It looks like The Beacons will need to focus on JuCo transfer Terry Roberts who leads the team in scoring and has been named Newcomer of the Week for the last two weeks. In those two weeks, the Braves have defeated Drake (in Des Moines), Evansville, and SIU, while losing to IlSU. They have a victory over NIU and lost to Loyola in OT. This shapes up as another evenly matched contest.
It seems that Kithier and Anderson will be available but limited.
It's cold in Valpo, but I'm hoping for a hot evening in the ARC.
I think I'm going to stay home and watch, resisting the urge to go heckle Brian Wardle about watching his step when he gets on and off the bus.
Quote from: humbleopinion on January 26, 2022, 07:19:40 AM
It looks like The Beacons will need to focus on JuCo transfer Terry Roberts who leads the team in scoring and has been named Newcomer of the Week for the last two weeks. In those two weeks, the Braves have defeated Drake (in Des Moines), Evansville, and SIU, while losing to IlSU. They have a victory over NIU and lost to Loyola in OT. This shapes up as another evenly matched contest.
It seems that Kithier and Anderson will be available but limited.
It's cold in Valpo, but I'm hoping for a hot evening in the ARC.
That's good news. Where did you hear/read this?
While slight underdogs, I think Valpo wins tonight. The team seems to be coming together quite nicely after some tough close games.
If Illinois State loses to Drake and Valpo wins I believe we go to a tie for 5th.
Quote from: wh on January 26, 2022, 09:31:58 AM
That's good news. Where did you hear/read this?
I'm not sure -- I think that it's based on Luke's comments after the last game. I know for sure that I didn't read it in a game preview in a local newspaper.
Further research: it was based on this tweet from Paul Oren.
Paul Oren
@NWIOren
·
Jan 24
Matt Lottich says on
@ValleyHoops
teleconference that Thomas Kithier and Trevor Anderson are both dealing with back injuries, but both are on trajectory to play on Wednesday against Bradley. #MVCHoops
Just thought I'd point out that since joining Bradley in 2015-16, Brian Wardle has an overall record of 103-112 and is 49-67 in the MVC. For comparison purposes, Matt Lottich has an overall record of 92-88, and is 32-37 in the MVC (joining 2017-18). Wardle is getting paid $708.9K, just over twice as much as the last reported number for Lottich at $346.3K.
Bradley is slightly favored to win the game, and comes in at 4-4 in conference versus 3-5 for the Beacons.
In addition, both teams have a two-game winning streak, which is currently the longest in the MVC.
Quote from: valpo95 on January 26, 2022, 02:34:27 PM
Just thought I'd point out that since joining Bradley in 2015-16, Brian Wardle has an overall record of 103-112 and is 49-67 in the MVC. For comparison purposes, Matt Lottich has an overall record of 92-88, and is 32-37 in the MVC (joining 2017-18). Wardle is getting paid $708.9K, just over twice as much as the last reported number for Lottich at $346.3K.
Bradley is slightly favored to win the game, and comes in at 4-4 in conference versus 3-5 for the Beacons.
In addition, both teams have a two-game winning streak, which is currently the longest in the MVC.
Good research. Interesting and surprising.
Quote from: wh on January 26, 2022, 02:43:03 PM
Quote from: valpo95 on January 26, 2022, 02:34:27 PM
Just thought I'd point out that since joining Bradley in 2015-16, Brian Wardle has an overall record of 103-112 and is 49-67 in the MVC. For comparison purposes, Matt Lottich has an overall record of 92-88, and is 32-37 in the MVC (joining 2017-18). Wardle is getting paid $708.9K, just over twice as much as the last reported number for Lottich at $346.3K.
Bradley is slightly favored to win the game, and comes in at 4-4 in conference versus 3-5 for the Beacons.
In addition, both teams have a two-game winning streak, which is currently the longest in the MVC.
Good research. Interesting and surprising.
Also worth noting he has won 2 MVC Tournament championships in that same time frame.
I was just about to say that Vok, that is the big difference, they have achieved the goal of making the tourney twice in that stretch which gives Wardle the comfort of not being on a hot seat.
