Union Street Hoops
145 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsUnion Street Hoops is a podcast dedicated to Valparaiso basketball and the Missouri Valley Conference. Hosted by Paul Oren.
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Episodes
The Eron Gordon Episode
October 24, 2019 23:14 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBWith less than two weeks until the start of the 2019-20 college basketball season, Union Street Hoops is in preview mode. Valparaiso junior Eron Gordon stops by the pod to share his journey that led him from being an Indianapolis prep standout to enrolling at Seton Hall and ultimately joining the Crusaders. Former Valparaiso guard Lexus Williams also joins USH to talk about the new California Pay to Play act. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Missouri Valley Conference Media Day
September 27, 2019 20:54 - 1 hour - 72.1 MBMissouri Valley Conference Media Day was held on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. Union Street Hoops host Paul Oren interviewed Valparaiso coaches Matt Lottich and Mary Evans as well as players Ryan Fazekas, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Grace Hales and Addison Stoller. Valley commissioner Doug Elgin also appears on the pod. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
August 29, 2019 22:33 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MBValparaiso associate head coach Luke Gore joins Union Street Hoops to discuss the 2019-20 non-conference schedule. Gore talks about the difficulties of scheduling in the modern era, how buyouts from Vanderbilt and George Washington impacted the schedule and what future schedules may look like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Daniel Sackey Episode
August 22, 2019 23:12 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBValparaiso sophomore point guard Daniel Sackey joins Union Street Hoops to discuss Valpo's recent trip to Canada, making ESPN after hitting a game-winning 3-pointer and what Valparaiso fans should have in mind in regards to the 2019-20 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Back to School: The Mark LaBarbera Episode
August 15, 2019 22:42 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBValparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera joins Union Street Hoops to discuss a myriad of topics. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren asks LaBarbera about changes to the Athletics-Recreation Center, the upcoming fall sports season, the exodus of players from the men's basketball team and what the future looks like for Matt Lottich. Oren and LaBarbera also discuss recent scheduling buyouts from Vanderbilt and George Washington, as well as the impact that legalized sports gambling could h...
Return of the M...
July 18, 2019 20:39 - 33 minutes - 31 MBUnion Street Hoops is back after a summer hiatus. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren takes a brief look where Valparaiso's transfers ended up as well as who is coming back to campus. Then Oren sits down with a former Valparaiso player who was once part of the most-hyped recruiting class in program history. Regular episodes will resume in early August. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April Showers, May Flowers
April 27, 2019 23:43 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBIs the glass half empty or half full regarding the Valparaiso basketball program? The Crusaders lost a handful of players to transfer, but gained a handful of new recruits. The Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, joins NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren to walk through the offseason and what it could mean for Matt Lottich in the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The March Is On
March 20, 2019 21:34 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBDerrik Smits, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Bakari Evelyn all announced they are leaving the Valparaiso basketball program. NWI Times reporters Paul Oren and Robbie Weinstein examine why each player may have left and explore what this means for Matt Lottich and the program in general. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Transfer Episode
March 18, 2019 22:31 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBMarch Madness is here and that means different things for different people. While Bradley, Loyola and Drake are preparing for postseason contests, the rest of the Missouri Valley Conference is settling in for a long offseason. The march toward 2019-20 began in earnest on Monday as Derrik Smits announced he was transferring. He's the first Valparaiso player to announce intentions to transfer, but will he be the last? Have the Crusaders won or lost the transfer game in the last 12 years? See ...
The Joe Otis Episode
March 05, 2019 21:54 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBFormer Valparaiso University assistant coach Joe Otis stops by Union Street Hoops to talk about the problems that have plagued the Valparaiso basketball program this season. Otis was an assistant with the Crusaders in the 1970's and was on staff when Valparaiso transitioned to Division I. Otis went on to become a legendary high school coach in the Region, taking LaPorte to the Final Four of the 1997 IHSAA tournament. Otis also coached both boys and girls basketball at Valparaiso High School...
