Figured now that they are on a winning streak, they probably deserve a thread before the game starts. Valpo is favored in this one!
Quote from: vok22 on January 31, 2021, 10:19:37 AM
Figured now that they are on a winning streak, they probably deserve a thread before the game starts. Valpo is favored in this one!
3:00 PM tip-offs for both the girls and the guys. Decisions, decisions ??? Maybe I can get both games on simultaneously but you miss so much trying to do so! I'll probably watch the guys live but might jinx them in the process.
A sweep of Evansville would be excellent for this team! Hoping that Valpo is starting to turn a corner... *knock on wood*
The defense effort in this game is awful! They getting layups at will. Very frustrating.
I have no idea why anyone ever shoots a 3 against us when they can drive past our guards every single play.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 31, 2021, 03:40:50 PM
I have no idea why anyone ever shoots a 3 against us when they can drive past our guards every single play.
Looks like an Evansville layup drill while our team is practicing a matador defense.
When Sackey is on the floor he is our biggest liability. He cannot defend, he is a terrible shooter, can't even hit the backboard on many occasions. It is a shame that we , at least at this point, do not have a good point guard. Sackey is no better now than he was as a frosh. I cringe whenever he is on the floor.
The 2nd half rule should be to feed Krikke and stop launching 3s, and also play some D. Hope they can pull this out. It would be a nice bump in the standings.
Krikke has clearly become the alpha of this team. He is far more consistent than Donovan. Also, it is so sad that I want the ball out of our point guard's hands as much as possible. I really hope a freshman comes in next year that can take that position over.
They're taking what we're giving them, which is anything they want. If we can't figure out a way to stop that, give up man and play zone. At least make them earn their baskets. It would also be good if Donovan comes alive. We have no chance if he continues to play the same way. Always digging holes.
It's Over!
Hoping for the reverse jinx........................but it's over..........................today!
in other news the women are going toe to toe with a nationally ranked team
Quote from: Valpofamfan on January 31, 2021, 04:14:55 PMin other news the women are going toe to toe with a nationally ranked team
Yeah this might be the first time ever that I tune out the men's game in favor of the women. Has Valpo WBB ever beaten a nationally ranked team?
I try really hard to be positive about this team but then they go out and do something like this....
Quote from: valpolaw on January 31, 2021, 04:45:20 PM
I try really hard to be positive about this team but then they go out and do something like this....
It takes 2 players or more to step up and score big in the game. If only Krikke does the scoring we don't win.
Not to hang it on one guy but players who the team counts on can't put up a 3 spot unless they're injured or otherwise limited. That's just pathetic.
Quote from: hailcrusaders on January 31, 2021, 04:16:28 PM
Quote from: Valpofamfan on January 31, 2021, 04:14:55 PMin other news the women are going toe to toe with a nationally ranked team
Yeah this might be the first time ever that I tune out the men's game in favor of the women. Has Valpo WBB ever beaten a nationally ranked team?
Yes, a few times. I believe that the last time was against Purdue a few years back.
I really try to not go back and forth on Lottich, thinking he's a good coach after every win and a bad coach after every lose. I go back and forth on the transfers and the last season surges, etc, etc.
But then I think: It's year five and I still don't truly know if he's the guy to get us back to winning tourney games.
On to the next one. I was thinking before this series, that if we come away with a split @ Evansville, it is a win. Even our best of teams have struggled at their place in the past.
Quote from: valpotx on January 31, 2021, 05:28:30 PM
On to the next one. I was thinking before this series, that if we come away with a split @ Evansville, it is a win. Even our best of teams have struggled at their place in the past.
I expect adjustments and the team to regroup. I'd rate tomorrow as a tossup.
I don't think Lottich is the problem with this program. We have a green team and a team low on the talent pool compared to the rest of the conference. Valpo needs to really think about what it takes to be a viable member of this conference in the long term.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 01, 2021, 06:10:39 AM I don't think Lottich is the problem with this program. We have a green team and a team low on the talent pool compared to the rest of the conference. Valpo needs to really think about what it takes to be a viable member of this conference in the long term.
Who recruits the talent that comes into the program?
I think we have a reasonable chance to win as many as 6 or 7 more games, which would put us in good position to finish 6th or better. I would be more than satisfied with that, given our youth and knowing that help is on the way. Regardless, I'm all in on our guys. The halftime video featuring Donovan and Ben is telling, as they talk about the bond they have as friends and roommates, how they support each other, etc. They both talk about how their dad's have had a major influence in their lives. Sheldon in a recent postgame was talking about the bond between him and Connor. Eron is the great big brother, and everyone knows about his loving, supporting family. Steve Helms put his life on hold for a 2-year mission trip. Daniel is the consummate team player, who also comes from a great family. Then there's Goodnews, whose parents named their children according to Godly qualities they wanted them to aspire to live out. How totally impressive that is. As we know, Matt and Luke have impressive character stories of their own. I even noticed this 1 time about Jason Karys: " Before arriving on Valpo's campus, Karys played high school basketball at Newton South (Newton, Mass.), where he was a team captain and the recipient of the Reggie Stewart Award for outstanding character and leadership." This is a family, a loving, supportive family oozing with character.