That said, it is true Bradley's record in that timeframe is very mediocre. However, I'm getting sick of Valpo being compared with mediocre. We joined the MVC to elevate our program further and we have squandered this opportunity. I still want that to see that program from the first half of the 2010s with a winners mentality from the program and fans. But right now it doesn't seem like that is a reality.
As for tonight, it's a must win to avoid Thursday. We played two games in a row against teams without their best player and barely squeaked by. I'm not sure what Henry's health status is for tonight, but whether he's in or out, we need to play a hell of a lot better than the last two games if we want to make noise the rest of the season.[/quote]
Quote from: IndyEIT777 on January 26, 2022, 03:03:31 PMWe played two games in a row against teams without their best player and barely squeaked by
And one of those teams, namely Indiana State, still playing without one of their best players, just knocked off Missouri State.
Quote from: vu72 on January 26, 2022, 03:08:09 PMQuote from: IndyEIT777 on January 26, 2022, 03:03:31 PMWe played two games in a row against teams without their best player and barely squeaked by
And one of those teams, namely Indiana State, still playing without one of their best players, just knocked off Missouri State.
And that Missouri State team clapped us on our home court. We are in no way, shape or form close to the level Missouri State is at right now because Indiana State beat them.
I only truly care about what we do against our competition, and to me, what we have done to this point in the season has not raised my expectations. We still have far too many flaws with this team to talk about competing for a conference title which is what we came into the Valley to do. Maybe I'm watching a different game from everyone else, but if we can't hit layups more consistently or defend the 3 better, we're not beating any of the top 4 teams in St. Louis.
Quote from: IndyEIT777 on January 26, 2022, 03:34:17 PMI only truly care about what we do against our competition, and to me, what we have done to this point in the season has not raised my expectations. We still have far too many flaws with this team to talk about competing for a conference title which is what we came into the Valley to do. Maybe I'm watching a different game from everyone else, but if we can't hit layups more consistently or defend the 3 better, we're not beating any of the top 4 teams in St. Louis.
I'm confident that our offense can improve but our best defense is still insufficient for a deep Valley tournament run. 9-9 and 1 win in St. Louis might be achievable but that seems to firmly cap my current expectations. Not what I was expecting when all these guys transferred in!
More of a challenge this evening— Kithier is out.
Is school in session? No students. No band. No cheerleaders (yet).
Random thought: I do love how the coaches across the country have just been like "f&$k it, we're wearing sweats and polos" post pandemic.
Just when I thought things were getting better...
Exactly! Back to playing street basketball-resulting too many TO. And Bradley getting wide open looks at the three!
Pass-Pass-Pass-Hero ball. That's it. That's our offense.
How long until everyone is convinced there is no offensive scheme Lottich has put together for this team? There was no sign of any kind of set plays that half. Bradley defended our offense with ease. We don't have players fast enough to beat defenders or strong enough players to post up. This is so beyond frustrating!
Looks like no Trevor in 2nd half. He still hasn't come out from the locker room. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see us coming back fro 15 down.
It's sad seeing the ARC this empty. It's a Wednesday night early on in the semester with hardly any students at the game a nearly empty upper deck. Matt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
Reminds me of a game between a team that knows how to play basketball and a bunch of guys that don't have a clue. Guess I'll continue watching just to see how long my gag reflex can take it.
So much standing around on offense. You can hear a fan in the crowd keep yelling "MOVE".
I am beginning to even turn on Krikke a bit. Very skilled down low and almost automatic from midrange. However, he isn't athletic, cant defend without fouling, and cant rebound. As good as he is, I can't help but think that having a really good rebounding and defensive center would be better for our win total. You cant have him step outside cause he can't shoot there and isn't particularly agile, but he cant bang with the bigger and stronger centers. I think what we have been missing just as much as a go to scorer, is a Vashil type player. As I am typing this, Mast has dunked on him twice.
At least we get to watch some good dunks.
There were less uncontested dunks when the Globetrotters were here last week.
I have to say, that is the first time I've seen an inbounds play in which nobody moves. At all.
Barring a late run, disappointing to see us get wiped off our own floor by a mediocre and beatable opponent. Injuries or no, I was hoping for better.
Only stuck around to see if Taylor can get a three.
At the buzzer! Yes!
One good thing tonight.
The only one.
At least tell me Wardle fell on some ice.
