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Post by valpofan56 on Jan 11, 2011 18:18:18 GMT -5
Obviously this game is a very important one (as well as the game with Detroit). Four teams sit atop the HL standings currently (Butler, Valpo, Wright State, and Detroit). What a great week for these two pairs of travel partners to be playing each other! This, in my opinion, is an easily winnable game. Wright State's strength is their guards which, conveniently, is where our defensive strength lies. If we can shut down Vaughn Duggins like we did Norris Cole and we don't hit a cold streak like we did to start the Cleveland State game this should be a win. You can't go long periods without scoring on the road because you don't have the home crowd to gain any energy from and get things back on track.
Here's to continuing to take care of business so that the Butler game on the 29th is big time match for first place!
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Post by roadtrip on Jan 11, 2011 18:43:15 GMT -5
Should be a huge crowd for the game Friday night. I expect a crowd in the 7 to 8000 range.
This game is being heavily promoted in Dayton with Coach Donlon making an appearance on the local news tomorrow morning. Wright State leads the Horizon League in scoring defense allowing 59 points per game. Weather should be good for the game so Valpo fans need to show up for the game.
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Post by bbtds on Jan 11, 2011 19:28:15 GMT -5
As long as they get the roads cleared by Friday I'll be traveling the 2.75 hours to Dayton from Indy. By the way, you guys who provided the info in the thread on how to get to HL opponents gyms did a good job. Thanks!
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Post by wh on Jan 11, 2011 20:55:06 GMT -5
I mentioned this in another thread, but I watched the recent WSU/UIC game and came away very impressed with the Raiders. Seems like everybody can shoot, they play tough D, and play a very disciplined, team-oriented style. I think they have been badly overlooked in all the Butler/CSU/Valpo/Detroit talk. The way we played this past weekend I like our chances, but I think we're in for a very tough game.
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Post by sanitylost17 on Jan 11, 2011 20:55:53 GMT -5
The first year we came into the Horizon I think we swept Wright State 3-0. Since that time I am pretty sure we are 0-5? It would be nice to even things up here during the regular season! They have an extremely good home record this year, so it will not be easy.
Once again, I think if we can hold them under 70 we will win and if we do not we will lose.
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Post by vuweathernerd on Jan 11, 2011 21:31:51 GMT -5
The first year we came into the Horizon I think we swept Wright State 3-0. Since that time I am pretty sure we are 0-5? It would be nice to even things up here during the regular season! They have an extremely good home record this year, so it will not be easy. Once again, I think if we can hold them under 70 we will win and if we do not we will lose. if i remember from sunday's broadcast, we're like 6-0 when holding an opponent under 70. (or was it under 60? i dunno...) |
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mj
Bench Warmer
Posts: 124
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Post by mj on Jan 12, 2011 2:28:58 GMT -5
I'm expecting a pretty tough game against the Raiders. They've got 4 pretty good scoring threats in Duggins (who seems like he's been at Wright State forever), Evans, Tabler, and Land. But they seem to be pretty thin after that. They also seem to be able to hit their free throws, so hopefully we don't have a close one at the end.
I'm interested to see if Homer puts Buggs on Duggins or Evans.
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Post by CO_VU_Fan on Jan 12, 2011 10:55:42 GMT -5
The first year we came into the Horizon I think we swept Wright State 3-0. Since that time I am pretty sure we are 0-5? It would be nice to even things up here during the regular season! They have an extremely good home record this year, so it will not be easy. Once again, I think if we can hold them under 70 we will win and if we do not we will lose. Keeping them under 70 shouldn't be the problem, they've only scored 70 or more three times this year against D1 opponents. WSU's pace is a little slower than ours. We need to keep the pace up, bang both ends of the boards, and hit our free throws. A good game from 3-pt land could mean a win. VU 65 WSU 63 |
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Post by agibson on Jan 12, 2011 11:39:32 GMT -5
They're among the slowest in the country, apparently, at 63.3 possessions per game (per team). Detroit's among the fastest at 70.6. Our league's a little on the slow side, and we're at 67.3.
Funny that four possessions out of 70 would make a difference, but I bet it does affect the feel of the game.
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Post by vu72 on Jan 12, 2011 12:30:26 GMT -5
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Post by justducky on Jan 12, 2011 15:15:41 GMT -5
I'm expecting a pretty tough game against the Raiders. They've got 4 pretty good scoring threats in Duggins (who seems like he's been at Wright State forever), Evans, Tabler, and Land. But they seem to be pretty thin after that. They also seem to be able to hit their free throws, so hopefully we don't have a close one at the end. I'm interested to see if Homer puts Buggs on Duggins or Evans. The bigger question is here is how many minutes can Matt Kenney play? If he is unavailable or restricted to limited playing time then match-up problems develop, particularly if Little gets called for some early fouls.If Kenny is available then he likely pulls his minutes from both Buggs and Harris and covers mainly Duggins. We also might see more zone than we expect. All I really know is that this game is going to be difficult. I believe I could accept 1 of 2 this weekend as long as Butler does no better. |
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Post by dylanrocks on Jan 13, 2011 10:36:35 GMT -5
Good luck tomorrow, guys.
I really think the key here will be getting off to a fast start and doing unto Wright State what they would do unto you.
Hopefully, Cory Johnson can find the touch from downtown and make Cooper Land, an offensive-oriented "4" man, play him honestly on the low blocks instead of sagging back.
The ideal would be for B-Wood and Erik Buggs to turn this into something of a footrace and get off to an early start, as Wright State doesn't play nearly as well from behind.
What you want is a game in the 70s.
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Post by roadtrip on Jan 13, 2011 11:02:22 GMT -5
Easier said than done, dylanrocks, as you have already experienced when UWM played at the NUTT HOUSE. The Raiders have won the last 13 at the Nutter dating back to last year. There is no question that all teams are much better at home.
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Post by agibson on Jan 13, 2011 11:26:20 GMT -5
Wow, they really don't lose much at home.
Only Butler last year.
In 2008-09, in the league, only Butler.
In 2007-08, in the league, only CSU and Valpo.
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Post by dylanrocks on Jan 13, 2011 11:28:41 GMT -5
Agreed to a degree, roadtrip.
I think that you almost have to remove Milwaukee from any argument about the relative merits of various Horizon League members, as the team has proven to be so wildly erratic.
Not to take anything away from Wright State, a very fine team, but this was one of Milwaukee's numerous "gong" games and so makes measuring its quality almost impossible.
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