Does Valley Conference Play Prepare a Team for the NCAAs?

by **Ace Dad** » March 16th, 2012, 1:56 pm

There is a discussion thread on a team basketball blog that says that "Valley play--slow, non-athletic" does not best prepare a Valley team for the NCAAs. In other words, our players are not quick enough or athletic enough to replicate what teams will see in the "Big Dance."

I believe that our conference is good enough and has enough diverse type of play, that any team from the Valley should be prepared for the NCAAs.

I also believe that it is incumbent on the coach to schedule tough non-conference and diverse basketball non conference teams to prepare for the future.

Do you agree that Valley basketball is good enough to prepare our teams for the NCAAs or do you believe that Valley play may handicap a team?

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by **DUBulldog** » March 16th, 2012, 2:05 pm

Ace Dad wrote:There is a discussion thread on a team basketball blog that says that "Valley play--slow, non-athletic" does not best prepare a Valley team for the NCAAs. In other words, our players are not quick enough or athletic enough to replicate what teams will see in the "Big Dance."

I believe that our conference is good enough and has enough diverse type of play, that any team from the Valley should be prepared for the NCAAs.

I also believe that it is incumbent on the coach to schedule tough non-conference and diverse basketball non conference teams to prepare for the future.

Do you agree that Valley basketball is good enough to prepare our teams for the NCAAs or do you believe that Valley play may handicap a team?

I think that MVC play is good enough, but I do agree that MVC teams tend to not be very "athletic"...it is more of a grind it out league. So, MVC teams aren't accustomed to playing teams that want to push tempo. But, the opponent in those games also might not be accustomed to playing against the "MVC style" of play.

by **unifight789** » March 16th, 2012, 2:08 pm

First of all, we all know what board that came from. Second, VCU is very unique team. You can count on one hand the teams in all of the nation that play that fast and that relentlessly and are as successful as they are while doing it. So I dont know what conference you are going to go to that would be able to get you completely prepared for that.

The one knock that I will always give the Valley is the layoff after the conference tournament. I think that has a lot to do with slow starts we see from valley teams in the tourney.

I dont think Butler has had this problem. We all know the valley is bigger and more athletic than the horizon. Then how come they have been able to make so many huge runs. Its not fair to the valley to make the argument of the teams not being athletic enough to prepare wsu to play a team like VCU.

by **havoc** » March 16th, 2012, 2:09 pm

DUBulldog wrote:
Ace Dad wrote:There is a discussion thread on a team basketball blog that says that "Valley play--slow, non-athletic" does not best prepare a Valley team for the NCAAs. In other words, our players are not quick enough or athletic enough to replicate what teams will see in the "Big Dance."

I believe that our conference is good enough and has enough diverse type of play, that any team from the Valley should be prepared for the NCAAs.

I also believe that it is incumbent on the coach to schedule tough non-conference and diverse basketball non conference teams to prepare for the future.

Do you agree that Valley basketball is good enough to prepare our teams for the NCAAs or do you believe that Valley play may handicap a team?[/quote

I think that MVC play is good enough, but I do agree that MVC teams tend to not be very "athletic"...it is more of a grind it out league. So, MVC teams aren't accustomed to playing teams that want to push tempo. But, the opponent in those games also might not be accustomed to playing against the "MVC style" of play.

Both WSU and Creighton were held to some of their lowest point totals in their first round games.

by **TylerDurden** » March 16th, 2012, 2:15 pm

It's always easier to blame someone or something other than yourself.

Plenty of MVC teams have had NCAA success, so placing blame on the league competition is a petty cop out. Own up to the fact that you got out-coached and out-played.

The reality is that when one team comes prepared from the start and executes, they tend to win. That is what happened.

Don't hold yourself up as superior, lay an egg, and blame others.

by **DUBulldog** » March 16th, 2012, 2:18 pm

The main reason WSU lost was that they shot terribly. I think the opponent had something to do with that, but the Shockers also missed a lot of shots they normally make.

by **Jet915** » March 16th, 2012, 2:21 pm

The fact that we made the sweet 16 a few times the last 5-6 years makes this not true. The biggest thing that perturbs me is the long layoff between Arch Madness and NCAA's. I think that hurts more.

by **BirdmanBB** » March 16th, 2012, 2:41 pm

I think Arch madness definitely does. We just happen to not have a coach who buys into the trap all game philosophy. Shockers knew it was coming, but they just didn't look prepared. They definitely had the talent to break it while maintaining control. That one is on Marshall in my opinion.

2 years ago when ISU got paired up with Lon Krugers UNLV team we looked like a deer in headlights as they were trapping us all game long. We also weren't very good either. We just don't have a team that plays like that in the valley anymore.

by **3ontheway** » March 16th, 2012, 2:51 pm

i think the 10-11 day layoff between games hurts. both wsu and cu looked rusty offensively, very little flow, some of that for sure is due to vcu and AL having good athletic defenses, but these kids have not had 1 week between games, much less almost 2 weeks for close to 5 months. i don't think it is an excuse, i think it is a legitimate factor. i wonder how hard it would be to alter the schedule, would probably screw up tv contracts i'm guessing

by **BirdmanBB** » March 16th, 2012, 2:59 pm

3ontheway wrote:i think the 10-11 day layoff between games hurts. both wsu and cu looked rusty offensively, very little flow, some of that for sure is due to vcu and AL having good athletic defenses, but these kids have not had 1 week between games, much less almost 2 weeks for close to 5 months. i don't think it is an excuse, i think it is a legitimate factor. i wonder how hard it would be to alter the schedule, would probably screw up tv contracts i'm guessing

Apparently the redbirds didn't get the memo about poor offense being associated with a layoff. They are proof this season that it shouldn't have an effect.

I think some of it can be the sheer jitters a team might get out the gate from the build up of an NCAA tourney game though. There is more demand for interviews, appearances..etc. It can get in their heads a little.