I hope I'm not being too presumptuous by starting these threads but I just thought this was cool and was a great place to start this year's thread. If you ever want to find the stats for any year in the MVC with a few exceptions go to the link mentioned here. Great piece by Father Harry and great work by the MVC getting this online!
http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/valley-unveils-great-stat-portal/
Redbirds add an interesting player as a PWO. Looks to be a good get.
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/1264323910465716224
I'm not sure the world will get back to "normal" by the Winter but it would kind of cool to have a homecoming event based around a home basketball game.
Sounds like it's getting outright cancelled and the next homecoming will be in 2021...
https://twitter.com/valpotorch/status/1266478678072078336?s=21
This isn't related to MVC Hoops but it speaks to where we are right now in relation to the pandemic: the county fair was cancelled too.)
Did another SEC school just pull a Vanderbilt and pull out of a game at a MVC school?
Yes. F the P5. This shouldn't be allowed.
Quote from: VALPO LI on June 03, 2020, 05:18:21 AMpull out of a game at a MVC school
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on June 03, 2020, 08:11:49 AM
Yes. F the P5. This shouldn't be allowed.
https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1267670693250060289?s=20
But the good news is the Missouri State Fair is still going to happen.
https://www.mostatefair.com/
COVID-19 has certainly brought its challenges to that planning. At this time, we are still moving forward with preparations, although we have altered timelines and are looking at things from all angles. We are communicating with many partners including other county and state fairs, local and state elected officials, public health departments and others to monitor and stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 situation. The safety of our staff, fairgoers and other partners is of utmost importance to us.
• The MAC is going to a 20-game MBB conference schedule.
• Only 8 of 12 teams will qualify for the post season tournament.
• The tournament may be played at campus sites to reduce costs. Paying big bucks for an arena with 6-foot social distancing requirements is not realistic at the same time athletic budgets and non-revenue sports are being slashed.
• They are strongly discouraging hosting buy games.
It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the MVC follow suit and scrap Arch Madness for the same reasons. Maybe even reduce the tournament from 10 teams to 8 - 3 rounds, no byes, all on campus sights, done. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Quote from: wh on June 04, 2020, 02:20:00 PM
• The MAC is going to a 20-game MBB conference schedule.
• Only 8 of 12 teams will qualify for the post season tournament.
• The tournament may be played at campus sites to reduce costs. Paying big bucks for an arena with 6-foot social distancing requirements is not realistic at the same time athletic budgets and non-revenue sports are being slashed.
• They are strongly discouraging hosting buy games.
It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the MVC follow suit and scrap Arch Madness for the same reasons. Maybe even reduce the tournament from 10 teams to 8 - 3 rounds, no byes, all on campus sights, done. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Your conclusion might be correct, but there is one major difference between the MAC and the MVC. All MAC teams play FBS football and most (if not all teams) rely on football attendance and revenue from buy games. Several MAC teams have reported that there is a high probability of losing $1M+ paydays against teams like Iowa and Michigan. Thus, since the MAC teams will likely still have most costs associated with football, they have major budget issues that conferences without FBS football likely don't have (though Northern Iowa, for instance, might also lose a buy game). Don't be surprised if the same thing happens with the MWC and maybe C-USA, Sun Belt and American Conference.
I'm also interested to see if a league like the HL keeps up with the tournament in Indy or if they go to campus sites as well. That would probably entice Robert Morris to come aboard as well because they would do very well in the HL from the jump and could host in their beautiful new arena. I don't think the MVC will scrap Arch Madness for this year. It's too entrenched. 30 years of history in a convenient spot for everyone. Campus sites would be cool and would be a nice bone to throw Murray State and Belmont's way if it matters to them; however, I think most schools like the idea of having a big venue to play at at the end of the year so I don't see anything happening.
This is a good scheduling get by Bradley...
https://twitter.com/MLBLarry/status/1268712375471013888
Whether this is about how the conference will deal with athletics going forward or about something else (expansion?!) it is still a very good sign.
https://twitter.com/WyattWheeler_NL/status/1270016217051533312
https://twitter.com/tdavisdmr/status/1271609560462233603?s=21
Quote from: VU2014 on June 14, 2020, 12:53:34 AM
https://twitter.com/tdavisdmr/status/1271609560462233603?s=21
Accidentally shoots a friend in the head. Lies about it (a selfish, cowardly act), causing a needless delay in life saving treatment for the victim. Pleaded guilty to 2 minor offenses and received a 5-game suspension. When I see things like this, I don't think I'll ever be able to come to grips with what was done to Jubril for merely turning in a paper that someone else allegedly wrote or helped write.
I said this on the MVC board but I'll post it here too: If this is true then it's absolutely dispicable and Drake deserves to be sued and possibly face NCAA sanction. If this isn't "A lack of institutional control" I don't know what is.
Quote from: wh on June 14, 2020, 01:26:50 AM
Quote from: VU2014 on June 14, 2020, 12:53:34 AM
https://twitter.com/tdavisdmr/status/1271609560462233603?s=21
Accidentally shoots a friend in the head. Lies about it (a selfish, cowardly act), causing a needless delay in life saving treatment for the victim. Pleaded guilty to 2 minor offenses and received a 5-game suspension. When I see things like this, I don't think I'll ever be able to come to grips with what was done to Jubril for merely turning in a paper that someone else allegedly wrote or helped write.
Just looked it up. Jubril was suspended for the final 24 games of the 2016-17 season. 24 games for cheating on a school assignment vs. 5 games for shooting your friend in the head and trying to cover it up while your friend lays there on death's doorstep.