Rock Bottom
March 01, 2019 21:53 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBValparaiso hit rock bottom with its worst offensive performance in 18 years against Bradley on Wednesday night. Where do the Crusaders go from here? With Ryan Fazekas out for the season and one game left until an Arch Madness tilt with Indiana State, NWI Times reporters Paul Oren and Robbie Weinstein do their best to navigate through the maladies facing the Crusaders this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus Interview: Matt Hackman (MVC Fans)
February 26, 2019 21:28 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBMatt Hackman (Hacksaw on MVCFans.com) joins Union Street Hoops to discuss seeding possibilities for Arch Madness. Hacksaw has been running simulations on Arch Madness probabilities for the last decade and he talks about one of the crazier seasons in recent memory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Excuse Me
February 19, 2019 20:06 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBValparaiso has lost seven of its last eight games and the season is on the brink of disaster. NWI Times writers Paul Oren and Robbie Weinstein breakdown whether or not Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich is hiding behind excuses, if fans are right to call for Lottich's head or if the Crusaders are capable of turning the whole thing around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Starts and Stops
February 12, 2019 18:21 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBIt was an exciting week for Valparaiso as the Crusaders went to Illinois State and knocked off the Redbirds in a breakout performance for freshman Javon Freeman-Liberty. More than 5,000 fans packed the Athletics-Recreation Center for a battle against first-place Loyola, and just when it looked as if the Crusaders were ready to reinsert themselves into the Valley race, another elongated scoring drought doomed Valparaiso. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren tries to make sense of where Valparai...
Progressing Poorly
February 01, 2019 21:21 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBValparaiso has lost three straight games and the Crusaders face a brutal five-game stretch that could derail the entire season. The schedule is the least of their problems as Ryan Fazekas and Markus Golder, while both "progressing nicely" from their respective ankle injuries, are still out of action. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren tries to make sense of it all while also breaking down a recent column written by Jeff Goodman where the Stadium reporter says Valparaiso has the worst game a...
The John Kiser Story
January 23, 2019 18:54 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBJohn Kiser arrived on campus as an unheralded walk-on and he quickly became a thorn in the side of one of the best players in Valparaiso history. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren takes an in-depth look at Kiser's story in an extension of the piece that ran in Wednesday's Northwest Indiana Times. Oren also takes a look at Valparaiso's recent games against Loyola and Northern Iowa, as well as a look ahead to a road contest against Indiana State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
Fast Start in Sweet Valley High
January 15, 2019 19:03 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBValparaiso has started fast in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, winning its first four games in spectacular fashion. From Markus Golder's buzzer-beater to winning on the road without Ryan Fazekas, the Crusaders are all alone in first place heading to Loyola. Times beat reporter Paul Oren reviews Valparaiso's first four Valley games of the year in a tough and gritty podcast that will have you slapping the floor in celebration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mid-Term Grades & Valley Preview
January 02, 2019 21:06 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBUnion Street Hoops host Paul Oren and the Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow hand out some non-conference grades for Valparaiso while reviewing the Over/Under prop bets from the beginning of the season. Valparaiso superfan Jeff Safrin joins the pod to talk about the upcoming conference season and what he sees in the Crusaders from the sidelines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coal in Valpo's Stocking
December 20, 2018 23:07 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBHumbug! There's no Christmas cheer for Valparaiso as the Crusaders dropped a pair of non-conference games to Ball State and Texas A&M this week. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren tries to make sense of two disappointing defeats as the fan base is looking for their gift receipts. Ball State assistant coach Matt Crenshaw joins the pod to discuss the 2003 Mid-Con title game when the former IUPUI guard knocked down a buzzer-beater to defeat the Crusaders. Crenshaw also talks about being in the ...
The (latest) Mark LaBarbera Episode
December 12, 2018 01:06 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBValparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera joins the pod to discuss a litany of topics, including reactions to the football and volleyball seasons, student attendance issues and whether or not Valparaiso is moving away from the Crusader nickname. Union Street Hoops host Paul Oren reviews the George Washington game and looks ahead to the Ball State contest on Monday, Dec. 17. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
High Points and Low Points
December 05, 2018 22:34 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBValparaiso knocked off UNLV on the road and then got some revenge against UC-Riverside at the ARC. Everything looked great until High Point came to town and sent the Crusaders to their lowest point of the season. Union Street Hoops host and Valparaiso beat reporter Paul Oren attempts to make sense of the last week as the non-conference season begins to wind down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Valpo Good?
November 27, 2018 21:37 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBValparaiso is six games into the 2018-19 season and one question looms large: Are the Crusaders good? They've beaten the teams they should and lost to the bigger teams on the schedule. What will the next three weeks tell us about the quality of this season's team? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Indianapolis Debacle
November 02, 2018 17:20 - 40 minutes - 37 MBValparaiso picked the wrong way to make a first impression on Thursday night, falling to Division II Indianapolis in an exhibition contest. Former Valparaiso point guard Erik Buggs joins the pod to talk about losing to UIndy in 2009 and how the Crusaders recovered from that loss. NWI Times reporter Robbie Weinstein makes his Union Street Hoops debut. Robbie will be covering preps and college sports for the Times, including some Valparaiso hoops coverage. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
The 2018-19 Over/Under Episode
October 26, 2018 20:18 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBIt's the eve of the 2018-19 college basketball season and NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren has released the Over/Under prop bets for Valparaiso's upcoming season. Listen to the latest episode of Union Street Hoops as Paul sits down with the Voice of Valparaiso Athletics, Todd Ickow, to discuss the Over/Under props. Todd shares his picks for the upcoming season and you can too! Email Paul at [email protected] with your picks and the listener with the most correct at the end of the season wi...
