, next...this guy talking crap from his armchair shouldn't get us all hot and bothered. Why do you guys read opponents twitter and social media? Do you expect warm and fuzzy feelings from such endeavors? I mean come on, think about what you are doing.
I agree. Got into a pointless argument with a Loyola fan on twitter. They know their 15 minutes of fame are up soon; if not today then perhaps in St. Louis...
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 10, 2019, 08:20:00 PM
Who cares, next...this guy talking crap from his armchair shouldn't get us all hot and bothered. Why do you guys read opponents twitter and social media? Do you expect warm and fuzzy feelings from such endeavors? I mean come on, think about what you are doing.
Probably actually one of my favorite things about the MVC is engaging with the other teams fans. I mostly have positive interactions and have friendly banter.
If it makes us feel any better, they're the ones underperforming this year. On the fringe of the Top 25 at the beginning of the season, now they need three consecutive wins in St. Louis or it's the NIT.
Also, I'm irrationally annoyed with the abbreviation "'Blers". Suppose IU was called the "'Siers", or Notre Dame the "Ish"
Never been much of a Porter fan myself. His goofy tie/shirt patterns always make me dizzy when I see him.
Regardless, seems to be a rivalry brewing and I like it.
We can win the MVC tourney with a healthy team, so let them enjoy this one. No one is getting an at-large and the tourney is a crap shoot this season. Next season is ours, assuming that all key players come back.
On a positive note, our Valpo Club of DFW watch party had 16 attendees, which is the most we've had for a few years. It was also attended by an alum currently in the professional soccer ranks!
Easy on the Blers. They stole their scarves from Griffindor and "Onward to Victory" from Notre Dame. They're lost in a city where Bryce Harper naming his dog Wrigley is bigger news than their final four run.
All the credit in the world to them for last year. But let's not forget their fans were calling for PM's job going into last year. Now he's one more NCAA appearance away from running a P5 program into the ground.
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2019, 07:24:12 PM
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 10, 2019, 07:07:16 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Here's a positive vibe....SOLD OUT CROWD 5,148 strong at the ARC tonight :thumbsup:
Ducky you nailed it!!!!
Loved the energy. Kudos to Loyola fans, as well. They were there in droves. I can only imagine how many cussed the place out trying to find the "ARC parking lot," then trying to find a spot on the street after being told there is no "ARC parking lot."
Here is the answer to the parking problem: Build a parking garage and then charge everybody $8 per game like they do at Evansville.. Happy now?
Cheesehead with the post of the day!
Sorry, but V-REX needs to retire. Looks like a mascot from a high school game. Embarrassing look on TV.
I can't begrudge the Ramblers' fans their celebration. Their team won a game they should have lost. Their coach paid for busloads of students to attend, and he thanked them at the end of the game. They held their own as they cheered their team in a rival's home. Their team swept Valpo in the regular season and all but secured first place again. They earned the right to party! Now, the only focus for Valpo should be on bringing a healthy Crusaders team that has learned about closing out games to the conference tournament and aim for a different outcome. Then, it would be time for Valpo fans to celebrate.
Yes, the university should charter some buses to St. Louis for Arch Madness. This team has competed hard and overcome the injuries. The effort against Illinois State Tuesday was stellar and I was proud of them today. Some are complaining about the offense today. We did dry up in that late stretch. But I thought the ball movement was impressive for most of the game. I also thought Smits' footwork has improved greatly on both ends and that Sorolla gets kudos for his defense too.
As I have said before, the MVC needs Loyola to stay solid this year, get a decent seed, and avoid the "one hit wonder" label that would diminish the MVC as we recover from losing Wichita and Creighton. Valpo has a true shot at the MVC auto bid this year,....but it has a much better one next year. Who really thought that was possible after our "high point" or after Ball State.
Quote from: crusadermoe on February 10, 2019, 09:34:25 PM
Valpo has a true shot at the MVC auto bid this year,....but it has a much better one next year.
Oh my gosh, are you serious? Anyone who thinks this team can win 3 consecutive games against anyone halfway decent has lost their mind.
Even with Fazekas. As someone posted on this board not long ago, it's not like he's LeBron.
As a matter of fact, Fazekas underachieved for most of the season. Why would anyone think he'd come back and be effective?
Season ends in St. Louis. Get a clue.
Quote from: valpopal on February 10, 2019, 09:22:41 PM
I can't begrudge the Ramblers' fans their celebration. Their team won a game they should have lost. Their coach paid for busloads of students to attend, and he thanked them at the end of the game. They held their own as they cheered their team in a rival's home. Their team swept Valpo in the regular season and all but secured first place again. They earned the right to party! Now, the only focus for Valpo should be on bringing a healthy Crusaders team that has learned about closing out games to the conference tournament and aim for a different outcome. Then, it would be time for Valpo fans to celebrate.
I have no problem with Porter's speech to the students and the buses. I think he's a hell of a coach and he's doing a great job with restoring that fan-base but I took exception to the BS about more Loyola fans than Valpo fans. Low and false blow but I guess when you're trying to rally your students postgame you can stray from the truth in those cases. Hats off to them for the win. They capitalized on our mistakes at the end of the game and took advantage of our inexperience.
I genuinely want to play them again at Arch Madness. I don't care if they're the toughest matchup and the best team in the conference. I want to beat that team. If anything this is me showing them a sign of respect. I genuinely think a healthy Valpo team can beat that Loyola team.
The Loyola board seems to think our "statements" about Loyola are "pathetic".
Valpo's defense is there. It's good, although VU did benefit from 4 open 3s that loyola just flat out missed. If Lottich could get an offense figured out we will be in business.
Who is saying that on their board? Is it the 5 people that used to post, or the hundreds of bandwagon fans? :thumbsup:
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Valparaiso's second-half lead evaporates in loss to Loyola
Paul Oren Times Correspondent
Feb 10, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/men-s-basketball-valparaiso-s-second-half-lead-evaporates-in/article_2964b2bb-b5b1-5835-a6ce-af7ab667b671.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLWwF09cwAg
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 10, 2019, 09:39:06 PMOh my gosh, are you serious? Anyone who thinks this team can win 3 consecutive games against anyone halfway decent has lost their mind.
Yup that makes me as crazy as they come! :crazy: The big picture is coming together. We are progressing everywhere. If 100% healthy there are 2019 MVC teams with little chance of beating us while we should beat almost everybody! Its all about playing well down the stretch and catching a few breaks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8NX95yn7CM
Quote from: justducky on February 10, 2019, 10:23:50 PMQuote from: Valpo89 on February 10, 2019, 09:39:06 PMOh my gosh, are you serious? Anyone who thinks this team can win 3 consecutive games against anyone halfway decent has lost their mind.
Yup that makes me as crazy as they come! :crazy: The big picture is coming together. We are progressing everywhere. If 100% healthy there are 2019 MVC teams with little chance of beating us while we should beat almost everybody! Its all about playing well down the stretch and catching a few breaks.
Agreed. Loyola will be the tournament favorite, but we came within 4 points of beating them today without our top scorer. We're 3-2 against the other three teams ahead of us. Yeah, we lost today, and yeah, it was sure frustrating. But let's not pretend like the sky is falling.
Not sure if Matt can build on this but it was clearly a solid performance by McMillan in his 10 minutes. He defended, went 2 for 2 from the floor with nice moves, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and no TO's. It kind of reminded me of our Tasmanian player (drawing a blank) here against Butler in 2011. Solid minutes contribution with no negative effects. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 10, 2019, 09:39:06 PM
Quote from: crusadermoe on February 10, 2019, 09:34:25 PM
Valpo has a true shot at the MVC auto bid this year,....but it has a much better one next year.
Oh my gosh, are you serious? Anyone who thinks this team can win 3 consecutive games against anyone halfway decent has lost their mind.
