Lets throw away the rule book and try a 2-For thread because nothing else is working.
Do we still have a men's basketball team? As a recovering men's basketball addict I'm still trying to lose track. ;) Looking forward to the girls game hoping that more of the Maya Dunson Loyola to Valpo transfer story will come out. Her addition looks like 2 or 3 additional Valley wins if all 18 scheduled games are ever played. For any MVC tourney success her inclusion was essential.
Thoughts on either contest will be welcome. :thumbsup:
Women:
Valpo 72
Loyola 64
Men:
Loyola 75
Valpo 67
W: Loyola 57
Valpo 72
M: Loyola 87
Valpo 61
For those not following this is the first year for Net Rankings in women's basketball and the Valley sits as the 8'th best conference. Briefly we have Bradley at 69, Drake 48, Missouri St 25, ISUr 73, Northern Iowa 76, VU 105, and SIU at 170 looking like they should be higher.
Covid cancellations have greatly magnified the confusion on how good some of these teams actually are. While Drake and Northern have gotten in 13 D-1 games MSU has played only 7 and Loyola (235 Net) has only 5 with 2 of those being a split with ISUb. So Valpo has logged 11 games and Loyola only 5. Nothing fair about this but I would still expect a competitive game. Hopefully there is no overconfidence and coach Evans will get the opportunity to give our talented freshman class some significant and needed minutes.
I really think the Valley might end with 6 top 100 Net teams with SIU not that far behind. This League is for real!
Robinson out again. Is Zion injured or what's going on? I don't think he's played all season. I know he just launched his first amateur rap album. But haven't heard a peep about why we haven't seen him all year. Nick, maybe still on paternity leave? Emil, I'm just completely speculating a medical redshirt. He was extremely hampered with his development with the travel restrictions. Maybe they want him to get stronger for another year and not waste a potentially more fruitful year for his development.
Siggy idk. I think had an issue with a thumb or his hand earlier in the year.
https://twitter.com/nwioren/status/1351560907810369537?s=21
They should just red-shirt both Emil and Siggie or possibly Zion as well. Geez, we are spending scholarship money and getting zero in return.
Quote from: justducky on January 18, 2021, 01:02:02 PMLets throw away the rule book and try a 2-For thread because nothing else is working.
Well, so far my 2-For idea is another bust. Great showing by the Ramblers with much of our lineup mentally taking the night off leading to a 17 point loss which seemed more like 40. Shooting 1 for infinity from 3 also didn't help. If any of you watched our loss at Miami Ohio (now sitting at 1-10) our play tonight was very similar. Kind of looked like our guys vs the Blue Demons. If tasked with naming a Valpo player of the game I'm not sure I could provide an answer. Fine Rambler defense vs no successful adjustments. I participated in a game like this in HS and coach kept us there till midnight for an unannounced post game practice session. Back to the drawing board!
This video reminds me of the kind of evening the Valpo women had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFRXP21lk2E
Quote from: VU2014 on January 19, 2021, 11:19:17 AM
Robinson out again. Is Zion injured or what's going on? I don't think he's played all season. I know he just launched his first amateur rap album. But haven't heard a peep about why we haven't seen him all year. Nick, maybe still on paternity leave? Emil, I'm just completely speculating a medical redshirt. He was extremely hampered with his development with the travel restrictions. Maybe they want him to get stronger for another year and not waste a potentially more fruitful year for his development.
Siggy idk. I think had an issue with a thumb or his hand earlier in the year.
https://twitter.com/nwioren/status/1351560907810369537?s=21
I just realized I posted in the wrong thread. My bad. I wouldn't redshirt Zion. It may sound harsh but I don't think I saw enough upside from him to justify tying up a scholarship for another year. Maybe preserve his eligibility as a courtesy but with understanding that it's not a guarantee he'll be offered back after the graduation. I saw solid defense out of him last year, but the ball handling for a guy in the back court needs to be better than what he showed last year. I remember a few occasions where he got his pocket picked in broad daylight. I could be totally wrong my evaluation but I wasn't wowed with his skills last season.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 19, 2021, 09:20:35 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on January 19, 2021, 11:19:17 AM
Robinson out again. Is Zion injured or what's going on? I don't think he's played all season. I know he just launched his first amateur rap album. But haven't heard a peep about why we haven't seen him all year. Nick, maybe still on paternity leave? Emil, I'm just completely speculating a medical redshirt. He was extremely hampered with his development with the travel restrictions. Maybe they want him to get stronger for another year and not waste a potentially more fruitful year for his development.