Not sure if it was the Evansville announcers or the Bradley ones who talked about Donovan and Ben being role players--in Ben's case the 6th man. Now the script has changed and they are the "go to guys". It is a very different mind set. The inconsistency is obvious, particularly for Donovan. 3 point against a team like Evansville? Against Missouri State he scored 21 in the first game and 3 in the second. Hot or Cold.
We've seen shooting owes for many our our young guys and that, coupled with the inconsistencies will lead to disappointing results.
Effort should NOT be lacking and we were sleep walking for most of the Evansville game. Let's hope for a much better effort this evening.
- Evansville used 4 players to fill 3 guard positions. Combined, they scored 59 points in 119 minutes. That's 20 equivalent points per 40 minutes played for each guard position. That is crazy!!
- The 3 guard positions combined scored 82% of their points in 60% of their minutes. That is crazy!
- The same 4 players/3 positions (who play the farthest from the basket) shot a combined 62%. That is crazy!
- In their 2 games against ILSU's zone, they scored 13.3 equivalent points per 40 minutes played for each guard position. Still good, but not crazy. BTW Eville and ILSU split.
CONCLUSION: WE CANNONT MATCH UP AGAINST THEIR GUARDS DEFENSIVELY. PERIOD. PLAY ZONE. PERIOD. I DON'T CARE IF WE ARE TERRIBLE AT IT. PLAY ZONE. PERIOD.
Agree Alaska, but Valpo's commitment to basketball financially is probably on the low end in MVC, and definitely on the low end for other sports.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 01, 2021, 06:18:31 PMAgree Alaska, but Valpo's commitment to basketball financially is probably on the low end in MVC, and definitely on the low end for other sports.
So that's what "laser focus" looks like and commitment looks like huh? That's disappointing.
Different day, different team. This must be the day/night statistic the announcers were talking about yesterday.
Why can't this team show up each game?
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Can someone tell Sackey to stop shooting the ball???
He does some good things, but damn he is a liability when he tries to shoot.
Sackey throwing up two air balls and getting a shot blocked to let Evansville back in the game. Just like three straight turnovers.
Why in ?&@% is Sackey still in this game???? Worthless on the court....do not let him touch the ball!
Just 10 points in over 12 minutes... I just can't with this team right now!
Sad, just sad. I can't even.
Much better half time adjustments by the Aces. Our first half may have been our best of the season but it takes 40 minutes.
What a pathetic, pathetic effort. I saw a some fight from Edwards especially on defense. Other than that- nothing. Our starting PG can't even hit the rim on a 3 point shot. Evansville might be in 3rd place in the league after tonight but they are not good enough to blow a 16 point lead to.
There are just no positives to take away from these two games... I really thought this team was starting to turn a corner, but it's no different than any other year. Every step forward is followed by a step backward. Also... Why isn't Ognacevic playing more? This team clearly isn't going to win the conference or play in a postseason tournament, so why not get the freshmen more action?
"Yeah, is this Amazon? I'm calling to inquire about your return policies on contract extensions?"
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on February 01, 2021, 07:49:14 PM
There are just no positives to take away from these two games... I really thought this team was starting to turn a corner, but it's no different than any other year. Every step forward is followed by a step backward. Also... Why isn't Ognacevic playing more? This team clearly isn't going to win the conference or play in a postseason tournament, so why not get the freshmen more action?
I was just about to say this. This team is not going anywhere, so why are we wasting all these minutes on Sackey and McMillan and not getting Jacob more reps. Also, why is Emile even dressing if we aren't playing him, either starting getting him in or shut him down for the year.
When Sackey takes more shots than Krikke and more shots than anyone on the team except Clay, and Sackey ties for the most 3-point shots with Barrett and Edwards, and Krikke leads the team in assists with twice as many as Sackey, you know the offensive strategy is upside down and pitiful.
Point guard, point guard, point guard! Sackey IS NOT! He should be on the bench. For every good play he makes he then makes twice as many or more bad plays. A complete no show on offense and he is not a good defensive player. I have never seen a more incompetent shooter and point guard in Div. 1 this year. How many shots did he take tonight that did not even hit the rim or backboard? Unbelievable! I can't take it anymore! Sorry. He is probably a great kid, well liked and all, but it all ends there. He is not a Div. 1 point guard. He has not improved at all since his freshman year. What is he shooting from the 3 point line? Something like 2 for 27 or so? Are you kidding me!!!
