All Horizon League Efficiency

After running the numbers for the Crusader team I started wondering how they would match up with the top players across the conference.  I took the list of the All Horizon League 1st and 2nd teams and put the numbers into the super calculator.  Here are the results:

1st Team All Horizon League
1) Norris Cole: .90817
2) Matt Howard: .82579
3) Anthony Hill: .78222
4) Brandon Wood: .74643
5) Vaughn Duggins: .68189

2nd Team All Horizon League
1) Eli Holman: .79541
2) Shelvin Mack: .69729
3) Ray McCallum: .67122
4) Rahmon Fletcher: .65541
5) N'Gai Evans: .56372

Ok, once again these numbers probably don't mean much of anything.  But a couple of things come to mind when comparing these.  First, Vaugn Duggins had a monster conference season statistically.  There are two guys on the 2nd team, and I'm sure others from around the league that didn't make either team, that graded out higher then he did overall.  My second thought is: Why in the world did Eli Holman not play more?  He had to have been injured.  The guy is a flat out monster in the paint.  He needs more touches and more minutes for Detroit this coming season.  He is my preseason pick for conference player of the year assuming he is healthy.  Third thought, N'Gai Evans played very well in conference play.  Don't let his low grade fool you.

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Homer unabridged

Former Valparaiso University Head Coach Homer Drew spent some time on the phone with me answering questions and discussing his career, both past and present.  We all heard the questions asked during the press conference, and frankly I was a little disappointed.  I guess maybe the reporters save the good questions for their one on one interviews.  I had a long list of questions for Homer, and he took the time to answer a few of them with well thought out responses.  We touched on a variety of topics; games from this past season, events from years past, his new position, along with a few fun questions mixed in.  Lets get to it.


HC:  You guys had some real good wins at home last season, Butler, CSU, and Missouri State, are the three that come to mind.  Which game do you think the team played their most complete game of the season?


Homer:  Missouri State by far.  We were able to get the lead and hold the lead.  Our offense and defense were both clicking.  Then to have Dick Vitale and the national tv audience just made it that much more special.


HC: At the end of the year the team went through a bit of a rough stretch of games.  After beating Missouri State, you guys fell to Green Bay and then really took a beating at home versus Loyola.  Was it fatigue, poor execution, a combination of things? 


Homer:  We played a lot of games in a short amount of time and we weren't real healthy during that stretch.


HC: Thoughts on the bracket-buster being held in February during the stretch run of conference play?

"Don't like it!"

Homer: Don't like it!  It needs to be held earlier in the year.  Where it is at now in February is right in the middle of conference play.  It is how we do in conference that determines whether or not mid majors make the tournament.  They need to make the bracket buster earlier.


HC: Which player in the H.L. was the toughest to game plan for last season?  Erik Buggs said his toughest defensive assignment of the year was Norris Cole, so I would imagine he is near the top of the list. 


Homer:  Norris Cole, he was very challenging due to him being such a good ball handler.  A guy like that is so hard to double team because you have to bring another defender from so far away.  The other would be Matt Howard from Butler.  He was just so tenacious and strong.

HC: I heard a rumor that you didn't want the floor named after you but that the people who donated the money wouldn't have done so otherwise.  It has to be quite an honor to have your home court named after you. 


Homer: I did not want the floor named after me, but agreed to it for the players.  

HC: On that note, have you ever had anything else named after you? Maybe a sandwich or a newborn baby or a pet?

Homer:  (laughs) No, but I've been called a few names.


HC: Will “The Miracle on Union Street,” when VU beat Notre Dame 71-68 in overtime in 1988, be known as the game that put VU Basketball on the map forever or is it “The Shot” game?


Homer:  "The Miracle on Union Street" put us on the map nationally. "The Shot" was international!  I was getting notes and emails and messages from all over the world after that happened.  The game after that was an overtime win against Florida State.  That game would have made bigger news had it not been for "The Shot".  We've had other big wins as well Seton Hall, Ohio St., Penn St. were all good wins along the way.


