MVC Hoops: 2018-19

[VUGrad1314]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

[bbtds]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

Damn Bird, he couldn't pick a hooker on Meridian.

Alize Johnson............jeez!

[justducky]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

I haven't really been a Pacer fan since the old ABA days but if I was then I might not be too happy with the selection.

Damn Bird, he couldn't pick a hooker on Meridian.

Alize Johnson............jeez!

And you would know this because   

[VUGrad1314]

If he makes good on the Draymond Green comparisons I've seen some folks make for him (unlikely) he'll win the fans in Indy over for sure

[may know]

Alize Johnson was 3 rebounds and 1 rebound from pulling 20/20's against VU. He looked like an NBA'er both games.

[a3uge]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

Or it could tell you how much athleticism is still valued.

[VUGrad1314]

Alize Johnson was 3 rebounds and 1 rebound from pulling 20/20's against VU. He looked like an NBA'er both games.

He actually pulled it off at least twice that I can remember.

[bbtds]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

I haven't really been a Pacer fan since the old ABA days but if I was then I might not be too happy with the selection.

Damn Bird, he couldn't pick a hooker on Meridian.

Alize Johnson............jeez!

And you would know this because   

Just an expression that Larry Bird doesn't know real professional talent when he sees it. Even radio host and colorperson, Dan Dakich, agrees with me on this one, and that's a miracle.

[IrishDawg]

Alize Johnson drafted 50th overall by the Pacers. I know the injury played a role in Peters case but the fact that a guy who didn't win MVC player of the year  who didn't impress at the combine and who was on a mediocre team  went higher than an honorable mention all American whose team received an at large bid to the NIT should tell you everything you need to know about how the HL and the MVC are perceived

If you're using that logic, then Elfrid Payton getting selected 10th overall in 2014, when he wasn't the conference player of the year, was on a team with a similar kenpom rating as Missouri State this year, his team didn't win the regular season conference title and yet he was selected higher than Alec Peters or Alize Johnson should tell you everything you need to know about how the Sun Belt, MVC and Horizon League are perceived.

[bbtds]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/06/21/pacers-draft-picks-2018-alize-johnson-selected-50th-nba-draft/722839002/

Pritchard explains the pick.

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/06/21/pacers-draft-picks-2018-alize-johnson-selected-50th-nba-draft/722839002/

[VUGrad1314]

Loyola has received a commitment from 2019 6'4 SG Paxson Wojcik from LaLumiere Had offers from DePaul and Indiana State among others and was attracting interest from ND Northwestern and Oklahoma State.

[VU2014]

Loyola has received a commitment from 2019 6'4 SG Paxson Wojcik from LaLumiere Had offers from DePaul and Indiana State among others and was attracting interest from ND Northwestern and Oklahoma State.

The Loyola staff has built a relationship with the LaLumiere coaches the last few years this is the second player they've landed from there within the last couple years. It's weird to think LaLumiere is just down the road in LaPorte but I feel like we never hear about them or tap into that prep school much. They quietly keep pumping out top end D1 talent there. The last guy that I remember us recruiting was Joesph Toye. Ironically he was offered by Bryce but chose Vandy over Valpo and Bryce eventually became his coach anyways.

[M]

Dino Jakolis went there. Pretty sure that was before they were a national powerhouse.

[VU2014]

Commissioner Doug Elgin's MVC teleconference interview.

He addresseses:
-NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday reform
-It sounds like they will be phasing out RPI somewhat
-Talks about the NCAA adding a potential "Showcase Round"
-Potential future Conference expansion
-MVC/MWC Challenge ending
-He's asked about CUSA's scheduling format. He addresses the issue he has with it.

https://soundcloud.com/mvcsports/doug-elgin-mvc-commissioner

Interesting to hear the commish say that the league offices try and discourage taking 1 game guarantee games. I understand the logic but sometimes you need to take one or two give the schedule a boost if you have any hope of building at-large resume. In a perfect world we'd get H-&-H's but Power Conference schools tend to almost never agree to them these days. Most of the Mid-major/P5 series these days are when the P5 coach is friends with the mid-major coach and they are trying to help them out.

[IrishDawg]

Commissioner Doug Elgin's MVC teleconference interview.

He addresseses:
-NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday reform
-It sounds like they will be phasing out RPI somewhat
-Talks about the NCAA adding a potential "Showcase Round"
-Potential future Conference expansion
-MVC/MWC Challenge ending
-He's asked about CUSA's scheduling format. He addresses the issue he has with it.

https://soundcloud.com/mvcsports/doug-elgin-mvc-commissioner

Interesting to hear the commish say that the league offices try and discourage taking 1 game guarantee games. I understand the logic but sometimes you need to take one or two give the schedule a boost if you have any hope of building at-large resume. In a perfect world we'd get H-&-H's but Power Conference schools tend to almost never agree to them these days. Most of the Mid-major/P5 series these days are when the P5 coach is friends with the mid-major coach and they are trying to help them out.