Siggy idk. I think had an issue with a thumb or his hand earlier in the year.
https://twitter.com/nwioren/status/1351560907810369537?s=21
I just realized I posted in the wrong thread. My bad. I wouldn't redshirt Zion. It may sound harsh but I don't think I saw enough upside from him to justify tying up a scholarship for another year. Maybe preserve his eligibility as a courtesy but with understanding that it's not a guarantee he'll be offered back after the graduation. I saw solid defense out of him last year, but the ball handling for a guy in the back court needs to be better than what he showed last year. I remember a few occasions where he got his pocket picked in broad daylight. I could be totally wrong my evaluation but I wasn't wowed with his skills last season.
One thing to keep in mind is that there is no need to redshirt players this year because this year does not count against eligibility for anyone due to COVID, including those who are playing in every game. So all of those players will play when and if they are able to -- there won't be a need to hold anyone out to preserve of a year of eligibility because this year doesn't count toward eligibility anyway.
There was a positive from last night and hopefully a big positive. President-Elect Padilla was in attendance and Mark was apparently selling hard! He also was at the men's game at DePaul. He doesn't take office till March 1 so he could have been moving or relaxing but instead chose to be in attendance at the games. Hopefully a positive for his support for athletics.
Quote from: vu72 on January 20, 2021, 08:11:54 AM
There was a positive from last night and hopefully a big positive. President-Elect Padilla was in attendance and Mark was apparently selling hard! He also was at the men's game at DePaul. He doesn't take office till March 1 so he could have been moving or relaxing but instead chose to be in attendance at the games. Hopefully a positive for his support for athletics.
Couldn't have chosen a worse two games to attend unfortunately.
Quote from: vok22 on January 20, 2021, 08:16:07 AM
Quote from: vu72 on January 20, 2021, 08:11:54 AM
There was a positive from last night and hopefully a big positive. President-Elect Padilla was in attendance and Mark was apparently selling hard! He also was at the men's game at DePaul. He doesn't take office till March 1 so he could have been moving or relaxing but instead chose to be in attendance at the games. Hopefully a positive for his support for athletics.
Couldn't have chosen a worse two games to attend unfortunately.
Was it him who walked in wearing a mask and walked out wearing a clothespin?
I'm sorry but I see no future in Siggie and Zion at Valpo. Enough of the small guard. Sackey can't cut it at this level. The little guy has to be as complete player...good distributer, GOOD shooter, can play defense against bigger guys, have good speed ands CAN FINISH AT THE BUCKET! In today's game the small guard has to be able to do those things to play and contribute.
Maybe we should lock up the ARC and then we can all look forward to FOOTBALL this Spring. :) I can't believe I said that.
Quote from: valpo64 on January 20, 2021, 02:54:46 PM
I'm sorry but I see no future in Siggie and Zion at Valpo. Enough of the small guard. Sackey can't cut it at this level. The little guy has to be as complete player...good distributer, GOOD shooter, can play defense against bigger guys, have good speed ands CAN FINISH AT THE BUCKET! In today's game the small guard has to be able to do those things to play and contribute.
Siggy is a big unknown for me. He's apparently a great 3 point shooter but hasn't seen enough court time make a judgement about. Seems have some nagging injuries. He's limited by his size and length but he has solid European league experience. Others like Nick and Zion are out so this would have been a prime opportunity for him if he wasn't injured.
Watching Loyola's Team play reminds me of how Bryce's Team played. Not in style of the Drew high pick and rolls but they are just a well oiled machine. Guys know what they're supposed to do and know their roles...
Is there a single thing this team does well.
Nobody is playing with any joy this season. Conference play just started for us and this team looks dejected. Not a great sign.
