Saturday, 1/27 9pm @Illinois State ESPN2

M · January 25, 2018, 10:33:22 AM

I will be staying off twitter the entire game

Not even sure what to say about this game. Hoping for a win (like always), but just want to see a good basketball game.

Looking to improve my game thread record to 3-1 with this one. Come on Crusaders, don't let me down!

VU2014 · January 25, 2018, 03:33:27 PM

https://twitter.com/Pg_Benson/status/956638004902350848

VU2014 · January 25, 2018, 04:13:16 PM

What the heck is with the 9pm start time? Are we playing this game on the West Coast or something?

Edit: I just realized this game is on ESPN2 so it probably has to do with the TV time slot. Let's hope Valpo ends it's losing streak of national TV games.

VU2014 · January 25, 2018, 04:36:29 PM

Illinois State's press conference previewing the Valpo game. Illinois State makes both Coach Muller and a few players available to the media. I wish Valpo would record these midweek media availabilities.

http://goredbirds.com/watch/?Archive=6597&type=Archive

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/956656387848900608

valpotx · January 25, 2018, 07:46:19 PM

Ill State 73
Valpo 62

NativeCheesehead · January 26, 2018, 07:41:45 AM

Good news is yet another loss improves our draft pick for next year.

bbtds · January 26, 2018, 08:58:00 AM

On the road, IL ST struggling to some degree, let's be realistic

Valpo 49
Illinois State 71

crusadermoe · January 26, 2018, 10:24:15 AM

I'll take 73 to 58. And sadly I think that will include an improved performance on our part and include a late comeback in garbage time.

They will be fired up at home for ESPN2 and the crowd will probably fired up with some "spirits" at that hour of the night.

Not sure when we will right the ship, but I still hold out hope we can run off two in a row soon.

zvillehaze · January 26, 2018, 10:55:16 AM

For any fans making the trip, I think you'll enjoy Redbird Arena. Really nice place to watch a game.

vu72 · January 26, 2018, 11:23:58 AM

Quote from: bbtds on January 26, 2018, 08:58:00 AM
On the road, IL ST struggling to some degree, let's be realistic

Valpo 49
Illinois State 71

Not sure how we would lose by 22 even on the road. IL ST is however all over the place on wins and losses. I think we could be in this one but we fall in a tight one, 71-66

covufan · January 26, 2018, 11:28:54 AM

We are not playing well (understatement). We need to finally play a good away MVC game. As frustrated as the fan base is, just image what the players and coaches are going through. The first six (Division I) games the team played very well. Since then, we've only played two good games and an OK game at Santa Clara. From the stats in MVC play, we are getting beat on the boards and with fouls. Our seniors should not be leading the team in rebounding, even though they are getting more minutes per game. Hit the boards hard and anticipate position on defense. Set some screens on offense.

We can't let Illinois St have any long runs - someone needs to step up with defensive effort or find the open man for a bucket.

If we play well...

Valpo 75
Ill St 73

Since this could be a close game, we need to hit our FTs - they're free, right?

valpotx · January 26, 2018, 09:56:12 PM

Quote from: covufan on January 26, 2018, 11:28:54 AM
We are not playing well (understatement). We need to finally play a good away MVC game. As frustrated as the fan base is, just image what the players and coaches are going through. The first six (Division I) games the team played very well. Since then, we've only played two good games and an OK game at Santa Clara. From the stats in MVC play, we are getting beat on the boards and with fouls. Our seniors should not be leading the team in rebounding, even though they are getting more minutes per game. Hit the boards hard and anticipate position on defense. Set some screens on offense.

We can't let Illinois St have any long runs - someone needs to step up with defensive effort or find the open man for a bucket.

If we play well...

Valpo 75
Ill St 73

Since this could be a close game, we need to hit our FTs - they're free, right?

No, they seem to be costing us this year...

PlumStreetBum · January 27, 2018, 07:28:11 AM

Prediction:
Valpo 58
IL State 67

The last 8 points are all scored by Golder and Evelyn in guardbage time to make it seem closer than it was.

I'm starting to think I know why our student section isn't filling up...

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 10:03:21 AM

Kenpom:

61 Loyola
90 Missouri State

116 Bradley
122 Indiana State
124 Northern Iowa
139 Southern Illinois
144 Evansville

166 Drake
168 Illinois State
169 Valparaiso

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 10:19:52 AM

https://twitter.com/Pg_Benson/status/957060322539556864

ISU cutting back rotation against Valley newcomer Valparaiso
Jim Benson jbenson@pantagraph.com
4 hrs ago

........

Valparaiso might be more desperate for a win than the Redbirds. The Crusaders have lost four straight, including the last two at home to Loyola (70-54) and Evansville (75-65).

After winning three straight Horizon League regular-season titles, and five of the last six, Valpo has found the Valley to be more challenging.

It didn't help the Crusaders that 6-foot-6 junior forward Joe Burton, a transfer from Oklahoma State who was averaging 11.5 points in the first 10 games, was dismissed from school for academic reasons in late December.

"The Horizon League was just different philosophies at times," said second-year Valpo coach Matt Lottich. "Teams wanted to shoot quick and play offense. That's just not the case (in the Valley). Every team in this league prepares similarly to the way we have."

....... http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/article_e8a04ae6-1bcf-59b7-904a-d05689eb5b0b.html

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 11:04:11 AM

The Illinois State game thread: https://redbirdfan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=546&p=13924&hilit=valpo#p13924

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 11:52:36 AM

I'm seeing betting lines of Illinois St. -3.

I'm not feeling confident in pulling off the win tonight. Illinois State isn't world beaters but this is a National TV game which we haven't performed well in recent history.

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 03:10:02 PM

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/957329437305004032

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 07:46:03 PM

If you have any questions shoot him a tweet.

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/957425198562729985

justducky · January 27, 2018, 08:05:41 PM

Is Bruniga still getting major minutes? If so I hope he doesn't rub salt in our wounds.

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 08:09:36 PM

Quote from: justducky on January 27, 2018, 08:05:41 PM
Is Bruniga still getting major minutes? If so I hope he doesn't rub salt in our wounds.

He's been forced into early playing time this season because of their roster situation. He's been getting a sizable amount of minutes.

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 08:56:18 PM

Starters:

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/957436758957940738

bbtds · January 27, 2018, 08:57:54 PM

Quote from: justducky on January 27, 2018, 08:05:41 PM
Is Bruniga still getting major minutes? If so I hope he doesn't rub salt in our wounds.

For spelling and recognition purposes

http://goredbirds.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5389

Taylor Bruninga

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 08:59:45 PM

A pretty cool thing from the Illinois Redbirds team. Wouldn't mind Valpo trying this but I would be worried about some kind of freak accident happening is the guys came down the student section bleachers.

https://twitter.com/Pg_Benson/status/957447812018593793

VU2014 · January 27, 2018, 09:10:28 PM

Bakari dribbles way too much. He kills possessions with how much of the clock he burns. SMH