MBB 2018-19

[wh]

Javon and Daniel are going to gobble up a lot more minutes than anyone appears to be thinking. Yes I know there are only 200 minutes to go around. Yes I know that means they will be leapfrogging more experienced players, who will in turn will become unhappy with a lot more bench time than they ever thought, blah, blah, blah. I also know there are 2 guys sitting out this year who will throw the minutes discussion into chaos next year at the same time. And it's all fine. This isn't a union where seniority rules or a socialist utopia where where equal outcomes rule the day over equal opportunity/earned outcomes. Best of the best programs have no pecking order. Every year is a zero sum game. Every minute is up for grabs. 

[FieldGoodie05]

Javon and Daniel are going to gobble up a lot more minutes than anyone appears to be thinking. Yes I know there are only 200 minutes to go around. Yes I know that means they will be leapfrogging more experienced players, who will in turn will become unhappy with a lot more bench time than they ever thought, blah, blah, blah. I also know there are 2 guys sitting out this year who will throw the minutes discussion into chaos next year at the same time. And it's all fine. This isn't a union where seniority rules or a socialist utopia where where equal outcomes rule the day over equal opportunity/earned outcomes. Best of the best programs have no pecking order. Every year is a zero sum game. Every minute is up for grabs.

Prediction based on observation or gut feeling regarding minutes for Sackey and Freeman?

[justducky]

Javon and Daniel are going to gobble up a lot more minutes than anyone appears to be thinking. Yes I know there are only 200 minutes to go around.

Is it too early for someone to start our annual over-under competition? I think playing time over-unders for all 11 would be appropriate plus our usual assortment of mad speculations.

[wh]

Javon and Daniel are going to gobble up a lot more minutes than anyone appears to be thinking. Yes I know there are only 200 minutes to go around. Yes I know that means they will be leapfrogging more experienced players, who will in turn will become unhappy with a lot more bench time than they ever thought, blah, blah, blah. I also know there are 2 guys sitting out this year who will throw the minutes discussion into chaos next year at the same time. And it's all fine. This isn't a union where seniority rules or a socialist utopia where where equal outcomes rule the day over equal opportunity/earned outcomes. Best of the best programs have no pecking order. Every year is a zero sum game. Every minute is up for grabs.

Prediction based on observation or gut feeling regarding minutes for Sackey and Freeman?

It's based on almost 30 minutes of observation at a recent practice, plus the fact that I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. 

[VU2014]

Javon and Daniel are going to gobble up a lot more minutes than anyone appears to be thinking. Yes I know there are only 200 minutes to go around. Yes I know that means they will be leapfrogging more experienced players, who will in turn will become unhappy with a lot more bench time than they ever thought, blah, blah, blah. I also know there are 2 guys sitting out this year who will throw the minutes discussion into chaos next year at the same time. And it's all fine. This isn't a union where seniority rules or a socialist utopia where where equal outcomes rule the day over equal opportunity/earned outcomes. Best of the best programs have no pecking order. Every year is a zero sum game. Every minute is up for grabs.

Prediction based on observation or gut feeling regarding minutes for Sackey and Freeman?

It's based on almost 30 minutes of observation at a recent practice, plus the fact that I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. 

Definitely positive to hear the freshman are looking strong in practice.

If Lavender is expected to be the Starting PG and Sackey (I'm assuming) will see a growing a role as the season progresses, how much will Micah play this season? Micah isn't a SG and only excelled as distributor last season. His role (or lack thereof) should be interesting to monitor this season. We can probably also assume Bakari will run the poit at certain points during the game this season, even if primarily be playing off the ball.

It's pretty surprising to hear Lavender may be a starter. He's pretty much a mystery to the fan-base. I don't think he'd be the the starting SG. Given Coach Lottich's earlier comments about Lavender being a guy who is a low turnover guy it makes me think they are looking at him as more of a distributor than a scorer. It might not be a bad idea to not throw the freshman to the wolves early in the season. We should have the opportunity to see the freshman get some solid minutes at home in the non-conference.

[IrishDawg]

I'm somewhat surprised that Lavender is known as a "low turnover" guy when his turnover rate higher than Evelyn, Bradford and Joseph's (last season for Valpo) both of the last 2 seasons at UAB (last year was limited minutes though).  It wasn't as high at SIU, but he was also not a distributor there.