Reversing the penalties would make far more sense. Jubril cheats on a course assignment and receives a 5-game penalty. The Drake player accidentally shoots a friend in the head and tries to cover it up and is suspended for the remainder of the season.
Not saying I don't agree with that premise, but keep in mind it's comparing apples and oranges - Jubril's suspension was an NCAA-dictated penalty, while Murphy's suspension was an institutional decision.
Quote from: wh on June 14, 2020, 03:56:53 PM
Just looked it up. Jubril was suspended for the final 24 games of the 2016-17 season. 24 games for cheating on a school assignment vs. 5 games for shooting your friend in the head and trying to cover it up while your friend lays there on death's doorstep.
Reversing the penalties would make far more sense. Jubril cheats on a course assignment and receives a 5-game penalty. The Drake player accidentally shoots a friend in the head and tries to cover it up and is suspended for the remainder of the season.
One of the greatest "what ifs" in Valpo history. Todd stated on USH that if not for losing Jubril (and Alec's injury), the 2017 was guaranteed to win at least 1 game in the NCAA tourney. Had Carter rightfully gotten more eligibility, that 2017 team would have been a Sweet 16/Top 25 caliber squad.
Quote from: wh on June 14, 2020, 03:56:53 PM
Just looked it up. Jubril was suspended for the final 24 games of the 2016-17 season. 24 games for cheating on a school assignment vs. 5 games for shooting your friend in the head and trying to cover it up while your friend lays there on death's doorstep.
Reversing the penalties would make far more sense. Jubril cheats on a course assignment and receives a 5-game penalty. The Drake player accidentally shoots a friend in the head and tries to cover it up and is suspended for the remainder of the season.
My understanding is that it was not even Jubril who cheated on his own assignment, it was that he gave unauthorized aid to David Skara. This was the reason why Skara was suspended for the beginning of the 2017-18 season at Clemson. This is complete hearsay, I have no direct contact or evidence, but it seemed to make a lot of sense when I heard it. Take it for what it is worth.
Wow, that would put the Skara transfer in a totally different perspective versus what we originally surmised. Jubril seemed very educated, so it never made sense that he would have to cheat in order to pass.
New article from Paul Oren:
https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/uncertainty-clouds-valley-basketball-coaches/article_5427ba26-898f-5418-8579-cc537b8436dc.html#utm_source=nwitimes.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter-templates%2Fnews-alert&utm_medium=PostUp&utm_content=e0f70624f98c80330fdc36f64f3768b2ae53c8f2
Huge news for Bradley! Love to see the conference getting better!
https://twitter.com/bradleyumbb/status/1283173677081731072
Not hoops related but still significant MVC news. Expected and the right thing to do.
https://twitter.com/MLBLarry/status/1285942404785332224
Thank goodness... This is terrific news for the MVC...
https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1288529638411636736
Good decision on his part. He has a good chance of getting more exposure, and if it exists, playing in March Madness.
Sad news about Musiccitybulldog on MVCfans, who was both a really nice and really good poster.
Was always really nice to fans around the league and was very complimentary of Valpo as a program and as a fit in the MVC from the very beginning. He will be missed.
An interesting feature article of the Illinois MVC Basketball programs.
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/1292117978377576449?s=21
Thoughts?
https://twitter.com/fatherharry1/status/1295436486813331462?s=21
Champion in and a possible second bid for the tournament winner is a great system and would be a just way to throw a lifeline to schools in non power leagues that are hurting and could really use some help right now. If the winner of the tournament and the regular season is the same then that school gets preferred seeding. I think I've seen this idea floated before in some form but I can't remember who proposed it.
It sounds like a great idea and very equitable. I'm sure Cincinnati AD, John Cunningham, and Cincinnati president, Neville Pinto, are wondering what has gotten into Brannen and why is he giving away a precious spot in the NCAA tournament. Does Brannen think he is still at Northern Kentucky? Doesn't Brannen know that the selection committee would favor a bigger program such as Cincinnati over smaller programs like Wright State, Murray State, Belmont, Illinois State, Bradley, East Tennessee State, Tennessee State, Missouri State, Detroit Mercy, South Dakota State, etc.
With it now being September and having had two major power 5 conferences (along with the large majority of FCS conferences and programs) postpone the football season while gearing up for the others to start, how are we feeling about the odds of the season being played? And if so — seating capacity? Will we still be in stage 4.5 per executive orders and thus if we play b-ball what will crowd be like?
Seems like the nba bubble is working fairly well. Granted, it helps when Disney owns ESPN and abc etc — but will be interested to see how college football plays out and thus how that impacts the basketball season.
Heartbreaking to see programs being cancelled around the country as we've seen of late in Valpo. Like it or not, major power 5 football funds these other sports. Basketball behind that. They're financially codependent in that regard. Crazy times to say the least.
Valpo's Missouri Valley Conference schedule is out :thumbsup:
Starting on the road at Indiana State
Wrapping up at home vs. Indiana State.
https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/schedule/
Bradley released it's non conference schedule today.
https://bradleybraves.com/news/2020/11/2/mens-basketball-announces-2020-21-non-conference-schedule.aspx
At Xavier MTE with Toledo and Oakland
1 non D1 game @ home
4 additional home games
Then a 4 hour drive to play in Columbia against a power 5 program Mizzou.
St Joe's Miami (OH) South Dakota State Not a bad OOC home slate especially this year. Bradley's OOC schedule is pretty decent. Could be better but decent.