Quote from: valpo64 on February 01, 2021, 08:06:13 PM
Point guard, point guard, point guard! Sackey IS NOT! He should be on the bench. For every good play he makes he then makes twice as many or more bad plays. A complete no show on offense and he is not a good defensive player. I have never seen a more incompetent shooter and point guard in Div. 1 this year. How many shots did he take tonight that did not even hit the rim or backboard? Unbelievable! I can't take it anymore! Sorry. He is probably a great kid, well liked and all, but it all ends there. He is not a Div. 1 point guard. He has not improved at all since his freshman year. What is he shooting from the 3 point line? Something like 2 for 27 or so? Are you kidding me!!!
Yep. He couldn't hit the floor with his hat.
Quote from: IndyEIT777 on February 01, 2021, 07:54:13 PMwhy is Emile even dressing if we aren't playing him, either starting getting him in or shut him down for the year.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on February 01, 2021, 07:49:14 PMWhy isn't Ognacevic playing more?
Mileek is finally starting to play a bit better but we are nearing the point where 21-22 should become our primary focus. JO will not help us win additional games this year but he could learn a lot in the process of sometimes being embarrassed. Emil loses no eligibility by dressing but I'm thinking he must be far from 100% or he would be seeing some action. That leaves Goodnews and he also needs minutes to develop.
Purely speculation but Matt must believe that a late season upper class led run still has a chance to develop. Does it ???
Quote from: justducky on February 01, 2021, 09:03:47 PMQuote from: IndyEIT777 on February 01, 2021, 07:54:13 PMwhy is Emile even dressing if we aren't playing him, either starting getting him in or shut him down for the year.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on February 01, 2021, 07:49:14 PMWhy isn't Ognacevic playing more?
Mileek is finally starting to play a bit better but we are nearing the point where 21-22 should become our primary focus. JO will not help us win additional games this year but he could learn a lot in the process of sometimes being embarrassed. Emil loses no eligibility by dressing but I'm thinking he must be far from 100% or he would be seeing some action. That leaves Goodnews and he also needs minutes to develop. Purely speculation but Matt must believe that a late season upper class led run still has a chance to develop. Does it ???
So our philosophy is suck for most of the year and then pray we get hot and make a run at Arch Madness? Why are we bothering with the upperclassmen who will probably be gone anyway when we have high upside recruits who need minutes and are coming in. That is not a great program building strategy... I wish we'd work more on you know actually building the program to be consistently successful at the MVC level and maybe fight for at large bids and top 25 rankings. If Drake can do it so can we. I don't see much that they have that we don't? We just have to decide that we want that. Do we?
Ah yes, the doom-and-gloom after a Valpo loss. I've been there on occasion. For those responding with these types of statements, if we beat Drake in one or both games next weekend, will you be back on the path of positivity? :)
Also, in regards to the stop playing the upperclassmen comments that come up from time-to-time on this board, that is just not going to happen, if they are still our best options THIS season. These aren't professional basketball players we are talking about, but student athletes, at this point in their lives. The 'play the young guys to give them experience' mentality is something that professional sports teams do, not as much the college level. How can you tell a Senior at the college level, that you are going to sit them, as this year is tanked, and we need to prepare for next season? That is complete BS. Mileek should get whatever minutes he deserves for his play this year, and it shouldn't be based on what we plan to do next season. It can't and shouldn't be, 'sorry Mileek, you have been a faithful member of this team for 4 seasons now, and had demonstrated tremendous improvement until you started experiencing health issues...buttttttt, we are done with you now.'
A couple of thoughts. First, we witnessed why Evansville hired Lickliter. He out coached Matt in spades. He was the National Coach of the Year in 2007 for a reason. Second, I very much doubt Emil will want to hang around for an extra year. He is an engineering student. I'm guessing career may trump basketball.
We need to remember that in spite of our wish that Valpo would whip everyone, we are still a VERY young team. Witness the following in comparison to Evansville: Evansville got 26 points from Seniors and 30 points from Juniors and 2 points from sophomores. Valpo got 5 points from Seniors, 9 points from Juniors, 26 points from Sophomores and 11 points from Freshman.
In other news our Volleyball team beat Loyola and earlier beat that team from central Indiana.
Here's a rule regarding players. If they travel this year, they have to be in uniform. Lottich said on teleconference this morning that they want Emil to travel and help in practice on the road. Therefore he's in uniform, even if he might not be ready to return.
The stats clearly suggest that our younger players are the contributors.
But my question is, how many years will this program be young?
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 02, 2021, 10:04:30 AM
The stats clearly suggest that our younger players are the contributors.
But my question is, how many years will this program be young?
