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

[justducky]

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.   

If the players sell Matt on the CIT idea and not the other way around then MAYBE it would be worth doing. Under those circumstances there could be some benefits but don't expect us fans to show much interest.

[nkvu]

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.   

If the players sell Matt on the CIT idea and not the other way around then MAYBE it would be worth doing. Under those circumstances there could be some benefits but don't expect us fans to show much interest.

For the most part I'm ambivalent about these tournaments, but if the players and coaches want to do it and the university decides to spend the money, I'll watch the games if they stream them. At the same time, one of my most satisfying moments was when we went out to Washington and beat them on their court in one of these tournaments. Gave me family bragging rights forever over my nephew who went there.

[78crusader]

Agree we should not play in these other postseason tournaments:

(1) VU ended the season on a high note, let's keep it that way;

(2) Our past record in these tournaments is not good;

(3) Yes, we get additional game experience for returning players, but gee, they just got 4 games' worth of additional experience;

(4) These tournaments are, shall we say, not highly regarded;

(5) It costs money to play in them.  Tough sell to the faculty in this environment.

Paul

[govalpogo]

A little late to the posting party, but I echo the admiration for the fight this team put on and the run they made.  Felt helpless watching the wheels fall off and that really stings a lot. 

Whatever the team wants to do has my support postseason-wise.  2011 CBI was fun, but it had some bigger names in it.  My last Valpo game was the Iona CIT debacle which STILL leaves a bad taste.  I can see everyone's pros and cons.  I think it just depends on if the team wants to keep playing or not as to whether it's valuable.  If a Valpo team gets over the first game curse in the CIT, then watch out! A run would be fun. Disinterested, half-hearted play would not.

[Just Sayin]

Any post-season tourney this particular year would be anticlimactic and I doubt many fans could expect more excitement and good cheer than they just observed in this tournament. Don't waste your time, money, and energy on a dud tourney. Get jazzed for next year and who wants to risk an injury just to play in a meaningless tourney that no one will remember? Keep THIS memory in the forefront as fodder for next year's trip to the dance.

[wh]

When we found our seats, I just stood there for a bit, quietly looking around, kind of breathing in the moment, so to speak. To think where we were a year ago to nervously awaiting OUR team to run out on that court was surreal. In the end, things didn't go our way, but our guys played their hearts out and I could not be more proud!

[VUGrad1314]

Some pretty telling stuff from Sackey. Sounds like postseason play could be a go! Also cool to know that Erik Buggs is helping mentor him and staying close with the program. I saw some SERIOUS improvement from him down the stretch this year and I am excited for his future. If he continues his improved play our core four next year is obvious Sackey JFL Clay and Krikke. He loves the team and its culture. Says they love each other and play for each other, a fact that I think is quite obvious. Anyway here's the rundown of what Sackey had to say from PO:

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834321916403713

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834323086692357

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834324521136130

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834325858906112

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834327280914445

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1236834328761569281

[VUGrad1314]

Would love to see the Valpo community support the program like this... Look at that turnout...

https://www.facebook.com/1470wmbd/videos/607800143400724/

[VUGrad1314]

Something important that got lost in the shuffle amid this impressive run:

We played 3.5 really good halves of basketball to close the tournament! No long droughts. Ball moving well. Shooting well. Good defensive execution. And most importantly NOT FALLING BEHIND BY A BAZILLION POINTS AND HAVING TO CLAW OUR WAY BACK. I can't help but wonder if something changed after that Loyola win. I wonder if this young team finally began to fully gel and learn how to put two halves together. That's the first and biggest step toward learning how to win. AND THEY DID IT AWAY FROM HOME! Yes it was a neutral floor but that's still significant!  Hopefully they continue to grow and play well in the postseason if they are offered a bid but that's another reason this tournament experience was so valuable. It's yet another reason to believe in our future which is super bright. I think we learned a lot and turned an important corner! Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

[VUBBFan]

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.

