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Post by rock70 on Nov 30, 2007 8:23:58 GMT -5
These next five games will be a real test of this test makeup and ability. All five games are winnable but we will have to play a higher level then we have been playing.
Marist - On the road
Valparaiso 4-1 at last check
Butler 6-0 at last check and ranked 16th nationally
Bradley 5-2 at last check
Miami 4-2 I think. They have a win over Xavier
Lets hope the boys are up for the challenge and play their best.
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Post by raiderscout on Dec 1, 2007 12:30:46 GMT -5
These next five games will be a real test of this test makeup and ability. All five games are winnable but we will have to play a higher level then we have been playing. Marist - On the road Valparaiso 4-1 at last check Butler 6-0 at last check and ranked 16th nationally Bradley 5-2 at last check Miami 4-2 I think. They have a win over Xavier Lets hope the boys are up for the challenge and play their best. I am afraid to say that the Raiders could probably go 2-3 in this stretch. Of course, I hope I eat my words. I am shooting for a 4-1 record over this stretch. Any other predictions? Big D? |
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Post by Big D on Dec 1, 2007 14:30:55 GMT -5
I'm going to go bold and predict we can go 5-0, especially if we get past Marist tonight. I think our first road victory will give the new guys a lot of confidence that could carry us through the stretch of games. I think we will at least go 3-2. We have the home court advantage for 4 out of 5 games. We could go 0-5. We are playing 5 really good teams.
I think we are a more talented team than Marist this year. As long as we don't get off to a really slow start again or get into a huge amount of foul trouble I think we will win.
I also think we will be favored against Valparaiso. They are a good team, but I like our chances at the Nutter Center with our superior size and athletic ability.
Butler is obviously our biggest challenge, but the pressure is all on them. They are expected to win the HL this year, not us. We will probably have a sold out Nutter Center. Hopefully we will be 4-0 going into the game with a bunch of confidence. We also have the luxury of knowing that we will be in the Butler's player's heads. No current Butler player has EVER won at the Nutter Center and I think that can be a huge advantage for us especially if the game is close at the end.
Bradley kicked our ass last year. I think every returning player and coach wants to make amends for that embarrassing loss.
Miami is a very good team that plays a slow down half court game just like us. I see a slug-fest between 2 very good teams. I just hope the home court advantage works to our advantage.
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Post by Sixth Man on Dec 1, 2007 19:20:52 GMT -5
We have the home court advantage for 4 out of 5 games. The students will be out in full force. |
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Post by raiderscout on Dec 1, 2007 19:53:14 GMT -5
And Miami almost beat #10 Louisville at "the ville."
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Post by Fastbreak on Dec 1, 2007 21:55:39 GMT -5
I'm going to go bold and predict we can go 5-0. A least you don't have to worry about that prediction now Big D. Before the game I would have agreed with you, but now I'm not sure if we will split those 4 remaining games. Butler and Bradley will slice and dice us from three point range if we play piss poor D like that and Miami and Valpo are no slouches either. |
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Post by rock70 on Dec 2, 2007 9:03:59 GMT -5
Valparaiso is the key game is it is probably the most winnable of our next four games. If we loss to Valparaiso it could get ugly real quick.
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Post by bballraider on Dec 2, 2007 16:56:09 GMT -5
It looks like Butler will be without Campbell (for about a month) when they come to the Nutter Center. That is ashame, as now they have an excuse if we beat them.  |
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Post by Valpower on Dec 2, 2007 21:25:12 GMT -5
I also think we will be favored against Valparaiso. They are a good team, but I like our chances at the Nutter Center with our superior size and athletic ability. In suggesting that you have superior size, you may be relying on a couple of those dumb preseason previews that seemed to suggest that because we were looking to replace some post presence from last year that we were therefore undersized. Well, the reality is that if we are undersized, it is only for a Valparaiso team--which has characteristically always been big. We give up nothing to you guys in size at every position. As for athleticism? Well that is a term that I've found is often used to describe teams that run a fast-paced, full-court offense that scores mostly from layups and dunks for reasons not entirely related to athletic superiority; you know, reasons like, they can't shoot jump shots. But I'll take your word on the athleticism advantage, mostly since it's not one I claim for Valpo. The rebounding battle will be "where it's at" in this game as I have a feeling that our perimeter-shooting advantage will be offset at the charity stripe. No matter what, this is a big game, especially for its downside potential to WSU and its upside potential to Valpo. A loss against the new kid (who nobody is really paying attention to in the shadow of Butler's achievements), could be quite demoralizing for WSU. With no real great sense of who they are as a team after only 4 games and having dropped to .500, this could send them into a funk. Awww! A win for Valpo would serve notice to the HL that it's come to play. Yeahhh! Let the games begin. |
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Post by Raiderfan on Dec 2, 2007 21:50:10 GMT -5
