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As I've stated, ML owes Krikke a part of his salary IMO. The last thing that should happen is Ben Krikke's potential choice to stay around one more year, factoring into ML keeping his job. Krikke has done more than enough for ML & Valpo.

Does anyone know if ML has a contract through the 24-25 season? If so, goodness that's two more years of this subpar mediocrity.

Watch the post-game presser ... notice what ML says about his choices for not subbing guys in the second half. "I was going to rotate all those guys ..."

In particular, notice what he says about Bayu ... after giving the team that boost down the stretch to close out the first half ... no opportunities in the second half?

https://youtu.be/KMYUGlvgOO8

When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
And I have become
Comfortably numb.

PINK FLOYD

Am I missing something, or was there not even a post made for this game? Hopefully, I'm mistaken. If not, perhaps it's because people are ... over it? Or, are we satisfied with another close game ending in another defeat?

What a remarkable young man Ben is - personally and athletically. ML owes Ben a decent chunk of his salary. If not for Ben, how many wins would this Beacon team have right now? Serious question. If nothing else, Ben deserves to be driving a nice ride and staying in a decent place. And, he shouldn't be buying many meals.

On a team searching for answers and lacking depth at key positions, I have a hard time believing a 7' 240lb former Wisconsin BIG10 player cannot get more minutes than he's getting. He's 10-16 on FG (62.5%), 3-8 on 3PTs (37.5%), 8-9 FTs (88.9%), and is averaging 5.5 min. per game.

Solid take, humbeopinion.


Personally, it eventually becomes a matter of ROI for me. What's my return on investment? Personally, I got to the point where it felt like enabling. And, I cannot - in good faith - give money to something or someone whom I feel I'm enabling.


I doubt many "big donors" continue doing so if they feel like there's no ROI for them any longer. Granted, I doubt I'd be considered a "big donor," but these folks are often wise stewards of their funds.






This seems to be the attitude of many on the board. Basically, I read posts that malign the school for not spending more on the program or not buying out the coach's contract while the poster chooses not to support the program financially. I guess the notion is that there are big donors who will step in to provide any funding necessary.

I choose to contribute to the program beyond buying my season tickets.  I find it a bit ironic that my donation helps to provide a salary for a coach (any coach) that is multiple times higher than any salary that I have ever earned, but I want to do my part to ensure that the program has resources. I just hope that many other fans choose to do their part to help out and the total of the many more-modest contributions will provide a lift financially.

« Last Edit: February 04, 2023, 08:12:45 AM by humbleopinion »

Per Paul's response (which makes logical sense based on what we've seen down the stretch), IMO this is yet another sign of the team not having an identity. Two guys with size who could be role players who no longer fit the system and are thus keeping the bench warm. I'll never understand why Joe didn't ever seem to get a fair shake in a Valpo uniform.

[AB:]

AB:


"Palm........Surprised nothing reported at all. Has the staff been questioned? He likely could have helped us win the game against Drake, energy, rebounds. If you watch the post game  press conferences, Coach ML is smooth talker and is always measured in his words. It's clear he's advocating for his job next season, comments about the community, student involvement and what the university stands for, aligning his principals with the president. Yes the atmosphere was better Saturday and that was norm for many years. I think the fans weren't standing, because we've seen this movie play out many times last few years. The fans want to believe...However. Horizon league early on 2010, 11 12 seasons. 3,000 in attendance on those Sunday afternoons against Cleveland state etc, up against the Bears."
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That is such a solid take!!! I thought the same thing when watching & listening to his remarks. At this point, though, it's empty rhetoric. I don't blame him - I'd probably be advocating for my job, too. But, honestly, it sure seems like an ego problem. We're creatures of routine and often go into survival mode by defending ourselves. He may be a super reflective person. I don't know him personally. I know we've yet to see tangible evidence of a program being formed on an identity. What is this program? It was grit ... trust the process ... what process? Why should we trust at this point when nothing is signaling an upwards trajectory?

Apart from one's aspirations with playing professional ball, is it fair to say that there are transfers who aren't transferring elsewhere solely because they *think* they can play at a higher level, in a better conference, or that they're not getting a fair shake where they're at, etc.?

If it were me, I could see myself transferring up (if I had the opportunity) purely to be part of a P5 program. In part because of the experience. In part because of the school, I'd be attending tuition-free. In part, because of the networking opportunities I'd establish. Maybe I don't see myself as a pro player but would love to be in an electric environment and experience what it's like to be in a P5 program ... around the big dawgs ... travel around to different places ... get the gear ... and show my cerebral abilities to carve out thereby an opportunity to be a graduate assistant, etc.

I can't be the only one who would do so lol.

Regardless of there being another thread, your take is a valid one.

I can hear ML's excuses now ... injuries ... guys are tired from the past (2) OT games ... life's hard in the valley ... that's an ISU team that's playing well right now ... but that's all it is ... excuses for justifying mediocracy (at best).

As for the attendance, it wasn't very good. But, you could also chalk that up to ISU not caring to come out on a Wednesday night to watch a subpar Valpo team. So, like many of us, they streamed the game on ESPN.

