Game #2 - Trinity Christian Monday November 13 at the ARC 7pm

[talksalot]

The second cupcake to absorb the Sorolla / Burton sit-em games... With a win in this game, Valpo will have a 10-game home winning streak. 
As of Thursday night, the Trolls have played three games:  Our Friday night opponent has not played yet. 

@ Silver Lake College - 98-59 Win
Calvin College 71-63 Win
Siena Heights 65-74 Loss

They are hosting the "Troll Classic" this weekend; Playing Wilberforce on Friday night and Grace Bible on Saturday night

Roster:

3   Juozas Balciunas   SR   G   6-2   Downers Grove, IL
10   Terrance Lacey   FR   G   6-1   Chicago, IL
15   Nate Hurt   FR   G   5-9   Moline, IL
21   Christian Cantu   SR   G   5-9   Corpus Christi, TX
22   Caleb Jonkman   SR   G   6-4   Gary, IN
23   Josh Olson   SO   G   5-9   Kalamazoo, MI
24   Jalyn Clark   FR   F   6-3   South Holland, IL
30   Aaron Johnson   SR   G   6-1   Holland, MI
32   Ben Brinks   SR   C   6-8   Hudsonville, MI
34   Oleksandr Dolishniy   FR   G   6-4   Willow Springs, IL
35   Zack Austell   SR   F   6-7   Manteno, IL
40   Jared Jonkman   FR   F   6-3   Gary, IN
45   Josh Decker   FR   F   6-6   Palos Heights, IL
50   Nari Garrett   SR   C   6-8   Calumet City, IL


season stats


                                       |---TOTAL---| |---3-PTS---|               |----REBOUNDS----|
## Player              GP-GS  Min--Avg  FG-FGA   Pct 3FG-FGA   Pct  FT-FTA   Pct  Off Def  Tot  Avg  PF FO   A  TO Blk Stl  Pts  Avg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03 Balciunas, Juozas..  3-3    89 29.7  16-29   .552   4-10   .400   9-12   .750    0  11   11  3.7   5  0   5   9   0   2   45 15.0
10 Lacey, Terrance....  3-0    61 20.3   6-14   .429   2-5    .400   3-4    .750    2   4    6  2.0   5  0   3   4   0   4   17  5.7
15 Hurt, Nate.........  3-3    92 30.7   7-24   .292   6-12   .500   4-6    .667    1   7    8  2.7   6  0  10   4   0   5   24  8.0
22 Jonkman, Caleb.....  3-3   103 34.3  20-45   .444  10-24   .417   8-8   1.000    1  14   15  5.0   3  0   9   7   1   5   58 19.3
24 Clark, Jalyn.......  3-0    42 14.0   1-4    .250   0-0    .000   1-2    .500    1   4    5  1.7   5  0   1   1   0   2    3  1.0
30 Johnson, Aaron.....  2-0    51 25.5   2-5    .400   2-5    .400   0-0    .000    0   1    1  0.5   5  0   1   1   0   4    6  3.0
32 Brinks, Ben........  3-3    60 20.0  12-14   .857   1-1   1.000   5-6    .833    7  11   18  6.0   7  0   0   3   4   1   30 10.0
34 Dolishniy, Oleksand  1-0     7  7.0   0-1    .000   0-1    .000   0-1    .000    0   1    1  1.0   0  0   0   0   0   0    0  0.0
40 Jonkman, Jared.....  2-0     7  3.5   0-1    .000   0-0    .000   1-2    .500    2   2    4  2.0   2  0   0   0   0   0    1  0.5
45 Decker, Josh.......  1-0    14 14.0   0-0    .000   0-0    .000   2-2   1.000    2   5    7  7.0   1  0   2   2   0   0    2  2.0
50 Garrett, Nari......  3-3    74 24.7  22-34   .647   0-0    .000   4-12   .333    9  13   22  7.3  11  1   8   9   5   1   48 16.0
   TEAM...............                                                              4   7   11  3.7   0          1            0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total..............  3     600       86-171  .503  25-58   .431  37-55   .673   29  80  109 36.3  50  1  39  41  10  24  234 78.0
   Opponents..........  3     600       72-181  .398  24-88   .273  28-46   .609   39  66  105 35.0  50  -  45  45   6  24  196 65.3



Their head coach - Brandon Nicol:  As a collegiate athlete Nicol played for Iowa State University from 1999-2002. At Iowa State he was a part of two Big 12 Championships and an Elite Eight appearance. He earned the Team Hustle Award in his freshman year, the Brian Pearson Inspiration Award in 2001-02, and scholar-athlete honors for three seasons.  He played his final collegiate season (2002-03) at Dakota State University and went on to compete with the Kansas City Knights (ABA) in 2004-05 and the Des Moines Heat (IBL) in 2005. He also participated in a fall and overseas tour with Athletes in Action in 2005.

