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Post by Grizzfan1 on Jan 6, 2016 20:15:38 GMT -5
OU Golden Grizzlies vs. Valparaiso Crusaders Friday January 8th 7:00pm (ET) (O'Rena) Rochester, MI Valparaiso Athletics: valpoathletics.com/Valpo Fan Forum: www.valpofanzone.com/forum/After Monday nights debacle the guys have to turn the page and get ready for a prime time game against the best team to visit the "O" this season. Part of me is thinking (hoping) they were looking ahead to this game based on their performance against Youngstown but still NO EXCUSE for that result period. Nevertheless looking forward to them bouncing back and seeing a great game Friday night on national t.v. The Crusaders are very talented and return pretty much everyone this season. Like Virginia they are very stingy defensively and play a low possession game and look to keep it in the 50's or 60's. They are top 5 nationally in scoring defense (57.7ppg), hold teams to 37% shooting, and have a very good shot blocker in Vashil Fernandez. Our guys are very good in rebounding especially offensive rebounding and that is going to be critical in this game against Valpo. The Crusaders have plenty of scoring to go around in Alec Peters of course along with Keith Carter, Darien Walker, and Tevonn Walker. Will not be an easy game by any means however this team has done well against Valpo at the "O" especially in the past few seasons. Would not look good to start the league season 1-2 especially when your league games have been at home. I'm looking to see a much different OU team out of the gate on both sides of the ball Friday than what we seen against YSU. |
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Post by blacktop on Jan 6, 2016 21:01:09 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I'm new to the boards and I am excited to join in on all the fun. I will be in attendance Friday and I am really looking forward to a Golden Grizzlies win! I think Percy Gibson needs to step up a little more in point production. Four of his last six games he has scored under 10 points, where as compared to his first nine games he scored double digits each time. We need a strong post player to compete for a horizon league title.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Jan 6, 2016 21:08:46 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I'm new to the boards and I am excited to join in on all the fun. I will be in attendance Friday and I am really looking forward to a Golden Grizzlies win! I think Percy Gibson needs to step up a little more in point production. Four of his last six games he has scored under 10 points, where as compared to his first nine games he scored double digits each time. We need a strong post player to compete for a horizon league title. Welcome aboard. Nice first post!! |
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Post by oudrummer on Jan 6, 2016 22:41:38 GMT -5
I'm sure I'm just being a pouty fan, but I'm not even excited about this game right now. Just don't see us even staying close.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Jan 6, 2016 22:51:56 GMT -5
I'm sure I'm just being a pouty fan, but I'm not even excited about this game right now. Just don't see us even staying close. I think your being pouty drummer though understandable. Maybe I might be too optimistic but I think Mondays debacle may have woke this team up. I see them staying more than close. We shall see soon enough. |
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Post by oakland94 on Jan 6, 2016 23:41:55 GMT -5
Oakland has won 7 of the last ten games the two teams have played.
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Post by ouxcalum on Jan 7, 2016 8:41:02 GMT -5
the last game stunk. i'm still stewing. the good news, however, is that this game comes very close after that all-time disaster. win here, and it's basically like taking that men in black mind eraser thing to that atrocity from monday. the fans need this, but most importantly, the team NEEDS this.
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Post by Garry Gilbert on Jan 7, 2016 18:22:19 GMT -5
Here's what worries me: There is enormous pressure on Kay Felder and his less-experienced teammates to beat Valpo in the O'rena. I don't consider this a must-win game. There are no must-win games until our guys play in the Horizon League tournament in Detroit in March. However, this is a critical game for seeding and confidence.
The Crusaders, meanwhile, will arrive feeling relaxed ... with the knowledge that this highly hyped Oakland team has already been beaten in its own building.
When the schedule came out last fall, I worried about opening the league season with four straight home games. One stumble might lead to another and suddenly, our team is reeling.
Well, it is what it is ...
I've said this before: Kay Felder has earned the green light to take any shots he likes, but I hope he will focus on ball movement Friday, feeding Martez, Jalen, Percy, SDW, Nicky D and Max. Our guys must value the ball and contest shots — every possession.
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Post by Grizzfan1 on Jan 7, 2016 18:57:39 GMT -5
Here's what worries me: There is enormous pressure on Kay Felder and his less-experienced teammates to beat Valpo in the O'rena. I don't consider this a must-win game. There are no must-win games until our guys play in the Horizon League tournament in Detroit in March. However, this is a critical game for seeding and confidence. The Crusaders, meanwhile, will arrive feeling relaxed ... with the knowledge that this highly hyped Oakland team has already been beaten in its own building. When the schedule came out last fall, I worried about opening the league season with four straight home games. One stumble might lead to another and suddenly, our team is reeling. Well, it is what it is ... I've said this before: Kay Felder has earned the green light to take any shots he likes, but I hope he will focus on ball movement Friday, feeding Martez, Jalen, Percy, SDW, Nicky D and Max. Our guys must value the ball and contest shots — every possession. Agree to a certain extent. I hope Valpo is feeling relaxed personally. I expect to see a ticked off OU team ready to fight tooth and nail knowing they let one slip away Monday night. Every home game is a must win IMO and now it is intensified moreso after YSU. |
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Post by nate on Jan 7, 2016 19:56:42 GMT -5
I'm not the biggest supporter of Terry Foster. Over the years, his comments or lack of support on his radio show regarding OU, has pushed the wrong buttons. I like the move to get more media attention and bring someone that is credible, such as he is, to write about Oakland is a great first step. In his piece about the Valpo game tomorrow, he states: "Check out the body language of center Percy Gibson. He is a senior and needs to boost his enthusiasm and care level. He can help this team and doesn’t realize it. Gibson is not the best center in college basketball but he has the skill set to do damage in this league. He needs to talk more and must be more demanding of teammates and himself." Source: www.goldengrizzlies.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/010716aad.htmlI could not agree more. Gibson seems to be lackadaisical at times and uninterested in the game. He often looks like he doesn't want a rebound. He is very skilled and has a great soft touch. He just seems out of it at time. Very interested to see the motivation of the team tomorrow. A little puzzled at the White Out for the game, considering most Oakland gear that is available has always been black. On a typical game day in the O'rena, I would say 70-80% of spectators are wearing black attire (whether Oakland or not), or so it seems. Another great crowd, as there are very limited seats available for the game. |
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