VU 2016-17 Schedule

[FWalum]

 We are not playing IPFW this year.

[FieldGoodie05]

Any chance Nebraska transfer Bakari Evelyn scores huge points by netting us his former teammate and NE grad transfer Andrew White!?!?

6'6" Guard whose name was in the draft, but pulled out.

[atkins]

Any chance Nebraska transfer Bakari Evelyn scores huge points by netting us his former teammate and NE grad transfer Andrew White!?!?

6'6" Guard whose name was in the draft, but pulled out.

I suspect there is zero chance.  Andrew White is drawing interest from the cream of the crop in college basketball.  I don't think he'd settle for Valpo.  We will have to make it through the season with only one potential NBA first rounder. 

[FieldGoodie05]

Mans gotta dream big!

[oklahomamick]

Missouri State has Valpo coming to Springfield on Saturday Dec. 10.  Of course they have announced their schedule but not us...

Valparaiso will visit on Saturday Dec. 10 after a 30-7 campaign that included a trip to the NIT championship game. The Crusaders will celebrate their 100th season of men's basketball with one of the nation's top returning players in 6-foot-8 standout Alec Peters who logged team bests with 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in addition to converting 85 percent of his free throws.

[Pgmado]

The Oregon game is now official.

[vufan75]

Santa Clara at Valpo 12/22 per Paul Oren on twitter. Coached by Herb Sendek. Another WCC opponent after playing St Mary's and BYU in NIT.

[vu72]

This could be our strongest non-conference schedule ever--at least in terms of name recognition.   

Win a few games in the post season and amazing things happen!

[justducky]

The Oregon game is now official.

Thats great but I hadn't even heard the unofficial rumor!   

Santa Clara at Valpo 12/22 per Paul Oren

They finished with a 2016 RPI of 249. I wonder who they have recruited and what they are returning.

We are not playing IPFW this year.

Thats alright as long as they are replaced by a stronger team. I don't want to see them permanently gone from the schedule but every year might be a bit too much. Last year they actually helped our RPI. 

[wh]

Ranking the Best In-Season College Basketball Tournaments in 2016-17 Season

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2654727-ranking-the-best-inseason-college-basketball-tournaments-in-2016-17-season/page/11

10. Men Who Speak Up Main Event
10 of 19
Dates: November 21, 23

Location: Las Vegas

Semifinals: Alabama vs. Valparaiso, BYU vs. Saint Louis

Dream Championship: Valparaiso vs. BYU

Not much is expected this year from Alabama or Saint Louis. The former lost three of its top four scorers, while the latter lost three of its top five and will likely face one more rebuilding year before resurfacing as a potentially nationally relevant program in 2017-18.

But the other two participants in the Men Who Speak Up Main Event should be two of the better mid-major teams in the country this year—and would give us a rematch from the 2016 NIT semifinals.

Of its top nine scorers from last season, Valparaiso lost four to graduation and a fifth (David Skara) as a transfer. Normally, that would be grounds for significant concern, but the Crusaders still have Alec Peters, who is one of the most unstoppable forces in the nation—mid-major or otherwise. And with the addition of redshirt freshman Derrik Smits—son of the Dunkin' Dutchman, Rik Smits—they might have a starting five that dominates the Horizon League en route to a third consecutive season with at least 28 wins.

BYU also lost some crucial pieces in Kyle Collinsworth and Chase Fischer. But the additions of freshmen T.J. Haws and Payton Dastrup, graduate-transfer L.J. Rose and the return of big man Eric Mika should put the Cougars in a position to compete in what may be the best West Coast Conference season ever. Gonzaga is a legitimate title contender, and Saint Mary's should open the season ranked in the AP Top 25, so a solid year from BYU would boost the tournament resumes of all three of those teams.

This game won't hold a candle to some of the others being played on Nov. 23 (Maui Invitational championship and Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinals, in particular), but a showdown between BYU and Valparaiso could be massive for both teams come Selection Sunday.

[justducky]

The Oregon game is now official.

Nov 17- there again- and its on a Thursday. Might we include a second game on this swing?

I still have hopes for Illinois St. Last I checked their OOC schedule is also unannounced.

[oklahomamick]

You guys make any corrections need be.

Nov. 11 Coppin St. @ Valpo
Nov. 17 Valpo @ Oregon
Nov. 21 Alabama vs. Valpo @ The Men Who Speak Up Tournament in Las Vegas (Heavy Weight Semi-Final)
Nov. 23 BYU/St. Louis vs. Valpo @ The Men Who Speak Up Tournament in Las Vegas
Dec. 7  Valpo @ Kentucky
Dec. 10 Valpo @ Missouri St.
Dec. 17 Indiana St. @ Valpo
Dec. 22 Santa Clara @ Valpo

TBA Ball St. @ Valpo
TBA Chicago St. @ Valpo
TBA Rhode Island @ Valpo

[vufan75]

Indiana State announced nonconferemce schedule shows Sycamore's at Valpo December 17th.

Where did you see Rhody at Valpo that day?

[justducky]

Since Ball St is already included in the Middleweight Bracket of the Men Who Speak Up Tournament might our game with them become part of the event? They are already listed as a tournament opponent of Alabama who will host them.

