11/18/11: Akron Game Thread

[crusaderboy]

Basically just a silly (careless) clerical oversight which led to Edwards' 3-game ban. Nothing to do with grades, curfews, tats or not eating all his supper.

Van Wijk is not a true 5 but is just so damn strong and active (and coordinated) that he is going to be a match up problem all season long so long as his back stays healthy.
Man, Matt Kenney is such a special player. A true X-factor who can make game-changing plays in any number of ways. Pretty sure I have said this before -- Broekhoff reminds me of Shawn Huff, who was an intelligent, talented player who does so many things well and has few holes in his game. Will be fun watching him have a true breakout season.
Enjoyed the game last night. My first since Ball State last year. I must be drawn to MAC schools or something.

[letsgovu]

thoughts on the game.

great win.  lots of fun.  We said throughout that the high akron fouls were the one thing keeping us in there.  Akron has some great players.  A couple times they just tossed it up from the 3 pointer, no jump, no real effort and it goes in.  irritating! 

I want to agree with what everyones said about kevin.  By far most improved returner from last year.  After watching him last year I was unsure if he'd be able to step in to a starting position and hold his own.  Wow but boy has he.  It is strange to look up on the scoreboard and see him as the lead scorer.  Unexpected but great.  Hope he can stay healthy.

I also want to mention Matt Kenney.  What was great about Kenney and Michael Rogers last year, was their ability to come in during one of our momentum luls and get things going again.  Saw that last night at times with Kenney.  He pushed through and gave us a spark when we needed it.

Wasn't sure what was up with Edwards, but was worried.  We have stayed healthy and pulled out the wins so far, but with so many guys playing so many minutes, I would think that the risks for injury is increased.  Ryan took a couple of hits that made me remember that fall last year that caused his hip injury.  Hopefully we can work through these NCAA issues quickly. 

One thing about the scoreboard.  I have to give credit to who ever got rid of those ads that were during game play.  maybe the contract ran out but Hooray!!!  However, It takes forever for fouls and points to get on the player totals.  Also I can't tell you how many times I look up there and see players listed that haven't been in the game for several minutes.  I am hoping this is still a training issue and not a scoreboard issue because if so, then it kinda takes the point away from having the player totals up there. 

Lots of students stayed.  That was great.  However these next two games will probably be quiet.  I believe that even the cheerleaders / dance / pep band will not be in attendence.  I heard this was a financial issue with getting break housing / per diem for these kids to eat since the cafeteria is closed.  Hopefully this will not be much of a factor since we have several home games this season when students are on break.

Also the zips are some kind of kangaroo?  I guess kangaroos zip around?  Not sure.  Not many mascots would cower to our quirkly crusader but I believe a zippy kangaroo would be one of them.

[vu72]

The papers call it an NCAA clearhouse "glitch".  Will be ineligible for 3 games and back for Ohio State.

GO NCAA!!!!!  Whgat a joke.

[milanmiracle]

Just a side note...Valpo beat Akron who beat Mississippi State who beat Arizona who beat Valpo... Hmm

[johnestuff]

Just a side note...Valpo beat Akron who beat Mississippi State who beat Arizona who beat Valpo... Hmm

So where would the pollster place us in the Horizon League now???

[covufan]

Akron has no one to be mad at but themselves for the foul shot disparity.

I thought it was poor positioning on Akron's part, not the officials.  The coaching staff found something on the film study and made an effort to go down low and get Akron in foul trouble.  Look for other teams to do the same.

[Crusader03]

Basically just a silly (careless) clerical oversight which led to Edwards' 3-game ban. Nothing to do with grades, curfews, tats or not eating all his supper.

Van Wijk is not a true 5 but is just so damn strong and active (and coordinated) that he is going to be a match up problem all season long so long as his back stays healthy.
Man, Matt Kenney is such a special player. A true X-factor who can make game-changing plays in any number of ways. Pretty sure I have said this before -- Broekhoff reminds me of Shawn Huff, who was an intelligent, talented player who does so many things well and has few holes in his game. Will be fun watching him have a true breakout season.
Enjoyed the game last night. My first since Ball State last year. I must be drawn to MAC schools or something.

I agree with most of what you wrote here, but in terms of the bolded part, c'mon man.  Matt Kenney is such a special player?  He's okay.  He has his moments where he looks really good.  But the guy is averaging 9 ppg this year and about 6 last year....obviously, the game is not all scoring, but calling the guy special is still an overstatement.

[vu72]

Matt does things that others just can't.  He in inspiring to his teamates and can flat out jump out of the gym.  Being "special" isn't just about scoring.  Ain incredible block can turn a whole game around.  I think that is the type of play that crusaderboy had in mind.

So here's another Matt thought:  Could he be a defensive back in the NFL?  He is built like a linebacker, is strong as all get out and can jump like a non-white guy.  My only question is does he have the flat out foot speed you would need.  Seems as though I remember him being an all state football player his junior year.  Maybe a wideout??

[vuweathernerd]

Matt does things that others just can't.  He in inspiring to his teamates and can flat out jump out of the gym.  Being "special" isn't just about scoring.  Ain incredible block can turn a whole game around.  I think that is the type of play that crusaderboy had in mind.

i completely agree. how many times has he been scrapping around with several taller players, yet he soars above them to snag the board? he very rarely makes bad decisions, and has such enthusiasm during the game. is he going to make the all-conference team? probably not. does that preclude him from being a special player? i think not.

