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Things are progressing nicely as we're all rowing in the same boat. One boat. One team!

Great point with Wake Forest.

One thing to consider though is that he was as hot of a commodity as anyone in the country coming out of that NIT run with Valpo.

Soo he could be more selective in determining what constitutes as a "special" place.

He *may* not have that same level of selectivity right now depending on how the Vandy stuff is viewed.

What will be even more interesting to me, though, is who he takes with him.

Powell - Zags. Diebler - Ohio State ... etc.

Does he poach these guys from their current institutions? Or does he put together a largely new staff?

I'd love to see Matt go with him. Depending on his contract and where he'd go, Matt could end up making a good salary still and could learn more before getting another HC opportunity.

Live and die by the 3 pointer. Plain and simple. It masks the flaws when we're on - first part of the game and the second half.

It exposes flaws when we're off. There's no point to a motion offense (as we see in these scoring droughts) when you're not making the defenders MOVE.

Sooo when you chuck an ill-advised 3 pointer up early in a possession (especially in the motion offense) you're negating the intended effect of the offense. And, you're eradicating the power of back door cuts.

Take Mileek last night. Couldn't buy a bucket in the first half from outside the arc. Gets hot down the stretch in the second half.

Interestingly enough, Mileek makes 8 - 3 pointers and our 3 point percentage is off the charts in the second half. But then with the game on the line he can't make 2 easy bunnies inside the paint.

It once again shows me - which I've thought all along - Mileek is not a good post player. It's not natural to him. His physique is deceiving as he has the build for a great post player ... but .... that's just not his game. He's maybe a 4 .... but still prefers open looks from outside the arc. If I'm not mistaken - he's like Clay in the sense if he hit a growth spurt and I don't think he has a lot of experience in the post. Not his fault.

Which is why Krikke is our best natural post player (potential-wise). But he doesn't ***look*** like it, physically.  Granted, he's got some learning to do as we saw down the stretch yesterday.

Robbins was a beast last night. Best 7 footer I've seen in the valley in some time. Rim protector. What we would've liked our twin towers to be, which they were sparingly.

Funny because when the call in the end of the game went our way the last time out I didn't hear a word about it ... all about which side you're on.

Remember last year when the excuses were on the lack of team chemistry and too many "Is" ...??

What's the excuse now? Too many underclassmen and first year transfers?

Well when you lose that many guys to transfer who were allegedly selfish and so forth - what do you expect to happen?

Somebody had to replace them lol. Sooo now we'll say we suck at shooting and need more time to develop blah blah blah.

Only for another mediocre season at best ... which some of us have now accepted as the new standard.

Losing is one thing - now we dig these holes is an entirely other issue. We were able to dig out of it last time - let's see if Clay and JFL can get back in, stay out of foul trouble, and carry us to another comeback win  - hope they do

But that doesn't make up for the red flags ...

We had soooooo much fun digging ourselves out of a 17 point hole last time out, we've decided to do it again.

Here's to the second half comeback of a season ... I mean for the second time in 2 straight games lol.

This team .... all the potential but .... idk.

At least the halftime speech can be, "Hey guys - we've been here before."

Interesting Matt didn't call a timeout during that stretch until under a minute and had 3 TOS he couldn't take with him to half. Too many rushed 3s ... no second chance points. Seems like there were some Moments there where hitting the pause button couldn't have hurt ...

1. Broke the streak by winning 2 straight.
2. Let's say we win vs Drake on Wednesday to make it 3 straight wins.
3. Let's say there's no snow storm or any bad weather on Saturday with Bradley coming to the ARC.

Question: What does the ARC look like? +/- 3,000 fans? Or is +/- 2,500 the bar we will set?

We wanted more Saturday night games. Especially when students are there. And we'd be on a win streak with an opportunity to stay out of Thursday night - which is a goal many folks on here have set for this season - sooo will people show up? How about students?

Idk the details of his contract. Depending on its wording, there are big differences that would directly impact his choice, financially.

For instance, if Vandy has to keep paying him if he does not serve as a head coach for X years, he can weigh that accordingly.

This year, he's doing what many other major coaches do when they're terminated early - in his case, take Vandys money and commentate.

Smart move. I have a hard time believing he'd take just any job especially if he can keep collecting Vandy money if he does not serve as a head coach. That's typically in the contract. I say that because I do believe him when he said he wasn't going to leave Valpo for just any school.

It's about the right fit but also the community for Bryce and his family. Nashville is one of the best places to raise a family - per multiple annual reports.

He'll be selective. With that said, the 0-16 in conference is not a gem on his resume. But, it does help that Vandys AD was fired. Looks better for him.

The question then becomes what will be available - to your point - as coaches' got seats get hotter.


