Detroit at Valpo (2/2) Game Thread

[valpopal]

Valpo is listed as a 3 point favorite, though I have a bad feeling that the Titans might finally be finding their chemistry as a team. Still, I cannot choose Detroit over Valpo in any case, so I will hope we barely hold home court:

Detroit  71
Valpo    74

[crusaderjoe]

This is the game we should be circling right now, not Cleveland State.  UDM has won three straight and five out of their last six.  So which Detroit will show up at the ARC--the one that is surging a little right now or the one that lost to UIC?

Tough game.  Once again, I hope we don't get eaten alive underneath.  If so, FIN. 

I'll say 69-67 Valpo.

[VUfan]

don't Back down, don't Back down, we need this! a Battle!
VU 64 UDM 61

[MattCarter]

McCallum is the least effective coach in the entire Horizon League.  IMO Only reason he won't get fired is his son.  No team has had such "talent" on paper, every year, and failed to produce even the most modest of successful seasons.

At best, McCallum employs an "NBA spread" styled offense.  In reality its street ball.  In order to run an NBA Spread, you need NBA players.  I have never witnessed a solid defensive game under McCallum.

Yeah, I don't like him....and Indiana University doesn't exactly have him on the Christmas card list.

That being said, playground ball can sometimes be tough to face.  In the end, solid defense and superior coaching/strategy wins 82-74 Valpo.

[historyman]

Detroit 75
Valpo  59

This is a trap game. Detroit is playing well and Valpo barely beat them in Detroit when the Titans gave the game away to Valpo at the end. This time Detroit's superior talent takes one away from Valpo.

Also the Crusaders didn't play all that well against Milwaukee in the first half. If they do that against Detroit then the Titans will go out to a huge 1st half lead.

[valpotx]

Valpo 76
Detroit 71

They still have McCallum as coach, and we are at home.  No matter how ugly our win was at Milwaukee, it was still a win AT Milwaukee.  That is not something to be ignored.

[vu84v2]

I agree that this could be a trap game, but I still like Valpo's chances as long as they stay in their game and run their offense.  Defense needs to stop McCallum Jr. or someone lese like Holman or Simon from having a big night.

Valpo 77
Detroit 73

[lowposter]

Confirming the tip off time....6:30 CST...correct?

lowposter

[valpo04]

Confirming the tip off time....6:30 CST...correct?

lowposter

Correct.

Next Up in Crusader Basketball: Valparaiso starts a stretch in which it will play five of its final seven Horizon League contests in the friendly confines of the ARC on Thursday evening, as the Crusaders host Detroit for a special 6:30 p.m. start time.  The Crusaders enter the week just one-half game out of first place in the league table.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2011-12/11391/crusaders-return-home-to-take-on-detroit/

[FWalum]

Detroit 75
Valpo  59

This is a trap game. Detroit is playing well and Valpo barely beat them in Detroit when the Titans gave the game away to Valpo at the end. This time Detroit's superior talent takes one away from Valpo.

Also the Crusaders didn't play all that well against Milwaukee in the first half. If they do that against Detroit then the Titans will go out to a huge 1st half lead.

I really don't buy this as a "trap" game.  Will it be difficult? Most certainly, I am not sure that we match up well with very athletically gifted teams.  However, the definition of a "trap" game is generally thought of in the business as a game of lessor significance that occurs after a big win or between two game of perceived higher significance which can precipitate a lack of focus or effort on that game.  The IPFW game, for instance, was an almost prototypical "trap" game coming off of the "historical" victory against Butler at Hinkle and then playing a perceived inferior team on the road.  I realize the Milwaukee game was a big victory, but this team should be ready and focused for all conference games especially those played at home against a surging team like Detroit.

If Eric and Kevin stay out of foul trouble and we play good team defense then I look for VU to hold serve at home in a thriller. 
Valpo 69
Detroit 66

[covufan]

I understand the "trap" theory, but I think it should be up to the players and coaching staff to prepare for every game, not just the circled games.  We need to circle every game, because any loss will further separate us from Cleveland State.