Trinity Christian Box score from their last game

Total   3-point      Rebounds
##   Player   p   fgm-fga   fgm-fga   ftm-fta   off-def   tot   pf   tp   a   to   blk   stl   min
32    Brinks, Ben    c    3-3    1-1    0-0    0-2    2    3    7    0    1    1    0    19
50    Garrett, Nari    c    8-10    0-0    1-4    4-5    9    5    17    1    5    2    1    27
03    Balciunas, Juozas    g    6-10    3-4    2-2    0-2    2    1    17    1    4    0    1    33
15    Hurt, Nate    g    3-6    3-5    0-0    0-4    4    1    9    2    4    0    1    34
22    Jonkman, Caleb    g    4-15    2-9    0-0    0-2    2    1    10    4    4    0    0    38
10    Lacey, Terrance    -    1-3    0-1    0-0    0-1    1    1    2    1    0    0    0    16
24    Clark, Jalyn    -    0-1    0-0    0-0    0-0    0    2    0    0    0    0    0    5
30    Johnson, Aaron    -    1-1    1-1    0-0    0-0    0    3    3    0    1    0    1    27
40    Jonkman, Jared    -    0-0    0-0    0-0    0-0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    1
TM    TEAM    -    -    -    -    1-1    2    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
   Totals..............    -    26-49    10-21    3-6    5-17    22    17    65    9    19    3    4    200
53.1%    47.6%    50.0%

The Trolls suffered their first loss of the season in a game at Siena Heights University (Adrian, Michigan). Trinity struggled in the first half and was down by 16 points, 36-20, at the break. The Trolls made up ground in the second period and closed the gap to as little as four points. However they could not gain the top spot and ended in a 74-65 loss.  The team is 2-1 at the start of their season.

Early in the game the Trolls fell behind at 8-4, but that gap soon increased to 17-8. The deficit continued to grow throughout the period and Trinity trailed by as many as 19 points. At the intermission the difference was 16 points as the Trolls had only 20 points on the board.

In the opening minutes of the second half the Trolls fell behind by 24 points. With 15 minutes left in the game they were still behind by 20 points. Over the next four minutes Trinity went on a 12-to-0 run to close the gap.

Siena Heights went back ahead by double digits and with 9:30 left the Trolls were down 61-48. Trinity once again rallied and scored the next nine points to pull to within four with six minutes to play. Siena Heights was able to hold the Trolls off and with two minutes to play the gap was nine at 74-65. Neither team scored in the remaining time as the game ended in at nine-point difference. 

The Trolls ended the game with a .531 field goal percentage, but it was the tale of two halves. They more than doubled their score from the first to the second half and went from .333 percent shooting in the first half to .720 percent in the second half. They also made seven of their 10 three-pointers in the second half.  Siena Heights was .467 percent from the field and .300 percent from the arc. The Trolls took in 22 rebounds and the Saints had 35.

Nari Garrett led the team with 17 points, behind 8-of-10 from the field, and nine rebounds. Juozas Balciunas had 17 points with a .600 field goal percentage. Caleb Jonkman had 10 points and four assists.

[covufan]

A potential century mark game and maybe a doubling game.

Valpo  96
Trinity  47

[VULB#62]

If that is the case, I hope Matt will despense hourly doses of "reality serum" to mitigate the possible (and dreaded) inflated head syndrome.

Our guys have proved zero to this point (although they probably would win the D-III NCAA Championsip hands-down). Focus.  Focus.  Focus.

[VU2014]

We better not be down by 9 points at half time.

Valpo  88
Trinity  55

[VULB#62]

Does this make sense (coming from a BB novice) that this team is built to (1) play in-your-face-defense and (2) relentlessly run at opponents for 40 minutes with incredible depth? 

I only played HS basketball and that's my baseline.  But if I could assemble a dream team, that is the balance i would strive for.  I go back to the Dean Smith NC teams.  He would just overwhelm with depth.  Could that be our key?

I would love to see the MVC responding to a Valpo team that, no matter what opponents do, Valpo just keeps coming atcha.

