The Elon Phoenix... Winless against D-1 programs this year...
Reading the story about their last game against the Blue Hose of Presbyterian...
The Elon University men's basketball team could not overcome a late second-half rally by Presbyterian as the Phoenix suffered a 69-63 setback at the hands of the Blue Hose on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Templeton Center.
Sean Halloran had 15 points to lead the Phoenix (2-9) while Sam Sherry added 14 for the maroon and gold. Zac Ervin contributed with 11 points off the bench to conclude the double-digit scorers for Elon.
Owen McCormack had a game-high 21 points to pace Presbyterian (3-9) while also grabbing seven rebounds. Marquis Barnett added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds for the Blue Hose.
THE RUNDOWN
• The Phoenix opened the game with a 12-0 lead. Max Mackinnon and Sherry each scored baskets before Halloran knocked down a three-pointer to make it 7-0. Another bucket by Mackinnon pushed it to 9-0 before the first media timeout. Three more free throws by Sherry and Torrence Watson put Elon ahead 12-0 before Presbyterian's first basket at the 13:37 mark.
• A three-pointer by John Bowen III with 12:57 left in the first half put the Phoenix up 13, 15-2, before the Blue Hose went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to come within one. A three-pointer by McCormack made it a one-point game, 17-16, with 6:53 left in the opening period.
• The Phoenix responded with a 12-1 run to go ahead 29-17 after a Halloran three with 3:51 left in the first half. The Blue Hose answered with an 8-2 run to make it a 31-25 capped by another McCormack three-pointer. Elon however held on to the lead going into the locker room after the first-half buzzer.
• The Blue Hose brought their deficit down to five, 38-33, to start the second half, but Elon came back with a 10-1 run to move in front 48-34 at the 13:50 mark. Ervin scored eight points during that stretch including a pair of three-pointers.
• Elon held a 10-point lead, 51-41, with 11:28 left in the game, but a 12-2 run by the Blue Hose led to a tie game at 53-all on after a jumper by Terrell Ard Jr. with 5:41 left in the game. The Phoenix pulled back ahead, 56-53, on a Sherry layup and a free throw by RJ Noord Jr. before a pair of free throws by McCormack brought Presbyterian within one with 4:12 remaining.
• Presbyterian took a 58-56 lead – its first of the game – on a three from McCormack with 2:19 left. The Blue Hose then expanded their lead on a jumper and a pair of free throws to move ahead 62-56, forcing Elon into a timeout with 1:53 left in the game.
• McCormack added two more free throws to make it a nine-point game for the Blue Hose with 54 seconds left, but the Phoenix extended the game with fouls to force Presbyterian to make free throws. A three-pointer by Ervin made it a five-point game with 18 seconds left, but that would be as close as the maroon and gold would get as the contest ended with the 69-63 final.
NOTES
• Halloran matched his career-high with four steals in the contest for the Phoenix. The Orlando, Fla., native has had three games this season with four steals and six total multi-steal contests.
• Mackinnon nearly had a double-double with eight points and a season-high six assists in the contest.
• Ervin's 11 points off the pine helped the Phoenix overtake the Blue Hose in bench points, 21-19.
• Watson returned to the Phoenix after missing the previous game due to injury. The St. Louis, native had seven points and three rebounds in 14 minutes.
• In a tale of two halves, the Phoenix held the Blue Hose to only 29.6 percent shooting in the opening half – the lowest percentage for an opponent all season. Presbyterian however shot 54.5 percent in the second period while outscoring the Phoenix 41-28.
"A Team with personnel issues" would be my take on their statistics...
https://elonphoenix.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2022-23?path=mbball
They've played 11 games. ONE player has started all 11; and 9 different players have started at least one game. Those 9 players are all averaging at least 14 minutes per game.
Their NET ranking is #353. the CAA NET Ranking is #23.
OH, I should mention this is the first of a two-game Indiana road trip for them... They go to Assembly Hall in Bloomington on Tuesday. Ouch.
I don't understand why we have such a weak out of conference schedule?
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Losing either of the next two games are fireable offenses
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I agree, this schedule really sucks.
I guess if it's OK for IU to schedule them it should be OK for us.
Elon sounds like an ingredient the Stooges would include in some beverage to honor duty and humanity.
Truth219, I wish it would be a fireable offense , but it won't be. No backbone from the University, they've just thrown the season away. We'll be lucky to win 6-8 league games.
We open as 9 point favorites against Elon. I'm happy with a win...