I have been harping on how great this tournament is for the last 3 years. Foremost is the games themselves, but it doesn't stop there. All the gatherings and parties before and after with other Valpo Fans is fantastic. For some it is like a reunion with old friends and alumni. Here are some examples of my experiences this year in St Louis.
So next year come and join us and show the other teams there are more than just 50-100 Valpo fans. The more fans the more fun. Plan to attend next year, you will not regret it.


https://twitter.com/ValpoAlumni/status/1236385669976657921


https://twitter.com/ValpoAlumni/status/1235759060961628160


https://twitter.com/AlBillets/status/1236362481704087553


https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1236646856144412674


https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1236299126431776768

[VUGrad1314]

I've held off mostly because I wanted to go when we had a chance to do something meaningful in the tournament (IE us not being a Thursday team). This run has given me that hope. Count me as one who plans to attend next year unless of course extenuating circumstances prohibit me from doing so! Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

[vu72]

I'll be there too!

[valpo64]

I would be very surprised if we took any post-season tourney invite.  We were really beat up and the end, Javon, Kiser, etc.  No reason to risk any more injury.  They deserve a rest, get their health back and get ready for an exciting 20-21 season.  Next year should be a fun one.

[VUGrad1314]

I 100% agree with this statement

https://twitter.com/BrandonVickrey/status/1237190886372585472

[VUfan]

We won the four Game tourney !! 

[VUGrad1314]

We won the four Game tourney !! 

No we didn't... What makes you think we won?

[FieldGoodie05]

We won the four Game tourney !! 

No we didn't... What makes you think we won?

Think he's suggesting there was a (4-game) and separate (3-game) tournament.  We advanced furthest on the (4-game).  Sorta like Toilet Bowl Champs in Gus Macker!!!

[valpo84]

A Gus Macker reference +1

Was just talking to someone about our respective experiences playing in it (so many years ago). 

[FWalum]

I have been harping on how great this tournament is for the last 3 years. Foremost is the games themselves, but it doesn't stop there. All the gatherings and parties before and after with other Valpo Fans is fantastic. For some it is like a reunion with old friends and alumni. Here are some examples of my experiences this year in St Louis.
So next year come and join us and show the other teams there are more than just 50-100 Valpo fans. The more fans the more fun. Plan to attend next year, you will not regret it.

We had talked about this at one of the home games, but the issue is that this is the weekend of the IHSAA boy's sectionals and until I don't have a nephew/godson playing in that tournament (next year will be the last year) I probably can't come. Hopefully in 21-22 the current freshmen and sophomores are still playing!

[valpopal]

Agree we should not play in these other postseason tournaments:

(1) VU ended the season on a high note, let's keep it that way;

(2) Our past record in these tournaments is not good;

(3) Yes, we get additional game experience for returning players, but gee, they just got 4 games' worth of additional experience;

(4) These tournaments are, shall we say, not highly regarded;

(5) It costs money to play in them.  Tough sell to the faculty in this environment.

Paul

Add to these items the fact that a commitment to a postseason tournament like the CBI or CIT, if they still take place, from the VU administration would be complicated due to health concerns. The Ivy League already has cancelled its postseason tournament. In fact, at this point about three dozen universities have announced they will be switching to online education only, a few insisting students leave campus dorms for the rest of the spring semester. These include some of the largest and most respected universities in the country. Other universities have banned official travel, international and domestic, by staff or students. Like those schools, Valparaiso has some tough choices in the upcoming days, and I would think sending athletes to a minor tournament or hosting one on campus would be a low priority. Here is an article about the national situation: https://www.chronicle.com/article/The-Coronavirus-Threatens-to/248175

[VUGrad1314]

From a pure basketball standpoint I want to see Valpo take the opportunity to play because I think the rewards for doing so could be great for next year as I've said but I can see the argument for keeping them home and ultimately accept it if the issue is player safety which should be first and foremost in all of our minds. It won't do us any good if our players aren't healthy and ready to show what they can do next year. If there is a legitimate threat to player safety from continuing to play then by all means keep them home and safe.

[Just Sayin]

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

[talksalot]

MAC and WAC will play their tournaments without any general public invited. 

[VUGrad1314]

Big West will too. Just saw on ESPN.

[FWalum]

I just posted in the virus thread that the Lutheran Basketball Association of America has cancelled its national middle school tournament which is held annually at VU the last weekend in March.