Game 9: vs. Valparaiso (3-5)
The Crusaders travel to Oxford coming off a flat, lackluster performance at home against the Fighting Mastodons of Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne. After splitting the opening Horizon League road trip this past weekend, Valpo left their game somewhere on the Ohio Turnpike, falling by 17 at the Student and Recreation Center and not looking good doing it. In addition to trying to replace last year's graduating class, the Crusaders have been without Brandon McPherson, who was going to be counted on to be the starting point guard and provide a consistent outside shooter, something Valpo needs badly. Coach Homer Drew's club has only beaten 2 Division 1 opponents: Central Florida and Youngstown St. Valpo went 0-3 in the Virgin Islands, losing to San Diego, LaSalle and Iona and also lost by 24 at Cleveland St. Due to graduation and injuries, Coach Drew's bench is short, of people and shooters, two things he's usually never had to worry about.
Probable Starters
Erik Buggs, 6' 150 Fr. 7 pts, 3 ass. 39% FG, 39% 3PFG, 37% FT. Will end up being a very good player in the next couple of years. Can make defenders look silly with his change of pace dribble and exhibits good body control in the air around the basket. He can get a little out-of-control when driving, but he's ahead of the normal freshman curve. Needs time to get a jump shot off and has no mid-range game. He likes to get you with a high hesitation dribble, making you think he's going to pull up when he's actually looking to drive.
Jake Diebler, 6'3" 180 Sr. 7 pts, 3 reb. 33% FG, 32% 3PFG, 83% FT. Catch & shoot guy. Shoots mainly 3s, which come off of kick outs or him dribbling once off a pick and pulling up. No pullup jumper from 12-15 feet, it's 3s or bust. He'll try to draw fouls with a very slow shot fake and drive. Make him shoot over you and play him straight up. Works hard defensively, seems to be around the ball a lot.
Howard Little, 6'3" 210 So. 8 pts, 5 reb. 45% FG, 47% 3PFG, 58% FT. Drive-first guy who's very strong when getting into the lane. Good at finishing plays around the rim. Has nice shooting form and can hit 3s. Probably their best all-around player offensively and he plays hard.
Michael Rogers, 6'5" 215 So. 10 pts, 5 reb. 45% FG, 24% 3PFG, 70% FT. Very long wing player, very athletic. Wants to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or post up.
Urule Igbavboa, 6'8" 230 Sr. 10 pts, 6 reb. 43% FG, 74% FT. Lefty big man who is very good at going left, but very ineffective when going right. Not a power player underneath, very much a finesse post player. Actually looks like he's regressed a little from last year. Defensively, very soft and won't challenge you so Dierkers should be able to pass over him despite his long reach because he'll be given space to make the over the top pass.
Off the Bench
DeAndre Haskins, 6'4" 180 Fr. 8 pts, 5 reb. 36% FG, 32% 3PFG, 67% FT. Never met a shot he didn't like. On one shot, it can look very pretty; on the next, it can look awful. Lefty who shoots like Morris Peterson, but his release point is inconsistent, needs to be tightened up. Not a great ballhandler, dribbles too high, which makes him turnover-prone.
Ben Fumey, 6'8" 235 So. 6 pts, 4 reb. 51% FG, 42% FT. Big man off the bench has range, but not much of an inside game. Definitely more comfortable on the perimeter. His footwork is lacking in the post at both ends.
Logan Jones, 6'2" 170 Fr. 3 pts, 2 ass. 22% FG, 14% 3PFG, 55% FT. Backup point guard has some potential. Moves well without the ball and makes pretty good decisions for a freshman. Has almost a 2:1 assist/turnover ratio. Struggling with his shot, but his form is ok, his percentages will go up.
Unlike last year, Valpo plays more freely offensively, not nearly running as many set plays as they did because they don't have the shooters to execute those plays. One play they do run is a high pick and roll with Igbavboa coming from the low block, which draws attention away from Diebler on the wing, who will shoot that 3. Also, Valpo likes to set up in a motion offense look and have the wing pop out, who makes a sharp V-cut off a double screen set by the forwards (weak side forward slides over), cutting to the block for a layup. But the Crusaders mainly rely on dribble penetration to open up shooters or score at the rim. When they're not driving to the basket, they're dumping the ball inside to Igbavboa. They do execute the quick postup inbounds play well that a lot of teams use. Valpo sets up 4 across on the baseline. Near side block releases to the top of the key while Igbavboa on the opposite block flashes quickly into the lane, pinning his man for an easy deuce.
Defensively, the Crusaders will put a lot of pressure on the ball and be very active with their hands, which has helped in forcing 17 turnovers a game. They are also good at denying the 1st pass and challenging the passing lanes. But, if you're able to break down the defense and get into the lane, their interior help opens up like a sieve. Valpo ranks in the bottom 25 of Division 1 in help defense because they don't step up and help on dribble drive. Instead, they're looking to block shots, which makes no sense since they've only blocked 9 all year, or they just don't challenge, allowing teams to pass off for layups or trips to the foul line. As I mentioned previously, Igbavboa doesn't challenge anyone defensively. He plays off you on the perimeter and allows you to back in pretty easily in the post. Valpo has no physical post presence inside. They do have athletes, so they will utilize a 2-2-1 3/4 court press. And this isn't token pressure, they will trap out of it and they execute it well. Valpo will also trap you in the corner if the ball goes there on inbounds plays under the basket. They will also play a 2-3 zone, which truthfully isn't very good. The middle of the lane is left wide open for Dierkers or whoever to flash inside, shoot the 12-footer or kick out to an open shooter. One other defensive weakness for the Crusaders is rebounding. They don't do a good job of boxing out, they rely on their leaping ability to get rebounds. Again, no physicality inside so they can be pushed around.
Offensively, we have to be strong with the ball when we're in triple threat position and when making the 1st pass to start the offense. If we aren't, they're running the other away getting easy baskets in transition not having to worry about making perimeter shots. If we're able to break down their defense, we're a good enough passing team we should be successful offensively. Defensively, we have to play them straight up and make them shoot jump shots. Valpo ranks in the bottom 10% of Division 1 in offensive efficiency. If we prevent their athletic perimeter players from getting that 1st step into the lane, make Igbavboa go right and rebound, they'll have a hard time hurting us offensively. It will also be important to make foul shots because Valpo will foul with their intense ball pressure. If the game is close, Valpo is only shooting 61% at the line.
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