Valpo gets to greet a middle-of-the-pack team this evening.
The Beacons have not done much to inspire confidence, but I have to believe that they won't look as bad as they did on Sunday. In fact, with no basis in rationality, I'll predict a Valpo win 68-64.
It's definitely a different UNI team without A.J. Green. If Green had stayed, I think UNI would have been a favorite to win the MVC, and get the auto bid. When Green left for "greener pastures", Ben Jacobson just had to do what he will do for a year to keep the team moving forward. Jacobson, unlike Lottich, has a renewable contract for as long as he can still walk, being a UNI grad himself. I just see this game being a yawner, as both teams struggle, but we might get a whimper of hope that we can get the home win on a Wednesday night, than we do if this was Cedar Falls.
A win would be a nice birthday present for Valpo's oldest fan (I'm presuming), Connie Felton Bretscher, who turns 102 this week. I expect to see her cheering on the Beacons from her seat in the top row of bleacher seats.
Quote from: humbleopinion on January 04, 2023, 07:59:27 AM
A win would be a nice birthday present for Valpo's oldest fan (I'm presuming), Connie Felton Bretscher, who turns 102 this week. I expect to see her cheering on the Beacons from her seat in the top row of bleacher seats.
And, my Godmother!
I'm having trouble being inspired to attend this game, instead of just watching on my couch and listening to Todd.
I would argue that AJ Green's gamble on himself, has definitely paid off. He was not drafted, but is getting decent PT with the Milwaukee Bucks. That dude was a stud, prior to his injuries. Absolutely smooth stroke from the 3 point line. He has a bright future, and made the right choice to go pro.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4397475/aj-green
The ARC is empty
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6 pm start May confuse a lot of folks.
In the first 5 minutes UNI looks like the globetrotters
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Is Tarkanian and the Running Rebels in town in disguise as Waterloo's finest?
20/21 Covid times Limited capacity still in effect at the ARC. That must be it.
Valpo in the lead by 3! Streaks galore in this game!
Two evenly matched teams. Too bad we spotted them 10 points before we started to play. Valpo has 12 assists on 15 baskets! They never seem to duplicate that effort in the 2nd half. Let's hope they do for once.
Does this team practice shooting 3s at all?
Can't forget to box out on defense in those buzzer beater situations.
0-5..............
Good fight to comeback and tie it in the final seconds. Sucks to lose this one. Still seeking a MVC win. Need some students and fans in the seats. I remember thinking that the MVC teams would draw a larger crowd.....
Another game, another loss. This game was winnable and we threw it away.
The march to 0-20 continues!
Game was lost on shot selection in the second half. Got away from their bread and butter. Jacked way too many 3's. Only took the staff 15 games to realize Krikke would be doubled on the bass line every time. Welcome adjustment to see him operate as a point forward from the top of the key. Much harder for defenses to defend. Saturday's game could be over in 10 minutes.
Out of 16 total games, tonight was only the 6th time we outscored the opponent in the second half.
A pathetic sub-1000 crowd figure: official attendance was 915.
Quote from: valpopal on January 04, 2023, 08:19:00 PM
A pathetic sub-1000 crowd figure: official attendance was 915.
Valparaiso men's basketball is dead. Someone call the coroner.
The president and AD are all talk. They won't do what is necessary.
It's over. Gone. Finito.
As a fan of The West Wing, Paul's themed tweeting was the most fun I had following a Valpo game in years.
Those were actually quite fun.
After attending the ISU game on Sunday, I couldn't get myself to rationalize paying the $ for another game. I truly wish that weren't the case. Surprised they didn't run some type of deal knowing these MVC games were taking place while the students are still out of town.
Valpo should be dispersing unused tickets 24-48 hours before the game. Try to gain local traction / bring in business. 915 is a bad number and those numbers are always more than what is really there.
Representatives need to be dropping ticket packages at the Boys & Girls club, local businesses , high schools, hospitals.
It just seems there is an absolute disconnect between the school and the locals
Connie reenrolled at VU a few years ago to take German 4 days a week in preparation of a Germany trip. She's amazing.