The bright side is we play Evansville and Indiana State next. Very winnable games and then we are only 1 game from .500.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 26, 2022, 07:45:31 PM
The bright side is we play Evansville and Indiana State next. Very winnable games and then we are only 1 game from .500.
We have to play at SIU before those two games, but if we play like this, we won't beat anybody.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on January 26, 2022, 07:04:50 PM
It's sad seeing the ARC this empty. It's a Wednesday night early on in the semester with hardly any students at the game a nearly empty upper deck. Matt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
I seem to recall a time, most likely the Smith era, where they routinely had the upper deck closed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Agree it's sad its so empty. I'm just glad I went to Valpo when we were good and the ARC was full. Wish I was on campus during the NIT run but nonetheless I was there during conference championships. My freshman year my roommate and I drove to Ft. Wayne to watch the Championship. Prior to my freshman year, I was on campus for a recruit visit during Midnight Madness. It was packed for Midnight Madness and was a great experience for me.
#LoserLottich
Quote from: covufan on January 26, 2022, 07:51:03 PM
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on January 26, 2022, 07:04:50 PM
It's sad seeing the ARC this empty. It's a Wednesday night early on in the semester with hardly any students at the game a nearly empty upper deck. Matt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
I seem to recall a time, most likely the Smith era, where they routinely had the upper deck closed.
I remember when Bryce once commented that he knew Homer had turned the program around when they were forced to open the upper deck in every game to accommodate crowds. Maybe it is time to close the curtains again.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 26, 2022, 07:45:31 PM
The bright side is we play Evansville and Indiana State next. Very winnable games and then we are only 1 game from .500.
The new rallying cry for Valpo going forward.
The Beacons. Embrace mediocrity. Not everyone can be a champion.
This team is simply not fun to watch or root for.
There are so many fantastic college basketball teams to watch play. And Valpo isn't one of them.
Back to watching the Valpo game scores a few times during the game. There are better more exciting games to watch on TV.
No more wasting my time with this pathetic team.
Enjoy.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on January 26, 2022, 07:04:50 PMMatt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
The players are looking as apathetic as the fans. To be honest I can no longer see any clear path moving forward. Will any fans or players show up for Evansville? I've already written the SIU game off.
Remember when everyone was excited to be hosting teams like Bradley and Evansville as opposed to youngstown state. Now that we have those teams coming to the ARC, we don't have a team. I don't enjoy watching the style (if you can say that) of this team. It really doesn't feel like there is any team chemistry or a common goal on offense.
The good news in this mess is that we're going to find out very quickly whether our new President is truly on board with athletics or if he's all talk like the last one. If he's serious, he'll find the money to buy out Lottich AND fund a search committee to find his replacement.
Words are wind. Action is more important.
Just watching player introductions we seemed like we were emotionally drained and attending a funeral. A positive and emotional pre game routine does not automatically translate into a competitive performance. However, we never got out of the funk and our play was obviously sub par. Something was definitely wrong.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 26, 2022, 07:55:00 PM
Agree it's sad its so empty. I'm just glad I went to Valpo when we were good and the ARC was full. Wish I was on campus during the NIT run but nonetheless I was there during conference championships. My freshman year my roommate and I drove to Ft. Wayne to watch the Championship. Prior to my freshman year, I was on campus for a recruit visit during Midnight Madness. It was packed for Midnight Madness and was a great experience for me.
It's so odd that we never ran into each other on campus, especially since my friends and I occasionally hung out with several of the same floor Men's Soccer players my FR year in Brandt (Flugstad & I forget his name, but he was around 6'3" and a bald/shaved head Defender; Billy?). Was this the Southern Utah game? There were only so many of us students that attended that game in Fort Wayne, and we were all in the same general area, unless you sat somewhere else. In my youthful exuberance, you can still probably hear me yelling, 'F**k you Jeff Monaco,' on the ESPN broadcast lol :).
I am choosing to reminisce about my time on campus, versus comment on that terrible clunker. No effort...
I'm glad I stayed home. From what I could see on TV, I wasn't the only one.
I was able to start watching an episode of Ozark earlier. Much more entertaining than Beacon basketball.
.
Quote from: Valpo89 on January 27, 2022, 06:54:26 AMI was able to start watching an episode of Ozark earlier.