Even with Fazekas. As someone posted on this board not long ago, it's not like he's LeBron.
As a matter of fact, Fazekas underachieved for most of the season. Why would anyone think he'd come back and be effective?
Season ends in St. Louis. Get a clue.
There isn't a team in the league that looks consistent enough to win 3 consecutive games, yet someone has to. Even mighty Loyola has had only 1 3-game winning streak in conference play, and that ended 7 games ago. You can say that Ryan has underachieved and you might even be right, but the fact remains that he was and still is the leading scorer and 3-point shooter on a team that is in desperate need of outside shooting help. I haven't worn rose-colored glasses about this team by a long shot, but for all of our mistakes today, we lost by 5 points to the defending champ and league leading team. Anyone who thinks 25 minutes from a healthy Ryan wouldn't have made up that difference, needs to rethink. I can think of 2 other losses the same way. As for Loyola, I can see them winning the tournament, but I can just as easily see them losing in any of the 3 rounds.
Help me guys. I'm getting tired of near misses silver linings and moral victories. All I feel after losses like this one and Missouri State is disappointment and despair that we'll never get it right and finish down the stretch. I need help seeing the positives. Sure we'll have great new transfers coming in and more experience but we'll still have seven footers that play small and a system that doesn't seem to work well for good and open shots down the stretch namely a coach that struggles to coach offense especially in crunch time. Are we sure we'll be all right going forward? Will we for all of our expected improvement next year really be able to face down what should be a much tougher and improved MVC next year?
Quote from: justducky on February 10, 2019, 11:27:20 PMNot sure if Matt can build on this but it was clearly a solid performance by McMillan in his 10 minutes. He defended, went 2 for 2 from the floor with nice moves, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and no TO's. It kind of reminded me of our Tasmanian player (drawing a blank) here against Butler in 2011. Solid minutes contribution with no negative effects. :thumbsup:
Igbavboa?
I'm all about effort. Guys played their hearts out today (and other games recently). That tells me that they have bought into the system, are highly competitive, and are deeply committed to improving. The wins will follow in due time. I really believe that.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 10, 2019, 11:33:59 PM
Help me guys. I'm getting tired of near misses silver linings and moral victories. All I feel after losses like this one and Missouri State is disappointment and despair that we'll never get it right and finish down the stretch. I need help seeing the positives. Sure we'll have great new transfers coming in and more experience but we'll still have seven footers that play small and a system that doesn't seem to work well for good and open shots down the stretch namely a coach that struggles to coach offense especially in crunch time. Are we sure we'll be all right going forward? Will we for all of our expected improvement next year really be able to face down what should be a much tougher and improved MVC next year?
You have asked so again we will reply that it is all about mathematics. The best teams almost always have 4 and sometimes even 5 3-point shooters together on the floor. It is unusual when they play with only 3 and unheard of to go with only 2. Contrast that with our situation now, and when we were without Golder. Then think Fazekas, and Gordon and Robinson and Bradford and the incoming freshman. Trust me! Fazekas alone will help open the floor and give our bigs more room to shine. Even Bakari will start connecting when 3 other shooters are spreading the floor for him. Its a critical mass effect. All of a sudden the explosion will start and become uncontrollable. We have already found the defense, so March and next season will be about harnessing the energy.
WH, you hit in the head. These kids gut it out every night for the the most part. Loyola relied on Townes and Krutwig during the stretch. They delivered. Moser coached his team to a Final 4 last year and won the CBI (or CIT) a few years earlier. He is quality and what the conference needs. Don't put this on Matt. The boys came ready to play. I was actually surprised to see Golder out there as I thought he was done. When I went to the Mo State game he was on crutches and had his foot in a walking boot.
Frustration no doubt as we now know what this team is capable of but anyone that doesn't think that we can play, at full strength, for 2-3 games with the rest of this conference come early March in St. Louis hasn't seen a full picture. I see a team that's actually starting to really gel. We have a young coach inserting new pieces and had to deal with injuries and lack of scholarship players due to a couple of transfers. I like to think next year shapes up to be an excellent year for this team. I know it's tough but there is so much gold at the end of this teams rainbow.
Everyone wanted to step up from the Horizon League and this is what you get. Tough outs game in and game out. Last I checked, even woth a top 10 recruiting class, Vandy is only 30-40 spots ahead of Valpo from an NCAA Net rating perspective.
Quote from: VU2010 on February 10, 2019, 05:56:20 PMWhen will others learn - or admit - that we are getting out-coached? He cannot do it. Look at the second half adjustments by Porter & Co. and then ask yourself what gives? Don't tell me shots not falling or blaming it on the officials or injuries or illness. That was on us. He needs to be a man - a leader - and own up to it. Say it's on him. These guys are hustling. Sorry I know he's a fan favorite but Kiser is not the answer. 0 points, 8 boards, and 5 fouls? Definition of I play hard but am not a D1 player. We got out coached and out played down the stretch. Put your guys in the best position to win. Plain and simple. That's what you get paid for. Not to stick to a rotation for the sake of it. Mileek goes in during the first half and plays lights out. Then what?
I have said before that there are things that I would probably do differently and one of those things is that Mileek needs to get more time... there I agree with you. However, tell me what leads you to believe that we got terribly out-coached?? What great adjustments did Moser make?? Whatever they were they didn't work for the first 13 minutes of the second half. He made one big adjustment with 7 minutes to go in the second half and that was basically telling Townes and Kurtwig to play a two man game down the stretch. You say Matt stuck to a rotation and other posters say he was playing weird lineups, what is it... Our starters shot not quite 32% for the game, I'd probably play a few strange lineups under those circumstances. Great that Golder gutted one out while being sick, but in hindsight he probably should not have been on the floor. Without Fazekas we have one player shooting 35% from 3 and that is Golder and we all know how he was feeling and shooting today. Tell us what should have been done differently. From a coaching perspective I would really like to know.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 11, 2019, 12:02:28 AM
Quote from: justducky on February 10, 2019, 11:27:20 PMNot sure if Matt can build on this but it was clearly a solid performance by McMillan in his 10 minutes. He defended, went 2 for 2 from the floor with nice moves, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and no TO's. It kind of reminded me of our Tasmanian player (drawing a blank) here against Butler in 2011. Solid minutes contribution with no negative effects. :thumbsup:
Igbavboa?
No---The Australian before Broekhoff. Didn't play his senior year but stayed and graduated. Was a freshman with Buggs.
Cameron Witt?
Justducky, DePaul has NO 3 point shooters and just beat Xavier at the Cintas Center (shot 23% from 3 for the game) by pounding the ball inside and FINALLY realizing you need to dribble drive. Now X ain't the same X every knows but DePaul has blown for decades now. You use your personnel wisely and put them into a position succeed. I'd take Matt Lottich over Dave Leitao any day. Why? Because what I've seen from both teams is Valpo's effort is so strong every night. Those kids don't give up.
This team is poised next year to take a BIG step up. Transfers and returnees will make Valpo formidable. Last year was tough...this year they are middle of the pack and have a chance to finish 3-5. Progress gents. That's what I'm seeing.
This has been true for every conference game except Indiana State.
1314, you are spot on but every team just has a BAD day. We get them Wednesday and if we play like we did today, we will win. IF...but I will be there!!! With my gold Valpo shirt on!!!
Quote from: ValpoDad89 on February 11, 2019, 12:34:32 AM
Justducky, DePaul has NO 3 point shooters and just beat Xavier at the Cintas Center (shot 23% from 3 for the game) by pounding the ball inside and FINALLY realizing you need to dribble drive. Now X ain't the same X every knows but DePaul has blown for decades now. You use your personnel wisely and put them into a position succeed. I'd take Matt Lottich over Dave Leitao any day. Why? Because what I've seen from both teams is Valpo's effort is so strong every night. Those kids don't give up.
