MVC Blog

MVCBeat · November 26, 2020, 10:52:09 AM

Hello Crusaders,

I just wanted to reach out and let you know that I started a new blog that will be focused on MVC Basketball and MVFC Football. I am a longtime Valley fan who is a veteran of 17 Arch Madnesses. I have been making MVC writeups for my friends for years and consider myself a pretty good writer, so I figured why not post my write-ups publicly for other MVC fans to read if they'd like? I intend to post a couple times a week. Sometimes I'll comment on the current league goings-on, sometimes I'll talk about the mid-major/NCAA scene overall, and sometimes I'll post about MVC history.

I launched yesterday with five articles. I have my 2020-21 MVC Preview broken into three parts, a piece detailing how I'd handle the NCAA Tournament during the pandemic, and a piece listing each MVC school's greatest basketball team of the 21st century (I did not include your Horizon years, but made mention of them). I think it is pretty good sampling of the things I intend to do moving forward.

I can't post an external link, so I'll just say the site is missourivalleybeat. You'll have to add the w's and com's yourself.

Thanks!

valporun · November 29, 2020, 01:02:55 PM

To help you out, MVCBeat, www.missourivalleybeat.com

MVCBeat · December 01, 2020, 08:31:04 PM

Thank you!

Two new blog posts today. One runs down the action in week one and updates the power rankings. The other ranks the top 30 returning players in this year's MVC. The link is in the post above. Thanks!

MVCBeat · December 08, 2020, 09:27:56 PM

Hey Crusaders,

Two new writeups today. One is the power rankings and summary from week two. The other ranks all the DI conferences by strength (via RPI over the last 7 years). I've also written MVC preview articles, an article highlighting each school's best team of the 21st century, and an article ranking the top 30 returning players in the MVC this year (featuring Sackey, McMillan and Clay).

I've also added an "MVC Resources" page compiling all the MVC fan sites, blogs and podcasts I could find. If you have any I should add, let me know.

MVCBeat · December 15, 2020, 06:56:30 PM

Hello Valpo fans,

There are two new posts on the blog this week.

-Week 3 MVC Power Rankings, Summery and Mid Major Tidbits: A decent amount of movement this week.

-Recapping Every Arch Madness Championship Game: Starting with the first St. Louis based MVC Tournament final in 1991, through last season, I recap every Arch Madness final as well as give a short summary of how the MVC did in the postseason that year. Not a ton about Valpo since you are so new to the league, but perhaps it could be a nice history lesson for the new members.

You can also check out my other, older posts including my MVC Season Preview, Every MVC School's Best Team of the 21st Century, The MVC's Top 30 Returning Players, and Every DI Conference Ranked. I also have a page with links to every MVC message board, blog, and podcast that I know of. Let me know if I am missing anything.

Check it all out at the link in this thread's OP.

MVCBeat · December 22, 2020, 10:47:31 PM

Hello Crusaders,Sorry to hear about the COVID issues. That really sucks. But it is probably better that it happens now than at the end of the year.
I have two new blog posts this week. The first ranks the MVC coaches. The second is the week four summary, power rankings, and mid-major bits.There is lots of other Valley content there as well if you haven't taken a look yet. Next week I am starting a two-part series where I simulate an MVC season (via whatifsports) using each team's best team of the 21st century from my earlier article. Should be fun.Check it out at the site. It is missourivalleybeat with the standard w's and com's at the beginning and the end.

tiny707 · December 24, 2020, 07:51:04 AM

You were spot on with the MVC caching ranking. I agree that Lottich is the 10th best coach in the MVC. I don't think they wanted to lose Peters when Drew left. He has no head coaching experience so he is learning on the job. His player development and lineup decisions are questionable.

MVCBeat · December 29, 2020, 04:19:37 PM

I think that is a fair assesment. He still has time to show he has it figured out though. The run in St. Louis last year was a good start.

MVCBeat · December 29, 2020, 04:21:30 PM

Hello Crusaders,

Has to be a bummer not to be playing. That sucks. Hopefully ya'll get back on the court soon.

I just posted the week 5 updated power rankings. I am also using the ten teams from my first article, "Every MVC School's Best Basketball Team of the 20th Century" to play out a simulated all-time MVC season using whatifsports.com. Part one of my two part series on that is also posted. I went ahead and used the 2016 NIT runner up team for Valpo, even though they aren't technically an MVC team. I think you'll like what you see. Might help you get through the program pause a bit!

Have a happy new year all.

The site missourivalleybeat with the usual ws and coms.

oklahomamick · December 29, 2020, 08:46:19 PM

I wonder where Bruce would rank on that list?

bbtds · December 30, 2020, 12:04:01 AM

Quote from: oklahomamick on December 29, 2020, 08:46:19 PM
I wonder where Bruce would rank on that list?

Robert the Bruce?

MVCBeat · January 05, 2021, 10:16:58 PM

The Week 6 Power Rankings and Tidbits are now posted.

I have also posted the second part of my All-Time MVC simulated season. The regular season has finished so you can see the final standings, where the 2016 Crusaders landed (spoiler alert, its good) and their scores.

Really looking forward to next week when I play out my all-time season's Arch Madness complete with box scores and game summaries. I have already started and it has been a blast.

Thanks for those of you who are reading. Really cool to see multiple hundreds of views on my articles!

missourivalleybeat with the ws and coms

Looking forward to seeing you back on the court this weekend.

valporun · January 09, 2021, 10:02:16 AM

Quote from: MVCBeat on January 05, 2021, 10:16:58 PM
Looking forward to seeing you back on the court this weekend.