Just hard to watch at this point. As the commentators said during the broadcast, bigs aren't supposed to be playing the minutes Ben is playing night in & night out. Just not healthy. Not to mention the role he's expected to play. Sure, pros do it but consider the sort of restorative & rehab facilities they have available for players that Valpo couldn't dream of.

While it's understandable to speculate on this young man's future, I would not hypothesize how his personal life impacts his decisions. Unless you know Ben personally, such thoughts are mere conjecture. He's a human being with a real life on & off the court. The only "wrong" decision does not align with what he & his family / significant others deem best.

These follow-up posts made my day. Love it. Well-played, folks. Well-played!

Question: Recall how Coach Bryce & his staff always wore a dark suit, white dress shirt, and gold(ish)/yellow tie.

Would Coach Jake (from State Farm) initiate a khakis dress code? What are you wearing, Jake from State Farm?
.
.
.
Khakis

If so, we'd have as much notieriety as big Jim up at Michigan .. formerly known for being the king of khakis

I went to school with Jake. Amazing man. Represents the best of what this sport & university have to offer. He's earned his way into a position where he's established a reputation for himself. Ohio State is special to him and his family. Idk where Jake ends up, but I'll root for him wherever that is in the years to come. As much as I'd love to see him back here, we have a better chance of getting Jake from State Farm than Jake Diebler.

As an assistant, he's making $500k.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2022/09/07/how-much-do-ohio-states-assistant-mens-basketball-coaches-make/65886009007/

Yes - I watched the game + 2 OTs.
Later, I watched the press conference. Personally, I did not care for the way Matt said to Ben, "Be careful," when asked about the officiating. I would get it if Ben were a rookie, new-to-Valpo transfer player, or known for letting his emotions get the best of him. But, not Ben.

Am I pulling at straws with this critique? Yes. But, that's similar to what we're doing concerning this possession or that possession. Beyond thankful - as a VU alum & fan - Ben stuck it out here at VU. What an incredible young man - what a role model for kids. What a testament to his upbringing and approach to life. I've been a fan of his since he stepped on the court. But he will surely be missed based on his on-the-court AND off-the-court reputation.

Not sure how to feel about this one. It's your home court. You should win. Then again, you're playing a decent Drake team. You are winning the game by a large margin for parts of it. Ugly end of regulation, and couldn't finish things off in OT.
Good = Student section showed up.
Good = Lower section of bleachers was ~80% full.
Good = Actually had a halftime performer.
Good = Valpo was competitive.

Bad = Valpo lost another game & we're finding the silver lining in the lower bowl being ~80% full. And have yet to beat a top team in the valley. Is this honestly the goal? Is this enough to keep ML at the helm? I sure hope not.

I, too, was a season ticket holder. I had (2) tickets and then (4) tickets. When the pandemic hit, it allowed me to reevaluate my priorities. When we could attend games again, I would renew my season tickets but would go back to (2) tickets. Why? Because I had an increasingly difficult time giving the other two tickets away to friends, family, etc. - I even resorted to Facebook open invites for some games. Others ended up not being used. I could not justify wasteful spending any longer.

I have yet to renew since then. And I've only been to a few games. I do pay for ESPN+. So, I watch available games from home. I can only justify investing more money into the program if/when a coaching change is made. I've stopped annual giving as well. These are just my personal feelings & choices. I respect those who can continue supporting the program in the interim.

I'm curious to know what your collective thoughts are here. I ask because of the promotional email I received concerning Saturday's game v. Drake:

The Indiana Pacers Power Pack Dunk Squad will provide halftime entertainment during the men's basketball game vs. Drake on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Power Pack powered by AES Indiana are high-energy dunkers who entertain fans on game night. They can spring off a trampoline and their acrobatic dunks are a fan favorite.

While I'd likely find this enjoyable, is it worth $15 + fees for a ticket?...

Well, I suppose I should've stopped watching with a minute and a half or so left in regulation. From that point on, it wasn't pretty. End up losing by 9 ...with Drake coming to town on Saturday. I long for the day when a loss like this stings, rather than expecting it and feeling numb to it.

NET:

Illinois St = 262
Valpo = 287
UIC = 289
UE = 345

Case in point: Despite the recent wins over REALLY BAD MVC teams, we are terrible. Unless the bar is set so low as to consider the ability to win over other bottom feeders the goal? Hope not.

I'm aware - but it was cathartic for me to respond with a petty response

So ... in summary ... if/when a team loses to Valpo, their score goes down because Valpo (mathematically) is terrible?

Whether Valpo had "the toughest schedule" in the MVC thus far or not is irrelevant to an extent. That many conference losses in a row are inexcusable at this point.

I recall all the excuses we made (myself included) when Valpo first entered the Valley ... dealt with the mass exodus of transfers ... dealt with the whole "trusting the process" narrative ... and went all in on the "GRIT" mantra. All that said - here we are ... years later ... no trajectory showing an upward trend toward improvement.