Illinois State has notched wins over MoSt, Belmont, and Evansville, but lost to UIC.
Valpo has historically played well in Normal. Can the win streak extend to three games?
Let the Beacons shine through this blackout in Normal Illinois!!!
Is this a mirage I am seeing? Shots come and go, but the key is the defensive intensity. Bayu is a very poor man's Shawn Kemp on defense end and in the open court. Stay tuned for a second half collapse or continued execution.
Playing pretty solid defense and a few shots are dropping. 3 in a row doesn't look to be totally out of the question but it usually goes down to the wire with the redbirds.
Up 9 at the half!
Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Barrett has really improved the past few games. Nice to see him playing well.
Best all around performance so far...just enough for Lottich to keep his job lol?!??...fawwkkkkk
Words i never expected to say this season. Valpo wins by 20!
20 point blowout win on the road!!
Is this our best road win in conference play since we've been in the Valley?
Barrett needs more playing time to get in a rhythm. He's a shooter
Who are these guys and where did they hide our other team ???
I think the talent is starting to show through against the lower ranked teams in the conference despite the inferior coaching. I saw nothing in the last 3 games that says that the head coach should be retained.
Did you see anything that said this coaching staff is getting better?
But I do hope the team's talent can pull through for at least 3 more wins and a few more wins against teams that have/will beat the Beacons.
Quote from: rogerwilco on January 21, 2023, 07:06:43 PM
Up 9 at the half!
Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide of
Redbird Reality.
Open your eyes,[/size]Look up to the skies and see,I'm just a poor coach, I need no sympathy,Because I'm easy come, easy go,Little high, little low,Any way the team goes doesn't really matter toMe, to me
The preseason MVC poll had VU in 9th place, ahead of Illinois State, UIC, and Evansville. Halfway through conference play and, as predicted, Valpo leads the bottom third of the league in 9th place with wins over (10) Illinois State, (11) UIC, and (12) Evansville. To show progress in the remainder of the schedule and fulfill AD Small's minimal hope for an upper half of the conference showing, the team now needs wins over the better programs in the top two-thirds of the league.
Playing the three worst teams in the conference three games in a row results in a three game winning streak. I'm glad that they won. But, for now there needs to be wins against other teams in the conference, otherwise, Valpo is simply the best of the Thursday teams, which should not be the goal for the year, or long term.
Quote from: valpopal on January 21, 2023, 07:56:30 PM
The preseason MVC poll had VU in 9th place, ahead of Illinois State, UIC, and Evansville. Halfway through conference play and, as predicted, Valpo leads the bottom third of the league in 9th place with wins over (10) Illinois State, (11) UIC, and (12) Evansville. To show progress in the remainder of the schedule and fulfill AD Small's minimal hope for an upper half of the conference showing, the team now needs wins over the better programs in the top two-thirds of the league.
If the Beacons finish 9th get ready for a 12:00 noon start on Thursday March 2nd at Arch Madness.
Last time we had a 3 game MVC win streak......somebody ended up with a new contract extension
Playing much closer to potential tonight and it looks like the staff has found a rotation. Redbirds defense was not very good on the permitter and Valpo seemed just a step faster to all the loose balls. Defense kept them in the game early on. Quentin Green having an outer body experience!! Not much separation in the conference outside of Bradley, Belmont and Evansville. Not holding my breathe on the defensive intensity showing up on a nightly basis. We defeated three weak teams in a row, next stop Cedar Falls. Another chance to prove if last three games were a mirage.
Quote from: justducky on January 21, 2023, 07:47:10 PM
Who are these guys and where did they hide our other team ???
Was just going to say same thing!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: 4throwfan on January 21, 2023, 07:58:11 PM
Playing the three worst teams in the conference three games in a row results in a three game winning streak. I'm glad that they won. But, for now there needs to be wins against other teams in the conference, otherwise, Valpo is simply the best of the Thursday teams, which should not be the goal for the year, or long term.