Interesting! Haven't had the occasion to watch either this year. I'll check the DePaul stats.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 11, 2019, 12:31:20 AMCameron Witt?
Bingo! He played maybe 4 minutes in that Butler game with 2 baskets, good defense, 1 rebound (?) while giving Cory Johnson a little breather. I remember thinking that we just couldn't ask for any better than that. :thumbsup:
It seems that some of you have forgotten that in our first meeting with Loyola we were thumped by seventeen points and were never in the game. I thought that we made some good adjustments that made this a competitive game that allowed us to lead for most of the game. I remember someone writing that he/she would be happy if Valpo kept most of the Ramblers in check defensively and force the big two to beat us. That's what happened down the stretch. I found it interesting that Smits and Sorolla were assigned to handle Krutwig without a double team for much of the game. I thought that they did a good job handling the same guy who shined against some of the best seniors in the country in the Big Dance last year.
Our defensive intensity has been admirable over the last few games. When Ryan comes back will be be able (both physically and emotionally) to match that effort?
When you have youth and inexperience both with players and coaching, crunch-time basketball will be a roller coaster experience and leads can vanish very quickly. Taking panic shots near the end of the game when time on the shot clock remains while being just a few points behind is an example of youth and inexperience. Offensive breakdowns. People who shoot during crunch time should be the ones who are the best shooters, not sub-par shooters who happen to have an open look. Seems to me the coach should have a different strategy and the players should know that during every critical crunch time, we find plays and ways to get the ball into the hands of the best shooters, like Freeman for example. He's just too good not to be involved in every play during crunch time. He's athletic, can shake and bake, can dish, and can shoot - he's the true triple threat. Yet he wasn't the guy taking hook shots or three-point shots at inopportune times during crunch time. That's coaching.
But that said, this team and the coach are PROGRESSING and they know it. They can feel it. They know they can make a splash come tourney time. Their confidence is growing. Things are moving, ever so slowly and inconsistently, in the right direction. Can't be unhappy about that. Winning consistently is just around the corner.
I would go lightly on the Loyola fans - they've only had under a year experience.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 10, 2019, 11:33:59 PM
Help me guys. I'm getting tired of near misses silver linings and moral victories. All I feel after losses like this one and Missouri State is disappointment and despair that we'll never get it right and finish down the stretch. I need help seeing the positives. Sure we'll have great new transfers coming in and more experience but we'll still have seven footers that play small and a system that doesn't seem to work well for good and open shots down the stretch namely a coach that struggles to coach offense especially in crunch time. Are we sure we'll be all right going forward? Will we for all of our expected improvement next year really be able to face down what should be a much tougher and improved MVC next year?
Depending on transfers, Valpo is going to be much better next season just by bringing in Robinson and Gordon and Sackey and Freeman being in the program another year. Improvements happen year over year. Marquette was a horrible defensive team the last few seasons, and this year just by bringing in another couple of guys and having continuity with the majority of their roster they've improved about 150 spots in defensive efficiency just from a year ago. Valpo is close, and really you get another couple of guys out there that need to be defended on the perimeter and that will change the dynamic for guys like Smits and Sorolla.
I honestly don't know if the MVC as a whole will be much tougher and improved than this season. Evansville, Valpo, Indiana State, Northern Iowa and Bradley should be better, but looking at Loyola, Drake, Missouri State, Illinois State, Southern Illinois, there's a LOT of Seniors making major contributions to their teams that are leaving those programs, so my guess is the league will be similar to what it is this year.
Man, a few of our fans are salty. lol
Really like this team's chances in MVC tourney as much as anyone once everyone's back. MOST fans saying they want anyone but Valpo in STL.
Quote from: may know on February 11, 2019, 07:49:38 AM
Really like this team's chances in MVC tourney as much as anyone once everyone's back. MOST fans saying they want anyone but Valpo in STL.
I'm with you. I really think this team can make noise down in St. Louis. They play great defense and you plug in a hopefully healthy Fazekas and Golder and I think we have a chance to beat anyone in this conference.
Last nights game's end result sucked and we did sort of choked but I think a healthy Valpo team can finish that Loyola team. Nobody in this conference are world beaters this season. They need to take last night as a learning experience. You can't let your foot off the peddle.
Wow, you guys really think they can win 3 games in 3 days in Arch Madness, assuming they can avoid the Thursday rounds?
Whatever.
If they won 2, I'll be shocked.
I'm not sure our confidence in our chances in STL stem from our team's ability so much as a complete inability of anyone to separate. Loyola is the favorite, hands down, without question. But their depth will be tried in three games in 72 hours. They're the safest bet, but this is a crazy and transitional year in the MVC.
Was at the game yesterday - first game in person at Valpo in three years.
-Environment was great. Someone in another post said that they were wrong about the ARC being a good venue. Perceived good opponent really drove this atmosphere...it will be even better as the team improves. Points, however, to the importance of having better non-conference opponents for having a great atmosphere.
-For those of you who rag on the students and the student section, they really brought it yesterday. Kudos for the student section really making it a great environment. Freeman took Custer out of the game and the student section negated the Loyola fans for much of the game.
-Freeman is the real deal. I've seen him on TV and been impressed, but in person you really see what a great hard-working dynamic player he is. He is conference POY when he develops some more muscle and further improves his outside shot.
-I think that I can see what Lottich is building. Defensively, this team is getting there (yeah, I know Loyola has struggled some offensively this year). He is building around defense and then will (hopefully) develop better offense. Valpo does not have consistent outside shooters, so Loyola packed it in and Valpo could not get into the offense on many possessions. I do think the influx of some new players will help this a lot next year.
-J was very strong on defense. Krutwig really struggled when J was in the game.
-I can see Valpo beating anyone in the conference tournament, but this team does not have the offense to win three games in three days.
Two other things:
-The woman who enjoyed standing in the aisle by Section F (even taking pictures of her family while the game was going on) needs to stay at home.
-It was nice to at least see another of my teams take down the National champs on Saturday.
Fans who are distraught are the fans who realize that at the end of the season we are going to look at our last 3 home games and think, "what could have been."
Again I will chalk the Drake game up as pure bad luck. Nothing you can do in a situation where that many vital guys are out. But the MoSt/Loyola games were ours to be had if we could close out both halves the way we played the rest of the game. Thats what hurts. Sitting here knowing if you turn those 2 games around we are currently in a tie for 1st and pushed MoSt down to 3rd place instead of 2nd. Thats why fans are distraught. 2 games we played well enough to win for 30-35 minutes but couldn't finish the job.
Lottich is still learning to be a good offensive coach, but the effort is there and the defense is there. I am no offensive genius but I can tell we are not consistently getting players the ball in positions that enhance their natural abilities -- AKA - in a position where they can thrive given their natural abilities. He seems to still be figuring out best substitution patterns and how to adjust on the fly to changing defenses. In his defense, that stuff is REALLY HARD and Porter Moser wasn't really good at it until the last few years. So although I have been critical I will give him some slack.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 11, 2019, 09:43:57 AM
Fans who are distraught are the fans who realize that at the end of the season we are going to look at our last 3 home games and think, "what could have been."
Again I will chalk the Drake game up as pure bad luck. Nothing you can do in a situation where that many vital guys are out. But the MoSt/Loyola games were ours to be had if we could close out both halves the way we played the rest of the game. Thats what hurts. Sitting here knowing if you turn those 2 games around we are currently in a tie for 1st and pushed MoSt down to 3rd place instead of 2nd. Thats why fans are distraught. 2 games we played well enough to win for 30-35 minutes but couldn't finish the job.
