MVC Games Week 2 2024-25

[AcesAces]

It sounds like you're suggesting the Purple Aces aren't very good.

And I think you're right. Today's game was embarrassing, especially on the defensive side. Leading by 18 at halftime, just to lose by 11.

Evansville has a win but it is against an NAIA, so they are 0-3. Their losses were to average mid-majors, all of which manhandled the Aces for many many minutes.

Evansville has a transfer from Big East school Butler, but so far, he is like the other big man getting minutes - weak with the ball, soft on defense, not a great rebounder and very inconsistent.

Based on Radford going 22-27, 81%, in the 2nd half, and 64% for the game, I am not sure Coach Ragland can feel momentum or has any ideas as to how to disrupt it when it is with the opponents.

Haffner and the Italian Bird both look very good this year. Everyone else is struggling to play consistently above a D2 level.

Looks as if Ragland's 2024-25 recruiting class is going to be a big dud. It's going to be a long, long frustrating year for the Aces, again.

[BCPanther]

I think we're headed to Evansville 'starting over' for the 4th time in a decade. It's the first time that I've truly thought Valpo was in a better spot.

Much better day for the league overall and now it's time to do some damage in the MTEs over the next couple weeks.

[AcesAces]

I think we're headed to Evansville 'starting over' for the 4th time in a decade. It's the first time that I've truly thought Valpo was in a better spot.

Much better day for the league overall and now it's time to do some damage in the MTEs over the next couple weeks.

If it comes to that, this boy is going to sit it out.

I don't get it. They can't blame the portal as many teams in the MVC have lost players and coaches, yet they seem to rebuild more quickly and with players who can compete in the MVC and mid major level. Not Evansville. Evansville seems to be opposed to recruiting tough, mature players. Players who will knock you around a couple of times after you are hitting 81% of your shots. Evansville players apologize to their opponents for getting too close to them.

Evansville players: "You want to drive to the basket for a layup? Ok, let me move to the side and tell our big man to just do a random swap at the ball, being sure not to bump you in any way as you go up for your uncontested layup. Thanks for beating our asses."

[TylerDurden]

I think we're headed to Evansville 'starting over' for the 4th time in a decade.

People scoffed and some even got offended when I said it before, but Evansville doesn't belong in DI. Even if you want to argue that they do, they don't belong in the MVC.

They've had two winning conference seasons in the last 26 (since 99-00) and just six overall winning seasons in that same span.

[BCPanther]

I think we're headed to Evansville 'starting over' for the 4th time in a decade.

People scoffed and some even got offended when I said it before, but Evansville doesn't belong in DI. Even if you want to argue that they do, they don't belong in the MVC.

They've had two winning conference seasons in the last 26 (since 99-00) and just six overall winning seasons in that same span.

I don't know why they choose to get their brains beat in in everything. The OVC would take them tomorrow if they picked up the phone.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Evansville's attendance is in the top 35-40% of D1. Their MBB budget is in the top 50%. Quality of arena is easily top 35%.

[Aces44]

I think we're headed to Evansville 'starting over' for the 4th time in a decade.

People scoffed and some even got offended when I said it before, but Evansville doesn't belong in DI. Even if you want to argue that they do, they don't belong in the MVC.

They've had two winning conference seasons in the last 26 (since 99-00) and just six overall winning seasons in that same span.

I don't know why they choose to get their brains beat in in everything. The OVC would take them tomorrow if they picked up the phone.

UNI gets beat every other year by UE. You sure you want to go down this path, especially when they won the Baseball and now Soccer Championships?

[BCPanther]

UNI gets beat every other year by UE. You sure you want to go down this path, especially when they won the Baseball and now Soccer Championships?

Yes, I do. Congrats on winning one game against the top of the league every other year and a sport so important that we have to haul in half of the MAC to even sponsor it. Yay Aces!

I'll give you baseball. Good Stuff. Can you sustain it?

Every other league standings graphic comes with Evansville and Valpo pre-filled in the last two spots.

[Aces44]

This all ebs and flows brother. I remember UNI being a doormat, and it likely will be when Jake leaves. How confident are you in your Football team now that your Coach just called it quits?

I’ve been to CF enough times to know that isn’t the peak of the mountain. Be cocky if you want, but keep your mittens on or you will freeze to death.

[TylerDurden]

This all ebs and flows brother. I remember UNI being a doormat, and it likely will be when Jake leaves. How confident are you in your Football team now that your Coach just called it quits?

I’ve been to CF enough times to know that isn’t the peak of the mountain. Be cocky if you want, but keep your mittens on or you will freeze to death.

We agree that CF isn't a vacation destination, but UNI hasn't been a doormat since Sam Weaver's three-year experiment and you still could argue that UNI hasn't ever really been a doormat in the MVC or in its DI lifetime, save for a few rough seasons.

But I'm also not sure how much eb and flow Evansville has seen. UE has an all-time MVC win % of .381.

In conference games since its last NCAA appearance (1998-99 - 27 years ago, its 5th season in the MVC with Jim Crews at the helm and its only appearance during UE's MVC tenure):
- UE's winning percentage is .339 (154-300)
- Evansville is more likely to win three or fewer games (5 times) than it is to have a winning record (2 times).
- Is more likely to win five or fewer games (10 times) than it is to reach .500 (7 times)
- They are nine season removed from the last .500 league season and they've won 23% of MVC games in that time frame. Thank goodness for Marty Simmons' last two years to prop that up.

This isn't some roller-coaster ride for UE. It's a three-decade nosedive.

If misery loves company, I feel the same way about Valpo.