2021-2022 Valpo Women's Basketball

[valpopal]

We were down to BGSU by 17 in the 3rd quarter, only to get it to 1 with 9 minutes left in the 4th.  We then get blown out in that quarter by 12, to lose by 16.  This team is just too hot and cold, and it is so unfortunate, as there were a lot of positives coming into this season.  You wouldn't think that this team would be 0-7 to start the season, with all of the veterans that returned from a pretty solid team.

Lost the rebound battle by 20 again. Average rebounding for the 7 games thus far: Valpo 24.7, Opponents 39.1.

[Piledriver]

Got murdered on on the glass by 20 again (including 13-3 on the offensive glass, a much more important stat, if you are into the analytics stuff).

Ball game. No other stats really needed.

Shooting 2 FTs the entire game will get you beat, too. Somehow, BG only shot 7 FTs themselves.

[valpopal]

The women played about as well as they could against #22-ranked Notre Dame. They even led in the third quarter but faded away to lose 73-56. Again, the team lost the rebounding battle by nearly 20 (44-27) and the offensive rebounding margin was 14-3. They have now been beaten by opponents on the offensive boards in their first 8 games by the margin of 100-31! If only this team could compete on the boards, they would be a formidable group.

[Piledriver]

Valpo was actually leading the rebound battle at halftime. I think it was 16-15.

ND just didn't miss in the 2nd half. There weren't many rebounds to be had.

[valpopal]

Valpo was actually leading the rebound battle at halftime. I think it was 16-15.

ND just didn't miss in the 2nd half. There weren't many rebounds to be had.

ND missed enough to get 14 offensive rebounds!

[Piledriver]

Yup, offensive boards are huge.

Notre Dame averages 14 of them a game (13.9), so they were right on their average.

That's what you get when you can put together a roster full of high school All-Americans.

[vu72]

The problem is simple. We are built to be solely a three point shooting team and we aren't shooting very well.  Last year, for the season, the team shot 31.4% from the 3 and this year we are shooting 28.3%.

It is pretty obvious where the big problem here lies. Shay and Morrison.  Shay shot 39.6% last year and is shooting 26.4% this year. Morrison shot 34.7% last year and is shooting 20.8% this year.

Can you say scouting?  The shots aren't falling and we have no other alternative.  It could be a disastrous year.  I hope not.

[IndyValpo]

The good news Frederick may have found her shot last night.
Tough game with South Dakota next but then we play two of the worst teams in D1 Morehead State and Detroit. We should be on a 2 game win streak heading into conference, 3 if they play SD like ND.

[FWalum]

There was a lot more driving to the bucket and sets to exploit back cuts in the game last night.

[valpo64]

This COULD be as disastrous year?  I think we are already there.

[justducky]

There was a lot more driving to the bucket and sets to exploit back cuts in the game last night.

Their dribble drive attack got some easy buckets. Leah Earnest is becoming a player.

This COULD be as disastrous year?  I think we are already there.

You really didn't need to point that out to us. 

[valpopal]

The women's inside woes continued against USD. Valpo lost the points in the paint battle by 32-4 and they were out-rebounded on the offensive boards 10-0. It didn't help that VU shot only 20% from the field as well. 

[justducky]

The women's inside woes continued against USD. Valpo lost the points in the paint battle by 32-4 and they were out-rebounded on the offensive boards 10-0. It didn't help that VU shot only 20% from the field as well. 

Thankfully I decided to watch the volleyball instead of the basketball.

I don't even know how to comment on this performance collapse. I suspect that several players are wondering about their decisions to return.

[valpotx]

Several players are just not the same as the last 2 seasons.  Shay has been an absolute stud for us previously, and we've only seen that side of her in 1 game this season.

[vu72]

This could be a situation where there is some sort of internal attitude issue (s).  They just look lost and aren't playing at all like last year.

[IndyValpo]

31 points which from what I can tell is the lowest point output in the history of the program. We scored in the 30's only in 73-74, the program's first season.

We scored 2 points in Q2 which is probably a record.

[valpo64]

It appears that they must have some internal problems...something is not right with this program.

[justducky]

Over the years I've watched a number of teams both HS and college that returned the players and talent but lost the results. I've never been able to explain any of these negative turnarounds which all began with optimism.

It appears that they must have some internal problems...something is not right with this program.

I doubt if there is any serious internal conflict. If there was then why would all of them have returned? A simpler answer might be that they expected to return as a good team but didn't want to work as hard as maybe they had in the past? I grouped Eron Gordon with our grad gals in reference to their failure to meet expectations. The fact that you were pretty good doesn't mean that you can coast. Worse yet is the loss of confidence and the next step lower becomes desperation. Good luck to coach Evans.

[valpo64]

Whatever the problem, Coach Evans does not appear to be able to handle/remedy the problem.

[valpotx]

Whatever the problem, Coach Evans does not appear to be able to handle/remedy the problem.

It's amazing the changes that can take place from one season to the next.  Nothing but rave reviews for her over the first few seasons, program heading in the correct direction, etc. 

[Piledriver]

The ability to adapt and adjust is what separates the good coaches from the bad ones. (See Bill Belichik)

It's great to have conviction and believe in your system. But it's a fatal error for coaches to be inflexible and refuse to change when change is needed. When your Plan A doesn't work, you better have a Plan B. And sometimes, Plan A and Plan B are totally different approaches.

Offensively, that is where the women's team is at.

We will see what the coaches do. Either they will adapt and adjust, or they won't.

[valpotx]

In a battle of current bottom-dwellers, Valpo gets its first win of the season at Morehead State, 65-57!

[valpopal]

In a battle of current bottom-dwellers, Valpo gets its first win of the season at Morehead State, 65-57!

Though they were playing an equally weak team, the strategy also seemed different today, as they cut their 3-point attempts to a season low of 12 (at times in past games they have surpassed 30), which led to two results, an overall field goal percentage of 50 and a win at the foul line by 17-1. Also, Valpo was only out-rebounded by 3 instead of their average of nearly 15.

[IndyValpo]

We needed a win! Detroit should be win 2 heading into conference. Hopefully Brown has found her shot. At of nowhere Pitts played 4 minutes. Where is Gunn?

[vu72]

They continued to look lethargic though better near the end of the game.  Missed bunnies.  Although a win, Morehead is really bad and previously lost to Evansville by 30.