Game 12: Missouri State 12/19

[VULB#62]

Record as of 12/12/15:  3-5; Streak:  2Ws

Notable Opponents:

Butler (L), Minnesota (L), Mississippi State (L), Utah State (L)

Oklahoma State (W), IUPUI (W)

Up Next before Valpo:

Tulsa (12/12), ORU (12/16)

[covufan]

At home, after finals, before break and 8 days after previous game. 

Valpo    70
Mizz St  52

Stay healthy and keep the pressure on the whole second half.

[hailcrusaders]

Record as of 12/12/10:  3-5; Streak:  2Ws

Notable Opponents:

Butler (L), Minnesota (L), Mississippi State (L), Utah State (L)

Oklahoma State (W), IUPUI (W)

Up Next before Valpo:

Tulsa (12/12), ORU (12/16)

That's a nifty schedule they've put together there. The win over OK St. looks nice, as it will on us if we take care of business

[bbtds]

Record as of 12/12/10:  3-5; Streak:  2Ws

Notable Opponents:

Butler (L), Minnesota (L), Mississippi State (L), Utah State (L)

Oklahoma State (W), IUPUI (W)

Up Next before Valpo:

Tulsa (12/12), ORU (12/16)

That's a nifty schedule they've put together there. The win over OK St. looks nice, as it will on us if we take care of business

Yes, it is. And we beat them 5 years ago. But I'm more interested in how MO ST is doing in 2015.

[VULB#62]

Record as of 12/12/15:  3-5; Streak:  2Ws

Notable Opponents:

Butler (L), Minnesota (L), Mississippi State (L), Utah State (L)

Oklahoma State (W), IUPUI (W)

Up Next before Valpo:

Tulsa (12/12), ORU (12/16)

That's a nifty schedule they've put together there. The win over OK St. looks nice, as it will on us if we take care of business

Yes, it is. And we beat them 5 years ago. But I'm more interested in how MO ST is doing in 2015.

Fixed it   

[vu84v2]

Hard to believe that Missouri State beat a pretty good Oklahoma State team, but that should be a warning that they can beat Valpo if Valpo is off their game.

I think that this game is closer than we wish it was.

Valpo 68, Missouri State 64

[VUfan]

The team has made steady progress on improving defense and in passing  in the last three  games. If that continues VU 72- MSU 60, if they start slow look out. 

[talksalot]

the MoSt - Tulsa game was yesterday...

Here's the AP Recap,
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20151213_TULSA@MOST

Here's the BOX
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20151213_TULSA@MOST

they recorded 6 blocked shots, basically a 6-man rotation... BUT, and most important... all of their names appear PRONOUNCE-ABLE!!
they made more free throws than 2-point baskets


Here's the write-up from the Missouri State website... on that game played in Stillwater...

http://www.missouristatebears.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120515aaa.html

[bbtds]

If we play our usual tough defense then I think we pull this one out. 3 for 17 from three does not bode well for the Bears. MO ST did outrebound Tulsa 43-38 so Valpo will have to make a good effort on the boards.

[wh]

MSU vs. ORU, Wed. 7:05p CT, ESPN 3

[talksalot]

Missouri State 85 (4-6) Oral Roberts 66
Missouri State opened on an 18-2 run and led 45-22 at the half
AP Recap:  http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20151216_ORAL@MOST

Box Score:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20151216_ORAL@MOST

[vu72]

Missouri State 85 (4-6) Oral Roberts 66
Missouri State opened on an 18-2 run and led 45-22 at the half
AP Recap:  http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20151216_ORAL@MOST

Box Score:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAB_20151216_ORAL@MOST

This was a home and home that went the way our home and home with UCF did during the 13-14 season.  We beat UCF by 15 at home (ORU beat Missouri St by 15 at home) then we lost by 18 at UCF (ORU lost by 19 on the road).

This game scares me.  They obviously have talent (beat Ok St) but run hot and cold.  Perhaps it's youth or new guys learning the system.  We will need to be sharp.  Very glad Tevonn will be back and hopefully E is back to his relative normal.  All hands on deck!!

[bearsfan]

Hey guys, Missouri State Bears fan here. Just thought I would drop by and give you a little color around our team this year. The Bears struggled early on due to our inexperience and a very tough schedule. We have outstanding freshman and a JUCO guard who have been trying to find there way and figure out things at the D1 level. The light bulb finally came on against Utah State but we made a costly foul with three seconds left and lost the game by one. After that, we went to Oklahoma State and won almost wire to wire at a place that's been nearly impossible to win at for us over the years. Against Tulsa last week, our top scorer, Camyn Boon picked up two quick fouls in the first 3 minutes and sat the entire first half which dug us a big hole to climb out of. In the second half we rallied getting it down to 3 with under 4 minutes left but just ran out of gas. Against ORU last night, the Bears came out with fire and a purpose after being embarrassed by them during our first game of the year by 15.

We like to run and while we are very young we do have some outstanding athletes on this team. Probably some of the best freshman I have ever seen us have in 25 years of following the team.

We have a ton of respect for your program and most of us already chalked this one up as a loss for us but we have finally figured out how to play as a team so Im hoping we don't get embarrassed and at least make a good game of it. Looking forward to it!

