Valpo vs Bradley in Arch Madness Finals 3/8/2020 1:00PM CBS

VUSL98 · March 08, 2020, 03:18:55 PM

Thank you, Valpo, for a great run!

Can't be disappointed by this game. We just ran out of gas.

Next year, this team has to be respected.

IrishDawg · March 08, 2020, 03:19:56 PM

Quote from: valpotx on March 08, 2020, 02:59:25 PM
Their move to a 3-2 zone killed us. It looked like we had no idea how to attack such a thing. I am also curious why we didn't use the 3/4 court press as much in this one. Either way, we overachieved in this tournament, and we will see what happens in the offseason. Thanks for the run, guys!

I think if Valpo gets invited to the CBI/CIT, they should check with the team and likely give JFL some time off, but if the guys want to keep playing, I'd let them. For guys like Clay and Krikke, the extra practice time and games would be valuable, and then the Seniors can compete for a championship.

Good tourney run, I felt at the beginning of the season this was a team that would be better later in the season. I think this tourney run showed it to the fans, and more importantly to the players. In part because of this stretch, I don't think Valpo has the run of transfers this year, nor do I think JFL is ready for the NBA (I do think he should get the evaluation though), so next year is going to be the year IMO for Valpo to return to the tournament.

valpopal · March 08, 2020, 03:21:26 PM

Great effort by the team! In fact, the results in this tournament have had a positive impact already, and it seems the university is now open to a CIT or CBI bid. However, this displays why you have to avoid the Thursday night game. If the main non-senior players all return next year, this team has to be a pre-season top 5 team and a contender in next year's tournament.

VUGrad1314 · March 08, 2020, 03:33:20 PM

I absolutely hate that we dribbled out the last 30 seconds. You spend all that time fighting and then just give up? That's not the mark of this team. Didn't like that one bit. Proud of the team overall for its run but it's hard not to focus on the tremendous missed opportunities we had throughout the game to grow the lead we had. And the total lack of offensive execution at the absolute worst possible time that let the game get out of hand. I know we were tired and probably didn't have anything left to give but that doesn't make it sting any less. This game was right there It was winnable. I'm worried about the casual fans and the community who does not follow or watch games until it becomes the chic thing to do who will take one look at the lopsided score at the end and our record overall and decide that we sucked which of course isn't true. Unfortunately because of this we will probably struggle to get people out to games early in the season. I'm sorry to have kind of a glass half empty view of what should be overall nothing but pride and being happy for the team and what they have done but we needed this game. Losing by double digits on national TV even though the score was actually much closer than that and if we hadn't have had to play that extra game we probably would have won. But that's the importance of winning on the road and finishing your opportunities (I'm referring to the Indiana State game). Fortunately we can look forward to a bright future and I think this tournament run taught us how to win away from the ARC so we should see improvement there in the future. I think we did a lot to change our perception in the Valley but the fight to fully do that continues and we're still climbing that hill. I am proud of this team for their effort. I am optimistic for what is to come and hopefully soon we will be able to reach our full potential as a program and go on a big run that garners significant and needed national attention and an uptick in enrollment. It sucks to come up short again though. Hopefully our fortunes change and we do start to get these big wins in big spots with greater regularity. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

valpopal · March 08, 2020, 03:34:25 PM

Kiser and JFL named to the all tournament team, a great honor for both. JFL accomplishes the feat while far from 100% healthy. However, imagine the arc of development Kiser has exhibited, beginning as a walk-on player and winding up an all-tournament player in his senior year even while playing with an injury. A salute to JFL and Kiser!

VUGrad1314 · March 08, 2020, 03:38:43 PM

A guy who took so much crap from everyone on the board (except ValpoTX) he has more than exceeded expectations and as I have said before is a testament what hard work can bring you and a credit to the Valpo program. A model representative. Congratulations John! Congratulations Javon as well! Couldn't be happier for two great individuals and ambassadors of the program! Mileek it's your turn next year to show what you can do! Just keep putting the work in and you too can experience the Kiser Transformation!

