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You really have to love JO's game.   Not only does he has a beautiful touch wherever he shoots but he has a nose for the basketball.  When he adds some more muscle, he will be a great offensive rebounder.  Hope he is another Alec Peters,

Agree on that.   If Valpo had lost, I would have placed the blame on this play.   What looked like a sure layup or controlled dunk turned into a missed shot because of some showboating by Edwards.  Drake promptly drove the court and made a basket, a four point swing and this could have been a momentum changer.   Fortunately Valpo was able to get some stops but more importantly they hit their free throws.   All in all a great game after letting yesterday's slip away.   I am very impressed with the efficiency of Jacob O.   He will continue to develop and improve each year.  I like that he attacked the basket this game.

I had given up when they got 18 down and we were playing so poorly.   This comeback is one for the ages.
There were a lot of heroes tonight but non bigger than Kiser.   The 3's, the defense, that block in overtime, playing through pain and exhaustion and making that perfect feed to Gordon at the end.   What a story!!!!

Having followed Valpo through thick and thin this year, I have to say that what hurt us most in this game (besides our defense) was our
offensive rebounding.  Ben Krikke has come a long way this year but he should be tougher on the boards.   JFL is probably the best
on the Valpo team in getting to loose balls. 

Offensive rebounding is hard work and takes players that really are ready to fight for each rebound and have a nose for the ball.   We cannot attribute it just to lack of height, athleticism
or muscle.   One of the best offensive rebounders in the country plays for Utah State, Justin Bean.   He has been averaging a double double this year and is only 6-7 and not super athletic.
What he does have is a motor that goes all out and he has a nose for the ball like a bear after bacon.   You can't make a come back in a game like this when you are only limited to one shot because no one is snagging an offensive rebound.

I was able to watch the entire game on ESPN.   There is absolutely no comparison between this year's team and last year's.   After following all the Canada games and watching this one, two thoughts come to mind.   Grit and hustle.   Although we have less size than last year, our offensive rebounding (though a limited sample) is superior.  Offensive rebounding is about hustle and hard work and we showed that last night.  It was the reason we won the game.

This team does not give up, whether in Canada or now as the season opens.   Kiser was outstanding.   He makes those small plays that at the end make the diff. between winning and losing a close game.   Two key put backs by our freshman tallest player were huge.   Donovan Clay will only get better.

This was a tremendous win against a very good team.  At the start it looked like we were going to get blown out.
St. Louis will be another very tough game.  Whatever happens this season, this team will be exciting to watch and I think will surprise many.   

By the way, the team picked to roll through the Valley, Missouri State, got beaten last night my Arkansas Little Rock.  No team in the Valley is unbeatable and this makes for an interesting year.

I would love for the doubters about Valpo and their coach be proven wrong.

Thanks for your research on this.  Good points made.
However, considering what I saw last year and have seen already this year, I have to like our odds.
The intensity and energy level is definitely up a notch.

I just saw on College Sports Madness top 144 Previews that U of South Florida is ranked #73
and Carleton beat them this summer.  This makes Valpo's performance all the more special.
When you consider that Fazekas was not playing and so many new faces are being integrated,
this makes their win over Carleton plus defeating all the other teams even more impressive.
If I was a sports betting man, and I am not, I would think that one could get some insane
odds this year on Valpo early on.   They are flying totally under the radar right now and they
are going to totally surprise some schools this year that take them too lightly.

Any idea what halftime score is?

[Al Eberhard Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Inductee]

I think Jacob will end up being a very stalwart, outstanding player for Valpo for
four years.    Many years ago when the Big Eight was not the Big 12, we had
a 6'-5" center in our conference that came from a similar size school to Jacob's.
He won a scholarship to Missouri  (in the days when freshman couldn't play) and
is one of only four Missouri players to average a double - double for his career.   A few
years ago he was inducted into the Missouri sports hall of fame.  By the way he
was a first round draft pick and played four years in the NBA.   The forum won't let me
post an external link so do a Google search:  Al Eberhard Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Inductee.
Jacob has a similar look, but taller, and same type of character.
Let no one despise humble beginnings.   

Both Vermont and South Florida are projected to finish in the upper half of their respective conferences and Carleton beat them both.  Considering how many newcomers are on this team and how they have demonstrated a "never say die" attitude so early in the season, one has to be encouraged.   Can't wait to see the development of this team.  Also, these games were won without Fazekas playing a minute.

Could not quite read the scoreboard for the halftime score.   Is it showing Valpo - 37 and Carleton 28?

This next game will be a challenge but I have already seen a lot to like with this team.  Their pressure
defense has really forced turnovers and going 14 - 0 to close out the last game was not bad either.
The movement on this team and getting the ball upcourt quickly surpasses last year's team.   I think the
building blocks are there so no need to panic if we hit a few bumps.  It hard to argue with Freeman's play.

Although I live in Texas, I first took an interest in Valpo when Bryce Drew made "the shot".   As a MidMajor basketball fan, I have always had Valpo on my radar.  During the
Alec Peters years I took a much greater interest.  Over the last few years I have been reading the forum but not a member.  I have been a little grieved with the ditch Matt Lottich
theme during the bumpy road of the last few seasons and especially with the defections this spring.    However, I think (and it has been reinforced with this Canada trip), all things
worked together for good.  Having watched the team the last few years, it seemed so disjointed and often like the "gang who could not shoot straight (or pass)".  Watching the
team the past two games in Canada has really been encouraging.   I know their defense and offensive rebounding needs some work, but this team has some serious talent.
Before Donovan Clay gets through with his Valpo career there will be many D1 programs wondering how they could have missed him.   Even though the team is on the short side, it looks so
much better than last year's team.   It pained me to watch the play of last year's seven footers.    I think there will be many in the Missouri Valley who will underestimate Valpo to
their own detriment.  Go Matt Lottich and the Crusaders!!!