Quote from: vok22 on January 20, 2021, 06:37:08 PM
Is there a single thing this team does well.
Loose ???
I know I'm being harsh on Lottich and the Coaches but there is a clear talent gap with this team. Watching team honestly just makes me sad...
Out gunned and the offense is a jumbled mess... and blown defensive assignments.
I like David Kaplan who is on the call but he is really talking up Lottich.
I thought the two commentators were going far and out of their way to talk up Lottich. It was awkward.
Yes, there is a talent gap. It's very odd, because before Lottich (who people say recruits well) our 6th player was usually better than the opposing teams best player.
Plus our coach was better every single time. So, yeah it's a big change for us and difficult for a lot of us.
If we can't shoot (and we clearly can't) we should run and gun. We have the athletes. Don't let the defense get set.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 20, 2021, 07:03:40 PM
I thought the two commentators were going far and out of their way to talk up Lottich. It was awkward.
Yes, there is a talent gap. It's very odd, because before Lottich (who people say recruits well) our 6th player was usually better than the opposing teams best player.
Plus our coach was better every single time. So, yeah it's a big change for us and difficult for a lot of us.
If we can't shoot (and we clearly can't) we should run and gun. We have the athletes. Don't let the defense get set.
Lottich is a local Chicago guy and they know he's going through a tough time and taking heat. Doing him a solid when they know fans aren't happy and people are frustrated
Not as much chatter on the forum as there once was......I used to set my schedule around the Valpo basketball game.
The Good: 1. We hit 20 points before the 16 minute timeout of the second half.
2. I saw a couple set plays out of timeouts and halftime that led to good looks.
3. Krikke is good.
I am done watching for today. I can't watch any other moronic passes by Sackey and Edwards, where they lob it ever so gently to their teammate, expecting the defense to just stand there and let it happen. At what point do you learn that you need to throw it like a man, and not some limp-wristed wuss?
I'm more interested in the post game press conference than the rest of the game. I'd like Paul Oren (NWI Times) & Dave Melton (Post Tribune) to ask some tough questions of the coach. Remain professional but fair.
I'll be sure to post the you link here after I see it come up on YouTube.
Krutwig reminds me of Kevin Van Wijik
This is an interesting tweet. Donovan's Dad thinks the guys aren't getting pushed and standards are being met. So many questions.
https://twitter.com/dexterclay1977/status/1352062007759945734?s=21
I don't really see Donovan trying to pick guys up, either, or get them energized. You can't call out your teammates, if you aren't trying to change things on your side, as well.
Watching this game is difficult
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Couldn't even crack 40 points... what a @$"@ing joke. This team couldn't beat a D3 team the way they played today. Credit to Loyola they were exceptional and we were exceptionally awful...
Seriously I get the quarantines and not getting to practice or workout and that is devastating towards build any kind of continuity and stunts the
Kids growth but wow.
Could at least have the coaches get the kids some iPads and force them to watch game film and have the coaches quiz the guys via zoom and instantly force a guy to react and say what he thinks should happen while watching film? It's apparent the team doesn't know what they are doing. Standing around, running into each other when they do move around and then settling for a 3 when Krikke doesn't bail them out.
So here's the weirdest thing about this loss. I didn't watch it, and I'm not that upset. I've lived and died with this team for 30 years, and I'm just....apathetic.
I remain no less invested in the long term success of this program. But under this coach, and this AD, I'm just not there.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 20, 2021, 08:14:19 PM
So here's the weirdest thing about this loss. I didn't watch it, and I'm not that upset. I've lived and died with this team for 30 years, and I'm just....apathetic.
I remain no less invested in the long term success of this program. But under this coach, and this AD, I'm just not there.
I don't think you could've summed up how I'm feeling any better.
Well said Native Cheesehead. This is the first game I watched from jump ball to the end. Probably won't do so again for the rest of the season. Each season I pay less and less attention to the program. It's sad.
After tonight's game, I went to YouTube to see the postgame conference, and in my YT recommended list the following video appeared. I'd never seen it before and it is grainy since it was posted in 2010; however, this video seemed appropriate to view this evening to see what is lacking currently in the program. Watch it and weep!