Southern Illinois University withdraws from
Louisville MTE due to positive Covid19 tests within the program. University of Evansville is to take their place in the tournament.
https://twitter.com/FatherHarry1/status/1326967849273991168
https://siusalukis.com/news/2020/11/12/mens-basketball-saluki-basketball-pauses-team-activities-will-not-participate-in-tipoff-classic-at-louisville.aspx
https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/siu-replaced-by-evansville-whtc
Big win for the Bulldogs in Manhattan, Kansas :thumbsup:
Way to represent the Valley.
https://twitter.com/DrakeBulldogsMB/status/1331715217995214855
My thoughts on UNI: So disgusted right now. I didn't even get to flirt with the idea of a multibid MVC for ONE DAY and yeah I'm not happy about that AT ALL
It absolutely pains me to say this because I look to Northern Iowa as a program worthy of emulation in a lot of ways with a scheduling philosophy we all should be following every year but is there a more overrated so-called team leader than AJ Green? Seriously. We keep hearing about how this kid is the be all end all and just this great player but where are the results? He'll have a great individual game but who cares if the team eats an L? All I see every time UNI is in a big moment is a team that folds and comes up short. Why is he never able to deliver? I shouldn't lay it all at Green's feet though because Stansbury outcoached Jacobson today. Why is Jacobson never able to deliver a supporting cast around Green that works? What happened to the defense first grind it out Northern Iowa we all know and love? That sort of team would have found a way to win this game. You have a team that had a defense first identity before Green got there get lit up for 93 points. You have a team that prides itself on discipline and not fouling yield 31 free throw attempts while only shooting 11. By and large jumpshooting teams don't win and Northern Iowa is nothing but a jumpshooting team. I feel like I'm watching Green's third freshman year. There's no creativity to this offense and if they don't somehow outgun their opponent they'll never win. It's just stand around and wait for A.J. Green to save the day and that will work fine against most of the MVC but that's not going to win you anything against the nation's best. That's not going to get you to the tournament. Northern Iowa needs to get back to basics and back to the formula that wins for them. I daresay they'll actually be better off if and when Green declares for the draft.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on November 25, 2020, 05:55:47 PM
My thoughts on UNI: So disgusted right now. I didn't even get to flirt with the idea of a multibid MVC for ONE DAY and yeah I'm not happy about that AT ALL
It absolutely pains me to say this because I look to Northern Iowa as a program worthy of emulation in a lot of ways with a scheduling philosophy we all should be following every year but is there a more overrated so-called team leader than AJ Green? Seriously. We keep hearing about how this kid is the be all end all and just this great player but where are the results? He'll have a great individual game but who cares if the team eats an L? All I see every time UNI is in a big moment is a team that folds and comes up short. Why is he never able to deliver? I shouldn't lay it all at Green's feet though because Stansbury outcoached Jacobson today. Why is Jacobson never able to deliver a supporting cast around Green that works? What happened to the defense first grind it out Northern Iowa we all know and love? That sort of team would have found a way to win this game. You have a team that had a defense first identity before Green got there get lit up for 93 points. You have a team that prides itself on discipline and not fouling yield 31 free throw attempts while only shooting 11. By and large jumpshooting teams don't win and Northern Iowa is nothing but a jumpshooting team. I feel like I'm watching Green's third freshman year. There's no creativity to this offense and if they don't somehow outgun their opponent they'll never win. It's just stand around and wait for A.J. Green to save the day and that will work fine against most of the MVC but that's not going to win you anything against the nation's best. That's not going to get you to the tournament. Northern Iowa needs to get back to basics and back to the formula that wins for them. I daresay they'll actually be better off if and when Green declares for the draft.
I only caught the last 9 minutes but it appeared that Northern was missing some bodies I thought were returning. Maybe I am wrong or maybe my expectations were too high but I was also disappointed in the flow of their offense and defense. Western Kentucky looks like a good team but Northern needed that neutral court win to keep top Valley teams in the at-large conversation. OOC wins could be even more important this year than they are in others. Choice opportunities for quality wins have to be rung up and cashed in.
I'm so disillusioned... If all we did was join a harder one bid league then what was the point? Not that we've done anything in this conference that gives us any right to complain as we're a big reason why this league isn't heading in the right direction when it comes to multiple bids but... I thought for sure the MVC members (us included) would fight harder to make multiple bids a reality but no.... Nobody cares about it so why should I? Just enjoy the season as much as I can and pray we get lucky for three games in March... Just like it's always been...
Maybe calm down a bit. Trae Berhow didn't make the trip due to COVID protocols. Any team losing a guy last minute who averaged over 12 points a game and shot nearly 45% from 3-point range is going to struggle to adjust. This year is going to be different. Don't freak out so much over every single result.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on November 25, 2020, 06:24:15 PM
I'm so disillusioned... If all we did was join a harder one bid league then what was the point? Not that we've done anything in this conference that gives us any right to complain as we're a big reason why this league isn't heading in the right direction when it comes to multiple bids but... I thought for sure the MVC members (us included) would fight harder to make multiple bids a reality but no.... Nobody cares about it so why should I? Just enjoy the season as much as I can and pray we get lucky for three games in March... Just like it's always been...