You missed Kevion's last second three-pointer, which was the highlight of the game for Valpo fans
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on January 26, 2022, 07:04:50 PM
It's sad seeing the ARC this empty. It's a Wednesday night early on in the semester with hardly any students at the game a nearly empty upper deck. Matt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
No worries! We've got VOLLEYBALL! The last two volleyball games drew more than were at last nights game. Sad, to be sure.
I am presuming an MVC game drawing only 1200 fans is not acceptable to the Valpo suitors and that something has to be done. And by saying that it is more than just replacing a coach.
Valpo will lose more in the long term staying status quo than eating some salary in whatever areas and breaking a few eggs to make a better omelet.
Please Valpo, quit being so damn reactive in decision making...
Taylor 40 minutes and 1 of 9 from three point land. When was the last time we saw a 40 minute game from a ML player?
Quote from: humbleopinion on January 27, 2022, 07:26:53 AM
You missed Kevion's last second three-pointer, which was the highlight of the game for Valpo fans
Oh I saw it. I watched until the bitter end. But I was able to start Ozark with a smile on my face. ;)
It's 4 minutes of your time. Please watch.
Quote from: Old Timer on January 27, 2022, 09:13:06 AM
Taylor 40 minutes and 1 of 9 from three point land. When was the last time we saw a 40 minute game from a ML player?
The whole rotation thing is a mystery to me and probably to Matt as well. were having shooting problems so a guy like Kobe, who is shooting 43% from the 3 takes zero shots. Guys are afraid to force the action, just passing the ball around. Then there are guys like Connor, who was a pretty good shooter, who hasn't seen the floor in weeks. Why are we giving scholarships to guys who haven't played in...YEARS? (Emil) It is just a giant cluster... >:(
The insulting game article in the Journal Star depicts the current Valpo team almost as a joke ("Thanks for coming, Valpo"), like the Washington Generals playing the Globetrotters. Is this how far VU has fallen?
'Everyone was having fun': Series of dunks boosts Bradley basketball to big road win at Valpo
Winning at Valparaiso has not been automatic for Bradley and coach Brian Wardle.
But it proved to be a slam dunk Wednesday as the Braves men's basketball team pounded Valparaiso into submission with a show of force above the rim on the way to a 71-56 Missouri Valley Conference victory at the Athletics Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind.
The Braves dunked six times in a span of 4 minutes, 48 seconds at the outset of the second half to maintain a 19-point lead and give Wardle the first two-game win streak of his coaching career at Valpo.
Thanks for coming, Valpo.
"That was like a special moment," said 7-foot-1 BU center Ari Boya, who finished that dunk run with one of his own. "Everyone was having fun and the bench was alive. I wanted to get mine, I was excited to get in there and get one."
https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2022/01/26/bradley-vs-valpo-basketball-live-updates-scores-highlights/9217442002/ (https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2022/01/26/bradley-vs-valpo-basketball-live-updates-scores-highlights/9217442002/)
QuoteIt's 4 minutes of your time. Please watch.
One of the best games I've ever seen at the ARC. I was sitting in the upper deck, behind the Valpo bench, packed shoulder to shoulder. Time seemed to stand still when Howard Little shot that deep 3. Talk about the good old days...
and now we draw 1200 in a better conference. That's not progress folks.
It wasn't so much the crowd I was trying to show as much as the ball movement and open looks. Yes, I know it's a highlight video but there is a big difference in style.....
My thing is.......Lottich should have done the exact same thing Bryce did. Same offense, same plays, same practices. Did Lottich not learn anything from Bryce? How lucky is Lottich? He had an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Obviously didn't take advantage of it.
This video is more to show the difference in the crowd and crowd participation. It's 30 seconds, watch, fun times.
Quote from: vu72 on January 27, 2022, 08:26:53 AMQuote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on January 26, 2022, 07:04:50 PMIt's sad seeing the ARC this empty. It's a Wednesday night early on in the semester with hardly any students at the game a nearly empty upper deck. Matt Lottich has made it incredibly easy for fans to be apathetic.
No worries! We've got VOLLEYBALL! The last two volleyball games drew more than were at last nights game. Sad, to be sure.