Agreed, just give away tickets at this point, and hope for revenue via parking and concessions, while providing more of an actual home court advantage. That is pathetic attendance
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 04, 2023, 08:25:18 PM
Quote from: valpopal on January 04, 2023, 08:19:00 PM
A pathetic sub-1000 crowd figure: official attendance was 915.
Valparaiso men's basketball is dead. Someone call the coroner.
Did you hear, they are putting the band back together!!! That will put us back over the 1,000 mark for sure!
This feels worse than the Tom Smith Hilltop Gym era. Apathy toward the program is high and I think by his expressions Lottich, although not explicitly admitting it, wants to move on.
Valpo fans and alum need to realize the Drew dynasty days are over and are not coming back
Thru blunders like moving to a conference we do not belong in as well as hiring a coach not prepared for this level of competition we have become just another team that will not be going to the tournament again and are mediocre at best.
These teams have had MUCH better success than us in the past and are in the same boat
Georgetown
DePaul
George Mason
many others
Our only way out is to go back to the Horizon league-which would help our other sports as well-
Quote from: beacons23 on January 05, 2023, 07:40:45 AM
Valpo fans and alum need to realize the Drew dynasty days are over and are not coming back
Thru blunders like moving to a conference we do not belong in as well as hiring a coach not prepared for this level of competition we have become just another team that will not be going to the tournament again and are mediocre at best.
These teams have had MUCH better success than us in the past and are in the same boat
Georgetown
DePaul
George Mason
many others
Our only way out is to go back to the Horizon league-which would help our other sports as well-
Comparing Georgetown and Valparaiso is a bit of a stretch. Georgetown was fine before Patrick Ewing ran it into the ground, where it sits today. I think it's fair to question what the ceiling is for Valpo in the MVC, but it's not easy to compare to other situations.
Quote from: beacons23 on January 05, 2023, 07:40:45 AMOur only way out is to go back to the Horizon league-which would help our other sports as well-
Won't happen. Would be really stupid. We have a new AD and President. Expect change.
As for the game, consider this as an indictment of Lottich as a coach versu a guy like Jacobsen: UNI started 2 freshman, one of which beat us at the buzzer, 2 sophomores and 1 junior. The two guys off the bench for any time were one freshman and one sophomore. We, on the other hand started 3 five year guys, one senior and one freshman. The result can only be evaluated by either poor player talent (bad recruiting) or bad coaching or both.
If you look at it through a financial scope Valpo as a whole is a dwindling business who's losing customers to the competition and is turning away repeat customers (alumni) with a subpar product.
Athletics is a leg of that product
In no way shape or form should Valpo be 34k per year more expensive than Ball State just looking at the facilities, Major selection, and acceptance rate. Won't even touch on student life.
But here we are. Somehow Valparaiso has deemed itself the Notre Dame of the region. When in actuality it was the Butler. Butler has surpassed Valpo academically, basketball wise, and by far facility wise.
And it is still! Still! 1k cheaper than Valpo list price. I say this as an alum who does not owe the University one penny.
Whoever is in charge needs to wake up and adapt to 2023 or they will be left behind.
valpofb16 - You need to look at the discounted tuition, not the list price. As mentioned in other discussions, Valpo's discount rate is about 40% on average for students. I am confident that Ball State's, like most state universities (and all non-flagship universities), is only a few percent.
I also do not accept that a school like Ball State offers anything comparable regarding academics. They may have more majors, but the quality of teaching is far better at Valpo (admittedly, my perspective is engineering and business). Butler does have very good academic quality.
As I have mentioned in other posts, I think that Valpo needs to make a far more concerted effort to sell the difference in academic quality - not just at the macro/university level, but primarily by each of the colleges.
No need to go back to the Horizon. MVC is a tougher league, but easier said than done sometimes, finding the right coach. We would would have been a top 5 team in MVC under the Peters/Rowdy ERA, evidence that we handily (small sample size) defeated Mo State 4 straight times. 3 of the games were complete blowouts in Valpo's favor, won at Murray. One of those teams under Cuonzo Martin won the CIT Championship that year. Unless the coach is terrible in the PR department and or the basketball style is unwatchable, winning games will solve the attendance issues/enthusiasm.
