Geez what a surprising night

by **Go4Valley** » January 2nd, 2019, 9:43 pm

Drake loses in 2OT after losing best player

UNI kicks Bradley's butt on the road

SIU escapes vs Missouri State

Valpo halfcourt buzzer beat over Illinois Stwill be on SC Top 10

Loyola dominating Indiana St in Chicago

I didnt see all of this coming. Its what makes Valley so fun. Expect the unexpected this conference season. As I said a few days ago....BUCKLE UP!

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by **siudawgs** » January 2nd, 2019, 10:03 pm

If Norton is out for the long-haul, there goes one potential MVC contender. Too bad for Drake, which had pretty much been the MVC's only feel-good story this year.

Illinois State is fragile enough to have the halfcourt shot really take a toll, and they've been a major disappointment, as has their central IL rival, Bradley. Starting to wonder about Wardle. After tonight, Indiana State appears to be more pretender than contender.

So, who can challenge Loyola? I guess maybe SIU once Fletcher returns, but the reality is this is going to be a sorry conference race, with several mediocre teams masquerading as contenders in a very down league. There may be some exciting games along the way, but ... yuck.

by **VUGrad1314** » January 2nd, 2019, 11:38 pm

The way Valpo fights to the end I wouldn't count them out of any game. If the shots start falling at a better clip and they can avoid the long scoring droughts watch out. They may just make it interesting this year. I think we've turned a corner.

by **MVC Phil** » January 3rd, 2019, 6:39 am

Let's not count Indiana State out just yet.

#1 Barnes had the flu. If he was 100% I think the game might have been closer. I still think Loyola would have won but ISU would have looked better.

#2 There is always the post Hawaii hangover coming back from that Holiday event.

by **Adunk33** » January 3rd, 2019, 7:52 am

MVC Phil wrote:Let's not count Indiana State out just yet.

#1 Barnes had the flu. If he was 100% I think the game might have been closer. I still think Loyola would have won but ISU would have looked better.

#2 There is always the post Hawaii hangover coming back from that Holiday event.

Not counting out the Trees yet. This is a tweet from your beat writer Todd Golden, who doesn't seem so sure of the legitimacy of Barnes' illness.

"Barnes is still in the locker room. He took part in shootaround today. No indication was given to me when I asked pre-game that anyone was sick, but that doesn't mean they weren't."

by **bonez** » January 3rd, 2019, 7:57 am

VUGrad1314 wrote:I think we've turned a corner.

One team in the Valley (no names mentioned) has turned the corner so many times over the past few years they've been around the block a dozen times. For Valpo's sake I hope this is really a step in the right direction as they can/should be good for the league.

by **bonez** » January 3rd, 2019, 7:59 am

Adunk33 wrote:No indication was given to me when I asked pre-game that anyone was sick, but that doesn't mean they weren't."

Hopefully he doesn't have the Fletcher Flu.

by **BCPanther** » January 3rd, 2019, 8:40 am

MVC Phil wrote:Let's not count Indiana State out just yet.

#1 Barnes had the flu. If he was 100% I think the game might have been closer. I still think Loyola would have won but ISU would have looked better.

#2 There is always the post Hawaii hangover coming back from that Holiday event.

There's tons of truth to this. Several teams over the years have said they'll never go back because of where it falls in the calendar, especially if you play one of the two late games on Christmas Day. Its tough to turn down an ESPN event but that one needs to move on the calendar or just go away.

by **Milanmiracle** » January 3rd, 2019, 8:45 am

siudawgs wrote:...So, who can challenge Loyola? I guess maybe SIU once Fletcher returns, but the reality is this is going to be a sorry conference race, with several mediocre teams masquerading as contenders in a very down league. There may be some exciting games along the way, but ... yuck.

This sums up my feelings as well. It’s going to be an interesting year, as you might see a 12 point half, or a half court buzzer beater, and in this case on the same night. That said, I don’t think anyone in the Valley is very good, and a one bid one and done NCAA bid seems likely.

by **VUGrad1314** » January 3rd, 2019, 9:31 am

Milanmiracle wrote:
siudawgs wrote:...So, who can challenge Loyola? I guess maybe SIU once Fletcher returns, but the reality is this is going to be a sorry conference race, with several mediocre teams masquerading as contenders in a very down league. There may be some exciting games along the way, but ... yuck.

This sums up my feelings as well. It’s going to be an interesting year, as you might see a 12 point half, or a half court buzzer beater, and in this case on the same night. That said, I don’t think anyone in the Valley is very good, and a one bid one and done NCAA bid seems likely.

It'll be one bid as for one and done you never know. After all this is the MVC.