I think it's fair to say that Valpo's "youth movement" began in earnest with last season's 4-player freshman class. It continued this year with a another 4-player freshman class, plus Steve Helms. Next year will be yet another 4-freshmen class. Thus, along with Daniel Sackey, next year's entire roster will be composed of traditional freshman recruits. I would expect to see great team chemistry, familiarity, and buy-in. No one will have brought their services (and possible baggage) to Valpo from elsewhere. Even then, we will still be fairly young (8 of 13 will be freshmen or sophomores), yet well on our way to establishing symmetry and balance. Two years from now we will have achieved complete parity, and from that point forward the goal is to keep the players we have and maintain parity from year to year. That's how winning programs operate. If all goes as planned, next year's team should be very competitive, and the following year and beyond - lookout! Just my glass half full thoughts on the subject.
Agreed. Stay the course even though it hurts. People seem to climb on and off the Lottich bandwagon pretty quickly.
Someone posted that 4 arrow cycle diagram a few months ago. I'm afraid that is a reality for most mid-majors. Lose players to transfer ups (Javon), start slow with a young team, build momentum upward to a tournament, lose the good players. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Yet....Drake and Loyola are breaking through. Loyola has an urban site and recent Final Four. But Drake is a private school our size. What are they doing differently?
My thoughts are that Alec Peters staying was really the rarity and that when you recruit underrecruited players who quickly become the star you will ALWAYS run the risk of them transferring. We all applaud Alec his loyalty but maybe, with a real clear eye towards career path (which is why all students go to college) maybe it would have been better for him to transfer his last year.
Drake doesn't have a super star just a really strong solid class working together. That's the way forward. Sometimes you get the stand outs that develop like Vashil and Rowdy but we need workhorses and coachable guys. I think we have a lot of them right now but the live by the star recruit/die by star recruit cycle is not going to be sustainable for mid majors, especially with more lenient transfer rules. but not even transferring. Look what happened to UNI when Green went out.
Quote from: crusader05 on February 02, 2021, 01:21:21 PM
My thoughts are that Alec Peters staying was really the rarity and that when you recruit underrecruited players who quickly become the star you will ALWAYS run the risk of them transferring. We all applaud Alec his loyalty but maybe, with a real clear eye towards career path (which is why all students go to college) maybe it would have been better for him to transfer his last year.
Drake doesn't have a super star just a really strong solid class working together. That's the way forward. Sometimes you get the stand outs that develop like Vashil and Rowdy but we need workhorses and coachable guys. I think we have a lot of them right now but the live by the star recruit/die by star recruit cycle is not going to be sustainable for mid majors, especially with more lenient transfer rules. but not even transferring. Look what happened to UNI when Green went out.
I disagree on Alec. Too often players get stars in their eyes thinking that they are a star on the mid-major level so they will be a star at a Power 5 school. Alec was getting plenty of attention at Valpo where, by being "the guy", he could showcase his skills to the regular group of NBA scouts in attendance.
Now, on the other hand one could look at a recent Valpo player with the same thinking so let's look at the results: Averaging 12.8 points per game on a 3-7 (1-7 in conference) team while shooting 19% from the 3. That's not going to get a lot of scouts wanting to see you. They are still kids who are often getting bad advice and end up making bad decisions. Not saying he made a bad choice, the jury is still out on that one.
This team will NEVER be a consistent winner with Sackey at the point guard position playing as many minutes as he is doing now. We need to develop or use a different point guard NOW and reduce Sackey's minutes. Maybe Coach is working toward that but the change needs to happen NOW! If we are going to continue to tolerate his poor play, let's play younger or different guy(s) and get them the experience. Their play can not be worse than what we are getting now with Sackey.
^^^^^ What he said.
We have said it before, Sackey is a great kid. I wish he was better.
Quote from: crusader05 on February 02, 2021, 01:21:21 PMMy thoughts are that Alec Peters staying was really the rarity and that when you recruit underrecruited players who quickly become the star you will ALWAYS run the risk of them transferring. We all applaud Alec his loyalty but maybe, with a real clear eye towards career path (which is why all students go to college) maybe it would have been better for him to transfer his last year. Drake doesn't have a super star just a really strong solid class working together. That's the way forward. Sometimes you get the stand outs that develop like Vashil and Rowdy but we need workhorses and coachable guys. I think we have a lot of them right now but the live by the star recruit/die by star recruit cycle is not going to be sustainable for mid majors, especially with more lenient transfer rules. but not even transferring. Look what happened to UNI when Green went out.
UNI sucked this year WITH Green. That team can't defend. They miss Isaiah Brown quite a bit. Drake lost Robbins and are chugging along. In another conference Belmont lost Kunkel to a late offseason transfer and are still killing it though competition no doubt plays a role there I'm sure they'd struggle a bit more without him in a league like the MVC or the SOCON.