But volleyball has been good lately. Basketball has not been. That's the difference. Volleyball proves that the attendance will be there when the team succeeds. If we build a strong foundation and start winning games they will come in droves but not before. I know the fanbase should support the team regardless but it's hard to keep shelling out your hard earned money on cold nights just to watch Valpo get whupped by virtually any halfway decent MVC team that comes into the ARC.
Look at our MVC Home results. We have lost two games (Missouri State and Bradley) by at least 15 points and dug our way out of a super deep hole in the SIU game (down 16 late) These teams have NETs of 65 104 and 144 respectively) Our home wins are against Illinois State (NET 187) and Northern Iowa (somehow) NET 122. Unless you're a diehard fan (and most of our fanbase isn't let's be honest) that doesn't exactly inspire you to come out and watch this team.
This for me is the low point of the Lottich era. Earlier times had worse records but more hope. Not only do I have little faith in Lottich to turn this around, but I look at the athletics brain trust that hired (and extended) Dorow, and hired both Lottich and Evans and don't see the path out. Both basketball programs were supposed to turn a corner this year. Now back to the drawing board.
The point is this (I've been holding off on posting this because I thought there was some hope for us to salvage the season but this loss has shaken that confidence) We made a 5-10 year commitment based on what was best for one season and what saved the most money and we are paying for it dearly now. I hope we can make a move to find a better coach and breathe some much needed life into this program soon. The longer we wait the harder it's going to be to turn this around.
Ok, but it's more than the coach to fix things. Is Valpo committed to winning basketball, or do they expect it based on getting a free lunch like they get in the past?
Right now overall engagement sucks.
Agree with USC4Valpo. But the easiest fix is the coach.
Valpo was a very attractive mid major coaching opportunity when Bryce left and we were still the top team in the HL. It has become painfully obvious that we don't belong in the MVC. We never did. Mark L. and the entire athletic department are in over their heads, most Valpo coaches don't run competitive programs, facilities are woefully inadequate, the university is broke and can't do anything even if it wanted to. We should never have been invited by the MVC. We are their mistake, and they're stuck with us.
The HL kings could have played in the MVC. And any team Bryce put together could compete in the MVC.
We're a competent coach away from being competitive and maybe changing the fortunes of the program for good. The question is will we (can we?) do what we need to do in order to make that happen? Do we have the commitment or the financial wherewithal to proactively turn this thing around? Matt has proven time and again that he's not the man to lead us where we need to go to become the program we can be. We bargained the future of the program in exchange for the last year of the Peters era and that run we all expected never even materialized thanks to his injury. Will we work diligently to find the person who can lead us into our next great era or is this it for us and we should settle in for a return to the pre-Homer AMCU\Mid-Con era albeit in a better more stable league? This upcoming offseason is going to tell us a lot. Part of the wound is self inflicted. We cheaped out on the coaching search when we could have had anyone among the best of the best of up and coming coaches nationally. We decided to take the cheaper "safer" (safer in the sense that it would keep Peters) option instead of looking for the best candidate possible and the rest is history. It is perhaps MLB's greatest mistake but it is correctable if he wants to correct it. We are not the MVC's greatest mistake nor was moving to the MVC a mistake unless the university and MLB collectively decide that they are okay with being mediocre\bad and sponging off the more successful teams in the conference. If they decide to make good on what they told Doug Elgin before they were invited and "laser focusing on basketball" and didn't feed him a bunch of empty words that he wanted to hear just to get the invite then this is fixable. If they are just a bunch of empty suits like Heckler was RE: Athletics then it was indeed a mistake. The ball is in Valpo and the administration's court to decide how we and the MVC should view the decision to invite Valpo. I hope they choose well.
Beating up on the coach is the easy part. Sure. We'll make one move, get the right guy in here and POOF! instance success. Same thing happens in other sports where we can't change the 25 man of 53 man rosters en masse in baseball and NFL but change the coach and things will be better....or not.
Getting beaten up or...rather...blown out but conference non powers on your court isn't merely a coaching issue. It's an issue lying with the players as well. Now....the coach has control over them as well in terms of who he brings in but is it only the coach?
It's a multi faceted problem which begins at the bottom with the players and moves all the way up to whatever board controls all of this :censored:.
