Post by mooseguy1 on Feb 20, 2016 15:14:33 GMT -5
With the dregs of the Horizon League behind them—except for one particular dreg next Friday—the Detroit Titans (15-12 overall, 9-7 in the Horizon League) turn their attention to the very formidable Valparaiso Crusaders (23-5, 13-2) for a Sunday afternoon contest at the rather mangy ARC in Valparaiso, Indiana. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 P.M.
The Crusaders have been good, bordering on excellent. With only 2 league losses, both inexplicably to Wright State (creating a bigger mystery than the Shroud of Turin in the process), they are in 1st Place and have clinched at least a share of the Horizon League Regular Season Championship. With as dominant as they’ve been you’re probably asking (or not), “But, Moose, how could they possibly fail to clinch it outright?” Well, technically speaking, Oakland could end up in a statistical tie with Valpo—no really, they can, stop laughing—but a lot would have to go right for the Grizzlies. Breaking this down really took me into the tall weeds where the Commissioner resides but I owe to the people to try. So here’s how Oakland could possibly finish in a tie with Valpo:
1. Valparaiso loses their last 3 games.
2. Oakland wins their last 2.
3. Valpo’s team bus crashes.
4. The ARC, filled with animals, floats away in an epic flood.
5. Greg Kampe fits into size 32 pants.
6. All Oakland players stay in their own beds at the team hotel. At the very least, only 1 team member per bed.
7. A total eclipse of the sun…which Kampe might be able to accomplish singlehandedly if he stood at just the right angle.
8. 6 angels need to dance on the head of a pin.
Nah, just ain’t happening. Crown these Crusaders now.
Last time out, on Friday, Valpo defeated the aforementioned Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 86-84, before a near capacity crowd of 4863 fans at ARC. Hey, it’s Valparaiso, Indiana, ya know? Your entertainment options are limited. You either go to the basketball game or drink beer in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart.
***Wait! Hang on! This just in from the Valparaiso, Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureau (An organization I imagine could be headquartered in a phone booth. Kirky, ask your parents what a phone booth is.) And it’s big news, too: The Subway is now serving $6 foot longs until 11:00 P.M.! Woo Hoo! Laissez les bons temps rouler!***
The Titans have won 6 of their last 7 and are riding high behind some superb team play and suffocating defense. Last time out they defeated the overmatched UIC Flames in Chicago on Friday night by a score of 83-72, a game in which mine and Friar Titan’s predictions were tragically off. Nevertheless, a victory, especially on the road, is all that matters. Currently we sit in 5th Place just behind the infernal Green Bay Phoenix.
Regrettably, odds makers in Nevada are less than impressed with us, installing Valpo as 14 ½ to 15 point favorites. Whoop de doo! Thankfully, infallibility is not most bookmakers’ biggest strength. I could find no Over/Under for this game but 140 seems about right. Valpo doesn’t score a ton, averaging only 74.8 points per game, good for only 6th place in the league. On the other hand, they are leading the league in team defense, holding opponents to only 59.8 PPG, almost 7 points better than their nearest competitor, Wright State. Likewise, the Titans have found their defensive mojo lately, holding opponents under 70 in 2 of their last 3. Tomorrow, points will be hard to come by but we will get our biggest victory of the season. The OFFICIAL MOOSE PREDICTION (from the mobile home office in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan); Detroit Titans 72 Valparaiso Crusaders 68. GO TITANS!!!