Nothing about this season is going to be normal. Nothing about this season is going to mean anything in the grand scheme of things. The 2020-21 college basketball season is simply an occurrence of enjoyment to get us one step closer to the end of this disaster.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on November 25, 2020, 06:24:15 PM
I'm so disillusioned... If all we did was join a harder one bid league then what was the point? Not that we've done anything in this conference that gives us any right to complain as we're a big reason why this league isn't heading in the right direction when it comes to multiple bids but... I thought for sure the MVC members (us included) would fight harder to make multiple bids a reality but no.... Nobody cares about it so why should I? Just enjoy the season as much as I can and pray we get lucky for three games in March... Just like it's always been...
I believe it was the NCAA and their selection committees that have really hurt Mid majors and their ability to get multiple bids in their conferences more than the individual Mid major teams or their conferences.
Quote from: bbtds on November 26, 2020, 08:06:22 AMI believe it was the NCAA and their selection committees that have really hurt Mid majors and their ability to get multiple bids in their conferences more than the individual Mid major teams or their conferences.
The bias shown toward below .500 in conference Power 6 conference teams is what irks me. The NCAA continues to ignore many of the ways the selection process favors, IMHO, undeserving Power 6 teams not only with selection, but also with seeding, pushing mid major teams into lower seedings.
Blown Bradley opportunity gives Xavier the 51-50 win. Missed front end free throw with .4 second remaining. Close but no cigar!
Once again I only watched the very end of the game-- maybe 6 minutes. I can't say much after seeing so little of the action.
This league is SO CLOSE... I wish we could push it over the goal line... Stupid Belmont... Why won't they join so we can get Murray State in here too and make a conference that will almost certainly be two bid?
:-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X
https://twitter.com/UNImbb/status/1332118333500641281
Looking at the schedule so far, most of the games our teams have been in have been winnable, minus Illinois St.-Ohio St. and Evansville-Louisville. Not sure if its practice, lack of exhibition/closed scrimmage, or injuries, but the MVC hasn't looked horrible so far. We just need to get our legs under us, plus the games, WIN the winnable ones, and do the best we can in the games that look like intended losses. Let's also hope Missouri State can get games in, and our league doesn't lose too many more Covid games.
Indiana State right now is showing case in point why you don't play non D1s. There is no benefit and only the downside of potentially losing. They are up six with like 10 minutes to go but it shouldn't be this close and I hate how it seems like every mid major takes this risk 1=4 times in its schedule instead of at a minimum playing against each other or just taking a buy game. At least with the buy game you might win you might not but either way you walk out with a check that helps your athletic department. And with the other mids it might help conference profile a bit or at least be more interesting for the fans than a non D1 and you can easily get home and home agreements there.
Well, whoever the worst poster on this board is, at least they're better than Evansville's:
https://purpleaceplace.freeforums.net/thread/429/post-lickliter-head-coach-tyra?page=1
With her great looks, I'd hire for about anything :) She used to do professional modeling. Those comments about UE's WBB program sure don't say much about PFW's WBB, coached by a former VU woman. They are really bad again this year.
https://twitter.com/haslametrics/status/1337920822707703809?s=21
[tweet]1338154921942716421[/tweet]
Big win for SIU knocking off Butler. I try to not get down on Lottich but watching Mullins pull it off in his 2nd year makes it difficult. It's about damn time the team plays together and does look like a cluster**** on offense.
Probably not going to happen against Bradley particularly with the team not going to able to practice
VUGrad1314, Paul Oren and Luke Gore discuss this same issue EVERY year on the scheduling podcast. Some of these non-D1s end up being an extra game in an MTE that doesn't count against the NET. It isn't always about not getting home-and-homes or guaranteed pay games. There might be 1 or 2 a season like this, where Luke schedules it to just have a game after a tough point in the schedule, or maybe coming out of Finals. These games may not be beneficial, but if they can work in with MTEs, then it saves Luke from filling a scheduling hole with another team they really want to play that might be right during that MTE. Sure, at times these non-D1s are useless, but in a season where we have so many holes in the lineup, offensive execution/scoring, and a lot of young kids on the roster, Valpo can use the non-D1s to benefit the confidence and growth in some of the kids to be able to do more.
This is the same theory for a lot of the mid-majors, because the Power 5 or Super 6 want their own league where they beat each other up, and only play within their six conferences, and those teams battle for tv contracts and the Power 5/Super 6 Tournament on some cable network exclusively. Leaving the mids and lows to the NCAA, where the money wouldn't be anymore, and CBS to help the NCAA keep their history and tournament on tv, but having no Dukes, Kentuckys, UCLAs, Illinois, Michigan State, and Indiana to gather ratings because they would all be playing on ESPN ALL THE TIME!
Whatever happened to the Northern Iowa kid Green? Is he hurt ?
Quote from: valpo64 on December 26, 2020, 02:48:01 PM
Whatever happened to the Northern Iowa kid Green? Is he hurt ?
Out with a hip injury since early this month.
Quote from: valpo64 on December 26, 2020, 02:48:01 PM
Whatever happened to the Northern Iowa kid Green? Is he hurt ?
"Panthers head coach Ben Jacobson announced on [Dec 13] that junior point guard AJ Green would undergo hip surgery this week and miss the rest of the season."
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/uni-panthers/2020/12/13/uni-point-guard-aj-green-undergo-season-ending-hip-surgery/6531266002/
https://twitter.com/posttribsports/status/1347749156941651968?s=21
A close, but ugly, Loyola vs. Drake game on ESPN2...
What's that? Is that the hopes for the two bid MVC coming back to life? Heck yeah! I think a split was the best of all possible outcomes for the MVC! Now we need both Drake and Loyola to finish strong! I also think this probably needs to be the final for the two bid dream to be a reality!