From the list below, Georgia Tech? Since they were already interested the last time around .... ? Maybe Boston College if he's willing to go East Coast?
YOUR CHAIR IS ON FIRE, SIR

Coaches at the end of the line at their current school. You should be seeing them here soon enough.

Jim Christian (Boston College)
Christian's Eagles sported an ugly 29-67 (6-48 ACC) record through his first three years and after seemingly turning things around in 2018 – 19 wins and a NIT – things regressed last season to three games below .500. At this point, the only thing that should save Christian's job is a spot in the NCAA Tournament (BC hasn't danced since 2009) and that doesn't seem to be in the card. The Eagles lost to 3 mid-majors in the non-conference and are in the middle of the ACC standings at 6-8. The BC job will be pretty enticing for up-and-coming coaches this coming offseason if AD Martin Jarmond decides to make a change.
Mike Dunlap (Loyola Marymount)
Dunlap has been at LMU since 2014 after four straight .500 or below seasons, he won 22 games and led the Lions to the CBI Semifinals last year. However, his program is again sitting at the bottom of the WCC. The Lions are 8-17 and have won just 2 of 10 conference games. Dunlap was 70-87 overall coming into this season, but with all three of the Lions' top scorers leaving after last season there were serious holes to fill. The contract extension LMU signed Dunlap to back in 2017 has him locked in through next season, but the terms of a potential buyout are not available.
Dave Leitao (DePaul)
Leitao led the Blue Demons to their most recent NCAA bid (2004), then bounced for the Virginia gig a year later. The school brought him back in 2015 but things have not been the same this time around. The squad did turn a small corner last year by finishing as CBI Runner-up (19-17 overall) and their 9-0 start this year was one of the biggest surprises in the country, but they have now lost eight of their last nine (lone win was over #5 Butler) and are 1-10 in Big East play. Despite what the eye-test may say, DePaul is a high-major program and fans rightfully want more. Oh, the program is also on NCAA probation, with Leitao earning a three-game suspension for failing to "promote an atmosphere of compliance."
Jeff Neubauer (Fordham)
Fordham keeping Neubauer was one of the biggest surprises of the past offseason, as AD David Roach continues to hold out hope that his basketball coach will turn things around. Neubauer started off with 17 wins and a trip to the 2016 CBI, but in the three years since then the Rams have gone right back to the A-10 basement. After back-to-back last-place finishes and two assistant coach defections, Neubauer added two former head coaches (Anthony Evans and Dennis Felton) to his staff for year five. It is worth noting that his predecessor, Tom Pecora, finished in last place four straight years and then third to last in his fifth before he was fired.
Josh Pastner (Georgia Tech)
This seems inevitable, as Pastner's tenure at Tech has been a mess both on and off the court. The Jackets have finished below .500 in each of the last two seasons and Pastner is dealing with sanctions (scholarship reductions, postseason ban and recruiting limitations) from NCAA violations committed by one of his former assistants. While Pastner was not directly charged with anything, it seems like Tech can still fire him with cause and avoid having to pay some/all of his hefty buyout. We see schools turn a blind eye to these things all of the time, but AD Todd Stansbury didn't hire Pastner and the lack of on-court success doesn't bode well. Update: Tech is 12-13 (6-8 ACC) but they did recently upset #5 Louisville in Atlanta.

What this team would be without Freeman ... i don't want to know. Nice to see him step up last night and take the game into his own hands.

Impressive to say the least. Put him on the payroll. Deserves it more then any coach.

Shhh 🤫

Never going to rule this Valpo team out but wow was that an awful first half.

For how lauded we were for our improved performance on defense vs Loyola and then last time out .... this was equally bad.

Needless to say, we caught Southern Illinois on a bad night .... and are catching Illinois state on a good night.

Solid episode of USH. I appreciated the comments and perspectives by both guests.

Perfect opportunity to break the pattern by winning 2 straight

Something we can all agree on - let's break the pattern by winning 2 straight games tonight.

Go VU!

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  Right because having former Duke players serve as assistants under Coach K has been such a problem for that program... or former Butler players under the various Butler coaches over the years... If your program is solid and it works then promoting from within is not a bad thing if you really believe a candidate can work. It is good to get an outside voice every once in awhile as well but promoting from within is something a lot of successful programs do with of course mixed results but usually solid. Such was the thought process on hiring Matt in the first place and it looks like maybe that experiment is about to turn the corner. But we'll see I'll reserve judgment on that specific case but promoting from within is common especially at private schools.
  
  
  I stand corrected. Coach K and Matt are clearly comparable lol. My apologies all.