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 20, 2021, 08:14:19 PMSo here's the weirdest thing about this loss. I didn't watch it, and I'm not that upset. I've lived and died with this team for 30 years, and I'm just....apathetic.
I remain no less invested in the long term success of this program. But under this coach, and this AD, I'm just not there.
This 100%. Not a good sign for your program when you're losing the diehard fans.
Fire matt lottich and put Gore as head coach
Quote from: truth219 on January 20, 2021, 09:20:13 PM
Fire matt lottich and put Gore as head coach
There are a couple hundred thousand reasons that won't happen
How many more years on Lottich's contract? 3? 4? Will this program even have a pulse left when he's done? Or are we back to being the Pre-Drew Crusaders? Lightning doesn't strike like that twice. Without serious institutional commitment (which might not even be possible) the flagship program of this university looks doomed to the doldrums for decades... This is a sad time to be a fan. It's like we got into our dream conference and stopped caring about doing the things that got us there in the first place.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on January 20, 2021, 10:09:04 PM
How many more years on Lottich's contract? 3? 4? Will this program even have a pulse left when he's done? Or are we back to being the Pre-Drew Crusaders? Lightning doesn't strike like that twice. Without serious institutional commitment (which might not even be possible) the flagship program of this university looks doomed to the doldrums for decades... This is a sad time to be a fan. It's like we got into our dream conference and stopped caring about doing the things that got us there in the first place.
I think 4 more years. But I don't think contract language was officially released. No clue about buyouts, but it's pretty nuts if we don't have a buyout option after year 2 or something.
Labarbera hitch his wagon to Lottich, hopefully he's not too stubborn admit his mistake. If we can afford to rip the band aid off. As little confidence as I have things will get turned around, I might give him until the end of next season and give him a mulligan this season. But it's truly painful watching this team. I'm too invested in this program emotionally to not watch the games. I hope a LaBarbera can confide in someone who is a intelligent basketball minded (former successful coach maybe) 3rd party (not the Drew Family or anyone connect to Lottich or the Program) and ask them to honestly review the Lottich tenure. Not just this year. If the University can pay for Mascot thing they can afford a consultant to give the thumbs up or down on Lottich.
Seriously this program is too important to let run it's course like it did with women's program with Dorrow. MLB nailed the women's hire when he looked outside the coaching tree. Maybe he needs to do the same with the Men's Team. One interesting thing to note is that Dorrow was signed an extension in 2016 and it went through the 17-18 season. So what is that a two year contract? Maybe Lottich's extension was a prove it, two year deal?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-local-roundup-st-0323-20160322-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-valparaiso-mark-labarbera-st-041020-20200409-yxnsptrcqjf5linbsszol5eoma-story.html
QuoteQ: How would you assess the job that coach Matt Lottich has done? He has a five-year contract, correct?
A: Well, contracts, that's something we usually aren't going to talk about. But we certainly want to keep Matt. He's the right person for Valparaiso University. He's demonstrated that. He's been underappreciated for the challenges he's faced as our head coach. He's the right fit for us. We're a basketball team that's shown a lot more of his personality and style of play, and it feels more like what Valparaiso basketball traditionally has been. He's a good fit for us culturally, historically and traditionally. Our intention is to have him as our basketball coach moving forward.
QuoteQ: Heading into his fifth season, would a contract extension be in order?
A: We know he'll have other opportunities. Other schools and ADs appreciate what he's done here in the Missouri Valley Conference. We want to keep him here for at least the foreseeable future. People on the inside of athletics, who work in intercollegiate athletics on a regular basis, appreciate what Matt's done and what some of the challenges are at a mid-major school like Valparaiso and other Valley schools. A lot of people have high regard for him in college basketball. He does the right thing. He represents Valparaiso University the way Valparaiso University expects to be represented. He has honesty and integrity and compassion for the kids.
Good lord that history video was amazing!
