Valpo Hosts Bradley Game Thread Sat Feb 22 7PM ESPN+

[oklahomamick]

Agreed GoVu.  I was texting that to another Valpo fan. 

[valpotx]

This conference is very fun.  At this point, only 2 teams have a losing record in conference play.  That is incredible parity.

[vu72]

I think I yelled at my computer more tonight than other nights for the 1st 30 minutes. I was really afraid that they might squander this 3 point shooting performance when Bradley wasn't missing.  Defense woke up for long enough though.  Hey, great W against a hot team.  I'll look forward to rewatching at a later time when I can enjoy it more.  Glad to know the streaky shooting can get as hot as it does cold. 

Dude, get into the 20th century.  Either cast it to you old tv or spring for ESPN+ for $5 a month and watch it on your 60"! 

I am not superstitious...but I am a littlestitious.  Valpo does infinitely better when they are not on my tv and are on the computer instead.  Also...sleeping baby so headphones (and "yelling" is more disgruntled noises and violently shaking the chromebook/throwing hands up in the air.) 

[tiny707]

Can Ryan get a medical redshirt this year?

[tiny707]

Most conference wins in MVC for Valpo with eight and two more games to play. Six wins first year and seven wins last year. Wardle won conference in his fourth year.

[oklahomamick]

If Keith Carter didn't get one, Ryan doesn't have a chance.  But if there is one thing the NCAA is, its inconsistent. 

[talksalot]

just for posterity... we were 18-28 from the three-point line.  on Monday February 6, 1989 we beat Butler when we hit 19. 

[jsher3141]

Not a fan of Lottich apologizing to Wardle for Mileek's last 3 around the 1:00 mark.

Bradley was pressing and playing defense to the end. No reason we should not be trying to score if they are still playing D and trying to score themselves. Maybe be mad that Leek didn't waste more time off the clock, but don't apologize to the other coach for making a basket. Bradley blew a 13 point lead. No reason not to beat them down as far as we can. This team needs all the in game experience they can get.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[M]

Last ten games - minutes/rebounds/points
Krikke- 16/1/5
11/1/3
5/2/0
24/8/17
7/1/0
16/2/6
23/7/15
14/4/5
15/4/4
18/5/9

Mileek- 20/5/12
26/3/16
10/3/1
10/2/5
15/2/3
16/3/14
15/5/9
26/3/6
30/6/20
22/4/16

I love Krikke's game. He's not ready to start and play against the opponents first team on a regular basis. I'm all for how it's being done and playing the hot hand more minutes in the second half.

[FieldGoodie05]

Last ten games - minutes/rebounds/points
Krikke- 16/1/5
11/1/3
5/2/0
24/8/17
7/1/0
16/2/6
23/7/15
14/4/5
15/4/4
18/5/9

Mileek- 20/5/12
26/3/16
10/3/1
10/2/5
15/2/3
16/3/14
15/5/9
26/3/6
30/6/20
22/4/16

I love Krikke's game. He's not ready to start and play against the opponents first team on a regular basis. I'm all for how it's being done and playing the hot hand more minutes in the second half.

How do you feel about McMillan's turnovers and bad passes and forced shots / offensive fouls?  Are they needed to start games? 

[FieldGoodie05]

Last ten games - minutes/rebounds/points
Krikke- 16/1/5
11/1/3
5/2/0
24/8/17
7/1/0
16/2/6
23/7/15
14/4/5
15/4/4
18/5/9

Mileek- 20/5/12
26/3/16
10/3/1
10/2/5
15/2/3
16/3/14
15/5/9
26/3/6
30/6/20
22/4/16

I love Krikke's game. He's not ready to start and play against the opponents first team on a regular basis. I'm all for how it's being done and playing the hot hand more minutes in the second half.

How do you feel about McMillan's turnovers and bad passes and forced shots / offensive fouls?  Are they needed to start games?

My point is Mileek "seems" to gain confidence as the game progresses and I think that's where most of your numbers are displaying his production.

I contend that we need to treat the first 10 minutes in the first half as if it's crunch time because our offensive possessions to start games are very fragile. Mileek seems to have more mistakes and thus he and Sackey need to come off the bench with energy.

[VU2014]

One of the Region's best high school players was at the game tonight!

https://twitter.com/annettehuseman/status/1231431324805795840?s=21

[M]

He definitely shouldn't have put the ball on the ground early on tonight. He is still my starter. If we're trying to pin the blame on Mileek for slow starts (which wouldn't surprise me with some of our posters here) I think we aren't paying much attention. We've already got a freshman and a sophomore in the starting line up bring this freshman off the bench after he's had some time to see how the game is being played and called.

[FieldGoodie05]

He definitely shouldn't have put the ball on the ground early on tonight. He is still my starter. If we're trying to pin the blame on Mileek for slow starts (which wouldn't surprise me with some of our posters here) I think we aren't paying much attention. We've already got a freshman and a sophomore in the starting line up bring this freshman off the bench after he's had some time to see how the game is being played and called.

Oh there's no way we can blame our slow starts on him alone, I just think that Krikke has more upside with less mental lapses now that he has progressed his freshman year.

[JD24]

Krikke shouldn't play over McMillan.

[valpotx]

Guessing 3,200

What prize do I win for being 37 off?