Sidenote: Probably my favorite part of the interview was when Homer started telling me about the loss to Rhode Island in the Sweet 16.

Homer:  I'll never forget it.  We were down by 3 with 1:12 left to play. I just new that if we could get this next defensive stop we were going to win this game.  Their back up guard drove into the lane and Bill Jenkins jumped and had his arm outstretched really high in the air.  Their guy hit that awkward nearly impossible shot.  If he misses that shot it would've been a great finish.


HC: What are the difficulties that come with setting up a competitive schedule for a mid-Major school like VU so that when tourney time comes around the committee members take notice?  


Homer:  It is really difficult to get home games.  We've played schools like Duke and North Carolina in the United Center, but it is even difficult to get the better mid majors to do home and homes with us.  We are getting more of these though.  We have Oakland and Bowling Green coming, so we are getting better at getting these on the schedule.

Valpo Players in the community

HC: You and your players spend quite a bit of time in the community so please tell us what has the Valparaiso community meant to you and to your players, many of whom aren't from around here? 

Mike Rogers working with the kids

Homer:  We like to give back.  We want the players to realize how blessed they've been by God for allowing them to have the talents and abilities that they have.  We've done reading programs in schools, bagged groceries for cancer, and participated in heart walks.


HC: Coach, I worked at Opportunity Enterprises one summer and I remember you brought the team through there.  The clients there talked about that day for weeks after that.

Homer:  Yes, thank you for reminding me about that!  That was a great time, those are amazing people over there.

HC: What do you want people to think about the VU program and what you’ve done for it during your illustrious career?  What do you feel is your legacy at Valpo?

Homer:  The type of people that we've had and the players that have come through who have helped make Valpo what is today.  We've had guys come in as freshmen who are unsure and don't have a lot of confidence and see them leave here as graduating seniors with a degree and the confidence that they are going to succeed.

HC:  You've had over 80 players become teachers and coaches and over 30 go on to play professionally.  Which of those stats are you most proud of?

Homer:  All of the above.  To have those guys leave here and do something they are passionate about makes me real proud.

HC: How does it feel as a Father to see your sons follow your footsteps into coaching at the college level? Was it more fun to coach Bryce as a player or to coach alongside him and Scott on the VU staff?

Homer:  Wonderful question.  It was fun to have him on the court.  I could always trust Bryce to handle the ball and make good decisions.  It was a blessing to have them on the coaching staff.  I got a chance to spend a lot of extra time with my sons that many dads do not get.

HC: I heard there is something happening at the ARC just before Thanksgiving.  Can you let me in on what is going down?

Homer:  Coaches vs. cancer tournament is having us a host site.  The teams competing in the event haven't been worked out just yet.

HC: Will you be at the home games this winter or will you try to stay away for a while? 

Homer:  I will be at Baylor and Valpo games. 

HC:  I suppose you’ll have to be there shaking hands with the alums in the Crusader Club as part of your new position.


Homer:  Yes, part of my new position is public relations so you'll be seeing me around.

HC: Will we be seeing you doing some tv analyzing this season for someone like CBS or ESPN? 

Homer:  In the fall, maybe with Comcast or one of the others that you mentioned.  Not sure with who just yet.  

Will we see a Homer Drew/Dick Vitale broadcasting team?

HC:  Have you been working on any catchy sayings like “Diaper Dandy (sensational freshman)”, “Wilson Sandwich (when a player gets the blocked back in their face)”, or “Cream Puff Delight (coach who plays an easy schedule)”?

 Homer: (laughs) No, no I haven't gotten quite the far along in the process yet.


We ran out of time before I could get to a few of my remaining questions.  But I will say this, Homer is going to be great at this public relations/fundraising position the university has put him in.  His voice has a hypnotic calming to it.  Thanks again to Homer Drew for taking 15 minutes of his busy schedule to answer my questions and for 22 years of doing his part to make the city and university of Valparaiso a better place! Feel free to post your comments here or join in the discussion ValpoFanZone.  If you'd like to be alerted when a new post is ready just put your email address in the space above this post and click submit!