That video from 2010 is a great reminder of the type of guts, toughness, and basketball IQ, that has typified Valpo basketball throughout the years. This crap that I have watched over the last few games, is more typical of a program such as Youngstown State
Didn't bother watching the game tonight. After the debacle at DePaul, I didn't see much point though I did check the game tracker occasionally. I see the team didn't fail to disappoint. After the dumpster fire that was everything about 2020, and the terrible overall start to 2021, I had hoped that maybe the team could somehow build on their run in the conference tournament last spring and bring something positive to look forward to. Living near Cincinnati, I am used to our professional teams winning a few games at the end of the season, building up hope for improvement the next year, and then disappointing all over again the next year. I fear Valpo is falling into the same model, and quite frankly I don't need another team I follow to continually disappoint. I remember when Valpo moved up to the Horizon League, they sucked for a few years, but I had faith that they would turn things around and they did. In moving up to the MVC, I expected that they would suck initially, but after a few years start to compete for titles. They have shown some marginal improvement in conference record each year from their first season, and last year's conference tournament run gave me hope. Yet from what I've seen so far this season it looks like last years season's end was just another head fake leading to another disappointment the following year. I'm willing to write this year off as an aberration what with COVID and everything, but frankly I only see see a couple of players on the team that look like they belong in the MVC, and maybe a couple of newcomers that might develop into Valley level players. But what I see is a team that doesn't seem like they have a clue how to compete, let alone win in the Valley. I'm not smart enough to know whether it's a recruiting failure or a coaching failure. But if we continue to be bottom dwellers without any sign of improvement then I will find something else to do with my time. This would probably please my wife because I tend to become quite vocal when I'm involved in watching games. I hope the team/school can figure something out but I am too old to emotionally invest in perpetual losers. Btw, I seldom watch the Reds anymore, and watch the Bungals only because they are usaually the only nfl game that is on at 1 pm. Mostly, I see them on other team's highlight reels, and quite frankly I'm sick of following losers.
At this point, I feel bad for the players. This is not what they expected when coming to Valpo.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 21, 2021, 07:47:21 AM
At this point, I feel bad for the players. This is not what they expected when coming to Valpo.
I would argue perhaps a lot of these players have given up and are not even trying. They were given rough circumstances (Robinson and McMillan both not really playing) and they have given up and are not even playing hard. Have not really been playing hard all season.
I am willing to blame Lottich for not recruiting guys with fight in them, but I'm not sure I feel bad for college players who give the effort I saw last night.
On the bright side...
There ya go.
I agree sanity lost. But I think the effort started declining after they lost the reason to belief. Doesn't make it right....but people fight in things they believe in.
On the bright side....
Who cashed in on Loyola -11? Never had to worry about it.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 21, 2021, 08:17:36 AM
On the bright side....
Who cashed in on Loyola -11? Never had to worry about it.
I only wish I had wagered more the last two games.
On another note regarding the Lottich era: The problem stems from the moment Bryce left for Vanderbilt. Labarbara made a long-term decision to hire a head coach based on the short-term desires of the players in the program at the time. In other words, if Alec Peters said, "hire Matt Lottich or I'm gone," that's what happened. That season didn't exactly pan out as expected (Jubril Adekoya situation, Peters injury at the end of the year), and now VU fans have been saddled with mediocrity (I'm being nice) ever since with the exception being the miracle run through last season's MVC tournament. Maybe Javon saw the writing on the wall. LaBarbara sacrificed possible long-term sustained success over what was hoped to be One Shining Moment that never materialized.
I appear to be in the least popular camp, which is that I like Lottich as our coach. Watching our players throughout the last few games, there is only so much that you can do as a HC, to get them to care about a game and their teammates. Matt appears to stay engaged throughout each game, tries to encourage them, even when down by 30. Having been an athlete, I can tell you that these types of things are all on the athletes. I don't see our players diving for loose balls like our prior teams, I don't see them trying more than 1 move to get open away from the ball, when they are covered by a defender, etc. JFL was a fantastic player, but he set us back as a team, in having so much of the offense run through him, that these other players are still figuring out how to trust each other.
Yep When your top 1-2 options turn you down the "hire from within" model doesn't work and you need to look outside the program. I'm amazed MLB didn't understand this and now we're all paying for it in ways that are very damaging to everything this program has built over the previous 20+ years prior to Lottich. I genuinely wonder if this program will ever recover and become what it was under the Drews at this point. If it doesn't I fear that MLB's legacy will be more that he tanked the program rather than advanced it despite presiding over two beneficial conference moves that should have moved the department and program forward and made it more prominent.