This year at Arch Madness the 5th through 12th place teams play on Thursday. So Valpo would need to finish 4th or better in order not to play on Thursday. That won't happen.
The Thursday schedule at Arch Madness is 12:00 noon 8th vs 9th, 2:30 pm 5th vs 12th, 6:00 pm 7th vs 10th & 8:30 pm 6th vs 11th. Then on Friday there are 4 games 12:00 noon 1st vs 8/9 winner, 2:30 pm 4th vs 5/12 winner, 6:00 pm 2nd vs 7/10 winner & 8:30 pm 3rd vs 6/11 winner.
Thanks for correcting me Historyman. My point is still the same, but was better stated by Valpopal.
Yay, we suck less than ISUr, UIC, and Evansville, and won't go 2-18!
Is Palm on Lottich's crap list, due to being an offensive liability?
I believe Palm minutes dropped after the Indiana State game and we had absolutely no help defense. If you remember, Indiana State got open layups throughout the entire game. I believe it was also the next game when Krikke was moved to the high post on offense. That is when the defense started to improve and the offense started to look better, as well.
Quote from: tjjvalpo on January 22, 2023, 05:31:34 AM
I believe Palm minutes dropped after the Indiana State game and we had absolutely no help defense. If you remember, Indiana State got open layups throughout the entire game. I believe it was also the next game when Krikke was moved to the high post on offense. That is when the defense started to improve and the offense started to look better, as well.
OMG that sounds like coaching and Historyman hasn't seen any signs...
Watched the 2nd half after i saw we were up 10 at half. Best we've looked so far - - always looks good when the ball goes in the hoop. Win a few more games, be 500ish, and we'll get ML for another season.
47 - that is my concern that Valpo will keep their commitment to mediocrity. Not necessarily Small or Padilla in the decision, but those on the board or a level below Padilla praising the dog mascots.
Quote from: valpopal on January 21, 2023, 07:56:30 PM
The preseason MVC poll had VU in 9th place, ahead of Illinois State, UIC, and Evansville. Halfway through conference play and, as predicted, Valpo leads the bottom third of the league in 9th place with wins over (10) Illinois State, (11) UIC, and (12) Evansville. To show progress in the remainder of the schedule and fulfill AD Small's minimal hope for an upper half of the conference showing, the team now needs wins over the better programs in the top two-thirds of the league.
Wait a second Dr. Negative! Using the same logic, four of Valpo's seven conference losses were against teams picked in the top half of the conference and two of those were against the top two picks. Yes, they were playing a pretty bad Redbird team, but they ARE playing a lot better. As for coaching, much of the improvement has happened because of Ben moving from the four to the five and being used in an entirely different roll than early in the season. Think how the Drake faithful must feel. Picked as an almost unanimous team to win the conference, and loaded with really old, experienced players and the POY pick, they now sit at 6-4 in conference, the same as 8th place Missouri State and four other teams. There are now eight teams within two games of the lead. Should be a very interesting rest of the season. Still going to be a really tough time to get out of ninth place.
I have not been a strong supporter of the present coaching staff over the past several years but I must give the present staff credit for making changes. Yes it is true that the most recent victories have been over weaker teams but those teams have played some competitive basketball. Our defense has improved. Putting the ball in Edwards hand and letting him work off of Kricke has allowed the other players to move without the ball. We actually run the back cuts pretty efficiently without the logjam around the low post. This movement has also opened up our outside shooters with open balanced shots. We are also pushing the ball more. We have several plays to get Green and Kobe the ball. Although he might not be the best offensive or defensive player Bayu gives us great athleticism and will only get better. Palm is a mystery. If you watch him shoot in warm up he does have a nice shot. I felt that The substitution pattern with one guard and several players in foul trouble was well done at Evansville. Lets hope the trend continues.