 

Getting to know Erik Buggs

This past week, Valparaiso point guard Erik Buggs took some time after studying for his finals to answer a few questions for me.  This past season Erik took over the starting point guard role and was the floor general and defensive stopper for the Crusaders.  Buggs started 34 of the 35 games this season, led the team in rebounding in two games (Norther Colorado, Ball State), was tied for the team lead in assist per game (3.1), and had the highest assist to turnover ratio at 1.9.  Erik gives a little insight into what it takes to succeed at Valpo, the Iona game, his goals after college, and much more.  Lets get to the interview!

Hank Curry (HC): How do you feel about your performance this year as a whole?  Watching all your home games from the stands and on the internet when you guys were away it seemed to me that as the year progressed you slowly got a little more aggressive on the offensive end.  Not so much by taking more shots, but by attacking the rim.  Is this fair to say?  Did the coaches encourage you to shoot/attack more as the season wore on?

Erik Buggs (Buggsy): I am pretty pleased with our performance this year, I obviously am disappointed because of the run that Butler went on further strengthens my belief that we could have made a run in the Big Dance in March. I definitely tried to step up on offense towards the end of the year instead of being so passive, attacking only made our offense better for everyone.

Buggs on the attack

HC: What part of your game will be working on this Summer?  It is no secret that teams sagged pretty off of you, daring you to shoot.  Is it safe to assume that the mid-three point range jumper will be high on your agenda this Summer?  People argue that Valpo's biggest need this off season is to bring in a big guy that can play with his back to the rim, I think it is you becoming more of an offensive threat.  Thoughts?

Buggsy: Next year with guys leaving I definitely feel like I need to step it up more on offense. This year I was really passive and that’s not the type of player I usually am. Last year I was uncomfortable shooting with my first year being back, next year to make my teammates better I need to shoot so that I become a threat and it opens up the court for my teammates to make plays.



Buggs guarding Moore

 HC: You are the defensive stopper on the team.  I love watching you hound the opposing team's point guards and forcing them into bad passes or 5 second violations.  In my opinion it seems like defense is all desire.  What is your secret to being so successful on the defensive end?  Who was the tougher player you had to defend this year in a one on one?

Buggsy: Defense is all about heart and desire. I always take it personal when my guy scores on me or I miss a rotation assignment. I think me taking it personal makes my drive to play defense that much more intense, I also feel like I’m letting my teammates down when I give up points on defense. By far the best player I have defended this year would be Norris Cole, he just has a great feel for the game.

HC: At the end of the year the team went through a bit of a rough stretch of games.  After beating Missouri State (I felt this was the team's best performance of the year), you guys fell to Green Bay and then really took a beating at home versus Loyola.  Was it fatigue, poor execution, a combination of things?

Buggsy:  I think it was a combination of fatigue and guys being out injured. Mainly we just had an opportunity that we let slip through our fingers. Things like that happen in life though and you got to learn to bounce back from it. Experience always makes for a great lesson in life and this will be something that helps us for this upcoming year.

HC: Besides Valpo, what team(s) do you think will be at the top of the conference next year?  I hate to say it, but I'm picking Detroit to be the top seed this next season.

Buggsy: The great thing about the Horizon is that you have so many competitive teams. There is no question that once again Butler will be the hunted but every team has a chance to take the Horizon League.

HC: It was pretty disappointing when Valpo was passed over by the NIT and instead had to go into the CIT.  What was the attitude of the team when you guys learned you'd be hosting a CIT game?  Iona was a decent team, but watching the game from the stands it looked like you guys weren't prepared (I realize you only had a couple days to get ready) and really didn't have much desire.  Please tell me I'm wrong here!