Let's not overreact here, either on the coach or especially on our AD. I've made the case elsewhere why the end of last season, Lottich was clearly deserving of being continued as coach. It was almost a no-brainer given all of the uncertainty about hiring someone else. Let's keep in mind the following:
1) Valpo has played two of the top three teams in conference, who are collectively 20-4 and 11-2 in conference. Lots of teams have and will struggle against Loyola and Missouri State.
2) For those of you putting this on Coach Lottich, Northern Iowa is 3-10 and 2-6 in conference. Ben Jacobson didn't forget how to coach, yet losing a star player to injury is a blow. BTW, in UNI's last game, they lost to Loyola 88-46.
3) So far, Darian DeVries has been good at Drake. He has one year at 12-6 and one year at 8-10 in conference. This year, of course, Drake is unbeaten. Their first game win against KSU is a good win, yet not amazing: KSU is currently 5-10 and 1-6 in conference. Yet for those of you advocating hiring outside, the AD doesn't know if the next coach will be Darian DeVries or Walter McCarty. Would you want to have hired the latter?
4) Beyond that, the two scoring leaders and minutes leaders right now are Krikke and Clay, both sophomores. Both have potential for sure, yet someone like Krikke is a fine #2 option right now, and could develop into an excellent player. Krikke is averaging 11.7 ppg and just above that in conference. He's being called on to be the #1 scoring threat, which isn't his game right now. Even some of the best forwards in VU history were more uneven as freshmen and sophomores and grew into excellent roles as upperclassmen. For reference, Dan Oppland (15.7 ppg as a sophomore, 19.8 as a senior.) Alec Peters (16.8 as a sophomore , 23.0 as a senior. ) Casey Schmidt (2.8 as a sophomore at Arizona, 16.9 as a senior).
The AD will evaluate the season when it is over. Would I be shocked if there was a coaching change? No. Would I be shocked if there was no coaching change? No. It remains to be seen how the rest of the season plays out, what recruits are coming in, and a whole range of things that we as fans cannot see.
Quote from: valpo95 on January 21, 2021, 08:14:09 PM
Let's not overreact here, either on the coach or especially on our AD. I've made the case elsewhere why the end of last season, Lottich was clearly deserving of being continued as coach. It was almost a no-brainer given all of the uncertainty about hiring someone else. Let's keep in mind the following:
1) Valpo has played two of the top three teams in conference, who are collectively 20-4 and 11-2 in conference. Lots of teams have and will struggle against Loyola and Missouri State.
2) For those of you putting this on Coach Lottich, Northern Iowa is 3-10 and 2-6 in conference. Ben Jacobson didn't forget how to coach, yet losing a star player to injury is a blow. BTW, in UNI's last game, they lost to Loyola 88-46.
3) So far, Darian DeVries has been good at Drake. He has one year at 12-6 and one year at 8-10 in conference. This year, of course, Drake is unbeaten. Their first game win against KSU is a good win, yet not amazing: KSU is currently 5-10 and 1-6 in conference. Yet for those of you advocating hiring outside, the AD doesn't know if the next coach will be Darian DeVries or Walter McCarty. Would you want to have hired the latter?
4) Beyond that, the two scoring leaders and minutes leaders right now are Krikke and Clay, both sophomores. Both have potential for sure, yet someone like Krikke is a fine #2 option right now, and could develop into an excellent player. Krikke is averaging 11.7 ppg and just above that in conference. He's being called on to be the #1 scoring threat, which isn't his game right now. Even some of the best forwards in VU history were more uneven as freshmen and sophomores and grew into excellent roles as upperclassmen. For reference, Dan Oppland (15.7 ppg as a sophomore, 19.8 as a senior.) Alec Peters (16.8 as a sophomore , 23.0 as a senior. ) Casey Schmidt (2.8 as a sophomore at Arizona, 16.9 as a senior).
