MBB 2019-2020

[vu72]

Who do you think the "breakout player" for Valpo will be next season? I'm not sure. Sackey needs to take a big step up in his game next season to make that happen. He needs play more in control next season. He can't hit the gas pedal every time he touches the ball. He needs to learn to set up the offense and take what the defense is giving him.

https://twitter.com/hoops_mvc/status/1136106369050955776

I don't think it will be Sackey unless he drastically improves his shooting.  Not sure what "breakout" means as probably the two best players, or those with the potential to have the biggest impact on team results are two guys who were on the team last year--Robinson and Gordon.  I'm more interested in which freshman/new guy will have the biggest impact.

[bbtds]

Perhaps a prime example of why journalism is in such a sad state nowadays. The author of this interview with Eron Gordon writes: "This season, Valpo will return it's top five scorers from a year ago, and will undoubtedly be a favorite to take home an NCAA Tournament berth from the MVC." In addition, the interview is awful and non-substantive. Nevertheless, here it is: https://cbbreview.com/2019/06/03/q-a-with-valparaiso-guard-eron-gordon/

in the comments section of the story:

Brad Anderson  June 5, 2019   11:59 am

Valpo is returning only 2 of 5 top scorers from last year. Same is true of minutes and rebounds. After significant transfer-related roster turnover, this team is a huge unknown, not a favorite to win the conference.


Reply
Mat Mlodzinski [the writer of the story] June 5, 2019   12:00 pm

Thanks for the input! Regardless, it's a team with talent.

[GoldenCrusader87]

I choose to look at things from a glass half full perspective.

For example,

At least we'll feel right at home in the good ol' ARC. So, that's a *known*. And, we have the same coaching staff (to my knowledge). So, that's another *known.*

Probably still can bank on a one or two scoop from Culver's to make up for the crappy concessions. So, that's like the trifecta of trifectas.

[PlumStreetBum]

Perhaps a prime example of why journalism is in such a sad state nowadays. The author of this interview with Eron Gordon writes: "This season, Valpo will return it's top five scorers from a year ago, and will undoubtedly be a favorite to take home an NCAA Tournament berth from the MVC." In addition, the interview is awful and non-substantive. Nevertheless, here it is: https://cbbreview.com/2019/06/03/q-a-with-valparaiso-guard-eron-gordon/

in the comments section of the story:

Brad Anderson  June 5, 2019   11:59 am

Valpo is returning only 2 of 5 top scorers from last year. Same is true of minutes and rebounds. After significant transfer-related roster turnover, this team is a huge unknown, not a favorite to win the conference.


Reply
Mat Mlodzinski [the writer of the story] June 5, 2019   12:00 pm

Thanks for the input! Regardless, it's a team with talent.

And he hasn't even corrected the story.

[EDIT] It's been updated.

[bbtds]

Perhaps a prime example of why journalism is in such a sad state nowadays. The author of this interview with Eron Gordon writes: "This season, Valpo will return it's top five scorers from a year ago, and will undoubtedly be a favorite to take home an NCAA Tournament berth from the MVC." In addition, the interview is awful and non-substantive. Nevertheless, here it is: https://cbbreview.com/2019/06/03/q-a-with-valparaiso-guard-eron-gordon/

in the comments section of the story:

Brad Anderson  June 5, 2019   11:59 am

Valpo is returning only 2 of 5 top scorers from last year. Same is true of minutes and rebounds. After significant transfer-related roster turnover, this team is a huge unknown, not a favorite to win the conference.


Reply
Mat Mlodzinski [the writer of the story] June 5, 2019   12:00 pm

Thanks for the input! Regardless, it's a team with talent.

And he hasn't even corrected the story.

[EDIT] It's been updated.

Brad Anderson  June 8, 2019   10:04 am

Journalism pro-tip: To build and and maintain credibility, make corrections to factual errors in your writing. For bonus points, point out the correction.


Reply
Mat Mlodzinski June 8, 2019   10:20 am

Done. Thank you for the tip.

[VUGrad1314]

Read these comments... This is what the fanbase thinks right now...

https://twitter.com/hoops_mvc/status/1135390103751266306

At least JFL is working really hard! Hopefully he has a big year. We need him!

https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/1137683197054083072

[wh]

Read these comments... This is what the fanbase thinks right now...

https://twitter.com/hoops_mvc/status/1135390103751266306

At least JFL is working really hard! Hopefully he has a big year. We need him!

https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/1137683197054083072

Anyone (especially someone who isn't a Valpo fan) who thinks they know where this team will finish next year is kidding themselves.  I think a lot of people will pick us very low. Why wouldn't they, given the way the last 2 years have gone?  That said, this is a completely different team in almost every respect than those teams.  How that translates on the court is pure speculation. Just for clarity, let me say it one more time.  If you think you know how this team is going to do, you don't.     

[VU2014]

Read these comments... This is what the fanbase thinks right now...

https://twitter.com/hoops_mvc/status/1135390103751266306

At least JFL is working really hard! Hopefully he has a big year. We need him!

https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/1137683197054083072

Anyone (especially someone who isn't a Valpo fan) who thinks they know where this team will finish next year is kidding themselves.  I think a lot of people will pick us very low. Why wouldn't they, given the way the last 2 years have gone?  That said, this is a completely different team in almost every respect than those teams.  How that translates on the court is pure speculation. Just for clarity, let me say it one more time.  If you think you know how this team is going to do, you don't.     