Knowing how Matt played at Stanford, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do just that.

[talksalot]

Rekindling the "Diebler Diving" counter kept in the Student Section...... nice touch...

[talksalot]

In the first evening of the Troll Classic Trinity hosted Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio) in the late game. The Trolls battled with the Bulldogs and had a one point, 37-36, lead at the half. Trinity increased their lead to double digits in the second period before ending in the 84-77 final victory. In the opening game of the tournament, Grace Bible College (Wyoming, Michigan) defeated St. Ambrose University (Davenport, Iowa), 77-74.

It took a while for the Trolls to get going as Wilberforce posted a nine point lead after six minutes of play. Trinity controlled the next six minutes and took over the lead at 24-22. The Trolls continued to stay on top of the scoreboard until the final two minutes when Wilberforce converted a three-point play to go ahead 36-34. However Trinity scored the final three points of the period for the lead at the half.

Trinity quickly increased their lead in the second period on a 10-to-2 run to go ahead by nine points. Midway through the period the Trolls were up by double digits and with 8:33 to play they had their largest lead at 65-53. Trinity continued to hold off the Bulldogs who cut the difference to seven with seconds of play.

For the game Trinity shot .544 percent from the field and .440 from the arc. Wilberforce was .500 percent from the floor and .278 from the three-point line. The Trolls had 33 rebounds and Wilberforce had 29. Juozas Balciunas led the scoring with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Caleb Jonkman added 19 points and seven rebounds, and Nari Garrett had 17 points and nine boards. Also in double-figure scoring was Nate Hurt with 14 points.

The Trolls continue action in the Troll Classic on November 11 in the 2pm game against Grace Bible

~~They will have played 5 games before Monday...they are 3-1 now.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/929510748463693825

[talksalot]

So the Trolls will be 3-2 when they enter the ARC on Monday night...

Video Replay:     https://portal.stretchinternet.com/tcc/portal.htm?eventId=398744&streamType=video     (game starts at the 22 minute mark of this video)

The Trolls played host to the Troll Classic and to Grace Bible College (Wyoming, Michigan) in an afternoon game.  The team struggled in the first half and trailed by 15 points at the intermission. They fought back in the second period to pull to within three late in the game, but ended a 66-57 loss. In the first game of the day St. Ambrose University (Davenport, Iowa) defeated Wilberforce University (Wilberforce, Ohio), 86-78.

The Trolls gave up the first basket of the game and trailed throughout the entire 40 minutes. They struggled offensively in the first half and midway through the period were down by double digits. With 7:20 to play the deficit was 15 points and it was that gap that remained at the half at 36-21.

Four minutes into the second period Trinity was down 45-29, but they went on a nine point run to close the gap to seven points. The Tigers went back ahead and once again built a significant lead at 56-43. In the next minute of play the Trolls stormed back on three treys by Juozas Balciunas to make it a four point game. Trinity continued to threaten and on a three-point play by Balciunas they had the gap to three at 58-55. However they could not completely erase the difference and get their shots to fall in the final two minutes as Grace went back ahead by nine.

Trinity had a .411 field goal percentage and Grace shot .359 percent. The Trolls grabbed 33 rebounds, but were beat on the boards with Grace's 47. Balciunas led the team with 23 points. Nari Garrett scored 15 and had eight rebounds and Caleb Jonkman had 10 points and six boards. Nate Hurt ended the game with four assists and four steals.

[bbtds]

Wilberforce University

That name is actually an answer to a crossword clue that I somehow remember, Mr. Ed's owner's power school.

[VU2014]

B Wood is going to be at the game tomorrow! If your going to the game make sure you say hello.
https://twitter.com/BrandonWood30/status/929896075523129345

[VU2014]

Prediction for tonights game:
Valpo 92
Trinity 59

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/929900923471777792

[VU2014]

Just a reminder:
https://twitter.com/coachgore/status/930095269408051200

[VULB#62]

Another reminder (from the Game Preview):

This marks the third straight year the Crusaders and Trolls have met in regular season action. Valpo has won both previous meetings, but last year, Trinity Christian led by as many as 16 in the first half and was up nine at the half before the Crusaders rallied for an 89-75 victory. Alec Peters led the way with 36 points and 15 rebounds, while Shane Hammink contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win

[VU2014]

Another reminder (from the Game Preview):

This marks the third straight year the Crusaders and Trolls have met in regular season action. Valpo has won both previous meetings, but last year, Trinity Christian led by as many as 16 in the first half and was up nine at the half before the Crusaders rallied for an 89-75 victory. Alec Peters led the way with 36 points and 15 rebounds, while Shane Hammink contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win

These are "hungrier" guys then last years team vs D2 "tune-up" games. Last years veteran team clearly didn't need those tune-up games like this team does. I'm sure the Coaches will remind them that we were down by 9 at the half last year. Last years team did not take that game seriously in the 1st half.