I think we can all agree Mileek has improved a lot this year though.

valpopal · March 08, 2020, 03:45:55 PM

Another silver lining to the tournament run!

[tweet]1236754040828166144[/tweet]

a3uge · March 08, 2020, 03:48:08 PM

Quote from: valpopal on March 08, 2020, 03:45:55 PM
Another silver lining to the tournament run!

[tweet]1236754040828166144[/tweet]

Woo! Don't change your mind this time

valpotx · March 08, 2020, 03:49:32 PM

Well, that's interesting. I've been saying for months that after this season was not the time for him to consider leaving, and his recent interviews show that he has an Alec Peters-like mentality towards the program that gave him a scholarship, versus those that did not.

valpopal · March 08, 2020, 03:52:23 PM

[tweet]1236752499232641024[/tweet]

VUGrad1314 · March 08, 2020, 03:59:49 PM

We really should play in the CBI\CIT. We could use the extra practices and games to continue our development and continue learning how to win.

justducky · March 08, 2020, 04:06:45 PM

Quote from: a3uge on March 08, 2020, 03:05:36 PMWe had no business being in the tournament

Nonsense. The only thing that surprised me about reaching the final game was that Freeman was sick and Robinson unavailable. We and Bradley peaked at the right times. Kudos to Lottich for controlling the team evolution.

Quote from: a3uge on March 08, 2020, 03:05:36 PMUnfortunately Bradley didn't either, having gone through 5, 8, and 7 seeds. Too bad UNI lost their first game.

When Childs completely returned from injury Bradley became a better team than Loyola and a tossup with UNI. I respect Wardle as a coach and their combination of talents gives them a variety of attacking and defending options. Whoever they draw on selection Sunday it will be a game.

valpotx · March 08, 2020, 04:12:50 PM

I think that this team would try to win the CBI or CIT, unlike prior HL teams which took it is a negative consolation. It would also allow Kiser and Fazekas to have the postseason experience that they deserve, after this run.

a3uge · March 08, 2020, 04:23:24 PM

Quote from: valpotx on March 08, 2020, 04:12:50 PM
I think that this team would try to win the CBI or CIT, unlike prior HL teams which took it is a negative consolation. It would also allow Kiser and Fazekas to have the postseason experience that they deserve, after this run.

Eh, might be better to sit them out (it's the CIT) and give some of the younger guys more playing time.

Quote from: justducky on March 08, 2020, 04:06:45 PM
Quote from: a3uge on March 08, 2020, 03:05:36 PMWe had no business being in the tournament

Nonsense. The only thing that surprised me about reaching the final game was that Freeman was sick and Robinson unavailable. We and Bradley peaked at the right times. Kudos to Lottich for controlling the team evolution.

Quote from: a3uge on March 08, 2020, 03:05:36 PMUnfortunately Bradley didn't either, having gone through 5, 8, and 7 seeds. Too bad UNI lost their first game.

When Childs completely returned from injury Bradley became a better team than Loyola and a tossup with UNI. I respect Wardle as a coach and their combination of talents gives them a variety of attacking and defending options. Whoever they draw on selection Sunday it will be a game.

Just let me be bitter.

VUGrad1314 · March 08, 2020, 04:33:39 PM

Lottich: "About this time last year this program looked like it was in a bad spot. It looked like it was falling apart. Really though it was just coming together."

That is the best succinct takeaway I have seen. He's 100% right. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

Our best days are ahead of us. Hopefully we get more support from the community at large and from the university in terms of facility upgrades when they have the ability but I can say with absolute certainty that our best days are ahead of us. I say it again: I BELIEVE!

craftyrighthander · March 08, 2020, 04:38:23 PM

My wife and I went to four games in four days. Great fun. We didn't have an answer when Bradley went to a zone, but it was a great four days. Great job Valpo.