Completely agree. This team is a complete mystery next season. There are always teams in the league that are far better and far worse then most everyone expects. Just look at the MVC media polls. They are the "experts" who follow the league closer than anyone and they generally are way off in their predictions with quite a few teams every year.

We won't know how good these can be till we see them on the court playing. I think the coaches probably can get a sense how good they will be once they get through summer workouts but the chances of them telling the 100% truth of how good (or how bad) they think they can be is slim to none.

[VU2014]

Canada again? Interesting that they didn't choose more of tourist destination (ex: Europe). Maybe this for recruiting reasons? Better competition available in Canada? They played an exhibition vs the top Canadian college team last time.

https://twitter.com/michaelosipoff/status/1142084976726487041?s=21

[FieldGoodie05]

Canada again? Interesting that they didn't choose more of tourist destination (ex: Europe). Maybe this for recruiting reasons? Better competition available in Canada? They played an exhibition vs the top Canadian college team last time.

https://twitter.com/michaelosipoff/status/1142084976726487041?s=21

Solid points, it most certainly adds value from a recruiting perspective.  I get where some of the elite programs tout "we've been _______" but I don't think that is why Valpo recruits choose Valpo.  I'd keep hammering Canada because clearly there is good talent available.

[crusader05]

This is also allows them to give Sackey some games at home since they can only do these every 4 years.

[vuny98]

Canada again? Interesting that they didn't choose more of tourist destination (ex: Europe). Maybe this for recruiting reasons? Better competition available in Canada? They played an exhibition vs the top Canadian college team last time. [tweet]1142084976726487041[/tweet]?s=21

Solid points, it most certainly adds value from a recruiting perspective.  I get where some of the elite programs tout "we've been _______" but I don't think that is why Valpo recruits choose Valpo.  I'd keep hammering Canada because clearly there is good talent available.

I'm sure its a balancing act of recruiting priorities, budgets and availability of teams. For instance, Australia may be seen as a great place to recruit, but if it'll kill the teams budget and there are already several other universities teams traveling there, there may not be availability to schedule the teams you would want. It may not be as fun for the athletes, but Canada probably hits on all areas to make it a solid choice.

[bbtds]

This is also allows them to give Sackey some games at home since they can only do these every 4 years.

I'm sure the team is really looking forward to, like the Blackhawks, some "Wild times in Winnipeg." 

[EddieCabot]

Canada again? Interesting that they didn't choose more of tourist destination (ex: Europe). Maybe this for recruiting reasons? Better competition available in Canada? They played an exhibition vs the top Canadian college team last time.

https://twitter.com/michaelosipoff/status/1142084976726487041?s=21

The competition in Canada is very good and they play a style similar to the US college game.  And obviously, it's much cheaper than traveling overseas.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1142084622693601282?s=21

[vu72]

I thought it was a little odd that the article mentions Sackey but not Krikke.

[vu72]

Just saw that Krikke has been selected to tryout for the Canada U19 team going to the World Cup in Greece.  As he is one of the best in that age group it is highly unlikely that he won't make the final 12.  Those games are June 29-July 7 so he wil be back in time to make the Valpo trip.

http://abbasketball.ca/article/52174

[nkvu]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1142084622693601282?s=21

Hope they don't take the team white water rafting before an evening game like I think they did the last time they went to Canada. As I recall the guys played like they had lead weights in their shoes in that game and lost.

[FieldGoodie05]

This is also allows them to give Sackey some games at home since they can only do these every 4 years.

Quebec City is 2500 km
Montreal is 2250 km

Same country though!

[bbtds]

temps sauvages à Montréal et le Québec.

[VUBBFan]

This is also allows them to give Sackey some games at home since they can only do these every 4 years.

Quebec City is 2500 km Montreal is 2250 km Same country though!

Yeah, Valpo is closer to Montreal than Sackey's Winnipeg home.

[crusader05]

I more just meant that he gets to play in his home country.

[bbtds]

They should see Vieux Montreal and Port Montreal. The Science Musee is very good but as the Quebecoise insist, all in French. The Catholic churches are magical and the old 1976 Olympic Village is neat. Also the former amusement park in the island where the 1967 World's Fair was held is interesting. Some of the architecture is very unique. Pont Jacque Cartier is the connecter from the St. Lawrence island to the Isle de Montreal. On the Isle de Montreal there are no "right turns on red" allowed.

The walled city of Old Quebec is extremely interesting and historic to both Canadian & American history. They should all try and order pizza in French

[bbtds]

I forgot the view from Mont Royal Park which was made famous in a movie with Bruce Willis and that guy from Friends, Matthew Perry. I forget the name of the movie, though.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142213750797275136
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142214114128912385
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142214615289532416
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142215374009774081
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142215795856093184
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142216646905552896
https://twitter.com/MichaelOsipoff/status/1142216891605368832
https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1142427939469963265