[Crusader03]

So here's another Matt thought:  Could he be a defensive back in the NFL?  He is built like a linebacker, is strong as all get out and can jump like a non-white guy.  My only question is does he have the flat out foot speed you would need.  Seems as though I remember him being an all state football player his junior year.  Maybe a wideout??

No, I don't think Matt Kenney could play in the NFL. 

[valpofan56]

I want to add that I personally thought the game was pretty well officiated, and not just cause we won.  This game was a perfect example of how a game against CSU should be officiated.  Akron plays a lot like CSU, they are very aggressive on D and often over aggressive.  This results in an extreme excess in fouls on their behalf.  The refs shouldn't try and even the fouls out for the sake of evening them out.  Akron easily committed twice as many fouls as Valpo and they were called for them accordingly.  There are always going to be a few iffy fouls here and there in game, but for every ticky tack foul they called on Akron there were two where they would just blatantly run over someone or stupidly hack them after they turned the ball over.

[Crusader03]

I guess we just have different definitions of what a "special" player is....I think we have had very, very few at Valpo.  Bryce, definitely.  Lubos, possibly.  That's no knock on the program either....I just save the word special for someone who is....special.  Pretty subjective word I guess.

[sectionee]

Someone posted earlier that another walk on may suit up to help spell I've...any chance that might be cam Witt?

[valpotx]

Good point on Witt, maybe now is a good time to play him as a walk-on if he still wants to!  A guy that knows the offense and can contribute some big man minutes.

In regards to 'special' players, it depends on your definition.  Kenney is special in that he can fill up many different stat categories on different nights.  He doesn't have to be a high scorer to be an impact on the game.  He can get a lot of rebounds, assists, points, etc, each on separate nights to have this impact.  If you are talking about 'great' players while at Valpo, you have Bryce, Lubos, and Raitis in my mind.  Lubos is one of the better players in the top European leagues year after year, and if he had support on his national team, would have the Czech Republic at that level too. 

[vu72]

I guess we just have different definitions of what a "special" player is....I think we have had very, very few at Valpo.  Bryce, definitely.  Lubos, possibly.  That's no knock on the program either....I just save the word special for someone who is....special.  Pretty subjective word I guess.

Probably not the place for this debate, but I think you would have to count Dan Oppland as "special".  Third all time in scoring and third all time in rebounds.

[Valpo2010]

Someone posted earlier that another walk on may suit up to help spell I've...any chance that might be cam Witt?

I was told that the possible additional walk-on is a "student who spends a lot of time hanging around the ARC shooting and the coaching staff took notice of him."  I have not heard a name, and honestly hadn't even thought of Cam.  As I said in my original post on this, it was a rumor I heard, dont know how soon it would happen, or if it would materialize at all.  Definitely would be nice to have an extra big body though. 

Looking forward to a good win tonight with good amounts of playing time for Shelton and Carpenter.

[VU75]

I would assume that Witt would not be eligible as a walk-on.

[bbtds]

Someone posted earlier that another walk on may suit up to help spell I've...any chance that might be cam Witt?

I was told that the possible additional walk-on is a "student who spends a lot of time hanging around the ARC shooting and the coaching staff took notice of him."  I have not heard a name, and honestly hadn't even thought of Cam.  As I said in my original post on this, it was a rumor I heard, dont know how soon it would happen, or if it would materialize at all.  Definitely would be nice to have an extra big body though. 

Looking forward to a good win tonight with good amounts of playing time for Shelton and Carpenter.

If it turned out to be Cam Witt the scholarship money that the university is giving him would have to be counted as one scholarship towards the allowable scholarships under NCAA rules. Another of the scholarships would have to be taken away from another player currently receiving scholarship money. Remember Cam gave up his position on the basketball team and his scholarship money became academic scholarship money. It would count against the NCAA allowable scholarship limit. It would have to be an actual paying student to be a "true" walk-on.

[RS]

Does not seem that Dino may ever play for VU. Is he in school and on scholarship at all. Perhaps his scholarship could be used. Maybe this will another reason why Boggs will not set out this year. We need the bodies, especially in our always tough Horizon League games. Cam would be a welcome addition.

[FWalum]

I guess we just have different definitions of what a "special" player is....I think we have had very, very few at Valpo.  Bryce, definitely.  Lubos, possibly.  That's no knock on the program either....I just save the word special for someone who is....special.  Pretty subjective word I guess.

Matt has special "gifts" and the heart to use them.  I don't know that he is a "special" player yet.

Does not seem that Dino may ever play for VU. Is he in school and on scholarship at all.

What source is this coming from?

[StlVUFan]

I've had a man-crush on Matt Kenney for a couple of years now.

[koala]

Kangaroos do not zip around they bound, just thought I'd clear that up :-)

[johnestuff]

Kangaroos do not zip around they bound, just thought I'd clear that up :-)

She'll be apples, mate!

[koala]

Fairdinkum and onya Buddy all good here, cheers!

[johnestuff]

Lived for a while half way to "out the back of Burke".