Looking at the standings and Evansville's remaining schedule, we are in a prime position to claim the 5 seed. They have lost 4 straight, have 2 at Drake coming up, and then 2 at home against Missouri State. If we can take 2 or 3 of the next 4, which is very possible, we should pass them up, as they are likely to go 0-4 or 1-3 in their remaining games.
The dream scenario (albeit a highly unlikely one).
-Loyola wins out for the regular season.
-Drake wins out for the regular season.
-Valpo gets the 5th seed for the conference tournament.
-MVC quarterfinals: Loyola, Drake, Valpo and Missouri State all win.
-MVC semifinals: Valpo upsets Loyola, Missouri State upsets Drake (which, importantly, is not considered a bad loss for Drake)
--MVC finals: Valpo beats Missouri State.
Result: three MVC teams in the NCAA tournament (though Drake would probably get a play-in game).
Wow, a foul that resembles something we would do, in the Loyola/SIU game. Loyola up by 2 with 22 seconds left, and Loyola fouls a 3 point shooter. Tune in now for a last second finish!
Lance Jones made the first 2, but missed the third. Terrible last set from Loyola, and they are going to OT!
We get 6th place and play Missouri State.
Not sure if I'm going this year. I'm glad if I don't go that I won't be supporting a state that has Josh Hawley as a Senator.
Although I could have stayed in Illinois at the least.
May have to drive over on Friday if I can't resist the urge.
Quote from: bbtds on February 27, 2021, 07:14:03 PM
We get 6th place and play Missouri State.
Not sure if I'm going this year. I'm glad if I don't go that I won't be supporting a state that has Josh Hawley as a Senator.
Although I could have stayed in Illinois at the least.
May have to drive over on Friday if I can't resist the urge.
So you feel better about supporting a state that had Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) as Governor for 6 years? If you base your purchasing decisions on politicians, regardless of ideology, you won't be able to shop anywhere lol.
An absolutely horrible devastating night in the MVC...
Northern Iowa wins evening their record with us UNI has a higher net than us
Evansville wins evening their record with us Evansville swept us
Missouri State loses which might drop their NET below 100 and threaten their ability to give an important Q2 opportunity to Drake
And
Drake loses to Bradley probably putting the final nail into their at large hopes....
Which means
We're a Thursday team in a one bid league... again.... Sigh... Tonight could not have been worse for Valpo despite the win or for the MVC...
I don't care that we technically "tied for sixth" last year and "tied for fifth" this year. Did we play on Thursday? Yes? Then we really failed to close out the season and the questions about whether or when we'll able get our feet under us in this conference continue to persist in my mind...
I'm also upset that Drake pounded on creampuffs their entire season and gave themselves no substantive wins and therefore very little room for error which they more than used up with this loss... And Missouri State showed that they're not ready for prime time either at the absolute worst possible time... We don't need the P5\BE to conspire to keep us out of the at large conversation... We do it to ourselves...
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 27, 2021, 08:09:55 PMWe're a Thursday team in a one bid league... again.... Sigh... Tonight could not have been worse for Valpo despite the win or for the MVC...
Just like last year I'm kind of liking this position and it is a 2 bid league if anybody can top Loyola.
Not being a Thursday team (thereby showing we're legitimately competitive) and having multiple bids are really the only things I care about and we will have neither this year....
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 27, 2021, 08:09:55 PM
An absolutely horrible devastating night in the MVC...
Northern Iowa wins evening their record with us UNI has a higher net than us
Evansville wins evening their record with us Evansville swept us
Missouri State loses which might drop their NET below 100 and threaten their ability to give an important Q2 opportunity to Drake
And
Drake loses to Bradley probably putting the final nail into their at large hopes....
Which means
We're a Thursday team in a one bid league... again.... Sigh... Tonight could not have been worse for Valpo despite the win or for the MVC...
I don't care that we technically "tied for sixth" last year and "tied for fifth" this year. Did we play on Thursday? Yes? Then we really failed to close out the season and the questions about whether or when we'll able get our feet under us in this conference continue to persist in my mind...
I'm also upset that Drake pounded on creampuffs their entire season and gave themselves no substantive wins and therefore very little room for error which they more than used up with this loss... And Missouri State showed that they're not ready for prime time either at the absolute worst possible time... We don't need the P5\BE to conspire to keep us out of the at large conversation... We do it to ourselves...
The way I read it, Valpo is the 6th seed and avoids Thursday. Instead, will play Missouri State on Friday.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 27, 2021, 08:25:56 PM
Not being a Thursday team (thereby showing we're legitimately competitive) and having multiple bids are really the only things I care about and we will have neither this year....
But we did avoid Thursday, and if someone upsets Loyola in the championship game, there likely will be two bids for the league. I hope that makes you feel better.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong but I think the tiebreaker with UNI was our win over Drake and the NET did not come into play.
We are a much better team than the one who faced MSU in our first two MVC games. They will be a giant handful but with momentum and a win I think we make the championship game again. It is all about playing well when it counts and this could be our year. :o
AND! Thank goodness we don't have to play ISUb 3 games in a row! :thumbsup:
It all depends on what Valpo team decides to show up and play....
We are the 6 seed, and tied for 5th this season. I would have taken that if you told me the end result at the beginning of the season, with a young roster and a team needing to find itself. The tiebreaker is head-to-head (Evansville swept both us and UNI), then it goes to how you performed against the top teams, not NET. We hold the tie-breaker with UNI, so we are playing Missouri State on Friday night, while UNI gets Illinois State. Also, Drake was playing without 2 key players in Roman Penn & ShanQuan Hemphill. It wasn't the same Drake team that got them to this point.