[StlVUFan]

Since Ball St is already included in the Middleweight Bracket of the Men Who Speak Up Tournament might our game with them become part of the event? They are already listed as a tournament opponent of Alabama who will host them.

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2015/11/30/9810744/2016-17-college-basketball-early-season-tournaments-events-MTE-neutral-site#MGM

has Coppin State at Valpo and Ball State at Alabama, so I guess not.

[bbtds]

Coppin State is an historically black college and university (HBCU) in Baltimore.

Talk about a tough schedule.

Nov. 14 at Valpo
Nov. 16 at Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC (guess what? It's near the coast by Myrtle Beach.)
Nov. 17 at BYU in Provo, UT
Nov. 18 at Utah in Salt Lake City (not part of the Men Who Speak Up Event)
Nov. 21 vs Ball State in Las Vegas

[VU2014]

Not sure anyone mentioned this but I'm assuming this can only be good news and also probably gives the Athletic Department annual cash-flow boost with the recent success of the Men's Basketball team (our main bread-winner sport).

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/761617813635235841

"Valparaiso Athletics Signs New Five-Year Contract With Nike
Friday, August 5, 2016
The partnership between the Valparaiso University athletic department and Nike will continue through at least the 2020-21 school year, as the two entities announced today that they had reached an agreement to make Nike the official provider of Crusader uniforms and apparel for the next five years.

"We are excited to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Nike," said Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera.  "As our programs continue to improve and continue to compete for championships, the ability to provide them with top-quality gear is critical. It is a strong indication of the quality of our coaches and student-athletes that the top global creator of athletics products and services would increase their investment in our program."

Nike became the official provider for Valparaiso University athletics beginning with the 2009-10 school year, providing uniforms and apparel for all 21 Crusader programs. The new five-year contract between Valpo and Nike represents a significant increase in value to the Valpo athletic department. BSN Sports will serve as the supplier of Nike products to Valpo.

"I'm pleased that our program's association with Nike will be continuing for the next five years," said Crusader men's basketball head coach Matt Lottich. "Nike is known nationally and internationally for being the leader in basketball shoes and apparel, and our players are most comfortable and feel their performance is best in Nike shoes. In addition, our affiliation continues to pay dividends on the recruiting trail when prospects look at Valpo Basketball and see Nike.""

[oklahomamick]

Just a week ago, Nike announced it was discontinuing it's golf equipment line. 

[wh]

Not sure anyone mentioned this but I'm assuming this can only be good news and also probably gives the Athletic Department annual cash-flow boost with the recent success of the Men's Basketball team (our main bread-winner sport).

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/761617813635235841

"Valparaiso Athletics Signs New Five-Year Contract With Nike
Friday, August 5, 2016
The partnership between the Valparaiso University athletic department and Nike will continue through at least the 2020-21 school year, as the two entities announced today that they had reached an agreement to make Nike the official provider of Crusader uniforms and apparel for the next five years.

"We are excited to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Nike," said Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera.  "As our programs continue to improve and continue to compete for championships, the ability to provide them with top-quality gear is critical. It is a strong indication of the quality of our coaches and student-athletes that the top global creator of athletics products and services would increase their investment in our program."

Nike became the official provider for Valparaiso University athletics beginning with the 2009-10 school year, providing uniforms and apparel for all 21 Crusader programs. The new five-year contract between Valpo and Nike represents a significant increase in value to the Valpo athletic department. BSN Sports will serve as the supplier of Nike products to Valpo.

"I'm pleased that our program's association with Nike will be continuing for the next five years," said Crusader men's basketball head coach Matt Lottich. "Nike is known nationally and internationally for being the leader in basketball shoes and apparel, and our players are most comfortable and feel their performance is best in Nike shoes. In addition, our affiliation continues to pay dividends on the recruiting trail when prospects look at Valpo Basketball and see Nike.""

Does anyone know how partnerships like this work?  Is it simply a quid pro quo (free uniforms for free advertising), or is there more to it than that?

[valpo64]

Shouldn't our Mens  b-ball schedule be finalized by now?  Are we close to getting it done?

[RedHawk]

Not sure about Valpo's deal, but this site has details about many contracts.  Big schools get their gear free and get paid. Smaller schools have purchase requirements and get the gear at reduced rates.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2015/09/nike-adidas-under-armour-ncaa-apparel-deals-2015.html

[wh]

Not sure about Valpo's deal, but this site has details about many contracts.  Big schools get their gear free and get paid. Smaller schools have purchase requirements and get the gear at reduced rates.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2015/09/nike-adidas-under-armour-ncaa-apparel-deals-2015.html

Pretty informative. The table that breaks down agreements by school by conference are anything but one size fits all.

[talksalot]

Nov. 11 Coppin St. @ Valpo

From the Coppin State website, this game is November 14th

[vu72]

Nov. 11 Coppin St. @ Valpo

From the Coppin State website, this game is November 14th

Terrible RPI game.  They finished 334 out of 351 D1 teams in the Sagarin rankings.  Their conference was ranked 33rd out of 34.   

[vufan75]

Should not hurt too much (??) With Kentucky, Oregon and URI on schedule along with Bama and BYU/SLU...I hope.