[justducky]

I'm somewhat surprised that Lavender is known as a "low turnover" guy when his turnover rate higher than Evelyn, Bradford and Joseph's (last season for Valpo) both of the last 2 seasons at UAB (last year was limited minutes though).  It wasn't as high at SIU, but he was also not a distributor there.

I looked at his UAB numbers when he was announced and reached a similar conclusion. Admittedly those numbers were for a 2 who was filling in at times as a 1 and that could skew the results and our interpretations. Still for me this will be seeing is believing.

Defensively it isn't hard to picture him being a better defender than Bradford and what will be a raw Sackey freshman. Maybe this will be the deciding factor? Anyway I first speculated that he would play less than 12 minutes per game. If he starts I will need to up that number but I'm not yet sure it will be a major revision.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1047912587831205889

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1047912587831205889

If anyone is listening from the Athletics Department. Please get in contact with the Dean of Greek Life and please ask that they don't allow Greek recruiting/rushing events on Saturday January 19th!! Get ahead of this while we can. We need a strong turnout from the students that game and it will be on cable.

[wh]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1047912587831205889

If anyone is listening from the Athletics Department. Please get in contact with the Dean of Greek Life and please ask that they don't allow Greek recruiting/rushing events on Saturday January 19th!! Get ahead of this while we can. We need a strong turnout from the students that game and it will be on cable.

In addition to Greek life scheduling conflicts, I recall valpopal pointing out ongoing conflicts with other student organizations and clubs, especially on week nights. I also recall someone saying that the majority of profs could care less about men's basketball, some of whom feel that every dollar spent on men's BB takes a dollar away from academics, pay raises, etc. From these and other similar comments, I've long had the impression that Valpo is highly siloed with everyone looking out for#1. Can someone shed some light on this?

[zvillehaze]

In addition to Greek life scheduling conflicts, I recall valpopal pointing out ongoing conflicts with other student organizations and clubs, especially on week nights. I also recall someone saying that the majority of profs could care less about men's basketball, some of whom feel that every dollar spent on men's BB takes a dollar away from academics, pay raises, etc. From these and other similar comments, I've long had the impression that Valpo is highly siloed with everyone looking out for#1. Can someone shed some light on this?

Once upon a time, this was an issue at Butler also.  With leadership from the top, all areas of the university have realized that the benefits of a strong athletic program (particularly, men's basketball) benefit all areas of the university (ie. increase in applications and enrollment).  A successful basketball program also leads to increased contributions to other areas of the university.  It started in 1990, when Butler was just a blip on the radar of college basketball.  It was a bold move, but one that has turned out to be successful.  Can Valpo do the same?  I don't know, but I know it won't happen without leadership from the top and support from the entire university.

https://www.ibj.com/articles/40197-ex-butler-chief-hatched-plan-to-use-basketball-to-turn-around-university

[VUGrad1314]

This needs to be stressed the next time the academic staff complain. Show them the example of Butler. Show them the example of Gonzaga. Show them the example of Wichita State. Ask VCU UNI George Mason and Loyola what recent runs of success have meant for them. At least one of Dayton SLU and Richmond will soon see their investments in athletics culminate in an invite to the prestigious Big East. Think any of those schools are having trouble funding academic projects or giving out pay raises? Not likely. Athletic success especially at a high level is the single greatest thing that can happen to and for a university short of producing several highly generous millionaire and billionaire alumni. Our location and size keep us out of any hope of joining the Big East but becoming a leading player in the MVC and reaching the national success of UNI VCU Loyola or even  Gonzaga is entirely possible if we want it.

[FieldGoodie05]

This needs to be stressed the next time the academic staff complain. Show them the example of Butler. Show them the example of Gonzaga. Show them the example of Wichita State. Ask VCU UNI George Mason and Loyola what recent runs of success have meant for them. At least one of Dayton SLU and Richmond will soon see their investments in athletics culminate in an invite to the prestigious Big East. Think any of those schools are having trouble funding academic projects or giving out pay raises? Not likely. Athletic success especially at a high level is the single greatest thing that can happen to and for a university short of producing several highly generous millionaire and billionaire alumni. Our location and size keep us out of any hope of joining the Big East but becoming a leading player in the MVC and reaching the national success of UNI VCU Loyola or even  Gonzaga is entirely possible if we want it.

You mean show them schools in population centers of 150,000 or more?  WE ARE A CORNFIELD UNIVERSITY.  The tallest building was razed to the ground and moved to Portage.  There isn't even a hospital in our town anymore.

