MBB 2016-17

[a3uge]

So I was just watching a preview of the Cleveland Cavaliers upcoming season.  A point of note was that LeBron has the ability to drive into the paint and dish to  wide ope Irving for a 3.  At a much different level, Alec has the same ability to draw attention to himself and dish--but to whom?  We don't have a Max Hooper.  Who is the 3 point threat this year??  Without one, Alec will be doubled all season long.

Max Hooper was on Valpo last year?

[M]

Who was the 3pt threat that graduated?

[vu72]

Who was the 3pt threat that graduated?

In conference, Keith Carter shot 42.9% from the 3 and Darien Walker shot 42.4% from the 3. David Skara only shot 32.8% from the 3 but made 21.  That's a combined 125 3's that graduated or left the program. By contrast, Max Hooper made 117 3's last year.

[FWalum]

Who was the 3pt threat that graduated?

In conference, Keith Carter shot 42.9% from the 3 and Darien Walker shot 42.4% from the 3.  That's a combined 104 3's that graduated.

I think that Tevonn has the capability to be a very consistent 3 Pt threat. Up until mid January last year he was shooting almost 47% from 3.  After talking to Rod Moore about Tevonn's health late in the season, I don't think that he was ever really 100% after the Oregon State game last year and the injuries took their toll on his consistency of play.  I am looking for him to have the kind of year that we all know he can produce.

[VU2014]

Tevonn definitely looked a little hobbled last season. Looks like he's feeling better... 

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/782788431902416896

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/HLeagueHoops/status/786040847221436416

https://twitter.com/HLeagueHoops/status/786040480249196544

HLeague 2016-17 Preview the Season: 2. UIC; 1. Valpo

Posted on October 12, 2016

2. UIC Flames

Flames Seek Offensive Consistency with Young, yet Very Talented Team

Although they might not admit it, most college basketball teams have the goal of winning their conference.  Despite finishing dead last in the Horizon League last season, going from worst to first is not a far-fetched idea for the Flames. UIC returns Horizon League Freshman of the Year and All-League Second team selection Dikembe Dixson, along with junior defensive standout Tai Odiase, who led the nation in blocked shots last season.

Junior forward/center Tai Odiase (#21) is one of the top defensive players in college basketball.

Dixson is an explosive scorer, who carried his team offensively last season. But with more talent around him, expect Dixson's shot selection and field goal percentage to both improve.  Odiase will form a formidable frontcourt with JUCO transfer Clint Robinson, who averaged 8 rebounds per game last season.  Overall, the Flames have seven new players, and nine of their 14 man roster are either freshmen or sophomores. Expect athletic swingman K.J. Santos and guard Marcus Ottey to have the biggest impact among the newcomers.  Dominique Matthews' first collegiate season was cut short by injury last year. But expect him to be a starter and major factor in the backcourt. The Flames were one of the better teams defensively last season, leading the league in rebounding and blocked shots. But it was another story offensively, as the Flames were last in the league in field goal shooting (38.8%) and second to last in both points and assists per game. Turnovers also plagued UIC last season. Expect an uptempo style of play for a team that should have a larger rotation. UIC did not win a non-conference game versus a Division 1 opponent last season, and they were also winless on the road. But they also lost a lot of close games, losing six times by five points or less. The Flames have a manageable non-conference slate this season, with their toughest tests coming when they travel to Grand Canyon and DePaul. Expect UIC to be one of the surprise teams not only in the H-League, but in all of college basketball.

Projected H-League Record: 13-5

1. Valparaiso Crusaders

With Some Familiar Faces Gone, Valpo Looks to do What Last Year's Team Couldn't

It was a busy and uncertain offseason for the Crusaders. It will be the first season since 1987-88 that their head coach will have a surname other than Drew.  Two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Vashil Fernandez has graduated, as have Keith Carter and Darien Walker. But the best news Valpo got is that star forward Alec Peters is returning for his senior season, after testing the waters of the NBA Draft. Peters is not only the overwhelming favorite to win Horizon League Player of the Year, he will be one of Image result for valpo basketballthe ten best players in all of college basketball.  Assuming he can stay healthy, look for junior guard Tevonn Walker to have a breakout season and finish the season on an All-League team. Senior Shane Hammink will also have his role increased, especially on the offensive end. Senior Jubril Adekoya will be a main factor for the Crusaders in the low post. But look for 7'2" redshirt freshman Derrik Smits to see some quality minutes in the frontcourt, along with true freshman Jaume Sorolla (6'11"). No other Horizon League team has a two player combo that can match that kind of height.  Don't expect Lottich to change the game plan all that much, especially with such an experienced and battle-tested team. The Crusaders will continue to be deliberate and disciplined on both ends, while always taking advantage of the mistakes of opponents. Last regular season, Valpo was the clear-cut best team in the H-League. No other team was really even close. But this season, expect UIC, Oakland, Green Bay, and Detroit Mercy to bridge the gap significantly, if not one of them pass the Crusaders. But Peters is good enough to put this team on his back to keep Valpo in first place and head back to the NCAA Tourney.

Projected H-League Record: 14-4

[VULB#62]

Let's add this from Paul to Alec's comments about Shane (oh, and now add Sorolla)........

