Messages

Hopefully Darius is okay. Randomly noticed it looked like his last name was missing a letter on the back of his jersey "DeVEIRO". Unless I'm seeing things

Thanks for the insight FWalum. I still remember the Drew's throwing in the occasional zone or press mid game but not something I would notice without Todd's help pointing it out on a broadcast!  I guess we must hope Palm can develop as a rim protector so the perimeter defenders can worry less about the dribble drive.

Still any defense wouldn't fix our own perimeter shooting woes.

It was interesting to follow the conversations by the announcers this evening, which unintentionally presented a contrasting narrative by stating the obvious. They complimented the Belmont team for stepping up to a tougher league but not being out-classed, instead ready to compete evenly. [Valpo has been in the MVC for six years and the same cannot be said.] They also spoke highly of the Belmont arena, which looks great even though it is 20 years old, and even praised the Belmont practice facility. [No comment needed here.] When speaking about Valpo, they had to go back 25 years to Bryce's shot and recap the legacy of conference wins or tournament appearances under the Drews. [Basically, viewers would get the idea that Valpo is a ghost program whose greatness is all in the past.]

I liked the few times they tried to get some excitement back into the broadcast. "And here come the Beacons cutting the lead down to 8" ...then Belmont probably went down and swished a three pointer.

Never played basketball but i need both hands to count how many times the opponent gets a scramble play broken into a wide open three point look. Yet VALPO only gets maybe one of those a game. Maybe.

Would teams shoot even better against us in a zone defense? I'd just change it up to change it up. I mean If everything I'm doing is wrong. Then the opposite would have to be right 

Palesse did not dress for the Western Michigan game. I saw him with a brace on his wrist during shootaround so must have gotten injured vs Toledo or in practice. One more player who could shoot it in high school we haven't really had a chance to see. Good to see Max make one tonight but hope to get a better look at the new faces in the next few games (what else is there to lose).

NBC Sports Chicago

We're always hoping Lottich will draw something creative up out of a timeout. Yet with time running down in regulation out of a timeout, I
able to call ahead of time that we hold the ball til 10 on the shot lock to run our single play to get a man open that inevitably will fail. And then we take a tough contested shot to (attempt to) bail out the failure. Low and behold that's exactly what happened at the end of regulation. Now I'm a huge basketball fan but never played a single competitive game in my life so take it with a grain of salt.

Even if we run the shot clock to zero ISUr still gets one more possession ( and likely runs the clock down to take a last second shot Anyway ). So why not run a few motion plays to try and get a decent shot opportunity instead of standing there praying that one play you drew up leads to an open look. ( spoiler alert: I bet the stats say this plays lead to an open look about 5% of the time).

Maybe Lottich needs to act like an NHL coach where you see the assistant always drawing up the plays ?

I'll always be rooting for the Beacons but each game that goes by makes it easier to do something more enjoyable and just check the box score after the fact.

Hopefully the Houston v Memphis game isn't a foul fest so we don't miss too much of the first half on CBS. Or that they at least let you watch watch the start on the CBS Sports mobile app.

Luckily Todd just said the tip-off will be slightly delayed for tv!

Hopefully the Houston v Memphis game isn't a foul fest so we don't miss too much of the first half on CBS. Or that they at least let you watch watch the start on the CBS Sports mobile app.

Haven't had any issues on tunein app on my iPad. Maybe try your cell phone on WiFi and then if still issues try on cellular data?

Credit to their 7 footer playing good defense. Driving the lane led to a block or incredibly tough shot 90% of the time. Although more aggressiveness May have reduced it slightly he was definitely protecting the rim. Robinson looks in slow motion and far too often the offense is flowing he catches the ball makes a jab step and reversed the course which I feel completely stops any ball movement that was generated.

Just want Lottich to trust his players in the first half to not pick up three fouls instead of watching the game slip away. Can't win the game in the first half but can definitely lose it. At about 12 point deficit you have to get Javon and/or Clay back in there. Even for three minutes to stem the tide hopefully then sit them back down.

I can't get excited when we close the gap because when it feels like maybe we have a chance to get back in it I know the other team will come right back down and score.

Was planning to go but roads did not allow with the time constraints to travel from Illinois. Light crowd will hopefully fill in a few minutes late. Those in the seats will have to be extra loud. Go Crusaders!

[plus]

It's on nbc sports Chicago plus

Not the main channel which has the Blackhawks game on.


Channel 109 here in south Chicago suburbs


I found it speaking into my Comcast remote

Why does Bakari take the last shot every. single. time.

Seriously what the hell.

Because Bakari waves everyone out of the way and says I got this boys. And then....

Haven't climbed out of my warm bed yet but I'm hearing the roads aren't very good this morning. Probably going to keep the community at home.

Less than three inches at my house.  It would be sad if that would discourage people for venturing out.

Coming from south suburbs of Chicago to Valpo currently. Expressways and tollways have been nothing but wet. Typically ride into town down 130 but instead taking the tollway to 49 to avoid any issues and so far road conditions have been great! Hopefully most people still venture out. Looking forward to the game

That bu11$#itt 5 point play cost us this game. That ref should not be assigned another game in this conference.