You're right. The issue is everywhere. Financial general attitude toward athletics on the part of the administration and alumni the coach the players. Everyone. But we've heard (and thought we had seen) that Lottich can recruit and our teams have talent. They even show that this might be true sometimes. Either we have a great recruiter who is bad at X's and O's in game or we have a bad recruiter who is bad (or at best mediocre) at X's and O's in game. Either situation warrants a change this far into a coach's tenure. Maybe it won't be instant success with a new coach (it probably won't because it rarely is) but good coaching can cover up for a lot of these other issues because as others have stated facilities might attract recruits but they don't win basketball games. We've won in spite of our shortcomings in facilities and institutionally before albeit against less motivated and committed competition by and large and we can do so again even at this higher level. Our biggest problems (institutional commitment\attitude towards athletics and facilities\finances) are not immediately fixable but our coaching situation is. Even if we can't buy Lottich out we can move on from him when the contract is over and find a better candidate. Could a Diebler or a Tonagel (assuming either one would take the job I'm less confident about Diebler but I believe Tongel would if offered) really be any worse than this? Would they be that much more expensive than Lottich is now? We already know who Lottich is and it's at best mediocre. I believe the next coach can do better. He might not take us to the heights that Bryce took us but he can do better than this. At this point I'd settle for someone who can bring us to the top 4 consistently in the MVC and occasionally winning it rather than outright dominating like we got used to under the Drews. I believe that the top 4 in the MVC might still be good enough to get us an NIT bid even in the post Loyola world. The bottom line is that we have to control what we can control and fix what we can fix and the most immediate fix is at the head coaching position. I firmly believe he is not a great coach hamstrung by a bad situation. He is part of the problem and therefore replacing him should lead to at least a modest improvement unless MLB blows the hire again in which case despite all he has done for the university and I would say he is probably the best AD we've ever had we'd have to consider whether he is the man to lead our department going forward. Of course there's always the risk that it can get worse but you can't stay in a mediocre to bad situation that we all know isn't working under Lottich just because we fear the next guy might be worse. To get better we're going to have to either take a risk with money or with personnel. We probably can't take the risk by making a big investment given the realities we face but the risk is going to have to come from somewhere or we'll be stuck in neutral\continuing to go backwards\whatever the heck this is we are experiencing.
If our guys don't go into the next Bradley game with a chip on their shoulder, their testosterone levels need to be checked. Matt should use that article as bulletin board material, as well...
With all of these financial issues going on at Valpo and contract buy-outs for early retirement, there is no way in hell Valpo is going to pay Lottich $350,000+ for what, 2 more years if they let him go? A pipe dream.
What Valpo should do is leave Division 1 basketball and join Division 2 basketball. We can hire Tonagel and save the big bucks. The program is likely to succeed and once again fill the ARC.
Valpo has shown it is unwilling and now unable to do what is necessary to become a mid-major powerhouse. There are likely deeper financial concerns of which most of us are unaware. Who knows, Valpo could be facing existential risks if it doesn't do something radical in a hurry.
But to keep being a pretender and acting like Valpo Div1 basketball is a top priority is laughable. No one believes that. Get the surgery now so you can have a nice sustained recovery. Excise the wound, it's beginning to look and smell like gangrene.
1314 - phew! Good stuff and analysis and I wish my term paper were this thorough.
All joking aside, I generally agree with your comments. We need a change at coach and maybe a refresher in the athletics department. Padilla also needs to walk the walk on this stiuation.
Getting an NIT bid doesn't exactly fire me up. Also, we should agree to never equate success with anything associated with the CIT.
Also, if Tonagel is such a phenomenal candidate, why hasn't he been on any coaching search previously? NAIA and D1 are different environments.
Just Sayin brought up some excellent point about Valpo's necessary commitment in Div. 1. We need to do it right.
The problem I have in the discussion is that we eat cash if Lottich is fired. If $370000 for one year is a roadblock, then we are in the wrong league.