Lottich is still learning to be a good offensive coach, but the effort is there and the defense is there. I am no offensive genius but I can tell we are not consistently getting players the ball in positions that enhance their natural abilities -- AKA - in a position where they can thrive given their natural abilities. He seems to still be figuring out best substitution patterns and how to adjust on the fly to changing defenses. In his defense, that stuff is REALLY HARD and Porter Moser wasn't really good at it until the last few years. So although I have been critical I will give him some slack.
And Momentum/confidence is contagious. Turn those 2 games around and put us in a tie for 1st and we are far less likely to have any sort of "letdown" game in the final 6 games we have left. Those 2 games may lead to another loss or 2 in the final 6 games we wouldn't have had. I can only hope the return of Fazekas is a shot in the arm needed to overcome the disastrous middle 1/3 of the season and let us finish our final 6 games the way we started our 1st 6 games.
Remaining Schedule:
- We can't have a letdown on any of our remaining home games. All need to be W's and thats all. Two in-state rivalries make me nervous depending on the confidence level going forward of this team.
- @Bradley is playing really well right now and Brown is absolutely on fire. However, the fact that we have Sackey might mean we matchup with them better than most teams. A player with equal quickness to Brown that can actually stay with him.
- @Drake -- Can we play angry about the fact they stole one from us shorthanded?
-@UNI -- They keep losing close game after close game. Seriously, they have lost so many well played close games. They struggle with consistent offense as well. Can we pull off a nail-biter road game?
We have one of the more favorable schedules for the last 1/3rd of the season. Gotta get on a roll going into Arch Madness to prove all the "stay positive" posters correct.
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 11, 2019, 05:30:41 AMPeople who shoot during crunch time should be the ones who are the best shooters, not sub-par shooters who happen to have an open look. Seems to me the coach should have a different strategy and the players should know that during every critical crunch time, we find plays and ways to get the ball into the hands of the best shooters, like Freeman for example. He's just too good not to be involved in every play during crunch time. He's athletic, can shake and bake, can dish, and can shoot - he's the true triple threat. Yet he wasn't the guy taking hook shots or three-point shots at inopportune times during crunch time. That's coaching
I guarantee that at the 4:26 time out and again at the 3:29 time out Matt said something similar to what you wrote. At the 4:26 time out we had two players that were shooting better than 30% from 3 on the floor. Loyola, the best 3 point shooting team in the conference, had 4 players shooting 37%or better on the floor. Here is what Porter Moser said in the 4:26 time out, "Pack it in, continue to double the post and don't let Freeman beat us off the dribble. Let them take the long three but don't give them anything inside" I don't think it is a coincidence that Kiser, Sackey and Evelyn were able to get up shots but Freeman didn't have the opportunity to make anything happen. Matt countered at the 3:29 by putting in Golder, our best available shooter, but he just was not himself. The whole reason that the Townes Kurtwig pick and roll worked for them down the stretch was because Townes is shooting 50% from 3 the last 12 games and Kurtwig is the best post assist man in the league because he can throw it out to the best 3 point shooting teammates in the league... the whole reason we didn't double the post in this game. Considering that we had to play Loyola straight up without really being able to sag off or bring over another defender to prevent the split was pretty impressive for more than 3/4 of the game. We had some lapses at the end of the game that cost us and the fact that we just don't have shooters to spread the floor was a very apparent weakness. Gore talked a lot in the post game about trying to give the players confidence in their shooting ability, I have no idea what is going on with Evelyn, is it the surgery, mechanical or mental? How does a player that showed such growth last year revert to what we are seeing on the court a year later. Is that a result of coaching... are the shooting woes a result of coaching... I really don't see any major flaws in the "in game" coaching, the defense looks more than adequate so the only thing I can wonder about is the day to day shooting (this might fall primarily on the players) and the strategical teaching of the offense.
Great environment yesterday. Let's give Coach L some credit as we gave a great defensive effort, especially on Custer even he did get some free throws late when we had to foul. While we struggled at times on offense let's give credit to Loyola who has one of the best defensive teams in the Country. And yet we still had some good looks but couldn't convert. Overall we played pretty well against a veteran Loyola squad. Let's face it , we are not a 3-point threat without Fazekas. Loved Kiser's effort but when he has to play that many minutes he HAS to be a scoring threat which he is not. When Kiser plays it is easy for our opponents to sag in the middle because John just can't get it done on offense. Our bigs played in a crowd all afternoon. Our freshman guards are one heck of a defensive pair in the backcourt and they seem to be getting better. What a turnaround for Freeman after he was never in the flow when we played LU in Chicago. He just keeps getting better and better as the season progresses. We will be a viable contender in St. Louis especially if we are at full strength.
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 10, 2019, 07:07:16 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Here's a positive vibe....SOLD OUT CROWD 5,148 strong at the ARC tonight :thumbsup:
Ducky you nailed it!!!!
Are we cooking the books? Watched the ESPNU replay and it looked like AA and BB had some big gaps. Were any of you sitting up there or viewing it from the chair backs? Did some of that crowd leave early?
I do not have a lot of Basketball IQ but I saw a grind out game where both teams seemed to lose their flow on occasion but were able to claw it back/spread the lead. The difference I saw in teams was composure. We got a bit frantic toward the end and are still a little unsure. Some of that is youth, some of that is time, and some of that is why you want to be in a league like the MVC where you can't relax at all and need to keep your head in the game. We seemed to have stopped the tendency to just completely fall apart, but we still need to show our ability to keep it together when we need to.
A couple other pieces: man is Sackey fast. it's almost pointless to run a screen on him because he just darts around and is with his man again almost immediately. There were quite a few impressive blocks this game and Freeman is cool as a cucumber out there and the future of this team.
Keep Williamson in mind for the Ramblers. He hurt us in Chicago before he hurt his arm for a second time. His return is slated for late this month but sounds more uncertain than for Fazekas. Both of their absences have near equal weights.
Who else would prefer to be in the opposite bracket from Loyola?
FW--as you know, shooting is so dependent on being healthy, particularly in the lower half. If you do not have your legs, everything else devolves. Bakari's shots are flat as a pancake. No parabola. Something is physically wrong. He is not elevating and is shooting flat-footed. Smits also looked like the back was acting up yesterday. Where you see this is FTs. Kevin Love also has a recurring back issue and you can tell right away when he isn't loose. 3s hit the front of the rim or are significantly flatter, and his excellent FT shooting starts missing.
What's interesting about a game like yesterday is you can point to key moments or questions, but the game is moving so fast, clock ticking away, that you as a coach have to slow it down in your mind and your timeouts. Why was Sackey not in there to run the offense with 4 minutes left. He sets them up in the offense better than Bakari. He can't shoot from outside, but you need to keep the ball moving not stagnating on the perimeter (aka the Lebron offense) plus he's a harassing defender. Kiser shoots too soon in the shot clock, but had an open 3 look. It would be nice to have a 3 shooter, but Kiser had made 2 open looks on Tuesday. Why not offense/defense subs with Smirolla? In the end, in close games, big possums walk late. Townes is POY candidate for MVC. He made plays. They've been in nail-biters before. Remember to early season when Matt said we need a leader? Yesterday, I determined it's time to have Sackey in the game at the end of halves and crunch time. "With about 3 minutes to go, I turned to Mrs. 84 and said we have no offense on the floor. Who do you want to take the shot."
Last point, we have had a bevy of 3 pt shooters recently (Boggs, Bogan, Peters, Carter, Skara, Haarpaa, Broekhoff to name a few), but we do not have any true 3 shooters except Fazekas right now. That makes for a difficult way to win when Ds are sagging and you can't free up the drivers, or have space for the Centers.
