at Valparaiso (2-17) - Sunday, 3/3/2024 - 1 pm - ESPN+

[Hamdonger]

Valpo is such a difficult place to recruit to. I give Roger credit for coaching his kids up in the games against us. I know he really wanted the Illinois State job and my sense is that he's more hyper focused coaching against us because of that.

Another contributing factor to this loss could very well be a mental break our kids took. Having won 4 out of 5 and then going to play the worst team in the Valley, they may not have had the focus as other previous games. Not a great way to end the season but hopefully we can bounce back to the form we were in prior to this game. If we're going to have a bad game toward the end of the season, as many teams do, I'm glad it happened now.

Doug, I love ya buddy but I'm calling complete bullsheep. This loss has nothing to do with RPJ or mental taxation. We're an immature team and they need to be called on it. Coach needs to SHOVE THEM over this damn hump. Tell me I'm not the only one who saw this coming.

But besides all that I'm still hiring you as my A.D.

 

[DougSutton]

This time of year you can’t afford to have a bad game specially against the last place team.

Zero argument from me but this is what happened. And, it happens to many programs, including blue bloods where they may have a terrible game toward the end of the year or even in their conference tournament and then go on a great run in the NCAA. I am NOT predicting anything like that from us, just acknowledging the obvious, that we had a let down game.

We didn't shoot terrible, had 19 assists to 8 turnovers, got out rebounded by 5. Johnny had an off night and that's going to happen. I don't fault him for that. Valpo played well above their season norm in both games against us.

 

[fdbird83]

UNI with a huge 2nd half for a 81-70 win over SIU. Game was tied at half.

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

The Birds backing into the 7th seed

 

[ISUBird]

That was terrible. There goes having a winning record in the regular season.

 

[Redbird82]

This time of year you can’t afford to have a bad game specially against the last place team.

Looking at the final stats, shot over 50%, over 40 from 3, only 8 turnovers. I don’t know that we played bad, not great because of defense, but just seems like Valpo can’t lose against us no matter what

 

[91Bird]

The program won’t officially be turned around we can somehow beat Valpo.

 

[DougSutton]

Roger wasnt the coach in all those other games we crapped ourself in the previous years.

What do previous years have to do with today's game? We didn't have this exact team in previous years either. As a fan, the frustration can build no doubt but each season and team is different. We've had a great run the last few games before today. Let down games happen, you see it all the time in basketball.

 

[jnolan52]

The program won’t officially be turned around we can somehow beat Valpo.

And Bradley

 

[DBird]

What do previous years have to do with today's game? We didn't have this exact team in previous years either. As a fan, the frustration can build no doubt but each season and team is different. We've had a great run the last few games before today. Let down games happen, you see it all the time in basketball.

I simply dont agree with your whole statement that is all.
Not trying to argue relax!!

 

[DougSutton]

Doug, I love ya buddy but I'm calling complete bullsheep. This loss has nothing to do with RPJ or mental taxation. We're an immature team and they need to be called on it. Coach needs to SHOVE THEM over this damn hump. Tell me I'm not the only one who saw this coming.

But besides all that I'm still hiring you as my A.D.

I saw this as a potential outcome as well. No part of me felt we could sustain the run we were on with the shortened lineup that we've had and reliance on consistent outside shooting. I do not think it's a pure coincidence that 2/3 of Valpo's wins have come against us though and do believe that a coach can influence a game against certain opponents as I've seen it many times before on all levels of coaching.

I said a mental break (not taxation), which is directly correlated to maturity. I do appreciate the nod for AD

 

[DougSutton]

I simply dont agree with your whole statement that is all.
Not trying to argue relax!!

I'm relaxed, I literally just back from a week in Kauai and didn't even watch this game, only looking at stats on ESPN. Just saying that today's game had nothing to do with previous years, which I feel is pretty obvious and didn't see any correlation to today's game.

 

[DBird]

I'm relaxed, I literally just back from a week in Kauai and didn't even watch this game, only looking at stats on ESPN. Just saying that today's game had nothing to do with previous years, which I feel is pretty obvious and didn't see any correlation to today's game.

Nor do I.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

How?? Why???

 

[ScoreboardDotRace]

We're an immature team and they need to be called on it.

I’m not sure it’s a maturity thing outside of Pence, Walker and Johnny (even though Johnny and Chase make some of the smarter plays).

Reality is what you see is what you get. This team isn’t going to get any more mature from coaching as a bunch of 20+ year olds. Just my opinion.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

That loss was an absolute buzz saw in many negative aspects heading into the tourney… we lost >>big mo, confidence, fan excitement, moxi…etc against a bad team. OUCH!!

Not to mention there goes are at-large chances…

 

[gobirds85]

Our “matador” D has got to stop. Are we really that slow?

I’m guessing we can pack pretty light for the Lou.

Hoping to get two NIT bids, but I doubt it.

 

[redbirds2000]

The Birds backing into the 7th seed

As long as we avoid Valpo, all should be good!

 

[crazzymark]

I can't believe that play was actually designed wait for that three-point shot. got beat by a bunch of division 2 and not so great division one players.

 

[Redbird222]

We are not losing this game. Birds by 10. We are a much different team.

Wrong .... again