Re: Game #27- Oakland Friday February 17 6pm ORena ESPN2

[M]

The shirts were fine and sent a message to the NCAA and their fallen teammate.

Not totally unexpected outcome. Valpo couldn't hit 3s and Oakland did. Valpo didn't value the ball in the first half and didn't get to the line somehow. Valpo's freshmen played like freshmen, Oaklands Brock played like a 23-24 year old...

I disagree that Lottich got out coached, everything was stacked against them tonight. I applaud the teams effort. I thought the Tevonn thing should've been a double technical but it didn't matter he wasn't playing well at all anyways. Just win out and get all the momentum going into the tournament.

[EddieCabot]

Some were wondering how the JA thing would affect us.  I guess we found out...negatively.

Being down two starters for 18 games because of NCAA unfairness finally caught up with us. (Yes, two starters. Keith Carter should be out there every game this year, and I'm now convinced the NCAA intentionally dragged their feet on that to make it difficult for VU to fill his spot).

I usually don't buy into this stuff, but this is just too obvious.  The NCAA is clearly targeting Valpo.   

[FieldGoodie05]

Some were wondering how the JA thing would affect us.  I guess we found out...negatively.

Being down two starters for 18 games because of NCAA unfairness finally caught up with us. (Yes, two starters. Keith Carter should be out there every game this year, and I'm now convinced the NCAA intentionally dragged their feet on that to make it difficult for VU to fill his spot).

I usually don't buy into this stuff, but this is just too obvious.  The NCAA is clearly targeting Valpo.   

Name one reason they could have to target VU.  I want to hear this.

[M]

Right...some of you guys need to get together and write a conspiracy novel. "No Compliance" - an erotic thriller on the NCAA's mission to destroy Valpo hoops...based on true events.

[VU2014]

A couple thoughts on the game:

-They flat-out out played us today. They're team is built to play against our Valpo teams. Oakland is very athletic and it counteracts Valpo's strengths.

-Smits is just an awful matchup with Oakland. He was by far the slowest big man out there and it showed. He's not experienced enough to learn to use his size on defense. He'll never quick but he has size and length and he needs to learn to defend against much quicker athletes like Brock and Hayes.

-Alec did his part but the rest of the team didn't do enough other then Sorolla who played huge minutes and was big on defense. Shane's number end up looking solid but there were some end of the game garbage minute buckets.

-We need shooters!! I can not stress this enough. We have Alec and not much else. Shane can hit 3's but thats not a pure strength. Tevonn, Maxx, Lexus are average to below average shooters. Micah is actually has a solid jump shot and 3 pt shot but he's a freshman and it doesn't show all the time. Micah has look better but there were some momentum shifting turnovers in the first half (he wasn't the only one). This is why Stefanovic was an important recruit for us.

-We are a VERY short bench! Plain and simple. We are not deep this season because of the Jubril suspension, Skara transfer, 3 redshirts, and 3 walk-ons and we are relying on 2 freshman big men who have their good moments and their bad moments. I've been very impressed with Sorolla's defense and his developing offense. Smits has good games but then he has maddening games (particular on defense). I don't want to $hit on Smits because he's a freshman and this should be expected, but his defense is tough to watch sometimes. He's 7'2" and needs to position himself better on defense.

-I'm just waiting for Grizz to compare that BS technical on Tevonn to Domestic Assault.

-Credit to Oakland. They were just better.

[VUSL98]

Oakland shot 31 free throws.   We shot 28 percent from 3 point range.  That was the game.

[vu72]

I'm guessing the Jubril decision had a negative effect on the team but the bigger negative was the officiating and our lack of fire.  The same thing happened at Green Bay.  Against Oakland they shoot 30 Free throws, we shoot 12.  They out rebound us 41-31.. At Green Bay they shoot 35 free throws and we shoot 18.  They out rebound us 53-35.

Other then our home loss to Oakland, we have been out rebounded in every other loss.

[valpo64]

Wasn't Tevonn fouled on the play  before his ejection?  He was tripped up while driving to the basket!  Oh, I forgot...that official was Ted Valentine.  What a joke!  Still can't figure why the Big 10(or whatever it is now) re-hired him after suspending him for a year or two.

[ValpoHoops]

The baseline official who made the original call was Terry Wymer. We have had him many, many, many times over the past few years.

The fact that Tevonn didn't get free throws was a missed call, no doubt. But I still have no idea what Tevonn did to get thrown out.

[a3uge]

Wasn't Tevonn fouled on the play  before his ejection?  He was tripped up while driving to the basket!  Oh, I forgot...that official was Ted Valentine.  What a joke!  Still can't figure why the Big 10(or whatever it is now) re-hired him after suspending him for a year or two.