Youth ... inexperience ... having the flu ... y'all are all about the excuses. That's not what gritty means. You know that, right? What's the MO of the team? Kiser? He's gritty. May not score a point but fouls out with 8 boards. Figure it out -
If that's what Valpo's MO is then let's stop making the excuses. Lottich again brought up excuses during the press conference. For once - I wish he'd say: "We got out-coached down the stretch. That's on me." Know how much difference that could make??? Just a thought...
Quote from: justducky on February 11, 2019, 10:42:00 AM
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 10, 2019, 07:07:16 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2019, 05:26:55 PM
Hats off to the students and crowd tonight. Wish we could have got the W for them to build some momentum and keep the positive vibes going.
Here's a positive vibe....SOLD OUT CROWD 5,148 strong at the ARC tonight :thumbsup:
Ducky you nailed it!!!!
Are we cooking the books? Watched the ESPNU replay and it looked like AA and BB had some big gaps. Were any of you sitting up there or viewing it from the chair backs? Did some of that crowd leave early?
I doubt it. I was checking the ticket site right up till about 10 minutes till tipoff. The lower level was completely sold out as was CC upstairs. I would guess maybe 100 seats in each of BB and DD. The space left was in AA, maybe half sold. BB etc hold about 500 each.
Perhaps we borrowed from Chicago voting techniques? ;D :thumbsup:
reasons are not excuses. again, stop being mad at us that we're not on your Lottich is the worst coach ever vibe as we analyze and process the game. There have been criticisms of lottich's choices as well as analysis of what worked against us that is both in and out of our control.
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2019, 08:15:56 PM
Let them have their fun while it lasts. Moser might act cocky, but he's no dummy. He knows all they did today is stave off the inevitable changing of the guard a bit longer.
Loyola hit the lottery by landing big-time transfers in Townes and Custer at the same time a pudgy, sparsely-recruited freshman arrived and magically become the league's best post player. They had a magical run last year and are still ok this year, but next year it will be back to Valpo dominating Loyola like they did in the Horizon League.
Do they do head count by ticket sales or head count? cause noone in EE had tickets or the student section so if they are just doing some form of head count as people walk in there could be 5,000+ and still have empty seats as there was probably a good 20-50 people who stood along the rails the entire time, not counting people who were down on the floor or wandering around.
All of us saw the 1 second on shot clock inbounds play following a time out. Looks, fakes, cuts with seconds ticking off followed by a pass to the basket almost tipped in by the Golder. Did Matt design that as our first option? All opinions will be welcomed.
Quote from: crusader05 on February 11, 2019, 01:56:13 PM
Do they do head count by ticket sales or head count? cause noone in EE had tickets or the student section so if they are just doing some form of head count as people walk in there could be 5,000+ and still have empty seats as there was probably a good 20-50 people who stood along the rails the entire time, not counting people who were down on the floor or wandering around.
... lest we forget, there's the inevitable migration of people who move from the mezzanine to the main floor and sit in open seats left by no-shows. It aggravates me, and I'm not even sure why. ;)
Quote from: valpo84 on February 11, 2019, 12:11:45 PMWhy was Sackey not in there to run the offense with 4 minutes left. He sets them up in the offense better than Bakari. He can't shoot from outside, but you need to keep the ball moving not stagnating on the perimeter (aka the Lebron offense) plus he's a harassing defender.
Sackey was in the game at that time. he played from 12:10 - 3:26 when he was taken out in what was probably a move to get more offense into the game with Lavender and then came back in at the next clock stoppage, Lavender free throw, 1:42 for defense replacing Evelyn.
Quote from: VU2010 on February 11, 2019, 01:41:21 PMYouth ... inexperience ... having the flu ... y'all are all about the excuses. That's not what gritty means. You know that, right? What's the MO of the team? Kiser? He's gritty. May not score a point but fouls out with 8 boards. Figure it out -
If that's what Valpo's MO is then let's stop making the excuses. Lottich again brought up excuses during the press conference. For once - I wish he'd say: "We got out-coached down the stretch. That's on me." Know how much difference that could make??? Just a thought...
I get it, you don't think Kiser should play so much, is that why you think Matt got out coached? I asked you to give some analysis that we can agree or disagree with and that is all you have come up with. I like Kiser, I think he plays as hard as just about any player out there, but it hurts to not have better scorer on the floor, I am just not sure who that would be right at the moment.
Our missed FTs were once again more than the margin of defeat. For the love of god, someone on this staff institute the Virgil Sweet FT Method for this team.
OK, this needs to be said, and not as a knock on the player, but as a knock on our rotations. Kiser hustles. Fine. Great. But he's the definition of "guy who should get five or six minutes off the bench when we're in foul trouble" and that's it. The rebounds are great, but our offense is playing 4-on-5 when he's out there (no assists, only shot the ball once and missed). For that reason alone, him getting 20 mins. while Mileek only got 10 is INSANE. Look, credit to John for working hard to get where he is and squeezing every ounce out of his talent, but his usage by our staff right now is way, way out of hand. Particularly against a rugged defensive opponent like Loyola where we need every possible opportunity to score available on every possession.
On the bright side, great rowdy crowd yesterday. Wish we'd sent them home happy -- they'd be much more likely to return.
I've come around to liking Kizer...but liking him at the right times. He, unfortunately, provides zippo on offense...of course no-one else has really provided much either.
I was stoked to see Lavender nailing all his FT's. Had he made a couple last home game we would have another W in the column, but it is what it is.
Quote from: EddieCabot on February 11, 2019, 01:54:02 PM
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2019, 08:15:56 PM
Let them have their fun while it lasts. Moser might act cocky, but he's no dummy. He knows all they did today is stave off the inevitable changing of the guard a bit longer.
Loyola hit the lottery by landing big-time transfers in Townes and Custer at the same time a pudgy, sparsely-recruited freshman arrived and magically become the league's best post player. They had a magical run last year and are still ok this year, but next year it will be back to Valpo dominating Loyola like they did in the Horizon League.
Agreed. Just think how good we would have been this year if we hadn't lost our lottery pick! Or if we had him and Ryan all year. Wow. Burton at the 4, Ryan at the 3, Smits at the 5, Freeman at the 2 and Sackey running the show. I can dream can't I??
From what schools did Townes and Custer transfer?
Quote from: valpo64 on February 11, 2019, 03:28:12 PM
From what schools did Townes and Custer transfer?
Custer transferred from Iowa State
Townes transferred from Fairleigh Dickinson
Quote from: IrishDawg on February 11, 2019, 03:31:14 PM
Quote from: valpo64 on February 11, 2019, 03:28:12 PM
From what schools did Townes and Custer transfer?
Custer transferred from Iowa State
Townes transferred from Fairleigh Dickinson
The real recruit that changed everything for Loyola was landing Milton Doyle. He was transferred from Kansas and he gave the program credibility and helped change LU's fortunes, imo. I've talked to a few LU alums and they agreed. He may not have been apart of that Final 4 run but he was crucial to the Loyola rebuild.
Porter is a great recruiter. I'm not sure if people realize this but Porter really recruited Javon Freeman pretty hard and he chose Valpo over Loyola. Loyola has a stud 2019 recruiting class. As long as Porter remains at Loyola they will remain an upper tier program in the conference. I actually think one of Porter Moser's most savvy moves as the coach was hiring Bryan Mullins as an assistant coach (former All-MVC player for SIU). Mullins' dad just so happens to be the owner and head coach of the Illinois Wolves AAU team (Top 2-3 AAu program in IL) and there is definitely a strong connection there. Two of Loyola's 2019 recruits played for the IL wolves and are top 5 players in the IL class. He also hired Jevon Mamon as director of basketball operations who has a billion Chicago's public league connections and is a former Meanstreets AAU coach (Top 2 AAU program in IL and many of the best inner city kids play for them include Javon). Porter has built a well connected staff and is a well oiled recruiting machine. Loyola isn't going away anytime soon guys. Personally I'm happy because I want our fellow members to be good and it will feed into this rivalry.
