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San Diego (1-1) Vs. Valparaiso (2-0)
GAME NOTES: The San Diego Toreros and Valparaiso Crusaders collide for the first-ever time on the hardwood today, as they meet in the opening round of the Paradise Jam at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center. The team that comes out on top in this one will earn the right to battle either Iona or Wisconsin in the semifinals. The Toreros enter the tournament on a high note, as they captured a 65-51 victory over Nevada on Tuesday. It was a nice rebound for San Diego, which opened the season with a 65-60 setback at UNLV. The Toreros are a talented and experienced team with five starters back from a squad that went 22-14 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. As for Valpo, it won both of its games prior to this tournament, marking its fourth straight 2-0 start to a season. The Crusaders got things going with an 87-56 trouncing of Marian on Saturday prior to cruising past UCF, 69-52, on Tuesday. Valpo returns three starters from a team that finished 22-14 last season and made an appearance in the inaugural CBI.
The Toreros knocked down 54.0 percent of their field goal attempts and held Nevada to just a 32.7 percent shooting performance, as they picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday. It was certainly a much better effort by San Diego, which shot just 37.7 percent from the floor in an opening loss to UNLV. Rob Jones headed the charge last game with 23 points and five rebounds, although he was also guilty of eight turnovers. Still, it was another great effort by Jones, as he opened the season with a double-double performance of 19 points and 10 rebounds. After logging 14 points and five assists in the opener, Brandon Johnson contributed 13 points and seven rebounds in the win over Nevada. Gyno Pomare, who missed the opener, even got involved last game with 12 points on 6-of-7 field goals.
After being held without a point or rebound in an opening win over Marian, Urule Igbavboa went for a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds in leading Valpo past UCF on Tuesday. Erik Buggs put forth 11 points and three steals last game, while Michael Rogers notched his own double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. In the opener, Rogers tallied 13 points and led the squad with a 23-point effort last time out. Valpo shot 46.3 percent from the floor last game, a nice follow up to its 55.9 percent performance in the opener. The Crusaders have also done well on the boards, outrebounding their foes in both contests.
The Toreros are more experienced and more talented as well and that should help them get past a respectable Valpo club today.
Predicted OutcomeSan Diego 68, Valparaiso 62Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
