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This was one of the only games all season where I thought Valpo got hosed by the refs. It was a poorly officiated game with plenty of missed calls and then timely makeups for the home side to level off the foul count which was I think 7-0 in the second half at one point.

While Cooper was completely dominated by the 8th year guy, I thought Coach did cooper right by leaving him out there to guard that load. It will make cooper mentally stronger and more confident next time and throughout his career. Another sly move by the Rev

With Sepp, I think he just didn't have it mentally last night. Out of position on a couple of pick and pops, missed some box outs, fumbles a pass - all early - and once again Rev showed his game coaching skills by showing confidence in Jerome who held his own.

We need more out of Weathespoon and Edwards on the glass

We also got killed in transition but that is a really good team which didn't need the refs help.

Also notice Drake didn't go under ball screens with Darius. The rest of the league is starting to notice. Which should make him and the team stronger and better.

Darius isn't going anywhere

This was Ajiboye's first time here at Valpo getting major minutes in a key stretch of a key ball game. He did fumble a couple of post entry passes and missed some layups and he is a bit under sized but it is tough to judge right now based on an initial 8 minute stretch whether or not he's a keeper long term. Culture wise he seems to be a great fit. Edwards is athletic and as long as he guards and rebounds and establishes consistency in those two areas also should be a keeper as a role guy. Areas of recruiting focus on my view are at least two more athletic wings who can create more consistently than we are currently getting from Stafford, a knock down three point shooter off the bench who teams need to cheat to the open the paint up and a young backup PG of the future that can help drop Darius' minutes into 30 plus or minus vs 34+ he has been playing in MVC games. And one more solid 5 who is like 6'10" and protect the rim would be a nice to have

Darius could always play off and find shots for people reading the ball screen. Lottich's offense essentially had the point bring the ball up, feed the wing or post and then go stand in the corner. Lottich also never really inspired much confidence in Darius and frankly couldn't coach or motivate to the level of Rev.  completely different approach this year with the offense and instilling confidence. Rev should be able to surround Darius and probably another young pg with some perimeter shooting next season so yes expect the assist total to grow.

Wardle can coach

I agree that late recruiting helped but it is super obvious that the Rev has his players much more prepared to play - the scouts are much better and everyone gives max effort. They look like they are prepared and being coached unlike last year when with better talent it was a dogs breakfast most nights. Coach is also running more ball screen actions which play into our pgs strengths. Last season there was zero rhythm on offense as everything seemed to go through Ben.  It is obvious that this coach is much more technical and a better motivator than the previous guy.

Darius had only one turnover in the final 19 minutes of the game and for the two minutes in the first half when he sat and Jahari ran the point we turned it over three times in a row without getting a shot off. Darius helped key the rally finding good shots for others and scoring himself but it's tough for anyone to play 35-38 minutes per game, be the primary ball handler and decision maker on virtually every possession and defend the point. Unfortunately it appears Rev has no other options at the point. Darius certainly could be a better finisher but he's been more assertive calling his own number lately and the results are coming albeit maybe not as fast as we would like but coming. There are other reasons why we are not winning. On another note, I think our shot selection and sharing of the ball is improving and it may be because Stafford was out with an injury. Weatherspoon and sometimes Edwards can struggle with shot selection and time and score decisions. I have faith in Rev.

Samford full court presses the entire game and created a bunch of early turnovers vs Belmont. But Belmont figured out the press in the last 10 minutes. Also Belmont went to a zone d ti slow the game down. Darius will have his hands full and Coach will likely need to play him and Jahari together a lot. We need a big game at both ends from Cooper and our other bigs. We need to beat the press to score to win this one.

Interesting to see how Coach responds to Chicago State's five out game. They essentially play without a five man and offensively put NWs big (when the wildcats had a true 5 on the floor) in the ball screen virtually every time. Chi state also selectively dialed up some pressure that created turnovers and easy scores. As long as our wings can guard the ball - northwestern did not have an outstanding wing defender - I think Valpo has a good shot here. We shall see how much Palm and Sepp we get tomorrow. And hopefully Jahari is back because Darius needs a blow now and then.