Valpo 68
Elon 64
Valpo 74
Elon 62
I do remember the Original Valpo Joe - way back when Clean Gene Barrow coached the Crusaders. The Hill Top was rocking and the support that the MBB team was given was awesome. Tom Smith, Dick Jones etc were fun to watch. Now we wonder if we can beat Elon or Stonehill. What the hell has happened :'(
Quote from: Valpo Joe on December 17, 2022, 08:38:57 PM
I do remember the Original Valpo Joe - way back when Clean Gene Barrow coached the Crusaders. The Hill Top was rocking and the support that the MBB team was given was awesome. Tom Smith, Dick Jones etc were fun to watch. Now we wonder if we can beat Elon or Stonehill. What the hell has happened :'(
And Hilltop was packed regularly with 3,000-4,000 fans. I was there for every game for four years. Loved seeing Smitty dribble through the entire E'Ville team that included Jerry Sloan and Larry Hume to dish off for a thunder dunk by 6'1" Steve Cook (All American in the 110 hurdles as well). There were 4,000 students on campus then, and I'll bet at least 2,000 were at most games. The 11 fraternities competed over who had the biggest attendance at games. Certainly, a different era.
Yeah, I'm living in the past. But why can't that happen now as well? Wait! It has happened. Butler games in the 90s. Rowdy's bunch v. GB for the Horizon title. The AP-led team going to the NIT.
I do believe we can get back to that. Fans just need a reason to show up. Winning, competitive basketball provides that. But it provides so much more. The campus cohesiveness, the communal spirit all elevate.
I've been reading some of the comments by recent NLI signees in a variety of sports and they cite the campus culture as one reason why they chose Valpo. Imagine that environment boosted. Classes and study are humdrum wherever you go to school. It's the extras, the surrounding environment that makes the difference. Not only athletes, but students of every pursuit would be even more attracted to the campus because it is a vibrant place in which to exist for four exciting years.
But right now, that element is missing. Few, if any students, it appears, care about the fact that there is a basketball game against a team called Alone or Elin or Elon or Ole, whatever. And few local older fans seem to care as well.
Kouts pep band is playing today. Exciting
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After going down 21-16, Valpo made an impressive 26-8 run to close the half (pending technical). Need more runs like this in MVC play
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Good thing Elon is not a good basketball team.
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Winning by 5 at home to one of the 25 worst teams in D1 is not impressive and will do nothing to generate interest (let alone excitement).
Elon shot 53% on 2-point goals and 90% from the free throw line. Why in the world did they take 27 shots from 3-point range, where they were hitting only 11%? If they stayed inside, they could have won this game. :crazy:
We do not cover...
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
Quote from: valpopal on December 18, 2022, 03:23:07 PM
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
On the positive side, there were no lines at the concession stands or the bathrooms at halftime.
There will be a different band at the ARC for the Stonehill game... Chesterton. "The Trojan Guard"...50+ members...
BTW... the OU for the Elon game was 137. That's all I'll say about that.
From the 14 minute mark to about the 4 minute mark Valpo scored 6 points. The mark of a good team, we extend the lead from 16 to 22, 24 points. We stoped playing hard on defense, allowed Elon open looks on the baseline drives to the basket. Our three point shooting was welcome but was fools gold as we stoped getting touches inside to Villeen, Palm, Krikke. They don't seem to know how to use him still. Why was Bayu not playing in the second half, develop more? Since Elon doubled Kirkke today and most teams will going forward. Why don't we let him get the ball from the top of the key and let him operate to the basket from there. It will make it harder for teams to double him at the top of the key. The last four minutes were very sloppy. Very poor execution getting the ball in and advancing. Nick played the whole game and no Preston, DeAveiro. Brights spots.....Connor Barrett is our best shooter and needs 25 minutes a game, and he's a pretty solid defender.
Two separate halves for sure.
Quote from: valpopal on December 18, 2022, 03:23:07 PM
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
From TV it looked more like 1000 eyes.
This team will be lucky to win 5 MVC games
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This is the worst Valpo team I have seen in 20-+ years
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Quote from: valpopal on December 18, 2022, 03:23:07 PM
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
Pretty sure the December graduation ceremony was at the same time, in the Chapel. Maybe the grads out drew the basketball team!
Really don't care the perception of it, Ivan vujic would have been a better hire than Matt. Guaranteed we would be competitive. He actually had coaching experience!
It's going to take much more than a coaching change to turn around this apathetic situation.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 19, 2022, 05:30:32 AM
It's going to take much more than a coaching change to turn around this apathetic situation.
Unfortunately, I fear that you are correct. A coaching change is simple. A cultural change is not.
You would be surprised how getting the right coach can improve the program. Look at Lincoln riley and usc.
Look at Bryce at valpo. It was the same culture but he still had success
USC was willing to take a risk and make a huge investment, and it is paying off handsomely. Valpo OTOH is more passive.
Quote from: truth219 on December 18, 2022, 05:08:08 PM
This is the worst Valpo team I have seen in 20-+ years
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[emoji106] Sadly have to agree.
And are we jinxed or doing something wrong in terms of why we have endless injury issues?
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Quote from: vu72 on December 18, 2022, 05:26:57 PM
Quote from: valpopal on December 18, 2022, 03:23:07 PM
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
Pretty sure the December graduation ceremony was at the same time, in the Chapel. Maybe the grads out drew the basketball team!
