Crusaders Are Dropping Like Flies
(St. Louis, MO) – As we approach the midway point of the Missouri Valley Conference season, it seems that injuries are shaping the race. Two more Valparaiso Crusaders (12-9, 5-3) went down this weekend, as did Lucas Williamson of Loyola.
Several teams have dealt with huge losses, but the recent additions to the Valpo injury list are devastating. With leading scorer Ryan Fazekas already out, this weekend the Crusaders lost second and third leading scorers Derrik Smits and Markus Golder.
How do teams cope with such huge losses?
Drake (16-5, 5-3) was soaring through the non-conference season, began league play and lost their most valuable player to injury. Nick Norton led the Bulldogs in scoring and was their ‘floor general’. He was injured in coach Darian DeVries’ first conference game.
They dropped that decision and then lost their second Valley contest. They are 5-and-1 since then. DeVries says his team rallied around Norton and continued to believe in one another.
Loyola (13-8, 6-2) has played most of the season without sophomore Lucas Williamson. He returned to the Rambler line-up six games ago, but reinjured his hand, has missed the last two games and could be out for the season. Head coach Porter Moser says his team takes the ‘next man up’ approach.
Bruno Skokna and Cooper Kaifes will receive more playing time in Williamson’s absence.
Crushing the Crusaders
Smits has been nursing a soar back and Golder injured his ankle in Saturday’s game with Drake. Fazekas has been listed as ‘day-to-day’ for weeks and it doesn’t appear he’ll be back any time soon. Coach Matt Lottich says he’s hopeful for a quick return from Smits, but sounds less optimistic about Golder and Fazekas.
Tywhon Pickford – unipanthers.com
Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson says there is a ripple effect when injuries hit a team. The Panthers (9-12, 4-4) have played virtually all season without projected post starter Austin Phyfe and started the season without all-freshman team member Tywhon Pickford. More recently UNI lost guard Miles Wentzien.
Jacobson says that ripple effect can put a lot of pressure on those players receiving more playing time and in expanded roles.
Illinois State (12-9, 5-3) is the fourth team within one game of first place and the Redbirds have been without the services of Taylor Bruninga all season. If injuries are shaping the race, the team that can stay injury free during the second half of league play could be the team that takes the title.
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