Game Wrap Up: Victory at Hinkle

The Valparaiso Crusaders snapped a long winless streak at Hinkle Fieldhouse with an overtime victory over the Bulldogs 77-71!  Hopefully the live blog thing worked out for anyone following, this was my first effort at a live blog while using my IPod.  Lets get to some of my thoughts from the game at Butler, plus a little something extra after the game.

Hinkle Fieldhouse was nice.  This was my first experience there.  Butler is just like other Indy sports team turning up the volume to make it sound louder then it really was.  I do believe there must have been a microphone down by the student section as well....lame.

The Alumni Event
The event was nice.  The food was so so.  The hosts (Butler) were quite rude.  They are fully aware of what the program was for our event and as soon as Homer begins his talk the band starts playing and they get loud.  What does Homer do...he leads us in a Lets Go Valpo chant!  That was fantastic!  Homer spoke to the crowd of 90 or so about the importance of giving to the university, getting checked for cancer, and gave us some players to watch from both teams.


The Game
For my semi play by play of the game you can click here.  The Crusaders were able to grab a 7 point lead at the half.  We watched that lead disappear and saw Butler take a 7 point lead.  The game went back and forth the rest of the way.   Valpo put 5 guys in double figures (Edwards 18, Broekhoff and Buggs both had 13, Bogan 11, and KVW scored 10).  The Bulldogs had three finish with double digit points (Nored 17, Smith and Jones both with 10).

I thought Valpo did a nice job forcing the ball inside to KVW and Richie Edwards.  Those guys do a nice job attacking the basket, but I would still like to see them kick it back out when the double teams come.  I'd also be just fine if Richie decides not to shoot anymore 3's!  I thought Will Bogan played a nice game offensively and I was also impressed with how often Buggs was attacking the lane.

I do think Valpo was lucky (probably not the right word but I'm going to use it) to get out of Indy with a win.  The perimeter defense was terrible.  Anytime Butler ran their three guards in a weave at the top they wound up with an easy lay in or an open jumper.  Fortunately, they didn't run this offensive set real often.  Butler also managed to pull down 22 offensive rebounds.  That is a rediculous amount.   I'm excited to see how both teams improve between now and the end of February when they meet again at the ARC.

Player of the Game
Ryan Broekhoff - 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 42 minutes played

Honorable Mention
Richie Edwards - 18 points, 3 rebounds, 6-8 free throws, and one quiet down jesture to the Butler student section

Ryan gets the nod over Richie in my opinion.  Ryans minutes played, a couple key three points, and all his rebounds gave him the edge.  Richie did a nice job filling in for the foul plagued KVW.  He did miss some easy lay ins and threw some pretty ugly jumpers but Valpo doesn't win this one without his inside play.

After Party

After the game my wife and I drove back to Valpo and had dinner at Gelsosomos Pizza.  When heading up to pay for our meal there was the coach himself Bryce Drew.  He had quite a carry out and seemed genuinely interested in striking up a conversation with us for the few minutes we stood there together.  He said it was a fun bus ride back north!  Great first Horizon League win for the team!