Game #20 Valpo @ Indiana State 1/23/19 6pm espn3

[VALPO LI]

At least Bradley beat Illinois State, so we are in second place for another few days.

Like we are in second place for another few days!
3rd through 10 is not far behind.

[VU2010]

Exactly sums up my thoughts - at least we put 100% into packing it in on nights like this lol.

[VU2010]

It's not the loss. I've accepted that'll happen here and there. It's the way they lost ...

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1088258312972451840

[valpotx]

Glad to hear that ML agrees.  I also don't care about losing on the road in conference to a decent team, but to lose like that, and not seem to be hustling or giving any indications that it bothers you?  I have to challenge someone's drive in such a circumstance.

[VUGrad1314]

This worries me How are we supposed to get fans excited to come out for the Drake game when we got absolutely freight trained two of our last three games and this last one didn't seem to bother anyone but Coach Lottich? I fear we'll see another disappointingly lean crowd.... And it's not the community's fault. How are they supposed to care if the players don't?

[usc4valpo]

Cripe.

[NativeCheesehead]

Wasn't going to drink tonight. Thanks Lottich. You owe me a bottle of bourbon.

[VU2014]

Wasn't going to drink tonight. Thanks Lottich. You owe me a bottle of bourbon.

This loss isn't on Lottich. The players didn't show up to play. The coaches can't play for them. They had no energy. I don't think this game was a lost because a lack of preparation. Maybe you can get on the coaches for not getting these guys in a game day "mindset", but that is most on the leaders of this team. That is the upperclassmen for not getting their team in frame of mind to play today. Players need hold each other accountable.

[EddieCabot]

This worries me How are we supposed to get fans excited to come out for the Drake game when we got absolutely freight trained two of our last three games and this last one didn't seem to bother anyone but Coach Lottich? I fear we'll see another disappointingly lean crowd.... And it's not the community's fault. How are they supposed to care if the players don't?

Loyola is down 10 at MSU in the 2nd half.  Valpo could still be tied for 1st place heading into the Drake game ... hopefully that helps with the crowd, if promoted properly.

[VALPO LI]

This worries me How are we supposed to get fans excited to come out for the Drake game when we got absolutely freight trained two of our last three games and this last one didn't seem to bother anyone but Coach Lottich? I fear we'll see another disappointingly lean crowd.... And it's not the community's fault. How are they supposed to care if the players don't?

I Don't  think fans are not coming out to Saturdays game because of this loss.  In fact I think more fans will be at the Arc than we expect.  (3,500 +) just a crazy felling.  Drake won their last 3 including tonight against Evansville.  They are going to come in looking to play.  Valpo needs to put this game behind them and focus on Saturday.  Saturday's game will define this program.  Win we may be for real this year...loose and well we may have to call Houston for we have a problem.

[nkvu]

Wasn't going to drink tonight. Thanks Lottich. You owe me a bottle of bourbon.

Me too. Scotch please.

[VUGrad1314]

That just makes me even madder. That means if that scored holds that we pissed away a golden opportunity tonight because we couldn't be bothered to even meet basic expectations and do our job even remotely competently tonight. Our laziness may have cost us sole possession of first place. Let this be a lesson and a wake-up call so that we never stoop to such a sorry level of effort.

[EddieCabot]

This worries me How are we supposed to get fans excited to come out for the Drake game when we got absolutely freight trained two of our last three games and this last one didn't seem to bother anyone but Coach Lottich? I fear we'll see another disappointingly lean crowd.... And it's not the community's fault. How are they supposed to care if the players don't?

Loyola is down 10 at MSU in the 2nd half.  Valpo could still be tied for 1st place heading into the Drake game ... hopefully that helps with the crowd, if promoted properly.

Loyola now down 22 with 11 minutes left. 

[VUGrad1314]

If that scored holds we could have been sitting all alone in first place... Good job Good effort Crusaders...

[nkvu]

This worries me How are we supposed to get fans excited to come out for the Drake game when we got absolutely freight trained two of our last three games and this last one didn't seem to bother anyone but Coach Lottich? I fear we'll see another disappointingly lean crowd.... And it's not the community's fault. How are they supposed to care if the players don't?

Loyola is down 10 at MSU in the 2nd half.  Valpo could still be tied for 1st place heading into the Drake game ... hopefully that helps with the crowd, if promoted properly.

Loyola now down 22 with 11 minutes left. 

Down 27 with 6:23 to go.

[jloose128]

It's stupid to play what if. The fact of the matter is that Valpo and Loyola are still tied for fist place because both teams were embarrassed tonight.

[VALPO LI]

Looks like all road teams lost tonight and the 2 top dawgs by a combind 52 points 

[nkvu]

MS 70  Loyola 35 final. Drives home the fact that this conference is wide open and anybody can beat anybody.

[valpopal]

MS 70  Loyola 35 final. Drives home the fact that this conference is wide open and anybody can beat anybody.

Loyola only had 11 points in the second half, grabbed just 9 rebounds in the whole game: and I thought Valpo's play was embarrassing tonight!   

[VALPO LI]

Must be the blood moon.

[VU2014]

Searching for answers: Valparaiso suffers 'uninspired' road loss against Indiana State
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
January 23, 2019

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-indiana-state-st-0124-story.html

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1088286192179863552

[VUBBFan]

MS 70  Loyola 35 final. Drives home the fact that this conference is wide open and anybody can beat anybody.

https://loyolaramblers.com//news/2019/1/23/mens-basketball-ramblers-winning-streak-snapped-with-70-35-loss-at-missouri-state.aspx

[VUGrad1314]

"I can promise you: we're going to look at the film and guys will be challenged."--Matt Lottich

Sounds like we can expect a better effort on Saturday.

I heard it suggested that players are tired of seeing the offense run through Smits. I don't understand that if true. I thought everyone got plenty of touches it's just that not many played well.

Bring your signs on Saturday folks because it appears that our Crusaders need a reminder of what's gotten them to this first place tie and what's expected of them.

Let's get back to basics back to the fundamentals of who we are. Go Valpo! Get gritty and  Stay gritty.

[valpotx]

If the players are tired of running the offense through Smits, they need to take a hard look at themselves, as their shooting is not giving us any alternatives.  If we have no inside game, they don't get open looks, and they have proven that they can't create their own shot for an open 3, though Golder has that fall-away 2 perfected, similar to Tevonn.