Valley Predictions
October 17, 2018 23:17 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBOn the cusp of the 2018-19 season, Union Street Hoops host Paul Oren gives a breakdown of his Missouri Valley Conference predictions. Purdue coach Matt Painter shares his thoughts at Big Ten Media Day on scheduling. Finally, ESPN broadcaster and Valparaiso alum Adam Amin stops by the pod to talk about joining the Chicago Bulls broadcast team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MVC Media Day Musings
September 20, 2018 21:32 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBThe 2018-19 basketball season is here! (Kind of) The Missouri Valley Conference held its annual Media Day event in St. Louis on Wednesday, Sept. 19. NWI Times beat reporter Paul Oren was on hand for the festivities. Guests of the pod this week include Valparaiso coaches Matt Lottich and Mary Evans, players Bakari Evelyn, Markus Golder, Grace Hales and Meredith Hamlet, as well as Valley commissioner Doug Elgin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Schedule Episode
August 24, 2018 21:33 - 1 hour - 61 MBValparaiso released its 2018-19 non-conference schedule and beat reporter Paul Oren is here to breakdown each game, including a pair of contests against Sweet Sixteen participants West Virginia and Texas A&M. Purdue Northwest men's basketball coach Boomer Roberts joins the pod to talk about having the opportunity to play Valparaiso. Former NWI Times reporter Sean Hayden also joins Union Street Hoops on the 15-year anniversary of Scott Drew leaving the Crusaders for Baylor. Hayden shares s...
The New and The Old
July 12, 2018 17:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBNews has come out of every corner of the Valparaiso basketball program this month. Join Paul Oren on the latest episode of Union Street Hoops as he breaks down the additions of Nick Robinson and Deion Lavender as well as the hiring of Todd Townsend and Rob Holloway. Finally, former Valparaiso star Ryan Broekhoff joins the pod to talk about signing with the Dallas Mavericks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Chris Artis Episode
June 20, 2018 21:17 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBFormer Valparaiso player and Region native Chris Artis joins Union Street Hoops to talk all things Valparaiso basketball. From getting recruited by Homer Drew to helping Valparaiso get to the NCAA tournament for the first time and everything since, Artis shares a journey with the Crusaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Farewell Parker
June 03, 2018 13:43 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBUnion Street Hoops is back to talk about a slow Valparaiso offseason that includes the arrival of Eron Gordon and the non-return of Joe Burton. Parker Gatewood says farewell during his final hours in Valpo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Steve Helm Episode
May 03, 2018 20:17 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBValparaiso walk-on Steve Helm joins Union Street Hoops to discuss his first year with the Crusaders, playing in the Duneland Athletic Conference and his upcoming Mormon mission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comings and Goings
April 12, 2018 21:00 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBPaul Oren and Parker Gatewood return to bring all the latest Valparaiso news, including the transfers of Parker Hazen and Marten Linssen, as well as the addition of Daniel Sackey. Oren finally comes clean about the "Parker Hazen: The Next Alec Peters?" piece from earlier this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lottich & Loyola
March 21, 2018 15:46 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBValparaiso head coach Matt Lottich joins Union Street Hoops to discuss the 2017-18 season. Missouri Valley Conference associate commissioner Mike Kern talks about Loyola's run to the Sweet Sixteen and what it means for the rest of the league. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Shot At 20 Media Roundtable
March 13, 2018 06:23 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBWhat was it like to be on press row at the 1998 NCAA tournament when Bryce Drew hit The Shot? Listen to the latest episode of Union Street Hoops as host Paul Oren is joined by former Times reporters Sean Hayden and Paul Jankowski as well as the Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow. Ickow breaks down his call of the play while Hayden and Jankowski share how they managed to put such a magical moment into words. Listen as the trio share stories of all the moments that led up to The Shot, includi...