VUGrad1314, I told you that you need to step away from the keyboard when worked up. You weren't thinking clearly this time ;).
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 27, 2021, 08:09:55 PMAn absolutely horrible devastating night in the MVC... Northern Iowa wins evening their record with us UNI has a higher net than us Evansville wins evening their record with us Evansville swept us Missouri State loses which might drop their NET below 100 and threaten their ability to give an important Q2 opportunity to Drake And Drake loses to Bradley probably putting the final nail into their at large hopes.... Which means We're a Thursday team in a one bid league... again.... Sigh... Tonight could not have been worse for Valpo despite the win or for the MVC... I don't care that we technically "tied for sixth" last year and "tied for fifth" this year. Did we play on Thursday? Yes? Then we really failed to close out the season and the questions about whether or when we'll able get our feet under us in this conference continue to persist in my mind... I'm also upset that Drake pounded on creampuffs their entire season and gave themselves no substantive wins and therefore very little room for error which they more than used up with this loss... And Missouri State showed that they're not ready for prime time either at the absolute worst possible time... We don't need the P5\BE to conspire to keep us out of the at large conversation... We do it to ourselves...
Dude....
This ESPN writer seems to think that Loyola is a lock, regardless of what they do in the MVC tournament. He also feels that Drake is in the Work To Do category:
For Loyola Chicago, the season began with being picked to finish second behind Northern Iowa in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll. That same regular season has ended with the Ramblers earning a 21-4 record, a No. 21 ranking nationally and the program's first appearance in the AP poll since 1985.
As we say here at Bubble Watch, we've seen enough.
The Ramblers are hereby classified as a lock to make the NCAA tournament. That's not a customary status for a Valley program prior to the start of its conference tournament, but the Ramblers have been exceeding expectations all season long.
Not that it has been easy. Southern Illinois took Porter Moser's team to overtime in the season finale before falling 65-58. Loyola dropped road games in conference play to Drake and Indiana State. Indeed, the Ramblers opened 2020-21 at 3-2 after losing consecutive games to Wisconsin and Richmond.
Nevertheless, Loyola has found success by riding its veterans from the 2018 Final Four team, Cameron Krutwig and Lucas Williamson. The Ramblers have spent time this season ranked as No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom.com, while also showing up in the top 10 of the NET rankings.
Krutwig is an old-school scorer in the paint. At 6-foot-9, he cracked the starting lineup in November of his freshman season and has been there ever since.
Williamson is a versatile 6-foot-4 wing who harasses opponents into a high number of turnovers and contributes on the defensive glass. The senior is also narrator and co-writer of "The Loyola Project," a documentary on the trailblazing Ramblers national championship team of 1963.
Now, Loyola's 2021 postseason begins, and the team will doubtless be reminded of expectations set in 2018. Regardless of how far the Ramblers go in the 2021 bracket, however, they've already outperformed the forecasts set for them last October.
Here's our current projection of the bubble:
Bids from traditional one-bid leagues (minus the Ivy): 20 teams
Locks: 25 teams
The bubble: 30 teams for 23 available spots
Should be in: 10 teams
Work to do: 20 teams
Drake Bulldogs
Playing without both ShanQuan Hemphill and Roman Penn, the Bulldogs lost 67-61 at Bradley in the season finale. Penn is out for the year, Darian DeVries hopes Hemphill can return in time for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and Drake's NCAA tournament hopes are now a bit more tenuous. The loss to the Braves was a Quad 3 defeat, the second of the season for a Bulldogs team that nevertheless compiled a 24-3 record. Drake's NET ranking was eminently bid-worthy (in the mid-30s) prior to the loss in Peoria, but an early exit by a shorthanded team at the MVC tourney would likely send the team's projected No. 11 downward (if the loss to Bradley hasn't already). The best news for the Bulldogs would be Hemphill returning soon and at full speed.
FWIW-Lunardi has both Drake and Loyola in at this point.
Quote from: valpotx on February 27, 2021, 07:22:05 PM
Quote from: bbtds on February 27, 2021, 07:14:03 PM
We get 6th place and play Missouri State.
Not sure if I'm going this year. I'm glad if I don't go that I won't be supporting a state that has Josh Hawley as a Senator.
Although I could have stayed in Illinois at the least.
May have to drive over on Friday if I can't resist the urge.
So you feel better about supporting a state that had Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) as Governor for 6 years? If you base your purchasing decisions on politicians, regardless of ideology, you won't be able to shop anywhere lol.
My choice! You make your choices based much on your political thinking also.
Quote from: bbtds on February 28, 2021, 09:51:20 AMMy choice! You make your choices based much on your political thinking also.
I would much rather sit packed in amongst loyal MVC basketball morons than political fans who are equally stupid. :)
Quote from: bbtds on February 28, 2021, 09:51:20 AM
Quote from: valpotx on February 27, 2021, 07:22:05 PM
Quote from: bbtds on February 27, 2021, 07:14:03 PM
We get 6th place and play Missouri State.
Not sure if I'm going this year. I'm glad if I don't go that I won't be supporting a state that has Josh Hawley as a Senator.
Although I could have stayed in Illinois at the least.
May have to drive over on Friday if I can't resist the urge.
So you feel better about supporting a state that had Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) as Governor for 6 years? If you base your purchasing decisions on politicians, regardless of ideology, you won't be able to shop anywhere lol.
