It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:49 pm

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 64 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:38 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:56 am
Posts: 3890
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:18 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 12:39 pm
Posts: 2494
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:12 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:15 am
Posts: 4141
Two questions:

1. Why the 8:00 start?

2. Are the students back on campus?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 7:21 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 12:11 pm
Posts: 4746
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.

_________________
MBB Scholarship Chart


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:42 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:00 pm
Posts: 653
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 12:39 pm
Posts: 2494
Can't hit a 3 again. Sluggish offense.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:24 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 11:58 am
Posts: 2604
Location: Livin in the middle, between the two extremes
That was a long stretch without a stop in play. Gassed towards the end there.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:34 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 12:39 pm
Posts: 2494
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 3:00 pm
Posts: 653
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:39 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:56 am
Posts: 3890
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 64 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 7  Next


All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: bmh_twosix and 25 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group Color scheme by ColorizeIt!