[tweet]785977050733707264[/tweet]

From Mike Osipoff regarding Alec's comments on Shane. Note the one about less ball handling   

[tweet]784147151794409473[/tweet]
[tweet]784147256840716288[/tweet]
[tweet]784147705065005056[/tweet]
[tweet]784147867841757189[/tweet]

[bbtds]

I wish Alec had said something positive about the point guard position instead of "everybody's expanded their game. ... "

Now I'd be much more excited by a quote like that.

[wh]

NCAA Championship odds: 5 mid-major longshots to watch
Here are five potential teams that could be somebody's lottery ticket in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
by Chris McKee Oct 11, 2016, 8:50am

http://www.midmajormadness.com/2016/10/11/13235728/ncaa-championship-odds-valparaiso-belmont-saint-marys-fresno-state

[Pgmado]

Who runs the point? Williams, Joseph, Bradford and Lottich give their thoughts

http://www.nwitimes.com/blogs/sports/inside-vu-sports/who-runs-the-point-for-valpo/article_8beaa6d4-9248-11e6-b203-afc4c0787a53.html

[covufan]

Uh oh!

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787037811983650816

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038032650199040

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038427204255744

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038738719313920

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/barrybradford3/status/783470563490664448

[vu72]

Uh oh!

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787037811983650816

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038032650199040

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038427204255744

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/787038738719313920

Must have been something pretty serious.  The Basketball facebook page shows a team picture and I posted, "where is John Middleton"?  No response of course.  Still, to be left out of the team picture it isn't a two game suspension ala Shane or Jubril.

[VU2014]

Shane and Jubril are going to serve a 2 game suspension also? When did this all happen?

[Kyle321n]

Shane and Jubril are going to serve a 2 game suspension also? When did this all happen?

No he's talking about the 2 gamer they served after the house party 2 years ago. Jubril served it during his Sophomore season, Shane served it last season.

[VU2014]

oh yeah. I totally forgot about that.

[vu72]

Shane and Jubril are going to serve a 2 game suspension also? When did this all happen?

No No!!!  It happened the year before last for Jabril and at the beginning of last year for Shane.  They were at a huge party which was busted and both were underage at the time.  Shane had to wait to serve his two game suspension because of the time it occurred he was redshirting.

[wh]

Just going by the team picture, it's hard to see a 3" difference between Derrik and Jaume.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/roster/

Any thoughts?

[VULB#62]

Just going by the team picture, it's hard to see a 3" difference between Derrik and Jaume.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/roster/

Any thoughts?

This one from Twitter taken at floor level might support the 3" difference a bit better.  I'm looking at the Jaume/Alec difference too.  Quite a difference between 6-9 and 6-11 IMO.  Think Alec is more like 6-8?  Or is Jaume closer to 7-0?

[tweet]786688069705629696[/tweet]

[Kyle321n]

Jubril is a true 6'7", so I'm thinking Alec is a true 6'9" and Smits might not be 7'2", I'm thinking there's an extra inch added there.

[FieldGoodie05]

Thought Coach Gore was 6'8" right?  He hadn't any reason to embellish for roster reasons.  If so, his head is level with the bottom of the bleacher behind him.  Maybe use that as a control and compare from there?

I know the angle is misleading but that shows Adekoya is shorter than Gore.  Shows Peters is taller than Adekoya noticeably.  And in turn, demonstrates Peters is a good deal shorter than Jaume.  I think it appears Smits is not 3" taller than Jaume.

[FieldGoodie05]

Alright Adekoya is probably equally as tall as Coach Gore. 

And if you look at the ears of Smits vs Jaume there could be a 3" height difference.  Kind of silly how closely we look though!  Because arm length (reach) is the real upside.  Just look at NBA Vashil the destroyer!!  6-10" with other worldly reach.

[Just Sayin]

Jaume is standing on his toes in the back row. I did that in eighth grade for a team basketball picture. Gained at least two inches.

[VULB#62]

Jaume is standing on his toes in the back row. I did that in eighth grade for a team basketball picture. Gained at least two inches.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/USATODAYsports/status/789121049002729472

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/789123076634120192

No surprise Valpo didn't make the preseason Top 25 in the coaches poll, but we did receive votes...

Others Receiving Votes

Florida State 65; Iowa State 56; California 43; Miami (Fla.) 35; Dayton 34; Oklahoma 33; Seton Hall 24; Texas A&M 22; Notre Dame 18; San Diego State 17; Virginia Tech 16; Wichita State 15; Southern California 14; Butler 14; Ohio State 12; Florida 11; Clemson 11; Colorado 11; Michigan 10; Pittsburgh 7; Georgia 6; Virginia Commonwealth 6; Yale 6; Chattanooga 5; Washington 4; Nevada 3; Kansas State 3; Arkansas 2; Davidson 2; Valparaiso 2; Southern Methodist 1; Utah 1.

CBS Sports Rank all of Division I men's college basketball teams: Valpo came in #51

https://twitter.com/MattNorlander/status/788768016058183680

50. Texas Tech

51. Valparaiso

"I think some could accuse me of pegging Valpo to high because Bryce Drew left for Vanderbilt. In reality, Matt Lottich steps in as a fine replacement. And Alec Peters is back. The Crusaders will almost definitely be the best team in the Horizon. Confident this is in the neighborhood of a top-50 team in college hoops this season."

52. Notre Dame