Yes, I know, and you have to ask why a game was scheduled during the university's graduation ceremony. Who does that? I remember Bryce's speech to fans on his senior night as a player, and how he remarked he was proud when the ARC curtains to the upper level were finally opened for all games because increased attendance required the seating. He said that was a turning point for the program. As I watch games this year, I wonder if it might be wise to close the curtains again just to be certain the eyesore of so many empty seats isn't visible to viewers.
Did not tune in for the Elon Musk-eteers. Next up....the Stoners?
I have spoke up for Matt. But I am just tuned out now until and if we win 4 MVC games in January.
There isn't a prayer Valpo will spend the kind of money to bring in an established coach such as Crean or Weber as suggested. Best hope is for an up and coming coach who I'll suggest many will not be familiar with who can get his career off to a good start.
Quote from: truth219 on December 17, 2022, 08:20:04 AM
I don't understand why we have such a weak out of conference schedule?
A result of the weak scheduling: after Sunday's
win Valpo's NET rating
worsens to #311!
Ten bucks and my left nut says that the Stoners will cancel their trip for weather. (Del Griffith)
That will disappoint the 317 people in town who had planned to brave the weather in a drive to the ARC.a
Quote from: JD24 on December 19, 2022, 11:26:29 AM
There isn't a prayer Valpo will spend the kind of money to bring in an established coach such as Crean or Weber as suggested. Best hope is for an up and coming coach who I'll suggest many will not be familiar with who can get his career off to a good start.
If there is a coaching change, three criteria will be in play. 1) Charles Small will depend on his personal connections, and those Valpo connections of the past fans remember (Tonagel, Diebler, etc.) will matter much less than links to Small's background at Iowa State (or Arkansas and Pittsburgh). 2) Even if VU wanted them, Valpo will not have the money to consider top tier former head coaches (like Crean or Weber); and if the university did pay a large sum, the faculty would revolt. 3) Small's history as a Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as Padilla's emphasis on DEI, would likely be a part of what shapes their decision.
For instance, the type of individual Valpo probably would seek would be a successful assistant coach like Iowa State's JR Blount, a former player at Loyola, a former assistant coach at Drake, and the leader for a social justice program while an assistant coach at Colorado State, where he also apparently had a good reputation as a recruiter. I'm not saying he would be hired; I am just speculating, citing him as an example of the level we might expect in a candidate.
How much cash would Valpo provide for a new coach?
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 19, 2022, 02:53:53 PM
How much cash would Valpo provide for a new coach?
Can't remember what form this is reported on, but Matt is the highest paid employee at Valpo. My recollection is he makes about $450,000
VU 72, I am sure Matt is highest paid employee at VU just like new coach will be. I believe Cal is highest paid state employee in the state of Kentucky.
With NIL and rising costs, I think a new coach will be at least $550k. Valpo needs a reality check on this.
Quote from: tiny707 on December 19, 2022, 03:46:57 PM
VU 72, I am sure Matt is highest paid employee at VU just like new coach will be. I believe Cal is highest paid state employee in the state of Kentucky.
The lastest published compensation figures shown on the IRS Form filed by the VU for the period ending June 2020:
Mark Heckler: Salary $430,315; Other compensation from the university and related organizations: $182,558. Total: $612,873.
Matt Lottich: Salary $345,373; Other compensation from the university and related organizations: $38,429. Total: $383,802
Quote from: vu72 on December 18, 2022, 05:26:57 PM
Quote from: valpopal on December 18, 2022, 03:23:07 PM
Attendance was 1057, lowest of the year. Does the crowd number dip below 1000 for the Stonehill game on Wednesday or does the Community Game promo save the day?
Pretty sure the December graduation ceremony was at the same time, in the Chapel. Maybe the grads out drew the basketball team!
I was at graduation. Cornell Boggs, the newly elected Chairman of the Thrivent Board gave the address to the graduates. He had an excellent speech along with a wonderful charge to the graduates by President Padilla.
FWAlum -" I was at graduation. Cornell Boggs, the newly elected Chairman of the Thrivent Board gave the address to the graduates. He had an excellent speech along with a wonderful charge to the graduates by President Padilla."
Sure hope Padilla and Smart double teamed Mr. Boggs at the graduation reception about how great a Thrivent Events Arena would look on campus and how much national exposure it would buy Thrivent with every televised or streamed MBB game. And what better place to make their legally-required investment of their fraternal insurance funds (of Lutherans mainly) than the premier Lutheran University in the U.S. ;D
Quote from: crusadermoe on December 19, 2022, 11:36:35 AM
Ten bucks and my left nut says that the Stoners will cancel their trip for weather. (Del Griffith)
That will disappoint the 317 people in town who had planned to brave the weather in a drive to the ARC.a
They made the trip to Bradley. Worried about your left nut at this point? ;)