I just checked the stats from our first game with them at Nashville. Sam Orme played 24 minutes in that one with 7 rebounds and 4 points and must no doubt be their primary big who was out with sickness. I have no clue who their other missing big is or how much they would have changed the game planning and execution but I was wondering about their lack of an inside game.2 of Belmonts "Big Men" have been out for 2 weeks with a sickness. If these guys played, this game would have looked very different. Belmont is one of the few teams Valpo can match on defense. Belmont is one of the most lopsided teams in basketball with an Offensive Efficiency rating of 55 and a Defense Efficiency rating of 302.
@justducky Sharnowski is the other one who is out sick. Dont know if he saw the court yesterday, but myt sources tell me they have both been off the court for 2 weeks at this point. Pierre is their primary "big" at the moment
Sharnowski did see the court but only for 2 minutes. Both he and Orme are 6'9" freshmen who have combined for many starts, about 700 total minutes and nearly 150 rebounds. Orme is also comfortable shooting from deep. This dampens my Valpo optimism a bit and could explain why our inside penetration and scoring was above average.@justducky Sharnowski is the other one who is out sick. Dont know if he saw the court yesterday, but myt sources tell me they have both been off the court for 2 weeks at this point. Pierre is their primary "big" at the moment
Following the game, I asked AI to evaluate the team thus far this season. The program seems to offer an optimistic view for rebuilding, particularly if key players remain for the future and defense is strengthened. The results:
The Valparaiso University Beacons basketball team has shown a mix of performances throughout the 2024-2025 season, with some notable highlights and challenges. As of the latest update, the Beacons have had a season where they managed to secure some significant victories but also faced several losses. They've had moments of competitive play within the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). For instance, they achieved a notable upset against Belmont with a score of 101-86, marking their highest scoring output in an MVC game since joining the league. This game was highlighted by an extraordinarily efficient offensive performance, where they shot 25-26 from the free throw line, indicating strong play in crucial moments.
Players like Monegro have been pivotal, leading in scoring in several games with performances like 15 points at halftime against Murray State and 22 points in the game's conclusion. Another notable performance was from Cooper Schwieger, who scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for a double-double in the victory over Belmont. Freshman All Wright has also been recognized, earning the MVC Freshman of the Week award multiple times, showcasing his impact with significant scoring stats. However, consistent performance by the team across all games hasn't been evident.
Given the team's record and the context of their games, it appears that maintaining consistency, particularly in defense, might be an area of focus for improvement. Their record in the previous season (7-24, 3-17 in MVC play) indicates they were at the bottom of the conference standings, suggesting that this season's performances are part of a broader effort to improve their position. The Beacons have had moments of brilliance—like the buzzer-beater three-pointer by Justus McNair in December 2024, which was highlighted for inclusion in ESPN's top plays—indicating their capability for exciting, clutch performances.
With players showing capability and some standout games, the Beacons are on a path of improvement. However, to solidify their standing in the MVC, they'll need to focus more frequently on capitalizing their offensive capabilities with greater consistency and significantly improve defense. In summary, while the Valparaiso Beacons have not had the breakout season for which they hoped in terms of an overall record, they've shown flashes of potential with key players stepping up in crucial games, suggesting a team that's building towards better performance in future seasons.
Pretty articulate. I like the encouraging tone. But……… Where’s the sentence about needing to sign a solid, athletic BIG to close off the lane, hammer drivers and protect the rim? 😄
But seriously, we have some great kids who I hope we can retain for the long run. We, right now, are still young but capable of pulling off wins like Belmont. I hope Roger, short of selling the farm, finds and signs that one solid BIG.
It happened before. Bryce signed Moussa Gueye (7’0”, 270#) to provide a model for Vashil. Moussa, as a starter, kicked butt around the rim for one season and pushed Vashil to be the Vashil we all remember. We need another Moussa to do that again and push Scroggins. Assuming we hold serve with our young guns, if he signs only one player, just one, off the portal for 2025-26, it’s gotta be this.
