Alright...so maybe you're like me and you're planning to watch tonight's league-opener between Cleveland State and Valparaiso.
If so, keep an eye on the blog tonight, as I'll be blogging while I watch. I call it "quasi-live" since I'm not actually at the game...but I'll be updating throughout the contest.
We're not set up to live-blog on this page, so you'll have to refresh the page every now and then to see my entries as they file in.
Send me your comments/questions...and I'll try to address as much as I can.
Now...as for tonight's game...our good friend Kyle Whelliston at The Mid-Majority has tabbed tonight's game as his "Game! Of! The! Night!" You can read his preview here. We love The Mid-Majority here at HLN...and I'm pretty sure all you Valpo fans are pretty familiar with his work as well.
6:50pm - 10 minutes to game time...stream is up on HLN!
7:02pm - Just looking over the numbers for both teams thus far...Valpo needs a little more production from Urule Igbavboa, especially in a game tonight where he'll be challenged every trip down the court by J'Nathan Bullock. For CSU...there's a reason Mr. Bullock's "Player of the Week" award has coincided with more victories for the Vikings. This is a match-up to watch.
7:12pm - Under 16:00 Timeout - 6-2 CSU
Didn't take long for Coach Drew to yank Igbavboa. Fumey, his replacement, has been logging almost as many minutes...and has been a tad more productive. We'll see what he can do against Chris Moore.
7:22pm - Under 12:00 Timeout - 8-4 CSU
Just plain ugly so far. CSU doesn't seem to have found a shooter that can stretch defenses and force opponents from double-teaming Bullock, or sagging off of Cedric Jackson. Valpo...is SORELY missing their floor leader, Brandon McPherson.
7:25pm - 13-4 CSU Nice quick run by the Vikings...Bullock playing with 2 fouls. Bold move by Coach Waters.
7:31pm - Under 8:00 Timeout - 20-6 CSU
Now this is the Cleveland State team I remember seeing last season. Scrappy defense, and turning that defensive pressure into offense. Bullock burying 3-pointers is never a good sign for their opponents. Valpo looks as out-of-sync as I've seen them in awhile. Every shot appears to be a good shot for the Crusaders. The veterans need to show the youngsters the way...
7:35pm - 20-12 CSU Amazing what a little intensity can do.
7:42pm - Under 4:00 Timeout - 25-12 CSU
Like I said...amazing what a little intensity can do...this time for CSU, extending the lead back to 13. J'Nathan Bullock is such a match-up problem. Kid can just about do it all..
7:53pm - Halftime - 31-14 CSU
I can't say I'm surprised that Valpo has went with a zone defense, as CSU has had it's troubles shooting from the perimeter. And honestly, the Vikings haven't been outstanding in the half-court...other than Bullock. Regardless of what Valpo does on the defensive end in the 2nd half, they're going to have to figure out a way to get better shots themselves. Valpo shot 5-25 from the field in the first half...not gonna cut it...ever. I hate to say it again...but it's really showing how badly they miss Brandon McPherson.
8:09pm - 37-14 CSU
Valpo fans...please tell me...have you ever seen anything like this before? Coach Drew pulling his starters less than a minute into the 2nd half? This is bad...but it looks like the 5 Crusader starters are returning to the floor.
8:14pm - Under 16:00 Timeout - 39-18 CSU
Valpo has gotta try something to get back in it...now going man-to-man and employing a full court press. I'm not sure those things can do much about the Crusaders poor shooting.
8:20pm - 48-25 CSU
I'd like to see someone other than Bullock consistently make a shot. It would benefit them in the long run.
8:24pm - Under 12:00 Timeout - 52-29 CSU
I can hear a rather large woman warming up her voice in the hallways of the Wolstein Center...
8:35pm - Under 8:00 Timeout - 53-37 CSU
It appears that Valpo's Michael Rogers and Howard Little have awoken from their slumber. Unfortunately, you can't spot your opponents a 27-point 2nd half lead and expect to win many games.
8:38pm - Homer Drew...ejected?!? I never thought I'd see the day. I'd love to know how many times that has happened in his career. Valpo fans...any idea?
8:43pm - Under 4:00 Timeout - 59-38 CSU
Still a little stunned by the Homer Drew ejection...and starting to think about Thursday's showdown between CSU and Butler...
FINAL SCORE: CSU - 66 VALPO - 42
Not too much to say about this one...it all sort of speaks for itself. One of those games where I feel like the losing team isn't as bad as they played tonight, and the winning team may not be as good as the margin of victory indicates. You can't argue with what Bullock did tonight, 29 points and 6 rebounds in 32 minutes, but I still contend that SOMEONE is going to need to be able to consistently hit a jumper come Thursday against Butler. As we all know...Butler won't turn the ball over as much as Valpo did tonight...and I'd expect those lanes to the bucket to be a little smaller for CSU on Thursday as well.
Hopefully the Wolstein Center is PACKED on Thursday...should be very entertaining!
That's all for now...
-DL
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Look for Valpo to upset Cleveland State this evening.
ReplyDelete2nd Half - CSU 37-14. Valpo just looks sloppy with the ball.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this - streetball? CSU will beat anyone - offensively and defensively - on the fast breaks. Valpo has to learn to set their plays.
ReplyDeleteCSU looks solid - confident. Valpo - in disarray.
ReplyDeleteHow does Howard Little not handle a pass and still be a Div I player? Com'on!
ReplyDeleteIn order to rebound, Michael Rodgers(1) needs to put both hands - 1, 2 - on the ball instead of fumbling around for it.
ReplyDeleteHomer Drew is going to need pepto-bismol watching the tape.
Well this is more like it - Valpo on a 13-1 run right now at 38-53...
ReplyDeleteDamon, I was bummed I'd have to miss watching this game, but it sounds like I was spared the trauma ;) I did listen to parts of it, and it sounded very humiliating.
ReplyDeleteHomer Drew actually thought he'd been ejected for 2 Techs to years ago at Evansville and left the court, only to find out later that the 2nd T had been charged to his son ;)
I feel like it is going to a long season for Valpo fans, but I hope you are right when you say we're not as bad as we looked tonight.
Thanks for doing this. I just hope Kyle Whelliston doesn't regret choosing this game for his game of the night ;)
So, was that CSU running the scoreboard? Or was that a Horizon League affair? Some difficulties.
ReplyDeleteBut _nothing_ compared to Valpo's difficulties! Man oh man, it's been a rough couple of games. Just no notion of what to do on offense.
When will the archive of the game be posted?