Quote from: vu84v2 on January 05, 2023, 12:35:57 PM
valpofb16 - You need to look at the discounted tuition, not the list price. As mentioned in other discussions, Valpo's discount rate is about 40% on average for students. I am confident that Ball State's, like most state universities (and all non-flagship universities), is only a few percent.
I also do not accept that a school like Ball State offers anything comparable regarding academics. They may have more majors, but the quality of teaching is far better at Valpo (admittedly, my perspective is engineering and business). Butler does have very good academic quality.
As I have mentioned in other posts, I think that Valpo needs to make a far more concerted effort to sell the difference in academic quality - not just at the macro/university level, but primarily by each of the colleges.
Quick sidebar:
To pick up on vu84v2's comment, for some interesting exchanges on this board about VU's future generally, go to the "General VU Discussion (http://general%20vu%20discussion)" section, especially these threads:
VU Strategic Plan
https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4314.0 (https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4314.0)
Forever Valpo Fundraising Campaign
https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=2627.0 (https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=2627.0)
VP of Enrollment out!
https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4357.0 (https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4357.0)
What do you make of this?
https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3816.0 (https://www.valpofanzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3816.0)
Quote from: vu84v2 on January 05, 2023, 12:35:57 PM
valpofb16 - You need to look at the discounted tuition, not the list price. As mentioned in other discussions, Valpo's discount rate is about 40% on average for students. I am confident that Ball State's, like most state universities (and all non-flagship universities), is only a few percent.
I also do not accept that a school like Ball State offers anything comparable regarding academics. They may have more majors, but the quality of teaching is far better at Valpo (admittedly, my perspective is engineering and business). Butler does have very good academic quality.
As I have mentioned in other posts, I think that Valpo needs to make a far more concerted effort to sell the difference in academic quality - not just at the macro/university level, but primarily by each of the colleges.
Is this true that the teaching is better at Valpo?
How is this determined and quantified?
Or is it your subjective opinion
Beacons23. I imagine quite a bit is subjective. A degree is what you do with it, I do find it interesting that Ball States acceptance rate is 68% and Valpos is 93% but the teachers are not competitive as Vu84's post alluded to.
I think some of it is rather outdated / proud thinking. Which Valpo is not in a position to keep that thought process. Enrollment is down 50% from 2012.
Not the place or time to get into this. But yes Valparaiso is an outdated, outpriced product in the modern collegiate market. Proof is in the pudding.
So, going back to the Horizon would send what message? We aren't *that* serious about our athletics and would prefer being in a lesser-tier midmajor conference and, at best, picking up more conference wins? Is that honestly the best that could be hoped for at this point? If so, I don't see myself signing up for that plan.
Great points! Having earned my BA from Valpo and later receiving post-graduate degrees from public institutions after that, here's my experience:
When I talk with people around the state, midwest, and nationally - it's often a matter of formality to ask the "where did you go to school?" question. By far, the (2) things people recognize Valpo for are 1) Men's Basketball ... Bryce Drew ... "the shot" and; 2) The Law School (which is an entirely different conversation for another day).
Here we are, in 2023, with no law school & a shell of a basketball program compared to the past. Side Note: Does anyone else find it odd that we market (via a large banner) that the nursing program is in the top 17%? On the one hand, I assume the goal is to get to the top 15%, which is more recognizable as a goal. And, stating that they are in the top 20% may feel like they're cutting themselves short. Idk ... just bizarre.
As for basketball, Valpo currently sits at #312 in the NET ranking (out of 363). That puts Valpo at what ... the bottom ~15%? How's that sound?
My impression of Valpo's teaching is from relationships that I have with current people in the Colleges of Engineering and Business - including the Dean of the College of Engineering. I know that these people are highly committed to close personal relationships with students and that they are engaged in processes to maintain and strengthen the system (not just their own teaching). I compare what is done at Valpo to other colleges and I see it as a major strength - though this does not mean that other schools don't also have great teaching. Admittedly, I have far less exposure to the other colleges.
