Messages

https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/team/valparaiso-crusaders/bracketology

That loss should officially knock Valpo out of any At-Large consideration. So with the HL Tourney in Oakland's back yard things will be extremely tough as it relates to getting a bid. Oregon State has a shot to finish top 4 in the Pac-12 so that will be a quality win OOC.

UConn also will be facing an uphill battle with a loss tomorrow against Texas. UConn and Valpo so far have to be considered big time under performing teams.

Is there a time table on his return or is he out for the season? I know he is 1 of your best players so was curious. Good luck the rest of the season.

I think AP is going to have to bring this 1 home in the clutch for you guys. The foul disparity is ridiculous. The All-American will have to step up with help from his brothers.

BIG TIME UCONN FAN here wishing Valpo good luck tomorrow in the Crusaders biggest game for At-Large consideration during the course of the season. I think this Valpo team has the potential to be Final4 special. Take out Oregon tomorrow and get ranked in the Top 25 to put college hoops on notice that Valparaiso is the real deal (I think they will be regardless). Do it UConn/Biggie style (see video) tomorrow! Go get'em!!!!!!!!!!! Love your team!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3hTkAT-Kfw

[OVER]

1) Alec Peters -- 18.0 ppg
OVER
2) Darien Walker -- 38.0% 3PFG%
UNDER
3) Tevonn Walker -- 1.5 steals per game
UNDER
4) Keith Carter -- 4.5 assists per game
UNDER
5) Vashil Fernandez -- 3.0 blocks per game
OVER
6) E. Victor Nickerson -- 15 minutes per game
UNDER (Injury set him back)
7) David Skara -- 80% FT%
OVER
8) Jubril Adekoya -- 60% 2PFG%
UNDER
9) Nick Davidison -- 10 3-pointers
UNDER
10) Max Joseph -- 1.5/1 assist-to-turnover ration
OVER meaning will not have 1.5/1 assist-to-turnover ratio
11) Shane Hammink -- 8 games started
UNDER
12) Derrik Smits -- 55% FG%
UNDER
13) Lexus Williams -- 10 games with 10+ minutes
OVER
14) Chandler Levingston Simon -- 9 games played
UNDER
15) Bryce Drew -- 2 technicals
UNDER
16) Valparaiso -- 24 regular season wins
OVER with a Final4 Appearance in Houston, Texas...

Making the tournament is never easy but key injuries to Oregon and Oregon State to start their season gives Valpo a legit chance to position themselves for an At-Large. I think Valpo will have more weapons then last years Northern Iowa team. JMHO

Oregon State is a GREAT team at home. I would have marked that as an L but they are banged up. Daniel Gomis the starting center will be out until the middle of December. Jarmal Reid a starting forward is recovering from a stress fracture and wont be 100% but should play. To get an At-Large coming out of this stretch 7-1 is important. Oregon State will be a tournament team when they get healthy. Beating RI is huge because it then takes some pressure off the Oregon trip which will be very very very tough.

E. Victor Nickerson undergoing wrist surgery for a torn ligament. Will be sidelined until shortly before the season starts. Per nwtimes not sure when he will be game ready.

Thoughts?

Oakland is by far the top threat to Valpo. By far.

I over looked Oakland when researching the conference. The fact that the Horizon Tournament has a new format and will be in Detroit helps Oakland. Valpo is the team to beat though. Hopefully they get a shot at some of the teams that may not want to play them in the NCAA Tournament.

You guys seriously need to look at who Oakland has coming in.  They only finished two games behind you and will be even better next year. Two eligible transfers from Iowa State and one possibly from Texas. If all of them keep their heads on straight, you will be challenged.

Wow...I agree. The 2 transfers Walker and Gibson were 2 of the best players in their class out of Michigan if not mistaken. 1 of them I think Walker teamed up with Felder in high school. Plus with the conference tourney in Detroit that gives Oakland some juice. I think this league deserves an At-Large bid but the road to achieving that means having to win 2 out of 3 against RI, Oregon and Oregon State. 3 out of 4 if you play Belmont. That will be tough to say the least especially considering how good OSU is at home. Oregon State returns pretty much everyone and beat Arizona last year at home. I think they only lost a game or 2 at home all year.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

[Oakland]

Thanks VPF for the clarification on Relevao. I appreciate the responses to my posts by all Valpo fans. Great board!!!!!!!!!!

Ok...so here is my next question. Breaking down the Horizon League for 2015-16 a little bit. Oakland lost Corey Petros (14.3 ppg) and Williams (10.0 ppg). They return one of the best players in the league Felder. Green Bay loses Sykes, Mays & McKinnie (their 2 top scorers @ around 30 ppg). GB returns Love and Fause.

Cleveland State lost their 2 best players in Lewis (Ville) and Grady (WSU). Milwaukee loses their top scorer McWharter but returns everyone else.

Detroit goes into next year without Howard and Kearneyto the tune of around 17.5 ppg.

Which team in every ones opinion poses the biggest threat to a regular season title and more importantly the conference tournament title (auto birth)?

Where is the Horizon League Tournament being held this upcoming season?

Nickerson is back also correct? Both Fernandez and Nickerson? How was the roster spot resolved? I may have missed that if posted here. Thanks.

My name is Mark and I have been a University of Connecticut men's basketball season ticket holder for 25 years. In addition to my love of UConn hoops I  follow college basketball year round and have been fortunate enough to attend several Final4's. My dad is a retired coach. I believe this Valpo team barring injury is ready to become the darlings of college basketball this year. In my opinion Valpo will makes a serious run at the Final4. The chalk this year is a bit down. This Valpo team is special and I look forward to rooting for your team this year and enjoying some of the fun with you guys.

I hope you take BCS schools to the woodshed in the tournament and make the E8.