My choice! You make your choices based much on your political thinking also.
When it comes to donations, yes, I definitely do. When it comes to general purchasing decisions, I wouldn't be able to shop in any state, if I held a state accountable to any select politician. It is definitely your choice, however. I guess trying to sell a Senate seat, is much better than inciting a riot ;). Never mind that if you are a Democrat, he apparently is in the good graces of your hated Trump, as Blagojevich was pardoned.
https://twitter.com/MatthewBain_/status/1368675333151596548?s=20
I've heard that before.
Words are wind.
But am I more inclined to believe it coming from someone at Drake. They seem to have a great culture there.
Unofficial news:
Indiana State new head coach:
Josh Schertz from Lincoln Memorial University
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2021/03/15/indiana-state-basketball-picks-division-iis-josh-schertz-new-coach-greg-lansing/4681835001/
Interesting. I hope that it works out, as I am still unsure of why they let Lansing go. He seemed to be a pretty good coach, and had a solid season.
Jeff Jackson appointed the 10th commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DGQWiGT1-dFg&ved=2ahUKEwiQk8jA1bjvAhXhEFkFHUwyD08Q28sGMCh6BAg_EBc&usg=AOvVaw3mSfkBoxT_epoSpJN8d1VF
Seems like a solid hire for the conference! Well-educated, previous coaching experience, and both mid-major & large conference administration experience. He answered the potential expansion question perfectly, and obviously seems to be well-aware of potential programs that have been considered over the last few years, and even seemed to be putting a public pitch out there, which most likely was geared towards a Belmont and/or Murray State.
This is good news. It means he's probably not going anywhere any time soon.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2021/03/17/drake-basketball-head-coach-darian-devries-signs-8-year-contract-extension-bulldogs/4740530001/
Quote from: VALPO LI on March 17, 2021, 08:23:29 PM
Jeff Jackson appointed the 10th commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DGQWiGT1-dFg&ved=2ahUKEwiQk8jA1bjvAhXhEFkFHUwyD08Q28sGMCh6BAg_EBc&usg=AOvVaw3mSfkBoxT_epoSpJN8d1VF
Seems like a good hire. He sounded good in his opening press conference and actually seemed open to expansion, maybe a Belmont/Murray state. But we didn't hear to much of a vision in his opening press conference. Harry Schrader asked good questions about scheduling as well. He said he though the coaches already schedule pretty well, which is true. We just struggle to get the larger schools to play us. Also interesting to hear that Doug Elgin wasn't involved in the selection process. It came down to search firm that came up with 10 candidates and the Presidents council voted.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 18, 2021, 08:23:20 PM
This is good news. It means he's probably not going anywhere any time soon.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2021/03/17/drake-basketball-head-coach-darian-devries-signs-8-year-contract-extension-bulldogs/4740530001/
Bryce Drew signed a 10-year extension.
Quote from: vusupporter on March 18, 2021, 10:41:07 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 18, 2021, 08:23:20 PM
This is good news. It means he's probably not going anywhere any time soon.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2021/03/17/drake-basketball-head-coach-darian-devries-signs-8-year-contract-extension-bulldogs/4740530001/
Bryce Drew signed a 10-year extension.
Those extensions mean nothing. Bryce had, what, eight years left on his Valpo contract? If IU wants the Drake coach they will buy out the contract and he's gone.
Quote from: vu72 on March 19, 2021, 08:08:41 AM
Quote from: vusupporter on March 18, 2021, 10:41:07 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 18, 2021, 08:23:20 PM
This is good news. It means he's probably not going anywhere any time soon.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2021/03/17/drake-basketball-head-coach-darian-devries-signs-8-year-contract-extension-bulldogs/4740530001/
Bryce Drew signed a 10-year extension.
Those extensions mean nothing. Bryce had, what, eight years left on his Valpo contract? If IU wants the Drake coach they will buy out the contract and he's gone.
Yes, it's all for optics and piece of mind for the Coach. If you think you have a coach that will be desirable to high majors in the next couple years, you sign him for a pay boost now and you negotiate favorable terms for the buyout for the school: example needs to pay the mid-major an exit clause fee or needs to schedule a home and home game with the depart school. That is what Valpo did. It didn't exactly work as planned with Bryce leaving after year 3 at Vandy but we did get the home and home eventually
Quote from: VU2014 on March 20, 2021, 11:56:38 AMQuote from: vu72 on March 19, 2021, 08:08:41 AMQuote from: vusupporter on March 18, 2021, 10:41:07 PMQuote from: VUGrad1314 on March 18, 2021, 08:23:20 PMThis is good news. It means he's probably not going anywhere any time soon. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/drake/drake-bulldogs/2021/03/17/drake-basketball-head-coach-darian-devries-signs-8-year-contract-extension-bulldogs/4740530001/
Bryce Drew signed a 10-year extension.
Those extensions mean nothing. Bryce had, what, eight years left on his Valpo contract? If IU wants the Drake coach they will buy out the contract and he's gone.
Yes, it's all for optics and piece of mind for the Coach. If you think you have a coach that will be desirable to high majors in the next couple years, you sign him for a pay boost now and you negotiate favorable terms for the buyout for the school: example needs to pay the mid-major an exit clause fee or needs to schedule a home and home game with the depart school. That is what Valpo did. It didn't exactly work as planned with Bryce leaving after year 3 at Vandy but we did get the home and home eventually
No we didn't. We got bought out of our home game.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 20, 2021, 03:57:11 PMIt didn't exactly work as planned with Bryce leaving after year 3 at Vandy but we did get the home and home eventually
We did get the home and home... contract. The favorable terms VUGRAD1314 mentioned led to Valpo getting the buyout money from Vandy not wanting to play at the ARC.
