Weekend Wrap Up: Wisconsin Split

After the debacle on Thursday night at Green Bay, the Crusaders rebounded nicely with a huge win over reigning league champion Milwaukee.  Valpo got solid production from nearly everyone that played today and those who only scored 3 points (Buggs and Bogan) scored those points at huge points in the game.

The beginning of the game had a strange feel to it: lots of offensive fouls, technical fouls, and even an ejection.  Richie Edwards played only four minutes before getting the boot, but it was a productive four minutes.  He manage to score five points and move high up the public enemy list to the Milwaukee fans.  Things settled down about midway through the first half and the game turned into a real defensive struggle.

The two teams shot a combined 35/105 from the field which equates to a 35% clip.  It is known that Milwaukee is not a good offensive team, but what really surprised me was how well the Valpo defense played.  I was also pleasantly surprised by the play of Jay Harris.  He really stepped up and attacked when Valpo needed a spark.  He, Matt Kenney, and Ben Boggs all had nice games and provided other options for Crusader coach Bryce Drew.

I'm not sure what was most impressive in this game.  Valpo was out shot percentage wise, out shot from behind the arc (6 to 5), out rebounded (26 to 33), and out free throwed and still managed to win.  The Valpo defense was outstanding in the second half, holding the Panthers to only 17 points.  Quite a contrast to the defense we have been used to seeing.

I'll probably take some heat for this but that is ok.  I'm not at all impressed by Milwaukee guard Kaylon Williams.  I heard the announcers say that no other team needs their point guard as much as Milwaukee and I'm sure that is true.  I'm just not sold that he is as good as everyone makes him out to be.  He leads the league in assist, he also leads the league in turnovers. He kind of reminds me of Jay Harris, one minute you are gawking at a stellar pass or long three point shot and the next you are scratching your head wondering what he is thinking making that pass (or in Jay's case chucking up a shot). His team's biggest game of the year to date and he scores 5 points on 1-8 shooting and turns it over 5 times.  Granted his one make was a big three pointer and he did chip in 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Kaylon is a nice player, but at this point I don't think he is deserving of the all conference tag a lot of people want to give him.  And what is with the way the guy walks?  Always with that limp.

Player of the Game: Ryan Broekhoff - 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

POTG Runner Up: Jay Harris - 7 points, 3 assists, some huge plays when Valpo needed them most.  This was hard to pick.

The win, combined with the win in this evening by Cleveland State leaves Valpo in second place but still in control of their own destiny.  This coming weekend Valpo will welcome in Wright State and Detroit.  Valpo will also induct a new class of athletic Hall of Famers including the legendary Homer Drew.