[VUGrad1314]

One of the Region's best high school players was at the game tonight! https://twitter.com/annettehuseman/status/1231431324805795840?s=21

Not a bad one for him to be a part of. Pretty good atmosphere and a game in which Valpo played pretty well and showed their potential late. That's a season high for us in scoring against D1 competition, and a school record for MVC wins, and a definitive clinching now of our best finish as an MVC member. We also picked up a huge result with Illinois State beating Drake and bringing us back level with them in terms of record. If Evansville is finally able to pick up a win after all of those close losses against the Sycamores, things get really interesting going into the final week. This game against Missouri State is by far the biggest game of the season. It's bigger than Drake. This is a game we absolutely need in order to get into the top six. We can also clinch our first .500 (or better) finish in the MVC! Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

[VUGrad1314]

So how does this work? I had a bad stomach ache and a busy day and decided to rest instead of following the game. Do I start the next thread and then vanish again come game time? I want to be able to do my part to help us win this next game because it's so important! Go Valpo! I BELIEVE! 

[VUGrad1314]

Post game wrap up from Bradley (with a nice spot on how Valpo is adjusting to life in the Valley)

https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20200222/bradley-buried-under-avalanche-of-valpo-3-pointers-90-78?rssfeed=true&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

Stat of the night:

https://twitter.com/TSeghetti11/status/1230567607662764033

Breakdown heading into the final week:

https://twitter.com/WyattWheeler_NL/status/1231411419704328193

[vu72]

Statistically, that has to be the best game of the year--from both teams.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/boxscore/2019-20/8263/bradley-vs-valpo-02-22-2020/#boxscore

Bradley has 14 assists and only 3 turnovers, shoots 42% from the 3, has only 12 fouls, scores 78 points and LOSES!!

Valpo has 24 assists, only 9 turnovers, shoots 64% from the 3, has only 8 fouls, scores 80 points and WINS!!

Wow!  What a fabulous game. 

[VALPO LI]

Pleasantly surprising stat is to see Gordon nailing all 4 3pt. attempts for 13pts off the bench in 14 min of play.

[VUGrad1314]

That's two straight good games from Gordon by my count. I'd say he's earned more PT.

[4throwfan]

Just a few observations from the game.

1.  I don't think VU played particularly well.  Bradley's backdoor cuts and drive-and-dish plays were horrendously defended.  VU had very few drive-and-dish plays.
2.  If VU shoots 'only' 50% from three point line, they may have easily lost.  If they shoot a respectable 40% from three, then they would have lost.  That does not make me optimistic if VU plays Bradley on a neutral court for another game (i.e., in STL).
3.  Part of the reason that VU shot such a high percentage from 3 is that the shots were essentially uncontested.  Bradley chose not to defend that shot.  That equals a win for VU.
4.  My uneducated view was that defensive lapses were worst when Mileek played.  I think Krikke should start.
5.  Nick did not play.  I may have missed this somewhere else.  Why didn't he play?
6.  I think that Zion has to play against teams like Bradley.  His athleticism would have helped on both offense and defense (which I think regressed since previous games).
7.  Large game, and not half-time entertainment after dancers?  Really?
8.  If Fazekas and Kiser get replaced by two freshman like Clay and Krikke, and there are no transfers (don't count on it), next year will be REALLY fun.
9.  THAT WAS A FUN GAME!!

[M]

1. VU didn't play well defensively and didn't rebound in the defensive end.
2. If VU shoots 50% (14/28) they win by 8 (assuming all else stays the same). If they shoot 40% 11/28 they win by 5.
3. Quite a few of those 3s had a hand in the face, the hoop must've looked like a hula hoop.
4. Krikke isn't moving into the starting line up this year. Mostly because he shouldn't.
5. I think it's a back issue maybe.
6. Zion would strength the defense but I wonder if it's worth it with his offensive struggles. Maybe a offense/defense substitution from time to time.
7. It was hall of Fame night.
8. Agree!
9. Agree!!

[FieldGoodie05]

Just a few observations from the game.

1.  I don't think VU played particularly well.  Bradley's backdoor cuts and drive-and-dish plays were horrendously defended.  VU had very few drive-and-dish plays.
2.  If VU shoots 'only' 50% from three point line, they may have easily lost.  If they shoot a respectable 40% from three, then they would have lost.  That does not make me optimistic if VU plays Bradley on a neutral court for another game (i.e., in STL).
3.  Part of the reason that VU shot such a high percentage from 3 is that the shots were essentially uncontested.  Bradley chose not to defend that shot.  That equals a win for VU.
4.  My uneducated view was that defensive lapses were worst when Mileek played.  I think Krikke should start.
5.  Nick did not play.  I may have missed this somewhere else.  Why didn't he play?
6.  I think that Zion has to play against teams like Bradley.  His athleticism would have helped on both offense and defense (which I think regressed since previous games).
7.  Large game, and not half-time entertainment after dancers?  Really?
8.  If Fazekas and Kiser get replaced by two freshman like Clay and Krikke, and there are no transfers (don't count on it), next year will be REALLY fun.
9.  THAT WAS A FUN GAME!!

Agreed big time on the 3-pt shooting covering up defensive lapses (back door cuts etc).  I did feel that we guarded the dribble-drive better in this game.  I don't think it can be understated that Darrel Brown and Elijah Childs have the ability to get to the rim better than most of the players in the MVC.  They are crafty players, and other than Brown hitting a high % to start the game, they were mostly well defended.

I was just thankful that we didn't repeatedly see Brown dribble-drive past ______ and have Mileek or Krikke forced to leave their man, only to see a solid assist and layup by Bradley.

I like Mileek for his stretch 4 capabilities.  But I think his mental lapses on defending and passing / TO makes it such that we need to start Krikke and sub in Mileek.  From there we ought to play the hot hand . . . but our starters should be the best all around players.  I think of it like a relay race . . . some relay teams stagger their strengths and I think we need to stagger Mileek to see if he can best match up against their 6th man too.