Side Note: I think Mullins will get offered the job at SIU when They fire Hinson or let him go in a year. It will be interesting if he takes it or if Loyola promises him the HC job if/when Porter leaves.
If Loyola makes the tourney again, and they should, I think Porter leaves. Even if they exit in the first round.
For those asking about evidence of where coaching plays into things, here's a few examples ... though I come from a background where the buck stops here - with the leader:
Our missed FTs were once again more than the margin of defeat. For the love of god, someone on this staff institute the Virgil Sweet FT Method for this team.
^^^^Coaching?
OK, this needs to be said, and not as a knock on the player, but as a knock on our rotations. Kiser hustles. Fine. Great. But he's the definition of "guy who should get five or six minutes off the bench when we're in foul trouble" and that's it. The rebounds are great, but our offense is playing 4-on-5 when he's out there (no assists, only shot the ball once and missed). For that reason alone, him getting 20 mins. while Mileek only got 10 is INSANE.
^^^^^Coaching?
Look, credit to John for working hard to get where he is and squeezing every ounce out of his talent, but his usage by our staff right now is way, way out of hand. Particularly against a rugged defensive opponent like Loyola where we need every possible opportunity to score available on every possession.
^^^^^Coaching?
Not to mention what others have already pointed out - where's Sackey down the stretch? I do not get why Mileek didn't get more of a shot - played great while in last night .... closing out halves ... gotta look at the trends ...
I may be off here, but let me know...
During the game, I kept seeing a huge banner for the $200,000,000 Valpo fund, which I really find tacky. It makes us look desperate for money.
Also, the cheerleaders need better uniforms.
At the time of Ryan's injury early in the 3rd conf. game against Bradley, he had just come off back-to-back Newcomer of the Week awards.
Ryan's 3-point shooting pct's for games played in those weeks:
PNW 5-9 .555
ILS 4-8 .500
MOS 6-11 .545
BRD 1-1 1.000 (injury game)
Total 16-29 .562
Clearly, Ryan was on a big-time 3-pt. shooting roll at the time of his injury. If he can round into form over the last 6 conference games, we will be VERY difficult for anyone to stop in the tournament - including Loyola.
Let me add that going into the tournament Ryan should have the freshest legs of any outside scoring threat in the league. That could loom large, especially as the tournament wears on.
Quote from: VU2010 on February 11, 2019, 05:59:04 PM
For those asking about evidence of where coaching plays into things, here's a few examples ... though I come from a background where the buck stops here - with the leader:
Our missed FTs were once again more than the margin of defeat. For the love of god, someone on this staff institute the Virgil Sweet FT Method for this team.
^^^^Coaching? Agreed - I don't know why it is but young players are not taught the proper mechanics of shooting let alone shooting free throws and for some reason they don't want to change "what works for them". You don't have to actually use "the method" but the ideas of how to consistently shoot are well thought out and shown in this method and can be incorporated into "your own style".
OK, this needs to be said, and not as a knock on the player, but as a knock on our rotations. Kiser hustles. Fine. Great. But he's the definition of "guy who should get five or six minutes off the bench when we're in foul trouble" and that's it. The rebounds are great, but our offense is playing 4-on-5 when he's out there (no assists, only shot the ball once and missed). For that reason alone, him getting 20 mins. while Mileek only got 10 is INSANE. I agree that Mileek should probably have seen the floor more and that he probably give us a better scoring option than Kiser. I think that Matt probably was thinking that John probably was the safer bet for less mistakes and in some ways I can agree with that. I want to see and believe that Mileek can develop but crunch time might not be the right time.
^^^^^Coaching?
Look, credit to John for working hard to get where he is and squeezing every ounce out of his talent, but his usage by our staff right now is way, way out of hand. Particularly against a rugged defensive opponent like Loyola where we need every possible opportunity to score available on every possession. Same as above
^^^^^Coaching?
Not to mention what others have already pointed out - where's Sackey down the stretch? I do not get why Mileek didn't get more of a shot - played great while in last night .... closing out halves ... gotta look at the trends ... As I debunked earlier, Sackey was in the game from 12:10 - 3:26 when he was taken out in what was probably a move to get more offense into the game with Lavender and then came back in at the next clock stoppage, Lavender free throw, 1:42 for defense replacing Evelyn. He was only out of the game for 1:52 seconds.
Quote from: wh on February 11, 2019, 06:41:52 PM
Let me add that going into the tournament Ryan should have the freshest legs of any outside scoring threat in the league. That could loom large, especially as the tournament wears on.
He'll be well rested. I'll be interested to see if he has maintained his conditioning level. If he's been in a boot for weeks, what was he able to do to stay in "game shape". I'm guessing it will take a few games before he's back to 100%.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 11, 2019, 06:08:03 PM
I may be off here, but let me know...
During the game, I kept seeing a huge banner for the $200,000,000 Valpo fund, which I really find tacky. It makes us look desperate for money.
Also, the cheerleaders need better uniforms.
Also, cheerleading should not be funded by Valpo.
If the subbing out of Sackey was for offense what's the excuse for leaving Kiser in when offense was needed?
Why wouldn't cheerleading be funded? I'm sorry but that's a dumb statement to make without some reasoning behind it.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 08:15:43 PM
Why wouldn't cheerleading be funded? I'm sorry but that's a dumb statement to make without some reasoning behind it.
You probably have a daughter/niece that cheers or cheered, huh?
The cheer team should be recognized by the NCAA to be a sport, as it has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which also would help universities meet Title IX requirements.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 11, 2019, 07:32:23 PM
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 11, 2019, 06:08:03 PM
I may be off here, but let me know...
During the game, I kept seeing a huge banner for the $200,000,000 Valpo fund, which I really find tacky. It makes us look desperate for money.
Also, the cheerleaders need better uniforms.
Also, cheerleading should not be funded by Valpo.
If anything thing they should be receiving more funding especially for their uniforms. Now the Crusaderetts uniforms are sharp. Brown and Metallic Gold! Looked awesome in White and Metallic Gold as well!
Btw....If anyone needs more funding it should be the band!
Quote from: valpopal on February 11, 2019, 08:31:13 PM
The cheer team should be recognized by the NCAA to be a sport, as it has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which also would help universities meet Title IX requirements.
Not sure how we got on the topic of cheerleading but I was under the assumption that the program needed to compete in competitions to be registered with the ncaa. Didn't the cheerleaders just get new uniforms? I remember someone on the board being mad about them getting rid of the Crusader name on the uniform. Or maybe that was the Crusaderettes? Not sure.
I think the cheerleading is fine. Oakland recently stopped funding their cheerleading team and tried to combine them with the spirit squad (our crusaderettes) and their athletics department tried to basically turn it into a gameday entertainment squad from my understanding.
No daughter sister or any other family member is or was a cheerleader. But your comment was ignorant and uncalled for. Back it up rather than assuming any bias on my part.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 11, 2019, 08:41:25 PM
Quote from: valpopal on February 11, 2019, 08:31:13 PM
The cheer team should be recognized by the NCAA to be a sport, as it has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which also would help universities meet Title IX requirements.
Not sure how we got on the topic of cheerleading but I was under the assumption that the program needed to compete in competitions to be registered with the ncaa.
Yes, many universities would like cheer teams to be counted as sport, and the cheer teams at universities could compete in an NCAA sanctioned event, as they do elsewhere; however, the sticking point is the current wording of Title IX that requires competition be their "exclusive" purpose.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:15:10 PM
No daughter sister or any other family member is or was a cheerleader. But your comment was ignorant and uncalled for. Back it up rather than assuming any bias on my part.