I also talk with companies that hire Valpo grads (in these fields) and have graduate students in my classes with recent undergraduate degrees from Valpo. A common theme is that Valpo excels at faculty building relationships with students that help them succeed and that Valpo excels at developing communications skills to complement professional disciplines. Thus, I would argue that is what Valpo is known for in the professional world...but again note that other colleges also excel in these areas.
Many of these strengths do not exist at state schools...and that is the root of my generalizing this to Ball State. I believe that prospective students and their parents value these strengths, but that Valpo is falling far short of promoting them.
OMG, quit bringing up the Horizon League. They are now rated in the 25-30 range in conference RPI. Schools associated with the HL are much more likely to fold in the future academic battles to fight for limited student populations, versus schools tied to the MVC or stronger conferences. Regardless of what some academics think, who don't view college athletics as being necessary at Valpo, that additional exposure is priceless, when seeing a school go through an ESPN, Fox Sports, etc, score ticker, even if your school sucks. There are probably less than 20 schools in the US, that can attract top students, regardless of whether they have sports or not.
Going back to the Horizon league is a major cop out. What Valpo needs to do is understand the problem, BE PROACTIVE and take the challenge to be a respected member of the MVC. Basketball is Valpo's flagship sports and needs to treat that appropriately. Lottich is a great person, undeniably - and he looks like he is going with the flow and knows he is gone. If that's the case, Make a statement, bite the remainder of the salary and move on. What are they waiting for? Be transparent that a coaching search is underway.
Firing Lottich right now solves nothing, and it would be very disrespectful to the players that came back this season to play for him. They knew the score, and they deserve the chance to finish what they started. Besides, what coach is going to interview for a job in January? Coach K coming back?
That said, barring a huge turnaround, you make the move the day after the regular season is over so you can hit the road at the P5 tourneys for some interviews.
Cheesehead - I disagree. Make the statement, have an interim coach for the rest of the season and start the search. The players understand that changes happen and there is a lot of flux in the sport today.
I have been defending Matt and I hate to fire a truly good guy. It is not a good look and feels like it goes outside our principles.
However, I am gradually shifting. In the new world of the transfer portal and the new jungle of NIL recruiting, maybe there is merit and making the change in mid-season so that a search and interview process can be lined up to hire a new coach in late March and let him hit the ground running. For the players futures and their motivation, there's not much difference between playing for a lame duck coach and an interim one. And maybe Matt deserves the chance to explore new contacts asap.
I am not ripping Matt as a person. Great people fail in jobs, it happens everywhere. Dragging this on has no benefit.
Think I bring a unique experience here as I played for a mid season fired Valpo coach. Even if it was late season.
High school kids are different than college kids. College kids understand what is competent and what is not. Will there be the few that wished the coach wasn't fired, yes. But these are adults that are seeing what we are seeing.
Earlier the better to start the rebuild. Can maybe decide who program Is going to build around next and have them be apart of your hiring/selling process to candidates.
If the next coach or star player is not currently at Valparaiso a complete tear down is necessary. No need to make it a slow knife
Do players play together as a team if they believe their coach will be gone in two months? Or do they play for the best chance of personal success? Would they rally around an interim coach if its someone they like/respect to get them hired permanently? Luckily our conference tournament is early so we could still beat some bushes during other conference tourneys, but people in need of a coach will start way before March. Does any of it matter? Are we discussing rearranging seats on the Titanic?
Also be aware that these players are also receiving full scholarships and maybe other stuff, but also not these players are flip flopping schools frequently. There's meaningful funding and business-like operations happrning in the basketball program. You need to do what's best for program success.
I'm sure the players, like most of us, respect the person who Matt is. Good person, no doubt. But at the same time, they are smart enough to see what's happening and may not thoroughly believe in his system, his decisions, his coaching skills.
I read the players' post game comments. To me they try to parrot a lot of what Matt is trying to sell —almost as if they feel they are protecting him.