Arch Madness Preview
February 28, 2018 19:10 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBArch Madness is here! Union Street Hoops hosts Paul Oren and Parker Gatewood give their thoughts on end of Valparaiso's regular-season and what success looks like in St. Louis. Missouri State beat reporter Wyatt Wheeler of the Springfield News-Leader joins the pod to talk Bears and Crusaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Mark LaBarbera Episode
February 24, 2018 01:43 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBValparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera joins Union Street Hoops to cover a variety of topics, including the move to the Missouri Valley Conference, facility renovations and attendance issues at the ARC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Turning the Corner
February 15, 2018 21:47 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBPaul Oren and Parker Gatewood discuss Valparaiso's progress down the stretch of the year, including Wednesday's strong showing at first-place Loyola. Former Valparaiso point guard Erik Buggs talks about the process from going 9-22 as a freshman to the NCAA tournament as a senior. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 Hours in America
February 07, 2018 02:39 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBAnthony Schalk joins Union Street Hoops to discuss a 28-hour journey to Carbondale and back while Ethan Hennessy of Happening Hoops shares his thoughts on student attendance at Valparaiso games. Paul Oren doesn't limit his thoughts to just students as he wonders what will it take to pack the ARC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Baptized in the Valley
January 30, 2018 22:40 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBUnion Street Hoops hosts Paul Oren and Parker Gatewood discuss Valparaiso's recent five-game losing streak as well as THAT play from the Illinois State game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jumping the Shark
January 23, 2018 22:41 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBHas Valparaiso jumped the shark? Paul and Parker try to navigate the recent three-game losing streak. Valparaiso managers Robbie Crimmins and Kendall O'Banner join the pod and explain just what it is that managers do. Plus, Paul takes on Iowa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Days in the ARC
January 12, 2018 20:45 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBPaul Oren and Parker Gatewood react to Valparaiso winning its first two Missouri Valley Conference games of the season. Plus, Paul tells a story of the time his family went to Iowa and ended up going home with the bartender. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Valpo in the Valley
January 05, 2018 21:10 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBPaul Oren and Parker Gatewood discuss Valparaiso's 0-3 start in the Missouri Valley Conference, the virtues of trash talking and whether or not Joe Burton has played his final game in a Valparaiso uniform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Missouri Valley Conference Preview
December 28, 2017 16:22 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBMissouri Valley Conference action has arrived! Valley Hoops Insider Harry Schroeder shares his thoughts on the conference season, while Luke Benz of the Yale Sports Analytics Group looks to math to illustrate how Valparaiso could fare in the Valley this season and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Non-Conference Grades
December 21, 2017 15:22 - 1 hour - 62 MBUnion Street Hoops hosts Paul Oren and Parker Gatewood give out non-conference grades in the wake of Valparaiso's 73-60 loss to UC-Riverside. What is next for Joe Burton at Valparaiso? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Union Street Hoops: Episode 44
December 14, 2017 20:38 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBFormer Valparaiso basketball players Dwayne Toatley and Milo Stovall join Union Street Hoops to talk about dealing with mono during the 2000-01 season. Former assistant coach and longtime Region high school coach Joe Otis talks about Valparaiso's unique connection to the 1977 plane crash involving the Evansville basketball program. Also, Paul and Parker breakdown Purdue and Ball State and look ahead to Northwestern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Purdue Fallout
December 08, 2017 07:36 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBValparaiso beat reporter Paul Oren sits down with NWI Times reporters (and Purdue super fans) Jim Peters and CJ Peters in the wake of Valparaiso's 80-50 loss at Mackey Arena on Thursday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Union Street Hoops: Episode 43
December 06, 2017 22:27 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBFormer Valpo High and Purdue star Robbie Hummel joins Union Street Hoops to preview the upcoming non-conference tilt between the Crusaders and Boilermakers. Mid-Major Madness reporter Andy Evans shares his thoughts on Valparaiso's place in national polls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Union Street Hoops: Episode 42
November 28, 2017 22:51 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBNWI Times reporter Paul Oren and Parker Gatewood breakdown Valparaiso's hot start to this season while Valley Associate Commissioner Greg Walter talks about the MVC/MWC Challenge. Former Valparaiso star Dan Oppland wraps up Episode No. 42 by sharing thoughts his time with the Crusaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Union Street Hoops: Episode 41
November 10, 2017 00:06 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBKylan Lottich and Todd Ickow join Union Street Hoops on the eve of the 2017-18 college basketball season to discuss the Crusaders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Union Street Hoops: Episode 40
November 03, 2017 19:56 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBUnion Street Hoops hosts Paul Oren and Parker Gatewood breakdown Valparaiso's exhibition victory over Robert Morris. Former Valparaiso player Ali Berdiel joins the podcast to talk about his career with the Crusaders and the hurricane relief effort in his native Puerto Rico. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.