Saluki · March 08, 2020, 04:46:17 PM

Great run guys.

a3uge · March 08, 2020, 05:45:46 PM

Quote from: VUGrad1314 on March 08, 2020, 04:33:39 PM
Lottich: "About this time last year this program looked like it was in a bad spot. It looked like it was falling apart. Really though it was just coming together."

That is the best succinct takeaway I have seen. He's 100% right. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

Our best days are ahead of us. Hopefully we get more support from the community at large and from the university in terms of facility upgrades when they have the ability but I can say with absolute certainty that our best days are ahead of us. I say it again: I BELIEVE!

Last year I argued that having the roster churn was the best thing for the program (obviously sans JFL). This was clearly the case as younger players were able to flourish and the team actually played hard due to the more lazy players leaving.

valpolaw · March 08, 2020, 05:58:28 PM

I might have missed it somewhere but what's Nick Robinson's injury? It's too bad we didn't have him to help lighten the minute load.

I also think that if we didn't have to play in the play in game Thursday, we would would've had the stamina to finish it off today.

vu72 · March 08, 2020, 06:09:26 PM

Dot said it best..."Valpo played great for 3 1/2 games. We were just gassed and you could see it with the shots not falling. Ryan has closed his Valpo career having the best 3 point percentage for a career in school history. He was 2/6 from the 3. Not an excuse, just reality. Bradley has the talent to be a very tough out and unless they gets screwed into being a 14 seed or some such nonsense, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they won a game or two.

IrishDawg · March 08, 2020, 06:34:52 PM

Quote from: vu72 on March 08, 2020, 06:09:26 PM
Dot said it best..."Valpo played great for 3 1/2 games. We were just gassed and you could see it with the shots not falling. Ryan has closed his Valpo career having the best 3 point percentage for a career in school history. He was 2/6 from the 3. Not an excuse, just reality. Bradley has the talent to be a very tough out and unless they gets screwed into being a 14 seed or some such nonsense, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they won a game or two.

Currently projected around a 13 seed, but depends on the auto bids from other leagues. Long way from being decided.

elephtheria47 · March 08, 2020, 06:45:41 PM

proud of the guys and how they represented Valpo. too bad we couldn't pull it off. that 4th game in 4 days was brutal, huge difference between being a 7th and a 6th seed. love where we are for the future. JFL, Clay, Krikke, Sackey...going to be beasts

JD24 · March 08, 2020, 07:16:30 PM

Quote from: elephtheria47 on March 08, 2020, 06:45:41 PMproud of the guys and how they represented Valpo. too bad we couldn't pull it off. that 4th game in 4 days was brutal, huge difference between being a 7th and a 6th seed. love where we are for the future. JFL, Clay, Krikke, Sackey...going to be beasts

Some legit talent with Clay and Krikke freshman to soph improvement should be really special along with JFL. The rest of the roster right now appears to be role guys. The program is desperate for a bit of size and at least another shooter. The freshman who's name it will take me half the off season to learn to say and, in particular, spell looks as if he might be able to contribute in that fashion.

Chairback · March 08, 2020, 07:49:49 PM

Makes no sense to play in CTI or any other low tournament. Time to put this season to rest (and rest the players). Use the money on recruiting. We've played them in the past and there is zero benefit playing in them. Other than a few forum fans, no one cares about these tournaments. Even the teams in them don't go all in. We've made the mistake before.

VUGrad1314 · March 08, 2020, 08:27:57 PM

Did we have a young team struggling to win on the road who could use some seasoning in closing out games back then? We are the kind of team this tournament was made for. The players can rest from April onwards. They'll have plenty of time. The upside of extra games and practices far outweighs anything else. Who are we recruiting? Our scholarships are all filled and I'm pretty sure there are limits on what you can do to recruit current juniors anyway. I say play the games. Again the benefit far outweighs the cost.