Because it would mean two of the coaches are recent grads who essentially only played under one college coach.
Not very diverse is my point. Now - if the head coach is a savant and doing things that people are trying to emulate, touché. Nothing personal to either player and wouldn't make a difference if they were on scholarship or not. Just saying we need more than want to ... grit ... being in one boat. History is showing us we need more Xs and Os is all I'm saying. Any leader who surrounds themself with people who offer dynamic and different experiences will surely benefit from it if they're willing to explore what they have to offer. I make the statement not because of who we're talking about but the larger picture of what that *could* imply about the limited vantage points and philosophies on the table.

I know he's the fan favorite and respect his want-to attitude but if he gets on the coaching staff along with the other former walk on who is already on staff - that'll be the last straw for me as a donor and supporter of the school and program.

Why? Because it would show Matt isn't willing to go and seek an alternative perspective. I know I will get flack for this post but am OK with that as it's what I firmly believe.

I cannot find the link to the post game press conference from the Loyola game that others have referred to.

Can someone post the link? I'm interested in Matt's comments about Gentile arena and the Gameday atmosphere.

I give him props if he did do that.

Over under on attendance this Wednesday?

+/- 2,500?

If everyone stays, a team without John and Ryan - replaced by 2 solid freshmen - *should* be a better team

Clay is good. Javon is good. Krikke has the potential. Eron and Nick should be good role players. Would like to see Siggy get more set shots from 3 with Ryan graduated. Do not know enough about Freese yet. Mileek will be a 4 year starter if I'm not mistaken. So he should be a good dependable player. Sackey will be a junior and should have learned his role and know how to cut down on the turnovers. I like the chemistry when Zion, Javon, Clay, and Gordon or Nick are on the court with a solid big.

Idk - we've got the talent. Not sure if or when it'll all come together.

Not about seating capacity as much as amenities

Opinions and feelings aside, here's the reality ...

In conference, we beat:

1. Evansville (x2). They are now 9-16
2. Drake. They are now 16-9
3. Indiana State. They are now 14-9
4. Illinois State. They are now 8-16

What good non-conference wins do we have .. apart from being 5-7 in the conference?

1. Toledo (back on 11/5). They're now 11-13.
2. SIUE? (back on 11/12). They're now 6-19
3. Grand Canyon (back on 11/22). They're now 10-13
4. Trinity Christian (back on 11/27). They're not even D-1...
5. Central Michigan (back on 12/8). They're 13-9 (So, I guess that's a good one...)
6. High Point (back on 12/18). They're 7-17

Watching the Loyola game today was tough. Such a great feel in the Gentile Arena. Updated seating, video boards, sound, and a REAL collegiate feel. Watching the UNI game yesterday, I was blown away. The differences between the ARC and the stadiums of our conference members are unbelievable. Hard to believe at this point (having now experienced the MVC as a member of it) that it wasn't part of the agreement when we joined the conference .... that we do some major upgrades .... like, even the yellow lights for starters. Embarrassing.

This program is a joke. No other way to put it. The Lottich-apologists will be the only ones left on the boat when it's all said and done... alongside the eternal optimists ... and us long-time Valpo faithful. But, make no mistake about it - the boat has been taking on water for some time now with no real signs of stopping. We need a change. We've almost entirely turned over our roster. What's the only remaining variable? The coaching staff. A 4-year extension at this point would be celebrating what? Another below-average season? Blown opportunities? Declining attendance? More excuses? Give me a break. Many folks have said THIS IS THE YEAR!!! Well, we're now 5-7 in the conference.

In conference, we beat:

1. Evansville (x2). They are now 9-16
2. Drake. They are now 16-9
3. Indiana State. They are now 14-9
4. Illinois State. They are now 8-16

What good non-conference wins do we have .. apart from being 5-7 in the conference?

1. Toledo (back on 11/5). They're now 11-13.
2. SIUE? (back on 11/12). They're now 6-19
3. Grand Canyon (back on 11/22). They're now 10-13
4. Trinity Christian (back on 11/27). They're not even D-1...
5. Central Michigan (back on 12/8). They're 13-9 (So, I guess that's a good one...)
6. High Point (back on 12/18). They're 7-17

This game is winnable. Just depends on how we show up and what adjustments are made along the way. If we dig ourselves into another big hole - especially since it's supposed to be a sell out crowd - watch out.

If we keep it competitive, make adjustments out of time outs and after half, and get a good game out of Clay, Freeman, a big (idc who), Mileek stays out of foul trouble and works Krutwig in the paint to draw some fouls, and Ryan hits his shots - we can steal this one.

What concerns me is what I saw against UNI. Not the loss. But some of the body language and contention between players.  Also the lack of resolve by the coaching staff. Gotta be willing to call time outs and have a plan of attack when coming out of them.