The AD will evaluate the season when it is over. Would I be shocked if there was a coaching change? No. Would I be shocked if there was no coaching change? No. It remains to be seen how the rest of the season plays out, what recruits are coming in, and a whole range of things that we as fans cannot see.
Pretty good recap of how I feel. I have serious concerns over Lottich and this team, but also not in the over reacting phase just yet. Still a lot of basketball left this year. Let's see how the team responds, let's see if Clay can get out if his slump, let's see if Krikke can improve, let's see if the Freshmen can show us something to be hopeful for. I was never too high on the Juniors/seniors left on the team, so I am not surprised the team is struggling, although the drop off has been far greater than I expected.
K-state lost to Hayes St........
Quote from: vuny98 on January 21, 2021, 09:09:48 PM
Quote from: valpo95 on January 21, 2021, 08:14:09 PM
Let's not overreact here, either on the coach or especially on our AD. I've made the case elsewhere why the end of last season, Lottich was clearly deserving of being continued as coach. It was almost a no-brainer given all of the uncertainty about hiring someone else. Let's keep in mind the following:
1) Valpo has played two of the top three teams in conference, who are collectively 20-4 and 11-2 in conference. Lots of teams have and will struggle against Loyola and Missouri State.
2) For those of you putting this on Coach Lottich, Northern Iowa is 3-10 and 2-6 in conference. Ben Jacobson didn't forget how to coach, yet losing a star player to injury is a blow. BTW, in UNI's last game, they lost to Loyola 88-46.
3) So far, Darian DeVries has been good at Drake. He has one year at 12-6 and one year at 8-10 in conference. This year, of course, Drake is unbeaten. Their first game win against KSU is a good win, yet not amazing: KSU is currently 5-10 and 1-6 in conference. Yet for those of you advocating hiring outside, the AD doesn't know if the next coach will be Darian DeVries or Walter McCarty. Would you want to have hired the latter?
4) Beyond that, the two scoring leaders and minutes leaders right now are Krikke and Clay, both sophomores. Both have potential for sure, yet someone like Krikke is a fine #2 option right now, and could develop into an excellent player. Krikke is averaging 11.7 ppg and just above that in conference. He's being called on to be the #1 scoring threat, which isn't his game right now. Even some of the best forwards in VU history were more uneven as freshmen and sophomores and grew into excellent roles as upperclassmen. For reference, Dan Oppland (15.7 ppg as a sophomore, 19.8 as a senior.) Alec Peters (16.8 as a sophomore , 23.0 as a senior. ) Casey Schmidt (2.8 as a sophomore at Arizona, 16.9 as a senior).
The AD will evaluate the season when it is over. Would I be shocked if there was a coaching change? No. Would I be shocked if there was no coaching change? No. It remains to be seen how the rest of the season plays out, what recruits are coming in, and a whole range of things that we as fans cannot see.
Pretty good recap of how I feel. I have serious concerns over Lottich and this team, but also not in the over reacting phase just yet. Still a lot of basketball left this year. Let's see how the team responds, let's see if Clay can get out if his slump, let's see if Krikke can improve, let's see if the Freshmen can show us something to be hopeful for. I was never too high on the Juniors/seniors left on the team, so I am not surprised the team is struggling, although the drop off has been far greater than I expected.
Very good points. The Northern Iowa situation is particularly on point. They were picked 1 or 2 and now have lost to Loyola most recently by 42. They lost one first team all conference player but (to my limited knowledge) had several starters back and still got blown out. We lost one first team all conference player plus two other starters one of which was the greatest three point shooter in Valpo history.
It is going to be a long season. We'll know how long after we play a team closer to our level this coming weekend. Remember, we hung very tough with Purdue but, teams that know us best also know how we play and who does what. That makes it more difficult. With very little senior leadership, again, last year we had Kiser and Fazekas, it's going to be tough.
well said, vu72
Krikke is going to be awesome. He has shown a ton of improvement over the last year. He was primarily camped around the 3 point line last year, and would have some post-up work. He has shown an excellent feel for the ball, and the necessary moves to take it to the rim. I would say that he is going to be more critical to our program, versus Clay, even if both stick around.