Defense, take care of the rock, defense, rebounding at both ends, and defense will be important tonight.

Valpo  -  73
Detroit -  66

[crusadermoe]

Great game!!   Where are the fans?   
Can't see the upper level on the webcast.   Maybe it is fairly full ?  The visitor's side of lower level is a ghost town.

[wh]

Problems 1st half need to mix up defenses - they are abusing our zone - Kevin not enough min. - Kevin/Ryan should NEVER be on the bench at the same time...hopefully better 2nd half

[historyman]

Call it what you will. I don't think Valpo has concentrated on Detroit as much as they should have. We are down by 9 at halftime and on the way to a double digit loss.

[agibson]

What a game, Ryan Broekhoff!

Career high 26!  Ties the Crusader record for single game 3PT% at 6 for 6 (Jared Nuness at Belmont, 12/22/97).  Two key steals late.  (We'll not dwell on that 0-2 trip to the line, he made his other 4.)

It seems like it shouldn't take that to beat Detroit.  Not to mention the greatly improved team defense in the second half.  But, to come back from ten down in the second half, OK, I'll take it.

Go Valpo!

[valporun]

Like I said in the game chat, the adjustments and the Chase Simon tech were the major helpers in the second half. Without the momentum shift of the four free throws for Jay, we might have easily lost this game by double digits. Detroit self-destructed in the second half.

[vuweathernerd]

for all you guys who ripped richie after the milwaukee game, what say you now? 16 points and 5 boards en route to runner up as player of the game behind ryan. everybody has good days and bad ones.

[valpopal]

Good game and a fine defensive performance in the second half, much like at Milwaukee, to put Valpo in a virtual tie for first place. Plus, UIC beats Youngstown State to give Valpo a two game lead for one of the 2 double-bye spots!

Also, Ryan convincingly delivers more evidence that he is the leading Player of the Year candidate.

[agibson]

Plus, UIC beats Youngstown State to give Valpo a two game lead for one of the 2 double-bye spots!

Well done, UIC!  I saw it was close.  Fantastic that they pulled it out (even if I still have trouble crediting YSU as a contender...).  I'm not sure I believe "virtual tie", but a two game lead on #3 is big.

[valpofan56]

for all you guys who ripped richie after the milwaukee game, what say you now? 16 points and 5 boards en route to runner up as player of the game behind ryan. everybody has good days and bad ones.

I still think he acted like a jackass in the Milwaukee game, I didn't say he wasn't playing well in the game.  In fact, part of the reason I was so ticked at him was because the last couple of games he was finally starting to play well and I thought that him being dumb and getting two techs was going to cost us the game, I'm glad it didn't. I'm also glad that he wasn't banned from playing in the game tonight because like I said he's been playing well lately and without him tonight, there's no way Valpo wins.

[MattCarter]

Once again the coaching loses the game for Detroit. 

If Lowe woulda played the whole game, we woulda been blown out.  McCallum made horrible adjustments at half time and made NONE during the second half when the zone shut them down. 

Thank goodness he has Jr or he'd already be gone

[lowposter]

Any yapping during the game?  I didnt make it tonight, heard they were down 9 at half.  Must have been a great performance in 2H.

lowposter

[sectionee]

for all you guys who ripped richie after the milwaukee game, what say you now? 16 points and 5 boards en route to runner up as player of the game behind ryan. everybody has good days and bad ones.

He had a great game.  Too bad he didn't stick around longer for the one last weekend or that'd be two in a row.  Let's hope he keeps it rolling Saturday.

[sectionee]

I hope they just set Rowdy up with a bed and some grub at the ARC and don't let him leave the gym.  Guy was on fire from the field. 

[chipper955]

Great second half for Valpo.  Wish they could have played that way in the first half.  And you've got to give some props to Doug Anderson for that dunk over Kevin.  That was pretty ridiculous.