FWIW: I asked AI for a prediction of the score, and I was surprised by the unexpected answer, which I am sure contradicts common sense and Vegas odds. Perhaps this is an appropriate caution to rely on AI for future events rather than as a compilation of historical data. We'll see.
"Based on available data and predictions from various sources, the predicted score for the Valparaiso University versus Evansville basketball game on February 16, 2025, is:
Valparaiso 73, Evansville 66
This prediction aligns with the trends and analyses provided for similar games and team performances around that time. However, please note that predictions can vary, and actual outcomes may differ due to many factors like player performance, injuries, or unexpected game dynamics."
As someone whe regularly works with AI. It's like asking a fisherman what he thinks the best NASCAR race is. AI LLMs are still fun to mess around with tho.
Im only curious about one thing........ Does our good shooting continue or does it go back to ice cold? I am not asking for blistering shooting like the Belmont game but at least 35, 40% from 3 and 45% from the field?
3 point shooting is hit or miss. However there was a return to fundamentals of driving to the basket to draw fouls that can be worked upon in my opinion
So today I was in Valpo for my Aunt funeral. At 104 she was Valpo’s oldest living alumnus as well as Valpo’s longest living basketball season ticket holder. At 104 you would think not many would have shown up. Not for her. The place was packed, and, to my surprise and true joy, the entire men’s basketball team and staff were there to show their respect and honor her dedication to Valpo basketball. It is why Valpo is no the special place that it is. Special thanks to Coach Powell. It meant a lot to family, including me.
Coop comes out motivated against Evansville's top shot blocker:
Valpo 75
Eville 67
Seems like the bye teams are basically set for St Louis. If we could get thru a thursday matchup we have beaten 2 bye teams and played bradley and drake tough. Somehow play well today see how this thing plays out.
At least one diehard Aces fan on MVCFans is exasperated over their lack of offense. Well, they did OK at the ARC cuz they beat us. But they just got killed at Mizzu State. They are now regrouping.
We, OTOH, are coming off a major Belmont beatdown.
Do our young guns think that one game makes them good………….. or do they take that, after only one game, as a challenge to prove they are actually worthy?
I know if I was on our team, I’d be in the latter camp. I’d be so psyched. But I would hope Roger will pull them back a bit so that instead of going crazy and missing shots they always make in practice, they play with mature confidence — as if it was in practice.
That’s the problem with a heavily underclass team. How do you inject instant maturity?
I am optimistic. Valpo by 5 (after a few heart-stopping moments).
Valpo looking like they belong. Good start.
How do ref assignments get made? It seems like every game over the last 20 years in Evansville, they get a bunch of bs ticky-tack fouls around the basket, and we are not given that same grace. We have to get absolutely hammered around the basket, to get a call in this game.
Powell needed to make an adjustment on the lobs much earlier in the game, and it will be our downfall. Why not put in Scroggins and/or Louth to see if their height and jumping ability, can stop the constant alley-oops? Coop is also missing a bunch of shots around the basket.
Size cost us another game.
Same old story, Valpo cannot match the opponent's big man: Turnbull scores 27 points at will (12-15), and Evansville wins in the paint 38-26. At the other end of the court, Valpo's players, especially Schwieger, are manhandled on every shot without any fouls called. I was wondering when Powell would get a technical, and thank goodness he finally did, though maybe too late! We need more of that intimidator Coach Powell and less Rev consistently toward officials throughout games from the opening tip.
I do agree, maybe Louth and Lucas are not quite ready but other teams seem to get their extra guys in a few minutes in games when they are needed to spell a run for even just 2-3 minutes. But we never see them. What you lose on offense may be gained on defense tho I never see practice and how those two keep up. With each game comes many adjustments and how we adjust is how you succeed. Evansville went zone and cut our production in half. We can beat man to man to make the next practices all about beating the zone. I wouldn’t expect to win games on the road but a good team finds ways to come back when they fall behind. Didn’t happen today
I am having a bit of trouble of seeing what our goals for this season have been, and what we are building towards next season. Any Powell whisperers out there?
I just don't see the development. I feel like we are just white knuckling the rest of the season and hoping we retain the bright spots on the team.
Nice adjustment by Ragland to go the match up press/zone. Valpo was in a great rhythm in the first half and shooting with confidence but the zone ended that. We obviously are not as comfortable grinding things out and playing at a slower tempo. As for most games we have very few answers for size down low and that was the difference in the game. Points in the paint. Dude had a career day. Screen roll every time down.
Yes the refs missed two or three calls on Cooper and that did appear to be goal tending. Not sure that was enough to make a difference in the game, but it would have made things more interesting. Cooper also missed two point blank shots. I wanted to see Monegro taking more shots being aggressive. Wright needs to learn when he's off, defer to others.
Shaw played excellent and is continuing to show his value moving forward. McNair was a no show.
For those that wanted Powell to show more emotion, he finally got a technical. Justified, prolly. Another difficult end to a game/chalked up to learning lessons for next year.
