Valpo @ Evansville

[m-v-c]

Haven't seen the Aces play yet, and maybe Evansville fans have already mentioned this, but was really intrigued to see what they did this year with the rules emphasis on actually calling fouls. In past years Marty's teams have run some of the most beautiful motion offense in the country, tons of movement without the ball and very little of the pounding the ball on the dribble too many teams do now, but all the chucking of cutters and grabbing practically penalized them for running such an offense. If officials are actually calling the bumping of cutters, hand-checking and things like that, it should've favored a team like Evansville that actually teaches offensive fundamentals. Do think that without question, we're seeing that these 'new rules' (which aren't new rules, just enforcement of old ones) are having an effect on scoring, which is good because it's adding more variety to the sport.

[PurpleRedbird]

Do think that without question, we're seeing that these 'new rules' (which aren't new rules, just enforcement of old ones) are having an effect on scoring, which is good because it's adding more variety to the sport.

I didn't have a problem with the new closer called games until I sat through the ISU-Manhatten game where there were 79 free throws shot and neither team could get into any sort of rhythmn. How do you call holding on a guy who is backing up with his hands straight in the air? And that was against Manhatten so no homer here. Some things don't change.....good official are good officials......poor officials are poor officials with a built in excuse that they are being asked to emphasize certain rules.

And GO ACES! Love to see my alma matre do well. Hoping to head down to a game over Christmas and looking forward to seeing them at Redbird.

[2livewu]

I continue to be bullish on the Aces, but even I didn't expect this kind of offensive outburst. Safe to say if they shoot 61% the rest of the year they'll be in the top 10 and headed somewhere as a protected seed.

I do expect most in the Valley to play a little stouter D than Valpo. But I am confident in my top 4 finish for UE at this point, potentially even a shade higher.

[BradleyBrave]

All I see in this thread is keeping track of Balentine's points and no discussion about seeing a 25 point halftime lead go down to 6 with a minute left. Sounds similar to BU seeing a 24 point lead get down to 7 last week. How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

[pafan]

How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

Between 6 minutes remaining (17 pt UE lead) and 1 minute remaining:

• Lots of 3 pt-plays for Valpo -- 5 of 6 in this period, including 1 FT after a made bucket
• 5 UE turnovers
• 2 made UE field goals

If you ask Valpo fans, the refs kept Evansville in it toward the end. Ballentine and Gibson kept driving to the rack and getting fouled late.

[ACECARD]

All I see in this thread is keeping track of Balentine's points and no discussion about seeing a 25 point halftime lead go down to 6 with a minute left. Sounds similar to BU seeing a 24 point lead get down to 7 last week. How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

Aces are getting it done with 4 freshmen, 2 sophs., and Sawvell a junior. This team is still learning how to win. Can't expect that young a team to hold a 25 point lead in the second half against a quality team, and Valpo is a quality team. They hit 61% of their shots, and 48 % of their 3 pointers. There will be games that you can't outscore your opponents, so their defense is going to have to improve. If it does, watch out.

If there is a better player in the Valley than DJ Balentine, I haven't seen him, but then again I haven't seen every player in the league. I guess there might be some as good, but no one BETTER.

[BradleyBrave]

All I see in this thread is keeping track of Balentine's points and no discussion about seeing a 25 point halftime lead go down to 6 with a minute left. Sounds similar to BU seeing a 24 point lead get down to 7 last week. How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

Aces are getting it done with 4 freshmen, 2 sophs., and Sawvell a junior. This team is still learning how to win. Can't expect that young a team to hold a 25 point lead in the second half against a quality team, and Valpo is a quality team. They hit 61% of their shots, and 48 % of their 3 pointers. There will be games that you can't outscore your opponents, so their defense is going to have to improve. If it does, watch out.

If there is a better player in the Valley than DJ Balentine, I haven't seen him, but then again I haven't seen every player in the league. I guess there might be some as good, but no one BETTER.

Thanks. Sounds like Valpo couldn't miss. They're picked by most to finish pretty low in the Horizon League this year, but from what I have seen so far it looks like they could be a contender.

I would be very excited about the future if I was an Aces fan.

[Ace Dad]

All I see in this thread is keeping track of Balentine's points and no discussion about seeing a 25 point halftime lead go down to 6 with a minute left. Sounds similar to BU seeing a 24 point lead get down to 7 last week. How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

Aces are getting it done with 4 freshmen, 2 sophs., and Sawvell a junior. This team is still learning how to win. Can't expect that young a team to hold a 25 point lead in the second half against a quality team, and Valpo is a quality team. They hit 61% of their shots, and 48 % of their 3 pointers. There will be games that you can't outscore your opponents, so their defense is going to have to improve. If it does, watch out.

If there is a better player in the Valley than DJ Balentine, I haven't seen him, but then again I haven't seen every player in the league. I guess there might be some as good, but no one BETTER.

You read my mind about our team. Does DJ play defense well enough to be considered one of the best players in the MVC or is he just an offensive monster?

[mvcfan]

All I see in this thread is keeping track of Balentine's points and no discussion about seeing a 25 point halftime lead go down to 6 with a minute left. Sounds similar to BU seeing a 24 point lead get down to 7 last week. How exactly did this happen? Aces quit playing? Officials take over? Just curious.

Aces are getting it done with 4 freshmen, 2 sophs., and Sawvell a junior. This team is still learning how to win. Can't expect that young a team to hold a 25 point lead in the second half against a quality team, and Valpo is a quality team. They hit 61% of their shots, and 48 % of their 3 pointers. There will be games that you can't outscore your opponents, so their defense is going to have to improve. If it does, watch out.

If there is a better player in the Valley than DJ Balentine, I haven't seen him, but then again I haven't seen every player in the league. I guess there might be some as good, but no one BETTER.

You read my mind about our team. Does DJ play defense well enough to be considered one of the best players in the MVC or is he just an offensive monster?

I'm just hoping that the Shockers can hang with the Aces.

[pafan]

Haven't seen the Aces play yet, and maybe Evansville fans have already mentioned this, but was really intrigued to see what they did this year with the rules emphasis on actually calling fouls.

This is an interesting quesiton. I don't really think UE is benefitting more from free throws than any other team in the country (although UE's FT% is much improved this year).

It is plausible that teams are defending UE differently this year than in years prior, but UE is also running the offense a little differently.

Let me explain. In 2012, a bunch of players who were shy about taking shots took up a lot of minutes. Or, put another way, 3 players ate up 54% of all shot opportunities while being only 41% of team minutes.

So far this year, DJ Ballentine has been the #1 scorer by far, but there are no "shy" players IMO, making assists much more common. Additionally, the offense is running faster, so you may not be able to observe the "beauty" of the motion. (Most UE fans who have decried the Simmons offense in prior years as "plodding" and not "beautiful", but that's beside the point)