Yeah he contradicted himself a bit when saying that they discourage guaranteed games, but that the best way to boost your tournament resume is going to be in the non-conference scheduling.  There's always a balance there no matter what league you're in.

[bigmosmithfan1]

Do you want to play a slate of guarantee games? No. Do you want to play two or three? Yes. Return games are great, but they will be even fewer and more difficult to get moving forward with the advent of 20-game conference schedules. A slate full of "quality" games absent of wins over the P5 will NEVER get a midmajor an at-large bid. Gotta take those chances.

[wh]

Loyola has received a commitment from 2019 6'4 SG Paxson Wojcik from LaLumiere Had offers from DePaul and Indiana State among others and was attracting interest from ND Northwestern and Oklahoma State.

The Loyola staff has built a relationship with the LaLumiere coaches the last few years this is the second player they've landed from there within the last couple years. It's weird to think LaLumiere is just down the road in LaPorte but I feel like we never hear about them or tap into that prep school much. They quietly keep pumping out top end D1 talent there. The last guy that I remember us recruiting was Joesph Toye. Ironically he was offered by Bryce but chose Vandy over Valpo and Bryce eventually became his coach anyways.

Not disputing your point, but I would just mention that De'Andre Haskins ('08-09) came from LaLumiere:

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/roster/2008-09/358/deandre-haskins/

As to Loyola, LaLumiere is Catholic, so there's that. LaLumiere also has a strong connection to DePaul. LaLumiere's highly successful former head coach is now a DePaul assistant.

[VUGrad1314]

Looks like Loyola will play a neutral site game against Maryland in Baltimore! Big scheduling get for them and for the MVC!

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/2018/7/2/17521196/penn-state-nittany-lions-maryland-terrapins-rutgers-scarlet-knights-ncaa-basketball-big-ten-recruit

[VU2014]

Looks like Loyola will play a neutral site game against Maryland in Baltimore! Big scheduling get for them and for the MVC!

https://www.btpowerhouse.com/2018/7/2/17521196/penn-state-nittany-lions-maryland-terrapins-rutgers-scarlet-knights-ncaa-basketball-big-ten-recruit

Never forget.

[VUGrad1314]

Why you gotta go and throw salt into that wound?

Informal Poll: Most stinging lingering memory of the past 25 years:

1. No tourney in 95

2. The BC loss

3. The Maryland loss

4, The great snub of 2016

5. Other (please specify)

[VU2014]

Why you gotta go and throw salt into that wound?

Informal Poll: Most stinging lingering memory of the past 25 years:

1. No tourney in 95

2. The BC loss

3. The Maryland loss

4, The great snub of 2016

5. Other (please specify)

I can only speak to 3 and 4. Both hurt but I'd go with 3 because it was a robbery from the ref.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/courierpress/status/1014191183856390145

After Loyola's run, where does Missouri Valley Conference basketball go from here?
By: Pat Hickey
Evansville Courier & Press
July 3, 2018

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/07/03/missouri-valley-conference-basketball-one-bid-again-early-favorite/753954002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[vu72]

https://twitter.com/courierpress/status/1014191183856390145

After Loyola's run, where does Missouri Valley Conference basketball go from here?
By: Pat Hickey
Evansville Courier & Press
July 3, 2018

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/07/03/missouri-valley-conference-basketball-one-bid-again-early-favorite/753954002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

8th?  There is some serious bulletin board material!  We are going to surprise some folks.

[FieldGoodie05]

https://twitter.com/courierpress/status/1014191183856390145

After Loyola's run, where does Missouri Valley Conference basketball go from here?
By: Pat Hickey
Evansville Courier & Press
July 3, 2018

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/07/03/missouri-valley-conference-basketball-one-bid-again-early-favorite/753954002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

8th?  There is some serious bulletin board material!  We are going to surprise some folks.

I think we are lucky to get 8/10 pre-season.  We were a hot mess last year from our league compatriots pov.  Only we know the strides made despite the loss of Burton and the mono from Tevonn.

[VUGrad1314]

https://twitter.com/courierpress/status/1014191183856390145

After Loyola's run, where does Missouri Valley Conference basketball go from here?
By: Pat Hickey
Evansville Courier & Press
July 3, 2018

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/07/03/missouri-valley-conference-basketball-one-bid-again-early-favorite/753954002/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

8th?  There is some serious bulletin board material!  We are going to surprise some folks.

I agree, but I also understand if we're a little underranked in the preseason. We've got to learn to finish and win the close ones that we didn't last year if we want respect from the prognosticators. It's a tough league and the games are battles throughout the conference slate. I think anywhere from 5-8 is a reasonable place to slot Valpo given what we know right now. If we're competitive and finish toward the higher end of that range, we will surely be looked upon as a prime contender in 19-20 as we all expect. But we've got some things to prove first and I believe we will prove them. I'm excited for next season. Go Valpo!