[FieldGoodie05]

This needs to be stressed the next time the academic staff complain. Show them the example of Butler. Show them the example of Gonzaga. Show them the example of Wichita State. Ask VCU UNI George Mason and Loyola what recent runs of success have meant for them. At least one of Dayton SLU and Richmond will soon see their investments in athletics culminate in an invite to the prestigious Big East. Think any of those schools are having trouble funding academic projects or giving out pay raises? Not likely. Athletic success especially at a high level is the single greatest thing that can happen to and for a university short of producing several highly generous millionaire and billionaire alumni. Our location and size keep us out of any hope of joining the Big East but becoming a leading player in the MVC and reaching the national success of UNI VCU Loyola or even  Gonzaga is entirely possible if we want it.

You mean show them schools in population centers of 150,000 or more?  WE ARE A CORNFIELD UNIVERSITY.  The tallest building was razed to the ground and moved to Portage.  There isn't even a hospital in our town anymore.

Apparently the cornfield hospital is still technically in Valparaiso but I have no clue how THAT location is considered still in town.  I think my point is still made.  We are not suited to make a Gonzaga / Butler type push as much as I'd like.

I get sort of tired of hearing these pie in the sky "mortgage the U future to become athletic focused".  I just find it silly.

[elephtheria47]

Either way, having the university's name appear on television, sports shows, newspapers, etc. doesn't hurt for any and all prospective students. The more someone hears or sees the name Valpo, the better. And most students arent trudging through the top midwest/national university magazines. If athletics is how the door gets open so Valpo can get in the door to make their pitch, I'm entirely fine with that.

[crusader05]

A suggestion for Athletics that is perhaps a little better than "dont hold events when we do" Maybe open up your doors for fraternities to have their recruiting events AT the basketball game. Reserve some seating in the valparaizone, let them bring in some pizza to meet and chat before the game?

[ml2]

Gonzaga is entirely possible if we want it.

What Gonzaga has done is a lot more impressive than what most people realize. They not only spend like a big time program (over 7 million dollars a year) but they also outperform what you'd expect based on their spending. To be "the next Gonzaga" involves not only radically increasing spending, but also performing at a really high level even relative to that higher spending.

Below is a graph I put together of all D1 schools that shows the relationship between MBB budget size and KenPom rating (averaged over 7 years to avoid the effects of one fluke season). The orange line is the expected relationship between spending and on-court success, based on the averages of all schools in D1 (each gray dot is one school). Schools above the line are UNDER-performing relative to their budget and schools below the line are OVER-performing relative to their budget. Gonzaga is farther below the line than any other program in the country.

[wh]

A suggestion for Athletics that is perhaps a little better than "dont hold events when we do" Maybe open up your doors for fraternities to have their recruiting events AT the basketball game. Reserve some seating in the valparaizone, let them bring in some pizza to meet and chat before the game?

Aren't you an academic insider? Any thoughts on my earlier post? 

"In addition to Greek life scheduling conflicts, I recall valpopal pointing out ongoing conflicts with other student organizations and clubs, especially on week nights. I also recall someone saying that the majority of profs could care less about men's basketball, some of whom feel that every dollar spent on men's BB takes a dollar away from academics, pay raises, etc. From these and other similar comments, I've long had the impression that Valpo is highly siloed with everyone looking out for#1. Can someone shed some light on this?"

[vu84v2]

A few thoughts on the recent discussion in this thread:

1. I can't say that I know a great many professors at Valparaiso, but I know and have known more than a few. The vast majority of those I know support the basketball program and other athletics, feeling that they add to the student experience and bring some degree of good attention to the university. Some of those are season ticket holders, while others only attend a few games per year due to family commitments. I would not deny that there are some faculty who feel men's BB (and athletics, in general) takes money away from their own priority areas.

2. Last week I ended up having a discussion with someone very close to the Gonzaga basketball program. He just co-authored a book on the history of Gonzaga basketball. I asked him, "as a fan of Valparaiso, I can tell you that Gonzaga is the gold-standard for what Valparaiso would ideally like to become...what are the key factors that drove Gonzaga's success?". His answer: (1) find a good coach that is extremely loyal to the school and program. When the program wins, recognize that he is paying for his loyalty by taking less salary than the market would command - so treat him extremely well and give him whatever discretion you possibly can, (2) recruit well, but be patient on talent - you're not going to get the superstars until you have been successful for a long time, (3) recognize the nature of your university and spend accordingly. Gonzaga has 7500 students and is in a city much larger than Valparaiso. When Gonzaga built a new area, they built one with 6,000 seats - not 8000 or 10,000.