>> Would they like to first concentrate on lock-down defense for the first 8 minutes of every game instead of giving up double figures while opponents shut down what little of an inside game we have and force a bunch of hurried jumpers because we don't seem to want to play in the paint? Of course. But that doesn't seem to be part of "the process."
>> Would they want to learn how to collectively defend the 3pt. arc? Of course. But that doesn't seem to be part of "the process."
Ya know, it actually might be a weight lifted off the kids' shoulders to have Matt sidelined and someone else take the reins and, for the sake of change, just freakin change things up. What are ya gonna lose? Games? Heck, we're losing them already.
....... And we're also losing fans by the boat load.
Just to consider all the angles...is it possible that a mid-season firing sends out the wrong message to the collegiate sports community, i.e., that the program is in such substantive disrepair that a coach whose problem was W-L and not anything character-related was let go during the season?
Even Bryce was given the courtesy of staying until season's end despite a disastrous finish at Vanderbilt. I think character should count for something.
The only issue firing the coach mid season is eliminating, hopefully, the chants on this board to fire the coach after every loss.
Firing him now or after the season isn't going to matter.
David81 - I respect what you are saying, but this is his seventh year and staying in a funk for this prolonged period isn't good for the program and probably not good for the coach. When you watch this team and the atmosphere at the ARC and Valpo, is feels very defeated.
Again, Matt Lottich will certainly be fine. Great guy and not incompetent. He needs a change and retune. My take is getting a head start to search for a new coach. It doesn't help dragging this forward if the change is evident.
There's absolutely nothing preventing a coaching search from moving forward while the season plays out. An interim coach isn't going to energize any fanbase so a change currently doesn't do anything that an end of season change won't accomplish other than to give posters on the board an opportunity to repeat fire the coach after every loss.
I don't care when the change is made as long as its made.
Anyone checked on the dead horse to see if he's tired of being beaten on here? We get it...YOU WANT LOTTICH SENT PACKING NOW!! Look at our interim options...Gore, Bowen, Townsend....MORE OF THE SAME!!! Might as well deal with Lottich until the season ends, because none of the three assistant coaches are going to be a breath of fresh air.
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 07, 2023, 07:58:01 AM
David81 - I respect what you are saying, but this is his seventh year and staying in a funk for this prolonged period isn't good for the program and probably not good for the coach. When you watch this team and the atmosphere at the ARC and Valpo, is feels very defeated.
Again, Matt Lottich will certainly be fine. Great guy and not incompetent. He needs a change and retune. My take is getting a head start to search for a new coach. It doesn't help dragging this forward if the change is evident.
usc4valpo, all good points. The Bradley game only underscores them. Sad situation that I dearly hope will show signs of turning around soon.
Quote from: valporun on January 07, 2023, 02:38:13 PM
Anyone checked on the dead horse to see if he's tired of being beaten on here? We get it...YOU WANT LOTTICH SENT PACKING NOW!! Look at our interim options...Gore, Bowen, Townsend....MORE OF THE SAME!!! Might as well deal with Lottich until the season ends, because none of the three assistant coaches are going to be a breath of fresh air.
Hey, Jeff Saturday will be available after tomorrow. :)
I respectfully disagree on waiting until the end of the season. It needs to be looked at from a business perspective, and if you're CEO of a company, you don't let an underperforming employee who is doing irreparable harm to the company and it's product stick around, you handle the situation and remedy it immediately. You wouldn't let the employee stick around to keep damaging the company and product, especially one of its most important and well-known products. That's exactly what has been going on with the basketball team for several years now.
Maybe the best interim coach for this team would be the only guy on the bench who has played for a P5 successful coach in Tom Izzo. Thomas Kithier not only played for Izzo and handles his duties of showing his erasable board to the players as they come out of a time out with game info he hands out advise to all the players as they go back out to play. He knows how to win on the big level and I think he could possibly inject some positives into this team as it finishes this miserable season. Just a thought.
Call Alec Peters little brother. Guarantee he would be better.