Thanks, it's a statement of feeling that doesn't need you to make it right or wrong.
Statement of feeling? Really? You obviously never took freshman Core. Make a statement. Back it up with facts. Defend the position.
I genuinely think Porter is happy there. As I understand he's from Chicago with Jesuit roots and he's already a rockstar and just inked a huge extension. Loyola is also rich enough with that massive endowment to pay him whatever he wants. Why mess with happy and go anywhere else? Also I'm not certain that Loyola is going to fade back to also-ran status. They've recruited really well the past few years. Kaifes and Williamson can play. Aguianne Uguak and a host of others have a lot of potential. There are some very talented kids who aren't even playing that are learning the culture. Krutwig will only be a Junior. Time will tell if their roster produces another Custer or Townes but I feel very confident in saying that that team isn't going anywhere. Embrace it guys we've found our chief MVC rival. Fans aside on the court we've found our new Butler. Now all that's left is to figure out how to consistently beat them like we eventually did against the Bulldogs. These are exciting times. Go Valpo!
Quote from: EddieCabot on February 11, 2019, 01:54:02 PMLoyola hit the lottery by landing big-time transfers in Townes and Custer at the same time a pudgy, sparsely-recruited freshman arrived and magically become the league's best post player. They had a magical run last year and are still ok this year, but next year it will be back to Valpo dominating Loyola like they did in the Horizon League.
Valpo was 7-6 against Loyola while in the HL.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:41:22 PM
Statement of feeling? Really? You obviously never took freshman Core. Make a statement. Back it up with facts. Defend the position.
You are getting pretty worked up. I'm hardly the first person that doesn't find cheerleading as a value-add to sports. I do, however, believe we should better fund/support the band as someone stated earlier.
And for what it's worth, your venom towards me has me gathering "facts". I texted 6 fellow alumni friends who were athletes at VU. 6/6 said they don't agree to funding cheerleading at VU.
(2) Baseball
(2) Track & Field
(1) Soccer
(1) Softball
It's not a rivalry until we beat them in MVC play. 0-4 so far.
Oakland wasn't our Mid Con rival until they actually won a game.
Well if we count the voices in my head it's 10-6. I win.
Venom on my side? I'm not calling for the defunding on an entire program.
Back to Porter. He very well might stick around. But if Bryce Drew can leave Valpo, all bets are off.
FG05,
Your statement was as insulting to the hardworking young women and men of the spirit squads as it would be to you as a former football player if I said we should stop funding football because they've been embarrassingly terrible for what seems like forever. The only difference is that the spirit squads haven't been embarrassingly terrible. That is also a statement of feeling but it ignores the fact that the football team serves several important purposes: the tuition dollars\donations the program brings the branding of getting Valpo's name out to far flung locations, etc. The spirit squad serves a different but equally important purpose: they add to the gameday experience and people enjoy watching them perform. Several people I have gone to games with have remarked about how they enjoy their performances during timeouts\halftime. I know that they help me get into games as well because they give me different ways to cheer on and encourage the team. Just because you don't see or appreciate their worth and what they bring doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that others don't notice.
Quote from: LennySax on February 11, 2019, 09:48:44 PM
Quote from: EddieCabot on February 11, 2019, 01:54:02 PMLoyola hit the lottery by landing big-time transfers in Townes and Custer at the same time a pudgy, sparsely-recruited freshman arrived and magically become the league's best post player. They had a magical run last year and are still ok this year, but next year it will be back to Valpo dominating Loyola like they did in the Horizon League.
Valpo was 7-6 against Loyola while in the HL.
•Valpo was 7-5 against Loyola over the 6 years they were in the HL together.
•Loyola won 3 of the first 4.
•Valpo won 6 of the last 8.
•Valpo won 2 HL conference titles and 1 tournament championship.
•Loyola won 0 conference titles or tournament championships.
Just remember it's very possible we could look back on Loyola's history in another 5 10 20 30 years and view the Porter Moser\MVC era the same way we at Valpo view Homer Drew in that there are two distinct eras before and after these men roamed the sidelines for their respective programs. Remember they both struggled initially and there was considerable doubt before the team finally got rolling. Loyola could be at the beginning of a long run of success. If that's the case hopefully we can join them as a consistent fixture atop the standings and lead the MVC Renaissance. Go Valpo!
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 11, 2019, 10:02:09 PM
FG05,
Your statement was as insulting to the hardworking young women and men of the spirit squads as it would be to you as a former football player if I said we should stop funding football because they've been embarrassingly terrible for what seems like forever. The only difference is that the spirit squads haven't been embarrassingly terrible. That is also a statement of feeling but it ignores the fact that the football team serves several important purposes: the tuition dollars\donations the program brings the branding of getting Valpo's name out to far flung locations, etc. The spirit squad serves a different but equally important purpose: they add to the gameday experience and people enjoy watching them perform. Several people I have gone to games with have remarked about how they enjoy their performances during timeouts\halftime. I know that they help me get into games as well because they give me different ways to cheer on and encourage the team. Just because you don't see or appreciate their worth and what they bring doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that others don't notice.
They don't compete, it's a "club". Take it as insulting if you please, I never once said a derogatory thing about women so take your PC thoughts elsewhere because they didn't come out of my mouth.
Do ANY other athletic focused non-competing clubs get funded by Valpo? I'll go ahead and focus my attention on the MBB program but geez your imagination goes wild.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 11, 2019, 09:45:14 PM
I genuinely think Porter is happy there. As I understand he's from Chicago with Jesuit roots and he's already a rockstar and just inked a huge extension. Loyola is also rich enough with that massive endowment to pay him whatever he wants. Why mess with happy and go anywhere else? Also I'm not certain that Loyola is going to fade back to also-ran status. They've recruited really well the past few years. Kaifes and Williamson can play. Aguianne Uguak and a host of others have a lot of potential. There are some very talented kids who aren't even playing that are learning the culture. Krutwig will only be a Junior. Time will tell if their roster produces another Custer or Townes but I feel very confident in saying that that team isn't going anywhere. Embrace it guys we've found our chief MVC rival. Fans aside on the court we've found our new Butler. Now all that's left is to figure out how to consistently beat them like we eventually did against the Bulldogs. These are exciting times. Go Valpo!
I've also read that Porter is a Chicago guy to the bone, I hope he stays and continues with great success.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 11, 2019, 08:18:08 PM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 08:15:43 PM
Why wouldn't cheerleading be funded? I'm sorry but that's a dumb statement to make without some reasoning behind it.
You probably have a daughter/niece that cheers or cheered, huh?
The university lists Cheerleading and Crusaderettes as "Spriit Teams" on the department website. The athletic department pays for two P/T coaches for both (they happen to be the same persons). Without Athletic Department support there would not be any of that. Period. Here we are on this board talking about finding ways of enhancing the game experience and getting more students involved, yet we have someone who wants to desolve two important aspects of that experience. SMH.
And while we are at it, why isn't Pep Band also listed as a Spirit Team and funded to some extent by the Athletic Department?
There was talk on this board about the music department taking over the pep band and revamping it after Thanksgiving? The group they have plays well but is woefully lacking in numbers. Really don't want to have the smallest band in St. Louis again.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:58:56 PM
Back to Porter. He very well might stick around. But if Bryce Drew can leave Valpo, all bets are off.
Sure, the grass is always greener. I wonder how Bryce feels now, with Vandy losing 11 in a row, the AD that hired Bryce just died and a new AD is in place. The seat is getting warmer!
Quote from: M on February 11, 2019, 07:42:11 PM
If the subbing out of Sackey was for offense what's the excuse for leaving Kiser in when offense was needed?
