MVC Week 3 Discussion

[VUGrad1314]

At the end of the day, AJ and JFL both are clearly the top players in the Valley. They're both a ton of fun to watch, and they have different skill sets. These awards are fun to follow but it shouldn't take anything away from either player. I for one am happy to see Valpo far exceeding expectations this year and much credit to JFL for making that happen.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Different players different skillsets but still great to watch and super impactful. We should both feel grateful and honored that they chose to play in the MVC for our respective schools. JFL definitely deserves a lot of credit for how well Valpo has played and how hard they fight each game. He's really blossomed into a terrific leader who will do wonderful things at Valpo if he sticks around. I really think there's a chance if we can keep everyone together that we can contend next year. I think we're seeing that foundation being laid right now.

I hope you guys didn't think I was trying to disrespect or take shots at or slight A.J. Green in any way. He's a great player and I take nothing away from him. I was just advocating for my guy and trying to use a factual basis to do so. I love watching both players on a nightly basis and the nights they get to go head to head are a real treat. That clash in the ARC last year was my favorite game and memory from last year. And your Panthers are keeping the multibid dream alive for the MVC, a feat for which Green deserves most of the credit. I am very happy to see them performing so well and I am rooting for them in every non-Valpo game they play. UNI's elite record of performance in multiple sports is something I want Valpo to aspire to emulate. I have tremendous respect for the Panthers and indeed the entire MVC. So many of these programs have achieved multiple times heights that I hope to see Valpo achieve one day. I hope some day we become more than that one run in 1998 and I know that the MVC is the conference that can help us do it. I'm proud and honored that my school is here and gets to compete against and be counted as a peer of so many great institutions both athletically and academically.

[mvfcfan]

I originally picked SIU to win, but then quickly changed my mind. Drake just does not play all that well on the road it seems. SIU has done great at home so far. I think they are currently 7-1.

[Bulldog4life24]

Drake getting run out of Carbondale.

Good job Salukis on the effort and protecting home court. Sorry the Dogs couldn’t give you a better game - dogs apparently forgot how to play on the trip down.

[tribecalledquest]

Drake getting run out of Carbondale.

Good job Salukis on the effort and protecting home court. Sorry the Dogs couldn’t give you a better game - dogs apparently forgot how to play on the trip down.

I didn’t see any of the game. What happened? Good for Mullins. Carbondale won’t be an easy win for any team.

[DUBulldog]

Drake getting run out of Carbondale.

Good job Salukis on the effort and protecting home court. Sorry the Dogs couldn’t give you a better game - dogs apparently forgot how to play on the trip down.

I didn’t see any of the game. What happened? Good for Mullins. Carbondale won’t be an easy win for any team.

Drake played probably as bad as they possibly could. I can't speak for SIU, but I'd guess that this was one of their best performances. From the first few minutes, it was obvious that SIU just wanted it more.

[sivert]

MVC Play:

Green" 25.8 PPG, 52.7 FG%, 48.1 3PT%, 100% FT, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.7, SPG 3.0TO\G

Freeman-Liberty: 19.8 PPG, 41.2% FG%, 26.8 3PT%, 85.7 FT%, 5.2 RPG 2.3SPG 2.5 TO\G

JFL is a great scorer. I saw him play here in Cedar Falls. I’m frankly not sure I want to make an argument at this point about who is more deserving of POY.

Not only does Freeman-Liberty best Green in EVERY SIGNIFICANT STATISTICAL CATEGORY except FTs and 3 pointers, he's also leading a less experienced and less statistically successful supporting cast.

I disagree that a less successful supporting cast means JFL is more POY deserving.

In MVC play, AJ has taken 93 shots. (24-41, 25-52 = 123 points). JFL has taken 102 (31-61, 11-41 = 95 pts).
So AJ scored 1.3 points per shot (pps). And JFL scored 0.93 points per shot. That’s a huge difference in efficiency.
Add AJ’s 32-32 FTs made vs 24-28 and the efficiency gains a little more.

Scoring more in less possessions means that AJ’s teammates get a chance to score also. So his efficiency contributes to his teammates success.
AJ also has been double teamed a lot in conference play, which contributes to his teammates scoring.

Also, consider the alternative of the POY candidate or his team taking a shot in league play.
AJ: 24-41, 25-52 = 123 points and 1.3 pps.
Panthers: 87-160, 28-81 = 258 points and 1.07 pps
JFL: 31-61, 11-41 = 95 points and 0.93 pps
Crusaders: 68-141, 44-121 = 268 points and 1.02 pps

So while AJ was more efficient than his team while JFL was less efficient than his team.

[PantherSigEp]

After 3 full weeks, here are the current MVC standings:

T1. UNI 5-1 (16-2)

T1. Loyola. 5-1 (13-6)

3. Bradley 4-2 (13-6)

T4. Drake 3-3 (13-6)

T4. ISUb 3-3 (10-7)

T4. Valpo 3-3 (10-9)

T4. MSU 3-3 (9-10)

T4. SIU 3-3 (9-10)

9. ISUr 1-5 (6-12)

10. E'ville 0-6 (9-10)

[PantherSigEp]

Its still a close race for the bottom 4 spots and anyone's race for the top, although UNI, Loyola and Bradley have probably "looked" to be in the best position to be Top 3. But A LOT of basketball is left and anything can happen.

Right now I think it's safe to say UNI is the only team with a shot at an at-large if they can be near flawless for the remainder of the season and make it to Sunday....so keep rooting for us ya filthy animals!

[SalukiWorld]

Drake getting run out of Carbondale.

Good job Salukis on the effort and protecting home court. Sorry the Dogs couldn’t give you a better game - dogs apparently forgot how to play on the trip down.

I didn’t see any of the game. What happened? Good for Mullins. Carbondale won’t be an easy win for any team.

Drake played probably as bad as they possibly could. I can't speak for SIU, but I'd guess that this was one of their best performances. From the first few minutes, it was obvious that SIU just wanted it more.

Yeah SIU played a great game, Drake played a poor game. SIU is a different team at home though. I'd imagine you'll return the favor in Des Moines.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

AJ Green Points Allowed

@BRADLEY
1st Half (13)
11 - Kingsby
2 - Henry
2nd Half (6)
4 - Kingsby
2 - Kennell
Total (19)

Green seems decent enough when defending spotup shooters but has trouble with agile guys who penetrate. Washpun would’ve been his kryptonite. It’ll be interesting how Jacobson tries to hide him on D. Green is basically the antithesis of your vintage Panther teams as he’s absurdly boosting UNI’s offensive efficiency numbers but trading those signature UNI 58-54 wins for 78-70 wins.