Moving Krikke to the top of the Key as point forward, took two or three games too long, but the change was made and it's proving to be a good change. This makes us a much more difficult team to prepare for. Is their any other team in the conference that facilitates their offense this way? Since Valpo has countered with this on offense, and teams now have film on us, what will be the adjustments going forward by other teams to stop our offense. Also, is this Valpo team capable of winning games when Green is human and or we only make three or four three pointers. Turnovers are still a concern, Edwards had a good game but two careless/terrible turnovers last night. Good teams will capitalize on our poor shooting and turnovers. Can we win ugly 56-52 type game with our defense? Palm is the big mystery. Good rebounder, energy hustler, put backs.
Quote from: vu72 on January 22, 2023, 08:49:04 AM
Quote from: valpopal on January 21, 2023, 07:56:30 PM
The preseason MVC poll had VU in 9th place, ahead of Illinois State, UIC, and Evansville. Halfway through conference play and, as predicted, Valpo leads the bottom third of the league in 9th place with wins over (10) Illinois State, (11) UIC, and (12) Evansville. To show progress in the remainder of the schedule and fulfill AD Small's minimal hope for an upper half of the conference showing, the team now needs wins over the better programs in the top two-thirds of the league.
Wait a second Dr. Negative! Using the same logic, four of Valpo's seven conference losses were against teams picked in the top half of the conference and two of those were against the top two picks. Yes, they were playing a pretty bad Redbird team, but they ARE playing a lot better. As for coaching, much of the improvement has happened because of Ben moving from the four to the five and being used in an entirely different roll than early in the season. Think how the Drake faithful must feel. Picked as an almost unanimous team to win the conference, and loaded with really old, experienced players and the POY pick, they now sit at 6-4 in conference, the same as 8th place Missouri State and four other teams. There are now eight teams within two games of the lead. Should be a very interesting rest of the season. Still going to be a really tough time to get out of ninth place.
No negativity. To quote Joe Friday, "Just the facts."
I'm happy for this team. Even if this win streak is built on three of the league's weaker teams, I give the players and coaches alike credit for making changes and performing better. They're digging deep to make this season a respectable one.
And...how are guys like Nick Edwards passed up by D1 schools coming out of junior college? He's developing before our very eyes into the best VU point guard since Keith Carter.
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 22, 2023, 07:31:34 AM
47 - that is my concern that Valpo will keep their commitment to mediocrity. Not necessarily Small or Padilla in the decision, but those on the board or a level below Padilla praising the dog mascots.
I know what you're saying, but the "fan" in me won't allow me to root for a Valpo loss. Wins have been hard to come by, so when suddenly the guys string 3 together, I'm happy for them.
I want to see Valpo win, I also want Valpo to make decisions enabling excellence not mediocrity in athletics.
No big wins yet. But maybe going on the road and leaving behind The Mausoleum (aka the ARC) has rejuvenated them. That's a shout out to Chris Berman.
Two more road games on deck with an Evansville home game between them. These road games are well timed.
Beginning at the 3:50 mark, their coach pointed to the intentionality of Valpo's perimeter defenders "staying home," rather than helping in the low post. Interesting.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1617000903868928001
A few notable quotes from the Redbird message board......Most of the fans are in disgust of their own teams play loosing to a bad Valpo team. Not much credit given to the Brown and Gold for the win. Take these quotes as you will.
in the last three years, Valpo has beat the following teams by 20+.
Trinity Christian
Purdue Northwest
Judson
SIUE
William and Mary
This Illinois State team.
Last nights game was frustrating, most frustrated I've been this season. I love the kids the effort they put in and the buy in with the rebuild but yesterday was rough. I thought we were in trouble when we were down 9 at half with Krikke and King being so quiet. Thats not a recipe for success vs Valpo.
The last few games have started to bother me where we let a kid get hot and not realize it and not really put pressure on the kid. Green was 6/8 from 3 and as Pedon said "a lot of them were hands down man down." Can't let other guys continue to beat us.
After last night's loss Matt Lotich is now 7-5 at Redbird Arena and has won 9 of the last 11.