[bbtds]

B Wood is going to be at the game tomorrow! If your going to the game make sure you say hello.
https://twitter.com/BrandonWood30/status/929896075523129345

I assume you could also ask him to send or give you Windy City Bulls tickets?

Does Brandon have to sit in a section reserved for former Michigan State players?

[VUGrad1314]

I really hate to say this but can this please be the last year we play these embarrassing "tune up" games? I get that it's a chance to do something nice for charitable causes but the same goals can be accomplished no matter who you're playing just make the donation worth a $10 concessions voucher instead of a free ticket if you'd be worried about losing gate revenue for a higher profile game. You'd probably make more money and raise more for the charity because people are actually interested in the game/opponent. Our program is beyond fattening up on useless non-D1 programs and going-nowhere-fast schools that consistently populate the sub 250 portion of RPI. WE deserve our fair share of quality nonconference games both home and away. (The away portion is fantastic this year but the home slate is not very good We  have five nonconference home games and only three of them matter If we want to become a leading member of the Valley we need to schedule like it every year because you learn much more playing against (and yes sometimes losing to) strong competition than you do by waiting until game three or four or five of the regular season to really get going in earnest. I'm not saying we need to be playing Duke Kansas Kentucky Arizona etc But every effort should be made to ensure that every nonconference game is at least a top 150 RPI game especially at home under this new system. That's the kind of program we are so those are the programs we need to be playing. Opportunities to make an impression as a mid major are few and far between especially with P5 leagues going to 20 game slates and we really need to maximize these nonconference slots to bolster our resume unless we want to put all of our eggs in the Arch Madness basket or pray some other tournament takes us and gives us a favorable setup to do well in it but that as I understand was not the reason we joined the MVC I believe we joined to make sure that what happened in 2015-2016 never happens again and to clutter up the schedule with (especially multiple) useless  games is not making the best use of the resources afforded to us and is not to my mind in keeping with our stated goals as a program

[VU2014]

I assume you could also ask him to send or give you Windy City Bulls tickets?

Does Brandon have to sit in a section reserved for former Michigan State players?

The transfer is water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned. Sucked that he didn't stay that last year but oh well. He's still one of our own.

The same starters as the season opener.
https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/930223368057614337

[M]

Disney store at the mall had a buy one stuffed animal get one for $2 if you need a last minute donation for tonight.

[agibson]

I trust they'll find a way to accept monetary donations as well (not for admission, exactly, but to support the cause).

[wh]

I assume you could also ask him to send or give you Windy City Bulls tickets?

Does Brandon have to sit in a section reserved for former Michigan State players?

The transfer is water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned. Sucked that he didn't stay that last year but oh well. He's still one of our own.

Yes, as a fellow alum, he is one of your own. He was the star player on 2 excellent Crusader teams and cares enough to come back and watch his former team play. I'd say that speaks pretty well for bwood. No doubt current players will enjoy rubbing elbows with a former Valpo star and current pro. I hope to catch a glimpse myself.

[justducky]

Yes, as a fellow alum, he is one of your own. He was the star player on 2 excellent Crusader teams and cares enough to come back and watch his former team play. I'd say that speaks pretty well for bwood.

I have forgiven and forgotten but that process took me several years.

[VULB#62]

Is it fair to say that our boys have dis0layed three selarate game stlyes in the two exhibitions and one regular season games ?  First, we ran R U out of the 0lace going over 100 points. Then we turn around and decide to 0lay vice-grip defense against CSU. Next, we handle North Park handily but without really putting a big stamp on the package.  Before we hit the road to Edwardsville, will we put it altogether for an entire game tonight?  Or is the absence of Jay and Joe affecting our real play/style to any degree?  Just asking the experts......

[VULB#62]

So far, sucky attendance.

[VULB#62]

Observation about both of the non-D-I teams that we have played:  (1) They know they are overmatched.  (2) Yet, they both have been disciplined enough to stick with their game.  They both ran their offense throuhout the games.  I have to give a ton of credit to these two teams for how they met the challenge.  But:  GO VALPO.