I also think we will be favored against Valparaiso. They are a good team, but I like our chances at the Nutter Center with our superior size and athletic ability. In suggesting that you have superior size, you may be relying on a couple of those dumb preseason previews that seemed to suggest that because we were looking to replace some post presence from last year that we were therefore undersized. Well, the reality is that if we are undersized, it is only for a Valparaiso team--which has characteristically always been big. We give up nothing to you guys in size at every position. As for athleticism? Well that is a term that I've found is often used to describe teams that run a fast-paced, full-court offense that scores mostly from layups and dunks for reasons not entirely related to athletic superiority; you know, reasons like, they can't shoot jump shots. But I'll take your word on the athleticism advantage, mostly since it's not one I claim for Valpo. The rebounding battle will be "where it's at" in this game as I have a feeling that our perimeter-shooting advantage will be offset at the charity stripe. No matter what, this is a big game, especially for its downside potential to WSU and its upside potential to Valpo. A loss against the new kid (who nobody is really paying attention to in the shadow of Butler's achievements), could be quite demoralizing for WSU. With no real great sense of who they are as a team after only 4 games and having dropped to .500, this could send them into a funk. Awww! A win for Valpo would serve notice to the HL that it's come to play. Yeahhh! Let the games begin. First, welcome to the HL Valpower! I for one am delighted that the HL finally figured out that adding Valpo was in the best interest of the league. Everything from a geographical fit to Valpo being able to jump right into league play and be competitive made this a logical additon to the HL. Only time will tell but I think adding a team the quality of Valpo might be the missing piece to getting the HL into the top 10 in the RPI. Hind sight is 20/20 but we should've added you guys instead of YSU years ago. You're right about Thurs. game being a big game for our raiders. It is a home game against a team that has been awesome in the non conference portion of their games. You've done the HL proud!!!! We are young but we need to at least split our game with between you and Butler. We can't afford to lose 2 home league games if we have ambitions of finishing in the top 2 spots in the league. Here's to a good game this Thurs. |
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rlh
Mail Room
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Post by rlh on Dec 3, 2007 13:10:42 GMT -5
For various reasons, we wouldn't have joined the Horizon when you took in Youngstown...some changes had to come about first, on our part and the leagues members. Now was the right time, and this was the right move for all concerned. Personally, having broadcast and telecast Valpo games since 1994, I am really looking forward to how we fair in the Horizon. When we last were in the league with UIC, WSU, Cleveland St., etc. the best we ever did was fourth....i think we'll do better than most think this time...but as you suggest, time will tell.....we're excited and looking forward to the games....as Valpower said "Let the games begin"
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Post by Doliboabros on Dec 3, 2007 21:32:06 GMT -5
It looks like Butler will be without Campbell (for about a month) when they come to the Nutter Center. That is ashame, as now they have an excuse if we beat them. December 03, 2007 Campbell has knee sprainNews about Pete Campbell's knee injury is about as good as a Butler fan could want. The university announced a few minutes ago that he has a sprained knee and will be out for an indefinite period. He slipped on a wet spot Saturday night. "He looked like a deer on ice for a minute," said David Campbell, Pete's father. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, so this is not a serious injury. The Bulldogs have a such a good thing going that it's a blow to have anything upset their chemistry. But if Campbell is out for only a few games, Butler can likely endure it. In fact, Butler actually pulled away in the 65-46 victory over Ohio State with Campbell on the bench. However, his two quick 3s at the start of the second half helped trim Ohio State's lead from 32-20 to 32-29. The problem is, four of Butler's toughest games are this month -- at Wright State on Saturday, vs. Florida State on Dec. 15, vs. Bradley on Dec. 19, and at Southern Illinois on Dec. 28. If Campbell can return for SIU, it would boost the Bulldogs' chances. There were moments in last season's match-up with SIU that Campbell was their only offensive threat. The immediate question is: Who starts in place of Campbell? I would go with Willie Veasley. Veasley is an excellent defender and is bouncing around as if his wrapped knee doesn't bother him. Matt Howard has been superb off the bench, and he gives Butler a spark that way. He would probably play 25-30 minutes whether he starts or comes off the bench. And I don't like the danger of Howard starting, picking up two quick fouls and then sitting out the rest of the half. Anyway, Brad Stevens should be trusted to make an appropriate decision. For a 31-year-old coach, he has seemingly made every right move. blogs.indystar.com/butler/ |
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Post by rock70 on Dec 4, 2007 14:21:34 GMT -5
For various reasons, we wouldn't have joined the Horizon when you took in Youngstown...some changes had to come about first, on our part and the leagues members. Now was the right time, and this was the right move for all concerned. Personally, having broadcast and telecast Valpo games since 1994, I am really looking forward to how we fair in the Horizon. When we last were in the league with UIC, WSU, Cleveland St., etc. the best we ever did was fourth....i think we'll do better than most think this time...but as you suggest, time will tell.....we're excited and looking forward to the games....as Valpower said "Let the games begin" rlh, it is my understanding that Valparaiso would not join the Horizon because the athletic director at Valpo was the father of the commissioner of the Mid-Con. Is that and accurate statement? That is what I was always told. Any way welcome to the Horizon League. It should be a good game Thursday evening. By the way, who is Valparaiso's top gun or go to guy? What kind of offense do they run? Thanks. |
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Post by rock70 on Dec 6, 2007 22:38:41 GMT -5
These next five games will be a real test of this test makeup and ability. All five games are winnable but we will have to play a higher level then we have been playing. Marist - On the road Valparaiso 4-1 at last check Butler 6-0 at last check and ranked 16th nationally Bradley 5-2 at last check Miami 4-2 I think. They have a win over Xavier Lets hope the boys are up for the challenge and play their best. Talk about three more brutal games in Butler, Bradley, and Miami. Things could get real ugly before they get better. |
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