Messages

This definitely could be another blowout, but I have a feeling this is gonna be an even uglier game to watch with UNI averaging 62.4 ppg in their last 5 games.

UNI 68
Valpo 61

Disappointing weekend to say the least. Especially considering that there had been signs of progress recently and these two winnable games just flopped. Have to rebound this week or else we'll just be limping to the conference tournament.

As for Evans, it doesn't look good, which is a real shame because she does at least seem to have built a decent culture in the team. Perhaps it's a different story if we have consistent 3 point shooting but this weekend showed we don't. The only thing I worry about if Evans is fired is if that makes Leah Earnest leave for her last year of eligibility. I'd hope Earnest stays to mentor the younger players, but I'm not sure about that.

Impressive comeback on the road to beat a 12-win UIC capped off by Leah Earnest's buzzer beater. This is a team that will live and die by the 3, and today shooting 14-29 from downtown combined with real leadership from the seniors made a huge win possible. There is a clear path now to at least the 8 seed in the MVC tournament, nothing overly impressive about that in itself but there does seem to be some improvement with Brown and Harris back, Earnest looking like one of the best players in the conference, and Nevaeh Jackson in particular getting comfortable in college basketball.

Jill Harris is finally back, so we are back at a full strength squad (except it seems like Harris and Brown may still be on limited minutes, or at least they are not starting). Time to see what this team has that they haven't been able to put on the floor much this year.

That 5 point possession could be killer. Big swing and just makes Cooper's day worse.

How many times has Valpo played ~30 good minutes just to have the other 10 ruin it? Now 1-6 in games decided by two possessions or less. Some serious progress is obvious even just the last few weeks but there's still a bit more to be done to truly be competitive in the Valley.

That being said, Schwieger is a stud. With development, experience, and a little more muscle, he could be, dare I say it, better than Krikke.

A better performance against Illinois State. In the next 7 games we play 2 games against Bradley who we have beaten 4 times in a row. 2 against Evansville who appear to be worse than us. 2 against Indiana State who aren't every good and UIC who is just average. Some wins perhaps.

The ISU game was overall a good game (especially Nevaeh Jackson who's really starting to break out) but it once again showed that we don't have enough size and experience. Experience is obvious with Harris and Brown out and three freshman starters but we were just dominated by DeAnna Wilson in the paint. Outrebounded 37-27. We have six players 6' or taller yet we still lack someone strong down low other than Earnest.

But you're right about the next month or so, the schedule is very kind to us. Bradley has a similar problem with size so this is a huge chance for a win.

Valpo 76
UIC 71

Revenge time for a team that is visibly improving.

Humrichous is a seriously good player. Without him though, I think Evansville loses this game.

Valpo 73
"The team that wore the sleeves" - George W. Bush 68

Sciarroni gets a scholarship today, pretty awesome stuff:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2LdrirLYA0/?igsh=OWoxN2Z0MDZ1cWN3

ISU is beatable by the majority of the conference, and today I say that includes us.

Valpo 75
Illinois State 71

Salukis 78
Beacons 67

Unrelated note: Two of Valpo's four wins are against teams now with 10 wins. Western Illinois 10-6, Green Bay 10-8 and looking like a potential Horizon contender. Plus Southern has won 7 of 8.

If no/limited Stafford:
Bradley 74
Valpo 62

With Stafford playing 20+ minutes:
Bradley 77
Valpo 70

I'll take 4 wins in Valley play, but I'll be so bold as to say we win in round 1 of Arch Madness. Hard to see Roger and co. not peaking around that time.

Another question for y'all:
Without a doubt, a mature Roger Powell Valpo offense will be high-speed, easily top 50 in the country in tempo. But right now that's not the case. KenPom has us 253rd in adjusted tempo, and we're averaging 65 possessions per game in the last 4 games, as opposed to 75 in the first 4. So what seems to be the reason for this? Are we just uncomfortable pushing the pace suddenly? Do we get conservative when things aren't going our way? Does Stafford's absence play a role?

Time to fix this and bring WBB back to the basketball forum? MVC play starts Saturday.

Positive note: Freshman Raeven Raye-Redmond leads the MVC in steals per game (2.8) despite playing just 16.1 minutes per game off the bench. This freshman class is talented, just needs development.

Belmont with the 23rd-fastest tempo in the country, per KenPom. Could be a high scoring game.

Belmont 86
Valpo 71

Overall I'd say as expected, just obviously disappointing being up 10 at one point.  Schweiger getting two early fouls was a big blow. 

The good - DeAveiro looked promising.  Seemed more confident than he was to start the season.  DeVries was held tight first half, just broke free the second half.

The not so good - Palm was not very convincing whatsoever.  Let Brodie slip past way too many times and was well outmatched (granted, guarding Brodie is a challenge for anyone).  Bench didn't really contribute much but hopefully that's a one day thing.

Also just one other comment - I know the crowd was pretty upset with the refs but I think it was overall a well-officiated game.  Called it tight but fair calls both ways.  (I'm a ref too - gotta give credit where it's due!)

Throughout DeVries' time at Drake, they have only 1 loss (Missouri State in OT, 1/18/23) when he and Brodie combine for 30+. Stop them and Drake is beatable. But that's much easier said than done.

Drake 78
Valpo 64

Valpo 76
Southern 72

Valpo 68
WIU 62

Illinois 86
Valpo 48

Valpo 92
IUPUI 75

Valpo 86
Trolls 68