I found it insane how the Oakland player didn't get penalized for tripping Walker, who was going full speed... That was a really dangerous play. Not to mention standing over him afterwards. Instead of two free throws, which Davidson came in to shoot, they got the ball after two free throws, and immediately shot a three over Davidson. That sequence was essentially a 7 point swing, and pretty much ended the game for Valpo.

That game was a huge gut punch, but fortunately it didn't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, unless you're a big fan of the NIT. Valpo has been pretty decent following losses, so hopefully they can rally and #runthetable.

[bbtds]

The baseline official who made the original call was Terry Wymer. We have had him many, many, many times over the past few years.

The fact that Tevonn didn't get free throws was a missed call, no doubt. But I still have no idea what Tevonn did to get thrown out.

That play was no clearer for anyone at the O'Rena. We get fouled and it ends up in an Oakland 5 point swing and our player getting thrown out of the game. How officials let that happen was beyond belief. It took over several minutes and all three refs conferring to make a bonehead decision like that. I was yelling things I would never say any time before. Unbelieveable! I still am utterly dumbfounded how that happened.

Is there anyway that a team can request that Wymer (T'd-up Bryce a few years back at Oakland) and Valentine can be assigned to other games? Those two refs are blatantly anti-Valpo (as it seems the NCAA is also) and should be officially black balled by Valpo.

[M]

I thought Tevonn could've kept his foot down, but to not give Valpo the shooting foul or give their guy a T for standing over him (taunting) was bogus. I'm really looking forward to kicking their ass in the tournament.

[valpolaw]

Still scratching my head wonder why Tevonn was ejected.  Everyone I watched the game with thought it was going to be a flagrant on the Oakland player and it should have been.  We were at a bar so we didn't have the sound to hear what was going on, just the replays.   

I also felt like that would've been a good time for Lottich to go absolutely wild, get tossed, and put a fire under the team.  It would have been somewhat refreshing to see that given the recent events.  Unfortunately, Oakland has valpo's number.  Hopefully someone will knock them out in the conference tourny so we don't have to play them again. 

[VU2014]

Was just on the Oakland boards for the Valpo vs Oakland game. Our own board here is references a few times.

Its interesting to get the other sides perspective: http://goldengrizzlyhoops.proboards.com/thread/1808/game-thread-ou-valparaiso

-they bring up the Jubril thing
-They also bring up how we are soft on Sorolla for the drinking thing and that we here lied about his blood alcohol intake #
-A quote from their board, "Tonight its statement time. We have the athletes to contain Peters. We know how to beat this team and this game lacks no motivation. There is no Fernandez down low this year. I hear rumblings of how Smits and there other Sh*tty centers have developed over the last so many games. Well, our freshman center has been the horizon league player of the week since that time and he's healthy now. I expect the Brock show to be our x factor tonight in limiting these Valpoites. OU 82 Valpo 75. Le Goo"
-A quote from their board, "The more I watch. The happier I am that Valpo has a new coach. He's not the greatest, just has a good team."
-Another quote, "I haven't watched a replay yet from my view it was obvious that tevonn walker was trying to kick martez in the peas and carrots. Looked pretty dirty to me."
-another quote, "If you're looking for the crotch shot, its a few seconds before the hour mark on the ESPN 3 replay."
-A couple people disagreed with the call on their board.

[valpolaw]

It may have been mentioned before somewhere but that Oakland court is hideous. It's by far the ugliest court I have ever seen. Made it look like the tv was in black and white.

[a3uge]

It may have been mentioned before somewhere but that Oakland court is hideous. It's by far the ugliest court I have ever seen. Made it look like the tv was in black and white.

Also, I really get tired of seeing smits committing a foul and then whining about it.

Plus, the video quality is terrible because light doesn't reflect off the floor too well. And they have those stupid LED lights that don't properly light the floor.

[vu72]

I thought Tevonn could've kept his foot down, but to not give Valpo the shooting foul or give their guy a T for standing over him (taunting) was bogus. I'm really looking forward to kicking their ass in the tournament.

Not sure if he kicked the guy or not but my guess is that the two of them had been banging pretty hard all game.  I did notice that when Tevonn got up he kind of kicked toward the guy and he clearly backed away (smart kid!)  I doubt any of their guys really want  Tevonn mad at them!

[crusadermoe]

My puzzler was why we started Smits and not Sorrola if we were going to rotate.  I think Jay is the secret weapon with that hook shot.  Even Oakland's bigs can't stop it without goaltending.  Shane and Alec will have to hit outside 3s and Sorrola will simply have be amazing inside for us to win two games on two days.     