Buggsy: We were quite prepared to take on Iona, it was just one of those games where we couldn’t seem to find the bucket and they couldn’t seem to miss. Its always disappointing expecting to be playing somewhere and not get what you were expecting.

HC: What kind of leadership role, on and off the court, will you look to assume next year?  You'll be one of the old vets next year so I'm sure you'll have the young guys looking to you for direction.

Defense

Buggsy: I sort of stepped into a leadership role last year and this year I will be in basically the same role. We have a lot of experience on this team so leadership won’t be lacking at all on this team.

HC: What is the most valuable information you could give to a player coming to Valpo for their first season regarding the team, Coach Drew, what do they need to have a better chance of succeeding at Valpo?

Buggsy: To have a good career at Valpo a player just needs to play and practice like its their last. A player with the drive to get better and the motivation to win fits in our system. We are all about having a family atmosphere at Valpo and that makes it hard to let others down. We all expect the best effort out of each other, so giving all the effort that you can give is all that we ask for here.

HC: Any nicknames (Buggsy perhaps?) or pregame rituals you can share?

Buggsy: Lol well Buggsy was one or Buggy. I have a lot of nicknames so its hard to keep up with them. Rituals before the game I just like to put on my music and zone out before the game.

HC: What's your major at VU?  What is your dream job after graduating?

Buggsy: I either want to go into coaching or I want to be a Behavioral Analyst for the FBI
 

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A brief interview with CSU Assistant Coach Larry DeSimpelare

Cleveland State Assistant Coach Larry DeSimpelare was kind of enough to take a few minutes of his time to answer a couple of my questions regarding his CSU Vikings as well as our Valparaiso Crusaders.  Coach DeSimpelare has been coaching at the collegiate level for 20 years and has been working with current CSU head coach Gary Waters for the past 14 years.  According to DeSimpelare's bio he works hard with the guards, defense, is responsible for helping with game preparation, and is the primary person in charge of scouting and recruiting.  Again, a big thank you to Coach DeSimpelare for taking a few minutes to briefly answer my questions!

Aaron Pogue

The first thing DeSimpelare mentioned, before answering any of the questions, was about the great respect he has for Coach Drew, his staff, and the Crusader team.  The first question I asked had to do with CSU losing the Horizon League Player of the Year in Norris Cole to graduation and which returning players would be expected to fill the void.  DeSimpelare mentioned three guys: Aaron Pogue, D'Aundray Brown, and Trey Harmon.  All three of these guys are upperclassmen.  Brown and Harmon are both guards and Pogue is a forward.  Brown, who is listed as a senior, must have taken a medical redshirt last season.  Harmon and Pogue both played significant roles for the Vikings last season averaging a combined 21ppg and 10rpg. 

The next few questions didn't reveal a whole lot.  Those questions dealt with where he focuses his recruiting efforts and whether he thought CSU would be competing for the top spots in the HL next season.  I also asked him if CSU has any incoming freshmen the rest of the league should be worried about and got a pretty funny response:  "Hopefully.  Freshman only look good on paper." 

"Great offensive team"

Finally we got to the couple questions about our Crusaders.  As we all know, Valpo lost quite a bit of fire power in the graduations of Cory Johnson, Howard Little, and Michael Rogers.  These graduations plus the possibility of losing Brandon Wood to the NBA or transfer have me, and other Crusader fans, a bit nervous about the upcoming season.  Coach had some encouraging words, "Valpo is always a good team and one of the best offensive teams in the league.  They have a lot of really good players coming back...they will be fine."  Finally, as a key member of an opposing coaching staff who's job it is to help get his guys prepared for the games, I asked what they focus on when preparing to take on a Homer Drew coached Crusader team.  DeSimpelare's response, "Guys that can shoot the ball.  Great offensive team."

Hopefully, we'll have a few more of these brief interviews with the opponents throughout the Summer.  Thanks again Coach DeSimpelare and good luck to you and the CSU Vikings whenever you aren't playing our Crusaders!