+1  I try to keep a level head on bogus calls but as I have reffed sports and sometimes you miss things. But then to go watch the replay and act like it wasn't a bad call.  Lottich may not get too animated during the game but he could sure get vocal for the team in a post game presser.

Do you think that being a State school has anything to do with getting these facilities?

Um, no, since state funds can't be used for athletics or student rec facilities in most states?

I attended Grand Valley. The fieldhouse is new. Within the last ten years and was supported by Brian Kelly. I can't speak to where the funding comes from but the entire campus is beautiful. Some older buildings but a number of newer ones and overall all felt fresh and up to date. They are a much larger school than valpo but have embraced that they are division 2 and build nice facilities that fit their needs.

I attended before the fieldhouse pictured was built but back then they still had a student Rec center with gym space, workout facilities, and pool for student use and it was well used. We know valpo needs to raise funds for One but it would definitely benefit the entire student body and hopefully entice more prospective students.

Don't know if it's special for this game. I could see the logic behind it reversed (away team announcers for video assuming majority of their fans cannot attend the road games). I was wondering the same thing though. Todd mentioned being up by the track rather than courtside on the radio broadcast.

Streaming goes blank after 30 seconds.  Have to refresh constantly

I had a choppy stream the first 2 minutes of game action and it's been smooth and crystal clear for me ever since. Not sure what would be causing your issues

I have no issue in chrome or firefox. I do see what your page appears to stop on. I see what you're seeing first (for 1-2 seconds) before the rest of the site loads. You could try starting your chrome browser in incognito mode which will disable extensions and add-ons. One of them may be preventing the site to load but I'm just guessing here.

Google instructions on starting chrome incognito or visit this site:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/chrome-incognito-mode-safe

I have enjoyed watching St. Mary's over the years (of course rooting for the underdog in St. Mary's to beat almighty Gonzaga) but they are a very sound team. They are scrappy and play smart. The ESPN announcers mentioned it at half but Valpo definitely needs to look to push tempo in the 2nd half to get some quicker baskets. Once, St. Mary's D is set up they have played smart against us.

St. Mary's has been impressive with the shot clock winding down as well. Our defense will need to clamp down for those extra 4 or 5 seconds each possession.

Great to see the crowd on ESPN!

Will be getting my tickets at the door. 3 of us coming including a first timer...so hoping for an exciting game and Valpo victory!

Does anyone know if the game will be archived for later viewing on HLN?

Have purchased from Finishline before and they aren't bad. They often have deals like hoodies/sweats 2 for $40 or $35 which is a good deal for sports apparel. Of course with only one Valpo version usually available I have to come up with 2nd school to purchase one for. Can never go wrong with the bookstore though! Thanks for the football fanatics link!

Per the VU Athletics site

http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2013-14/13164/womens-basketball-signs-four-recruits/

Women's basketball head coach Tracey Dorow announced four recruits signed their National Letters of Intent to join the Crusaders as freshmen for the 2014-15 season. Georgi Donchetz, Danielle Franklin, Anne Hamilton, and Jasmyn Walker all chose Valparaiso as their collegiate destinations.

Donchetz hails from Savage, Minnesota. The 5'10'' All-South Suburban selection is a four-year letterwinner at Burnsville High School. Donchetz has been a standout on coach Larrisa Parr's squad since suiting up for the Blaze beginning in 2010-11.

Franklin is in her senior year at George Washington HS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Franklin made an immediate impact, earning First Team All-Mississippi Valley, First Team All-Metro, and Second Team All-State honors in her sophomore season. She followed up her outstanding sophomore campaign with another monster year in her junior season. Franklin was again named First Team All-Conference and All-Metro, but she also elevated her status to First Team All-State in addition to capturing Valley Player of the Year accolades. She was also nominated to the 2013-14 McDonald's All-American Team.

An exceptional all-around athlete, the 6'1'' Franklin was a four-year letterwinner on the volleyball court where she was a four-time First Team All-Conference and All-Metro selection.

Hamilton is a four-year letterwinner at Minnetonka HS in Minnesota. She was teammates with Donchetz on the Minnesota Fury. Hamilton is listed at 6'0'' and played primarily a wing with occasional stints at shooting guard and forward. Minnetonka HS has compiled a 59-26 record with Hamilton on the roster. In addition to owning two All-Lake Conference nominees, Hamilton is elite in the classroom. She possesses a 4.12 grade point average and is a member of three honor societies including the National Honor Society. She is also on track to be a National AP Scholar.

Walker plays for the Mona Shores Sailors out of Muskegon, Michigan. At 5'10'', Walker was getting looks from a number of Big Ten schools including Indiana, before electing to become a Crusader. Walker holds numerous Mona Shores' rebounding records including a single-game mark of 23 in her sophomore campaign. She was an Honorable Mention All-State member her freshman year before following it up with a Fifth Team All-State selection her sophomore season, and an AP All-State nod last year. The Sailors have accumulated a 21-9 record in the Ottawa-Kent Black Conference thanks to Walker.

Furthermore, she fits the academic profile at Valparaiso. Like Hamilton, Walker is an AP scholar in addition to being named to the Honor Roll.

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Not sure what the women's 2013-14 McDonald's All-American Team means but hopefully some of these girls can be the difference makers Valpo needs to get Women's basketball back on track.