[vu72]

Hey guys, Missouri State Bears fan here. Just thought I would drop by and give you a little color around our team this year. The Bears struggled early on due to our inexperience and a very tough schedule. We have outstanding freshman and a JUCO guard who have been trying to find there way and figure out things at the D1 level. The light bulb finally came on against Utah State but we made a costly foul with three seconds left and lost the game by one. After that, we went to Oklahoma State and won almost wire to wire at a place that's been nearly impossible to win at for us over the years. Against Tulsa last week, our top scorer, Camyn Boon picked up two quick fouls in the first 3 minutes and sat the entire first half which dug us a big hole to climb out of. In the second half we rallied getting it down to 3 with under 4 minutes left but just ran out of gas. Against ORU last night, the Bears came out with fire and a purpose after being embarrassed by them during our first game of the year by 15.

We like to run and while we are very young we do have some outstanding athletes on this team. Probably some of the best freshman I have ever seen us have in 25 years of following the team.

We have a ton of respect for your program and most of us already chalked this one up as a loss for us but we have finally figured out how to play as a team so Im hoping we don't get embarrassed and at least make a good game of it. Looking forward to it!

Welcome bearsfan!  Thanks for the info.  We will be at full strength (I think) other than our 7'1" freshman center who is out for the year.  We have played the last four game without Tevonn Walker who is a tremendous 2 guard.  We can run as well but our focus is defense.

It looks like you run a guard offense with not a lot of size.  We will start with 6'11, 6'9, 6'3, 6'2 and 6'1.  Our three off the bench go 6'8, 6'7 and 6'7.  Two of those guys are guards. We can play very big or fairly small.  looking forward to the game.  Anybody making the trip?

[oklahomamick]

I will be flying in from Oklahoma.  Last time I saw the Crusaders live was in Orlando against UCF.  Looking forward to it. 

[agibson]

I'm looking at a road trip, but to Nashville.

Tickets for the (Belmont) game are just $1, in advance!

[valpotx]

Valpo 71
Missouri State 63

We seem to have good luck against the Bears, and I hope that continues!

[talksalot]

Game #12 of the season... over the past 29 years, we are 20-9, 3rd best ! .... we bucked the trend with the Chicago State game, where game #11 is now tied at 15-15 over the past 30 years.

Here are the results for the previous few years in game 12...

2014-15:  HOME, Beat Ball State 65-62... moved to 10-2 on the year, our RPI was 93 after the game
2013-14:  HOME, Beat Loyola-Marymount 80-73... moved to 7-5 on the year, our RPI was 184 after the game
2012-13:  HOME, Beat IUPUI 89-69... moved to 8-4 on the year, our RPI was 108 after the game
2011-12:  AWAY, Beat Northern Illinois 59-48... moved to 8-4 on the year, our RPI was 116 after the game
2010-11:  Neutral, Beat Eastern Michigan 74-67... moved to 8-4 on the year, our RPI was 77 after the game
2009-10... Lost @ IPFW 75-52... fell to 5-7, RPI was 254

[wh]

Not much on the MSU board, but I do like this:

Other than that I hope it is a good game. They are 9-2 but we would be 9-2 with their schedule.

So, they would have 2 losses on a schedule that includes 2 PAC 12 teams on the road, 3 games against teams picked to win the A-10, OVC and MAAC, and Indiana State and Ball State on the road?  I don't think so  .

[a3uge]

Not much on the MSU board, but I do like this:

Other than that I hope it is a good game. They are 9-2 but we would be 9-2 with their schedule.

So, they would have 2 losses on a schedule that includes 2 PAC 12 teams on the road, 3 games against teams picked to win the A-10, OVC and MAAC, and Indiana State and Ball State on the road?  I don't think so  .

According to Sagarin's predictor, they're favored in 7 of their next 20 games, with their best victory over 180 RPI Illinois State. So according to both statistics and common sense, no, they would not be 9-2 with our schedule.

[wh]

The spread: Valpo -14

[sliman]

Mo. State seems to be making rapid improvement as the season progresses with a young team.  Our defense will be tested against their small, quick lineup.  Defensively, I'm not as worried about the 1 and 2 players as I am the 3 and 4 where we've not been consistent in stopping penetration from these spots.  I'm worried about this game.  Our opponents don't seem to be having the kind of seasons we'd anticipated them having (witness Belmont's loss at Middle Tennessee, Oregon's loss at Boise) so some of our success may be dimmed a little, but more importantly I worry about the layoff for finals when meals, sleep and practice times are irregular, players don't have as much down time to walk in and shoot for an hour and minds begin to wander to getting gifts for family, travel home, etc.  Mo. State has a similar challenge including travel, of course, but an impressive mid-week game over what appears to be a decent ORU team may help keep them sharper.  In addition, we won't have many students and probably not many fans period.  Another overtime game?

[a3uge]

The spread: Valpo -14

That's a big spread...

[wh]

The spread: Valpo -14

That's a big spread...

Surprising for sure. 14 points (currently 15) is calling for a blowout. I would have thought 7 or 8, but no matter. It's all just for fun anyway.

[Valpower]

The spread: Valpo -14

That's a big spread...

Surprising for sure. 14 points (currently 15) is calling for a blowout. I would have thought 7 or 8, but no matter. It's all just for fun anyway.

This is probably a strong indicator of what they think Tevonn represents to the offensive flow.