Arch Madness -- Valpo Preview & Game Thread -- 3-6-20

[luke]

Definite lack of killer instinct in this one. While I generally agree with the "starters don't matter" mindset, the minute distribution was a clear issue, particularly with Uguak. It's hard to blame him because we know what he is (not bad, just not meant to have the second highest minutes on the team). This is part of why it does feel like Moser deserves some heat for this one. Hall and Uguak had the most minutes and didn't have their best games. We had the potential for several games in a short period of time. Rotate guys in. Wouldn't have minded Kennedy on the floor more. He's got a spark that feels like we were missing.

Echoing a few others, the lack of an outside threat hurt, especially in the second half. Krutwig was getting doubles thrown at him consistently. Thinking with Kaifes back next season and Wojcik hopefully adding some strength, the versatility will be a big help.

[Dansen]

They were shadow doubling Krut before he even got the ball. Daring Aher/Keith to beat us, and only Keith stepped up.

End of the game and OT are on Porter. I generally agree with the board, should not have lost.

Personally, I’m rooting Drake the rest of the way. Generally likeable fan base, I don’t like Mo state or Bradley

[GoRamblers]

I hate that Bradley is playing for the title. Ugh.

[goramblers2011]

I hate that Bradley is playing for the title. Ugh.

And I'm not sure I see Valpo or MoSt beating them. Will, of course, cheer them on during the Dance for the sake of the MVC but I think Illinois State is the only team I'd want less to represent the MVC (but the Redturds are so irrelevant that my hatred if them has waned). With Childs, they are the 3rd best team in the Valley and I do think they can pull an upset off in the Dance depending on matchups.

Was also thinking on that last sequence....why didn't we sub Krut out after his FT? Valpo had a smallish quick lineup out there and Kiser had been dribbling circles around Krut the last 10 minutes. Hindsight is 20/20 and all, but we should have had got Krut out of there for someone who could guard on the perimeter. (Oh and we should have fouled.)

[ahunte1]

Or sub on offense to get Aher and Tate out. Did you guys realize that Tate was 14/33 from the line in Feb/March?

[goramblers2011]

And on the our last gasp, Krut was streaking up the floor with his man beat. A lead pass from Clemons gets Krut an open look. Man. But that was rushed and stuff so obviously much less upset about that than the not fouling and some of the substitutions made and not made.

Hall's free throw shooting inability should have kept him off the court down the stretch when it became apparent that the game would be coming down to free throws.

[Dansen]

Personally, I’m rooting Drake the rest of the way. Generally likeable fan base, I don’t like Mo state or Bradley

I should start charging teams to have me root for their rival

[goramblers2011]

Will be cheering for the Crusaders tomorrow. How cool would it be to go from PIG to Dance? They looked really sharp tonight knocking out a red hot and talented MoSt team. Just gotta pray fatigue doesn't hit tomorrow.

[ahunte1]

Maybe the writers should stop picking Missouri State to win the league.

[WestCoastFan]

No one in league history has started on Thursday and won the whole thing. I'll be interested to see how Valpo looks tomorrow, but I'll be rooting for them.