Who knows exactly, none of us are on the bench and talking with the coaches. My guess would be that Kiser went out of the game at the 13:13 mark of the 2nd half, we were only up 2, and did not play as we built the lead, nor did he play during the Loyola change in momentum. He came back in at the 4:26 mark replacing the ailing Golder who had come into the game at 8:16 and missed two shots during that time, we are again only up 2 the same as when he subbed out. Those two players subbed offense for defense for each other again at 2:43 and then Kiser came back in for Smits at 0:28 when we were going full court, Kiser subbed back out and Evelyn came in for offense at 0:09. So Kiser played a total of 2:02 of the last 13:13 of the game. I was kind of surprised that he played that little over that stretch, it seemed more than that at the time, but it appears that Kiser can't really be blamed for our lack of offensive production during the second half nor can Matt be blamed for having Kiser playing significant minutes when we failed to score.
Quote from: vu72 on February 12, 2019, 08:29:11 AM
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:58:56 PM
Back to Porter. He very well might stick around. But if Bryce Drew can leave Valpo, all bets are off.
Sure, the grass is always greener. I wonder how Bryce feels now, with Vandy losing 11 in a row, the AD that hired Bryce just died and a new AD is in place. The seat is getting warmer!
Bryce signed a six-year, $16.3 million contact with Vanderbilt and recently bought a $2.7 million, 8,000 square foot house. As long as the checks keep cashing, I think he's feeling fine.
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 12, 2019, 05:02:19 AMQuote from: VUGrad1314 on February 11, 2019, 10:02:09 PMFG05, Your statement was as insulting to the hardworking young women and men of the spirit squads as it would be to you as a former football player if I said we should stop funding football because they've been embarrassingly terrible for what seems like forever. The only difference is that the spirit squads haven't been embarrassingly terrible. That is also a statement of feeling but it ignores the fact that the football team serves several important purposes: the tuition dollars\donations the program brings the branding of getting Valpo's name out to far flung locations, etc. The spirit squad serves a different but equally important purpose: they add to the gameday experience and people enjoy watching them perform. Several people I have gone to games with have remarked about how they enjoy their performances during timeouts\halftime. I know that they help me get into games as well because they give me different ways to cheer on and encourage the team. Just because you don't see or appreciate their worth and what they bring doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that others don't notice.
They don't compete, it's a "club". Take it as insulting if you please, I never once said a derogatory thing about women so take your PC thoughts elsewhere because they didn't come out of my mouth. Do ANY other athletic focused non-competing clubs get funded by Valpo? I'll go ahead and focus my attention on the MBB program but geez your imagination goes wild.
I don't know much about athletic clubs but I imagine that the intramural teams receive some modest support even if most of it is funded by the participants themselves. Regardless I'm beginning to wonder if PC is just used by people to deflect when they get called out for saying something stupid, because if you read the thread on the mascot debate, you'll see that PC is about the last thing that applies to me. Competition or not if you can't understand the valid parallel between your "statement of feeling" and my own hypothetical one I can't help you. Secondly, your concern for funding the MBB program rings hollow with me given your previous remarks against any plan for ARC renovations and prioritizing things like dorm upgrades instead. Couch that in any concerns about practicality or student retention (which is important) you like but you've shut down and insulted virtually anyone who dared talk about this subject or display any hope or optimism on it. You're right, the administrative climate has been horrible for athletics for decades, but is it so hard to believe or accept that this might finally be changing for the better? Finally why are you always so pessimistic and negative about the program? I won't go so far as to question whether or why you're a fan, but it seems like you and some others derive precious little joy from following the team. If following the team makes you so sad upset and frustrated that you can't say anything positive ever and you pick fights\insult other posters while being unnecessarily argumentative and confrontational, then why continue to do it? I'm sorry to be so mean in this post and so direct about tearing down another poster and I'm doubly sorry if you or anyone thought this was too personal or crossed a line but to be honest this post has been a long time coming.
How did this thread turn into a debate over our cheerleaders????????? Anyway, one last thought on the Loyola game...they played with 2 red-shirt senior guards while we countered with our 2 freshman guards. Overall I believe our guys did a great job, even thought they were freshmen.
Talking about a budding rivalry, take a listen to this broadcast.
https://twitter.com/dannyd_53/status/1095402628077547521
Listened to this. Listened to the new USH. Trying to regroup in time for the Indiana State game (I should be fine) but this one still stings and I'm still hurting. I just need to see all the effort I'm seeing translate into results. These guys deserve a better fate than 6-6. If they come out and beat ISU I'll be back to my cheery optimistic self. I don't like these morose feelings. Go Valpo! Keep working hard and fans keep showing up. I know that good things are in store for us soon if we stay together and believe.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:49:54 PM
It's not a rivalry until we beat them in MVC play. 0-4 so far.
Oakland wasn't our Mid Con rival until they actually won a game.
We are ever so close to this being a rivalry!
•Only sold out crowd this year at the ARC.
•2 Bus loads of students bussed in from Chicago.
•ESPNU game.
•Just over an hour away.
•2 academically acclaimed private Universities.
Would we consider Ball State a Rivalry yet?
•Played 10 times over the last 13 seasons.
•Series even with 5 wins each.
•Over the last 6 consecutive seasons 4 games have been decided by 1, 6, 3, and 3 points.
•3 hour drive south east
•Instate game.
I would say yes to both!
How does anyone know Bryce's contract amount, house cost, or that his house is 8,000 sq feet?
Quote from: VALPO LI on February 12, 2019, 04:28:56 PMQuote from: NativeCheesehead on February 11, 2019, 09:49:54 PMIt's not a rivalry until we beat them in MVC play. 0-4 so far. Oakland wasn't our Mid Con rival until they actually won a game.
We are ever so close to this being a rivalry! •Only sold out crowd this year at the ARC. •2 Bus loads of students bussed in from Chicago. •ESPNU game. •Just over an hour away. •2 academically acclaimed private Universities. Would we consider Ball State a Rivalry yet? •Played 10 times over the last 13 seasons. •Series even with 5 wins each. •Over the last 6 consecutive seasons 4 games have been decided by 1, 6, 3, and 3 points. •3 hour drive south east •Instate game. I would say yes to both!
Then why isn't Indiana State a rival too? They're more qualified to be than Ball State. The two central Illinois schools make some sense too as does Evansville because they're private and in state. Though I'm not sure if any of these would or could ever reach the level Loyola could potentially reach.
Loyola is really the only potential rival, but Valpo has to win one or two in MVC play before it can be called one.
Yes we need to beat Loyola to be considered a rival. We are 31-17 against them
*squints a little extra* yeah it's in there - win one or two in MVC play.
Just my opinion of course. :twocents:
As someone who takes their know-nothing-about-basketball mom to weekend games, I can attest her favorite things at the ARC are the band and spirit squads. Their value might seem obsolete to some diehards, but they can make the whole experience in bringing back casuals who are there for a fun night rather than basketball.
Quote from: may know on February 12, 2019, 07:59:43 PM
As someone who takes their know-nothing-about-basketball mom to weekend games, I can attest her favorite things at the ARC are the band and spirit squads. Their value might seem obsolete to some diehards, but they can make the whole experience in bringing back casuals who are there for a fun night rather than basketball.
Point taken, I've just never fully appreciated what cheerleaders bring to the table. While I understand there is wide array of tastes, mine do not go with spirit squads.
I just took offense to the tenacity of a few that went for my throat. I'd still like to see our student band better funded. It puts butts in the student section seats (even during sub-par home games) and is far better than poor speaker quality in the ARC.
Pay the Piccolo Players!
(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PsGZyq8xWTocmXx063rATG91NCs=/46x0:551x337/1200x800/filters:focal(46x0:551x337)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45975084/CA1Rh_iW4AE3T-L.0.0.jpg)