MVCBeat, you should be able to attach your site's weblink now. We have a rule that weblinks aren't effective until you've posted at least 5 times, unless that has changed. Just the admins way of keeping out the bots trying to sell their Raybans and other services.

MVCBeat · January 12, 2021, 09:27:36 PM

Hello Crusaders,

There are two new posts this week. The first is my standard weekly power ranking, summaries and tidbits.

The second is one I am really excited about. It is Session 1 of my "All-Time Arch Madness" featuring all the teams from my "Every MVC School's Best Team of the 20th Century" article. For this, I have supplied a writeup and a box score for each game as provided by whatifsports. Session 1, Thursday Night, is posted, and I will be posting one session a day for the next five days. As the 1-seed, 2016 Valpo will make its debut tomorrow in session 2 against (spoiler alert for today's article) 2016 Evansville so make sure to check back. After this week, I'll get back to my normal stuff.

Thanks all. The link is here: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/

MVCBeat · January 19, 2021, 08:21:22 PM

Hello Valpo Fans,

The new weekly power rankings and summaries are posted. This week's other article is about the "Top 30 Newcomers in the MVC in 20-21 (So Far)". Featured Crusaders include Ognacevic, Edwards and Barrett. Also my "All-Time Arch Madness" was played out in five sessions over the course of last week and that is now finished and posted. You all should check it out, you'll likely find it more enjoyable than most.

The link is here: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/

Thanks all and good luck.

MVCBeat · January 27, 2021, 06:02:47 PM

Hello Valpo,

I just made two new blog posts. One is the standard power rankings and tidbits for week 9. The other is "Every MVC School's Most Famous Basketball Alum". The Valpo rep is Bryce Drew. I also included an addendum for other famous alums at each school. Please let me know which ones I missed. I really enjoyed researching this one.

https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/

NativeCheesehead · January 27, 2021, 08:28:11 PM

Our rep is Bruce Drew? Clearly you've never heard the legend of Phil Willie.

bbtds · January 27, 2021, 08:37:05 PM

Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 27, 2021, 08:28:11 PM
Our rep is Bruce Drew? Clearly you've never heard the legend of Phil Willie.

http://www.uwyo.edu/generalcounsel/about-the-office/phil-wille.html

http://www.uwyo.edu/generalcounsel/about-the-office/

Phil Wille is currently at the University of Wyoming

valpotx · January 28, 2021, 12:58:51 AM

Hahaha. The guy that laid down the law against Oakland, is helping to do so at Wyoming.

MVCBeat · February 02, 2021, 08:17:29 PM

I can honestly say I have never heard of Phil Willie haha.

MVCBeat · February 02, 2021, 08:18:14 PM

Alright, there is a lot of new stuff this week at https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/.

-We are now on Twitter. Follow @BeatMVC

-New week 10 power rankings and tidbits. The tidbits this week are essentially a mid-major bubble watch so I figure that might be interesting to some people. https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/week-10-summary-power-rankings-mid-major-bracketology-update

-This week's other article is a check-in on the Larry Bird Trophy race (written primarily before this weekend's games, so it is already a bit out of date. I look at the top 15 candidates with at least one from each team. Donovan Clay is repped for Valpo. https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/midseason-larry-bird-trophy-watch-top-15

Thanks everyone! Have a good one!

valpotx · February 02, 2021, 09:06:44 PM

Quote from: MVCBeat on February 02, 2021, 08:17:29 PM
I can honestly say I have never heard of Phil Willie haha.

Kampe is supporting his guy in this, as Wille definitely got the better of Champagne in the exchange of two very tall guys, falling to the floor and throwing haymakers:

https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/kampe-brings-his-grizzlies-back-to-the-arc/article_1abb24a2-ef6f-52a9-8b0e-8eb2eb9b6a0f.html

MVCBeat · February 09, 2021, 05:07:26 PM

Hello Crusaders. New content is up.

Week 11 Power Rankings and mid-major rundown was just posted: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/week-11-summary-updated-power-rankings-mid-major-tidbits

I also did a rundown of the current situation on the women's side: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/2020-21-mvc-women-s-basketball-check-in

And you can now follow me on Twitter @BeatMVC

Thanks!

MVCBeat · February 16, 2021, 08:11:35 PM

-The new week 12 power rankings are up: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/week-12-summary-updated-power-rankings-mid-major-tidbits

-With the FCS season starting this week (and a lack of new ideas from me) my second article is an MVFC preview. I doubt that will be terribly popular here, but take a look if you're interested: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/mvfc-season-preview

You can now also follow me on Twitter @BeatMvc

Thanks!

MVCBeat · February 23, 2021, 07:14:56 PM

This week's posts are in!

-Week 13 Power Rankings are here: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/week-13-summary-updated-power-rankings-mid-major-tidbits

-This week's featured article, "Top Ten Arch Madness Quarterfinal Games Of the Last Decade" is here: https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/top-ten-arch-madness-play-in-quarterfinal-games-of-the-decade

-Week 2 MVFC Football Power Rankings are here (if you are into the sort of thing): https://www.missourivalleybeat.com/post/mvfc-football-week-2-power-rankings

Also follow me on Twitter at @BeatMVC

This is gonna be a great couple weeks for MVC hoops.