This team's effort, organization, ball sharing (sometimes) and grit is like night and day compared to the previous "coach". Rev has got them giving maximum effort and there is structure and what appear to be strong scouts on the defensive end. And a growing ability to read the game offensively. What is missing unfortunately is talent almost across the board there are 2-3 decent pieces but this program needs a heavy influx of talent starting with some consistent perimeter shooting and bigs who can be even some threat to score and protect the rim.  He's definitely already built a significantly better culture than the last guy ever did

Fun fact:  Southern just defeated Top 25 Mississippi state on the road

Coached by long-time Coach Cal assistant at Kentucky and Memphis:  Tony Barbee.  They don't do anything special; ran mostly 5 out vs. Ohio State and showed token 1-2-2 three quarter court pressure after dead balls; they stayed with the Buckeyes until about 8 minutes remaining in the first half and then went through a long scoring and turnover drought.  #30 Tulsa transfer Anthony Pritchard is their main ball handler and scorer - at least he looked for his alot vs the Buckeyes.  6'8 Jemal Davis is their best, most athletic big.  6'6" FR Vasko Cayden is advertised as their best pure shooter.  Central has a decided Toronto, Canada slant with 4 players from GTA including 7'0 Markus Harding (injured vs Ohio State) and his younger brother 7'0" Hunter Harding who started vs Buckeyes.  6'6" Shaeden Simpson another Fr also got ample time but turned it over alot.  #13 Aiden Rubio was also hurt.  They also feature #44 Dan Majerle's kid who doesn't play much.  This is a very winnable game unless the two guys who were injured vs Ohio State come back and make a huge difference.  Plenty of offensive rebounds available.  Go Valpo !

While this group looks together offensively generally sharing the ball and getting the best shot most possessions, for Valpo to stay competitive consistency defending and rebounding is needed. Yesterday was a step backward in both those areas. Coach needs to recruit another big for sure.

Seven guys played big minutes against UNI.  Case Tyson will remind some of Tucker Devries a big wing who shoots it. They have two very good combos in 0 Gillespie and 3 Davidson both quick and athletic Darius will have his hands full. Rogers and Dia share time as the low post threat. Walker has a nice Bubbles Hawkins-esque 'fro and is their best rebounder. A very solid team that likes to play fast and who shot the lights out at UNI. A very tough test.

Agree with sanity
DeAveiro especially and others were gassed. Coach should consider managing minutes a bit more closely. He carried three timeouts into the final 5 minutes. I thought he could have used one of those during their 10-0 run that broke the game open after Darius' three gave us our final lead. Guys are also more susceptible to minor injury when playing gassed let alone the number of front rims and lack of energy defensively. Those high post sets that Drake ran there were several missed switch outs a symptom of a tired mind. But one has to be encouraged by the effort. One or two more guys who can play even 2-3 minutes per half

With all due respect Darius had limited minutes under Lottich and rarely touched the ball in the half court offense once the first pass was made under the old regime. So this is his first opportunity to play meaningful minutes especially playing off the ball screen which Lottich rarely ran. That said 1 point and 3 shots in 36 minutes is too little.

Disagree. Watch the tape especially in the first half Darius got guys at least 3-4 wide open shots that weren't made. He certainly can be more aggressive attacking the rim and trying to get his own in the midrange for sure but he's out there primarily to get other people shots which he did very well in my opinion.  Who else on this roster can find others shots like that ?

And moments ago Patrick

Really hard to argue this

The longer this goes the less likely a change will be made.

Cal just sacked their guy one day after their season ended. We are now a week in. 

Sabonis ??
Maybe if you remove rebounding, defence and rim protection from the comparison. Both can score.  Otherwise.........

84:  curious how one might describe Coach's "system"

Fellow SC Trojan... is today's CLR's vote of confidence for DC Grinch a foreshadowing of another Lottich year ?  I certainly hope not.

Not prepared in the least for Samford's pressure - do they have a press break ?  And no in game adjustments to deal with the pressure.
Highest scorer is arguably worst defender who doesn't compete on the glass. Off ball defensive principles are terrible. Few understand responsibilities as the tag defender
Is there a detailed scout ?  Do they know which guys to cheat off of and which to treat as shooters?
Little to no use of the ball screen offensively.
And dare I say it some kids getting longer leeshes than others.
Terrible defensive team with no apparent principles or accountability for those who don't defend and rebound

One thing not discussed has been the glaring lack of scoring:  if one throws out the NAIA game, Valpo has not scored more than 70 points in a single game this season (highest is 70).  Drake game the team collectively managed 4 (four) assists !  The number of easy transition scores this season can probably be counted on one hand.  Even late in the Drake game when we got a steal on the sidelines, the 2 on 1 execution was Pop Warner-esque with Trevor running in front of the ball carrier (can't remember who it was) and instead of staying wide on the left to get in position for an easy lay-up, he ran to the three point line at the other side of the floor.  Clearly Valpo has advantages in the post with Krikke and others but there is no evidence that Coach wants them to even consider easy transition and even less evidence of any mid-range (Trevor did start to look for his mid-range game in the second half).  But 4 assists   And no easy transition that I can recall ??  The numbers don't lie - we can't score consistently.