Valpo Stuns Detriot, 3-0 on the road

The last time I graced this page I was frustrated and upset by a senior laden team that was playing more like freshman.  The coach got the brunt of my criticism, but tonight Coach Drew showed me that he's got game and that he's learning.

Let's get the bad out of the way first.  15 turnovers is still too much for this team and is something they must remedy.  Capobianco was ejected in the 2nd half for a flagrant 2 foul.  I understood the call because the game was getting chippy, but it did not there was malice intended because it appeared he was going for the ball, but caught the forearm instead.

Now the good.  KVW hopefully came out of what seems like a season long funk and is my MVP on the night with 31 pts because he single-handedly kept the Crusaders in the game.  Matt Kenney also had a great night going 4-5 from behind the arc where he earned all 12 of his points.  Broekhoff filled the stat sheet as usual with 18 points, 9 rbs, 5 ast, 3 stls, and 2 blocks.  Broekhoff and KVW together combined for 49 of the 89 points for Valpo and highlights for me what is the key to this team.  Last year when both guys were in the game for at least 30 minutes the team was extremely successful.  Earlier in this year when coach was trying to play a 10 man rotation the minutes were down for both men and I believe it didn't let them get into a groove.  Conference play has seen what appears to be a shrinking bench and increasing role for the starters as it should be from here on out. 

For the Titans Minnerath had an out of his mind night.  He was beyond being on fire.  He was 12-17 with 36 points for Detroit while McCallum had 6 pts and 8 asts.  Jr seemed to shrink down the stretch the more the Crusaders got themselves back in the game.  He's a dangerous player for sure, but tonight he played second fiddle and that is never a winning combination for them. 

Crusaders are now alone in 2nd place in league play at 4-1 while the Titans slip to 3rd at 3-2.  Meanwhile, Wright State remains the early surprise atop the standings at 4-0 and they have a date at the ARC this Saturday night!

What are your thoughts on the game tonight? We'd love to hear them!