You have to think that Drake would be doing better today if they weren't shorthanded. Still I'd like to believe that the victory over Wichita State alone proves that Drake earned its bid. I hope they can come back but if they can't I hope they don't get blown out.
Interesting story. Worth the read.
A potential move to the A10 for Loyola? If they lose Porter that would be devastating. There is natural fit with Marquette. DePaul is in the Big 10 but great job (bad admin, nice facility way off campus, not a great culture), but they do have $, distant history of success, big east.
I really think Porter is gone after Loyola's tournament run is over.
https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1374111147016794119?s=21
Quote from: VU2014 on March 22, 2021, 05:04:24 PM
Interesting story. Worth the read.
A potential move to the A10 for Loyola? If they lose Porter that would be devastating. There is natural fit with Marquette. DePaul is in the Big 10 but great job (bad admin, nice facility way off campus, not a great culture), but they do have $, distant history of success, big east.
I really think Porter is gone after Loyola's tournament run is over.
uh.........what....?
Quote from: valpotx on March 22, 2021, 05:36:27 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on March 22, 2021, 05:04:24 PM
Interesting story. Worth the read.
A potential move to the A10 for Loyola? If they lose Porter that would be devastating. There is natural fit with Marquette. DePaul is in the Big 10 but great job (bad admin, nice facility way off campus, not a great culture), but they do have $, distant history of success, big east.
I really think Porter is gone after Loyola's tournament run is over.
uh.........what....?
Sorry link didn't attach. My bad.
https://twitter.com/happeninghoops/status/1374111147016794119?s=21
Feel like that is a doomsday scenario. Of course the MVC isn't as good as when they had witchita and Creighton, and they spent a few years reinventing themselves, but they're doing alright now. I haven't looked it up but IIRC the A-10 isn't as good as they used to be and are down NCAAT bids also.
I dont know if going to the A-10 from the MVC is worth it. They've demonstrated they can be a national power/ranked/make deep runs from the MVC and the A-10 isn't close to being the big east or the AAC as when WSU and Creighton left.
Porter Moser has been an average coach up until 3 years ago. It's not a similar situation as to say Mark Few at Gonzaga. Loyola can still be successful if/when Porter moves to a better paying job.
My vote is the MVC be proactive and add Murray State (and Belmont?). Drake got in this year, UNI would have close last year, and IL State had that great season a few years ago. Adding a quality team or two will be increasing the metrics for the entire conference. MVC isn't far from being a consistent 2 bid league with maybe an occasional 3 bid.
Quote from: elephtheria47 on March 22, 2021, 07:24:21 PM
Feel like that is a doomsday scenario. Of course the MVC isn't as good as when they had witchita and Creighton, and they spent a few years reinventing themselves, but they're doing alright now. I haven't looked it up but IIRC the A-10 isn't as good as they used to be and are down NCAAT bids also.
I dont know if going to the A-10 from the MVC is worth it. They've demonstrated they can be a national power/ranked/make deep runs from the MVC and the A-10 isn't close to being the big east or the AAC as when WSU and Creighton left.
Porter Moser has been an average coach up until 3 years ago. It's not a similar situation as to say Mark Few at Gonzaga. Loyola can still be successful if/when Porter moves to a better paying job.
My vote is the MVC be proactive and add Murray State (and Belmont?). Drake got in this year, UNI would have close last year, and IL State had that great season a few years ago. Adding a quality team or two will be increasing the metrics for the entire conference. MVC isn't far from being a consistent 2 bid league with maybe an occasional 3 bid.
And if we'd start pulling our freaking weight in this conference the MVC would probably be a 3 bid league with Murray State and Belmont... I actually kind of want to see Murray State and Belmont come in and do really well so that maybe it will FINALLY open some eyes and awaken our decisionmakers to actually commit to succeeding in our flagship sport. No more cheaping out on bad internal hires. I thought from the beginning the hiring Lottich was a dubious decision and sounded like hiring from within just for the sake of hiring from within. I'm very sad to say that it appears to be unequivocably true at this point that I was right. If they need help crafting better schedules then they need to do that too but please start being proactive to save the program because it's taking on water fast. These kids do not want to play for Matt Lottich. That is painfully obvious at this point. And if that's true he needs to go. This has nothing to do with the "transfer epidemic." How many other programs do you know are losing 5-7 transfers multiple times over like a 3 year period including multiple guys who were productive and received playing time including multiple freshman and sophomores who were getting or were about to get their shot. Something is terribly wrong here and it's an issue of leadership. It is time to end the Lottich era before the damage becomes too great for the program to recover. Remember when a bunch of schools ran away from us because we sucked so bad? We're getting back to that level of ineptitude. Fortunately, such a doomsday scenario as losing our conference\autobids is unlikely this time but we are now every bit as bad as we were then.
A few interesting thoughts in that article, but what a tough read. If someone is going to "publish" an article, mixing in some commas or periods in the appropriate spots makes comprehension much easier.
Don't even give this fool the clicks. He was a wannabe Colin Cowherd "hot take" artist while he was a student who bashed the program any chance he got.
Ha ha, someone said that was a good article and worth the read? It was word salad with hot take dressing. I like the kid's fandom but I don't know why people give his blog the time of day.