Valley Thoughts

[WSUwatcher]

Echoing ShockBand from last week after looking at the final MVC standings...

Man, am I glad WSU isn't in that league any more. I know Warren Nolan has the Valley 8th in RPI, just one step behind the American (although the ELO rating varies somewhat more: 7th for the American, 10th for the Valley), but when I look at the names from the two leagues, it is NOT a close comparison, even though Loyola does bring the coveted Chicago market (yeah, suurrrre) to the Valley.

[1972Shocker]

That has been the common refrain regarding Paul Lusk for a number of years now.

But considering they were expected to contend for the Valley title this year and had 5 seniors and 4 juniors on their roster including an NBA prosect in Alize Johnson this could, in fact, be the end of the line for Coach Lusk.

[wufan]

Loyola goes 15-3 (25-6 overall) to win the Valley. SIU finishes second. Valpo edges out UNI, UE, and MSU for last. Surely Lusk and Simmons are done.

LUC and Drake put together nice recruiting classes, and Bradley returns everyone except Deonte Thomas next year.

[ShockBand]

WSUwatcher, correct on the second one! I kept it clean.

[WSUwatcher]

Hmmm -- I'm just guessing, but let me try a PG-13 translation: "Thank goodness we are in the vreaking American."

Or, maybe more likely (and back to G-rated): "Thank goodness we aren't in the Valley anymore."

[ShockBand]

Watching the UNI/Valpo battle of the titans, errr Titanics, all I’m going to say is TGWAITVA.

[RoyalShock]

The MSU coaching circus needs to leave town, sell their tent and join the zoo.

[ShockerDropOut]

You just can't make this stuff up.

[1972Shocker]

Anyone see or read about the finish to the Bradley @ Valpo game this past Saturday? Bradley had a 60-56 lead with round 6:00 miniutes to play. With 55 seconds left Valpo had turned that into a 77-60 lead with a 21-0 run. Maybe Valpo (who is tied for last with UNI) is gearing up a run out of the play-in round to the auto-bid in St. Louis.

However, MIssouri State may have topped that in wierdness in their 63-67 home loss to Drake. MSU's Jarred Dixon went down hard after being fouled on a breakaway with Drake leading 53-48. Apparently, a number of MSU players left the bench to check on Dixon and by rule were ejected even though no fighting was involved. That left the Bears with only 2 reserves. Apparently, that pissed a couple of Bear fans off who were close to the floor and they were ejected. Apparently, that got the crowd of just under 5,000 going. The Bears than went on a 12-3 run to take a 60-56 lead with 2:00 to play. However, MSU hit only 3 of 9 free throws in those last 2 minutes and with the game tied at 63-63 Drake's Reed Timmer hit a long 3-pointer and was fouled with 2 seconds on the clock giving Drake the 4 point win.

[WuDrWu]

But if they beat last place Valpo on the road (they haven't had a road win in like 400 days) then I think they have about a 50/50 chance of finishing 6th. Valley of Even indeed.

[AndShock]

Northern Iowa has a 44% chance of finishing in last place according to Hacksaw’s weighted probabilities.

[WuDrWu]

Missouri State currently getting Evansville by Drake at home which ironically could push the Bears to Drake Thursday in St. Louis.

Loyola getting Evansville'd by the real thing which sadly affects nothing.

[Aargh]

Arch Madness all-session ticket sales down 31% compared to last year
http://www.pjstar.com/sports/2018021...-significantly

From the article:

The Valley is hopeful that several ticket promotions (Ticket Promotions) can also boost sales.　

Ah, yes, the Groupon approach

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Arch Madness all-session ticket sales down 31% compared to last year
http://www.pjstar.com/sports/2018021...-significantly

It shall be dubbed the "Wichita State effect."

[AndShock]

I was told ticket sales would be up because fans stopped going when it was obvious WSU was going to win every year.