VU2014 nailed it.  I will summarize:

Oakland is deeper (biggest problem by far)
Oakland is longer
Oakland is quicker
Jubril would have helped us a lot with #! and #2 but that is a moot point now.  Let it go!!

We will have to shoot very well early in a game at the JLA and put the pressure on them not to choke.  We  are now the underdog quite clearly.

[jsher3141]

In regards to the Tevonn call, I saw it clear as day at the game, and saw the same exact thing again when I rewatched the game when I got home. The Oakland player stood directly over Tevonn, stared down at him, and said something, not backing off (taunting, just like I was yelling at the game as soon as it happened). Tevonn tried to sit up and the other guy was still standing over him. Tevonn grabbed the Oakland player's ankles and pushed his legs back so he could get up.

The kick to the crotch was not a kick at all. As he fell, his one leg was pointed straight up. As it was coming down, it got wrapped up in the Oakland player's shorts (his crotch). Tevonn lifted his leg again to try to bring it back down to the floor. Try falling onto your back and keeping a leg pointed straight up to the ceiling. Not comfortable at all. He could have been injured. The Oakland player should have backed off.

I would have not at all argued to a double flagrant 1 technical. But to only call a flagrant 2 on Tevonn was way out of line.

And I definitely agree to wishing Coach Lottich would have finally lost it and gotten ejected as well. Time to stand up for the team and, like was said before, light a fire under them. If anything like this happens in the tournament, I really hope he goes off.

[VU2014]

And I definitely agree to wishing Coach Lottich would have finally lost it and gotten ejected as well. Time to stand up for the team and, like was said before, light a fire under them. If anything like this happens in the tournament, I really hope he goes off.

Agreed he should have got his $ worth giving Valentine an ear full and then getting thrown. Although I'm not sure about getting tossed in the conference tourney though. Maybe. Usually you want the coach there for the potential final game calling all the shots.

How is the Free Throw differential not getting talked about enough here. Oakland went to the line 31 to Valpo's 12(!!!!!). I don't want to take anything a way from Oakland because they played better yesterday, especially Martez Walker, Hayes and Nick Daniels, but that differential is telling. Martez Walker is a great player but I strongly root against that kid. Talked a ton of trash last night, chirped at the refs, and stood over Tevonn after the trip and then (supposed "kick"). When you throw in the domestic abuse history I just can't root for that kid.

Nick Daniels was hitting BIG 3s everytime it seemed we were starting a small run. And Brock was a beast. That kid is a full grown man and super athletic. He made big blocks. Brachting their young center had some big plays (particularly when Sorolla looked tired from the heavy minutes load).

Oakland is a good team and they'll probably be the favorite next year with only Sherron Dorsey-Walker graduating and replacing him with former 4 star recruit Kendrick Nunn who will have one more year of eligibility after getting kicked off the University Illinois team last spring. I've saw Kendrick play when he was in high school (played at Simeon with Jabari Parker and Darien Walker) and I watch a decent amount of Illini basketball. He's really good.

[FieldGoodie05]

I thought Tevonn could've kept his foot down, but to not give Valpo the shooting foul or give their guy a T for standing over him (taunting) was bogus. I'm really looking forward to kicking their ass in the tournament.

Not sure if he kicked the guy or not but my guess is that the two of them had been banging pretty hard all game.  I did notice that when Tevonn got up he kind of kicked toward the guy and he clearly backed away (smart kid!)  I doubt any of their guys really want  Tevonn mad at them!

Agree with M, Tevonn could have kept his foot down.  But I get really sick of this taunting I see from OUs guys...that's playground.  I might've kicked him in the jewels too.  Ref was harsh for Tech2, still think the FT disparity comes down to our guards sucked in both OU games.

[VU2014]

still think the FT disparity comes down to our guards sucked in both OU games.

Agreed. I don't want be harsh but other teams know they don't have to play close man to man defense beyond the 3pt line with our guards unless they are on some kind of hot streak from beyond the arc and feeling it.  They know they can take a step or two back prevent our guys from taking hard to the paint. Also Brock had some big time blocks in the paint which may have damaged some in game confidence of taking to the hoop.

[bbtds]

I also felt like that would've been a good time for Lottich to go absolutely wild, get tossed, and put a fire under the team.

That is exactly what I thought a few feet from the Valpo bench. I was spewing hatred towards those two blatantly anti-Valpo refs (Wymer and Valentine) and thinking we need Lottich to go ballistic on them. You just can't take it lying down. Do you think Kampe would have raised an unholy stink if the refs had made a call like that against Oakland?

[FWalum]

Do you think Kampe would have raised an unholy stink if the refs had made a call like that against Oakland?

I am sure we would have seen a more extreme version of the Kampe Meltdown.

[valpo84]

TV Teddy at it again.