[crusadermoe]

When I watch the chairbacks on TV I see a LOT of professors.   Although, I wouldn't know the young ones if I saw them.   

Does anyone close the university observe a difference in attendance between older faculty (age 60+) and the younger ones.  I perceive the younger ones might well be more liberal and may come from a more selfish generation with no time for sports.  But perhaps that is mistaken.   

[VU2014]

When I watch the chairbacks on TV I see a LOT of professors.   Although, I wouldn't know the young ones if I saw them.   

Does anyone close the university observe a difference in attendance between older faculty (age 60+) and the younger ones.  I perceive the younger ones might well be more liberal and may come from a more selfish generation with no time for sports.  But perhaps that is mistaken.   

It's been a few years now since I lived on campus but when I was student I could definitely attest that the more tenured professors were more regulars  in the crowd, than the young ones. I never saw any of my professors who were in their 30s at the games. Maybe it's because younger professors have young families and it could be tougher to make it out to games.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but faculty/staff and their families get into games for free? Sounds like a great deal. Agibson might be able to shed some light on this subject.

[crusader05]

I don't really know faculty views about Bball and athletics overall although my guess Valpo is no different than many universities with those that support and those that don't. I have seen regulars in the bleacher section that I know are faculty. I often sit there because I have children and that seems to be where the younger (say 30-40) staff and faculty congregate.

I have stated my belief that lower attendance was largely due to the a change in how the team related to campus. Once Vashil graduated there was a noticeable lack of athlete engagement with the overall campus community and I think a small campus that doesn't have a really established sports culture relies on that. There have always been events, there have always been recruitment activities at the same time.

I don't know if we can get back up to sell outs and stuff without a good team and quality opponents. But I think team engagement can definitely help out.

[valpospartan]

Spot on!

If they raise the $$ with at least 50-75% donation, then go BIG!  Not in the sense of expanding seating but improving experience.  I'd like to see expansive windows (let nature in) like in the Drake picture but on steroids.  Maybe make the vast majority of the track level and up (chair back side) become picture windows.  Bump out the concession side and more picture windows above the track level surrounding a new concession area in the front right corner.

Keep the track IMO but improve the surface.  AC of course and improved lighting/speakers and call it a day.  The above could be phase 1 ($10,000,000??).

Phase 2 would be other non revenue generating upgrades like staff offices and third level gym etc.

Natural light from Windows? Yes please!

I know I threw this idea out there a while ago but I think it would be cool pay homage to Chapel in the ARC improvements in some way like having on the upper walls above the track have a glass wall like the Chapel's but put the Crusader logo in the middle and it could tower over the court. If they could do it right, it could possibly look pretty cool. It would definitely make the ARC unique and different, as well as being impressive for recruits. They'd probably need to use a stronger type of glass but I'd leave that up to the engineers/architects to figure out. Thoughts?

Since most games are at night, Pretty windows will not be all that impressive.

[VU2014]

Since most games are at night, Pretty windows will not be all that impressive.

They could probably put some lights shining windows from the outside and it could show case to windows. I just think it would be a pretty cool touch to the ARC and it would be pretty impressive. I doubt it happens or even gets considered. If we were able to getting seating on all four side of the court with chairbacks throughout the lower bowl (other than the student section), improved sound system, and a few ARC cosmetic improvements I'd be a very happy camper.

[VULB#62]

Since most games are at night, Pretty windows will not be all that impressive.

They could probably put some lights shining windows from the outside and it could show case to windows. I just think it would be a pretty cool touch to the ARC and it would be pretty impressive. I doubt it happens or even gets considered. If we were able to getting seating on all four side of the court with chairbacks throughout the lower bowl (other than the student section), improved sound system, and a few ARC cosmetic improvements I'd be a very happy camper.

IMO, that would be a distinct touch and the stained glass would not have to be a real open window.  It could have a modern sports motif but done in a classic sense like the chapel  The probem is where does it fit?  My thought would be on the north side behind the track and bleachers.  And if a renovation of the ARC includes an addition on the north side for more seating and more services areas beneath, then that "stained glass window" could be the center piece of the rebuild.  But it is all about $$$ and that lilttle addition could be a significantly expensive proposition.