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| Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 https://www.ramblermania.net:443/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3327 |
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| Author: | JCT [ Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 8:00 p.m. Gentile Arena, Chicago, Illinois Valparaiso makes their first trip to Gentile Arena as the Beacons and their last trip to Rogers Park as a conference foe on Tuesday night. Loyola played Valpo the first time almost exactly 100 years ago (actually, two days short of 100 years ago), and has compiled a 43-16 record over the years, 9-1 as conference mates in the MVC since 2017. The Ramblers haven't lost on their home court since 2019, and haven't lost a home conference game since the 2018-19 season. But last time out, Saturday afternoon against Bradley, it took a furious 16-point comeback to force overtime before the Ramblers got the W. Last time the Ramblers faced Valpo at home it was another nail-biter as Loyola survived to beat the Crusaders 54-52. Only three of the eight players who got court time at Gentile Arena last February are still at Valpo, as their amazing, unusual, curious round of transfers in and out of the program has continued. Donovan Clay transferred to rival MVC team Missouri State for his junior season, Mileek McMillan took a grad transfer to Western Michigan, Zion Morgan hung 'em up, promising freshman Jacob Ognacevic transferred to Lipscomb, and Goodnews Kpegeol transferred to a juco in Florida. Meanwhile, the Beacons got some higher(ish)-profile transfers coming in-- grad transfers Kobe King from Wisconsin and Kevion Taylor from Winona State, plus forward Thomas Kithier from Michigan State. This year, Valpo is off to an 8-8 start,with their best wins coming against Jacksonville State and Tulane at the Nassau Championship MTE. In conference play, the Beacons opened the season losing at Drake, won at home over Illinois State, and dropped their last two at UNI and home against Missouri State. Coach Matt Lotich has a 91-86 record in his 5+ years at Valpo, but he's only 30-46 in regular season MVC conference play. The likely starters on Tuesday night for Valpo are 6'9" junior forward Ben Krikke, 6'8" senior forward Thomas Kithier, 6'4" senior guard Kobe King, and 6'4" sophomore guard Sheldon Edwards. Last time out, 6'2" freshman guard Preston Rudeger got his first start, but had only three points in 27 minutes. Trevor Anderson, a 6'4" Wisconsin transfer Trevor Anderson had been getting the starts and playing time before last game, but Anderson was out with an injury against Missouri State. If Anderson returns to the lineup against the Ramblers, all five Valpo starters average double figures in points, led by King with 15.4 and followed by Krikke (14.9), and Edwards (11.5). Thanks to injuries, illnesses and other issues, only Sheldon Edwards and 6'3" senior guard Eron Gordon off the bench have played in all 16 contests. Kithier leads the team in rebounds with 6.8 per game to go with his 10.2 points on average. Three of the things that distinguish this new-look, new-name Beacons team are their steals, their assist to turnover ratio, and their free-throw shooting. Valpo leads the league in steals, with six players (led by Edwards with 21 so far) having notched at least ten steals in the young season. The Beacons' turnovers rank lowest per game in the league, and although they don't force many turnovers overall, their ability to take care of the ball has their assist to turnover ratio rivaling Loyola's league-leading mark. They're also a very, very good free-throw shooting team at 75.1%, tied for second in the league. The Ramblers dodged a bullet with a 78-71 OT win over the Bradley Braves their last time out. Lucas Williamson was noteworthy, as he led (er, willed?) the Ramblers through the late minutes and OT, scoring all of the Ramblers' last 10 points in overtime. Chris Knight had his best game as a Rambler coming off the bench, putting up 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and hauling in 11 rebounds. The Beacons have a lot of talent and experience, just not that much experience playing together and playing against MVC competition. If they start to get healthy and learn how to play together and close out tight games on top, they could be a factor (or a spoiler) late in the season and especially in St. Louis. Loyola game notes: https://loyolaramblers.com/documents/20 ... _11_22.pdf Valparaiso game notes: https://cdn.streamlinehosting.net/valpo ... 22_LUC.pdf TV/Streaming video: CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/cbs-sports-network/ Radio/Streaming audio: https://loyolaramblers.com/watch/?Live=97&type=Live Live stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=369446 Vegas odds: Loyola by 17 |
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| Author: | goramblers2011 [ Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Surprised the spread is so big after how we looked on Saturday. Valpo has played us tough quite a few times. And I think the size of Krikke and Kithier are going to give us fits. Not to mention King's ability to put up big points if he's on (not ideal when your top trio all has last names beginning with "K"). I see this as a 70-60 type of game in favor of the Ramblers. |
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| Author: | swellafelon [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Two questions: 1. Why the 8:00 start? 2. Are the students back on campus? |
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| Author: | ahunte1 [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
swellafelon wrote: Two questions: 1. Why the 8:00 start? 2. Are the students back on campus? We're the late game on CBS Sports Network. No. Spring semester starts after MLK Day. |
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| Author: | RamblinTank22 [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Hopefully we find a way to not get beat too bad in the paint. Worst case scenario is Krikke starts to dominate and opens things up for King to be effective. Best case is obviously we play lockdown D and this game isn't close at all. On the topic of students being there, when I was a student I liked when we started before MLK Day. Syllabus week/easing into things followed by a 3 day weekend was the perfect way to start a semester. Plus, let us back on campus which lead to seeing an extra basketball or volleyball game. |
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| Author: | goramblers2011 [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Can't hit a 3 again. Sluggish offense. |
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| Author: | 01grad [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
That was a long stretch without a stop in play. Gassed towards the end there. |
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| Author: | goramblers2011 [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
We do not have an offensive identity. And we have zero post presence. Down double digits on our home court against a bottom tier Valley team AGAIN. This isn't a top 25 team. |
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| Author: | RamblinTank22 [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Just forcing it on offense. No Krikke on the floor, and Valpo extends the lead with a 9-0 run. We've got to be ready for everyone's best shot. The past 2 games we've looked like we're expecting we can do whatever because we're better, and the other team comes out swinging. |
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| Author: | JCT [ Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Valparaiso Preview and Game Thread -- 1-11-2022 |
Beacons are getting away with REALLY hard physical play. When they push/shove off and get away with it, they get looser and more confident. |
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