I appreciate what you're saying about DI commitment, but be careful on making that suggestion. I'm not nearly as much of an 'insider' as most of this board is, but I've stayed as close to my alma mater as life (and donations) have allowed. There is now, and has always been a small, but vocal group within university leadership that believes we belong in D3, with no athletic scholarships. I know it's popular on this board to blame the current students for the mascot change, but anyone around Vu will tell you the push for that began a long time ago, it just finally achieved the perfect combination of student leadership and presidential transition to happen. For whatever our new Pres says now or in the future, don't doubt for a second that if our flagship athletic program doesn't improve quickly, those voices will grow louder.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 28, 2022, 07:43:08 AMI appreciate what you're saying about DI commitment, but be careful on making that suggestion. I'm not nearly as much of an 'insider' as most of this board is, but I've stayed as close to my alma mater as life (and donations) have allowed. There is now, and has always been a small, but vocal group within university leadership that believes we belong in D3, with no athletic scholarships. I know it's popular on this board to blame the current students for the mascot change, but anyone around Vu will tell you the push for that began a long time ago, it just finally achieved the perfect combination of student leadership and presidential transition to happen. For whatever our new Pres says now or in the future, don't doubt for a second that if our flagship athletic program doesn't improve quickly, those voices will grow louder.
I'm done if we drop out of D1 unless that move is a result of a shift in power dynamics in the NCAA beyond Valpo's control and Valpo's new division still contains recognizable names from the current D1 era. That cant' be helped but if it's a willful decision ala Hartford leaving the America East I'll never go to an event or even consider donating ever again.
QuoteThere is now, and has always been a small, but vocal group within university leadership that believes we belong in D3, with no athletic scholarships.
Who is advocating that? If there are people actively undermining the university's athletic programs then let's name names.
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 28, 2022, 06:11:22 AM
Also, if Tonagel is such a phenomenal candidate, why hasn't he been on any coaching search previously? NAIA and D1 are different environments.
Tonagel has told those close to him that the only job he would leave Indiana Wesleyan for is Valpo. He's a family man. He has a lot of kids. He doesn't want to bounce around like other coaches. VU is his alma mater, and it's close to his hometown of LaPorte. It wouldn't be as much of a shock for his family to move from Marion to Valpo.
I'll take winning NAIA national championships over Alec Peters threatening to leave if VU didn't hire his guy, a decision based on one potential good year that didn't happen that everyone is still paying for.
Was Lottich Alec's guy? That was his pick?
If Valpo moved to D-2 or D-3, it would be a death for the university. It isn't an MIT or other top tier school, that can live off academic reputation alone.
Step away and think about what you just wrote. Take two deep breaths and walk away for a minute.
No, they should not go to D2. Yes, they are a middle of the pack D1 program this year. No, it is not up to your expectations but that's ok. It's not like they have lost every game by 50 and it's also not like they are the only team on campus. Lots of places are having trouble drawing big crowds, don't forget there's still a pandemic going on. This includes Power 5 programs. It's going to take time to return fans to pre-pandemic routines.
Be disappointed, but the world is not ending.
Quote from: DuneHwx on January 28, 2022, 04:16:58 PM
Step away and think about what you just wrote. Take two deep breaths and walk away for a minute.
No, they should not go to D2. Yes, they are a middle of the pack D1 program this year. No, it is not up to your expectations but that's ok. It's not like they have lost every game by 50 and it's also not like they are the only team on campus. Lots of places are having trouble drawing big crowds, don't forget there's still a pandemic going on. This includes Power 5 programs. It's going to take time to return fans to pre-pandemic routines.
Be disappointed, but the world is not ending.
Some sanity! How refreshing.
Could be worse....we could be Purple Aces fans.
World might not be ending.........But seems like the glory days of Valpo basketball are.
It's not too much to ask to avoid the PIG game in St. Louis. Just once......
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 28, 2022, 08:30:51 PM
World might not be ending.........But seems like the glory days of Valpo basketball are.
It's not too much to ask to avoid the PIG game in St. Louis. Just once......
While I am anti Lottich...didnt we avoid it literally last season ?
My apologolies. Last year we avoided the Thursday game by beating out N. Iowa on the second tie breaker. It was the only time in Lottich's career to avoid the Thursday game so you can see how I made the mistake. To be fair in 2020 we lost the second tie breaker and would have been the 6th seed and avoided the Thursday game.
2021 - 6th seed
2020 - 7th seed Thursday
2019 - 9th seed Thursday
2018 - 10 seed Thursday
I see the progression.....This is why some of you are still holding on the Lottich kool-aid.
Success for Valpo is now avoiding Thursday. A lofty goal to be sure.